01
Understand the Metric
Learn what each measurement represents and the direction, distance or speed it describes.
Launch monitor technology
Understand the Data Behind Every Shot.
Learn what each GOLFJOY ball, club and trajectory metric means, then compare the measurements each launch monitor reports.
Start here
How to Use the Data.
Three steps turn a screen full of numbers into a clear picture of your swing.
02
Check Model Availability
Not every launch monitor reports the same measurements. Check the model badges on each card, then compare measurement totals across models.
03
Read the Numbers Together
Ball, club and trajectory data are most useful as a connected picture, not one number at a time.
Featured measurement glossary
Explore the Measurements.
This featured glossary covers 24 ball, club and trajectory measurements. Filter by category or model to see what each one measures, the unit it uses and which launch monitors list it.
Featured Measurement Glossary (24 definitions)
Spica 3 badges follow its published list of 27 measurements. Rigel 2 badges follow its published list of 7 ball and 11 club metrics. Its other 24 data points are trajectory values that are not itemized. For Rigel 3, compare measurement totals in the launch monitor comparison or ask our team which of these measurements each model reports.
Showing 24 of 24 featured measurements
Ball Speed
- Category
- Ball
- Unit
- mph
The velocity of the golf ball immediately after impact.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2Rigel 3: ask our team
Launch Angle
- Category
- Ball
- Unit
- degrees
The vertical angle at which the ball starts its flight.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2Rigel 3: ask our team
Launch Direction
- Category
- Ball
- Unit
- degrees
The horizontal direction in which the ball starts relative to the target line.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2Rigel 3: ask our team
Backspin
- Category
- Ball
- Unit
- rpm
The backward rotation component of the ball immediately after impact.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2Rigel 3: ask our team
Side Spin
- Category
- Ball
- Unit
- rpm
The sideways rotation component used to describe left or right curve.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2Rigel 3: ask our team
Spin Rate
- Category
- Ball
- Unit
- rpm
The ball's total rotation speed, normally shown in revolutions per minute.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2Rigel 3: ask our team
Spin Axis
- Category
- Ball
- Unit
- degrees
The tilt of the ball's rotation axis, which helps describe curve direction and amount.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2Rigel 3: ask our team
Face Closure Rate
- Category
- Club
- Unit
- degrees per second
The speed at which the clubface rotates toward closed through impact.
Available On
Rigel 2Not listed for Spica 3Rigel 3: ask our team
Club Path
- Category
- Club
- Unit
- degrees
The horizontal direction the clubhead is moving at impact.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2Rigel 3: ask our team
Dynamic Lie
- Category
- Club
- Unit
- degrees
The clubhead's angle relative to the ground at impact.
Available On
Rigel 2Not listed for Spica 3Rigel 3: ask our team
Face Angle
- Category
- Club
- Unit
- degrees
The clubface direction at impact relative to the target line.
Available On
Rigel 2Not listed for Spica 3Rigel 3: ask our team
Face to Path
- Category
- Club
- Unit
- degrees
The difference between clubface angle and club path at impact.
Available On
Rigel 2Not listed for Spica 3Rigel 3: ask our team
Smash Factor
- Category
- Club
- Unit
- ratio
The ratio of ball speed to club speed, used to describe strike efficiency.
Available On
Spica 3Not listed for Rigel 2Rigel 3: ask our team
Carry Distance
- Category
- Trajectory
- Unit
- yards
The distance the ball travels in the air before first touching the ground.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2 and Rigel 3: ask our team
Roll Distance
- Category
- Trajectory
- Unit
- yards
The additional distance the ball travels after landing.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2 and Rigel 3: ask our team
Total Distance
- Category
- Trajectory
- Unit
- yards
The combined distance of carry and roll.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2 and Rigel 3: ask our team
Carry %
- Category
- Trajectory
- Unit
- percent
The percentage of total distance covered in the air.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2 and Rigel 3: ask our team
Apex
- Category
- Trajectory
- Unit
- yards
The highest point the ball reaches during flight.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2 and Rigel 3: ask our team
Hang Time
- Category
- Trajectory
- Unit
- seconds
The total time the ball spends in the air.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2 and Rigel 3: ask our team
Deviation
- Category
- Trajectory
- Unit
- yards
The final distance the ball finishes left or right of the target line.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2 and Rigel 3: ask our team
Side Carry
- Category
- Trajectory
- Unit
- yards
The lateral distance from the target line when the ball first lands.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2 and Rigel 3: ask our team
Center Line
- Category
- Trajectory
- Unit
- yards
How far the ball finishes from the hitting position, measured straight along the target line.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2 and Rigel 3: ask our team
Target Line Carry
- Category
- Trajectory
- Unit
- yards
The carry distance measured along the target line.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2 and Rigel 3: ask our team
Curve Carry
- Category
- Trajectory
- Unit
- yards
How far the ball has curved away from its launch direction by the time it lands.
Available On
Spica 3Rigel 2 and Rigel 3: ask our team
Field testing
Validated Against Real Ball Flight.
GOLFJOY engineers test launch monitor performance on outdoor ranges to evaluate ball flight, spin, trajectory and detection under real-world conditions.
R&D archive footage
R&D Field Testing Archive
Archive footage from a GOLFJOY field test on an outdoor range, with each check narrated in captions. The unit on screen is an earlier-generation portable launch monitor, not a current Spica 3 or Rigel model.
Next step
Find the Data Set That Fits Your Game.
Different GOLFJOY launch monitors provide different levels of ball, club and trajectory data. Compare models to find the measurements that matter most for your practice, coaching or fitting needs.
Not Sure Which Measurements Matter for You?
Tell us how you plan to use your launch monitor (practice, coaching, fitting, simulator play or commercial use) and our team can help narrow the right model.