What angle has the most effect on ball flight distance?

The loft of a golf club plays a critical role in determining the launch angle of the ball, which in turn greatly affects its distance traveled through the air. When a club has more loft, it presents a higher angle relative to the ground, which causes the ball to ascend more quickly after impact. This higher launch angle can lead to a longer carry distance, given optimal conditions such as speed, spin, and overall impact quality.

A club with greater loft is particularly effective for achieving higher trajectories, which can benefit players who need to clear obstacles or maximize carry distance. Additionally, the loft interacts with the ball’s spin characteristics; for example, more loft often generates more backspin, contributing to better lift and potentially longer flight. Therefore, loft is a decisive factor in controlling both distance and trajectory of the golf ball.

In comparison, while slope, lie angle, and face angle influence various aspects of a shot, they do not have the direct impact on ball flight distance that loft does. Slope affects the overall angle of the shot but not the launch dynamics directly. Lie angle ensures that the club aligns properly with the ground but does not influence how far the ball travels. Face angle affects the direction of the shot but does not directly alter the distance the ball