Smash factor is a metric used to assess the efficiency of energy transfer from a golf club to the golf ball at impact. It quantifies how effectively a golfer is converting clubhead speed into ball speed. The calculation involves dividing ball speed by clubhead speed. For example, if a clubhead speed of 100 mph results in a ball speed of 150 mph, the smash factor would be 1.5.
A higher result indicates a more efficient transfer of energy, leading to greater distance. This efficiency impacts overall performance, as maximizing ball speed for a given clubhead speed is a key factor in achieving longer drives. Historically, understanding and improving this efficiency has been a focus of golf equipment design and swing technique development.
