The Carry at the Golf Course

What is "carry" in golf?

The carry is the ball's flight distance: it is measured from the point where the ball was struck to the spot where it first touches the ground. French-speaking golfers also refer to it as “porté” or flight distance.

He opposes the rolls, the distance the ball travels once it hits the ground. When added together, the carry and the roll give the total distance.

Why is the carry so important?

Because many moves must cross something: a bunker in front of the green, a penalty area (a body of water, a ditch), thick rough, or the bend of a dogleg. In these situations, only the carry distance matters: the roll doesn't count for anything if the ball lands in the hazard.

On approach shots to the green, carry distance is also the most reliable factor. Roll varies depending on the firmness of the ground, the slope, and the ball's spin; flight, on the other hand, varies much less from one day to the next.

How can you determine the carry of your clubs?

• At the driving range, hitting at a target: Aim at landmarks whose distance you know, and note where the ball lands—not where it comes to rest.
• With a speed-measuring radar (launch monitor): It displays the carry distance, height, and trajectory of each shot. Many driving ranges and practice facilities are equipped with them.
• On the course, using a rangefinder or GPS: these devices don't measure the carry distance themselves, but rather the distance to a specific point (the front of a bunker, the flag). You choose your club by comparing these distances to your actual flight distances.

Record an average score for each club, not your best shot. Write them down in a notebook or on a scorecard in your bag.

What causes the carry to fluctuate?

• The speed of the ball, which depends on the clubhead speed and the quality of contact. A shot struck far from the center of the clubface loses a lot of carry.
• The angle of departure and the effect: For each speed, there is a combination of height and backspin that maximizes the ball's flight. If the ball is too low or has too much backspin, it will drop early.
• The Club Loft: The more open it is, the higher the ball goes and the shorter its flight. That's what creates the range variation within a set of clubs.
• The Angle of Attack: With a driver, strike the ball lightly on the upswing, with the ball placed high on the tee; this helps increase carry. With irons, on the other hand, the club should make contact with the ball on the downswing for a clean strike.
• Terms and Conditions: A headwind shortens the flight, while a tailwind lengthens it. Warm air and high altitude, which are less dense, make the ball fly a little farther; cold air shortens the flight.

How do you use the carry on the course?

• Calculate the distance to be traveled, not just the distance to the flag. If a bunker ends at 130 yards and the flag is 140 yards away, your carry must exceed 130 yards by a comfortable margin.
• Allow for a margin For shots that aren't quite as well-struck: she's the one who keeps the ball out of the penalty area.
• Pick a place to stay on the approaches, then let the roll finish the job.