The speed at which a golf ball travels can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the speed of the golfer’s swing, the type of club used, the aerodynamics of the ball, and the conditions of the course.
Professional golfers can hit a golf ball at speeds of up to 170 mph (274 km/h) with a driver, while amateurs generally hit the ball at slower speeds. The average swing speed for male golfers is around 93 mph (150 km/h) and for female golfers, it is around 62 mph (100 km/h).
However, the actual speed of a golf ball as it travels through the air is also affected by air resistance and spin. Generally, a golf ball will travel at speeds between 100 and 170 mph (160 and 274 km/h) after it is hit by a golfer.
TGolf Ball Speed by Club Type and Distance (in mph)
Club Type
Average Speed
Max Speed
Carry Distance (yards)
Total Distance (yards)
Driver
160-170
180+
240-280
260-320
3 Wood
145-160
170+
215-245
235-295
5 Wood
135-150
160+
195-225
215-275
3 Iron
120-140
160+
170-200
190-240
6 Iron
100-120
150+
150-180
170-220
9 Iron
70-90
130+
115-140
130-170
Pitching Wedge
60-80
120+
95-120
110-150
Sand Wedge
50-70
100+
70-100
90-120
Lob Wedge
40-60
90+
50-80
70-100
Putter
5-10
20+
Less than 10
Less than 10
Golf Ball Speed by Golfer Skill Level and Launch Angle (in mph)
Golfer Skill Level
Average Speed
Max Speed
Launch Angle (degrees)
Spin Rate (rpm)
Professional
160-170
180+
10-14
2200-2800
Low Handicap
140-160
170+
12-16
2500-3000
Mid Handicap
120-140
160+
14-18
3000-3500
High Handicap
90-120
140+
16-20
3500-4000
Golf Ball Speed by Gender and Ball Type (in mph)
Gender
Average Speed
Max Speed
Ball Type
Compression
Male
120-150
170+
Distance
70-100
Female
70-100
130+
Soft
50-70
Golf Ball Speed by Age and Swing Tempo (in mph)
Age Range
Average Speed
Max Speed
Swing Tempo (seconds)
Swing Path (degrees)
Under 18
100-120
150+
1.8-2.2
2-6
18-35
120-140
170+
2.0-2.4
3-7
36-50
110-130
160+
Golf Ball Speed by Wind Conditions and Club Type (in mph)
Wind Conditions
Driver
Irons
Wedges
Calm
160-170
100-120
70-90
Headwind
140-160
90-110
60-80
Tailwind
180+
120-140
80-100
Crosswind
150-170
90-120
60-80
Golf Ball Speed by Altitude and Ball Type (in mph)
Altitude (feet)
Distance Ball
Soft Ball
Sea Level
120-150
70-100
5,000
130-160
80-110
10,000
140-170
90-120
Golf Ball Speed by Swing Speed and Ball Type (in mph)
Swing Speed (mph)
Distance Ball
Soft Ball
Under 80
90-110
60-80
80-100
110-130
70-90
100-120
130-150
80-100
Over 120
150+
90-110
Golf Ball Speed by Temperature and Club Type (in mph)
Temperature (°F)
Driver
Irons
Wedges
Below 50
140-150
80-100
50-70
50-60
150-160
90-110
60-80
60-70
160-170
100-120
70-90
Above 70
170+
120-140
80-100
Golf Ball Speed by Club Head Speed and Launch Angle (in mph)
Club Head Speed (mph)
Launch Angle (degrees)
Ball Speed (mph)
80
10
60-70
90
10
70-80
100
10
80-90
110
10
90-100
120
10
100-110
130
10
110-120
140
10
120-130
150
10
130-140
Golf Ball Speed by Spin Rate and Club Type (in mph)
Spin Rate (rpm)
Driver
Irons
Wedges
Low
160-170
100-120
70-90
Medium
150-160
90-110
60-80
High
140-150
80-100
50-70
Golf Ball Speed by Swinging Tempo and Ball Type (in mph)
Swinging Tempo
Distance Ball
Soft Ball
Slow
80-100
50-70
Moderate
100-120
70-90
Fast
120-140
90-110
Very Fast
140+
110+
Golf Ball Speed by Compression Rating and Club Type (in mph)
