“I want to get better at golf this year.”
I hear some version of that sentence almost every week. And I get it. But here’s the problem: “better” doesn’t mean anything.
Better how? Longer drives? Fewer slices? More consistent iron play? Without something specific to track, you’re just hoping things improve. Hope isn’t a strategy.
The good news? You’re playing on equipment that gives you actual numbers. X-Golf’s NEXT sensor technology tracks over a dozen data points on every swing. Your player profile saves that history.
So instead of vague resolutions, let’s build goals around stats you can measure.
Pick 2 or 3 Stats (Not 10)
When golfers first see all the data X-Golf tracks, they sometimes want to improve everything at once. That’s a recipe for frustration.
Focus on two or three metrics that actually matter for your game right now. Here are four worth considering:
Smash Factor
This one measures how efficiently you transfer energy from the club to the ball. It’s calculated by dividing ball speed by club head speed.
For drivers, recreational golfers typically fall between 1.35 and 1.45. Scratch players and tour pros hit around 1.48 to 1.50. If your smash factor is on the lower end, you’re leaving distance on the table even with a fast swing.
The fix is usually about striking the ball closer to the center of the clubface. X-Golf’s club impact sensor shows you exactly where you’re making contact.
Club Path
This tells you the direction your club travels through impact. A negative number means you’re cutting across the ball (outside-in). A positive number means inside-out.
Most slicers have a club path around -3 to -6 degrees. If that’s you, getting to -1 or 0 would be a real win. You don’t need a perfect path to hit straighter shots. Even small improvements change the curve of your ball flight.
Carry Distance
This is the distance the ball travels through the air before hitting the ground. It’s more useful than total distance because it tells you what your swing actually produces.
Roll depends on conditions. Carry is all you.
Setting a carry goal by club keeps things concrete. Maybe you want your 7-iron to carry 150 yards consistently instead of bouncing between 140 and 160. That’s a real target you can work toward.
Launch Angle
This is the angle the ball leaves the clubface. It affects how high and how far your shots travel.
For drivers, most golfers do well with launch angles between 12 and 15 degrees. Too low and you lose carry. Too high and you lose distance to ballooning shots.
If your launch angle is way off, it usually points to something in your setup or swing. Knowing the number gives you and your instructor something to work with.
What “Good” Looks Like for Different Skill Levels
Benchmarks depend on where you’re starting. A 25-handicapper and a 10-handicapper shouldn’t chase the same numbers.
Here’s a rough guide for smash factor with a driver:
- Beginner (25+ handicap): 1.30 to 1.38
- Average golfer (15-25 handicap): 1.38 to 1.44
- Low handicap (under 10): 1.44 to 1.48
- Scratch and better: 1.48 to 1.50
For club path, the goal for most recreational golfers is getting closer to neutral. That means somewhere between -2 and +2 degrees.
The point isn’t to compare yourself to tour players. It’s to know where you are and set a target that’s a step or two ahead.
Track Your Numbers Over Time
Here’s where the X-Golf player profile pays off.
Every time you play, your stats get saved. You can see averages, spot trends, and check whether the changes you’re making actually show up in the data.
Some weeks you’ll hit it great. Some weeks you won’t. That’s golf. But over a few months, patterns emerge. And patterns don’t lie.
If your smash factor creeps up from 1.38 to 1.42 over eight weeks, that’s not a fluke. That’s improvement you can prove.
A Simple Goal-Setting Template
Try this format when you write down your goals:
“By [date], I want my [metric] to average [target number], measured over [number of sessions].”
For example: “By June 1, I want my 7-iron carry distance to average 155 yards, measured over 10 range sessions.”
That’s specific. That’s measurable. And when June rolls around, you’ll know if you hit it.
Why This Approach Actually Works
Vague goals fade. Specific ones stick.
When you have a number to chase, your practice sessions get more focused. You stop mindlessly hitting balls and start working on the thing that moves the needle.
And when you see progress in the data, it’s motivating. You’re not guessing anymore. You’re watching yourself improve.
Start With Your Next Session
The next time you’re in the bay, pick one stat to watch. Just one. See where you are right now.
Then set a goal that’s realistic but pushes you a bit. Write it down. Track it for a few weeks.
That’s it. No complicated system. Just you, your swing, and some numbers that tell you the truth.
If you want help figuring out which metrics matter most for your game, our staff at X-Golf Frisco can walk you through your data. Sometimes a quick look at the numbers points you right at the thing that’s been holding you back.
See you in the bay.
