Launch angle is the vertical angle of the ball relative to the ground immediately after impact, measured in degrees.
It's primarily a function of three things: the loft of the club, the angle of attack (whether you hit down on the ball or sweep up), and where on the face you make contact.
Why it matters
Launch angle interacts with ball speed and spin rate to determine how far the ball carries. The "optimal" launch angle for distance depends on club speed — slower swing speeds typically benefit from higher launch, faster swing speeds can carry farther with flatter launches.
For drivers, launch angles in the 12°–17° range are common for amateur swing speeds. Mid irons typically launch in the 15°–25° range. Wedges can exceed 30°.
On a launch monitor
Most launch monitors measure launch angle directly via radar or photometric tracking. It's a foundational metric that feeds carry distance, peak height, and descent angle calculations.