The Shot Cluster Test

The shot cluster test shows the dispersion of golf balls on a landing area from multiple swings on a hitting area. It indicates the accuracy that can be expected from the club being tested with a repeatable swing. A launch monitor measures enough fundamental parameters to allow calculation of the predicted landing site.

A radar launch monitor that tracks ball flight in the hitting cage or on the range is probably the most effective way to do the shot cluster test. You get numbers and measurements and graphs and statistics to achieve the desired level of significance. Launch monitors are better than eyes for detecting small differences in a landing area 180 yards away. 

Here's a recent example of how the shot cluster test can help a golfer determine the shaft and clubhead combination that yields the best results for their swing. Each ellipse indicates the calculated landing area for every club and the colored dots show individual shots. Any ball position can be highlighted (in white), and corresponding launch monitor data can be accessed in other data files.

We recommend doing the shot cluster test with the golf balls you play or equivalent premium golf balls that haven't been beaten out of round by the usual driving range activity. Hit enough balls to give meaningful data with each shaft/club combo and move on to the next one. You can repeat the combos that work best for you. But the main concept is to test, not guess.

We use a FlightScope radar launch monitor with premium golf balls hitting into a reasonably large custom built cage with a soft grass-like mat. Golfers looking for a serious test will bring a dozen of their "gamer" balls and any other model they want to compare. An hour or two of shot cluster testing and ball testing identifies what works best, and generates plenty of other data to help refine your skills.