Roll
Roll is the distance the ball keeps rolling after landing — together with the carry it makes up your total length.
Every shot consists of two phases: the Carry, i.e. the flight distance, and the roll, i.e. the rolling out on the ground. How much roll a ball gets depends on trajectory, spin and ground condition. A flat shot with topspin character rolls far, a high shot with a lot of Backspin almost stops dead. In summer on hard fairway the roll on a drive can account for thirty meters or more, in wet autumn almost zero.
In practice you plan with the roll instead of fighting against it. An example: The flag is at the front of the green with a bunker in front of it. Instead of flying the ball high straight at the flag, you play a Bump and Run past the bunker on the left and let the ball roll to the hole. The same applies off the tee: On firm fairways the hybrid from the tee is often enough, because the roll compensates for the missing flight length. Anyone who knows their average roll distance makes better club decisions.
A common mistake is comparing summer and winter distances. The drive that rolls 240 meters in July may fly only 210 meters in November and stop dead. That is not a swing problem but the ground condition. Roll also plays a role on the green: When putting you want the ball to roll cleanly as early as possible instead of skipping — putter loft and slightly forward-leaning hands take care of that.
FAQ
How can I use the roll in my shots deliberately?
Plan the landing spot instead of just the flag: Land the ball in front of the green or next to a hazard and let it roll to the target. Off the tee on firm, dry fairways a shorter club is often enough, because the roll compensates for the missing flight length. Anyone who knows their typical roll distance chooses more wisely.
Why does my drive suddenly fly shorter in autumn than in summer?
It is almost always the ground, not your swing. On wet, soft ground the ball stops after landing, while in summer on hard fairway it can roll out thirty meters or more. So compare distances only under similar course conditions.
Which shots roll a lot, which stop quickly?
Flat shots with little spin roll out far, high shots with a lot of backspin stop almost immediately. An example is the bump and run around the green, which deliberately relies on roll, while the high pitch-and-stop shot does without it. The choice depends on the situation on the course and on the ground.