Total Distance

The full distance a shot travels, from impact to where the ball comes to rest, including both carry and roll. Distinct from carry distance, which is only the air time.

Total distance varies wildly by surface conditions — a 250-yard carry on firm fairways might roll out to 280 yards, while the same shot on soft fairways might stop at 255 yards. Simulators report total distance using assumed firmness conditions, which can be configured in most software platforms.

For practice purposes, carry distance is the more useful number because it depends only on launch parameters, not on surface assumptions. Total distance is more useful for scoring and shot selection.