What it measures
Max Height Distance is the distance from the launch point, measured along the ground, to the spot directly beneath the ball's highest point. It is measured in yards or meters.
It has no left or right sign. It is most useful when compared with carry. For example, a shot that carries 200 yards and peaks at 120 yards reached its apex 60 percent of the way through its flight.
Typical numbers
There is no standard tour average for this value, so think in proportions. On a normal, well-struck shot the apex usually falls somewhere around 55 to 65 percent of the way to the landing spot, because the ball climbs gradually and then falls more steeply. For a tour driver carrying about 270 yards, that means a peak somewhere around 150 to 175 yards out. For a tour 7 iron, roughly 100 to 115 yards.
Everyday golfers see the same rough proportions, scaled to their own carry. The exact figure varies with club, spin and conditions.
What changes it
Ball speed pushes the apex farther downrange in yards. Launch angle and spin decide where in the flight it falls. More backspin keeps the ball climbing longer and moves the apex later, which is the classic ballooning flight. A higher launch with less spin tends to peak a bit earlier and then glide.
A headwind adds lift and moves the peak later while shortening carry, so the ball seems to climb and then drop. A tailwind does the opposite. Thinner air at altitude reduces both drag and lift, flattening the climb.
What it changes
Where the ball peaks shapes how it comes down. A late peak, especially with a short carry, usually means a steep descent, which helps irons stop but costs driver distance. An apex that sits relatively early on a long shot usually means the ball is carrying its speed well past the top, which is the efficient driver flight typical of tour players.
How to use it
Divide Max Height Distance by Carry. With driver, an apex that sits very late, roughly 70 percent or more of carry, often points to too much spin. With irons, a ratio that is very early can mean the ball is falling out of the sky without enough spin to hold its height.
Bay drill: hit five drivers and write down height, Max Height Distance and Carry for each. Then tee the ball slightly higher and try to hit up on it a little more. If your apex moves earlier while carry goes up, you have likely traded spin for launch in a good way.