Adjustable Drivers and the new ball flight laws?

[haplesshacker]

There's been a lot of talk about (apologies Bono!) the increasingly adjustability of these new drivers and the new ball flight laws. but I'm confused.

If as suggested that face angle is where the ball starts and swing path adds the spin. Then surely, as I understand it the adjustments that are being made to these adjustable clubs are acctually incorrect for any given swing?

Or have they got it right, but for the wrong reasons?

It's far to early for this kinda stuff, but I'm fed up with the tax return.

 

[percy_layer]

Good luck with the Tax Return............


The ball starts roughly 70% in favour of the clubface alignment from the swing path and curves due to the spin from the relationship between them.

I think the Taylor Made R11 claims to have a variation of direction by 100 yards from the same swing due to its varied settings. There should be a setting in there somewhere for everyone.

 

[HRC99]

I think the Taylor Made R11 claims to have a variation of direction by 100 yards from the same swing due to its varied settings. There should be a setting in there somewhere for everyone.

But does it have the psychic ability to know which swing I am going to put on the ball and adjust accordingly?

I'd definitely buy that driver!

 

[JustOne]

If as suggested that face angle is where the ball starts and swing path adds the spin. Then surely, as I understand it the adjustments that are being made to these adjustable clubs are acctually incorrect for any given swing?

They apply the 'quick fix' that you might get taught in a lesson, they don't teach people how to play a shot properly.

If you slice then you need a face that is more closed (or closes quicker) to turn your slice into a fade, and vice-versa. They will often work for the honeymoon period until the player learns how to open the face back up and their swing gets progressively worse

 

[Aztecs27]

If as suggested that face angle is where the ball starts and swing path adds the spin. Then surely, as I understand it the adjustments that are being made to these adjustable clubs are acctually incorrect for any given swing?

They apply the 'quick fix' that you might get taught in a lesson, they don't teach people how to play a shot properly.

If you slice then you need a face that is more closed (or closes quicker) to turn your slice into a fade, and vice-versa. They will often work for the honeymoon period until the player learns how to open the face back up and their swing gets progressively worse

Or until the player learns how to swing properly, then they can adjust the club back to neutral rather than buying a new one.

 

[percy_layer]

They apply the 'quick fix' that you might get taught in a lesson, they don't teach people how to play a shot properly.

You need to see a PGA Pro to learn how to play golf to the best of your ability.

Having a good driver doesn't hurt............

 

[viscount17]

so how long before we get nano technology and biometric feedback micro-tuning the face angle while we swing?

it's not even as if it's particularly new technology, just a new application

 

[HawkeyeMS]

If as suggested that face angle is where the ball starts and swing path adds the spin. Then surely, as I understand it the adjustments that are being made to these adjustable clubs are acctually incorrect for any given swing?

They apply the 'quick fix' that you might get taught in a lesson, they don't teach people how to play a shot properly.

If you slice then you need a face that is more closed (or closes quicker) to turn your slice into a fade, and vice-versa. They will often work for the honeymoon period until the player learns how to open the face back up and their swing gets progressively worse

Or until the player learns how to swing properly, then they can adjust the club back to neutral rather than buying a new one.

Or you could just keep it in neutral and learn to hit properly. Although I have an R9 I have never understood how anyone who wants to improve their swing thinks adjusting the clubface to correct a fault is ever going to actually improve their swing. Let's face it, in order to hit the ball straight-ish with an adjusted clubhead you must be putting a bad swing on it. I just don't see how that helps you to improve

 

[USER1999]

A lot of golfers don't really want to improve, they just want to play. Quite a few don't play very often. If they want a driver which keeps them nearer the fairway, so they can enjoy it more, what's wrong with that?

My Dad has had a slice for 50 years. He isn't going to change it now. An offset driver helps him out.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Or you could just keep it in neutral and learn to hit properly.

I disagree here, it is as much about body shape and movement capability than it is about skill. We all have slightly longer/shorter arms/legs/torsos. I think some people have a natural shape that they cannot do anything about because their body ratios are different. Adjusting the club settings will improve consistency ie stop them forcing out of the natural shape to reach an "ideal".

I am very much against club adjustment for curing swing faults, that is what the pro is for. He will then say "if you get your driver to lie a little flatter and closed a tad it will help you make a better contact" or something similar.

The other thing I would say about adjustable drivers is value for money. It has been said above but I will say it in my words.

My swing (being a beginner) is very changeable, not because I am new but because I have 1 lesson every month. I am working to a better swing. Settings I would have got last year will not work this year, I would not want to have to fork out for a new driver every time I take a big step forward.

Clubs like this allow us to change the club as we develop as golfers to keep it in the optimal range. I will always recommend that any changes are done by or instructed to be done by a professional and not on the range on Thursday because you sliced it twice after 10 nice draws "so you do not do it under pressure in the medal on "Saturday".

 

[HawkeyeMS]

My swing (being a beginner) is very changeable, not because I am new but because I have 1 lesson every month. I am working to a better swing. Settings I would have got last year will not work this year, I would not want to have to fork out for a new driver every time I take a big step forward.

Clubs like this allow us to change the club as we develop as golfers to keep it in the optimal range. I will always recommend that any changes are done by or instructed to be done by a professional and not on the range on Thursday because you sliced it twice after 10 nice draws "so you do not do it under pressure in the medal on "Saturday".

But this is my point. The pro is teaching you a better swing, one which given time and effort will have you hitting the ball pretty straight. How do you know that swing is working if your club is set up to correct your faults? Surely that's just your body and your club working against each other?

Fair enough if you don't want to improve your swing or have some kind of injury that prevents you swinging how you need to these clubs are great, but for people trying to improve I don't see how it helps

Besides, it's not like you can adjust your irons is it (although they're probably working on that)

 

[surefire]

Fair enough if you don't want to improve your swing or have some kind of injury that prevents you swinging how you need to these clubs are great, but for people trying to improve I don't see how it helps

Why do you assume that it's only for correcting faults?
Even if you have a great swing, you can optimise the club for the conditions you are playing.

Say you are playing in a heavy wind, you might adjust the driver for a lower trajectory.

Then next you are playing in soft conditions and want more carry, so you adjust for a higher flight.

Most of the courses hazards on one side, set the club up to take that side out of play.

Even if you don't want to do this, its easier to create one adjustable driver, rather than lots of different models to suit all the different outcomes of a custom fit.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Fair enough if you don't want to improve your swing or have some kind of injury that prevents you swinging how you need to these clubs are great, but for people trying to improve I don't see how it helps

Why do you assume that it's only for correcting faults?
Even if you have a great swing, you can optimise the club for the conditions you are playing.

Say you are playing in a heavy wind, you might adjust the driver for a lower trajectory.

Then next you are playing in soft conditions and want more carry, so you adjust for a higher flight.

Most of the courses hazards on one side, set the club up to take that side out of play.

Even if you don't want to do this, its easier to create one adjustable driver, rather than lots of different models to suit all the different outcomes of a custom fit.

I don't think I'm assuming anything. My point was specifically about why people wanting to improve would have lessons to change their swing while at the same time adjusting the clubhead to correct faults.

If you want to adjust it for conditions then fine but since you aren't allowed to adjust it during a round I wouldn't have thought this was very desirable but each to their own. Plus, adjusting the clubhead can have dramatic effects on spin rate & launch angle and therefore carry distance. How can the average golfer know what effect these changes are having and how can they be sure that they wouldn't get more distance hitting a properly setup club into the wind than they would adjusting it to try to hit it lower under the wind?

I know these clubs can have benefits for retailers and custom fitters and if you just want something to help you enjoy the game more then they're great but that wasn't the point I was making