Ive a mate that has a 7deg driver , not sure anyone make's one that low fixed loft driver anymore???
Are our Driver lofts too low?
- Thread starter CMAC
- Start date
GeneralStore
Challenge Tour Pro
Very interesting post.
I went for a fitting last week thinking I needed something to lower my launch angle because I felt I was hitting it too high and with trackman the fitter showed me how I actually needed to hit it higher. Total dispersion dropped, total carry increased and total distance increased a little as well. I do think its very much down to the head and shaft as a combo though, how they work together and more importantly for an individual. e.g. how strong are you, whats your transition like etc...
This doesn't only apply to drivers though, earlier this year I changed from a 3 wood to a 4 wood, and that extra bit of loft has made the world of difference in terms of getting ball in play.
I went for a fitting last week thinking I needed something to lower my launch angle because I felt I was hitting it too high and with trackman the fitter showed me how I actually needed to hit it higher. Total dispersion dropped, total carry increased and total distance increased a little as well. I do think its very much down to the head and shaft as a combo though, how they work together and more importantly for an individual. e.g. how strong are you, whats your transition like etc...
This doesn't only apply to drivers though, earlier this year I changed from a 3 wood to a 4 wood, and that extra bit of loft has made the world of difference in terms of getting ball in play.
Lump
Tour Winner
My 910 is a 9.5 head set to A3 with an X stiff heavy shaft. (most loft and most upright) Works like a charm for me. Loft has helped no end, straightened out my flight and given unbelievable accuracy.
JustOne
Ryder Cup Winner
We have low loft drivers because most of us actually open the clubface into impact (because we are crap) and add some loft.
The angle of attack plays a part too, lots of players actually hit down...... but open the face to counteract the downward strike. If they had more loft they could hit down without having to open the face.
It's a big 'swings-and-roundabouts' thing.... it is what it is.... find the one you hit best with the swing you currently have and get on with it :thup:
The angle of attack plays a part too, lots of players actually hit down...... but open the face to counteract the downward strike. If they had more loft they could hit down without having to open the face.
It's a big 'swings-and-roundabouts' thing.... it is what it is.... find the one you hit best with the swing you currently have and get on with it :thup:
harpo_72
Journeyman Pro
This just says to me the shaft in your 913 is more efficient and more suited to you. The ping g15 head is better, as the smash factor is greater, with 3mph more club head speed you only attain 1.6mph of extra ball speed....
the smiling assassin
Challenge Tour Pro
The 913 with the 9.5deg head and the same shaft gave me just under 10 yards extra carry over the ping. the significant increases occurred when we started experimenting with the loft.
to add, the average ping stats were taken from just 4 hits - 3 were screamers by my standards and the other was decent. ball flight was very low launching and considerably more slicey despite the 'cleaner' contact. the average 913 stats were taken over about a dozen shots in that particular setting, including a three or four quite poor contacts.
to add, the average ping stats were taken from just 4 hits - 3 were screamers by my standards and the other was decent. ball flight was very low launching and considerably more slicey despite the 'cleaner' contact. the average 913 stats were taken over about a dozen shots in that particular setting, including a three or four quite poor contacts.
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
Was told by a couple of well known pros and I'm sure it was backed up in one of the magazines that most club golfers would benefit from more loft on a driver and that where 10.5 might be the standard, most would be straighter and as long with anything approaching 12 or even 13
harpo_72
Journeyman Pro
sorry your 913 was set to 12 degrees total .. And the ping said an unverified 9 degrees?
Honestly I am a believer in more loft and using lower kick point shafts. I used to play with an 8 degree driver, when I was good. I have increased my loft because of control and the shaft options available. I have had my g15 10.5 confirmed at 12 degrees as part of one of my experiments, which I posted on here several months ago.
RobertB
Assistant Pro
I'd agree, is that Really AoA for driver....? Maybe you mean up by 9 degrees? The spin rate still seems a bit high. When I was fitted with the 913D3 the Pro aimed to get spin below 2500 rpm.
My setup is a 9.5 set at D3 so +0.25 degree and I find the extra dialled in loft helps with my swing to give a straight to drawing flight that carries out beyond 250 yds.
My setup is a 9.5 set at D3 so +0.25 degree and I find the extra dialled in loft helps with my swing to give a straight to drawing flight that carries out beyond 250 yds.
m9wst
Head Pro
Read this a few weeks back, not the most exciting article but check out the results, I realise they only tested one driver out of millions and every one is going to be slightly different.
http://wishongolf.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/adjustable-hosel-drivers.pdf
http://wishongolf.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/adjustable-hosel-drivers.pdf
RobertB
Assistant Pro
good read. my issue has always been in gripping the club, with the titleist standard grip there is insufficient markings to ensure you always place your hand/grip in same position. with a golf pride grip it then asthetically looks odd to have the grip out of position (rotated) but gives a reference point to minimise deviation shot to shot.
MadAdey
Money List Winner
I did have an NVS-85 (stiff) in my 9* R11s. I had it set down to 7.5*. When I got fitted for my irons I had a go with it on a launch monitor and got advised that I needed an X-stiff shaft. So I now have a Fubuki 70g X-stiff fitted in it and have now put the loft up to 10*. The ball still flies on a similar trajectory and distance, but I have now got more consistency.
creebo60
Newbie
I have a slow swing speed 11.5 is about right for me at the moment may switch to 10.5 in the summer
Last edited:
3565
Journeyman Pro
Tom Wishon the godfather of club design. What he doesn't know about clubs, ain't worthy knowing.
I have a Ping i15, 11* fitted with a regular shaft. It works for me.
MadAdey
Money List Winner
In golf from when you first start playing you learn that a 5i will go further than a 6i because it has less loft and a longer shaft. I think people then take that idea and apply to the driver. What they do not realise is that they need to get the launch angle and trajectory correct to get more distance from a driver. How you get that is up to you, but going on a trackman is the only true way to get it correct IMO.
Less loft with a higher launching shaft can get similar results to a high loft and low launching shaft. What I have found is that by changing to a stiffer shaft and putting my loft up I am now creating a lot less spin. Which logically says that I am creating less side spin on the mi*****, so they are not going as wide as they did before.
I would love to get GM to organise a day where we can all go and hit our drivers on a trackman and just see how many of us actually have the correct tool in our hand. It would be interesting to see if it is the loft or shaft that we have got wrong.
Less loft with a higher launching shaft can get similar results to a high loft and low launching shaft. What I have found is that by changing to a stiffer shaft and putting my loft up I am now creating a lot less spin. Which logically says that I am creating less side spin on the mi*****, so they are not going as wide as they did before.
I would love to get GM to organise a day where we can all go and hit our drivers on a trackman and just see how many of us actually have the correct tool in our hand. It would be interesting to see if it is the loft or shaft that we have got wrong.
Jensen
Tour Rookie
I agree with the above, a lot of players do hit down on the ball with their driver rather than on the up. How do you know, well just look what happens to their Tee peg after the balls been hit. The tee peg should stay in the ground or fly behind, if it goes forward or gets pushed into the ground the swing has not been right. However I think it's OK if it goes to the side.
A lot of players don't maintain or have a spine tilt away from the target at address and through the swing.
MadAdey
Money List Winner
Not sure how much truth is in that. My tee either snaps off or goes flying forward. I do not have any problems hitting the driver long and straight.
BROOKIE
Challenge Tour Pro
Having purchased a cobra amp cell today I hope I've bought the right driver for me,as you know the lofts can be changed from 8.5 to 11.5 so I just hope I can dial in the right number,my driving's been pathetic this year,so its fingers crossed..at 135 quid from golfbidder it looks nearly new,happy days ,I hope!!
beau d.
Assistant Pro
When I had my fitting with Titliest (carried out by ex European tour pro) he told me that everyone's swing has a lower limit in regards to what degree of loft their swing will allow them to hit and achieve the best potential results with regards to Launch angle, spin rate, carry etc. I ended up with 12 deg of loft in mine and although I don't consider myself a long hitter I hold my own against many with a lot less loft on their driver. So his recommendation/advice makes a lot of sense to me, particularly as I play on a tight, penal course, which in my opinion should also be a factor when choosing loft on a driver. It's far better being 240 yds in the middle of the fairway than 300 yds knee deep in heather surrounded by pine trees in my opinion.
Similar threads
