first driver fitting

[drawboy]

I'm biting the bullet and going for my first driver fitting today. I've relied on luck for too long in choosing a driver and made some howling mistakes in the past.
I'm currently using a Ping G10 in reg 10.5 deg and hit it as well as most middle handicappers, mostly a bit longer than my playing partners. I'm not after length, more just wanting to know that I'm using the correct spec for the coming season thus giving me confidence on the tee. I do not tend to hook or slice with the club I have so it will be interesting to see if my spec changes much.
I'll report back later with the results.

 

[DelB]

Good luck Drawboy.

I was using a Ping G10, 10.5 degree with a V2 high launch shaft until last week and went and got fitted for a new driver. Tried G15 and K15 in various lofts and with various shafts and the winner was a K15, 12 degree with a regular shaft. Can't quite believe I'm using a 12 degree driver, but the stats don't lie and it consistently outhit the other clubs I tried and had a nice flight too. Just need to get used to it on the course now and I'll be a happy boy!

 

[Basher]

The best of luck DB.

I have a sneaking suspicion you will be coming home with a new tool for the bag.

 

[thecraw]

Good luck Drawboy.

I was using a Ping G10, 10.5 degree with a V2 high launch shaft until last week and went and got fitted for a new driver. Tried G15 and K15 in various lofts and with various shafts and the winner was a K15, 12 degree with a regular shaft. Can't quite believe I'm using a 12 degree driver, but the stats don't lie and it consistently outhit the other clubs I tried and had a nice flight too. Just need to get used to it on the course now and I'll be a happy boy!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


Thats all we bloody need is you hitting a driver brilliantly as well!

22 handicap, going to the bend in -2, getting lessons, getting custom fitted for me clubs!!



Hope you've got a tow bar and trailer for your car and a very large mantelpiece!

 

[drawboy]

Well I'm back with a new shiney driver. I was fitted at Garforth golf range by Neil one of the pro's and a very nice chap, no pressure to buy at any time during the fitting. He left me to warm up and came back a few times to see if I was comfortable enough with my swing to carry on. When I was ready he talked me through the trackman and what numbers I was looking to achieve.
My stats with my own driver was 85 mph club head speed and launch angle of 12 degree. Ball speed was if I remember 122 mph. The problem for me was with the spin rate of only 1500 rpm. Neil told me the launch was a bit low and the back spin was miles off which caused a lack of hang time and less distance than I should be achieving. Because I hit the ball on the up and not as some people do from over the top my spin needed upping by a lot. We tried the K15 and it improved my hang time and upped the spin to 2000rpm a big improvement however not the 3-4000rpm he was ideally looking for. Next up the Titleist 910 D2 with regular Diamana shaft...Wow what a revelation. The driver gave me both the spin rate of around 4000rpm and a much better launch angle at 14.5 deg, ball speed improved but it was the hang time I was amazed at it just seemed to stay in the air forever.
I was sold and even though he didn't try to sell one to me at all it sold itself. I got £100 trade in on my useless Callaway Ft-IZ tour that I couldn't even sell on and walked away totally happy.
I was not after length just the feeling of knowing I have the right club in the bag is worth the extra 20 yrds I am now getting, no doubt after getting used to it I may stretch a bit more as well. Please forgive me if I have gotten any of the stats wrong it was a lot to take in and I'm no teckie.
I'm a happy bunny.

 

[Macster]

Welcome to the Club - another happy 910 owner.

 

[MKDave]

Glad it all seems to have worked out for you Drawboy. Customer fitting sounds essential to long term improvement.

I know when I'm back next year I'll be doing it

 

[Region3]

Glad you like your new toy, and hope it carries on on the course.

4k rpm seems a lot. Does the optimal figure vary depending on other figures?

Mine was about 2,500rpm

Did the different shaft have a positive effect on your club speed as well?
Have you deliberately omitted the carry distance?

 

[drawboy]

Hi region 3 I think the rpm was right, I forgot a lot of the info on the way home, the shaft change made a huge difference and the overall carry was 240. Which for me is nice, should be better with a bit of run in the summer.

 

[drawboy]

Just found this region3, see what you think
For the 80 mph clubhead speed, total distance is optimized with a high backspin of about 4000 rpm while carry distance is optimized at an even higher backspin. For 100 mph, carry is optimized at about 3800 rpm and total distance at 3300 rpm. for 120 mph, carry is optimized at 3000 rpm and total distance at 2400 rpm. Basically, the higher your clubhead speed, the lower spin you want, thus you should be playing a low spin ball. A low clubhead speed player should be playing with a high spin ball (as has been discussed in previous newsletters, a low clubhead speed player should be playing with a high loft driver).

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The more I read on here the more I think that a C/F driver is going to become my next target. My driving is good at times and very poor at others and whilst most of it is probably user error I can't help feeling something suited to "my" swing may at least help the problem. Off to a TM demo day tomorrow and whilst I doubt any launch monitor spots will be free at this late stage I'll see about going to TM HQ and how much they charge etc.

 

[Ethan]

Clubhead speed, spin and launch angle are all connected. People think they need a launch angle of 10 degrees when they see some pro launch it on US TV golf, but that only works if you have a lot of clubhead speed. Most amateurs need more launch and spin because of their lower swingspeed.

 

[Region3]

Just found this region3, see what you think
For the 80 mph clubhead speed, total distance is optimized with a high backspin of about 4000 rpm while carry distance is optimized at an even higher backspin. For 100 mph, carry is optimized at about 3800 rpm and total distance at 3300 rpm. for 120 mph, carry is optimized at 3000 rpm and total distance at 2400 rpm. Basically, the higher your clubhead speed, the lower spin you want, thus you should be playing a low spin ball. A low clubhead speed player should be playing with a high spin ball (as has been discussed in previous newsletters, a low clubhead speed player should be playing with a high loft driver).

Interesting to say the least. Just shows that there are differences in opinion even between the people that should know.

That's a helluva carry, 240yds with an 85mph club speed. Maybe it's the extra spin or you're just catching it very sweet?

At my fitting my final figures were 102mph swing, 2500rpm, 14° launch angle, 146mph ball speed, and 240yds carry. Don't know what the total distance was but the fitter said the landing angle was about right to optimise carry and roll combined.

 

[NWJocko]

The more I read on here the more I think that a C/F driver is going to become my next target. My driving is good at times and very poor at others and whilst most of it is probably user error I can't help feeling something suited to "my" swing may at least help the problem. Off to a TM demo day tomorrow and whilst I doubt any launch monitor spots will be free at this late stage I'll see about going to TM HQ and how much they charge etc.

I must say homer it has made a big difference to me. Obviously i'm not going to hit everything 300 yards down the middle but i'm much more consistent with the driver now i have the right set up.

Highly recommend it.

 

[Ethan]

240yds with an 85mph club speed.

Maybe the laws of physics don't apply there.