Hello from a new golfer

[Teeshot]

Hello all- just thought I'd subscribe to the forum, as I read the magazine and have recently taken up this oh so frustrating sport of golf!

One question to start with...

My first set of clubs were obviously going to be a "cheap" set, and I got some "Prosimmon" clubs off a certain well known Internet Auction site.
Unfortunately my driver split (!) along the top- my brother thinks it must have been one hell of a "Skyball" (is that the correct term!?- someone let me know ) and I have just bought a new one- Ram FX9?
Anyway, my original driver had a 10.5 degree loft, and what can only be described as a rubber shaft( slight exageration, but my god it was whippy) so when I ordered my new club I went for a 9.5 degree loft, with stiff shaft. I am a fair sized bloke, and pretty strong and was told the stiffer shaft should suit my swing speed as even though I'm new, I can certainly smack it!!!
Rather than stay on 10.5 loft I thought I'd try a lower one.
Was this a mistake?!
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Neil

 

[birdieman]

Neil, welcome to the therapy group. I had a Ram FX9 or close equivalent when I restarted golf 5 years ago. To be honest it was a long club and I can't fault it, golfing snobbery got the better of me and I traded it for a Taylor Made, didn't improve my driving any. Shaft should be fine if you're swinging reasonably quickly. Loft is ok, might be better with the 10.5 but if you're hitting it well 9.5's ok. Modern drivers are meant to be hit high as the ball spins less nowadays so you don't get backspinning ballooners that climb at 75 degrees into a headwind like the old days thankfully. Most club golfers will benefit from more loft as it's tighter dispersion and more airtime = longer carry.

 

[RGuk]

Hello Teeshot, and welcome to the GM forum! You should enjoy your stay and you'll find lots of opinions on lots of stuff.
If you give it a good old bosh, a stiff should be fine. I hit it like a girl and have been to and fro stiff/regular (so to speak).
With regards to your loft....the buzz word these days is Launch Angle. Your Launch angle is the loft on the club and the amount of degrees "on the up" that you hit your driver.

The ideal is somewhere between 14-17 (I think!)

I have a 10 degree driver and make about 3-4 degrees in my swing leading to a launch of 13-14 which is a tad low, but it gives good run too (in the summer). 9.5 plus 3-4 would also be low(ish). If you get it up in the air, you'll be fine. If you struggle (I did with a 9 degree burner) then you may need to go up a degree or two. My personal feeling is that 11 is the safest bet (and the science supports this too), so 10 or 9.5 is negligible really. I'm sure you'll be fine.

Dave

 

[medwayjon]

Welcome to the forum, it is a good place to be and to exchange views and gain advice from all golfers, even crap ones like me!

Don't be shy, we are a friendly bunch on here so don't hold back on posting anything mate.

I'm sure you will get to know us all and form your own oppinions of what we are like.

Jon,

 

[RGuk]

Jon's a good guy, and John and John, and Dave and Dave, and Andy too. Presuming Floppy's gone, it's hardly shark infested.

Dave

 

[medwayjon]

The £20 is in the post for that Dave

 

[MVP]

Hello I'm new too!!

 

[andycap]

Hello Teeshot, i have a callaway fusion ft-3 tour 9.5 with grafalloy stiff shaft, sounds simular to Daves and i agree with what he says. I had a terrible slice with my old driver and finally worked out that too much flex in the shaft caused it. Borrowed the callaway and the slice just vanished , the ball flight is low but long , more loft would probably be better but i feel i hit it far enough and i got given the club for nothing so consistant driving with a freebie club and a good one at that = Happy days
good luck

 

[madandra]

A warm welcome to both Teeshot and MVP.

 

[RGuk]

The £20 is in the post for that Dave

Forget it....can I have a petrol cap for my Skoda?

Dave

 

[RGuk]

i have a callaway fusion ft-3

Finally, someone else having fun with Miss Bertha from Fusionsville! Would have got the Cobra, except...you know the rest!

Dave

 

[madandra]

Hello Teeshot, i have a callaway fusion ft-3 tour 9.5 with grafalloy stiff shaft,

I seen these for £129 in American Golf yesterday.

 

[medwayjon]

Shhhhh Andy, we need to convert the newbie to Cobra stuff. Judas! Ha ha ha.

 

[RGuk]

[quoteI seen these for £129 in American Golf yesterday.

[/QUOTE]

I know, thats why she won over a M speed cheryl....

Dave

 

[medwayjon]

On a serious note that is a lot of driver from a top brand for Luuuurrrrverly Ram qube money!

 

[rgs]

Welcome to both new members to the forum-as already said you will get opinions on all aspects of golf here and plenty of debate.

 

[andycap]

I noticed the price on the internet recently,they have really come down since the newer stuff came out. Just shows how much we are ripped off with latest models , i think the ft-3 tour was about £280 new ,don't know how much the shaft was, but it would have probably taken it well over £300 new.

 

[madandra]

Jon, AG were still selling Cheryl for £189.
Foer that kind of wonga I would want a shot at the REAL Cheryl.

 

[medwayjon]

I would play a round or 2 with her, just as long as she didn't open her gob, although I remember those ball-gags in pulp fiction, could be implemented to good effect!

 

[John_Findlay]

Greetings from me, too, Teeshot and MVP. Welcome to Opinion City.