Quick distance question

[rob2]

First let me say Hi to you all I have been lurking around the forum for some time now but this is the first time I have posted.

As a relatively new player (have broken 100 on my last three games woohoo!!!) I am considering swapping from a 10.5 degree to 13.5 degree driver to get a little more consistancy off of the tee. My drives usually carry around the 220 mark. Any ideas as to how much distance I may lose by swapping?

Thanks in advance for any replies,

Swing well all!

Rob2.

 

[clubchamp07]

I would keep to the 10.5 mate, I would of thought the distance and height may be to much for us to lose. Take both to the range and seehow they go. Good luck

 

[Tommo21]

Welcome Rob, It could be cost effective to get a lesson for more consistency than try to find the answer in another driver.

Getting another driver might help with a little more accuracy and it would really need to be the same make and type of driver in order to guess the lost yardage.

Considering you’re fairly new, I would guess a little more time and practice could pay dividends…….and possibly save you some money.

 

[RGuk]

I have swapped my 10.5 for a 12. A lot will depend on the speed of your swing and the amount of loft (launch angle)you get. I was getting 13 or 14 degrees off my 10.5 which is a tad low for 95 mph swing speed.

I am keeping both, because in my lessons we are trying to improve my clubhead speed. If this happens I might go back.

If you are new and are struggling with a driver, do you have a 3 wood? in which case, you might like to get consistent with this.

It could be an expensive gamble....a high loft driver might help your accuracy, but not if your 3 wood is dodgy too!

I carry about 220 with a 10.5 degree, and have not lost distance with a 12 degree (it's all in the maths) unless you compare best vs. best. Difficult to say for another player.

 

[Dave3498]

Within reason, accuracy is more important than distance Rob. Look at the average par 4 and you will find that at 220 yards, you will be hitting a driver and an iron. If your present driver is accurate, stay with it, and gradually build distance by improving your technique.

 

[RGuk]

Hi dave, I agree with you.

The real pain for shorter hitters is that by taking a safe option (3 wood eg.) there is often too far to the green on the long holes. If you think about the 9th at yours, it's a hell of a long way to go after a 3 wood, but driver can be a risk.

A good-distance hitter can play safe-ish and still have a chance at the green.

You don't happen to know the date of your mens open do you?

 

[Nico]

I do hit it a reasonable distance for an Amateur but used to be a good deal longer.

I spent years saying "I would rather be in the rough with a wedge in my hand than in the fairway holding a 6 iron".......What Bollocks!!!

As Amateurs we can only hope to play this game from the fairway,get it on the short stuff and have a good short game.

 

[Sam]

I spent years saying "I would rather be in the rough with a wedge in my hand than in the fairway holding a 6 iron".......What Bollocks!!!

Yeah but isn't it great when you REALLY connect; it flies a million miles and you don't give a toss where it lands I bet you remember that shot not whether or not you won the game

 

[Nico]

I know what you mean,but not when you miss the planet.

I once had a mate say "how can you hit it so good so bad?"

That was as I hit one between him and another pal who were almost 90* to my right.

 

[Dave3498]

If you think about the 9th at yours, it's a hell of a long way to go after a 3 wood, but driver can be a risk.

Yes Dave, but don't forget that it is stroke index 1, and reckoned to be one of the hardest holes in Wales. It's the reason why the course standard scratch is 1 over par.

If you want to find any info' on our fixtures, go to www.vlgc.co.uk. Let me know if you have any problems.

 

[RGuk]

Yes Dave, but don't forget that it is stroke index 1, and reckoned to be one of the hardest holes in Wales. It's the reason why the course standard scratch is 1 over par.

Can I deliberately play for a 6 next time?

 

[Dave3498]

Many times a six is very welcome on that hole Dave.

 

[viscount17]

Despite claims to the contrary, 220 is a good average for an amateur.
I swapped from a 10.5 to an 11.5 and gained distance but this was down to a better quality club and an infinitely better shaft.
Other than that, it's all been said;
if you have a decent club now then lessons first,
if you really feel the need to change then try a lot of combinations (makes, lofts etc) to find one you like then buy the one you tried not another one like it just because it's still got a glossy wrapper.

 

[GB72]

A oft increase is a good medium term solution. I could not hit a driver straight and had all but given up. Bought a 13 degree Orka and it has become very reliable. Only now has my siwgn improved and my launch angle appears to have increased. I am now looking to buy a 10.5 degree driver to practice with but would want to get comfortable with it before it took a permanent place in the bag. (tried the Wilson Spine driver last week. The white shaft was a bit odd and the sound was not great but went very long and straight. May be tempted once have the cash).

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I don't think you will lose that much certainly in the current weather conditions as the higher loft will actually give you a highe ball flight and therefore in my view greater carry.

I suggest it might be worth asking your pro to try a number of different drivers on the practice ground and get him to cast an eye over you hitting them and seeing which suits your swing speed best

 

[rob2]

Thanks everybody for all of the feedback.

I am currently hitting a 10.5 degree Taylormade R5 so hopefully upgrading to a more current driver will give me a little more forgiveness. I am also currently taking lessons so that will no doubt be of a bigger help than just buying the newest club around.

Thanks again, look out 90, here I come(hopefully )

Rob2

 

[rob2]

Whoops, forgot to respond to the 3 wood question.

Yes, I do hit my 3 wood consistantly straight around the 200-210 yard mark. The annoyance is, at my course there are a few par 4s between 400 and 450 so teeing off with a 3 wood means I am never going to reach the green in two.

I do recognise my expectations are too high for a high handicapper but hey, we can all aspire!!

Rob2.

 

[TonyN]

No that good Rob, aim high or you will never improve.

I actually went from a 12 degree loft to a 10.5 and gained more distance and consistency, but i cant say if that was the loft because it was from a cobra f-speed to a callaway fti.

Maybe you should consider... (dun dun duuuuun) Custom fitting,

(quickly ducks)