Regret the driver fitting

[PJ87]

It doesn't slice as much as 12° though. So it's a balancing act.

Not sure that's true, my driver is 9 degree cranked down to 8.25, the idea being less spin head means better dispersion as it's the spin that takes it off path (creating too much of it)

 

[Voyager EMH]

So as many drivers as wedges then?

I have played 18 holes on many occasions doing just that.
One of each and occasionally two of each.

 

[Mandofred]

Actually got me thinking about a HL driver shaft. I have a bunch of money on my pro shop account so I might have a chat with pro about finding something. I noticed online that KBS has a line of HL shafts....no idea what it takes to fit the Cobra Darkspeed head though.

 

[pendodave]

Not sure that's true, my driver is 9 degree cranked down to 8.25, the idea being less spin head means better dispersion as it's the spin that takes it off path (creating too much of it)

I'm not a doctor but...
... I think for most handicap golfers, a decent amount of spin is your friend. Spin is what keeps the ball in the air, and for most of us, our clubhead speed means we need all the help we can get.
Extra loft means that more of the spin is backspin, rather than side spin, which means that it is less likely to go left or right. Which is why we don't tend to slice or hook wedges , while 3 irons go sideways.

I have a single figure mate who was fitted for a driver which didn't spin enough. Gave the optimum numbers during a fitting session, but on the course his bad strikes were horrible low flight knuckle balls which punished him. He swapped for a higher spin head, and his very best drives might be a bit shorter, but his average is much, much better.

As ever, ymmv - we definitely all do different rubbish, so individual requirements are different.

 

[Imurg]

Unless your high launch shaft is the same model as the one you have then it's pot luck as to whether it'll actually launch higher or lower or the same...
As with flex, the launch is not standardized...one company's low launch could launch higher than another's high launch...and I'm not convinced they make that much difference to actual launch angle...loft and CoG of the head have more effect.

 

[PJ87]

Unless your high launch shaft is the same model as the one you have then it's pot luck as to whether it'll actually launch higher or lower or the same...
As with flex, the launch is not standardized...one company's low launch could launch higher than another's high launch...and I'm not convinced they make that much difference to actual launch angle...loft and CoG of the head have more effect.

It's almost like he should trust his fitter and accept less run in winter

 

[Imurg]

Tee it high...let it fly

 

[Bazz]

Not sure that's true, my driver is 9 degree cranked down to 8.25, the idea being less spin head means better dispersion as it's the spin that takes it off path (creating too much of it)

If I had my driver at 8 degrees there's a chance I'm finding Australia.

 

[Mandofred]

It's almost like he should trust his fitter and accept less run in winter

I'm fine with the launch during the summer with plenty of roll. At this time of the year...there is not much roll and only going to get worse. Wherever it lands is where it'll be when you walk up to it. If the ball is in the air longer it "should" carry a little bit further and then still not roll. In my case backspin is probably my friend since I don't usually have issues with side spin...and I'm certainly no speed demon with swing speed.

Imurg- already using orange tees. When I keep my hands fairly still during the swing and manage to keep the shoulder angle slope during the swing (hitting up) the flight isn't too bad. If I let my shoulders level out .....that's when I really get the low ball flights.

 

[IanM]

Do you tend to hit a lower ball anyway, and

It's almost like he should trust his fitter and accept less run in winter

That's not the fitter. That's damp ground!

Maybe join a links course?

 

[Maninblack4612]

Unless your high launch shaft is the same model as the one you have then it's pot luck as to whether it'll actually launch higher or lower or the same...
As with flex, the launch is not standardized...one company's low launch could launch higher than another's high launch...and I'm not convinced they make that much difference to actual launch angle...loft and CoG of the head have more effect.

I disagree. I was once persuaded by a charlatan fitter to buy a light Miyazaki shaft. It was a disaster, with every shot heading for the stratosphere. When my swing speed was about 15mph more than it is now I hit the ball really high & the Black Tie shaft was the only one I could control the height with. The shaft, in my opinion, has a much bigger effect than the loft.

 

[bobmac]

The ball flight is determined by the angle of attack and dynamic loft at impact, not the tee height.
Having said that, teeing it high does help to hit up on the ball more easily, especially when the ball is forward in the stance.

If you don't believe me, this video is of me hitting my 2005 Ping G5 low and high off the same tee with no adjustment to the club.

 

[IanM]

What adjustment did you make in those two swings, as I didn't spot it snd tend to fly it quite low.

 

[bobmac]

If I want to hit it high, I move the ball forward in my stance and during the swing, I focus on keeping my head behind the ball.
The best way I found is to step the right foot out at address 3 or 4 inches which doesn't actually actually move the ball forward, it moves the body back. Notice the different position of my right foot in the second swing.

To hit it low, I move both feet forward and focus on keeping my head above the ball and not behind it.
It's not difficult with a bit of practice which I find enjoyable and more satisfying.

Hitting an iron is very similar with 2 slight adjustments
1. Grip down
2. Use more club and shorten the swing

A big mistake I often used to see amateurs do was when into wind, they would hit the same club but hit it harder.
That often produces more speed = more spin = more height and less distance.

Go up one or 2 clubs and relax

 

[harpo_72]

I do similar to Bob’s set up but my right foot doesn’t go as far back as 3-4 inches as I tend to get stuck there. It’s a case of working it out on the range.

The other point is the lifts on the head if you de loft you open the face if you increase loft you close the face so pick the loft that allows you to use the face angle help.
I also try to use the minimum loft as it generates more ball speed, spin is your friend so it’s a juggling act. I use light shafts to generate more speed and the flex I use is quite whippy.. it’s a bit like long driver set ups.
What I have noticed which I have concluded is related to shafts having high torque, if you toe strike them the face does feel rubbish, there is a bit of excessive twisting and not a great shot. So if your quite accurate then you can live with it but if not you need quite low torque shaft .. I have used soft flex shafts with low torque successfully. I think 2.8 degrees or less feel’s really rough to me. I have used happily 5 and currently 7. Both I am happy with and my speed is around 92-96mph.
Kick points are interesting but possibly influenced by other factors..

 

[harpo_72]

Oh and change your ball to impact driver spin …

Also good video from precision golf about the affects of clothing on swing speeds and length of swing.

All of the above affect speed and in the end ball flight so can be compensated for.