Driver lofts?

Hello,

I havent played much golf since college golf back in 2000-2001. I still have my old Titleist Titanium 975D 7,5 degrees but think its time to switch to something more contemporary :)

http://www.titleist.com/golf-clubs/drivers/1998-titanium-975d.aspx

Since I havent been around much on the development of golf clubs during the past years im wondering about driver lofts. I went to a pro shop today and it seems most new drivers are 9,5 degrees at the lowest, 8,5 degrees could be specially ordered.

So my question is, I always needed to get the ball flight down a bit and 9,5 degrees seems pretty high but the guy in the pro shop said something about 9,5 degrees today being like 8,5 degrees back in 2000. Anyone that could explain this a bit better?

Also, what loft does most tour players use?

Im looking to get a callaway razr fit driver either 8,5 or 9,5 degrees.

many thanks,

D

Manufacturers have attempted to lower spin over the last decade by various means - lowering the COG and moving it forward, and making off center hits more forgiving by face thickness design and going to 460cc, and have reduced bulge and roll, I believe, for less spin off heel and toe shots. Today's shafts are also lower spin for better players, and the ball for better players is also lower spin.

All of the above, in general, combine to produce higher launch, lower spin drives with more forgiveness and more distance.

I'd look at something that is adjustable. You ought to jump on a launch monitor before you buy.

It's a new world out there.

Most golfers play too little loft on their driver, rather than too much. Do you still have the high swing speed you had back in college? It's well worth finding a good golf store with a good launch monitor and experimenting to see what setup gives you decent numbers (say 13 to 16 degrees launch angle, 2400 to 2800 rpm backspin as a ballpark).

Be aware also that there is a difference in heads, shafts, and combos thereof. I went and hit the new Cobra Amp Cell set @ 8.5* w/ a stock x-flex shaft (Cobra Fujikura Fuel) and had way higher launch and spin than with the Callaway Razr Fit Extreme 9.5* w/the stock (which is a real deal Aldila Trinity) stiff flex shaft. I mean night and day. Try a few on a launch monitor.

If you're a high-launch guy, it's going to be tough to find a driver that consistently brings the ball flight down.  I used to play a Titleist 983e; switched to a 910D3 with the ahina X (9.5* adjusted down to 8.75) a little more than a year ago and I hit it very high, although with minimal spin.  The heads are just too big and the faces too hot to get the ball down (at least for me).  Only way I can really hit the driver low is if I tee it low and hit it thin, but then you're asking for trouble with an off-center hit in windy conditions.

Oddly enough, when I'm hitting into a really stiff wind or otherwise need to hit it low I tee off with my 13.5* 3-wood, which I have no problem keeping low with a solid center strike, even with the added loft.

If you were used to playing a Titleist driver in college then definitely check out Titleist's new offerings.  They've kept the classic profile on their D3 model that I personally loved in the 975 and 983e.  They can definitely compete with anyone, and they're offering the diamana white stock now.

If you need to get your flight down check out an Ozik Black Tie. Something like a 7m3 should do the trick.

If you need to get your flight down check out an Ozik Black Tie. Something like a 7m3 should do the trick. Which by the way, is the other stock option in the Razr Fit Extreme with no upcharge. Real deal shaft and super deal since they are not cheap aftermarket.

This was an edit... why did it come up as another post??