Offset or no offset driver for a 36+ handicap.

Hi.

I seem to struggle with the same problems as posted in this thread: http://thesandtrap.com/t/27408/offset-or-no-offset-driver

I have a cheap Wilson offset driver (ca 2006) and looks very closed and offset at address. My drives also tends to go very high, however my carry is 185 - 210 yards max. It has a regular shaft and 10,5 degrees of loft.

I feel like i wont get any better swing habits keeping hitting this driver, and I have found some very good deals on Cleveland classic XL (and custom) drivers. The only problem is that they are only available with a stiff shaft.

I am wondering if I should go with a 10,5 degree or 9 degree Cleveland with the stiff shaft (which is probably way to stiff for my current swing speed) or just grind it out with the offset until it starts hooking every time?

Cheers!

Offset doesn't really have an effect on ball flight, it just help move the COG back a bit to help get the ball in the air. A normal driver should be fine, but you need to test the shafts yourself to find out which flex works for you,

Yeah, that would be ideal. But how would one go about testing driver shafts without making you pay for a 300+ dollar driver and shaft :D

Or do i have to face the music and just save up for a custom fitting?

Any golf shop local to you, or the pro shop at your local club should let you test out the drivers for free. In my honest opinion to a 36+ handicapper i don't think shaft flex will really make much difference. If i were you i would spend the money on a couple of lessons instead of buying a new driver, having a better club doesn't necessarily mean your going to swing it better than your previous one.

Yeah, but I love being on the range trying to drive the ball long and straight and wonder if I would benefit from practicing with a neutral driver, rather than an offset one. I am 26 years old and have been doing weight training for a while, so I think with a lot of muscle memory and more activation and rotation with the hips, I have a much higher potential when it comes to my current swing speed.

Even though my swing speed must be very slow, I hit the driver very high (always) and when I manage to hit with a square face, I hook the ball. When I hit semi square, it goes straight. And when I hit it really bad (40% of the time), i slice it 50 yards to the right. All these shots with very high ball flight and no roll.

So I am basically asking if it would be better to buy a neutral driver with potentially the wrong flex and increase range practice, or just save up for a custom fitting and more lessons?

A neutral driver would be beneficial but even with the offset it sounds like you don't have a repeatable ball flight, i.e you hook and slice it. I personally would work on your swing,  preferably with a pro or even with some of the vast information provided on this forum. Work on delivering the club in a consistent way, even with the offset driver if you had a consistent swing you would know before you tee off what general direction the ball will go, so you can set up your target line accordingly.  If you get a new driver you are still going to be delivering the club in the same way so why waste your money? Get some lessons, get the basics right, get a consistent shot shape and your away.

Now I understand. Thank you very much!

No problem, i have been in he same situation so know exactly how you feel. Take a look at Mark Crossfields youtube channel, some brilliant knowledge and insightful tips which have drastically developed my understanding of the game.

Thanks again, will definitely check out his videos.

I played my first slightly offset club a month ago when I rented clubs at a course. It was a random offset hybrid in the bag and I was hitting the ball beautifully. Now I'm not a huge fan of bandaids, I'd rather work on fixing my faults. But man, it sure felt damn good.

My biggest problem with my swing and my clubs is that even if I come in on plane...my face is still slightly open, and I haven't figured out how to fix that yet. Offset "fixed" that part.

I'm curious as to what @iacas and @mvmac think about offset or slightly offset club heads.

Hmmm...maybe I played something different then offset. The hybrid I hit so well looked like it had a more closed clubface then normal. It looked and felt a little more ccomfortable to me

My wife's driver looks that way... I would say: A) get a traditional driver... B) a 1° closed face angle is OK C) get some lessons... Thanks, Shane