Hyper X -- 10 versus 11 degrees (should I rely on launch monitor data?)

[e-man]

Hey everyone. I recently bought a Hyper X driver, 10 degrees, regular flex (ss 95 mph, handicap index 6.9). While testing out the club on the launch monitor a few days ago, the average launch angle was just over 11 degrees, average backspin was around 2500 rpm, and the total distance was right at 249 yards.

Today at Golf Galaxy, I decided to give the 11 degree a whirl. Here are the launch monitor numbers for that club -- average launch angle 13 degrees, average backspin around 2800, and average total distance around 251-252.

So here's the question. Obviously, I'm picking up a couple of yards going with the 11 degree (at least in the launch monitor). Are the increased launch angle and spin good things or is it possible that I'd have better control and accuracy with the lower launch and backspin. The reason I ask is because I've always played 10 degree drivers and I'm thinking that 11 degrees might be too much loft.

Let me know what you guys/girls think.

e

[andre112]

i'm not 100% sure. but i think less backspin is better.
since there's only 2 to 3 yard difference.
stay with your 10.

[Jack_2251]

The 11 degree is offering you a perfect driver launch angle, with perfect spin, so go with it. You will be more accurate with more height and more forgiving, with extra distance!

[TourSpoon]

Hey everyone. I recently bought a Hyper X driver, 10 degrees, regular flex (ss 95 mph, handicap index 6.9). While testing out the club on the launch monitor a few days ago, the average launch angle was just over 11 degrees, average backspin was around 2500 rpm, and the total distance was right at 249 yards.

Did you try the stiff shaft in either model? At 95, you are really close. Just a thought.

[Everardo]

Loft is your friend in most situations. In this case you picked up about 3-4 yards, which is nothing so next you should compare which was more accurate. Also Callaway's tolerance is +/- 2 degrees for some drivers so the 10 that you bought may not exactly be 10 and the 11 that you tried may not be exactly 11. Hope that helps

[e-man]

Hey guys. Thanks for the responses.

Tour Spoon -- yes, I tried the stiff in the 10 degree and did a blind head to head comparison of 10 reg versus 10 stiff. The 10 reg won hands down. With the stiff (even though the test was blind, I could tell which was which based on feel), I felt as if I really needed to step on it in order to get the shaft to flex. Also, I researched the frequency of both, and the regular plays to a 251 cpm, which is a tad stiffer than Callaway's standard regular flex shaft. I definitely think the shaft is right for me.

Jack -- the numbers certainly seem to indicate that the 11 is a slightly better fit. I'm just not sure that the extra spin is a good thing. I think 2800 rpm is still relatively low, but I know that I wouldn't want to go much higher than that (to Andre's point, more spin could be bad, especially in windy conditions like we have a lot of time up here in Chicago). Also, one thing I forgot to mention is that with the 11 degree I felt as if I needed to swing a little harder to get the same results that I achieved with the 10 degree. I know that's all in my head, but hey, let's face it, golf is 99% mental anyway, right?

Everardo -- I agree that loft is your friend. As for which was more accurate, the 10 won running away. The dispersion was very, very tight. Like I said, with the 11, I think I may have been swinging too hard and, as a result, the dispersion was not as tight as with the 10. With the 10, I felt as if I was "driving" the ball, you know what I mean? It was a powerful, boring flight. With the 11, I felt that I was launching the ball higher in the air and waiting for it to come down to see how far it went and whether it was straight. I don't know. It's really all what you get used to, and I'm used to a 10 degree driver.

Anyone else?

e