16 Degree Driver?

[ZANDER1994]

This season I was consistently shooting in the high 80s. Played some of my best golf and I am really happy with how straight I am hitting the ball right now. The ONE thing I would change in my game is simply the height of my drives. 
 

I hit about a hundred balls today on trackman and with the driver I am getting average clubhead speed of 120 mph, launch angle 7 degrees, 268 yds carry. It’s bugging the hell out of me to see these low bullet balls, and despite trying all this year to deliver more loft (I’ve had a few lessons trying to fix just this issue alone), I just can’t seem to do it. 

I currently play a stiff shaft Taylormade R1 set to 12 degrees loft. I’m thinking about possibly experimenting with one of those super lofted (16 degree) drivers. Has anyone ever tried this, and if so did it actually make a difference?

In advance I just want to also say, yes, I agree an equipment fix in this case is a bandaid for a larger problem. But I’m also just trying to have fun with my game and if buying a higher lofted driver helps this problem, I’m happy to take it for now.

 

[onthehunt526]

  On 10/29/2020 at 6:34 AM, ZANDER1994 said:

This season I was consistently shooting in the high 80s. Played some of my best golf and I am really happy with how straight I am hitting the ball right now. The ONE thing I would change in my game is simply the height of my drives. 
 

I hit about a hundred balls today on trackman and with the driver I am getting average clubhead speed of 120 mph, launch angle 7 degrees, 268 yds carry. It’s bugging the hell out of me to see these low bullet balls, and despite trying all this year to deliver more loft (I’ve had a few lessons trying to fix just this issue alone), I just can’t seem to do it. 

I currently play a stiff shaft Taylormade R1 set to 12 degrees loft. I’m thinking about possibly experimenting with one of those super lofted (16 degree) drivers. Has anyone ever tried this, and if so did it actually make a difference?

In advance I just want to also say, yes, I agree an equipment fix in this case is a bandaid for a larger problem. But I’m also just trying to have fun with my game and if buying a higher lofted driver helps this problem, I’m happy to take it for now.

 

Expand  

I have a “low” launch angle too, and my driver is 9.5°. If you don’t mind my asking what shaft do you have in your driver? You may not need a 16° Driver, it could be the shaft has too high of a flex point. But I’ve heard of higher lofted drivers though they can be hard to come by these days.

[Cantankerish]

Lean away from the target a few degrees at address. If you are not already doing this, it may be that simple.

Edited October 29, 2020 by Cantankerish

[Adam C]

Are you that low launching with all your clubs? Also if you are only getting 268 yards of carry at that speed, contact must be an issue also. I would guess you are making contact very low on the face. Might want to check that first before trying to find a super high loft driver.

[ZANDER1994]

  On 10/29/2020 at 7:39 AM, onthehunt526 said:

I have a “low” launch angle too, and my driver is 9.5°. If you don’t mind my asking what shaft do you have in your driver? You may not need a 16° Driver, it could be the shaft has too high of a flex point. But I’ve heard of higher lofted drivers though they can be hard to come by these days.

Expand  

It’s a stiff Adila shaft. Two years ago I upgraded from a driver with a regular shaft. Not sure if it’s in my head but I feel like I hit the regular shaft higher. Never tested it on a launch monitor.
 

With my irons I am usually only 2 or 3 degrees below the pga launch averages. And my club lofts are strong. I play the Callaway XR Steelheads. My irons have always been the best part of my game I think because I hit down quite a bit but also don’t really have trouble hitting the high ball. 

[billchao]

  On 10/29/2020 at 5:22 PM, ZANDER1994 said:

It’s a stiff Adila shaft. Two years ago I upgraded from a driver with a regular shaft. Not sure if it’s in my head but I feel like I hit the regular shaft higher. Never tested it on a launch monitor.
 

With my irons I am usually only 2 or 3 degrees below the pga launch averages. And my club lofts are strong. I play the Callaway XR Steelheads. My irons have always been the best part of my game I think because I hit down quite a bit but also don’t really have trouble hitting the high ball. 

Expand  

Have you ever gotten a club fitting? I also launch the ball lower than ideal and part of that is my swing, part of that was the shaft I was playing.

I wonder if changing to a higher lofted driver will cause you to hit the ball with more spin and you wouldn't see any gains in distance.