9.5, 10, 10.5 etc. Driver lofts?

[nutsnbolts]

Can someone explain to me what is the determining factor in deciding which loft to go with?

On my drivers, I have 10.5 on one and 10 on another and was wondering whether I should have went with 9.5 but really, I don't understand it, I just went with the advice that was given to me.

[cigarnut81]

The main determining factor of driver loft is your angle of attack into the ball. If you hit up on the driver then you would need less loft to get the ball in the air than someone who hits down on the ball would. Swing speed is also a small factor. The condition of the golf courses you play on can also help you decide on the proper loft. For instance if you play on firm golf courses you can use less loft to increase the rollout of your tee shots. And vice versa.

[nutsnbolts]

man what the heck. who the heck thinks of these things? lol. well for an average person what is the "proper" advise?

[cigarnut81]

Average golfers need alot more loft to create more spin to help keep the ball in the air.
Use the highest lofted driver you own.

[nutsnbolts]

Average golfers need alot more loft to create more spin to help keep the ball in the air.

Now this makes sense.

What is the average loft most people use? Out of curiosity?

[Jay-Bird]

Most average golfers with average swings should probably use a 10.5. But different launch angles can be created by different shaft flex/weight/torque/length as well as the loft of the face. The same 10.5 head will produce a different ball flight for the same person using different shafts; The same 10.5 head & shaft combo will produce different results for different people. It's all personal choice really. A good pro or club fitter should be able to help anyone find one to fit his/her game.

[onthehunt526]

You go always be a rebel and carry a 5 degree driver...

But seriously unless you can hit it consistantly 250... you shouldn't be hitting less than 10 degrees...

remember the less loft the more sidespin that the club creates...

its hard to imagine using a 45-inch driver with 15 or 16 degrees of loft... but you will actually hit it straighter... so for accuracy go with more loft...

[nutsnbolts]

You go always be a rebel and carry a 5 degree driver...

10 or 10.5 will definitely do.

[firstcut]

Can someone explain to me what is the determining factor in deciding which loft to go with?

Conventional wisdom is that a rookie should go with a 10,5 and regular shaft. The 10.5 is usually more closed than a lower lofted driver and the regular shaft is usually higher launching. Both of which are *supposed* to help accuracy and consistency. The problem with that "wisdom" is that there is no set rule for how closed or open a driver is and there is no standard for regular vs stiff flex and not everyone can benefit from a high launch shaft.

IMHO, the real answer is... The launch angle, ball flight and accuracy you can hit a particular head with a particular shaft determines your loft *and* shaft. That can only be determined by real world testing a bunch of drivers or testing a bunch of drivers on a launch monitor. Don't be afraid to test everything, from a 9 degree stiff to a 13 degree senior. Try to have someone with you that understands how the launch monitor works. You should find something that works for you. Good luck!

[Petden]

10-10.5 is the general consenses. I am going to add that the higher the loft, usually the easier the club is to hit. 3W versus a 5W.

[glebert]

I think the straightforward answer is that you should chose the loft to maximize total distance. Too much loft and you will hit it high with little roll, too little and it will not get off the ground but roll more, but either way you are losing total distance. When in doubt err on the side of too much loft because you get less sidespin.

I wasted about 2 yrs. trying to hit a 10.5 deg. driver but had to make too many adjustments to my swing to get it up in the air. Once I started playing a 12.5 I gained about 30 yards and I could hit it with my normal swing. I can hit it out to 280, so I'm not exactly a slow swinger. The right loft for you depends on your swing (as others have said).

[ks8829]

Excellent questions, I would try to find out what is the best loft in a driver to give you the optimal launch angle to give you best overall distance.

The way I would approach this is by going to the nearby golf store and hit the club you are considering on the launch monitor and have them make a recommendation on loft bases on your swing, swing speed, angle of contact etc.

while you are there have them recommend a driver that fit your game. Remember drive for show and putt and chip for dough and lower scores.

[cigarnut81]

Most average golfers with average swings should probably use a 10.5. But different launch angles can be created by different shaft flex/weight/torque/length as well as the loft of the face. The same 10.5 head will produce a different ball flight for the same person using different shafts; The same 10.5 head & shaft combo will produce different results for different people. It's all personal choice really. A good pro or club fitter should be able to help anyone find one to fit his/her game.

The shaft can only influence launch angle if you have a late to very late release of the wrists. It also will only change your launch angle by 2* at the most. Trajectory is determined by swing speed,loft,and angle of attack.

[SubPar]

There is a critical realationship between the angle you strike the ball, swing speed, the shaft qualities and the loft. You really can't go with any standard "wisdom". The driver is hard to fit to the player but it is well worth getting fitted by a professional.

Some pros use 6.5°, some use an 8.5° or 9°... Sergio's driver is an 11° because of the way he attacks the ball.

SubPar

[glebert]

Oh, one other wrinkle to throw into the confusion is that the loft printed on the driver head is rarely the actual loft of the head. There are manufacturing tolerances of at least +/- 1 deg. and the OEMs will also often choose to label the head on the low end of the range, so a 9.5 deg driver might be 11.5 deg. This doesn't matter if you buy a club that you have demo'd and know fits you, but it makes it confusing to compare from one club to another, especially from different manufacturers.

[cigarnut81]

There is a way around the manufacturing tolerances. Have a clubmaker measure the loft on a loft and lie measuring gauge. Do not use a loft/lie bending machine.

[titaniummd]

Read the book, Search for the Perfect Driver. There is more than enough information regarding drivers than you can ever stand.

If your swing speed is below 100 mph, you should consider 11 degrees or greater with a regular flex shaft.