Cant decided which degree is best for 5900

[mrserv0n18]

I have a 85mph avg driver swing speed and a disgusting slice. After research I think I am going to try the nike Sumo2 5900. My question is should I get the 10.5 degree, 11.5, or the lucky 13?

I feel like the 13 is going to give me the best chance of curing my slice from a club standpoint. But I currently have a 8.5 stiff shaft that was a hand me down and I have no problem getting it in the air or have an issue with its trajectory its just that it slices so DAMN hard everytime. So Im worried if I get this 13 degree I will be shooting 190 yard popups and might regret not getting the 10.5 if I could keep it from slicing Im not sure.

So how much loft and side spin difference am I gonna see using a 13 degree over 10.5 ? I was thinking maybe If I just teed the 13 degree a little lower like I do my 8.5 that I might not do those popups Im worried about and be able to get a clean 230 yard straight drive.. OR should I just meet it in the middle and opt for the 11.5 !! Its winter here so I cant really test these on a real driving range and get a true answer which is why im just gonna bite the bullet and get one of them , I jsut need some people who own one to give their opinion please.

[PiKapp23]

There is a theory that a higher loft driver will reduce side spin because it will have a tendency to impart more back spin. Personally I would be scared to go with the 13 just because of potentially lost distance, but a slower swing speed with lots of side spin might benefit from the 'Lucky 13'. My friend has a Sumo 5900 and he fought a bad (really bad!) slice for a long time and it's definitely helped reduce his slice (and at times even give him a slight draw on good swings, which never happened before). He's playing a 10.5 with regular flex shaft and his swing speed is similar to yours (maybe slightly faster, but not much)

As well as the loft of the driver head, you also need to think about the particular shaft you go with . As is usually the case the stock shafts supplied by manufacturer are good, but it's possible that the correct shaft might be better than going with a higher loft.

Of course, there is always the option of getting a lesson or two (or more) to fix the slice...

[CosmosMpower]

This is a good question, I'm fighting a slice problem with my current driver and thinking about replacing it. Would love to know if a higher loft will help.

[mrserv0n18]

Thanks for the info. Hope a Lucky 13 owner might be able to chime in and let us know what this club has done for you. If not then I think my best bet is to just meet it in the middle and get the 11.5.

[extremeld]

i suppose it depends how high you want to hit your slice

yes a higher loft will reduce sidespin, best bet is go get custom fit, often trotted out but it can really help - you may need less loft and a different shaft, dont know until you get fit.

k

[Stacey_E]

Thanks for the info. Hope a Lucky 13 owner might be able to chime in and let us know what this club has done for you. If not then I think my best bet is to just meet it in the middle and get the 11.5.

Good luck with finding someone carrying a 13* and willing to admit it...haha.

Seriously, I hit a 12* driver and since going to it I have begun to hit 70+ % of my fairways EVERY time out. I still launch it too low though and loose distance in wet conditions. I swing 87-89 (just had it measured today) and have yet to find a loft driver that I "baloon". Until that happens I may continue to go up in loft with my next driver. But to give you an idea of my piss poor swing dynamics, I launch the ball at 6* with about 1,700 RPMs. I'm only carrying it 170-210 on the course but I get a hell of a first kick and roll with a knuckleball type action (usually 40+ yards after landing). Still I'm always looking to hit it higher if I can. At 85 MPH you should have no problem keeping the ball at a usable trajectory with a 13*. You will get a lot of advice to the contrary. But keep in mind, most of it will be from swingers with 95+ MPH swings that need lower lofts. Ultimately the best thing to do, short of actual on course experience would be to try them on a launch monitor. But I'd be willing to bet my driver that the 13* would be a better fit for you. Good luck!

[booman32]

Good luck with finding someone carrying a 13* and willing to admit it...haha.

Um.... You have a 12* driver so...

[extremeld]

Good luck with finding someone carrying a 13* and willing to admit it...haha.

Eh WHAT? you should be advising anyone hitting a 12 degree driver with a 6 degree launch - you basically cannot hit driver! You are launching at 6 degrees with a 12 degree driver - you need to seriously get a lesson on how to hit a MODERN driver! Those numbers are insane, to get the launch you actually need you would have to go to 21 degree driver!!! as with your speed you are wanting a minimum of 15 degrees launch. I dont see how you can hit down on the ball (as you must be) and get what is extremely low spin - unless you have the worlds flattest swing?? You swing in the mid 80s a 12 degree is plenty - if fit correctly and if you swing half way decent.

[Stacey_E]

Eh WHAT? you should be advising anyone hitting a 12 degree driver with a 6 degree launch - you basically cannot hit driver!

That may be true, but the experience I have with his swing speed and his driver loft (that he is considering) will at least give some advice that is more helpful than dogging someone else's posts. Yes I do have a flat swing. I'm not entirely sure the launch specs were spot on but that is not the issue at hand. The OP is asking advice on what loft would be helpful given his swing speed. If you noticed I gave more appropriate advice at the end of the post when I mentioned getting on a launch monitor.

[extremeld]

may have come over as a little harsh, i was just baffled by a 12 degree driver and a 6 degree launch - i was trying to be helpful - you really do need to get someone to show you how to hit a driver properly - you must be striking the ball at almost 10 degrees off the correct hitting angle - you should hit the driver UP

[Stacey_E]

may have come over as a little harsh, i was just baffled by a 12 degree driver and a 6 degree launch - i was trying to be helpful - you really do need to get someone to show you how to hit a driver properly - you must be striking the ball at almost 10 degrees off the correct hitting angle - you should hit the driver UP

You may have, but truly I'm baffled as well

I am almost completely certain that it's due to my weight not being behind the ball. I really hit my wedges better than anything in the bag. I play with a strongish grip and my weight is usually forward on a lot of my shots. I'm afraid that is transferring way too much to my driver swing. Add to that the fact that I do swing very flat and close my square faced driver 2* at impact. Plus the V2 stiff shaft in my driver has been tipped a whole inch...that's another crazy story, and I have a recipe for the low ball from hell. Ironically I can usually go 240+ in the summer time. I know it sounds crazy until you witness it but it's not uncommon for me to get 40, even 50 or 60 yards of run on a flat hole. The quality of my strikes relative to the clubface center aint that bad. I get 128 ball speed with an 88 clubhead speed. So I think thats about a 1.45 smash factor. I know that seems high as well considering my mechanics. But although I'm not sure if all the launch conditions were correct (I had a very informal session with a too low tee today) I think the clubhead speed and ball speed were correct. I guess if there is any of that that applies to the original post it is this.... Loft on the clubhead in no way tells the story of the loft at impact.

[bogeyhitter25]

Get a 9.5 or a 9. And then fix your slice. Make adjustments to your swing. You'll be a better player, and enjoy the game more.

[Titleist Man]

Id go get some lessons in the spring then choose a driver based on results from your "new" swing. Good luck

[denver_nuggs_15]

I don't like the 13* idea. I think you may grow out of it in time. If you don't have a problem getting an 8.5* in the air, then the extra loft may not help much. It would produce more backspin and less sidespin (more accuracy), but you may balloon the ball. I would lean more towards the 10.5 or 11.5.
Use the launch monitor to determine what works best for you. However, do not let it be the end-all. I would try to find a place that lets you SEE the actual ball flight. I know a guy who bought a 10.5* PING G10 with a stock regular flex shaft. It was the best for him on a launch monitor. The guy is a 7 handicap who hit his old driver 280 easy. Now he only hits the G10 about 260. He didn't realize how high the ball flight was with the 10.5 and R shaft...because he only used the launch monitor.
Titleist man's idea of lessons isn't bad either. Get a driver that fits your new and impoved swing.

[flopdarock]

a wicked slice is pretty tuff to cure with technology alone...
id think fixing mechanics would be priority over pricey gear...
dont believe all the hype that manufacturers spend big bucks on or you'll get frustrated and much lighter in the pocket...
heck... if i were you id just go down to golf galaxy... demo clubs you think can help you... an usually the pro will give you 'free' advice on what he is seeing in your swing

[Pinseeker81]

i suppose it depends how high you want to hit your slice

+1

I got the 5900 and still sliced 90º off line. Had to fix the swing to cure the slice.