Difference in Driver Degrees

[Beantown Beancounter]

Here's my question all. I normally game a 10.5 degree Nike SQ driver. The past week I have been using my old set I keep out in Charleston which includes a 9 degree Nike ignite driver. Shafts for both drivers are graphite. Using the old driver the past week I have noticed that I am striking my drives better and have better ball flight and workability with the old 9 degree. So my question, is the difference in degrees, 1.5, that much where I should consider switching my SQ too? Or is it just a result of a more consistent swing that I am able to produce these past couple of rounds? Thanks.

[JimmyDoesGolf]

Could be either, or more likely, it could be the difference in head design or shaft. What shafts do they both use?

[Beantown Beancounter]

update to question.

Old driver is actually a 9.0 degree Nike Forged Titanium 450cc with the standard Nike Golf Regular Flex Mid-Kick Graphite shaft.

The current driver I regularly use is a 10.5 degree Nike SQ Tour 460 with the standard Aldila NV Regular Flex graphite shaft.

Any insight is appreciated.

[Beantown Beancounter]

haven't gotten a response from anyone, but was wondering if anyone thought that switching to a stiff shaft would help stop me from ballooning the ball and having more control over my drives? Thanks.

[BGPro]

A stiffer shaft is going to help control the accuracy of the shot, not necessarily the "ballooning" of the ball. What is your swing speed? Many factors are attributed by the shaft specs. The NV is a mid/high kick, designed to keep the ball at around a low to medium trajectory, but if you don't strike the ball correctly ANY shaft will make the ball balloon. Your stock Nike shaft from your 9* is more than likely a mid kick with a softer tip, designed to help the ball get in the air, which is probably why that combination of shaft/and 9* works for you. If you are looking to get the ball higher quicker, a mid/low kick would be best. If you are looking to keep the ball lower, a high kick would be best. As far as the degree of the clubhead is concerned, you should first choose a shaft you like and then figure out which clubhead best fits the shaft. That's how I go about it.

I could hit a 8.5* with an NVS just as high as a 10.5* with an NV. Make sense?

You say you like the 9* ignite, but you wonder if a stiff shaft would be better? I am a bit confused.

[Beantown Beancounter]

thanks for the response. So the right combination of shaft and head loft can produce the same ball flight.

I currently have been clocked at a swing speed between 92mph up to 95mph, anywhere within that range. I am looking to get more accuracy from my drives, and also to see a decrease in the height of my ball flight when I hit off the tee. So maybe if I am keeping my 10.5* head then a stiff shaft with a high-kick may help me reach my desired ball flight with my drives...with that being said it may not make much of a difference if my swing path is incorrect...

[Blades4me]

  Beantown Beancounter said:

thanks for the response. So the right combination of shaft and head loft can produce the same ball flight.

IMO your ss is too low for a stiff shaft. If a regular flex shaft isn't stiff enough try tipping it to where they recommend a 3w would be. Another way to go about, which is much more accurate and specific to you, would be to go and get on a launch monitor. Pay attention to only ball rpm's and launch angle; (there will be a bunch of other numbers, but they are just calculation. Optimally you want the rpm's to be 2800 rpm's with a launch angle of 12.5 to 14*--I think thats the range of the launch angle). These 2 numbers will help a knowledgable tech dial in the correct lofted club and type of shaft that will work best for your swing. After you have that, take the club to the range and see what the actual ball flight is.

Just a suggestion and good luch with whatever you decide on.