which is preferred? Launch Angle

[TheNatural]

Driver launch angle high or low....normal conditions.


I am in the high launch, even though I launch low.

[elsito99]

I launch my drives very low, currently hitting a 9.5 degree with high launch shaft.

I just bought a 11.5 Titleist to launch it higher and get more distance from my drives, eventhough dry conditions are letting me get away with my low drives.


So, yeah, I vote high.

[TheNatural]

I launch my drives very low, currently hitting a 9.5 degree with high launch shaft.

I am hitting a 9.5 with high launch ..tee placement is helping improve launch angle

[Big_M]

it isn't a high or low launch angle that IS prefererred... it is a launch angle that matches your swing speed (or ball speed) for optimum distance. For most golfers it is in the 12*-14* range.

[TheNatural]

it isn't a high or low launch angle that IS prefererred... it is a launch angle that matches your swing speed (or ball speed) for optimum distance. For most golfers it is in the 12*-14* range.

'

my ss is 115 -120 but im still hitting line drives that hit ground with tremendous forward momentum, the launch just doesnt seem to go very high, just straight out like a missile. whenever i get loft the ball seems to go soooo much further, like 50 yards so next time out i plan on placing tee at address closer to center i think....

[elsito99]

I am hitting a 9.5 with high launch ..tee placement is helping improve launch angle

I have tried teeing it up like 5" in the air and can't get it to launch like I want. I attribute this to the head, as my father has the same shaft and I launch it pretty high with his TM R7 head.

[Big_M]

'

If you are hitting line drives then there is a fundamental problem with your swing. Could be a closed club face with hands well ahead... but without seeing you swing, who knows.

Also, 115-120 mph swing speed is on par with tour pros... are you sure this is accurate? Do you come out of your shoes when you swing or are you in balance?

[HytrewQasdfg]

According to an interview I saw a while ago with a golf ball company it is 14 degrees.
They ran tests using an iron byron and found the ball went the farthest when it was launched at a 14 degree launch angle.

The launch angle is not the same as the clubface loft though.

[elsito99]

According to an interview I saw a while ago with a golf ball company it is 14 degrees.

Best article I read was on Golf Magazine (I think), they tested swing speeds from 65 to 115 on 10 mph increments, basically 65 and 75 went the longest with 14 degrees of loft, then from 85 up to 115 the longest was the 11 degree driver.

Very interesting article that opened my eyes and made me recognize I needed more loft on my driver. Hopefully this Titleist 11.5 will help me achieve my best launch angle, close to the recommended 14.

[PiKapp23]

My normal launch angle with driver is very high and always has been. I used to fight that and tried to change my swing or drivers with less loft/high kick point. I have since realized I am willing to give up some yards because I can always find my drive (well, at least most of the time ). Typically my ball is within a yard or so of my ball mark with driver. I can now hit drives lower when I need to but usually go with the high drive so it stays in play.

[Draw Or Die]

Low Launch Please!!! I live in a very Windy area so high drive tend to Balloon which is very annoying to say the least!

[TheNatural]

If you are hitting line drives then there is a fundamental problem with your swing. Could be a closed club face with hands well ahead... but without seeing you swing, who knows.

No not coming out of shoes...actually last round after I figured out the corrct height of tee placement my drives were carrying 250+ but the mushiness they were plugging and popping out...but with higher degree loft they will carry even farther.. Golfsmith store clocked me at 115-119 this was the reason they reshafted me to a X shaft. Also, I have a strong(not pressure but right hand position) grip. shaft length is maxxed out at 48inch....

[TheNatural]

Best article I read was on Golf Magazine (I think), they tested swing speeds from 65 to 115 on 10 mph increments, basically 65 and 75 went the longest with 14 degrees of loft, then from 85 up to 115 the longest was the 11 degree driver.

Yea this is what I wanted but the pro said with my ss it wasnt necessary, he watched me swing for 30 minutes and said the 9.5 was fine and spin was 2000rpm so who the hell knows,, i just know that they are going as high as i would like but then again I attempted to cut a dog leg with trees in frnt of the tee and was able to clear it and NO IDIOT MARKS,,

[bogeyhitter25]

Either Golf Mag or Golf Digest had an article about launch angles. The higher angle, the farther the distance.

One guy gained 24 yards.

[TMO]

Your preferred launch angle is contingent on swing speed, MOI, and a lot of other factors. My launch angle is 13 degrees but that is for a faster swing. If your swing speed is below 100 mph you should not be shooting for the 14 degree launch angle or the ball will go too low and you will lose distance.

[Petden]

No not coming out of shoes...actually last round after I figured out the corrct height of tee placement my drives were carrying 250+ but the mushiness they were plugging and popping out...but with higher degree loft they will carry even farther..

Next you go back ask them what you can do to increase your distance. 115-120 should put you in the 300yard range (I believe 116 can get you over 300 quite nicely). You might have a rediculous amount of spin on the ball. Get them to check that out. Otherwise you are missing out on some prime yardage.

[JeffPogi]

I have a 10.5 drvr, hit it abt 240+ , my SS is 90, if I go 9degree driver will i get more distance??? New to the game abt 5months...

[glebert]

In my experience as a low launcher, the best thing to do is just get a higher lofted head. I probably gained at least 30 yards on average (closer to 50 on the high end) going from a 10.5 to a 12.5. My SS is about 105, so it is not just seniors who can benefit from high loft head. Big M may think low launching swings are fundamentally flawed, but remember that Hogan was a low ball hitter too