We stand corrected. Thanks, Tiger.

[bunkerputt]

http://www.golfdigest.com/equipment/...-driver-p.html

Back in the day when I first started (August 2006), I didn't believe that I was a good golfer. And I was correct: my first round was an honest 118. I knew I could swing pretty fast, though. So I bought a 10.5 degree driver, thinking that my clubhead speed wasn't quite on par with the tour players who were using the 8.5 and 9 degree variants. I figured the extra loft would straighten out my misses side-to-side, which were plentiful. But a couple of years later, (when I was shooting in the 90s, BTW), I erroneously figured I was pretty good. So I switched to a 9.5. At this point, I had thrown a little bit of launch monitor "analysis" in, so that I could claim to have an argument that I needed the lower loft. Now I'm glad Tiger used a 10 degree driver. That way I can switch back to 10.5 without the loss of ego, and perhaps start hitting my driver instead of my 15 degree 3-wood off the tee. Ironically, my scoring average now is around 81. But my attitude about my game is more on par with the Me 3-years ago at 118. Both Mes have a long way to go

[Leftygolfer]

The belief that better players should use less loft isn't accurate. I tried a 9.5 and didn't like it. I could not carry the ball as far. I lost distance and didn't gain accuracy. Maybe if I was a faster swinger I would need less loft but I am not short nor long. I will use a 10.5 until a launch monitor or a fitter tells me otherwise.

[goblue107501]

I think it is really up to the individual player what is best. A launch monitor can give you solid numbers, but sometimes there are other things to take into consideration. One of the biggest things is what you want the ball to do. Some people like to know that they will carry a ball XXX yards and it won't roll out. That way they can eliminate the trouble areas. Other people, like myself, like having as much roll as possible. I use an 8.5 driver and wouldn't change it. I hit it plenty high to get over trees and when it is dry I can get a bunch of roll. It has been so long since I used a 9.5 or anything over 10 I don't know what would happen. Probably get whiplash from looking straight up on every shot. The conditions in my area favor a drive that hits and rolls. There are times when I would like to have a higher loft for really wet days, but I can live without the roll on those days to get an extra 30-40 yards on dry days, which is the big majority of the golf season.

I know a lot of Tour players use more loft than what I do, but they also have a much better idea of what they want the ball to do, and they can do more with the ball.

[golf_junkie27]

It's more than just launch monitor numbers. It's where and how you make contact. With Tiger, since he's undergone the knee surgery and changed his swing path (see Golf.com. There is a sequence that shows where his swing has changed to the point that its now flatter at the top) it's plausible that he actually needed the additional loft to stay straight. His % of fairways hit, regardless of what Stevie Williams claimed, has dropped considerably in the last five years.

IMHO, as great as Tiger is, his margin of error increases the more he plays from the rough (as it would any golfer) and I'm sure that he would make any change to decrease that possibility. When he's in the fairway, he's unbeatable.

The thought of him repeating his practice round results at next week's U.S. Open makes his chances of winning incredibly better. 14 of 14 at Bethpage, regardless of time of year, is really impressive. Set up for an Open? That's pretty ridiculous.

[onthehunt526]

I'm playing the 9.5 degree R9 and I hate it... I guess its more than the 5 degrees I was playing last year.

[st0wgolf08]

I'm playing the 9.5 degree R9 and I hate it... I guess its more than the 5 degrees I was playing last year.

Why are you using the r9 then? I would think with your handicap, you could get any clubs you want. What made you switch from that 5 degree, I thought you said you hit it way better?

[TheWarHound]

I bought a 9* because the GC I joined is all hard pan in the summer, and I can get crazy roll.

[jrm1493]

90% of the time where I play I'll take a low line drive with a lot of roll, unless it just rained. Sort of a Texas Wedge for the tee box (and I hit a lot of those too).

That said, I actually hit my 8.5 deg driver higher than my old 10 deg driver... I guess its the shaft.

[Cesar]

http://www.golfdigest.com/equipment/...-driver-p.html

With the development of low spin drivers, loft on drivers aren't seen the way they used to be.

I grew up using 8.5* drivers for the longest because with the backspin they used to create I'd get pretty close to optimal ball flight. With technology nowadays, that would be akin to me teeing off with a putter. I went to a 10.5 and at times still hit the ball lower than I did with my 8.5. In regards to Tiger, he used to hit his drives with a steeper attack angle, thus creating more backspin. With his recent swing changes, he's coming in more level, thus allowing him to go to a higher loft without balooning it. Your best bet is to go get fitted and see your stats on a launch monitor. High launch/low spin is what you want and there are countless head/shaft combos available to help you achieve that optimal launch.

[bunkerputt]

I've been fitted for driver now about 3 times. I hit pretty much every single driver they have in the low 4100 RPM spin range at around 14 degree launch. Which means I don't get nearly optimal distance and my driver goes about as far as my 3-wood, but with less control. Most every place I try doesn't have anything stiffer than S flex, so I don't know if some of the X-flex shafts would bring the spin down, or if there is a shaft option with a stiff enough tip to get the ball launching with less spin. I'd like to find some place that will really fit people. As in NOT "These are the 5 clubs we're going to show you, let's find out which one you are going to buy.".

[Cesar]

I've been fitted for driver now about 3 times. I hit pretty much every single driver they have in the low 4100 RPM spin range at around 14 degree launch. Which means I don't get nearly optimal distance and my driver goes about as far as my 3-wood, but with less control. Most every place I try doesn't have anything stiffer than S flex, so I don't know if some of the X-flex shafts would bring the spin down, or if there is a shaft option with a stiff enough tip to get the ball launching with less spin. I'd like to find some place that will really fit people. As in NOT "These are the 5 clubs we're going to show you, let's find out which one you are going to buy.".

I hear ya, I've been down that road before in terms of trying to get fitted with extremely limited options.

Your launch is on the high end of optimal, but that spin needs to come way down. What kind of swing speed are you putting out? I had the same problem as you until I discovered Nakashima. A few guys at my home course were using them and I tried them out. Easily the best performing driver I've ever hit so I decided to look into them. Turns out their headquarters were in Stockton, CA...about 40 minutes from my house. I went in and got fitted in their studio with some super high-end launch monitor and every shaft known to man. Ended up with a driver that I hit 20+ yards farther and straighter than I've ever had. It wasn't cheap, but well worth it IMO to not have to swap a driver out every year. I finally feel I have a driver I can use for a long time. Obviously, with you being in Texas, you're not going to come out to CA to get fitted (unless you're really desperate). They do have a few authorized dealers in Texas though and the ones they usually use are places that have a ton of different shafts to try. There's a good chance these places may have a different brand that you can try if Naka isn't something you'd be interested in. Not sure how close these places are to you, but here they are: A Performance Golf Academy 1117 Clear Lake City Blvd Houston, TX 77062 Ph: 281-480-4653 Email: sales@performancegolfacademy.com Sellinger's Power Golf 600 Henrietta Creek Drive Suite #200 Roanoke, TX 76262 682-549-2102 Email: sellinger@longdrivers.com Tour Performance Golf LLC 1015 S Main Street Duncanville, Texas 75137 Ph: 972-978-1224 Email:shane@tpgolf.biz I recommend giving them a call and seeing what they can do for you.

[Lemay427]

I remember when this kid in high school thought he was cool for using a 6 degree Titleist 975D. I remember it to this day. It was crazy looking how flat the face was.

[Cesar]

I remember when this kid in high school thought he was cool for using a 6 degree Titleist 975D. I remember it to this day. It was crazy looking how flat the face was.

Wow, never seen a 6* before. I've used as low as 7.5 but those days are long gone.

When I went in to get fitted, I was using a Callaway hyper x tour 8.5. Tried a few out on the launch monitor and I was getting 5.5 degree launch with less than 2000 rpms of backspin. I was basically teeing off with a putter.

[Leftygolfer]

The problem with your spin could have nothing to do with what you are using and how you are using it. If you tee it up too low and put a descending blow on the ball, you will never be able to reach optimal launch conditions regardless of what driver you used.

Those drivers are mean looking and very expensive. When I look into replacing my 5 year old stick I will look into them.

[bunkerputt]

The problem with your spin could have nothing to do with what you are using and how you are using it. If you tee it up too low and put a descending blow on the ball, you will never be able to reach optimal launch conditions regardless of what driver you used.

Well put. I pretty much have a descending blow with everything up through 3 wood (Though I've been hitting "up" a lot the last few times out). I try to play the driver a little bit forward of where I play my other clubs, tee it up so that the top half of the ball is above the face, and try to swing a bit flatter. But being 12 handicap, you certainly can't rule out swing faults.

Regarding the previous question about club speed: My driver swing is around 114. That's also quite short of parallel, probably half way between a 3/4 swing and parallel. So there's a lot of acceleration going over a short distance. I play X100s in my irons and love them. I'll have to check out the fitter you recommended. I'm pretty sure I need X in my woods and driver as well, not so much because of the swing speed, but rather the way that my swing acquires it. I've only ever hit 2, X-flex drivers in my life, as an example. And I've been to both Golf Smith and Galaxy several times. There's just such limited selection at those places.

[enis750]

wow there is some great info in here
Cesar u seem like a very knowledgeable dude

i have a 113-117 swing speed with a high launch angle between 13.4-14.5 on average, w fairly low spin
i have been struggling to find a driver/shaft combo that fits me proper
although the one i have now is working ok, i still am hitting the ball super high

i am not sure exactly how to find the proper shaft combo for me
maybe something stiffer, like an X????
i am liking the 9.5* but did notice a little less distance w it..as a result of the high launch angle

[Cesar]

wow there is some great info in here

I'm not a fitting specialist by any means, but with your swing speed you should be right on the cusp of being able to use an X.

I know I tried a few blueboards before I got fitted and was very interested in getting one put in on mine when I got fitted. I loved the way they felt. But when put on the launch monitor, I ended up hitting it slightly too high with too much spin. I then tried the whiteboard and the exact opposite happened...too low with too little spin. I ended up going with the Fubuki which turned out to be a perfect fit. Great blueboard-like feel, with a slightly lower launch and perfect spin #'s (low 2000's) Of course, just because it works for me, doesn't mean the same will apply to you. I'm in the low 120's in MPH and I tend to de-loft my driver at impact (ala JB Holmes). The only way to know for sure would be to get on a launch monitor at a reputable shop that won't try to sell you something just for the sake of selling it to you and try it out. With your launch angle, you're slightly on the high side, but can be more than OK if the spin is low and the ball doesn't baloon on you. There is a misconception that you can't hit a high ball into the wind and that simply isn't the case these days. If the ball is struck solidly with low spin, the ball should cut through wind with little problem. Do you find yourself having problems hitting into the wind with your ball flight?