Need help selecting a driver and shaft

[mgp5013]

Hey guys. I am a 21 year old 13.8 handicap. I have a Taylor Made R5 Draw 9.5* with a 65 gram Grafalloy Blue Stiff. I have had it for 4 years now and I think its time for a change. There is a pretty big dent in the head due to letting one of my friends hit it so its time to upgrade.

Now here is my problem. I am a bigger guy at 6'1" 225 and I hit the ball relatively long. For reference purposes, I hit a 200 yard 5 iron and my swing speed with my driver ranges from 114 to 119mph. But my ball flight is insanely high. It is high to the point that many people have said to me that if I were to lower my ball flight, I would get more distance. I naturally have a slight draw and I am pretty accurate off the tee.

I want to decrease the trajectory of my tee shots without sacrificing any distance. I am very biased toward Taylor Made so I am thinking either the R9 or the R9 460. I can't decider whether I want to go with an 8.5* or a 9.5* and I don't even know where to start with shaft set ups.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[NotAStick]

Drop by your local Golf Galaxy, or look for a Taylor Made Demo Day, where they do fittings.

Get on a launch monitor and have them check you out. I know a lot of people who say they hit the balll "very high" who really have close to optimal launch angles. Then again, I don't know you, so you might be right.

I hit a 195 yard 5 iron at sea level and my driver swing speed is usually only around 105-108. heh.

Of course, I use a 8 degree driver with the same Graffaloy Blue 65S shaft and I get a pretty ideal 14.1-14.3* launch and 2700-2900 RPM fairly consistently.

Get fitted, it really helps. Every shaft and every head are different in terms of kick point and launch angles, etc.

[Shindig]

I want to decrease the trajectory of my tee shots without sacrificing any distance. I am very biased toward Taylor Made so I am thinking either the R9 or the R9 460. I can't decider whether I want to go with an 8.5* or a 9.5* and I don't even know where to start with shaft set ups.

Where are you located? TaylorMade has plenty of demo days, and probably fitting days to go with them, and even has some plants you can go to. If you're set on a given company's driver, you'll usually find they're helpful in making sure you get the right one.

[mgp5013]

I know my country club has a TM demo day coming up which I plan on being at depending on my work schedule. But I have had very good success with Taylor Made drivers. I started with my dad's old burner, then moved to a 320, then a 540 XD, and now my R5 Draw. The only clubs in my bag that aren't Taylor Made are my Vokey wedges. I am comfortable with them and they are forgiving enough for my mid-range handicap. My biggest issue is what shaft to put in it. I don't think a stock shaft will be advantageous for me as it is designed for an average golfer with an average swing speed. I just don't know enough about different shafts and their advantages to make an intelligent selection.

Shaft, loft, and whether to go with an R9 or an R9 460. Those are my dilemmas.

[mgp5013]

Drop by your local Golf Galaxy, or look for a Taylor Made Demo Day, where they do fittings.

This is the difference between a 14 handicap and a +.5 handicap

[bradabco]

Im a Callaway guy, so I must say, I hit the Ft-9 today and it is ridiculous