Driver Loft and Shaft Stiffness

[MKPKR]

I am in the market for buying a new driver. I don't want to really get into the specifics of brand, just what loft is best. The most common it looks like the the 9.5.

Lower loft means lower ball flight and more roll right? Is a higher degree of loft easier to hit? Right now I am swinging a 13 degree and am wondering what to step to next. Also, I am thinking that shaft stiffness depends all on swing speed. And i'm thinking most drivers come with regular stiffness shafts stock from the factory.

Can someone please explain the difference in the degree of lofts, and the pro's and con's of a 9.5 or 10.5 or the differnt shafts... We have golf galaxy's here in the Carolina's, but the sales people are far from helpful.

Any insight would be appreciated.

[mgresh]

First piece of advice I'd give is to get on a swing monitor and try a some drivers. Then when you've narrowed it down to a few, take them out on the range or course and see what works best for what you're looking for. There are all kinds of variables that affect trajectory and (to overly simplify) a setup that's relatively low for one person may be high for another and vice versa.

[TempoIsKey]

If there are some qualified people at your Golf Galaxy, I would recommend getting in the launch monitor. That can really analyze what is going on with your launch conditions and help fit you for the right shaft and loft.

[sp33d]

I would say 10.5 is the most common, but yeah get your self on a monitor. I went from a 9.5 to a 10.5 and hit 60% more fairways. I've given up distance, but I'm never hitting behind trees. And by giving up distance I'm talking 10 yards on avg...

[Leftygolfer]

I like the 10.5 more than the 9.5. I hit it farther. I bought a 9.5 and it is currently collecting dust. Go get fitted. It is the only way to go.

[goblue107501]

I will echo what others have said and try and get on a launch monitor or do some sort of fitting. If nothing else, go to a few local courses with ranges and see if they have demos you can hit. It is pretty common now where a course will have a brand of driver with interchangeable shafts you can try different possibilities. Sometimes the best thing to do is to hit a few and see what kind of ball flight and distance you are getting. Just about every shaft is different. A stiff in one model may be close to a regular in another. You really just need to try as many as you can until you get the best results.

I am different than most, I like lower lofted drivers. I can hit the ball high if I need to and the higher lofts for me do not go anywhere but up. Plus, the conditions are such in my area that the majority of the golf season the fairways get pretty hard and with the lower loft I can hit a lower shot and maximize roll.

[is2linda]

It really depend on your swing. Not all 9.5 or 10.5 fits everyone swing. It will depends on how you swing. Lemme clarify in the easiest manner.

Flex: Club head speed (How fast do you swing with your club)
Loft: Ball speed and launch angle (IE: 160mph ball speed should be around 12-13 degree launch angle for optimal trajectory)
Different Shafts: RPM also launch angle

If you get a regular flex than a stiff flex, when you are really stiff, you may gain a little distance but you will spray your ball like no other. It would be too whippy for you and might balloon your ball up. If you get a stiff flex then a regular flex, when you are really regular flex, you might hit straighter but lose distance and trajectory. Loft determines your trajectory. Every shot has an ideal trajectory. If it goes to high, it catches a lot of air, and loses distance. if its too low your carry will be low and you will ultimately depend on the roll. Different brands of aftermarket brand helps control other things as well, such as low trajectory and high trajectory, weight, and RPM on the ball. Club fitters have a formula for this so dont worry to much.

Again it may not always be the case, this generally the basic.

You need to visit a club fitter, not a sales rep, they would know this a lot more. Ask for any more questions or clarification

[quantim0]

I have R flex on my of my clubs. I have a lot of swing speed and hit my driver a consistent 260, up to 280. I used to hit a lot of slices and balloon my woods until I switched to a S flex. Now my ball flight is much better and more consitently straight. My next set of irons will have S flex shafts to hopefully carry the experience from my woods over.

[wabobbo]

I had my driver reshafted to a regular flex from the stiff, and I hit it a lot better now. Higher and straighter. I dont swing fast enough, I guess.

[misty_mountainhop]

Not a big fan of fitting but there are so many head/shaft combinations possible these days, your best bet is a good range which'll let you test a lot of options. Try hitting your mates' setups as well. Take your time choosing.

[MMouse]

If you don't get fit, at least take the opportunity to hit some different driver/shaft/loft combinations.
I just purchased a new driver and left with a totally different driver than I intended to.

[Big_M]

Yeah... as others have said fitting is helpful, but not 100% necessary... and by that I mean... if there's an outdoor range you can see where/how you are hitting different clubs. Yeah, launch monitors provide additional data, but unless it is a trackman or something, then it might not be spot on and I would want to SEE my shots outdoors anyway.

Shaft flex anf loft aren't the only factors that will effect ball flight. Shaft kickpoint, and club weighting also makes a difference. Some 10.5 drivers with shaft A might launch too low while a 9.5 driver with shaft B might launch just right... or a 11 with shaft C... it just takes some trial and error.

PS noticed you lived in Charlotte... check out these golf sites that are Charlotte specific...

http://www.pickup18.com/

http://golf.bman.com/

and if you ever want to play a round... I'm in.