I got fitted today but...

[nk4787]

I happened to find a golf store here in Dubai which had a launch monitor. I got on and took a few shots with a Ping G5 10.5 Regular. Sliced and in the 160-180 yards range. The trajectory was a few degrees over 20. I then tried the G5 9 Stiff. 200-210 yards straight with 19-20 degrees launch.

What I want to know is....should I go with the 9 degree stiff or the 9 degree regular and then work on my swing to get that slice away? So basically, does one gain alot of distance by using a regular shaft instead of stiff? If not then I'll just go with the 9* stiff. Also, what's the ideal launch? Is my launch of 19-20 good? Ideally I want to hit a 250+ yard drive because I'm hitting 180-200 yards with my 3-iron.

Hopefully I'll find a bigger store to go to tomorrow to try the launch monitor out again with more clubs/shots to get a more accurate measure.

Thanks in advance,
-N

[gas_can]

I happened to find a golf store here in Dubai which had a launch monitor. I got on and took a few shots with a Ping G5 10.5 Regular. Sliced and in the 160-180 yards range. The trajectory was a few degrees over 20. I then tried the G5 9 Stiff. 200-210 yards straight with 19-20 degrees launch.

nk4787, Can you give me the other numbers? I need swing speed, ball speed, spin, side spin, launch angle (provided). That way I can see how accurate the numbers are, make an estimation of your efficiency, and determine if your launch angle is correct. Without the other numbers, it's tough to tell wether your launch angle is too high.

[allin]

I assume by trajectory you listing launch angle? If so 19 or 20 degrees sounds awfully high. I have an low average swing speed, 85-87 with the driver. The optimum launch angle depends somewhat on how much spin you put on the ball, but 12-16 degrees would be the usual range with a driver. My best shots are about 14 degrees, with spin around 2800 or 2900. With a higher swing speed even lower launch and spin is better.

[gas_can]

I assume by trajectory you listing launch angle? If so 19 or 20 degrees sounds awfully high. I have an low average swing speed, 85-87 with the driver. The optimum launch angle depends somewhat on how much spin you put on the ball, but 12-16 degrees would be the usual range with a driver. My best shots are about 14 degrees, with spin around 2800 or 2900. With a higher swing speed even lower launch and spin is better.

allin,

There's a little bit of "wiggle" room with drivers these days. Bubba Watson for example hits the ball with incredible initial launch, somewhere between 16-18 degrees when I saw him in Houston, but with such low spin and high ball speed that he makes it work. I'm interested in hearing more about nk4787's numbers, because if he's carrying a 3 iron in teh same range as his driver, I imagine he's swinging much harder. Just my opinion, not fact, hopefully that's okay . . .

[allin]

The optimum launch angle depends somewhat on how much spin you put on the ball,

I understand, althought I carry a three iron about 175-180. I would be suprised if his swing speed is over 95 with a driver. There may be wiggle room but unless his spin is very low maybe 1500 his ball would be very high, with very little roll, a big slice or hook wouldn't it?

[nk4787]

Hey guys,

These are the only numbers I remember (sorry). I'll see if I can go back to get more numbers with more hits.

Swing speed: ~80mph
Launch: 18-20 degrees
Distance: ~200 yards


The one thing...the launch 'pad' (area where I hit from) was a little confined so I felt like I wasn't swinging as fast as I would on the course...I was a little afraid of hitting something with my complete swing.

So really these numbers are probably very inaccurate...only 5 tries and probably not 100% swing speed. But nonetheless, I'd love to see the input based on these numbers.

Thanks!