Big hitters using high(er) lofted drivers?

[xxsoultonesxx]

I just read that Dustin Johnson uses a 10.5 degree driver. I was expecting to see something like a 7 degree driver or something along those lines. Is this fairly typical of the mega hitters on tour? Or is it more of a preference in the roll out of the ball?

http://blogs.golf.com/equipment/2010...mpionship.html

[CPT]

Because he's a "ball carrier", meaning that most of his drives won't roll as much after they landed. He launched the ball very high with tremendous speed. Only players with such speed can do that and produce more distance.

[rdwoody]

He won't get as much roll because of the increased backspin that a higher lofted driver produces, but that backspin is what causes the ball to carry.

[Zeph]

Low lofted driver + positive angle of attack = Low spin, less carry, more roll.
High lofted driver + zero or negative angle of attack = High spin, more carry, less roll.

More backspin causes the ball to climb higher and stay in the air longer, but also makes it roll out less. As long as you got a high ball speed, you can hit it a long way without a 6º driver.

I suppose the longest will be the low lofted driver with positive angle of attack, since the long drive guys use them. It does require a more different swing though, than from the rest of your clubs. From a -2 attack angle with a 3 wood to +6 with a driver. But clearly you can hit it 300+ with a 10.5º driver too, no doubt about that.

[jamo]

It's just the amount of loft that fits him and his swing characteristics.

[2bGood]

The points out a big issue with club fitting. There are no rules. Loft, shaft flex, Swing Weight, shaft weight, grip size etc. has no true standard. The pros for the most part try out lots of different stuff and pick what is right for them. I have 100-105 mph swing, and the best shaft combo I have found is X-stiff / x lite / cut down with very light swing rate. By the number it makes little sense, on the course it is straight on long (for me).

John Daly played a Reg flex driver back in the day

[Ruckus]

Yeah, he definitely doesn't get much roll compared to JB and Bubba. Watch his swing, it's very shallow for a long hitter. The higher loft helps him carry and definitely fits his swing type. If you look at Tiger from 5+ years ago, he looked like he was trying to kill it with an almost out of control follow through. Dustin's is a lot more smooth. I think more pros would benefit from the high lofts (namely Phil, who still insists on using 7-8 degrees of loft).