Half-degree Lofts

[The Recreational Golfer]

Doe anyone know why golf club manufacturers produce drivers and fairway woods in half-degree lofts (10.5, 11.5, etc.) instead of full-degree lofts (10, 11, etc.)?

[max power]

.5 makes it more better???

[ajschn06]

Why do manufacturers make different length irons?

[jamo]

Not sure, but not all companies do. Callaway (usually) uses whole numbers.

[WUTiger]

Generally, Pro-line clubheads come in the half-degree lofts, while the GI clubheads tend to come in even-degree lofts. Half-degree Iofts:

* Help people sort out the Pro from GI clubs in a display rack

* Give the aura of "added precision" in the club (marketing hype)

[max power]

I don't know if that's the case anymore.

Originally Posted by WUTiger

Generally, Pro-line clubheads come in the half-degree lofts, while the GI clubheads tend to come in even-degree lofts. Half-degree Iofts:

* Help people sort out the Pro from GI clubs in a display rack

* Give the aura of "added precision" in the club (marketing hype)

[grandaddy510]

because a 10.5 goes straighter than a 10 and further than an 11???

[Gerald]

I can imagine if you measure the actual loft there will be tolerances ...... 10.5 will maybe be somewhere between 10 and 11 !!!

Further some clubs tend to be slightly open, slightly closed or square at adres and this easely means 0.5 to 1.5 extra or less in loft and a mid or low kick point will also have influence on actual launch angle (not to mention position of the ball and/or swing).

SO in all it is nearly impossible to compare drivers only based on the static loft ........ and the difference between .0 and .5 is strictly marketing !

[andef]

Manufacturers MIGHT have found in their testing that 0.5 degree lofts fit a larger number of people. Plus, it allows them to offer less loft options.

As an example, they can offer: 8.5, 9.5, 10.5 and possibly 11.5 instead of 8,9,10,11,12.

It could be that the profile allows them to build a larger number of clubs that will be easier to sell as more people will fit into a 10.5 then a 10 or 11.