Extra yardage from higher loft?

[Alohaed]

Hey all,

I am going to the Ping truck next week to be fitted for their G15 3 wood. I currently have their G10 driver, 10.5* loft with regular flex TFC 129D shaft. I got this on sale from TGW. I love everything about this driver. And now that it's broken in. I hit it longer than any driver I have ever had. And as reviewed, it is forgiving as hell and I always hit straight down the fairway. Anyway... I keep reading that for my swing speed, around 85 - 90 mph it is suggested I need a 12 - 13*.  So I figure I might get fitted for a drive also. Roughly how much more yardage should one get using the correct loft? 5 - 10? 15 - 20? 25+?  Should I bring my current driver and hit against the G15 higher lofts?

[schlebrock]

Obtaining maximum distance is all about getting the correct launch angle and spin rates based on your ball speed. Contrary to popular belief, swing speed is not the most important variable. Someone with a 100mph swing speed who doesn't hit the center of the clubface may have slower ball speeds than someone that has a 90mph swing speed and always hits the center of the clubface.

That said, typically people need higher lofts with slower swing speeds. So, 12 - 13 degrees of loft on your driver may give you a better launch angle and increase your distance. However, without knowing your current metrics (ball speed, launch angle, spin rates) it's impossible to know how much distance you will gain. The guys at the Ping truck will be able to give you more specific information when you get on a launch monitor.

Hope that helps.

-Schlebrock-

[LankyLefty]

I could be wrong but if your getting fitted already its no extra cost to just get fitted for a Driver but not buy it. Then youd at least know what loft angle youd need if you ever decided to get a new driver.

[WUTiger]

Quote:

  schlebrock said:

... That said, typically people need higher lofts with slower swing speeds. So, 12 - 13 degrees of loft on your driver may give you a better launch angle and increase your distance. However, without knowing your current metrics (ball speed, launch angle, spin rates) it's impossible to know how much distance you will gain. ...

I got fitted for my current driver - it is 10.5* with a midkick R shaft. Driver SS = 85 mph. The recent online loft grids say I should be using a 12* or 13* driver. In reality, I hit a nice high ball with 10.5*, so more height is the last thing I need.

Just goes to show you - use the recommendations as a starting point, but test it out for  your own case.

[tweaky]

i go with Schlebrock and add that it's also IMPORTANT to have the ACTUAL MEASURED LOFT of the club as well as the face angle fitted to your swing.  the ACTUAL MEASURED LOFT is NOT ALWAYS the same as what is marked on the sole (bottom) of the club.  ask the guys in the truck if they can MEASURE the ACTUAL loft of the club you have.  there is a very specific way it's done and if they don't have the equipment to do it then you really don't know what you're getting.  oh, they'll TELL you that Ping has "very tight tolerances", but so does every other company, right?

[schlebrock]

  tweaky said:

Originally Posted by tweaky

i go with Schlebrock and add that it's also IMPORTANT to have the ACTUAL MEASURED LOFT of the club as well as the face angle fitted to your swing.  the ACTUAL MEASURED LOFT is NOT ALWAYS the same as what is marked on the sole (bottom) of the club.  ask the guys in the truck if they can MEASURE the ACTUAL loft of the club you have.  there is a very specific way it's done and if they don't have the equipment to do it then you really don't know what you're getting.  oh, they'll TELL you that Ping has "very tight tolerances", but so does every other company, right?

Great point tweaky.

In fact, Ping is notorious for having actual lofts in their drivers (especially the G10 & G15 heads) that's higher than the stated loft. For instance, I had Ping build me a custom G15 from their WRX department that was digitally lofted at 10.5 degrees. Instead of giving me a 10.5 degree head, they had to give me a 9.0 degree head because all of their 10.5 degree heads have true lofts that are higher than 10.5 degrees.

Ping has stated that they do this because golfers need more loft and that consumers generally purchase a loft thst's too low for their swing. While I don't disagree with that statement I'm not sure that an OEM should "trick" people into thinking they're getting something that thye're not.

That said, just ask to get a driver that's "digitally lofted" to ensure you get the correct loft for your swing. It's a small upcharge (approx. $10) but it's worth every penny. Just ask the Ping rep and he'll steer you in the right direction.

Hope that helps,

-Schlebrock-

[Alohaed]

Thanks for all the advise. Since I WILL be purchasing the 3 wood, would they check the actual loft of my G10, which is SUPPOSED to be 10.5, and maybe not charge for this? Aside from hopefully letting me hit my driver and getting the results on the monitor? If that's true, about having higher loft than stated, maybe I won't need to buy a driver then. I can use that $300 for greens fees. Or maybe my new Mizuno cart bag.

[schlebrock]

  Alohaed said:

Originally Posted by Alohaed

Thanks for all the advise. Since I WILL be purchasing the 3 wood, would they check the actual loft of my G10, which is SUPPOSED to be 10.5, and maybe not charge for this? Aside from hopefully letting me hit my driver and getting the results on the monitor? If that's true, about having higher loft than stated, maybe I won't need to buy a driver then. I can use that $300 for greens fees. Or maybe my new Mizuno cart bag.

It depends if the Ping Van is outfitted with a digital loft machine. If they have one, they won't charge you to measure your current driver. They'll only charge you if you have a club built for you and want to ensure it's actual loft.

The key is to ask the Ping rep all of the questions that you're asking here in the Sand Trap forum. Based on personal experiences, most of the Ping reps are very helpful and will guide you in the right direction.

Good luck with your fitting.

-Schlebrock-

[Alohaed]

Thanks Schlebrock. I love my Mizzy forged irons. Not to mention they are awesomely forgiving, and have that famous "buttery feel". I see you have the Anser Forged. They are great looking irons, yet BIG $$$$. How to you like them? Are  the worth the price?

[schlebrock]

  Alohaed said:

Originally Posted by Alohaed

Thanks Schlebrock. I love my Mizzy forged irons. Not to mention they are awesomely forgiving, and have that famous "buttery feel". I see you have the Anser Forged. They are great looking irons, yet BIG $$$$. How to you like them? Are  the worth the price?

I've purchased a number of Mizuno and Ping iron sets over the years. Mizuno's were purchased for their feel. Ping's were purchased for their accuracy and forgiveness. Since I hadn't found that perfect blend, I thought why not combine Ping's accuracy and forgiveness with that Mizuno forged feel. That led me to the logical conclusion of trying the Anser's.

Yes, they are a little more expensive but I go through a retailer that's able to offer significant discounts from the MSRP. So, in the end they're not much more expensive than other premium iron sets.

They don't quite have the buttery feel of some of Mizuno's offerings but I think they're close. Plus, I'm more accurate with Ping's and these haven't disappointed in that department.

I'm still in the honeymoon period with these as I've only had them for about 2 months. However, I'm hopeful that that these will be my keepers for years to come.

-Schlebrock-

[Mark5]

You have to be care full when it comes to the higher lofts. More is not always better. I have a driver that's as lofted as a 3 wood. The end result is a huge 3 wood on a long shaft that goes "CLANK"!