Driver face height questions

[Stuffs]

Its amazing the changes I see (for the good) when every 3-4 years I look at or shop for a driver.  But one thing I never really understood is the face height.  The last time I shopped for one, it was all about the shallower face (ie SQ 5900, MX700) and before that, it was all about the deeper faces (Launcher 460 type heads).  Now it seems like its back to deeper faces.

I'm just trying to gain a better understanding as to why the back and forth.  I think I know the basic concept that deeper faces lower traj and shallower face higher traj.  From what it seems, most are going after a higher launch, lower spin results.  So wouldn't a shallower face achieve that a little easier?  I know I'm way off base somewhere that's why I'd to see if anyone can chime in on it.

Also, I've been told a lot of things from sales staffs that I'm not sure if its true or not.  I was told that deeper face tend to hit fades easier whereas shallower or slightly wider faces are easier to hit a draw. But a few years back when all the clubs out there had shallower faces, I was told the opposite.

[iacas]

I think at any given moment you can find plenty of both on the market. I don't see the same "trends" you've seen. For example, Titleist's two drivers have always been a shallower, wider face and a deeper, narrower face.

[Stuffs]

Originally Posted by iacas

I think at any given moment you can find plenty of both on the market. I don't see the same "trends" you've seen. For example, Titleist's two drivers have always been a shallower, wider face and a deeper, narrower face.

Well, the D2 isn't exactly shallow, its more shallow to the D3, but still fairly deep compared to what was out there a few years back.  I guess more accurately put, a few years or more back, the shallow ones out on market vs the deep was much more noticeable, whereas now, even the shallow ones are only marginally so than their deeper counterpart.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Stuffs

Well, the D2 isn't exactly shallow, its more shallow to the D3, but still fairly deep compared to what was out there a few years back.  I guess more accurately put, a few years or more back, the shallow ones out on market vs the deep was much more noticeable, whereas now, even the shallow ones are only marginally so than their deeper counterpart.

The point remains that there's not a cycle IMO. The HiBore, for example, almost had to be that shape.

In other words, I think the shape of the face is governed by other things - how much weight they're trying to move around (and to where), what "stuff" they've got - adjustable hosels, odd crowns, moveable weights, etc. - and so on. The face shape is a result more than something they directly try to control. You're supposed to hit the center of the clubface, after all. :)

[Stuffs]

Originally Posted by iacas

You're supposed to hit the center of the clubface, after all. :)

Exactly.  That's what I was wondering if the face height or shape had any influence on ball flight even when struck in center.  But you draw a good point with the face shape being a result form other factors they're trying to control while maintaining max cc or so.

For me, I tend to hit deeper faces lower, sometimes with less spin than I'd like.  But I never knew whether it was the face height or just how the other factors played out in those head that caused it.

[Dave40]

I remember there were two versions of the Titleist 905.  The 905T had a taller, narrower face and was supposed to be able to work the ball better than the 905R which had a wider and shallower face.  The 905R was supposed to be easier to hit for less skilled golfers.

[WUTiger]

I have always preferred a deeper face driver. I play a lot of public courses, and the deeper face gives me a margin of error when teeing off from chopped-up tee boxes.