Driver fitting how much of a difference

[Slowcelica]

So driving is by far the worst part of my game, and I need to work on my swing with this club I know. But my question is I have never been fit for a driver and how much of a difference does a fitting really make?

[brettfan]

I just got fit for the Titleist D15... changed from a TaylorMade Rocketballz driver.  According to the launch monitor it increased my average drive by 1 yard but the dispersion went down dramatically.  I feel much more confident hitting my driver now and use it a lot more.

Just my two cents but I think that getting the right shaft is maybe even more important than the right head.  There were huge differences in the ball flight between different shafts but (seemingly) only minor differences between the different heads I used.

Also, if you can, get professionally fit.  I would have never, in a million years, put myself in an 8.5 degree driver but it really seems to work.  The Titleist guy I worked with really seemed to know his stuff.

Good luck!

[Lihu]

As a 20 handicap, your swing is probably going to go through a lot of changes. I would recommend using what you have and take more lessons with the money you would spend on the club with the qualifier that they be lessons from a good instructor.

[Golfingdad]

Just my two cents but I think that getting the right shaft is maybe even more important than the right head.  There were huge differences in the ball flight between different shafts but (seemingly) only minor differences between the different heads I used.

I think you're talking about brands and models and in that case I completely agree.  The head style is mostly just preference.  Look and sound/feel preference.

[rkim291968]

Depending on what you have already, it can make no to huge difference.   I know it's a lame answer but that's how I see it.   If there is a GolfSmith around you, go get fitted for a nominal fee.   From the fitting process, you will find out how much you will benefit from going with a different driver.  If you decide to buy a new driver, they will credit you the fitting charge.   If the benefit is small, a few yards and no less spin than what you already have, put that money into swing lesson.   My 2 cents.

[billchao]

So driving is by far the worst part of my game, and I need to work on my swing with this club I know. But my question is I have never been fit for a driver and how much of a difference does a fitting really make?

A properly fitted driver is usually more for fine-tuning a player's drives or optimizing their launch conditions, but that doesn't mean a high handicap player can't benefit from one, either. A good fitter will see right away if you're playing the wrong loft, or if you tend to miss towards the toe and need a club that moves the CoG more out towards the toe, for example.

It's not going to fix or even mask your swing flaws, but it will help to make your shots just a little (or a lot, depending on how poor a fit your old driver is) better. If you're thinking about buying a new driver, get a fitting if it's not that much more than the club. Some places will waive the fee if you buy from them.

If you're not thinking about getting a new driver and just wanted to know if having a fitted driver will make you drive the ball better, the answer is: it depends, but probably not. Good golfers can take poor fitting clubs and still play well with them.

[saevel25]

So driving is by far the worst part of my game, and I need to work on my swing with this club I know. But my question is I have never been fit for a driver and how much of a difference does a fitting really make?

Depends on how far off the driver is for you. If it is totally off you could be trying to compensate for the dispersion or miss with your swing. The last thing you want is to worry about the clubs not reacting how you want.

[Slowcelica]

Well I currently have a sldr which I hit ok, better than the bio cell I had last year I actually like it, my average drive is 195 but improving last year my average was 160 according to game golf. I have a golf galaxy and a golf headquarters, a fitting at golf headquarters is $30 and if you buy a driver it is free. As for lessons I'm doing evolvr and have been working on my full swing mostly but do have a drill to improve my driving. So I am actively doing that.

[arturo28mx]

For me, driver fitting answers three very important questions:

1. loft - should I use 9.5, 10.5 or 12 degrees

2- shaft weight - should I use a light or a heavy shaft

3- shaft flex - should I use regular or stiff flex

The right combination can be supreme. The wrong combination can be disastrous.

[Jeremie Boop]

Well I currently have a sldr which I hit ok, better than the bio cell I had last year I actually like it, my average drive is 195 but improving last year my average was 160 according to game golf.

I have a golf galaxy and a golf headquarters, a fitting at golf headquarters is $30 and if you buy a driver it is free.

As for lessons I'm doing evolvr and have been working on my full swing mostly but do have a drill to improve my driving. So I am actively doing that.

The main issue with just about all super low spin drivers is their lack of forgiveness. Anything heel/toe/high/low is going to be much more penalized than if you hit something that's more forgiving, which will affect your typical/average drive length.

[Mr. Desmond]

I'd say work on your swing with someone .. it's tough to fit a "Zoro" swing.

[Jakester23]

If your a low single digit hcp it might make a difference. Beyond that I'd go with work on your swing. The best guy I've played with can hit any driver because he has a good swing.

[RandallT]

I bought my first driver off bargain rack 7 years ago. I had zero clue and I was cheap. I started learning how to swing for real about two years ago. By September 2014, I was averaging 245yds with slmost 50% fairways hit. September 2014, I got professionally fit at reputable place. We took a couple hours. Used Trackman. Tried tons of brands, shafts, lofts. Guy seemed professional, knowledgable, thorough. I was for to TM SLDR. Today, my numbers are identical to my original driver. Go figure. I answered: learn swing.

[osudelt69]

I picked up 30 yards carry, but I had a bad fitting driver. Spin was 5500, got it down to 2850. New driver 239 carry 258 roll OLD driver about same on a great hit, but a LOT of shots ballooned straight up and would only carry 205 yrds

[Slowcelica]

I'm thinking I may take the $30 and go get fit, and at least see what my results are, at worst I keep the same driver and maybe get it optimized some for my swing.

[Lihu]

I'm thinking I may take the $30 and go get fit, and at least see what my results are, at worst I keep the same driver and maybe get it optimized some for my swing.

If the fitter is also an instructor and can tell you what to fix in your swing, that could be a decent thing to do. Otherwise, I would get more lessons to make your swing reasonable enough to get fitted properly.

For some reference, I've been working on my swing for quite some time now and through all my lessons and fixes went from hitting sub-200 yard carries to 245+ carries. My average total distance is about 245 yards off the tee with the same driver that I've been using for roughly 2 years. 275 yards is not uncommon. This driver is not even optimal for me. It's way too heavy and stiff. But I still need a lot of work on my OTT move before I get fitted again. I actually got fitted a few times, and found that my swing was just not really good enough to get fitted when I did it. This last "fitting" just showed that I gained a lot of distance, but was still inconclusive. The PX6.0 Cobra Bio Cell that was fitted for me a year ago balloons, now, and this is even with all the face angle settings.

In my case, it's not the equipment it's me. . .

[WUTiger]

The two times I got fitted for a driver, it was worth it. The new driver improved my game. I "self-fitted" for the one I'm using right now, and it took me a long time to get it adjusted. It's still a bit iffy, as my scores show.

The driver is a really important club, and getting extra distance and being able to hit at least the first-cut of rough opens up the rests of your game for progress.

Recalling the old golf axiom: Drive for show and putt for dough. // I would suggest, a good drive increases your chances of being able to putt for pars or birdies.

[Slowcelica]

The two times I got fitted for a driver, it was worth it. The new driver improved my game. I "self-fitted" for the one I'm using right now, and it took me a long time to get it adjusted. It's still a bit iffy, as my scores show.

The driver is a really important club, and getting extra distance and being able to hit at least the first-cut of rough opens up the rests of your game for progress.

Recalling the old golf axiom: Drive for show and putt for dough. // I would suggest, a good drive increases your chances of being able to putt for pars or birdies.

This is my thinking, even just hitting 220 yards in the fairway where I play gives me about a 7 iron into the green. The courses I play are usually lined with trees and a shot there costs about a stroke a hole.