Swing speed vs. loft of driver

[Slushy]

Hello everyone,

I've been reading the forum for the last couple of months, but haven't posted.  I'm 45 and only in the last 6 months have I done more then play once a year or so.  Now I've been playing weekly.  I have really old clubs that I have slowly started upgrading.  I just got a Callaway X2 Hot 3 wood 15 degree and 5 wood 19 degree, which I really like.  I would like to get the X2 Hot driver as well.  My question is what loft should I get?  I was just recently at Roger Dunn and my swing speed was between 86-91.  The person working there said I should get a 10.5 and a regular shaft.  However, I know that just because someone works at a shop doesn't make them an expert so thought I would ask here.  Thanks for any and all tips.

[mvmac]

Hello everyone,

I've been reading the forum for the last couple of months, but haven't posted.  I'm 45 and only in the last 6 months have I done more then play once a year or so.  Now I've been playing weekly.  I have really old clubs that I have slowly started upgrading.  I just got a Callaway X2 Hot 3 wood 15 degree and 5 wood 19 degree, which I really like.  I would like to get the X2 Hot driver as well.  My question is what loft should I get?  I was just recently at Roger Dunn and my swing speed was between 86-91.  The person working there said I should get a 10.5 and a regular shaft.  However, I know that just because someone works at a shop doesn't make them an expert so thought I would ask here.  Thanks for any and all tips.

Did you hit on a launch monitor/simulator at Roger Dunn? You can hit a couple drivers and get your numbers to find out which one is best.

[Slushy]

Yes, that's what I hit on, but I only took about 5 swings and he based his findings on my swing speed.  Now that I'm doing some research there is a glut of info and makes it confusing on what to get that would be good for me.  I'm not looking to get specially fitted and buy a brand new set, its just not economically feasible for me.  I figure that's something I can do down the line when my kids are out of the house and I can afford it!  lol....

[Rip62]

You should try different lofts to see what works best for you. I played 10.5 for years then last year I bought an adjustable driver and went up to 11.5. I was only a little longer with  the new driver at 10.5 but at 11.5 it was more like 15/20 because of the higher ball flight. My brother in law has his at 12 or 13 and he also gets improved distance.

[mvmac]

Yes, that's what I hit on, but I only took about 5 swings and he based his findings on my swing speed.  Now that I'm doing some research there is a glut of info and makes it confusing on what to get that would be good for me.  I'm not looking to get specially fitted and buy a brand new set, its just not economically feasible for me.  I figure that's something I can do down the line when my kids are out of the house and I can afford it!  lol....

Well if he recommended 10.5 and with your swing speed, that's probably a good one to try. If it doesn't work out you always return it within 90 days.

[Slushy]

Good deal.  Thanks

[Jon Hoover]

According to a table from The Search for the Perfect Golf Club by Tom Wishon, the ideal driver loft to maximize carry distance for each of the below swing speeds (based on a swing angle of attack of +2.5 degrees as the average golfer has a slight upward angle of attack with the driver) is as follows:

60mph - loft of 19* for a carry distance of 122yds
70mph - loft of 19* for a carry distance of 156yds
80mph - loft of 13* for a carry distance of 185yds
90mph - loft of 13* for a carry distance of 213yds
100mph - loft of 10* for a carry distance of 236yds
110mph - loft of 9* for a carry distance of 257yds

[DrvFrShow]

Callaway's drivers are made in

13.5 degree adjustable 12.5 to 15.5

10.5 degree adjustable 9.5 to 12.5

9 degree adjustable 8 to 11

So no one with a SS of under 80 mph will get the loft they need and would probably be better off hitting a 43.5" shafted 5W off the tee.

[Lihu]

The Wishon numbers Jon quoted are based upon 2.5 degree AoA, so it seems like higher AoA might allow slower swing speeds to maintain longer distances?

 

[SavvySwede]

According to a table from The Search for the Perfect Golf Club by Tom Wishon, the ideal driver loft to maximize carry distance for each of the below swing speeds (based on a swing angle of attack of +2.5 degrees as the average golfer has a slight upward angle of attack with the driver) is as follows:

60mph - loft of 19* for a carry distance of 122yds
70mph - loft of 19* for a carry distance of 156yds
80mph - loft of 13* for a carry distance of 185yds
90mph - loft of 13* for a carry distance of 213yds
100mph - loft of 10* for a carry distance of 236yds
110mph - loft of 9* for a carry distance of 257yds

I very much doubt the average golfer has an upward angle of attack, most guys axe chop at the ball. Heck, even the PGA Tour average is 1* downward.

The Wishon numbers Jon quoted are based upon 2.5 degree AoA, so it seems like higher AoA might allow slower swing speeds to maintain longer distances?

 

Upward AoA will create better launch conditions.

[Slushy]

I decided to get the X2 Hot 10.5 driver.  I got it for under $100 on Ebay and I can play with the adjustable loft to see what works for me.  Thanks all for the thoughts.

[Cupcakus]

The loft on a driver is shouldn't be related to your age or swing speed, your swing determines the loft you need to get a launch angle of 14 to 16 degrees.  If you swing way up or down on the ball you will need less loft.  Adjustable loft clubs are great as you can adjust them as your swing improves.

shaft strength does depend on your swing speed, but be sure to try a stiffer shaft than they recommend, not all R shafts are the same

[Jeremie Boop]

I tend to get the best results with a driver from 8.5-9.5 in loft depending on the shaft and club head. My clubhead speed is around 105.

[Jon Hoover]

The loft on a driver is shouldn't be related to your age or swing speed, your swing determines the loft you need to get a launch angle of 14 to 16 degrees.  If you swing way up or down on the ball you will need less loft.  Adjustable loft clubs are great as you can adjust them as your swing improves.

shaft strength does depend on your swing speed, but be sure to try a stiffer shaft than they recommend, not all R shafts are the same

Actually it is related and this is why, the faster you swing the more spin you put on the ball. The spin causes the ball to lift in to the air, so even with the same angle of attack if you had a faster swing speed the ball would rise higher, thus you would like to lower your driver loft to account for that. If you swing slower you don't put as much spin on the ball so it won't rise as much so you would want to increase loft to compensate. Obviously you would want to also factor in your own angle of attack.

[DrvFrShow]

The loft on a driver is shouldn't be related to your age or swing speed, your swing determines the loft you need to get a launch angle of 14 to 16 degrees.  If you swing way up or down on the ball you will need less loft.  Adjustable loft clubs are great as you can adjust them as your swing improves.

shaft strength does depend on your swing speed, but be sure to try a stiffer shaft than they recommend, not all R shafts are the same

 

This is true. They have different kick points, different torque, and different flexes as well between manufacturers which means you should get fit. I took my "range beater" out again. Someone gave me an Aldila Trinity shaft in A-flex for 75-90 mph swings, but it was a 3W shaft for Razr Fit. My Razr Fit is 11.5 degrees and came stock with a Aldila RIP'd NV in R-flex which I found was for 91-100 mph swings. I'd cut it to 44.5" to be the same length as my BB and no difference. I hated it. So I had the Trinity lengthened, and tested it in the machine against my BB.

Once got warmed up there was virtually no difference between the two clubs. The Trinity shaft made all the difference in the world. I didn't feel like I had to swing as hard, and the grouping on my last 5 drives with it were aside from the one I hit off the toe that went -15 left, +8, -5, +1, +1 with 215 - 225 yds carry.  14.5 to 15.5 degree launch and 2200 RPM. 92 mph SS.

This is close to what I got with the RIP'd NV shaft, but I had to swing out of my socks to get it with 96 mph SS. I like a slightly more flexible shaft than they recommend. There are lower torque versions of these shafts.

[Sante TwoGloves]

I was hitting my 10.5 adamsgolf redline way too high for my tastes.  Got a new driver.not sure what loft it is. 12 or 12.5 is my guess and I am hitting that with a very nice trajectory. It's shorter and has more flex too so it's hard to say what made the difference for me

[Nosevi]

This is something I've worked quite hard on over the past year. In addition to optimising launch while minimising spin I'd add that you need to remain balanced or you'll find you lose control of your spin numbers. If you can't hold a relaxed, balanced finish you'll probably find you're swinging too hard for your current ability and any added club head speed will be wasted - your spin numbers will climb so your carry will drop.

I did a quick post here and while many may think the project itself is a little silly (they may have a point ) this area is one where I can perhaps pass on some of what I've found. 

 

[Abu3baid]

I am finally hitting my driver well, but my good hits are just too high in my opinion so they can really let the wind play around with it.. I have been playing a 10.5* loft, so as an experiment this weekend I am going to bring it down to 8* and see what happens.. What I'm hoping for is a little bit more distance with a lower trajectory and to help turn some of those high push slight draws to push with enough draw to bring it back from the dead..

not going to lose anything by testing it out..  I can't wait to get back and get fitted for a driver.