Driver Loft

[RussianCarl]

I'm looking at getting a new square driver but I'm not sure what loft I need. Most sites tell me 10.5* but that just seems a bit high for an oversized head.
I sky the ball a lot more than I pound it into the ground but my experiences are limited to rental clubs and who knows the loft of some of those things...

My drives (carry) average around 190-230 with the rare 250-260 yard drive. I know I should get myself fitted but I don't have the money to purchase a real nice club yet so I think I am better off going with just the standard advice until I upgrade to expensive clubs down the road. So given the lack of some of the crucial variables such as swing speed what would your recommendation be - should I go 9.5* or 10.5*?

Thanks.

[Shindig]

I'm looking at getting a new square driver but I'm not sure what loft I need. Most sites tell me 10.5* but that just seems a bit high for an oversized head.

I started with 9.5 degrees and just bought a 10.5 degree driver on the advice of the pro from whom I take lessons. We'll know how it works (to some extent) after my day tomorrow. If nothing else, higher loft should produce less side-spin, good for inaccurate drivers (ref. person swinging the club).

[Tomboys]

If I am interpreting your verbiage correctly, "skying" more of your drives than you "pound into the ground" has nothing to do with the loft. Those are the results of bad swings. So, the loft of the head is immaterial on those swings.

Shaft flex is as important (perhaps even more) than the 1* difference in loft between the two heads. That being said, without knowing your clubhead speed, I would opt for the 10.5* loft because it's going to be a little more forgiving until you can dial in your swing.

When I first started golf (twelve years ago), I bought a driver that had 11.5* of loft with an EI-70 stiff shaft. It had a Callaway knock-off head and cost me $80.00. The first time I used it on the course, I hit it 250 yards straight down the center of the fairway. I loved that club.

DT

[CurtisBen]

I have been hitting a 9.5 for about 2 years and I am considering a 10.5 I just can't find the right shaft. In my opinion I would rather be 240 in the short stuff than 260 who knows where.