Launch monitor, drivers, and weight shift...

[lamebums]

I'm not so confident in the simulator anymore. I'd hit one at Golf Galaxy just yesterday. Here's what happened:

Driver: TaylorMade Burner 10.5 with stock RE*AX stiff shaft (50g, I think)
Ball speed: 175 mph
Launch angle: 12 degrees
Carry: 250 yards .

I know at least some of those numbers don't add up. I know for a fact I hit the hell out of the ball, which makes 175 mph plausible, but 250 carry? I asked the pro about it - he said the machine doesn't register drivers and 3 woods properly - that they can be as much as fifty yards short.

That of course leaves me wondering, that 1) did John Daly's tip "Lead with your belly" actually sort of show me a proper weight shift and move through the ball and 2) should I shell out the paper for the Burner? I mean, 175mph, that's Tiger's speed...

[cbe_golfer]

Did you get into a simulator or a launch monitor?. I understand launch monitors are pretty smart machines. Also it is physically possible to have high ball speed and relatively less carry. You may be hitting it too high.

[lamebums]

Did you get into a simulator or a launch monitor?. I understand launch monitors are pretty smart machines. Also it is physically possible to have high ball speed and relatively less carry. You may be hitting it too high.

Actually, I'd just noticed I'd said "launch monitor" instead of "simulator". I'll fix that. The launch angle was 12 degrees though, which doesn't seem horridly high.

[Augusta Hacker]

I was told at one simulator that the distance would be off a minimum of 10% to 15% for the driver. That would put you in the 275 to 290 range which seems reasonable.

[cbe_golfer]

It it was a simulator, I would take every one of those numbers with more than a pinch of salt. It is used to sell dreams.

[Ringer]

Most launch monitors and simulators are configured for sea level which often causes people to wonder why it's so short. There is also the question of what the temperature is figured to be.

[thumper07]

i was on an actual launch monitor last week with my 3 wood and had 152 ball speed and alittle less than 12* launch angle and had 248 carry. so i would take the numbers seriously until you get on a calibrated launch monitor.

-matt

[extremeld]

i usually accept that the ball speed is correct on these machines as temp, wind etc are not going to affect that.


175mph struck well should be around 295yards to 300 carry

not quite tiger but not that far off!


kenny

[bwgolfer]

I agree with you to be skeptical. The old "garbage in garbage out" with any type of computor applies here. I have a friend who took his kid to Carlsbad, Ca to the TaylorMade work shop to be fitted and when he recived them and played a couple of rounds the kid went back to his old clubs. My point is that all monitors measure something, but it's how the human reads the information and applies it to you. Most of the big box golf retailor's just go through the motions and tell you something to make a sale, it's very difficult to find a guy with a real passion to fit and make clubs. Just remember depending what catagory of player you are all of the clubs are good, it's all about what is right for your body and mind....bwgolfer ps I have a guy if you are interested.