13 Degree Driver

[eightiron51]

I have a new 13 degree driver which I love the feel but I hit it extremely high. I actually can hit my 4 wood almost the same distance. The driver was built to help me launch the ball higher and gain more distance. I am 63 and have lost length on my backswing due to flexibility and have a swing speed in the mid to upper eighties. I actually would like to lower the ball flight so I can pickup some added distance. Any suggestions 

[Mr. Desmond]

Depends on why you are hitting it too high. Is it a swing fault, as in a flip? Have you videoed yourself?   Or if not a flip...

What is your spin and launch?

Were you fit or did someone tell you that you need a 13 deg because your swing is in the mid-80's.

If you set up to launch high - spine angle has tilt at address and it is maintained and ball is addressed off the front toe, then you may have too much loft.

For example, I am 62, my SS seems to average 91 on an inside monitor, and I have my 2 drivers set at 9 and 9.5 and I get a high launch.

[Kalnoky]

The driver goes high if you hit down on it. Usually in this case it has too much backspin and rolls out very little too - very frustrating. I used to do this. I temporarily bandaged my problem by grounding the driver in the middle of my stance and making myself "reach out" for the ball, but this was too hard to pull off consistently.

The solution (we found out in my last lesson) was to focus on generating lag. This is when you use your legs or waist (the feeling may vary) to trigger the downswing, so your body is turning toward the target while the club lags behind. It is very important to remain loose and tension free in your arms and hands. The club will come through on it's own in the correct path. It's actually easy to do, but hard to figure it out on your own, without video or an instructor. 

Anyway, it cost me $50 to learn that, maybe give it a shot, nothing to lose right?

[Mr. Desmond]

13 minutes ago, Kalnoky said:

The driver goes high if you hit down on it. Usually in this case it has too much backspin and rolls out very little too - very frustrating. I used to do this. I temporarily bandaged my problem by grounding the driver in the middle of my stance and making myself "reach out" for the ball, but this was too hard to pull off consistently.

The solution (we found out in my last lesson) was to focus on generating lag. This is when you use your legs or waist (the feeling may vary) to trigger the downswing, so your body is turning toward the target while the club lags behind. It is very important to remain loose and tension free in your arms and hands. The club will come through on it's own in the correct path. It's actually easy to do, but hard to figure it out on your own, without video or an instructor. 

Anyway, it cost me $50 to learn that, maybe give it a shot, nothing to lose right?

Maybe that works, but if you have too much backspin, it could be several factors - a poor fitting causing too much spin, or a bad setup at address creating too much spin, or both.

A good setup is one that will help achieve high launch and low spin - typically the ball is set up off your front big toe or just inside the toe, a spine set up so that it is angled away from the target, i.e., if you are a righty, your spine is angled to the right of center from the back; and your tee is set up higher. This setup allows you a lower lofted driver that produces lower spin but high launch, resulting in more carry...

Lag is generally discussed in terms of speed, and unsure here, but it may reduce the tendency to flip.

Edited September 6, 2017 by Mr. Desmond

[arturo28mx]

The shaft has a lot to do with how high the ball goes. Not just the loft. Try a stiffer shaft.