Driver Loft advice

[dbuck]

I recently bought a Callaway XR (2015) 3 wood. It has 15 degrees of loft and a Proj X LX shaft, 56g in 6.0. I love this club, and love the shaft.  It is accurate and long (for me lol), and I like the flight.

I am about to buy the driver in the same shaft. It comes in 9.0 degree and 10.5 degree. The Callaway system can be adjusted up 2 or down 1 in increments of 1.  I don't think I would ever go to 12.5 (on the 10.5 head) nor down to 8 ( on the 9 head).  I am leaning toward the 9, knowing I will likely play it at 10 or possibly 11. Of course I could go with the 10.5 and play as is, or down to 9.5.

How much difference does it really make, and what would be your opinions.

I know I should spend some time on a monitor, but it really isn't an option in this case, and it is not a large investment anyway.

 

 

[DaveP043]

From everything I read, most of us amateurs play with too little loft in our drivers.  On that basis alone, and accepting that you can't do a fitting with both clubs, I'd suggest you go with the 10.5.  

[onthehunt526]

1 hour ago, dbuck said:

I recently bought a Callaway XR (2015) 3 wood. It has 15 degrees of loft and a Proj X LX shaft, 56g in 6.0. I love this club, and love the shaft.  It is accurate and long (for me lol), and I like the flight.

I am about to buy the driver in the same shaft. It comes in 9.0 degree and 10.5 degree. The Callaway system can be adjusted up 2 or down 1 in increments of 1.  I don't think I would ever go to 12.5 (on the 10.5 head) nor down to 8 ( on the 9 head).  I am leaning toward the 9, knowing I will likely play it at 10 or possibly 11. Of course I could go with the 10.5 and play as is, or down to 9.5.

How much difference does it really make, and what would be your opinions.

I know I should spend some time on a monitor, but it really isn't an option in this case, and it is not a large investment anyway.

 

 

 

26 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

From everything I read, most of us amateurs play with too little loft in our drivers.  On that basis alone, and accepting that you can't do a fitting with both clubs, I'd suggest you go with the 10.5.  

I agree with Dave P. I'd say go with the 10.5° head. Get on a LM mess with the hosel settings until it's optimal for you.

[dbuck]

Well, the 10.5 was my initial inclination, but when I look at them side by side, it looks "lofty" at address. But I do carry the 3 wood almost as far as my current driver, so more loft may be better.

I think I will go with you guys' advice and my initial inclination and get the 10.5. My current driver is a 9.5 head, and I don't think I would go lower than that.

Thanks for the replies.

Edited October 25, 2017 by dbuck

[onthehunt526]

8 minutes ago, dbuck said:

Well, the 10.5 was my initial inclination, but when I look at them side by side, it looks "lofty" at address. But I do carry the 3 wood almost as far as my current driver, so more loft may be better.

I think I will go with you guys' advice and my initial inclination and get the 10.5. My current driver is a 9.5 head, and I don't think I would go lower than that.

Thanks for the replies.

I know this is a little off topic, but it IS related, I promise. 

Have you considered a shorter shaft? Not 3-wood length, but in the 44" playing length area?

Coupled with higher loft, you'd be surprised with the distance you pick up. Yes one inch can make a difference.

[billchao]

22 minutes ago, dbuck said:

But I do carry the 3 wood almost as far as my current driver, so more loft may be better.

Given this additional infornation, I'd recommend the 10.5° as well. I don't know what your swing speed is, but this typically happens in golfers with moderate swing speeds. They benefit more from higher lofted drivers.

[arturo28mx]

I'm 60. I use a 12 degree driver, and usually outdrive younger guys.

[Patch]

11 hours ago, arturo28mx said:

I'm 60. I use a 12 degree driver, and usually outdrive younger guys.

Nothing wrong with a trusty 2 wood that gets the job done. My gamer is a 10.5, but I also use a 12* driver sometimes, which the manufacturer considered a 2 wood. 

Now, since I have never actually had my driver lofts verified, I am just going with what is stamped on them. 

[saevel25]

On ‎10‎/‎25‎/‎2017 at 4:56 PM, dbuck said:

How much difference does it really make, and what would be your opinions.

Depends on the were the center of gravity is located. If the center of gravity is higher then you'll need less loft. If the center of gravity is lower you'll need more loft.

 

[dbuck]

Well, I bought the 10.5 with the 6.0 shaft. I played it yesterday and I think it was the right decision. I hit several nice drives, some pretty long for me.  I had a couple with directional issues, but I think that is getting used to the club and most were straight. The shaft seems to like a smooth but fairly hard swing. Maybe as hard as you can be smooth or just a fraction under.

I also have a 12* Club that I hit pretty well (Taylor mini-driver), but since getting the Cally XR 3 wood, I haven't used the mini-driver. I actually hit the 3 wood farther off the tee.

Tell me again the difference between shortening a shaft and just choking down an inch?

Oh, by the way, I had been thinking about this club for a couple of weeks and when I walked in to get it, it was on clearance. I had an additional coupon and got out the door for $86.

PS by a hard swing I mean hard swing for a 60 year old, LOL.

Edited October 27, 2017 by dbuck

[Typhoon92]

I'm guessing the px 6.0 will be great for you.  I had the same club and man, did that thing feel loaded up and powerful.   My only issue was even though I'm smooth I had too much swing speed for it.

I swear I can still remember the feel when I hit it...problem was it was waaay left for me.

 

Great stick...enjoy!

[Don Golfo]

On 25/10/2017 at 9:56 PM, dbuck said:

I recently bought a Callaway XR (2015) 3 wood. It has 15 degrees of loft and a Proj X LX shaft, 56g in 6.0. I love this club, and love the shaft.  It is accurate and long (for me lol), and I like the flight.

I am about to buy the driver in the same shaft. It comes in 9.0 degree and 10.5 degree. The Callaway system can be adjusted up 2 or down 1 in increments of 1.  I don't think I would ever go to 12.5 (on the 10.5 head) nor down to 8 ( on the 9 head).  I am leaning toward the 9, knowing I will likely play it at 10 or possibly 11. Of course I could go with the 10.5 and play as is, or down to 9.5.

How much difference does it really make, and what would be your opinions.

I know I should spend some time on a monitor, but it really isn't an option in this case, and it is not a large investment anyway.

 

 

Probably best to get a fitting on a launch monitor to judge the best loft and shaft combination?  Otherwise the current advice seems to be more loft rather than less unless you have a high swing speed.

[Mr. Desmond]

On 10/25/2017 at 3:56 PM, dbuck said:

I recently bought a Callaway XR (2015) 3 wood. It has 15 degrees of loft and a Proj X LX shaft, 56g in 6.0. I love this club, and love the shaft.  It is accurate and long (for me lol), and I like the flight.

I am about to buy the driver in the same shaft. It comes in 9.0 degree and 10.5 degree. The Callaway system can be adjusted up 2 or down 1 in increments of 1.  I don't think I would ever go to 12.5 (on the 10.5 head) nor down to 8 ( on the 9 head).  I am leaning toward the 9, knowing I will likely play it at 10 or possibly 11. Of course I could go with the 10.5 and play as is, or down to 9.5.

How much difference does it really make, and what would be your opinions.

I know I should spend some time on a monitor, but it really isn't an option in this case, and it is not a large investment anyway.

 

 

I would avoid the XR driver, and opt for the XR16, which was longer, slightly more forgiving, and not as spinny. At least, that was my experience, and from my reading, the experience of many others. Try the 10.5 but it all depends on your swing. I'd also be thinking about cuttin git to 45 inches if the 45.5 is a little wild. Sometimes, one must tinker - I think Callaway CPO has a return policy. Check it out. 

Looks like you made a decision - if it's launching too high, get the XR16 and return the XR to CPO.

Edited October 29, 2017 by Mr. Desmond

[Hacker James]

27 minutes ago, Don Golfo said:

Probably best to get a fitting on a launch monitor to judge the best loft and shaft combination?  Otherwise the current advice seems to be more loft rather than less unless you have a high swing speed.

I would go with the 10.5 and use the neutral setting. That way you do not have to do much to bring it square at impact. Once you sole the club and having chosen a higher loft than the stated static loft, you would have to rotate the shaft in order to obtain a visual of square. Few can do this with any degree of accuracy on a consistent basis. 

[Mr. Desmond]

3 minutes ago, Hacker James said:

I would go with the 10.5 and use the neutral setting. That way you do not have to do much to bring it square at impact. Once you sole the club and having chosen a higher loft than the stated static loft, you would have to rotate the shaft in order to obtain a visual of square. Few can do this with any degree of accuracy on a consistent basis. 

Looks like he bought the XR - I thought that driver was high and short. But everyone is different and if he bought from CPO, he can exchange it.

[Lihu]

On 10/27/2017 at 8:39 AM, dbuck said:Well, I bought the 10.5 with the 6.0 shaft. I played it yesterday and I think it was the right decision. I hit several nice drives, some pretty long for me.  I had a couple with directional issues, but I think that is getting used to the club and most were straight. The shaft seems to like a smooth but fairly hard swing. Maybe as hard as you can be smooth or just a fraction under.

I also have a 12* Club that I hit pretty well (Taylor mini-driver), but since getting the Cally XR 3 wood, I haven't used the mini-driver. I actually hit the 3 wood farther off the tee.

Tell me again the difference between shortening a shaft and just choking down an inch?

Oh, by the way, I had been thinking about this club for a couple of weeks and when I walked in to get it, it was on clearance. I had an additional coupon and got out the door for $86.

PS by a hard swing I mean hard swing for a 60 year old, LOL.

Sounds like you're happy! Congratulations on your purchase.

I have the XR16 but was fitted for an XR a couple years ago at a Callaway event at my home course. They hit about the same.

[Mr. Desmond]

14 minutes ago, Lihu said:

Sounds like you're happy! Congratulations on your purchase.

I have the XR16 but was fitted for an XR a couple years ago at a Callaway event at my home course. They hit about the same.

Then why was I getting at least 20 more yards from the XR16? Better fit, less spin.

[Hacker James]

52 minutes ago, Mr. Desmond said:

Looks like he bought the XR - I thought that driver was high and short. But everyone is different and if he bought from CPO, he can exchange it.