Difference ballspeed latest drivers and launcher 400?

I only just sold my Launcher 400 last week. It was my main driver for about 2 years, and was relegated to backup position when the R5 came out. Here's my story...............

I've had both my current R5-N, 9.5*, and my old Launcher 400 9.5* in the launch monitor, and had very, very similar results. The spin rate, distance, carry, etc. etc. was almost identical, with the nod to the R5 in carry distance. However, one thing changed...............

* Re-shafted the R5 with an Accra T60 shaft. This made this clubhead come ALIVE. My smash factor went up, and carry distance went up by almost 10 yards. Pow!!!! :birthday: This became a very smooth-feeling, lethal driver.

On the course - it was obvious the R5 was longer and a more "powerful" club. Acceleration at impact felt better, and distance was much further. The Launcher 400 was still a good driver in windy conditions (to keep the ball low and hard), but it lagged in terms of distance. There was another factor...........

FORGIVENESS. The 460cc heads cannot be ignored - they are simply more forgiving. It's not a "night-and-day" difference, but it's very noticeable. I loved my L400, and used it as my backup/range/testing driver up until last week when I sold it. The L400 gives a LOT of feedback on mis-hits, which is why I used it at the driving range - any bad swings give you a "toink/Clank" sound/feel, and really pure swings give you a very nice "POP", and a great drive. My thoughts were to groove my swing with the L400, and play rounds with the R5.

IMO - the modern heads, with more forgiving faces are much more enjoyable to hit. If you love your L400, KEEP IT. They don't sell for much, and it's a great backup/alternative driver for windy days (as it keeps the ballflight very low and powerful). Buy a 460cc head for your "gamer", and use the L400 for backup/practice/windy conditions. Hope that helps!

Thanks a lot for taking the time to share your info with me.

Could you post what your swingspeed is? I have a theorie that some heads are better at high speeds and some at lower, but this is purely something I can picture in my mind because of the difference in rebounce of the head and so on. I do not know if this is true, so that is my next question. Does anyine agree? I am a tecnical University student from Holland, so not a complete idiot when it comes to materials and designs, but I never read about this being the case for driverheads. Only read about some heads being lower spin and launch, but not about the difference in smashfactor for lower and higher swingspeeds.

Anyone else ever tested the lancher 400 who can say more about how fast the new technologies makes these drivers look old?

.....................Could you post what your swingspeed is? I have a theorie that some heads are better at high speeds and some at lower, but this is purely something I can picture in my mind because of the difference in rebounce of the head and so on. ............................

Fritsie - I swing around 101-105 mph or so, usually. I'll tell you a note on the L400 - when I first bought it, my swingspeed was lower, and I played with a REGULAR flex UST Proforce XL shaft in that club. As my swingspeed got faster, I moved on to another driver, but kept the L400/UST as a backup.

Surprisingly - it felt GREAT! I think the "smoother" and softer shaft really helps this clubhead a lot. I eventually re-shafted my L400 with an Aldila NV (stiffer, lighter, more tight feeling), and I eventually got to the point where I didn't like the "clanky" feeling of that combination.

So - my theory is the SHAFT makes a tremendous difference. If you like a smoother feeling shaft, and your swing is even - try a shaft like the YS-6, UST, Accra, or something of that nature. If youlike to "BANG it", something stronger, more precise, and stiffer might work better (Aldila NV, Icon V2, Fujikura, etc.)

As far as clubheads - this is all a matter of FEEL and FORGIVENESS to me. The only reason I sold the L400 is I got tired of the "clanky" feel of the clubhead. Perhaps a different shaft might help that feel somewhat.

I play mine with a grafalloy blue in stiff flex, and actually like the sound of it on a well struck hit. On a mishit it really sounds terrible, much louder and you get a nasty feeling. With a good hit, you feel the ball getting launched, in a very buttery way. I also do not find the shaft harsh.There is not a terrible amount of feel in it it feels smooth enough. I guess I will keep it for a while. I need money to buy a 3 wood first. I play the oldest warbird with rch 96 firm shaft. If I ho after it I can hook the crap out of that thing. But thanks for the info, was just wondering what I am distance whise missing.

I have found in my small amount of testing that it is about the forgiveness. My distances are about the same with the Comp compaired to my L400, but the head size will let you miss more. That might be a factor with ss over 105mph (mine is around 111mph). So it would probably help you even more. I love my L400, and will not get rid of it. But I know I will at least have to investigate into getting another one to keep up with technology, and to enjoy the game that much more.

I would agree with the statements that the shaft will make a difference in spin and ball speed. I own a Launcher 400 with a stiff NV shaft, and a Launcher 460 Comp with a stiff Fuji stock shaft. My ball speed with the Comp was around 155, while the 400 with NV I was around 165. The 400 is just as long as any driver out there, when you have a shaft that fits you. As far as forgiveness goes, yeah, a 460 cc head will forgive a shot closer to the toe or heel of the face. The Launcher 400 actually has a pretty good size clubface, and I find it to be forgiving enough for me. My Launcher 400's performance pretty much sealed my Comp's fate. It's being sold....

If your Launcher 400 has served you well, I would hold on to it. Even if you do get a 460cc driver.

Right on millercq!