Launch monitor comparison of two drivers

Today I went to Golfsmith with my two drivers to make some comparisons on their Vector launch monitor and I had their clubmaker measure the frequency of the shaft, swing weight, and static weight. I was very suprised by the results.

Titleist 975D, 7.5 loft, 45 inches
Grafalloy Prolite R, 245 CPM, D-4, 337g
ball speed .. swing speed .. spin .. launch angle.. side spin
... 176.7 .......... 123.3 ..... 3674 ....... 13.5 ......... 500S
... 170.7 .......... 118.8 ..... 3605 ....... 12.5 ......... 998S
... 173.3 .......... 118.9 ..... 2242 ....... 11.8 ......... 304H
... 174.0 .......... 120.7 ..... 3249 ....... 12.9 ......... 457S
... 169.7 .......... 117.0 ..... 2926 ....... 10.3 ......... 139S
... 168.6 .......... 116.6 ..... 3158 ....... 12.6 ......... 590S
... 172.9 .......... 118.4 ..... 1994 ....... 11.9 ......... 278H

Callaway FT-3 Tour, 8.5 loft, 45 inches
Aldila NV65 S, 252 CPM, D-4, 325g
ball speed .. swing speed .. spin .. launch angle.. side spin
... 177.3 .......... 121.7 ..... 2020 ....... 11.3 ......... center
... 165.4 .......... 114.8 ..... 3466 ....... 12.1 ......... 112H
... 172.6 .......... 118.9 ..... 2719 ....... 13.3 ......... 228H
... 164.4 .......... 114.0 ..... 3481 ....... 12.2 ......... 251H
... 164.0 .......... 115.2 ..... 4309 ....... 13.3 ......... 195H
... 159.2 .......... 109.7 ..... 3101 ....... 13.0 ......... center
... 161.1 .......... 110.2 ..... 2521 ....... 13.6 ......... 136H

I was getting fatiqued towards the end, hence the decrease in club head speed.

I originally thought the FT-3 play much weaker than the 975D because I can feel alot of clubhead movements during downswing but to my suprise the NV in the FT-3 actually measures to be slightly stiffer than the Prolite in 975D.

When the clubmaker was measuring the static weight he noted that the Prolite in 975D has a significant higher kick point than the NV in FT-3 due to the bore through of the 975D head. So I guess that is why I feel that the 975D plays stiffer.

Now I am really not sure what shaft to put into the FT-3 anymore.

you sir have tooooo much SS for both of those shafts...

you sir have tooooo much SS for both of those shafts... :drinks:

22457[/snapback]

 

can you suggest me something? :D

you sir have tooooo much SS for both of those shafts... :drinks:

22457[/snapback]

 

can you suggest me something? :D

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how about stepping up to and X...my gut feeling is that you are bombing them but they are going all over the place...

Johnny is right here!

 

However you need to remember the hosel design on both of this driver will make the shaft almost play 1 flex stiffer than is supposed to be.

 

The Prolite is a stiffer tip design and inserted on the 3 1/2" depth hosel versus FT 3 is not quite all the way but far enough to be stiffer than a reg design hosel ala R7 type.

 

The way I read your launch monitor session, You need definitely at least an S flex on the FT3 w/ maybe 1/2"-1" tipping depending on the shaft you are going to pick. YOu definitely will need stiffer tip ( not to stiff ) and low spin shaft, w/ mid hi- high kick point shaft. This type of shaft should lower your spin rate and side spin and I would like to see your launch angle around 11*-12* at the speed you are at. If you are a low single digit handicap, you might want to consider slightly heavier shaft for better control...However this weight issue is very personal especially if you are jumping from a 55 gr shaft but from 65 to a 75 shouldn't be a big deal IMO.

 

Now the hardest part is figuring out what type of shaft is "FEEL" good for your type of swing. Are you a quick or smooth tempo swinger? That will determined how stiff you should play it at, so you'll still be able to feel the club and shaft flexing and kick the ball without being to boardy feeling.

 

Always consider you can still feel the club when you are playing not so good. It doesn't matter when you are playing good, you can hit anything.

 

Good luck!

 

Joe

Johnny is right here!

 

However you need to remember the hosel design on both of this driver will make the shaft almost play 1 flex stiffer than is supposed to be.

 

The Prolite is a stiffer tip design and inserted on the 3 1/2" depth hosel versus FT 3 is not quite all the way but far enough to be stiffer than a reg design hosel ala R7 type.

 

The way I read your launch monitor session, You need definitely at least an S flex on the FT3 w/ maybe 1/2"-1" tipping depending on the shaft you are going to pick. YOu definitely will need stiffer tip  ( not to stiff ) and low spin shaft, w/ mid hi- high kick point shaft. This type of shaft should lower your spin rate and side spin and I would like to see your launch angle around 11*-12* at the speed you are at. If you are a low single digit handicap, you might want to consider slightly heavier shaft for better control...However this weight issue is very personal especially if you are jumping from a 55 gr shaft but from 65 to a 75 shouldn't be a big deal IMO.

 

Now the hardest part is figuring out what type of shaft is "FEEL" good for your type of swing. Are you a quick or smooth tempo swinger? That will determined how stiff you should play it at, so you'll still be able to feel the club and shaft flexing and kick the ball without being to boardy feeling.

 

Always consider you can still feel the club when you are playing not so good. It doesn't matter when you are playing good, you can hit anything.

 

Good luck!

 

Joe

23206[/snapback]

 

This guy knows his stuff... I look up to him. :vava:

Johnny is right here!

 

However you need to remember the hosel design on both of this driver will make the shaft almost play 1 flex stiffer than is supposed to be.

 

The Prolite is a stiffer tip design and inserted on the 3 1/2" depth hosel versus FT 3 is not quite all the way but far enough to be stiffer than a reg design hosel ala R7 type.

 

The way I read your launch monitor session, You need definitely at least an S flex on the FT3 w/ maybe 1/2"-1" tipping depending on the shaft you are going to pick. YOu definitely will need stiffer tip  ( not to stiff ) and low spin shaft, w/ mid hi- high kick point shaft. This type of shaft should lower your spin rate and side spin and I would like to see your launch angle around 11*-12* at the speed you are at. If you are a low single digit handicap, you might want to consider slightly heavier shaft for better control...However this weight issue is very personal especially if you are jumping from a 55 gr shaft but from 65 to a 75 shouldn't be a big deal IMO.

 

Now the hardest part is figuring out what type of shaft is "FEEL" good for your type of swing. Are you a quick or smooth tempo swinger? That will determined how stiff you should play it at, so you'll still be able to feel the club and shaft flexing and kick the ball without being to boardy feeling.

 

Always consider you can still feel the club when you are playing not so good. It doesn't matter when you are playing good, you can hit anything.

 

Good luck!

 

Joe

23206[/snapback]

 

This guy knows his stuff... I look up to him. :vava:

23490[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

I will agree with the praise for Joe... not too many people would even consider how a driver " feels " when you are not playing well. that might be even more important than when you can hit any driver well because you are grooved. my feeling is that if you are confident in your equipment you can bounce back faster after a day that is not so good