Launch angle too high with Driver!

[kholt33]

Hi Everyone-

 

I recently went in for a free session on a Trackman. The thing that stood out the most was my launch angle on the driver. It was launching at 17 degrees. The pro average is around 11-12 degrees I believe. Anyway- I don't see much content on youtube about lowering the launch with the driver. It's all about getting more! I'd like to bring this down and get more roll out in the fairways. Right now i'm hitting anywhere between 265-305 depending mostly on spin and launch in my opinion. I just don't really know how to control it.

 

Any tips on bringing the Launch angle down is welcomed. Some have said to just get a driver with less loft. I think its more swing technical than that as I can bomb it when I'm swinging correctly.

 

 

Thanks!!!

[Cwebb]

If your impact pattern on the face is good, then you need a driver with a lower loft

[NDS55]

It may be equipment - loft angle, shaft flex.

Also could be angle of attack or where you are catching the ball on the club face.

Spin numbers would be helpful to know as well.

[kholt33]

Here were my averages for the 15 minutes session.

 

Average Clubhead Speed 103.7

Attack angle +4.1

Club 4.5

swing direction 8.0

Ball Speed 150.5

Smash 1.45

LAUNCH ANGLE 17.4

Spin Rate 3257

Height 138.9

Carry 253.2

Total 267

[kholt33]

If your impact pattern on the face is good, then you need a driver with a lower loft

If your impact pattern on the face is good, then you need a driver with a lower loft

 

I currently Swing a 10.5 driver. Should I try to find a 5.5 Driver? you see what I'm getting at. I'm 5 degrees off.

[gibsonsg4]

your driver is spinning way too much given your attack angle

[PreppySlapCut]

You probably need a little less loft, but you also want to see what your dynamic loft is. As an aside, at your speed, you want to launch it higher than the PGA Tour average.

[kholt33]

You probably need a little less loft, but you also want to see what your dynamic loft is. As an aside, at your speed, you want to launch it higher than the PGA Tour average.

 

Thanks!

[kholt33]

your driver is spinning way too much given your attack angle

 

What could cause that? I'm hitting up on it, Hitting draws. Just launching too high and spinning it too much. Hitting it too high on the face? I feel like hitting up +4 is good for me.

[dg_1983]

305 with 150mph ball speed?!?

 

I'm no pro but you are probably adding loft and in turn adding spin at impact.

[Stuart_G]

your driver is spinning way too much given your attack angle

 

What could cause that? I'm hitting up on it, Hitting draws. Just launching too high and spinning it too much. Hitting it too high on the face? I feel like hitting up +4 is good for me.

 

Well you really should check face impact location and consistency with foot powder spray (or equiv) but high on the face would generally reduce spin, not increase it. Evaluating face impact location always has to be the first step for diagnosing launch/spin issues with the driver (or fairways and hybrids too).

 

However it sounds like your problem is likely that you are delivering the club with too much dynamic loft (amount of forward/backward shaft lean at impact).

 

Do you have the Dynamic Loft numbers from that session?

 

Now what the root cause might be for that is much more complex. It could be an inherent aspect of your mechanics and release, it could be related to ball position or even tee height. Some equipment specs can effect the release and dynamic loft - like shaft weight or swing weight. It could even be a consequence from trying to hit up on it more than maybe your mechanics support.

[tsecor]

you are probably losing 10 -15 yards with that spin....a slight adjustment in swig can rectify it....don't go crazy looking for a new shaft or club....its a mechanical thing most likely.....still good distance though

[jmkenn0]

Yeah, quick fix? Ball position, tee height, shaft, driver, some combination of the 4. But if you have that much positive AoA and still that much spin something is amiss.

[kholt33]

Thanks Everyone- I didn't have dynamic loft numbers but I think I'll try some things like keeping the handle forward more thru impact in order to reduce loft. That makes sense to me as I sometimes have issues hanging back too much. I understand hitting the middle of the face is the most important. When the smash factor was up on hits 1.51, that's when I saw more distance despite launch angle. But I want to see that roll out and get the spin down for sure!

[PreppySlapCut]

If you’re hitting it well but can’t get the dynamic loft down, going to a lower lofted driver will help.