R7 425 TP vs. J33R 460 Showdown

[Shibumi]

Vector Launch Monitor Results

I just did some extensive launch monitor testing on both of these drivers yesterday. Also tested tee heights of 1.5" and 2.0".

Found that my distance was maximized with higher tee height, due to decreased spin (even though launch angles seem a little too high). I already own the J33R 460. Shaft is a Graphite Design PM702 (70g). But seems like numbers are slightly better with the R7 425TP. The weights on the R7 were set at 12-2-2-12.

I deleted the numbers for those shots which were not well-struck (about 25%). I'm not sure that the distance numbers are accurate, since distance seems to be about 10-15 yards more than I actually see on the course. Maybe because I usually play early in the morning, and don't see this much roll. But should still provide some comparative data.







I think the numbers are decent, but would welcome any suggestions on how to directionally improve? When I tee the ball lower and make center contact, get an optimal launch angle (11-13 degrees), but too much spin (generally 3000+). When I tee it higher, and hit high on the face, I get better spin numbers. But launch angle is generally too high (13.5-15*).

My dispersion (side spin) seems pretty tight with both drivers (-350 Hook to +100 Slice), so not sure if an X flex is necessary for me.

The options I am considering are:

1. Going to an even lower-launch shaft, possibly heavier, on the J33R

2. Going with a 7.5 degree R7 425TP

3. Moving to an X-Stiff shaft on either driver

Thoughts or suggestions?

[nikemike]

Nice numbers.

 

Also goes to show you that when launch conditions are correct, the type of club you're playing doesn't matter. In other words, get fitted properly!

[Shibumi]

I agree. I did quite a bit of launch monitor work just to get to the J33R 460 configuration. Kind of surprises me that the first R7 425 TP that I picked up did as well or better.

 

Still think there's room for further improvement if I can keep spin at 2500 rpms while getting launch angle down to 12-13 degrees. Based on my swing, I think I'll either need to go down to a 7.5 degee driver, or try to find an even lower-launching shaft. The PM702 is supposed to be a low-launch shaft, so wondering if moving to a heavier shaft, 80 or 90 grams, might help.

[Viking Golfer]

I agree. I did quite a bit of launch monitor work just to get to the J33R 460 configuration. Kind of surprises me that the first R7 425 TP that I picked up did as well or better.

 

Still think there's room for further improvement if I can keep spin at 2500 rpms while getting launch angle down to 12-13 degrees. Based on my swing, I think I'll either need to go down to a 7.5 degee driver, or try to find an even lower-launching shaft. The PM702 is supposed to be a low-launch shaft, so wondering if moving to a heavier shaft, 80 or 90 grams, might help.

 

Thanks for the interesting numbers - nice to see the R7 performing slightly better for you

 

OT - I see you play your irons 2 degree upright and ½" longer - how about your wedges - are they set to standard specs ?

[LionGolfer]

You could throw a blanket over those 2. If I had your numbers (unfortunately I don;t), I'd choose which feels better to you and gives you more confidence at address becuase there's really hardly any difference between the 2.

[Shibumi]

LionGolfer,

 

I think it really helped me was to warm up first, then throw out the drives which I knew had been mishit, which was about one out of every 3 or 4. If someone is not quite as consistent a ballstriker, maybe they would throw out every other one. But once you do that, it's amazing how consistent the numbers become. It is amazing, though, that these two drivers are so close. Other drivers which I had tested previously were no where near the numbers I was getting with the J33R.

 

The numbers that I showed above were basically ranges. One thing I did notice was that the R7 425 TP seemed to produce more numbers toward the top of the range, whereas the J33R produced more of a random scatter throughout the range. I kind of attribute that to the Rombax shaft, which is both a little heavier and maybe a little more consistent than the PM702 shaft.

 

I had a conversation with Joe Kwok yesterday, and he was kind enough to give me his unbiased opinion. Based on these numbers, he suggested that I tee the ball high and go to an X-Stiff shaft. This should bring launch angle and spin rates down to almost ideal numbers, while also reducing my draw sidespin.

 

Still debating whether to go with a new R7 425 TP or to have Joe reshaft my J33R. He recommended that I consider moving to an 85 gram Fuji FT80D shaft, which he felt would improve my consistency versus the 70 gram PM702.

 

Kind of excited to dial in my driver, so I can feel confident that I have the best possible setup for my swing.

[kgk]

I think there is still interesting data in the "misses" ... get rid of the bad swings, and you pretty much only get data when you nut it. Golf is a game of misses, and the one that gives you the most consistent, playable misses is the driver I'd choose.

[LionGolfer]

I think there is still interesting data in the "misses" ... get rid of the bad swings, and you pretty much only get data when you nut it. Golf is a game of misses, and the one that gives you the most consistent, playable misses is the driver I'd choose.

 

That is an interesting point.

[Shibumi]

I can see merit to both approaches.

 

 

 

In my case, I was being more aspirational. I was more interested in optimizing the club and shaft for the best 75% of my swings. My feeling was that the numbers on the worst 25% wouldn't reflect diffferences in the clubs so much as how much I happened to miss that particular shot.

 

 

 

Also, I'm finally starting to play more golf again (have a 2 and a 5 year old), and hope that the 75% will get back to 85% or 90% anyway. I did look at the whole set of numbers before deleting the poorer swings, and they were still very close between the two clubs. The R7 425 TP is pretty forgiving for a 425 cc driver, while the J33R 460 is perhaps not quite as forgiving as some other 460 cc drivers (due to the center of gravity). So they ended up being about the same for me. Maybe a little edge to the J33R on my worst shots.

 

 

 

But for someone who is hits every other driver off center, I would definitely agree that it is more important to look at the whole picture.