R9 460- need advice- 9.5 or 10.5?

[brew4eagle]

My current driver is the original Nike SQ 460, 10.5* with the stock Diamana r-flex shaft. Swing speed is in the 95 mph range. SQ has been real solid these last 3 years, but looking to get a R9 460 since the price is low and I'm bored with the SQ.

 

My dilemma is which loft to purchase, 9.5 or 10.5? I don't have an outside range where they sell the R9 to go and demo one. My typical miss with the SQ is a high cut, or slice when things go real bad. I hit the 10.5 SQ plenty high, no problems there. I'm thinking I'll end up with the R9 set neutral to a slight draw setup, so I'm leaning towards the 9.5 R9 460 (stock r-flex), since as I understand it I'll be adding some loft to the R9 when it's set to draw.

 

Anyone had a similar choice to make? What did you go with?

[ttaylor0024]

I would say 10.5. My coach got a 10.5 Supertri and his SS is around 100. The supertri is a higher spinning head, while the 460 is a bit lower spinning.

[rb828]

I just traded in my 10.5 for a 9.5. The r9 460 head is the highest hitting head I have ever played. The 9.5 goes about as high as my hibore xl 10.5 with a prolaunch blue.

[RainShadow]

Mine's 9.5 and I hit it plenty high. 100mph swing speed. I'm a high ball hitter anyway, and have worked to bring my flight down with equipment and swing changes.
Do you normally hit a high ball? If so, go with the 9.5

[ttaylor0024]

I guess no-one mentioned this, but with the R9s you have FCT so you can change your loft to 10.5 if you get the 9.5*, or vice versa.

[Guest]

I am a relatively slow swing (about 90 mph) and just got fitted for a 9.5 regular. I think I hit down on the ball a little too much, whcih provides a little higher trajectory. The spin rates and launch angles were just better with the 9.5 for me. The bottom line, I don't think swing spped is the only factor in determining the loft, go get fitted for the best recommendation. Many shops will do it for free if you buy their driver.

As an FYI, the R9 460, 9.5 regular, was giving me about 20 more yards than my existing driver, whcih was a TM R5 Dual, 10.5 regular.

[Solutions Etcetera]

I hit my last two drivers (10.5° R7 and 540XD) too high. I ended up with the original R9 in 10.5° with an NV shaft cut to 44.75" and set up to NU/L. Trajectory is perfect. Sometimes a little low, sometimes just a tad high, but mostly just perfect and after the honeymoon period it is still giving at least 20 yds more than the other drivers. As others have said, trajectory is affected by a lot of things other than a simple degree of loft.

I went with the smaller R9 because I was told it was a lower spinning head, and the NV as a lower trajectory shaft. Some say the R9 is harder to hit than the 460 but I hit it more consistently than any driver I have ever played, and better than most other clubs in my bag.

The nice thing about the R9 is its tweakability, but if you are hitting your current driver pretty well I would also suggest you find a place to get fit.

[M11]

I played the R9 460 in 9.5° the last few months and just switched to the R9 460 10.5°:
More fairway hits, more carry, more overall distance.

Would highly recommend 10.5°.

FWIW: SS is 98mph, shaft is in both drivers Ozik HD6 in stiff flex

[brycer]

I think there are alot more variables to look at that how you hit your SQ...If you are setting it to hit a draw, you will be adding loft. Atleast hit a LM to get some launch angles in various settings for both heads and go from there. Atleast it's a start.

[brew4eagle]

Update- ended up going with the R9 460, 9.5* with stock S-flex Aldila Reax shaft. Haven't used it too much, but so far I'm really pleased with it. Not seeing any significant distance increase over the SQ, but fooling around with the adjustability has been cool, and dispersion so far seems to have improved some. Really like the feel of the shaft. Would like to replace the grip, but am waiting until I find the setting I like the most.

[kekoa]

I had an r9 460 a while back in 9.5* and the ball went really....really high. These were good swings too. I would say go 9.5* for sure. I also used to play that sq tour and that driver is plain awesome

gl