Does change in loft result in 1:1 change in launch?

[Foreleft]

All other things equal

For example, if I increase the loft from 9.5* to 10.5*, should a expect a direct correlation in the launch angle from, say, 13* to 14*, all other variable equal?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[seena_beena]

In a word....no

 

I was talking to a Tour Rep recently & he said loft plays only a small part in launch angle, the shaft affects launch angle much more.

 

For example if you go from 8 degree to 12 degree you'll probably on change your launch angle by approximately 1 degree, however if you tried different shafts you'll dramatically affect launch angle.

 

My own opinion is find the highest loft with the shaft that gives you the launch/spin/drop angle figures that you're looking for because that will be more consistent. You can only really do that with a Trackman.

 

:bigwhack:

[thewitt]

Loft is actually THE major element in launch angle.

 

The shaft only plays a role in launch angle in the amount that it bends forward at impact and adds to Effective Loft.

 

When you increase the loft of the clubhead however, you also increase spin so the relationship to launch angle is not 1:1.

 

-t

[Young04]

In a word....no

 

I was talking to a Tour Rep recently & he said loft plays only a small part in launch angle, the shaft affects launch angle much more.

 

For example if you go from 8 degree to 12 degree you'll probably on change your launch angle by approximately 1 degree, however if you tried different shafts you'll dramatically affect launch angle.

 

My own opinion is find the highest loft with the shaft that gives you the launch/spin/drop angle figures that you're looking for because that will be more consistent. You can only really do that with a Trackman.

 

:bigwhack:

 

i disagree with part of your premise. the loft on your driver will play more of an effect on launch angle than the shaft will (in most cases).

[Westwoon]

Recently went to a gitting sesseion. To my suprise, the test showed I required a 13 degree loft. No doubt my ball went much higher. Well, so on actual fact, is the shaft making the difference or the loft of the club. Will be placing an order for the driver soon. I someone can enlighten.

[Dyno]

In a word....no

 

I was talking to a Tour Rep recently & he said loft plays only a small part in launch angle, the shaft affects launch angle much more.

 

For example if you go from 8 degree to 12 degree you'll probably on change your launch angle by approximately 1 degree, however if you tried different shafts you'll dramatically affect launch angle.

 

My own opinion is find the highest loft with the shaft that gives you the launch/spin/drop angle figures that you're looking for because that will be more consistent. You can only really do that with a Trackman.

 

:bigwhack:

 

He's got it backwards. Shaft can only affect launch as much as it can deflect foward at impact and that depends on lag and release moves as well as the physical limit of the CG location in relation to the shaftline. Loft is loft and is simple physics given the same angle attack.

 

I don't think it's quite 1:1 due to frictional factors but it's pretty close.

[mac94]

beena, the guy you were talking to is way off base, as others have pointed out. Loft is he #1 factor, by far.

[es1]

the rate of change in loft to launch is governed by undeniable conditions of motion and collision. the fundamentals of dynamic loft are most evident in the micro seconds after the moment of inertia. the point at which mass in motion(club head) overcomes mass at rest(ball) by way of collision. at this time both bodies are compromised structurally(squashed) in relative terms. in the case of the club head, the compression caused by the ball is responsible for the dynamic loft effect to the launch angle.hence the most notable percentage increases come from low lofted drivers that give more easily. whereas one would not expect to launch a 28 degree wood at more than 28 degrees given that the blow to the mass at rest is lessened by a co-efficient of the difference in loft and rigidity between the driver and a high lofted wood. as loft increases compression decreases, this inversely proportioned relationship is the reason that launch angles for irons are invariably lower than their designated loft. this does however assume that the data retrieval took place at the high speed ,high res VTV facility near Rainville. if not then yes 1:1 is fine within reason when speaking about drivers only.