Vector Launch Monitor Results

[percymon]

How good are they, or at mercy of the fitter ??

A simple question really, but a big dilema for me at the moment....


Completed a vector assessment a few weeks go, the result of which was my current Cobra SZ440 with stock graphite design stiff flex shaft spins too much for my swing speed. Launch 14-15', SS 104mph, spin 3900, carry 235, total 250 (last 3 numbers with range balls, so told to take 400rpm off the spin and add 10% to the distance to get figures if using Pro V1 ball).

Tried a Ping G5, 9' and Prolaunch Blue 65S shaft and got the figures i supposedly needed - 250yds carry, 275yds total, 13.5 launch angle, spin 3300 (take 400 off for the range balls again).

I hit the Ping well, lower flight than the Cobra, but thought i'd hang on for the Titleist D2s to arrive before finally buying a driver.


so i have since tried, without the vector figures, a Titleist D2 9' with ProForce V2 stiff shaft - way too stiff for me, leaking shots to the right and 30yards down on distance. Tried a 10.5 version with ProForce V2 Reg shaft - slightly high flight in my opinion but better distance, approaching that of the G5/PLB combo.



I've got another vector assessment tomorrow night at a different range..... so....

1. is there any science in taking the spec of the shaft/clubhead and the resultant numbers to arrive at one or two ideal shafts ? or..
2. am I at the mercy and knowledge of the professional/fitter as to what they think might work for me ??
3. is it a case of trying every manufacturers driver to find the right combo ? the reason i ask this is the ranges in the UK tend to stock a range of clubs in display stands , and maybe one or two manufacturers fititng system (ie one range might have 10 Ping G5s, a few Clevelands, a dozen Cobras etc of different specs on display, plus a Callaway click fit system).
4. If the Prolaunch Blue 65S works in the G5 will it work the same in a 907D2 ?
5. Would i be better opting for Callaway where i have the advantage of all the combinations of heads and shafts readily available in the fitting system caddy ???




By way of history, my last few drivers have been... Callaway Biggest Big Bertha 8' loft with Aldila HM2000 tour 65g stiff flex shaft (nice boring flight, straight / slight draw), Taylormade R7 Quad 9.5' with stock stiff flex shaft - higher flight but some deviation either way, current Cobra SZ440 generally straight but very high rainbow flight


Many thanks.

[percymon]

WEnt back to the original range tonight where i had the first launch monitor session - they finally pointed out the near 3 inches of hosel and thru bore of the Titleist D2 and the effect it has on tip stability - i probably need a regular flex in this head to overcome the tip stiffness.

 

They gave me a Callaway FT5 with ProLaunch Blue Reg shaft in - the regular flex in this head with its thru bore fitting didn;t feel any less flexible than the stiff version in the Ping G5 i tried. When i didnt try to kill the ball i got some decent results, although not as long or consistent as my recollection of the G5 i tried a few weeks ago.

 

So i have a bit more inof and data to discuss at the next launch monitor session tomorrow night. I'm hoping i can directly compare the G5 with Prolaunch blue 65S and a Titleist 907 with a reg shaft and get soem figures to confirm/disprove soem of the theroies i'm hearing/reading about.

[d_monares]

I cant stand vector launch monitors, you can never get consistent results. I see my builder and he has a Velocity doppler and it is pretty much dead on and he builds clubs for PGA Tour pros.

[d_monares]

WEnt back to the original range tonight where i had the first launch monitor session - they finally pointed out the near 3 inches of hosel and thru bore of the Titleist D2 and the effect it has on tip stability - i probably need a regular flex in this head to overcome the tip stiffness.

 

They gave me a Callaway FT5 with ProLaunch Blue Reg shaft in - the regular flex in this head with its thru bore fitting didn;t feel any less flexible than the stiff version in the Ping G5 i tried. When i didnt try to kill the ball i got some decent results, although not as long or consistent as my recollection of the G5 i tried a few weeks ago.

 

So i have a bit more inof and data to discuss at the next launch monitor session tomorrow night. I'm hoping i can directly compare the G5 with Prolaunch blue 65S and a Titleist 907 with a reg shaft and get soem figures to confirm/disprove soem of the theroies i'm hearing/reading about.

 

If I were you I wouldnt play a regular flex shaft with that clubhead speed, and you can always blind-bore titleist drivers to get them to play true to flex. Your best bet is to find a really good club builder that will look at your figures and tell you what shaft would work with your launch monitor results.

[percymon]

Had another vector last night - the original version this time, not the pro system. Swing speed came out at 93-96mph this time !!, and spin rates down massively over the first session at different range. However the fitter i worked with and the demo clubs available at least meant i could get a good impression of what i needed.

 

In the end i 've opted for a 907D2 with VS Proto S shaft (65g) - gives me good launch angle, penetrating flight and consistency -0 as seen by the real ball flight and not a set of numbers. Numbers are only a guide of course, its how ytou feel and see the ball thats counts !!

 

The custom scene in the UK is nowhere near as advanced as it appears from this forum in the US - Titleist barely offer any custom shaft options on the D2 yet, never mind blind boring etc