1.54 Smash Factor Seem Odd to you?

[kozubs]

I recently had a driver fitting for the EPIC. The Callaway reps were in at my local golf shop so it was a free fitting. I didn't even know that till after.

 

I currently still swing a 2008 Burner TP non fitted. I have had other drivers but keep coming back to it. I am looking because I hit a high ball with too much spin (3300) and want to get that down. Wind is a killer for me and I get no roll on any shot. Often I find my ball behind the pitch mark.

 

On the Trackman I was getting consistent Smash factor numbers of 1.47ish with the Burner. With the EPIC I was over 1.52 and once we got the right shaft, my ball speed jumped about 8mph over my burner (5mph more with less ideal shafts) and I was getting consistent 1.54 to 1.56 smash factors. I questioned the fitter and on this and got a standard sales pitch on the wonders of "Jail break Technology". I didn't think COR limits would allow surpassing 1.5. I was also suspicious when he said to expect 2.5 yards for every MPH gain in ball speed. Can't blame him for wanting to sell product.

 

In reality, I was only concerned with ball speed and the numbers looked great as my 101 to 103 SS was generating balls speeds of 155 to 160mph.

 

BTW, the best combo was an EPIC 9.0 +1 degree with a t800 shaft. The other shafts would loose about 3mph ball speed with the same swing speed. The sub zero dropped the spin down too low for my non WRX'ish swing speed. At first I though the shaft seemed light but I was surprise at how stable it was.

 

I have no idea what the ball flight was because it was indoors and all he was giving me was launch and spin numbers off his phone. Will need to try one outside to get a true a true idea.

 

The smash factor seemed weird to me though. Any input from the more educated? Comparing the relative numbers seems like a no brainer though (at least once the price drops anyways).

[tobybear]

Smash can read high for a few reason and I'm sure an "expert" could chime in but from my understanding here's what happens:

 

Trackman reads club head speed at Center of Mass of the club head. but reads ball speed just after contact.

 

Now think... a club head as it is rotating through the impact the toe is actually moving faster than the heel because of the rotation (rate of closure)

 

Now if you happen to be hitting slightly towards the toe where the club is moving faster realative to the heel then ball speed WILL BE HIGHER than a square shot off of the heel.... only issue is mishits reduce ball speed so there is a diminishing point of return to how far out on the toe you are hitting it.

 

SO if TM is reading club head speed at center mass ( but the toe is actually moving faster ) then ball speeds will be higher compared to a canter strike therefore causing smash to show as way higher than the "max" of 1.5

[apprenti23]

Anytime you see a smash above 1.50 the machine did not read the clubhead speed correctly. Ball speed is the key for distance gains, so as long as you're reading more BS, you'll be getting more distance.

 

Also keep in mind that drivers are no longer tested for COR so you can forget about that.

[kozubs]

Interesting.

 

Ball speed and launch is really all I cared about and I was impressed with the jump. I was also impressed with miss hits. Had some bad swings that seemed to have little effect on Ball Speed. In fact, a bad swing didn't hurt as much as having the wrong shaft. But who knows, the wrong shaft was probably leading to a bad strike that I couldn't "feel". All that being said, I'll need to get outside to get a proper opinion and ever 10 yards gained wouldn't get me spend the outrageous cost. At least I'll know what to look for once prices drop.

 

Thanks for the comments.