Question about relative distance/swing speed

[Guest]

I am 63 and my swing speed is roughly 94-95. I can carry my 8 iron when I hit it solidly 155 yards. My index is 3.9. If you do the math, I should be able to carry my driver around 225-230. I play with a lot of younger guys who hit their drivers way past me yet with their other clubs they are generally only one club longer than me. I was fitted for a driver late last year, and when I hit it in the center (smash factor around 147), I can carry it close to 230, but the problem is I can only hit it well about 15% of the time which is wny golf is not played on a launch monitor. The rest of the time I hit these lovely heal jobbers. Because of this horrible inconsistency, I switched to a driver that I can only carry about 200. The crazy thing is downwind I can keep up with other guys who hit their other clubs the same distance (or shorter than mine) but into the wind, I am not competitive.

That tells me my driver has too much spin. I don't want to drive myself crazy with this. Of all the drivers I have hit off a launch monitor, the one I hit the best in the last few days of trying a bunch of newer drivers is the Wilson 13 degree D7 with a regular shaft. When I hit it well at least I can carry it 220. I cannot find one light but stiff shaft. When I filled out all the online stuff Wilson said I should be hitting the 10.5 with the really light but stiff shaft. I am currently playing, believe it or not, a Yonex driver which I hit pretty consistently, but I feel like I am giving up probably 20 yards. I am not a club fitting expert, but it seems to me I am not hitting my driver in the center as well as I should as a 94 mph swing speend with a 145 smash should equate to at least a 225 carry. My smash factor has to be more around 139. Thoughts? Thanks for your input.

 

[hurley999s]

You won’t get much input here as this is a long drive section and it’s largely quiet. My recommendation is to post it in the WRX Club Techs forum...but I’ll save you the time if you don’t want to re-post. Read this...really go through it and detail and you’ll understand what to do:https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/909991/diy-driver-tune-up-diy-fitting/p1

 

[Myherobobhope]

On 8/3/2020 at 9:14 PM, Guest said:

I am 63 and my swing speed is roughly 94-95. I can carry my 8 iron when I hit it solidly 155 yards. My index is 3.9. If you do the math, I should be able to carry my driver around 225-230. I play with a lot of younger guys who hit their drivers way past me yet with their other clubs they are generally only one club longer than me. I was fitted for a driver late last year, and when I hit it in the center (smash factor around 147), I can carry it close to 230, but the problem is I can only hit it well about 15% of the time which is wny golf is not played on a launch monitor. The rest of the time I hit these lovely heal jobbers. Because of this horrible inconsistency, I switched to a driver that I can only carry about 200. The crazy thing is downwind I can keep up with other guys who hit their other clubs the same distance (or shorter than mine) but into the wind, I am not competitive.
That tells me my driver has too much spin. I don't want to drive myself crazy with this. Of all the drivers I have hit off a launch monitor, the one I hit the best in the last few days of trying a bunch of newer drivers is the Wilson 13 degree D7 with a regular shaft. When I hit it well at least I can carry it 220. I cannot find one light but stiff shaft. When I filled out all the online stuff Wilson said I should be hitting the 10.5 with the really light but stiff shaft. I am currently playing, believe it or not, a Yonex driver which I hit pretty consistently, but I feel like I am giving up probably 20 yards. I am not a club fitting expert, but it seems to me I am not hitting my driver in the center as well as I should as a 94 mph swing speend with a 145 smash should equate to at least a 225 carry. My smash factor has to be more around 139. Thoughts? Thanks for your input.

I’m not great with carry numbers based on swing speed, but your math looks right... since this is the long drive section, I’m going to give you long drive advice (not being snarky, just some suggestions to improve your distance).

 

work on your angle of attack. A positive one gets you better launch parameters. Look at the ladies on the lpga. They don’t swing like Bryson but get the most out of every mph.

 

consider doing more to improve your club head speed... my dad is 68 and has stopped doing stretches and his distance has gone away... it’s frustrating for him, but I can see he’s not making a real turn... a good fitness program will help you build and keep speed. Rotation work and explosive power. It will help.

 

try some extremes with drivers. Hit a super light driver. Hit a 44 inch driver. Hit a 47 inch driver. Hit a heavier driver. Figure out what works for you. 

I think you can find 20+ yards off the tee with some work.