First LM session...can this be right?

[hacker101]

First session on a LM yesterday and I was blown away at the results. Has anyone else scene numbers similar? Using the Callaway cart and replacable shafts.

 

FT/5 head 9.5 with 73X blueboard

SS 116-120

Ball 170-175

spin- 1600-1700

LA 6.5-8.5

carry distance 285-295

dispersion was fairly straight

 

FT/5 head 13 with 73X blueboard

ss and ball speed the same

LA 12.5

spin 2100-2200

carry distance 305-320

dispersion got tighter

 

I got similar numbers with the 13 head and a VS proto in 80s except the spin went way up. Fitter suggested the VS in a 80x if I went with that shaft but the blueboard felt so much better. The 13 degree head will be a tough pride pill to swallow but if the results are that much better on the course, I'm sure I'll get over it in a hurry. We tried the 9.5 in a grallaloy pro platinam and the numbers came up close to the 13/BB but the feel was not as pure and dispersion opened up.

Little bit of background on my game.

I play to a 3 hdcp. Draw irons, not what I call a low ball hitter with irons (Ping I10 awt -X). Fade the driver mostly to help me get it up in the air. Otherwise, I have to cant my shoulders to the right pretty steep to get behind and up on the driver. 6'04" by the way.

After seeing the numbers, I assume I do something with my hands that closes the clubface through impact to lower my launch numbers. I hit my current driver on the LM as well. G10 10,5 PL red and got too low of numbers. LA 6-8, sipn under 2000, and 285-290 distance. Here's my question. Is this enough info to order/build a new driver. The Rapture is supposed to be a high launching head. Could I get away with a 12* and what shaft. D2 is supposed to be a higher spinning head. 11.5* is as high as they go but what shaft. I mentioned those two because I prefer Ping and Titeliest products and the face ia square. Most other makers high loft drivers are or appear closed. Or, keep my G10 10.5 and experiment with higher launching shafts? Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

[BJG718]

the 13* ft-5/blueboard73x is nearly perfect for you. its obvious you dont catch the ball on the upswing, but if you are getting those results with that club, id play it.

 

that 13* will certainly have a closed face. if you can handle that, do it. it'd be easy enough to buy the ft-5 and then have someone on this site who is experienced with callaway fusion pulls and a diamana dealer to tour clock the head to square.

[schlebrock]

Although your numbers with the FT-5 and 73-X Blueboard look good in relation to launch and spin, I would be concerned that it's taking you a 13 deg driver to get those results when you have ball speeds of 170-175mph.

 

I see two issues. One, a swing flaw that needs to be corrected. Two, the LM numbers are wrong. I'd go somewhere else and get another set of readings, then see how they compare before you make any decisions.

 

Good luck.

[BJG718]

Although your numbers with the FT-5 and 73-X Blueboard look good in relation to launch and spin, I would be concerned that it's taking you a 13 deg driver to get those results when you have ball speeds of 170-175mph.

 

I see two issues. One, a swing flaw that needs to be corrected. Two, the LM numbers are wrong. I'd go somewhere else and get another set of readings, then see how they compare before you make any decisions.

 

Good luck.

 

id agree with this. however, if you are a 3, id say play it because you are for sure a consistent ball striker and get good results. get another reading somewhere else before you purchase anything though.

[pbriggs23]

i have the same issues that you do except my spin rates are much higher. i typically launch a 9* driver at around 9*. i am a 4 handicap and 6'4". my ss is just slightly faster than yours and i play a draw in every club but the driver. the driver may be the club that costs me the most during a round. i am currently working on improving my angle into the ball in order to improve launch that way rather than spend money on a driver then improving to a point where i would need another driver. however, those numbers with the 13* look about as good as you can get. i may have to go hit one just to see if i get similar results.

[hacker101]

I believe in the LM numbers and trust the guy doing the fitting. The guys in the shop were slightly surprised at the results. To catch the ball on the upswing, I really have to cant my shoulders and move my head what seems like two feet behind the ball. It is not a comfortable address position and I can only use it on my T ball. I don't like the idea of two drastically different swings. My swing flaw is somewhere between 9:00 and 3:00 position. I believe my right hand takes over at impact and I shut the face. My miss when I go after it is a lower hook to a pull hook. If I lay off too much, the club face can't catch up. I have never been able to hit a 8*-9.5* driver very high. That is why I went with a 10.5* on the G10 purchase which helped some, but hitting hit side by side yesterday was an eye opener. It makes sense. When I catch my 15* v steel with an accra mf, if carries 260-270.

[OrangeBlood]

I say go with the 13*....I had my numbers checked 3 times and everytime it was a 11-11.5* in my hand that gave me the best results.

 

There are to many people that for some reason can't grasp that a higher lofted driver is better for you in most cases.

 

When did playing a 8.5-9.5* mean that you where more of a man?? I wonder just how many tour players actually play what is stamped on their drivers?

 

And as far as swing flaws...forget that...buy whay works for you and smile everytime you blast one past your playing partners.

 

Get a pink headcover and really have fun with it......LOL

[schlebrock]

I believe in the LM numbers and trust the guy doing the fitting. The guys in the shop were slightly surprised at the results. To catch the ball on the upswing, I really have to cant my shoulders and move my head what seems like two feet behind the ball. It is not a comfortable address position and I can only use it on my T ball. I don't like the idea of two drastically different swings. My swing flaw is somewhere between 9:00 and 3:00 position. I believe my right hand takes over at impact and I shut the face. My miss when I go after it is a lower hook to a pull hook. If I lay off too much, the club face can't catch up. I have never been able to hit a 8*-9.5* driver very high. That is why I went with a 10.5* on the G10 purchase which helped some, but hitting hit side by side yesterday was an eye opener. It makes sense. When I catch my 15* v steel with an accra mf, if carries 260-270.

If you're confident with the integrity of the LM data, then go with the 13 deg option and dont' look back........except when you're looking at your playing partners drives, which are several yards behind you!

[oregongolf]

the 13* ft-5/blueboard73x is nearly perfect for you. its obvious you dont catch the ball on the upswing, but if you are getting those results with that club, id play it.

 

that 13* will certainly have a closed face. if you can handle that, do it. it'd be easy enough to buy the ft-5 and then have someone on this site who is experienced with callaway fusion pulls and a diamana dealer to tour clock the head to square.

 

Wouldn't that actually change the loft of the club? Negating the effects of the fitting?

[harleypitbull1]

Several have said that he is not catching the ball on his upswing with the driver. I understand this because of the low launch number but something I dont understand. Is it possible for him to be hittin down on the ball with that fast of a swingspeed and not creating more than 1800 rpms of spin. Another question for original op...... what ball did you use for the fitting? those are insane numbers

[jones137]

Several have said that he is not catching the ball on his upswing with the driver. I understand this because of the low launch number but something I dont understand. Is it possible for him to be hittin down on the ball with that fast of a swingspeed and not creating more than 1800 rpms of spin. Another question for original op...... what ball did you use for the fitting? those are insane numbers

 

I'm thinking the same thing. If he's hitting down on the ball and delofting at impact you would think his spin numbers at that ss would be 4000-5000rpms.

 

Were you using a tee?

[hacker101]

We started with balls laying on the mat. The first numbers (with the 9.5 and 13* w73X BB) were with a NXT Extreme. He swapped shafts and heads a couple times before we tried with a Prov and a ProVx. When we went back to the BB, the shaft coupler broke while installing so I never got th hit on the LM with the BB and a Prov, which is what I typically play. I did however use a 10.5 with Grallaloy platinum (s) and the Prov. Ball speed, swing speed remained the same, launch angle was in the good range, distance was 305 +/-, spin went up to the point he suggested the X in that shaft. The dispersion was not as good as the BB and the feel was as different as violin and bass drum. He liked the fit of that shaft for the money but it never reached the numbers of the 13* and the BB73X. At that point, we called Ping to order a 12* Rapture with a 73X BB thinking the Rapture head would negate the 1 degree. Ping does not install 73 or 83X in the Rapture and furthermore they did not have a 63,73,or 83X in stock. Back to the drawing board. I did hit the VS Proto 80S and the numbers were similar but while the feel better than most still not as pure as the BB. Brings me back to the original question. Is my thinking correct that the Rapture head is a little higher launching and I could get away with a 12* or even 11* depending on shaft selection? Same for the D2. I love the feel and look of the head. Is this supposed to be a higher spinning head so I could get away with an 11.5*? Would a YS6 in a X be similar in numbers and feel?

The big problem is there are not many LM in my area and the BB73X was the only X shaft he had. I assume not many stores have a great selection of X shafts to hit.

[hacker101]

As far as the insane numbers. I'm 6'4", 245 lbs and have always been a pretty good athlete. There are probably many who are smaller than me that create more club head speed. My tempo is more like a VJ than a Jose Maria.

[oregongolf]

Maybe the fitter is great...

 

But I'd seek a second opinion.

 

Also, do you have video of your swing?

[lotbean21]

Unless I'm mistaken, your fitting was carried out in a shop as opposed to the range.

 

If the above is the case I would recommend seeing the ball fly for real before purchasing.

Launch monitors(if operated and calibrated correctly) are a good starting point but you have to see the ball fly for real.

[hacker101]

Yes, I have tried to video my swing but the slow mo' on my camcorder does not have the resolution to give me a clear picture of impact. I paid for a lesson from a former Nationwide tour player to figue it out and he could not.

[oregongolf]

Yes, I have tried to video my swing but the slow mo' on my camcorder does not have the resolution to give me a clear picture of impact. I paid for a lesson from a former Nationwide tour player to figue it out and he could not.

For the life of me, I can't figure out how those numbers could be at all correct. They don't even look like they'd add up.

 

I'm really interested to hear how this turns out. Please get a second opinion (maybe find someone with a trackman?).

 

On the course, do you really launch it super low or what?

[BILL12x]

For the life of me, I can't understand how your launch angles are so low without creating a TON of backspin, unless your hands are way out in front, delofting the club, rather than it being a descending blow.

 

I would check yourself on a different monitor first, but if you get the same results, the 13* gave you fantastic numbers.

[jones137]

For the life of me, I can't understand how your launch angles are so low without creating a TON of backspin, unless your hands are way out in front, delofting the club, rather than it being a descending blow.

 

I would check yourself on a different monitor first, but if you get the same results, the 13* gave you fantastic numbers.

 

That's also the only scenario I can think of.......hands WAY ahead at impact.