New Driver Fitting

[Gamecock1124]

Hey there guys, this is my first post so hello to all you vets out there.

 

But I've got an itch to buy something new, since I got the new Ping Karsten putter (which is a absolutely fantastic putter) but Ive now turned my attention to a new driver.

 

Ive had a 9.5* stiff shaft before this one and i absolutely could not seem to hit it well, with very little carry distance, I find that Ive added a little more power to my swing since then tho.

 

My question to you is what specs i should be looking for, Right now i have a Cleveland launcher 460 comp, 10.5*, stiff flex speeder shaft, and im getting around 260-290 with the occasional pounding of 300+. .

 

I just got my swing specs tested with the new adams xtd a3 pro 9.5*, Stiff shaft. i had a 104 mph avg (109 max, and i did not stretch beforehand) swing speed, Max ball speed of 163 mph, with a launch degree of 11.3.

 

Of course it was an indoor hitting area but the ball seemed to be coming off the tee considerably low.

 

I was wondering if 9.5* was fine or if i should go for a 10* or even a 10.5* because through the round I do find that my swing speed will slow down a bit, and im scared that I have to hit that degree too hard to maintain that speed through out the round. Let me know what yall are thinking or if yall any other suggestions for drivers that are on the cheaper side.

[clubshack]

I think that your numbers are out of whack a little. It is difficult to get the distance you are saying with the speed and angles provided. I use the Vector LM and the software lets me analyze numbers and yours are 'optimistic'.

 

Here are some numbers for your swing speed of 105 mph and a reasonable smash factor or 1.48.

 

14* launch with 2500 rpm gets you 283.7 yards total.

 

@ 105 mph you max out at 2000rpm and 16.5 * launch at 290.7 yards total.

 

@ 11.5 the best is 275.8 yards at 2750 rpm

 

You can see that launch angle is important. But, you don't want a low CG head, you want a positive angle of attack. 11.5* launch from a 9.5 degree head says you have virtually no angle of attack. For better information, you will need some spin numbers. If the spin is higher than I have used as examples, then you are striking down on the ball. Especially, if you see numbers approaching 4000rpm. Then it is a testament to your muscle that it goes over 275. A low CG head increases spin potential if you strike down at all. It is possible to get 16 degree launches from a 9 degree head. LPGA players get great distance with a 5+ degree angle of attack.

[Gamecock1124]

Yeah well that doesn't surprise me at all, given that my yardages were at a golf course and i was at the store when i was finding out my numbers. Now, do i think that i swing faster than 109 mph out on the course fully stretched, i dont think so, but i do think that i hit it the FAR MUCH better out on the course than i do when im at the store with a guy staring at my directly in my line of view. But the yardages are accurate im positive, but like i said, i average around that 260-290 range so i see no problem with that.

 

I do hit a driver fairly back in my stance, my left foot heel, because i feel with my swing any further up i would slice the crap outta the ball, but its something im trying to work on. But then again when im ranging around 260-290 yards range im fairly happy bout that. But thanks for the info, i'll get back with yall later

[rattler917]

Sorry to thread jack but because you mentioned launch angle and spin, what does it mean if i have 14*+ launch angle and 3000+ spin?

[pu_golf88]

A high launch angle of 14*+ would give you great distance if you could get the spin alot lower, probably around 2100, but then it all changes with swing speeds. I'm estimating a swing speed of 105-110.