Wooden Driver Loft

[rkangrah]

I started golfing in 2005. So I never really know how it is like using the classic golf clubs. So my question is

What was the most common loft you see on the wooden Drivers?

Do they come in one loft or different lofts just like the todays driver, such 9.5, 10.5, 11.5?

[avgjoe]

they may have come in diff lofts, but I don't remember that and they were not typically marked... keep in mind that lofts have gotten stronger (and obviously heads bigger and clubs longer) since those days. my guess- 11 degrees standard

[XYB34A]

11 degrees, some were 12. it was said that Greg Norman played 9 degrees, a true loft of 9, with Dynamic Gold X400 or X500 shafts tipped about 2 inch's.

i played a 10 degree with a Sandvik Titanium x flex shaft for a few months in the late 90's.

i finally sold it, as Ti shafts would develope a memory and bend at the hosel.

check out the Louisville Golf website on the internet for some good info

[drewspin]

Wood drivers generally ranged anywhere from 9-12 degrees loft, but many (most?) were also 2* open because the optics at address make 2* open appear square. So the effective loft was more like 7.5-10*

[dlygrisse]

Back when most manufacturers had pretty standard lofts most Persimmons and Laminated woods were produced around 11*, I am sure there were some exceptions but as a general rule:

Driver-11*
2 wood-13*
3 wood-16*
4 wood-19*
5 wood-22*

[Wildwing55]

11 degrees was definitely the standard, until Cleveland Classics came out, and made mostly 10 degree drivers. Also, Tony Penna drivers made a lot of (gasp) 9 degree drivers. To my knowledge, none were ever made standard or marketed in the half degree separations. It's also interesting to note that with a file and refinishing supplies, and roll and bulge guages, you could adjust your own lofts. Imagine that, adjusting your lofts decades before the era or wrench-adjustable drivers.

[RobotDoctor]

Keep in mind that the center of gravity was higher in the persimmon drivers compared to the drivers today affecting loft. The dynamic loft was lower on the persimmons. An 11 degree persimmon driver played like a 9 degree steel driver. I can only imagine what the dynamic loft comparison is today with the metal woods of today. I preferred a 9 or 10 degree persimming back in the day. At my best I played X-100, 43 1/2 inch in a bore through driver (not tipped) and a Titleist 100 compression balata golf ball. I usually choked down 1/2 inch for control.