Looking to get started and need some help...

[tsmithff10]

Hey everyone,

 

My name is Travis, live in the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area, and have just took some interest in getting started with the long drive stuff. I've tried doing some reading and research, stopped by a couple local golf shops, etc. Obviously the local shops don't exactly specialize in long drive, so it's been hard to find information locally. I'll be the first to admit I have no idea what I'm doing and figured I'd throw a message out there to see if anyone would be willing to help! Just looking for any information that'd be good for someone starting out or possibly anyone in my area or nearby that would be a good resource to get started. I've been playing golf for little over a year, come from a baseball background, and will be the first to say I'm not good by any means, although I think (at least hope) the hand-eye coordination and club speed could potentially be there to have some fun with it and get into some local events. Any information would be very appreciated!

 

Thanks again,

 

Travis

[havoc01]

right or left handed

if left i have a ld club for you

[tsmithff10]

I'm right handed. Bought a Krank Rage 47" 7.5 degree X stiff driver about a month ago. Thought it'd be something good to play the course with and start to get into hitting it long. Like I said, I really don't have much of a clue as to what I'm doing and just looking for help! I did get to hit on a trackman a couple times recently, my club head speed with that driver is usually in the mid 130's (I think my fastest was 137). I humbly say that knowing there are plenty of people out there that swing that and much faster, but I'm just trying to give an idea of where I'm at to anyone that might be willing to help. I think my biggest problem (and like I said, I don't know much about what I'm doing), is that my ball spin is consistantly pretty high (5000-6000), not sure if it's the driver itself or the swing but I'm sure it's the swing. Just about any drive I hit is very high, and very rarely do I get it down. I'd be more than willing to take a video or anything. My biggest hope was to find someone in the nearby area or find some sort of start that could get me on the right track to try and have some fun with this.

[Grapehunter]

At a swing speed that high, you should be playing no more than a 6 degree driver. Not to mention a XX or XXX stiff shaft with low torque tip, low kick point with high launch characteristics. In other words GET FITTED. If you don't have a reputable Long Drive fitter close by, give Kent a call at House of Forged down in San Diego California. Super nice guy and is always willing to shoot the breeze with anyone interested in growing the sport of long drive. I'm sure he can point you in the right direction and probably send you the right shaft for your needs to boot.

[Serialballkiller]

A stiffer shaft and a lower loft will probably bring spin down a bit but at 5,000 rpm, there are probably some swing issues in play. However, there are very few instructors who understand the long drive swing. I would search for Monte Scheinblum who is a member of this forum. He has a very helpful blog and also offers swing analysis online at a very reasonable price.

Btw, mid-130's on trackman is respectable and a more efficient swing will product better results. Don't believe everything you read about swing speed claims and records. They are mostly b.s.

[jharpergolf]

Try to work on being flatter through impact and that will bring launch down and spin so u get that big roll after it lands.