Question on driver loft

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

Originally Posted by SQ Bimmer

You're sure you're not ballooning the ball?

Not sure what that means. My avg carry is around 230 and give or take 10 yards per my skycaddie. Per my "majestic ball flight", what I mean is that it launches high looks like it's going to go for miles but then once it reaches it's apex just drops.

[farball]

The faster you swing etc. Not necessarily. You can swing fast and have an ascending angle of attack which lessens backspin. The best drives are hit on the upper third of the face and with an angle of attack of +2 or+3

Originally Posted by MizunoPlayer

The degree of the head is only part of the equation. You need to factor in club speed and launch angle because the faster you swing, and the steeper the angle, the more backspin that you will put on the ball, thus hitting it higher. My suggestion would be to get fitted for a shaft that fits your swing speed. Remember, a driver should be hit on the upswing, not the down swing. You will most likely need to get something with a low kick point. I personally hit a 7.5* R5 Dual with a VistaPro 70 stiff shaft. You can't even find drivers these days that low so you will have to compromise and get a shaft that allows you to launch the ball lower with less spin.

[eltigre-21]

i was using a 10.5 loft and just switched to a 9.5 with an upgraded shaft and i swing exactly the same and i have gained about 20 to 30 yards. my ball flight was a lot more true and the trajectory was a lot better

[Yukari]

I used 7.5* Titleist 975D until I traded in for 9* Titleist 909 D2. I can control my shots a lot more with 909, but 975D was and still is one of the best drivers Titleist made. I had both 975D and 909 D2 tested with a monitor. Both gave a similar launch angle and spin. so just because you have a lower loft does not mean it will give you a lower trajectory.

You should look at the launch angle and spin rate before making any decision. Just because the ball flight looks good visually does not necessarily mean it is at an optimal launch angle and spin rate.

I wouldn't trust anyone who says switch loft without backing it up with data.

[MizunoPlayer]

Originally Posted by farball

The faster you swing etc. Not necessarily. You can swing fast and have an ascending angle of attack which lessens backspin. The best drives are hit on the upper third of the face and with an angle of attack of +2 or+3

If you hit any club on the down swing (meaning descending blow) you will put much more backspin on the ball which will cause the ball to go much higher. If you read my post fully, you will see that I said while hitting a driver, you should hit it on the upswing which will in turn launch the ball and have less backspin.

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

Currently, my drive swing averages:

Ball Speed: 129
Backspin: 3271
Launch 12* with a 10.5* driver
Club Head: 90

Is the only way to increase distance with these numbers is to increase club head speed?

[Leftygolfer]

Originally Posted by Dr_Fu_Manchu

Currently, my drive swing averages:

Ball Speed: 129
Backspin: 3271
Launch 12* with a 10.5* driver
Club Head: 90

Is the only way to increase distance with these numbers is to increase club head speed?

I believe you need to be launching the ball higher. Those are great for the 170 180 ball speed specs but when the ball speed is less you have to launch it higher than 12 degrees to get the most out of your drives.

[farball]

I disagree, a higher launch angle has its point of diminishing returns. Just as one can launch it too low, also one can launch it too high.
Ideally, one should get on a launch monitor and get fitted.
One wants a +2 or more ascending angle of attack and hit the ball on the upper third of the center of the clubface to have optimum results. If one cannot do that simple thing, nothing else is going to work.

Originally Posted by Leftygolfer

I believe you need to be launching the ball higher. Those are great for the 170 180 ball speed specs but when the ball speed is less you have to launch it higher than 12 degrees to get the most out of your drives.

[farball]

I agree but that's not what you said originally.

Originally Posted by MizunoPlayer

If you hit any club on the down swing (meaning descending blow) you will put much more backspin on the ball which will cause the ball to go much higher. If you read my post fully, you will see that I said while hitting a driver, you should hit it on the upswing which will in turn launch the ball and have less backspin.