Driver(s) feedback on launch monitor

[IrishGolfer]

OK, so I was down at the new SIM in Belfast at lunchtime. After a few warm ups I hit 5 sets of 10 drivers and took the averages. I hit my Hibore, TEE and Titty 983K (the one with the stock silver 4086?? shaft). Decide to give the Titty and the Hibore nother go just to make sure.

OK, here's what I gathered...

Model TEE Tit 983K HiBore Tit 983K HiBore
Loft 10.5 9.5 9.5 9.5 9.5
Shaft Graf NT Stock S V2 S Stock S V2 S

Speed 151 151 152 151 150 151
Launch 10 10 12 10 12 10.8
Carry 239 238 239 234 236 237.2
Total 252 255 249 253 251 252

The last column is the average. some thoughts:

• Pretty good averages across the bunch
• Ball speed not bad at 151, I am assuming my swing speed is ~100mph
• Carry was ~237 yards, again not bad
• I think my launch angle is too low.
• Longest distance from Titty with shortest carry??? Go figure. BUT 5 yards longer does not get it into the bag. Straight wins that argument.

All interesting stuff, but my question to you guys, mainly Lyle, how do I get my launch angle higher? Is it shaft? Loft? Technique?

I am thinking Dot Com This +Graman UL 540?

[ezra76]

Interesting and just what I would have thought. The Hibore launches higher with less roll for me as well. Twofast had his at the range and I borrowed it to put against my 13* 3W. I was actually longer after roll with the 3W. The Hibore got no roll, just one bounce after landing, about a yard or 2 past carry distance.

What happened to your TEE? Was that a 10.5*?

[warbirdlover]

Man, get that launch angle up and you'll carry 30 more yards!!

[VtDivot]

Yup WBL is right.... however where you play, you might not want to launch it much higher. Pick a club you can control and let it run forever.

[IrishGolfer]

Vt. that's the deal on links.

I can get up to 30 yards of additional roll (double that down wind) playing on links. Low also helps to hit it lower in a wind as it is a lot more controllable.

I would like to try this Geek number, but figure I should be hitting it a 12 degree model with it, minimum, feel liek this is bordering on 3 wood territory.

I am clueless as to kick points on shafts. But what sort of kick should I be looking to use.

Interesting that the Titty 983K was responsible fro my top 5 drives in the 50. Best distance was 264 yards. But I'm happy with that in the fairway. My dispersions were good and I was delighted with my overall consistency!

You big hitters!!!

[LyleG]

Yep, to get the launch angle up you need more loft. Its that easy.

I would suggest trying drivers with a minimum of 12* of loft. I am guuessing a 13* driver would be perfect for you.


As the bordering on 3 wood territory that you made. I am saying this because I feel it is important.

Forget all your preconceived notions about golf clubs, lofts and what should be used when and where. New technology has allowed us to truly see what is optimal for each and every player. Use this to your full advantage. If your best numbers come from a 13.5* driver than get that driver plain and simple. Who cares if to some that is a 3 wood loft. This is not about ego, or having a nice number on the bottom of the club. Its about performance, nothing else should matter. If your driver is 13.5 then your next longest wood would be 17*-18*. In this case I would suggest 18*. Again, disregard what you have been lead to believe is right for all these years. Your results are all that matter. Get what works for you, not what everyone else has. There is a reason 90% of the golfing population sucks bollocks (thats for you Dave ).
Dont be like them, be the best you can be.

[SiberianDVM]

Tee it high, and let it fly!

My 983K is back in the bag after the 905T misbehaved last weekend.

[IrishGolfer]

Originally Posted by LyleG

Yep, to get the launch angle up you need more loft. Its that easy.

I would suggest trying drivers with a minimum of 12* of loft. I am guuessing a 13* driver would be perfect for you.


As the bordering on 3 wood territory that you made. I am saying this because I feel it is important.

Forget all your preconceived notions about golf clubs, lofts and what should be used when and where. New technology has allowed us to truly see what is optimal for each and every player. Use this to your full advantage. If your best numbers come from a 13.5* driver than get that driver plain and simple. Who cares if to some that is a 3 wood loft. This is not about ego, or having a nice number on the bottom of the club. Its about performance, nothing else should matter. If your driver is 13.5 then your next longest wood would be 17*-18*. In this case I would suggest 18*. Again, disregard what you have been lead to believe is right for all these years. Your results are all that matter. Get what works for you, not what everyone else has. There is a reason 90% of the golfing population sucks bollocks (thats for you Dave ).
Dont be like them, be the best you can be.

Excellent, thanks for that, now what have you got in Geek?
Oh and by thr way, some research on shafts has me asking another question...

Torque?
26.3 Fuji has a torque of 3.8 and high launch - I DID like that shaft
Grafalloy Proto NT has 3.1 - liked it
V2 has 3 - good combo with Hibore
UL540 Graman has a 2.5? Will I like it for my SS and ball speed. Or is this too much fo rme?

Cheers....

Am I shooting myself in the foot here or is it all just head mince?

[LyleG]

The graman will just as good as the other 2. The torque is simply the tips resistance to twisting. Usually lower torque shafts feel like crap, the gramans dont.

See your PM's asap.

[warbirdlover]

Wishon said in his book that all the graphite shafts out now are such low torque it wouldn't be noticed by most. Anything under 4.0 is really low torque.

[Rockford35]

That's truly insane that you get that little difference in the monitor from 3 different drivers.

I'm amazed and troubled by that at the same time.

You playing regular flex, IG?

R35

[ManchesterGolfer]

Mark, Check out this months Todays golfer, it's the driver issue. They custom fit 4 people for driver. It backs Lyle's comments 100%.

Here is what they said/found for the 5 handicapper, Paul Simmons age 19;-

Ball speed Before 158.7 After 159.5
Launch angle 7.0 to 11.5
Backspin 2,693 to 2,906
Sidespin -98 to 0
club head speed 108.4 to 108.3
carry distance 237.8 to 267.9

Driver before fitting was a TM R7 quad 9.5* stiff.
Fitter;-Pauls launch angle was low & that was losing him distance. He said that he hit his driver 280 yards, but 40 of that must be running. His club head speed is high enough to stick with a stiff shaft, so I fitted him for an 11.5 degree TaylorMade R7 425. Paul launched it higher with the rainbow flight, and in doing so upped his carry by 30 yards.

Player said;- I was really impressed! I'd recommend the service to better players - there's a lot more to it than you realise.

All 4 of them were fitted with higher lofted drivers than there previous one's. A Girl playing off 4 went from 10 to 11 degrees changing her launch angle from 12.7 degrees to 14.7 degrees and carry increased from 191.4 to 212.5. Bloke off 14 from 9.5 to 10.5 angle from 10.2 to 14.6 carry 200.2 to 222.9 and the last went from 10 to 11 degrees launch from 10.2 to 13.3 carry from 238.6 to 248.

Conclusion I'm getting fitted for my next driver!!!

[LyleG]

The first dude could still stand to get his launch angle up more, 11.5 is still too low.

[ManchesterGolfer]

Originally Posted by LyleG

The first dude could still stand to get his launch angle up more, 11.5 is still too low.

Lyle, Whats the optimum launch angle for a best blend of carry & roll?

[LyleG]

For 100mph swing about 13-14*
For 105mph swing about 12-13*