Are These Numbers Right?

[Sandpiper3]

I was at golftown yesterday and remembered to bring my driver to check some stuff out. Unfortunately could not get SS or Spin Rate, but got ball speed, launch angle and avg carry. Apparently theres a conversion chart to get my SS, but forgot to check it.

Ball speed was an avg 159, with a high of 168 and low of 141 (that i shanked). Launch angle was anywhere from 11 to 16, avg 13.8*. And avg carry was 234 yards, longest carry was 248. Not sure if the "roll out" was accurate, but not once did I best 265 yards total according to the computer. The 248 longest carry was my 265 longest drive with a 10.9* LA.

Can anyone verify if any of these things seem right?

[LyleG]

A ball speed of 159mph would equate to a swing speed of approx 110 with a smash factor of 1.45 which is a well (though not perfectly) struck shot.

With a speed of 110 miles per hour and a smash factor of 1.45 and everything else being optimal (launch angle, spin, angle of descent) you should achieve a carry distance of 269 yards, with about 15-20 yards of roll for a total distance of approximately 280-290 yards.

[ezra76]

How much of a cut did you put on it? My numbers are always low on those things. They say that I'm getting sidespin. I stopped believing after I put a dead hook swing on one and it said it was 30yds. right. I was like "where the F does this thing think I'm aiming?"

[SilverUberXeno]

I've seen a guy hit 212 with a 7 iron, allegedly, on the simulator at Dick's.

I promise you, he was not capable of hitting a 7 iron that far.

What balls did they let you hit?

[Sandpiper3]

I was using ProVxs that I brought myself. I used their balls and the results were everywhere, then i used my balls and things seemed a lot more consistent.

Every shot I hit I was aimed down the right side of the thingy, every ball ended up in two different areas, one was dead straight, or the other was about 15 yards left of it and 5 yards longer that drew off the left side. All except the shank were +/- 5 yards of those centre spots.

So lyle, is it the club? or me? or the monitor?

[LyleG]

Originally Posted by Sandpiper3

So lyle, is it the club? or me? or the monitor?

Without being there and seeing you swing, and without my own fitting gear it is impossible for me to tell.

[Sandpiper3]

Somehow assuming these numbers were correct (that we'll leave up for debate), can you recommend a shaft I should try out?

[ualtim]

Originally Posted by Sandpiper3

Somehow assuming these numbers were correct (that we'll leave up for debate), can you recommend a shaft I should try out?

Take the WBL approach, try'em all.

[Sandpiper3]

Ive already tried so many, and with my buying a car I dont have any money to be hoing a ton no more. Now I actually need to figure out what one thing will work, get it, and stick with it.

Then again im really not playing that much at all right now, so im not too worried.

[JEFF4i]

Hmmmm. Crazy.

I'm sitting at 117 SS average, but I'm also pelting it out there. Granted, Im at 5200 elevation...but thats not 100 yards worth.

[SilverUberXeno]

Piper, I think the best thing you could do would be to compile a small list of your favorite shafts. Maybe a top 3, and decide what you felt was lacking about them. That way one of the really knowledgable guys, or maybe some guys who have hit a lot of clubs, could steer you toward something similar, but with a more advanced characteristic of whateveritisyouwantedfromtheshaftthatyoudidn'tget

[Sandpiper3]

Hmm... fav shafts...

Graf BiMatrix S
NT Comp 85-S
Purple Ice 95-S

Those are the three ive had most success with, also used NV 65, NVS 75, NT 65, Prolite, speeder 952 X, prolaunch 65, blueboard 63, DVS 60-S... I think thats it.

[LyleG]

Based on this limited info I would look for a shaft that is mid tip, mid bend, and mid weight (85g). An NVS in 85 or 95g just might be the ticket. You can get pink ones on the bay for $20 as well. Bonus is they would match your shirt collection.

[gpo]

This is not an attack on the OP, but sometimes I really think golfers these days get too wrapped up in shafts and SS and spin.

I would say unless you are a high 70's shooter and are trying to get to being a low 70's shooter that all this stuff about shafts and what not is not the most important part of your game to improve on.

Here is my thought process. I would say the longest course we play as avg golfers is 6800 yards. So if you can put the ball down range 240-250 with your driver then on most holes you will be fine. We don't run into too many par 4s that are longer than 440. I would say the avg par 4 we play is 380-410 in that range. So if you have the distance stated above then generally you will have 130-170 for an approach shot. Sure there might be a couple of holes where you are 180+ out.

Instead of worrying about increasing your driver yardage by 10-20 yards you would benefit more by increasing your accuracy with your short to mid irons. You will hit more greens and more greens mean more pars. Working on your short game will reduce strokes as well. 10-20 more yards doesn't get you that much. Are you really that more accurate with an 8 iron compared to a 7 or 6?

That being said if you want to shoot close to par then you have to take advantage of the par 5s. That is what the pros do. You have to be able to reach them or get real close in two. That gives you better birdie opportunities. That is where distance comes into play. That is where you have to drive it 270-300.

So if you are a high 80s or 90s shooter and you want to bring down your score. Make sure you are hitting fairways or missing them by just a little and then learn to hit greens. Hitting greens gives you birdie chances and if you can putt a lick you will par many holes.

Everyone has limited resources and we all need to figure out how to put those resources to work best for us. If when you are close the the green and can only get up and down 30% of the time then work on your chipping and putting. If you 3 putt more than once a round then work on your putting. The best thing about that is working on the short game usually costs nothing only time.

[LyleG]

Except that sandpiper plays college level golf and shoots in the low 70's.

In all honesty, settling for anything less than optimal is foolish advice.