I noticed this- ALL of the manufacturers are pushing "Ball Speed". Yet, the reviews I've seen so far (such as Rick Shiels, Peter Finch, et al) haven't shown any 'real' increase in Ball speed. Now- one reviewer (the Average Golfer) did see and feel that there was an increase in ball speed when he tested the M5 and the new Callaway.
The Pros are seeing an increase in launch angle and a reduction of spin.
Average Golfer saw an increase in ball speed (I don't recall if he posted angles and spin, though)
Yet, both are seeing an increase in distance.
I would suspect that guys with "Pro" level SS's of 110-113 or so (yes, there are pros who are faster) are already pushing face technology to the limits as it stands due to the restrictions on the faces themselves with trampoline effect, etc... So they are getting the benefits of the lower spin and launch angle increases, while "normal" SS's of "The Average Golfer" (100mph or so) would be seeing the face technology working for them more in ADDITION to the lower spin. And the pro reviewers clearly state that their Ball speed hasn't significantly increased, so the TaylorMade tag line of "Everyone gets faster" is a bit of a misnomer.
What they did do is make clubs that can increase distance for BOTH the normal and pro level golfer by having each take advantage of different technologies in the SAME driver. which I think certainly makes a good selling point- other than the RIDICULOUS prices they're charging (but that's another story).
Is it possible that the limits have been reached for face technology? Even TM with the M5 says that if they didn't use the "Screwface" technology with the foam, that all of the clubs would be illegal!
The Pros are seeing an increase in launch angle and a reduction of spin.
Average Golfer saw an increase in ball speed (I don't recall if he posted angles and spin, though)
Yet, both are seeing an increase in distance.
I would suspect that guys with "Pro" level SS's of 110-113 or so (yes, there are pros who are faster) are already pushing face technology to the limits as it stands due to the restrictions on the faces themselves with trampoline effect, etc... So they are getting the benefits of the lower spin and launch angle increases, while "normal" SS's of "The Average Golfer" (100mph or so) would be seeing the face technology working for them more in ADDITION to the lower spin. And the pro reviewers clearly state that their Ball speed hasn't significantly increased, so the TaylorMade tag line of "Everyone gets faster" is a bit of a misnomer.
What they did do is make clubs that can increase distance for BOTH the normal and pro level golfer by having each take advantage of different technologies in the SAME driver. which I think certainly makes a good selling point- other than the RIDICULOUS prices they're charging (but that's another story).
Is it possible that the limits have been reached for face technology? Even TM with the M5 says that if they didn't use the "Screwface" technology with the foam, that all of the clubs would be illegal!