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There is no denying that drivers are being made now to spin less and less than ever before. Do you believe we will continue to see lower lofts offered down the road as readily as they are today? Or is yesterday's norm of 9-10.5 going to become todays norm of 10.5 to 12?
I know stigma plays a major role here and will continue to, but eventually will there will be a company that want the success and are willing to sacrifice a few sales to educate right? We all know fitting is the answer, but most golf clubs are not sold that way.
Its apparent now as companies are offering more 12* options than ever before and it is less of a "look at the lady" driver than it was in years past. Sadly, that opinion was there (and still is), but with balls and drivers spinning lower than ever before, something has to give for the masses that are buying equipment right?
I had a similar thing happen myself I was having a social round with this guy, he wasn't driving really well and said to me your driver seems short I said yes it is 2" shorter than standard at 44" I was using a Callaway X Hot 13.5* at the time. I asked him what his was he said proudly that was a stiff shaft at 46" with 9.5* loft, I said have a drive with mine and he promptley sent one out there 40 meters longer and straighter than his, I then told him he had done that with a 13.5* loft with an A flex shaft so go figure LOL.Agree with others, wider range offered. These days, fitters understand the golf swing better than they ever have before and as such, can fit very low spinning and very high spinning players much easier than previously with the wider loft range.
The stigma is still there though, especially with older players. I had one of my uncle's friends at his country club in Redding, CA ask me why I was playing such a high lofted driver (10.5*), and saying that I was hitting it too high and losing distance. Said I should switch to a 9.5* like him and I'd get more roll. Meanwhile I am outdriving him by about 40 yards! And I didn't even tell him the loft was actually at 11.5* with the adjustable head.
Like others, I don't see the lower lofts going away as much as I see the higher lofts becoming more popular. I think Taylormade did a great job with their #LoftUp campaign last year of starting to tear down that stigma of higher lofts being a "lady's driver".
I agree.
For that kind of driver, or the Cally Alpha 815.
. Took the words right out of my mouth with my 9 degree driver. Thought I'd be 10.5 or up....I would have thought lofting up was the way for me until I was properly fitted to my driver at 8*. I'll take that guys word for it too
815 Alpha is a launch monster, its being lofted DOWN by many, not the same beast as the SLDR.
The gravity core on the Alpha did the same thing to me as the weight forward design on the SLDR when you look at lofting up. I didn't like the way the ball felt coming off the face of the Alpha however. You've hit the Vapor Flex right Jman? Is that cartridge making you loft up when its weight forward? Just wondering.
Does the gravity core do much to change the launch conditions?
Depends on your miss. For me, when its down I see a WAY higher launch (bad way) because I miss high.
Are the guys on tour useing higher lofts ? When I look at the WITB on Golf channel and other placesI don't know that the shift to higher lofts will happen for another decade or so. Even this morning I was playing with a guy who was shocked at my 12* driver and told me I need a 9*...meanwhile I'm hitting low-ish balls off every tee. I don't think the stigma goes away until those golfers do, or until guys on Tour start making it known that they are using higher lofted drivers.
I'd KILL for an 815 Alpha or a 915D2 at 16*...but that's a pipe dream methinks.
A few Tour guys are playing 10* I think. That is "high loft" for them considering that 7-8 years ago they were all playing 6.5-8.Are the guys on tour useing higher lofts ? When I look at the WITB on Golf channel and other places
it looks as if they are playing 8.5, 9, etc. I do think lots of weekend golfers benefit from higher lofts though.
Kinda irks the heck outa me. I hit high, I mean Space Shuttle, moon balls high. I have a Cleveland SL290 in 9 with a 45" medium launch shaft in it. SS is around 92 with the driver. Still hit 150- 220 feet in the air. Only 200-210 carry. I've got a 9 1/2 K15 with a Prolaunch Red in it. Lowest launch I can get is 15 degrees. Spin is excellant right around 2200. But still only 220 carry on the monitor. I've also got a SMT Indio head with a Prolaunch Axis Red in it. Lowest I can get out of that is 14 degrees and 2200 spin.
I know it is partially my swing. But I hit lower lofts better than higher. I hate the feel of most adjustable drivers. Ping is the only one I like the feel of. I guess I'll end up bagging components soon. No major manufactuer is going to make a glued up 8 1/2 or lower driver any more.
I am by no means a big hitter. I was tought the one swing for all method. I use the same swing for driver, woods,hybrids and irons. I do fairly well with it. But to go forward with the offerings coming out I'd have to relearn how to hit a driver. Makes me mad I can't get a lower launching head in 7 1/2 or 8 1/2.
I'll just have to bag older equipment or components.
Mark Shuman
I've seen stats that show plenty of pros are giving up distance due to launch conditions with their drivers (launch angle lower than ideal, spin too high, etc) so I think some tour players should be using higher lofts. Then again, that's assuming all pros are trying to maximize distance off the tee by any means necessary and I'm sure plenty of them are knowingly giving up a few yards in order to have a shot shape that suits their eye, or a certain amount of workability.Are the guys on tour useing higher lofts ? When I look at the WITB on Golf channel and other places
it looks as if they are playing 8.5, 9, etc. I do think lots of weekend golfers benefit from higher lofts though.