Question:
I’m generally sceptical by nature and I really have to doubt all these claims of people adding 30-40 yards to their drives. A few thoughts… No-one is going to admit spending $500 on a driver that hits shorter than their old one. I don’t believe that you can gain that much distance with a new club over one a few years old if both clubs are fitted properly. I reckon that the people who do get big gains happen to chance upon a spec in a new club that fits them better than the spec in their old club. I’ve read a few articles that show how the effect of a high COR is a maximum of 5-7 yards if you swing at 120mph and hit the ball dead-centre. Where can 30-40 yards come from? I’ve got no hard evidence to back this up, apart from tests with my own clubs, but I reckon there is a law of diminishing returns in terms of forgiveness for big clubheads. In my experience I have found the dispersion pattern on the face of small-headed driver to be much tighter than that on the face of a big driver (otherwise same specs). The wider dispersion probably negates any benefit of the larger sweetspot. Is there anyone out there who had a club fitted for them and found that a newer fitted club hit the ball significantly further. All this rambling is to justify the fact that I still can’t find a driver that hits as far and as straight as my old GBB that I sold in a moment of madness. I’m now trying to buy one on ebay!
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m generally sceptical by nature and I really have to doubt all these claims of people adding 30-40 yards to their drives. A few thoughts… No-one is going to admit spending $500 on a driver that hits shorter than their old one. I don’t believe that you can gain that much distance with a new club over one a few years old if both clubs are fitted properly. I reckon that the people who do get big gains happen to chance upon a spec in a new club that fits them better than the spec in their old club. I’ve read a few articles that show how the effect of a high COR is a maximum of 5-7 yards if you swing at 120mph and hit the ball dead-centre. Where can 30-40 yards come from? I’ve got no hard evidence to back this up, apart from tests with my own clubs, but I reckon there is a law of diminishing returns in terms of forgiveness for big clubheads. In my experience I have found the dispersion pattern on the face of small-headed driver to be much tighter than that on the face of a big driver (otherwise same specs). The wider dispersion probably negates any benefit of the larger sweetspot. Is there anyone out there who had a club fitted for them and found that a newer fitted club hit the ball significantly further. All this rambling is to justify the fact that I still can’t find a driver that hits as far and as straight as my old GBB that I sold in a moment of madness. I’m now trying to buy one on ebay!
My first golf coach said that he went to a Titliest fitting day and they measured his swing speed, launch angle, and other factors and suggested a driver for him. He said it was definately longer than what he was using. If you are professionally fitted using the factors previously mentioned, where they match everything from the shaft flex/kick point/degree, etc. you will see the greatest results. If you are just trying out new equipment, you might stumble on something. But 30-40 yards is a long damn distance when speaking of added yardage with a driver. tim
Response:
I’m generally sceptical by nature and I really have to doubt all these claims of people adding 30-40 yards to their drives.
<snipped Maybe the shots just *feel* or *sound* 30 or 40 yards longer. — Ron Blanchard http://rec-sport-golf.com/members/?rollcall=blanchardr *** Troll and SPAM intolerant *** "Golfers are meant to suffer." – Ian MacCallister
Response:
I’m generally sceptical by nature and I really have to doubt all these claims of people adding 30-40 yards to their drives. A few thoughts…
I maybe gained 20 to 30 yards with my driver but that’s the exception. I changed to an 8 deg GBB from an old 10 deg persimmon. The GBB is several inches longer and is a lower loft; it’s metal verses wood and it’s head is much bigger. I can also tee the ball up higher and catch it more on the upswing. If you look at the specs my 3 wood is closer to my old driver and I hit it about the same. However I doubt if I would get any significant extra distance by changing. In fact I may decide to go for a more lofted driver and sacrifice some length. You’ll see lots of claims here about length. Lots of people claim to be able to carry 280 yards consistantly. With the damp and cold weather I would be about 30 to 40 yards carry behind this yet only the very longest hit it past me (I know where the ball lands as generally it is only a foot or so past its pitch mark now). Maybe yards are different in Ireland or else it’s the old feathery balls that we play with.
Response:
I’m generally sceptical by nature and I really have to doubt all these claims of people adding 30-40 yards to their drives. A few thoughts… No-one is going to admit spending $500 on a driver that hits shorter than their old one.
Mine cost me $40. I went from a standard length Taylor Burner 10.5 driver with stiff shaft, to a 360cc Dunlop Flame clubhead on a softer 45 inch shaft. It’s lighter, so I can swing harder. It’s longer, so there’s more clubhead speed. It’s more flexible, which adds even more to clubhead speed. It’s more forgiving, so I’m more likely to get a solid hit. This does add up, especially if you’re switching from 80s era technology. I actually did hit 280 yard drives with this club, which is a good 30 yards farther than I hit the Taylor. But distance isn’t everything, and in the interest of accuracy I recently I ditched the original shaft for a stiffer one. This did cost me a few yards. But I hit it straighter, and still much better than I ever hit the Taylor.
Response:
Recently I went to a demo day at a local range and tried out a number new 350cc type drivers. These included models from Nike, Cleveland, Titleist, Cobra, Taylor Made, and a Tommy Armour. Callaway and Ping were also represented, but I had demo’d myself weary before I could get to those. Well the gist of the story is that every single driver I demo’d felt great. I could have sworn that I was getting extra yards out of each one of them and I was sure a new driver was going on my Xmas list. When I was done with the demo’ing, I pulled out my GBB and, weary as I was, I found myself hitting it every bit as far and straighter then the others. Now looking for something else to put on the list. Happy Holidays, Bob Fitz.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m generally sceptical by nature and I really have to doubt all these claims of people adding 30-40 yards to their drives. <snipped Maybe the shots just *feel* or *sound* 30 or 40 yards longer. — Ron Blanchard http://rec-sport-golf.com/members/?rollcall=blanchardr *** Troll and SPAM intolerant *** "Golfers are meant to suffer." – Ian MacCallister