2 Common Fitting Fixes for Drivers

Contradictory advice around these 2 areas cause endless confusion and unnecessary driver inconsistency.  Fear not, they're easy fixes...

 

We’ve all heard the advice from the pros. 

 

Don’t pull out the driver on every hole, and you’re better off keeping the ball in play, and in the middle of the fairway.

 

But let’s face it.  When you smash a drive that really connects, and you send the ball soaring down the fairway, there’s no club in the bag that comes close to that feeling.

 

Unfortunately, most of us aren’t any where close to as consistent with the driver as we’d like to be.

 

When it comes to driver consistency, there’s nothing like getting fitted so you have the perfect driver for you.

 

That said, there’s a few factors that we’ve found can really help you pick the right driver (short of getting fitted, of course).

 

The biggest variable is the shaft. 

 

There’s so much here from kick points to balance points.  We’ve written a number of articles on these, and you can start with these…

Understanding Your Shaft

"Guessing" the right shaft for you

 

 

If you need to discuss these with us, of course, come by for a chat or book an online consultation with us.

 

Driver Length

 

There is one thing we need to address here though.  The misconception that a longer driver will allow you to hit if further.  It’s true that head speed is increased with a longer shaft, but your consistency will suffer. 

 

Drivers used to be 43”, and if you remember the Biggest Big Bertha, that was 46”.  These days, typical drivers are between 45” and 46”.  If you’re struggling with consistency, you might want to consider shortening that club.  More accurate ball striking often makes up for more than the slight loss in club head speed.

 

In anycase, you don’t want your mishits going as far as your perfect shots, because that just means it’s further off the fairway – FORE!

 

If you’re shortening your driver, don’t just cut it short, once you do that, it will feel lighter, off balance, and maybe even stiffer.  Compensations need to be made to make your club more playable.

 

The other major factor to consider is loft.

 

Loft plays 3 important roles.  It gets your ball in the air with the launch angle, it keeps your ball in the air with backspin, and keeps your ball straight with backspin.

 

The lower the loft, the more clubhead speed you need to get the launch angle right, and to generate enough spin to keep your ball in the air.

 

Also less loft, means less backspin, and a greater chance of your ball having some sidespin, which causes your ball to slice or hook.

 

Generally, most amateurs will benefit from more loft and less length – however, equipment manufacturers tend to tell us otherwise, which adds to the confusion, especially with vanity lofts (yes, many 9 degree drivers are actually over 10 degrees…)

 

If you’re struggling with your drives, the best thing to do, is to come down, and let us check out exactly what’s happening with your ball flight, and correct that, so that you hit effortless, consistent, fairway splitting drives.

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