what golf numbers do you want with driver

Golf clubs such as the driver and putter

do not typically carry numbers as a form of identification in the traditional sense. A driver, however, usually has a number such as 9.5 or 10.5 to indicate the loft of the club. Drivers are available in a variety of lofts.

Full Answer

What do the numbers on a golf club mean?

Golf clubs such as the driver and putter do not typically carry numbers as a form of identification in the traditional sense. A driver, however, usually has a number such as 9.5 or 10.5 to indicate the loft of the club. Drivers are available in a variety of lofts.

What do the numbers on a driver mean?

A driver, however, usually has a number such as 9.5 or 10.5 to indicate the loft of the club. Drivers are available in a variety of lofts. Wedges typically don't have numbers. Instead that have letters such as P or PW for pitching wedge and S for sand wedge. The sand wedge, gap wedge and lob wedge might also be identified by the degrees of loft.

What length driver should I use?

If your average swing speed is between 80 and 90 mph (the average for most male golfers) you should be using a driver with about 10.5° to 12° of loft. For recreational golfers, this, combined with new two-piece balls that spin at a lower rate, means your launch angle and spin rate will be optimized. No standard length exists for a driver.

What are the Golf Club distances by number and type?

What Are The Golf Club Distances by Number and Type? 1 2 Iron – The golf ball will travel far, not as high 2 9 Iron – The golf ball will travel very high, but not very far 3 3 Wood – The golf ball will travel farther 4 5 Wood – The golf ball will travel higher

What do the numbers on a golf driver mean?

The higher the golf club number, the more loft, the more intense the angle on the golf club face, which means the golf ball will travel higher, but for a shorter distance.

What spin rate do you want on a driver?

Understanding Spin Rate Numbers When the average PGA Tour player hits a driver, their spin rate is typically in the area of 2,700 RPMs. For a player who is a scratch handicap, their average is right around 2,900 RPMs. If you are a 10-handicap, you are probably around 3,200 RPMs.

What are good swing path numbers?

“My preference is to see club path numbers within a +/- 3-6 degree range, depending on whether the golfer wants to play a fade or draw. I do not like to see golfers with a path of zero. With a club path of zero, the slightest negative face angle will create a negative spin axis and curve the ball away from the target.

What are ideal TrackMan numbers?

The main number that I advise looking at when it comes to iron launch conditions has very little to do with launch and everything to do with Landing Angle, a number that TrackMan calculates. The ideal range from varies from 50 degrees in the wedges down to 45 degrees in the long irons.

Do I want more or less spin on driver?

“The majority of players that create more spin tend to hit the ball more accurately. So, if your goal is to hit straighter shots, then a higher spin driver is usually the way to go. On the other hand, if you want more distance, choosing a low-spin driver with an optimized launch angle will help you hit it further.

Is 160 mph ball speed good?

A PGA Tour player averages about 168 mph with their driver and a high-level male amateur is around 160 mph. A 5 handicap would be around 147 mph. A 10 handicap would be around 138 mph. A 15 handicap would be around 133 mph and a 20 handicap around 130 mph.

What are good numbers for a driver?

Based on swing speed, here are the 'preferred' Trackman numbers to hit your drives farther“Very Fast” swing speed (more than 105 mph with the driver)“Fast” swing speed (97-104 mph)“Average” swing speed (84-96 mph)“Slow” swing speed (72-83 mph)“Ladies” (less than 72 mph)

What is ideal club path for driver?

The club path angle is 0.1 degrees to the right or from the inside. Essentially this path is straight at the target at impact. The club face is 2.4 degrees open at impact.

What is a good smash factor?

Generally, 1.5 is an ideal smash factor, but the average golfer's smash factor is only about 1.42, TrackMan says. If an average golfer could achieve a smash factor of 1.5 (by solid, center hits), that would increase ball speed by 8 miles per hour and reduce spin by about 30 percent.

How far should a driver go with 100 mph swing speed?

If your swing speed is 100 mph, your distance potential could be as high as 270 yards.

How stiff should my driver be?

In general, golfers with driver swing speeds over 95 mph should play stiff flex shafts, and those under 95 mph should play regular flex. Shafts also come in extra stiff (105+ mph) and senior flex (under 85 mph).

What ball speed do you need to hit 300 yards?

about 108 mphBut if you're up for a challenge and want a goal to aim for, talk to GOLF Top 100 Teacher Andrew Rice. Rice conducts lots of studies using launch data, which you can read on his website, and tells golfers that if they want to hit the ball over 300 yards, they need to swing their driver about 108 mph.

What is the best angle of descent for a golf driver?

Adjust too low and it will fall short because of a shallow arc. An optimum angle of descent for the driver will be between 35 to 40 degrees for players with a driver swing speed between 85 and 110 mph.

Why do you need a launch monitor for a golf club fitter?

A club fitter will use a launch monitor to analyze how the golf club is impacting ball flight.

Where was the LPGA Challenge 2009?

DANVILLE, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Suzann Pettersen of Sweden waves to the crowd on the 18th hole during the second round of the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge at Blackhawk Country Club on September 25, 2009 in Danville, Cali fornia. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) -

Is a golf club fitting for tour pros?

By HOT STIX GOLF. While many golfers are under the impression club fitting is only for tour pros, it’s actually just as suited to higher handicappers. Generally , the average player doesn't realize it's just as important to have their equipment fit to their game as it is for the pros, because having the correct fit is the easiest ...

What is golf swing?

Golf swings are like fingerprints in the sense that they’re all unique to the individual. Golfers have different release patterns, angles of attack, play in different conditions, have different preferences, and they have all sorts of idiosyncrasies.

What is the launch monitor in golf?

That being said, GOLF.com’s sister company, True Spec Golf, uses a chart called “Launch Monitor Preferred Parameters” that estimates a preferred range for certain categories. For each swing speed, there’s a recommended range of spin rates, launch angles, peak heights and angles of descent for you to optimize your golf shots.

Why do golfers use clubhead covers?

Most golfers use clubhead covers to protect their driver and fairway woods from damage sustained in their golf bag. These covers are always marked with corresponding numbers so that even when a clubhead is covered, you can still identify the club with ease.

What are the numbers on golf clubs?

Numbers. The numbers stamped or marked on the heads of golf clubs relate to the club's loft. Fairway woods and irons are the clubs that are always stamped, although specialty clubs also carry some form of identification. A 4-iron, for example, has less loft than a 9-iron.

Why are golf clubs stamped with a number?

Clubs are labeled clearly for identification. Most golf clubs are stamped with a number as a means of identification. Although experienced golfers are often able to differentiate between their clubs simply by viewing their size, shape and loft of their clubface, the number helps make this distinction certain.

What does 9.5 mean on a golf club?

A driver, however, usually has a number such as 9.5 or 10.5 to indicate the loft of the club. Drivers are available in a variety of lofts. Wedges typically don't have numbers. Instead that have letters such as P or PW ...

Where is the number on a fairway wood?

In most cases, the number displayed on a fairway wood or iron is always in the same place. On fairway woods, this number is often on the bottom of the club so that it's visible when the club is in your bag. Numbers stamped on irons are usually found on the bottom of the club for the same reason, but some manufacturers display this information on ...

Do sand wedges have numbers?

Wedges typically don' t have numbers. Instead that have letters such as P or PW for pitching wedge and S for sand wedge. The sand wedge, gap wedge and lob wedge might also be identified by the degrees of loft. The sand wedge, for example, might say "56" for 56 degrees of loft, rather and "S." Putters also are not marked with a number because ...

Who is William McCoy?

Toronto-based journalist William McCoy has been writing since 1997, specializing in topics such as sports, nutrition and health. He serves as the Studio's sports and recreation section expert. McCoy is a journalism graduate of Ryerson University.

Golf Magazine

If you’re on the slower end of the speed spectrum (less than 90 mph), going to a shaft with higher torque properties affords the face a better opportunity of being returned to square at impact. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. How you deliver club to ball can affect the amount of torque needed in a shaft.

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If you’re on the slower end of the speed spectrum (less than 90 mph), going to a shaft with higher torque properties affords the face a better opportunity of being returned to square at impact. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. How you deliver club to ball can affect the amount of torque needed in a shaft.

What is the ideal angle for a long iron?

The ideal range from varies from 50 degrees in the wedges down to 45 degrees in the long irons. The reason I focus more on the landing angle then the launch angle and spin rates in irons is because different combinations of launch and spin can lead to an optimal landing angle.

What happens when a golf club loses loft?

You'll notice that as a club loses loft the face angle has a bigger influence on where the ball ends up. This is also due to increased ball speed. There are other factors that play into these ratios, like swing plane, attack angle and swing direction, but they are a good starting point for most.

Why draw club path and face angle?

A draw club path and face angle has the potential for higher Smash Factor over a fade swing because the club is de-lofted and the ball is "trapped" with a draw swing. Lastly, it is critical to understand how a golf club is designed to strike a golf ball.

What does "smash factor" mean in golf?

TrackMan's term for this is Smash Factor. Smash Factor is a player's ball speed divided by club head speed. The range here for solidly hit golf balls will vary from the low 1.2's in your wedges up to 1.5 for the driver.

How much can a limber person bench press?

A limber person that can squat 300 lbs and bench press 250 has more potential than a stiff person who struggles to pickup their 30 lb grandson off the floor. What is lacking in strength and/or flexiblity can often times be made up for in technique.

How does the body uncoil for maximum speed?

The proper uncoiling of the body for maximum speed starts with the lower body releasing or turning towards the target, then torso, then arms, then hands and finally all of that energy is delivered down the club shaft to the head.

Can a person with medium athletic and physical abilities hit a power fade?

Therefore, ideal for them might just be getting their path and face numbers closer to zero and increasing their smash factor a little bit.

Weight

The weight of your shaft is going to primarily affect your distance. A heavier shaft will reduce your clubhead speed and thus the amount of energy transferred into the ball.

Kickpoint

Depending on the kickpoint, your shaft will bend closer to the head or the grip of the club.

Torque

Torque refers to how much the shaft twists. It’s the least talked about feature but still an important one to club fitters. High torque shafts can twist easily, and low torque shafts are resistant to twisting.

Cost

It always comes down to price at the end of the day and we are always looking for the best deal. A driver shaft can cost anywhere from $40 – $300.

Conclusion

Fitting yourself for a driver shaft is a bit like trying to do your own plumbing. You could do it yourself but if you get something wrong then you might end up in the water.

What is the best driver for golf?

For someone who hits the course or driving range only occasionally, a high quality alloy driver can be found at a reasonable price. A titanium driver, or multi-material driver like titanium and composite, that combines light weight and excellent strength is more expensive and for golfers who play more consistently.

Why do golf clubs swing sideways?

Many golfers think they’re not good enough to get custom-fit clubs, that the flaws in their swing will override any potential benefits of clubs built just for them, but fitters say the reason many players hit it sideways is because they haven’t been custom-fit. Trying to swing golf clubs whose length, weight, lie angle, shaft flex or grip size don’t match the body encourages players to make unnatural compensations that prevent them from developing proper mechanics. Choosing this type of driver will cost you a little more time and money, but it ensures you’ll get a perfectly-fit driver.

How many yards does a golf driver drive carry?

Weight is what you’ll want to pay attention to. You don’t want a shaft that’s too heavy. As far as flex, if your drives carry between 230-250 yards, a regular flex is best for your game.

What is driver loft?

LOFT. Loft is the amount that the face of the club slopes back. Driver loft, which typically ranges from 8.5° to 15°, should match your swing speed. The slower your swing speed the more loft you should have.

How long is a standard driver?

No standard length exists for a driver. Every manufacturer offers different models with varying lengths (usually 43.5” to 47”) but drivers continue to get progressively longer, with some even reaching 48” (the maximum allowable). That’s because in most cases, the longer the shaft the faster the head will travel.

Can you slice a golf ball off the tee?

Most golfers slice the ball, especially off the tee. Manufacturers have addressed this problem in the past by introducing anti-slice, or draw versions of their standard drivers, but with adjustable drivers now so much part of the golf landscape, and the fact that you can close the face as much as 3° on some of these adjustable drivers ...

Can you adjust the face angle of a golf club?

Using only a wrench, golfers are now able to adjust the face angle, loft and lie angle without the help of their local club fitter—or having to buy a new club altogether. Golfers can alter the club dynamics to suit their desired ball flight or pick up a few additional yards of carry. Many manufacturers insist an adjustable driver gives you every advantage. However, others disagree, citing a more expensive price tag, additional weighting in less than ideal locations, and confusion about all the different setting combinations as reasons to play a traditional, non-adjustable driver.

How is driver spin determined?

From a physics perspective, any player’s ideal driver spin rate is determined largely by launch angle and clubhead speed. Compared to his peers, Zach Johnson does not swing his driver exceptionally fast. To maximize how far his tee shots fly, he needs to send the ball high into the air.

What is the angle of Johnson's ball?

Johnson’s high launch comes from the 9.3 degrees of loft on his driver and a slightly upward swing path into the ball – known as a positive attack angle. His ball will balloon if he creates too much spin in combination with his positive attack angle, robbing him of both carry distance and roll.

How does Howell swing?

Howell swings much faster than Johnson and typically launches his drives at 8 or 9 degrees while swinging slightly down into the ball. With his negative attack angle, he needs more spin to avoid hitting low, bullet-like drives that land quickly and rely too much on roll.

Do low spin drivers unlock more distance?

Many manufacturers have in recent years touted extremely low-spin drivers as if they were some kind of just-made-legal, performance-enhancing drug that can unlock more distance and lower scores. Better materials and manufacturing techniques make them possible, but a simple question begs to be answered: How much backspin does any player really need ...