Thread: Using driver with 9.5 or 10.5 degree ?

Originally Posted by irfani65

I'm a 20 hcp. I'm facing problems using my XR05 Taylor made 9.5 degree driver. I'm lack of consistency for a straight driving. Some of my friends suggest me to take a 10.5 degree driver as to them its much eassier to handle for consistency. Is it true.... what are the advantages or disadvantages of those different degrees to golfer at my hcp level? pls help me....

The degree of the club makes no difference in the helping of hitting a straight drive.. for a 20 h/cp 9.5 or 10.5 wouldnt make any difference, and im sure youd love not too spend more money.. so i say stick it out.. took me a while for me to get used to my driver but its pretty consistent now.. what made me hit straighter was slowing down my swing and just think about getting a SOLID hit on the ball... balance is everything. Good luck

The degree on a driver does not actually determine whether you hit the ball straighter, the degree of the club determines how quickly it gets in the air . You might want to look at the flex in your shaft,the weight of your shaft, and believe it or not your ball selection.

Originally Posted by RacLt7

The degree of the club makes no difference in the helping of hitting a straight drive.. for a 20 h/cp 9.5 or 10.5 wouldnt make any difference

I couldn't disagree more - on both fronts.

If I give you a 6° driver, then I give you a 16° driver, I'll wager my car that you hit the 16° straighter, all other things being equal. Now, that said, I don't think going from a true spec 9 to a true spec 10 is going to drastically change shot shape.

The best driver for a 20 HCP is the one that fits him. If he's got an outside in driver swing, get a closed face, high loft driver. If his launch angle is too shallow, get more loft. If it's too high, drop down.

I'd say tskuller is closer, but still we're ignoring the main thing: Let's check the swing first. Let's make sure path is OK first.

irfani65, you need to tell us what makes you inconsistent. Are you hitting all over the face, or predominantly in one area? What's your standard ball flight? A trajectory mat will give you your launch angle (a launch monitor will, too). I'll assume that you're in for probably a totally new driver, if you're going to change.

The more lofted a club is the more backspin you put on the ball.
The more backspin you have the less sidespin you have, thus, the straighter the ball will go on a misshit.

Originally Posted by LowPost42

I couldn't disagree more - on both fronts.

If I give you a 6° driver, then I give you a 16° driver, I'll wager my car that you hit the 16° straighter, all other things being equal. Now, that said, I don't think going from a true spec 9 to a true spec 10 is going to drastically change shot shape.

The best driver for a 20 HCP is the one that fits him. If he's got an outside in driver swing, get a closed face, high loft driver. If his launch angle is too shallow, get more loft. If it's too high, drop down.

I'd say tskuller is closer, but still we're ignoring the main thing: Let's check the swing first. Let's make sure path is OK first.

irfani65, you need to tell us what makes you inconsistent. Are you hitting all over the face, or predominantly in one area? What's your standard ball flight? A trajectory mat will give you your launch angle (a launch monitor will, too). I'll assume that you're in for probably a totally new driver, if you're going to change.

What im trying too say is, that every club you hit will only go straight if your swing is good. For instance 3woods and 5woods will only go straight the same way a driver will only go straight. Doesnt matter what club you hit. If you want too become the best golfer you can, getting a driver too fix your bad swing eg closed face etc.. will not improve your game for long. It took me almost a year too get really comfortable with my driver, but im glad i stuck with it now.

Originally Posted by RacLt7

What im trying too say is, that every club you hit will only go straight if your swing is good. For instance 3woods and 5woods will only go straight the same way a driver will only go straight. Doesnt matter what club you hit. If you want too become the best golfer you can, getting a driver too fix your bad swing eg closed face etc.. will not improve your game for long. It took me almost a year too get really comfortable with my driver, but im glad i stuck with it now.

I agree Rac - rule #1 is check your swing. But the right gear is important - and changes need to fit your swing. And for Joe Average, more loft (like in the 'teens) is more appropriate.

Originally Posted by irfani65

I'm a 20 hcp. I'm facing problems using my XR05 Taylor made 9.5 degree driver. I'm lack of consistency for a straight driving. Some of my friends suggest me to take a 10.5 degree driver as to them its much eassier to handle for consistency. Is it true.... what are the advantages or disadvantages of those different degrees to golfer at my hcp level? pls help me....

As pointed out above, a higher loft club does go straighter and is therefore easier to hit. (See the discussion about hitting a 3-wood off the tee. ). The length is also important, but presumably you have a standard length shaft.

But you have a good driver and quite a new one at that. If there is any way you could trade it for a 10.5, I would recommend it. If you can't arrange that, try gripping down a bit - a shorter club is easier to hit.

But, as others have said, next step is to work on your swing.

just one small point, I think with new drivers there is a tendency to overswing to get the distance you think you should be getting.

I heard from a family friend that a 10.5 degree driver is easier to hit that 9.5. Anywhere between 10.5 to 11.5 is easy. And whats your shaft- Regular, stiff or soft? Regular is the best if your weak and its easy. But for you, if you dont wanna spend 300+ more bucks, i suggest you keep using the 9.5, and get some help either from a friend or a coach.(only if your swing sucks)

If there is any way you could trade it for a 10.5, I would recommend it.

driver loft is different depending on where you hit it on the face and angle of attack , the bottom half will have less loft than the top because of the shape of the face,,,its not flat but rounded,,,hitting balls offline is caused by swing path and face alignment when it hits the ball,u can hit just as bad shots with a 9.5 as you can with a 12,13, 14, degree lofted drivers, take some lessons and get a swing that hits from the inside so you can use any driver, you need a swing not a driver,is your ball flight a high slice,low slice, or high hook or low hook,,,,you didn't mention your ball flight as that tells all about your swing ,lets start with your swing,,,,,,,being a golf instructor I am betting you slice the ball ,