Think More Loft for Better Distance
April 17, 2008 – 8:03 pm | by GolfdirtBy Deron Frederickson
Recently I wrote an article touching upon the myth that “more length equals more distance” for golf drivers. Most golfers are also under the impression that to gain those few extra precious yards off the tee, they need a driver that has less loft.
This is almost always the wrong answer for the everyday golfer — and there are several reasons why.
First, most golfers don’t swing fast enough to use lower lofted drivers. To illustrate, a golfer who swings the driver 100mph generally gets maximum carry distance with a 10 degree driver. Yet, I see countless golfers who swing much slower using drivers with 7 to 8 degrees of loft.
Secondly, loft alone is not the answer to attaining maximum carry distance with the driver. In fact, loft is one of about five factors that have to be taken into account when determining the correct driver for your game. Other factors include length, ball speed, clubhead speed, angle-of-attack, and launch angle.
All these factors are products of each golfer’s unique swing. A golfer’s strength and swing ability determine their clubhead speed. Clubhead speed determines ball speed. There is an ideal launch angle range for a given ball speed that will result in maximum carry distance. Finally, angle-of-attack also influences a golfer’s launch angle when s/he hits the ball.
Finding the right combination of these factors is a little more detailed then choosing more or less loft for a driver. Knowing how these factors work together to produce carry distance for a particular golfer goes beyond common knowledge. This is why it is critical to be properly fitted by a competent, experienced clubmaker.
Lastly, a golfer must know their angle-of-attack measurement in order to find the right loft for their swing. Angle-of-attack (AOA) is generally categorized as being 1) Upward, 2) Level, or 3) Downward.
If a golfer hits the golf ball at a point in their swing when the clubhead is still travelling down towards the ground, s/he has a downward AOA. If s/he hits the ball at the point where the clubhead levels out at the very bottom of the swing arc, s/he has a level AOA. If s/he hits the ball after the clubhead levels out and begins travelling upwards, s/he has an upward AOA.
A golfer’s AOA will determine which loft will launch the ball within his or her optimal launch angle range for maximum carry distance. To ignore angle-of-attack when determining a golfer’s optimal loft is very inaccurate — and there’s a good chance the golfer is leaving some distance on the table.
How is angle-of-attack determined? Again, this is where the value of a competent clubmaker comes to fruition. The only way to accurately measure a golfer’s AOA is to use a test driver on a launch monitor. Serious clubmakers have made the investment in this rather expensive piece of technology. However, to accurately measure and record the critical swing data needed to properly fit drivers, it is an essential tool.
As you can see, randomly choosing more or less loft is not the answer for gaining distance off the tee.
Deron Frederickson is owner of Frederickson Custom Clubs and a Professional Clubmakers Society (PCS) Certified “Class A” clubmaker with 10 years experience. He is also a USGTF Associate Teaching Professional with 3 years teaching experience.
