Selecting a golf driver involves considering various factors such as your skill level, swing speed, personal
preferences, and budget. Here are some steps to help you choose the right golf driver for your game:
- DETERMINE YOUR SKILL LEVEL:
Beginners or High Handicappers |
Mid-Low Handicappers |
Look for a driver that offers forgiveness and helps with off-centre hits. |
Opt for a driver with more adjustability and workability i.e. the ability to shape shots.
|
- HEAD SIZE:
The clubhead size of a golf driver refers to the volume of the club head and is typically measured in cubic
centimetres (cc). It directly affects the club's forgiveness, sweet spot, and overall playability.
Beginners/High Handicappers |
Mid-Low Handicappers |
Larger clubheads 460cc or bigger. |
Normal to smaller clubheads 430cc to 460cc. |
Offers a larger sweet spot and higher forgiveness. |
Offers workability and precision. |
- ASSESS YOUR SWING SPEED:
Swing speed plays a crucial role in driver selection.
How To Calculate Golf Swing Speed:-
The simple calculation is to take your total carry distance and divide it by 2.3, you will have a general the
the idea of how fast you swing. For example,
- If your driver carried 240 yards. Take 240 and divide it by 2.3. Your approximate swing speed
with the driver is 104 miles per hour.
Approximate Carry Distances by Driver Swing Speed (mph)
|
60 |
70 |
80 |
90 |
100 |
110 |
120 |
130 |
140 |
Driver (Total) |
155 |
181 |
206 |
232 |
258 |
284 |
310 |
335 |
361 |
Driver (Carry) |
144 |
168 |
192 |
216 |
240 |
264 |
288 |
312 |
336 |
3 - Wood |
130 |
152 |
174 |
195 |
217 |
239 |
260 |
282 |
304 |
5 - Wood |
123 |
144 |
164 |
185 |
205 |
226 |
246 |
267 |
288 |
Hybrid |
121 |
141 |
161 |
181 |
201 |
221 |
241 |
261 |
281 |
3-Iron |
114 |
133 |
151 |
170 |
189 |
208 |
227 |
246 |
265 |
4-Iron |
109 |
127 |
145 |
163 |
181 |
199 |
218 |
236 |
254 |
5-Iron |
104 |
121 |
139 |
156 |
173 |
191 |
208 |
225 |
243 |
6-Iron |
98 |
114 |
131 |
147 |
163 |
180 |
196 |
212 |
229 |
7-Iron |
92 |
108 |
123 |
138 |
154 |
169 |
184 |
200 |
215 |
8-Iron |
86 |
100 |
114 |
129 |
143 |
157 |
171 |
186 |
200 |
9-Iron |
79 |
93 |
106 |
119 |
132 |
145 |
159 |
172 |
185 |
PW |
73 |
85 |
97 |
109 |
121 |
134 |
146 |
158 |
170 |
- LOFT:
The loft angle of a driver determines the launch angle and affects the trajectory of your shots.
Higher Loft Angles |
Lower Loft Angles |
Higher loft angles (10-14 degrees) generate more height and are suitable for slower swing
speeds or players who struggle with distance and get the ball airborne. |
Lower loft angles (8-10 degrees) produce a lower, more penetrating ball flight and are
better suited for players with faster swing speeds. |
- LAUNCH ANGLE:
The launch angle is the vertical angle at which the ball takes off. It is typically measured in degrees and
is influenced by the loft of the driver, the dynamic loft (effective loft at impact) The ideal launch angle
may vary depending on individual factors such as swing speed, spin rate, and desired ball flight. Too low of
a launch angle and your ball won’t maximize its carry distance. Too high and you lose distance.
- SPIN:
Spin rate refers to the amount of backspin applied to the golf ball when struck by a driver. It is an
an essential factor in optimizing distance, accuracy, and overall ball flight characteristics. Generally, most
golfers aim for a spin rate in the range of 2,000 to 3,000 revolutions per minute (rpm), but this can vary
depending on factors such as clubhead speed, launch angle, and the specific golf ball being used.
High Spin Rate: |
Low Spin Rate: |
Adjustability: |
Helps the ball stay in the air longer, promotes a higher trajectory, and provides increased
carry distance. Suitable for golfers with slower swing speeds or those who need help getting
the ball airborne. |
Offers a balance between control and distance, suitable for most golfers with moderate swing
speeds. |
Results in a flatter trajectory and more roll-out after the ball lands. Golfers with faster
swing speeds often benefit from lower spin rates to achieve a more penetrating ball flight
with increased distance. |
- ADJUSTABILITY:
Many modern drivers come with adjustable features, allowing you to customize loft, lie angle, and sometimes
even the center of gravity which can help fine-tune your shots based on specific course conditions or
personal preferences.
Most adjustments are made in the hosel, sole and now even a removable face.
-
Loft- Some clubs can be moved up to 5 degrees which
is a great feature especially if you improve your launch conditions over time.
-
Face Angle/Lie Angle – The face directs the shot and
is the most important factor in ball direction. With a variable face angle, you can close or
open the face depending on your ball-flight tendencies. More closed for slicers and more
open for hookers.
-
Weights – On the club sole weights can be repositioned
to change the Centre of Gravity and MOI for optimal launch conditions to suit a player’s
swing characteristics and desired ball flight.
-
Center of Gravity (CG) Manipulation: By adjusting the
weight distribution, you can influence the CG location within the driver. Changing the CG
can impact launch angle, spin rate, forgiveness, and shot shape.
-
Draw Bias: Placing more weight towards the heel side of the club head
can encourage a right-to-left shot shape (for a right-handed golfer) and reduce the likelihood of slicing.
Fade Bias: Moving weight towards the toe side of the clubhead can
promote a left-to-right shot shape (for a right-handed golfer) and help minimize hooking.
Neutral Setting: Distributing the weight evenly or using a neutral
setting can provide a balance between shot shape correction and forgiveness.
- DRIVER SHAFT BUYING GUIDE:
When buying a golf driver shaft, there are several factors to consider that can impact your swing and overall
performance. Here is a comprehensive buying guide to help you choose the right golf driver shaft:
-
Shaft Flex: The flex of the shaft determines how much it
bends during the swing. The appropriate flex depends on your swing speed and tempo. The most
common flex options are:
-
Extra Stiff (X): Designed for players with very fast swing
speeds (usually above 105 mph) and aggressive tempo.
-
Stiff (S): Suitable for players with fast swing speeds (around
90-105 mph) and average tempo.
-
Regular (R): Commonly used by players with moderate swing
speeds (around 80-90 mph) and a smoother tempo.
-
Senior (A): Ideal for players with slower swing speeds
(around 70-80 mph) and smoother tempos.
-
Ladies (L): Intended for players with very slow swing speeds
(below 70 mph) and smooth tempo.
Club Used From 150 YDS |
Driver Distance |
Swing Speed |
Flex |
3 Iron or Wood |
Less than 150 yds |
Less than 60 mph |
Ladies |
4 Iron |
180-210 yds |
60-75 mph |
Senior |
5 or 6 Iron |
210-240 yds |
75-84 mph |
Regular |
6 or 7 Iron |
240-260 yds |
84-93 mph |
Stiff |
8 or 9 Iron |
More than 260 yds |
More than 93 mph |
X - Stiff |
-
Shaft Weight: The weight of the shaft can affect your
swing feel, tempo, and the overall performance of your driver. Consider the following general
guidelines:
Ladies Shaft: A lighter shaft (40-60 grams) can help increase swing
speed, generate more distance, and provide a smoother feel. It is often preferred by golfers with slower
swing speeds.
Heavier Shaft: A heavier shaft (60-80 grams) can provide more
stability, control, and a different feel during the swing. It is commonly chosen by golfers with faster
swing speeds and those who prefer a more aggressive tempo.
-
Torque: The torque of a shaft refers to its resistance to
twisting during the swing. Shaft torque is measured in degrees, with lower torque values
indicating less twisting.
Lower Torque |
Higher Torque |
Shafts provide more stability and reduce dispersion. |
Shafts provide more feel and a slightly higher ball flight. |
Ideal for golfers seeking accuracy. |
Ideal for golfers with slower swing speeds to generate more distance. |
Kick Point: The kick point, also known as the bend point, is the spot
on the shaft where it flexes the most during the swing. The kick point affects the launch angle and ball
flight. The three common kick point options are:
High Kick Point |
Mid Kick Point |
Low Kick Point |
Promotes a lower ball flight and is typically suitable for golfers with a faster, aggressive
swing. |
Offers a balance between control and distance, suitable for most golfers with moderate swing
speeds. |
Helps launch the ball higher and can benefit golfers with slower swing speeds or those
seeking a higher trajectory. |