20 Degree Driver??

[Bang-Golf]

Bang-Golf wants to know YOUR thoughts on a 20 degree driver??

yes? no? Maybe? Why or why not....

[Martini78]

Maybe for a 90 year old person... 20 degrees is more loft than a 5-wood. You'd have to make a 25 degree 3-wood and a 30 degree 5-wood to match it.

[Leaguegolf]

Originally Posted by Bang-Golf

Bang-Golf wants to know YOUR thoughts on a 20 degree driver??

yes? no? Maybe? Why or why not....

I've been using a 10 degree driver for at least 10 years. I've hit as much as 12 degrees but that proved to be too much loft for the trajectory I prefer. I have seen many, many players that could definitely use more loft on their drivers but 20 degrees seems a bit steep.

[GolfSavage]

I'm not sure I know enough about the correlation between loft and head size, and then figuring in shafts and kick-points, etc. But I would assume a greater loft angle would impose less side-spin, allowing straighter shots.

I have an SMT Solitaire 3.5 fairway wood with a DG S300 shaft. It has a 17* loft, and I often use it from the tee. It has a much lower flight than I expected from 17*, lower than my 10.5* driver, yet I regularly get a straight 250+ yards off the tee with it, only 15-20 yards less than the driver (and that's if I hit the driver straight!). So I think there's more to the equation than just the loft of the club, which makes me think there may be a reason someone would like a 20* driver loft if the rest of the club were built correctly for their needs.

[Bulls9999]

I thought the Nike Sumo Sweet 16 was supposed to be a hot seller? I picked up the Sumo Lucky 13 (13-degree) and I have no problem with it....unless I don't turn my hands over, lol.

Originally Posted by GolfSavage

I'm not sure I know enough about the correlation between loft and head size, and then figuring in shafts and kick-points, etc. But I would assume a greater loft angle would impose less side-spin, allowing straighter shots.

I have an SMT Solitaire 3.5 fairway wood with a DG S300 shaft. It has a 17* loft, and I often use it from the tee. It has a much lower flight than I expected from 17*, lower than my 10.5* driver, yet I regularly get a straight 250+ yards off the tee with it, only 15-20 yards less than the driver (and that's if I hit the driver straight!). So I think there's more to the equation than just the loft of the club, which makes me think there may be a reason someone would like a 20* driver loft if the rest of the club were built correctly for their needs.

[GolfSavage]

Anyone know what the highest lofted driver currently on the market is? Perhaps you do, Scott. As Bulls mentioned, Nike had the 16* Sumo, and I seem to recall seeing an 18* somewhere (ladies' driver, I believe).

[Texas Wedge]

Personally, I swing either a 9.5 or 10.5, so a 20 seems incredibly high-lofted, but I'm sure there are SOME people that would benefit from it. I think the main problem is going to be selling people on the idea of a 20* driver...especially men. Even men who don't need it want a stiff shafted driver and lower loft so they can say that's what they swing...not because it best fits their game.

[Nikeguy07]

Yea...16 was a decent seller for some women and old seniors with low SS's but 20 is just nuts...Don't waste the money!

[Bigvivec]

I can't really see why it would be a good idea...too much of a good idea (most people need more loft idea)...

[Bang-Golf]

Bang Golf wants everyone's valuable opinion regardless of age, gender, and skill level...we do not discriminate

[Martini78]

It might actually work for kids. Like I said before, if you made it for women or seniors, you'd have to make 25 degree 3-woods and such.

[Bang-Golf]

Originally Posted by Martini78

It might actually work for kids. Like I said before, if you made it for women or seniors, you'd have to make 25 degree 3-woods and such.

I totally agree with the Junior thought...(A junior line is another great idea)

My thought is that most people like their 3 and 5 woods...because the club is shorter and has more loft, golfers can control the club and add accuracy. Confidence = distance. With more mass, the 20 degree driver could fill that confidence mystery people are lacking!

If you had a 20 degree driver you could also chock down and hit the club off the deck like a 3 wood...so there would be no need for a 3 wood and you could add an extra hybrid or wedge depending on your preference.

[GolfSavage]

Originally Posted by Bang-Golf

I totally agree with the Junior thought...(A junior line is another great idea)

My thought is that most people like their 3 and 5 woods...because the club is shorter and has more loft, golfers can control the club and add accuracy. Confidence = distance. With more mass, the 20 degree driver could fill that confidence mystery people are lacking!

If you had a 20 degree driver you could also chock down and hit the club off the deck like a 3 wood...so there would be no need for a 3 wood and you could add an extra hybrid or wedge depending on your preference.

To hit the 20* driver off the deck effectively, the sweet spot would have to be lower on the face than most of today's drivers, probably even lower than the Cleveland Hi-Bore. But a combo driver/fairway wood is not a bad idea. The first youth set we bought my son had a "combo" wood made for driving and fairways, and I believe it was around 16* of 17*.

[Martini78]

Originally Posted by Bang-Golf

I totally agree with the Junior thought...(A junior line is another great idea)

Kids clubs might be a market worth delving into.

[arbitrage]

I can sort of see a 20 deg as a "safety" driver. When your normal 9.5/10.5 45" driver isn't working for you that day you will pull out the 20deg 43" "Safety" driver. You would have to make the head heavy like a 3/5 wood and use a heavier shaft. I can see someone using this that is intimidated by using a 3 wood off the tee when their driver isn't working. It definitely wouldn't be for the purists. It could be marketed as the SGI (Super Game Improvement) driver to go along with your SGI irons.


Just my

[Bang-Golf]

Originally Posted by arbitrage

I can sort of see a 20 deg as a "safety" driver. When your normal 9.5/10.5 45" driver isn't working for you that day you will pull out the 20deg 43" "Safety" driver. You would have to make the head heavy like a 3/5 wood and use a heavier shaft. I can see someone using this that is intimidated by using a 3 wood off the tee when their driver isn't working. It definitely wouldn't be for the purists. It could be marketed as the SGI (Super Game Improvement) driver to go along with your SGI irons.


Just my

I like the term SAFETY DRIVER>>>>interesting marketing idea as well...

[tachus]

maybe...maybe... MAAAYYYBEEE for juniors, but I don't see anyone else using one...

[GolfSavage]

Originally Posted by tachus

maybe...maybe... MAAAYYYBEEE for juniors, but I don't see anyone else using one...

Think about it, though - how many people 15 years ago thought that 10.5* would be one of the most popular lofts for a driver?

[Batteaux]

Been using a Ping G2 15.5 degree driver for a couple of years-love it.

[Bang-Golf]

We appreciate everyone's valuable opinion and time!!!...We will keep you posted about the possibility of a square headed 20 degree driver...

A thought to ponder: Why do most people hit their 3 and 5 woods straighter and further than their driver??

[Macaz]

I currently use an Adams Dual RPM 15.5 degree. I play off 12 and I've just ordered the 20* bang mellow yellow square. I think it's a superb idea for us mid handicaps

[Bang-Golf]

Originally Posted by Macaz

I currently use an Adams Dual RPM 15.5 degree. I play off 12 and I've just ordered the 20* ban