New Driver Distance

[Shorty]

Hi all, Here is the story I have recently been fitted with a new Cobra 10.5* offset M speed driver, on the launch moniterI was getting about 350 yards with this club went out on the range with it and was getting the same 235 to 245 yards, picked up the club about a week later same club that I had tested exactly I had him put that exact club back for me. Now I have had it for 2 weeks and have played 3 rounds with it but am only getting about 220 out of it on the course. Took it two the range to check it and was still only getting 220 yards. Now what could have happened from the time I tested it till I got it to the range. On the range the day I tested it the ball had a launch angle of about 12.5 now it looks like about a 16* angle of launch. I was expecting to gain a few yards instead I have lost 20. Any ideas ?

[Nikeguy07]

Holy heck...You went from 350 - 220 JK.....What happened is you took the price tag off, and its urs now!!! haha....

[JPsuff]

Originally Posted by Shorty

Hi all, Here is the story I have recently been fitted with a new Cobra 10.5* offset M speed driver, on the launch moniterI was getting about 350 yards with this club went out on the range with it and was getting the same 235 to 245 yards, picked up the club about a week later same club that I had tested exactly I had him put that exact club back for me. Now I have had it for 2 weeks and have played 3 rounds with it but am only getting about 220 out of it on the course. Took it two the range to check it and was still only getting 220 yards. Now what could have happened from the time I tested it till I got it to the range. On the range the day I tested it the ball had a launch angle of about 12.5 now it looks like about a 16* angle of launch. I was expecting to gain a few yards instead I have lost 20. Any ideas ?

And the moral of the story is this:

Never trust the results of a launch monitor that is located in any establishment that also wants to sell you what they have you swinging.


-JP

[Nikeguy07]

Originally Posted by JPsuff

And the moral of the story is this:

Never trust the results of a launch monitor that is located in any establishment that also wants to sell you what they have you swinging.


-JP

I don't think he's saying the launch monitor was lying....He was at the SAME range and could see the ball go 250......Not just the launch monitor telling him that....And generally launch monitors are reality checks for people...When I was a fitter for nike, people would tell me they hit it 280-300 yards and Id put them on the monitor and it would be like 230 - 240..

[deronsizemore]

Originally Posted by Nikeguy07

And generally launch monitors are reality checks for people...When I was a fitter for nike, people would tell me they hit it 280-300 yards and Id put them on the monitor and it would be like 230 - 240..

I can imagine. I've played with many guys that hit it 270-290 and then they get on the course and can't hit their driver past my 3 iron.

We'll see if I get a reality check this Thursday.

[mr3856a]

Originally Posted by Nikeguy07

I don't think he's saying the launch monitor was lying....He was at the SAME range and could see the ball go 250......

Naw, read it again. I don't think he's saying the launch monitor was lying, I don't think he realizes that it was. He said he hit balls on the launch monitor and then went out to the range, only to lose those 100 yards he saw on the monitor.

As JP said, moral of the story: don't trust launch monitors.

Originally Posted by Nikeguy07

When I was a fitter for nike, people would tell me they hit it 280-300 yards and Id put them on the monitor and it would be like 230 - 240..

Oh man, I get that all the time playing - "I usually hit it about 280." My other favorite: "I never slice it this bad."

[OnePutt]

There is no need to not trust the launch monitor. Just bring in your current driver with you when you try a new one from the store. If you get 250 yards carry with YOUR driver and you hit it the same distance on the course, you know the monitor is correct. If not, then your driver will give you a real good idea of what you can expect from the new driver the store is selling. That's how you defeat any store that turns up the numbers with the monitor. Hit YOUR driver side by side with the new ones.

I'm also thinking it was a typing error when he typed 350 yards. Could it be he meant to type 250 yards? not 350?

[larryrsf]

Distance is about clubhead speed, period!!

To generate more than normal driver clubhead speed (95 MPH if you're 60), you must make a different golf swing. For most amateurs that means learning to swing like the big boys, to make the transition weight shift, to turn, plant the front foot, then swing.

That ain't easy if you have a lifetime of turn, swing! But the lessons and range time to do the drills, etc. to teach yourself to swing correctly would be cheaper than a new driver, ha.


Larry

[Nikeguy07]

Originally Posted by larryrsf

Distance is about clubhead speed, period!!

To generate more than normal driver clubhead speed (95 MPH if you're 60), you must make a different golf swing. For most amateurs that means learning to swing like the big boys, to make the transition weight shift, to turn, plant the front foot, then swing.

That ain't easy if you have a lifetime of turn, swing! But the lessons and range time to do the drills, etc. to teach yourself to swing correctly would be cheaper than a new driver, ha.


Larry

One of the dumber statements I've heard here in awhile....

Distance = Club head speed

Distance = Ball speed + Launch angle + Back spin + Smash factor

[Leaguegolf]

Originally Posted by larryrsf

Distance is about clubhead speed, period!!

To generate more than normal driver clubhead speed (95 MPH if you're 60), you must make a different golf swing. For most amateurs that means learning to swing like the big boys, to make the transition weight shift, to turn, plant the front foot, then swing.

That ain't easy if you have a lifetime of turn, swing! But the lessons and range time to do the drills, etc. to teach yourself to swing correctly would be cheaper than a new driver, ha.


Larry

I'll take my chances with the new driver. It's a lot less work and a lot more fun.

[Nikeguy07]

Originally Posted by OnePutt

There is no need to not trust the launch monitor. Just bring in your current driver with you when you try a new one from the store. If you get 250 yards carry with YOUR driver and you hit it the same distance on the course, you know the monitor is correct. If not, then your driver will give you a real good idea of what you can expect from the new driver the store is selling. That's how you defeat any store that turns up the numbers with the monitor. Hit YOUR driver side by side with the new ones.

I'm also thinking it was a typing error when he typed 350 yards. Could it be he meant to type 250 yards? not 350?

Yes..I was joking...we all knew it was 250

[Bigvivec]

I'll be the guy who takes a shot at answering the OP's question...

First, obviously there is no way in the world a piece of equipment on it's own is going to add 100yds to your drives...

Why are you shorter now? I would bet that you are standing over the ball thinking about why you are shorter now and trying to smash it out there past what you were getting with your old driver to justify getting used to the new one (and to justify the expenditure)...nothing like the pressure of trying to hit the ball farther than usual to tighten up your swing...

Check the basics, watch your mechanics, don't try so hard, and I would think that you will get your distance back....

Is the new club straigher at least? That is #1 for me...

[Nikeguy07]

Originally Posted by Bigvivec

I'll be the guy who takes a shot at answering the OP's question...

First, obviously there is no way in the world a piece of equipment on it's own is going to add 100yds to your drives...

Why are you shorter now? I would bet that you are standing over the ball thinking about why you are shorter now and trying to smash it out there past what you were getting with your old driver to justify getting used to the new one (and to justify the expenditure)...nothing like the pressure of trying to hit the ball farther than usual to tighten up your swing...

Check the basics, watch your mechanics, don't try so hard, and I would think that you will get your distance back....

Is the new club straigher at least? That is #1 for me...

The 350 was a typo

[Bigvivec]

Originally Posted by Nikeguy07

The 350 was a typo

Make it 250 and the advice still stands grammar cop!!!

[larryrsf]

Originally Posted by Nikeguy07

One of the dumber statements I've heard here in awhile....

Distance = Club head speed

Distance = Ball speed + Launch angle + Back spin + Smash factor

Of course. But of the things any of us can just step up and change, effective distance remains primarily about clubhead speed. It is not complex; generate more clubhead speed and you'll hit it farther.

My point was that most of those desperate to hit it farther need to work on their golf swing. MOST (statistically) do not start their downswing with lower body and thus are swinging OTT and trying to manipulate the clubhead with timed hand action before impact. When they hit it farther, quite often it goes farther OB or into the woods.

For most amateurs, instead of spending $500 for a new driver, they should spend $50 for a lesson and learn a correct golf swing.

Larry

[Nikeguy07]

Originally Posted by larryrsf

Of course. But of the things any of us can just step up and change, effective distance remains primarily about clubhead speed. It is not complex; generate more clubhead speed and you'll hit it farther.

My point was that most of those desperate to hit it farther need to work on their golf swing. MOST (statistically) do not start their downswing with lower body and thus are swinging OTT and trying to manipulate the clubhead with timed hand action before impact. When they hit it farther, quite often it goes farther OB or into the woods.

For most amateurs, instead of spending $500 for a new driver, they should spend $50 for a lesson and learn a correct golf swing.

Larry

Or by YOUR gismo and see if they are late

[mr3856a]

Originally Posted by larryrsf

MOST (statistically) do not start their downswing with lower body and thus are swinging OTT and trying to manipulate the clubhead with timed hand action before impact. When they hit it farther, quite often it goes farther OB or into the woods.

For most amateurs, instead of spending $500 for a new driver, they should spend $50 for a lesson and learn a correct golf swing.

Larry

I totally agree with you about the lesson thing, but what you start your swing with depends on if you're a 1-plane or 2-plane swinger. I've tried to start the swing with my lower body, boy was that a mistake.

[Shorty]

yes the 350 yards on the moniter was a typo. should have read 250 yards. then had the same thing on the range now i month later I have lost 30 yards.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by OnePutt

There is no need to not trust the launch monitor. Just bring in your current driver with you when you try a new one from the store. If you get 250 yards carry with YOUR driver and you hit it the same distance on the course, you know the monitor is correct. If not, then your driver will give you a real good idea of what you can expect from the new driver the store is selling. That's how you defeat any store that turns up the numbers with the monitor. Hit YOUR driver side by side with the new ones.

I'm also thinking it was a typing error when he typed 350 yards. Could it be he meant to type 250 yards? not 350?

Oneputt,
that is what I did I took my driver and hit it first on the monitor and was hitting it what I do on the course 220 to 230 then hit the new cobra and gained the 30 yards did the same on the range with same results. So the monitor in my opinion was pretty close.

[larryrsf]

Originally Posted by mr3856a

I totally agree with you about the lesson thing, but what you start your swing with depends on if you're a 1-plane or 2-plane swinger. I've tried to start the swing with my lower body, boy was that a mistake.

There is no other way to keep the clubhead inside the target line as it approaches the ball--than to start with "lower body" and clear the hips. Otherwise your arms impact your hip and force the clubhead outside the line. It swipes across the back of the ball from out-to-in imparting slice spin.

Failing to start with lower body starts most amateurs on a lifetime of compensations. They learn to flip the clubhead closed enough to counteract the ubiquitious slice spin. An error to compensate for an error. Most books say the minimum handicap for those who cannot make the transition weight shift is 12, scores around 90, with many much higher.

Swing plane is ENTIRELY dependent on the downswing body sequence. Start with hips correctly and the swing plane will be correct.

Watch Hogan explain:
YouTube - Ben Hogan Golf Swing

This is the source of my saying, "If you don't start with hips--you WILL start with shoulders-- and that is OTT (slice city!)

Larry

[alangbaker]

Originally Posted by larryrsf

There is no other way to keep the clubhead inside the target line as it approaches the ball--than to start with "lower body" and clear the hips. Otherwise your arms impact your hip and force the clubhead outside the line. It swipes across the back of the ball from out-to-in imparting slice spin.

Failing to start with lower body starts most amateurs on a lifetime of compensations. They learn to flip the clubhead closed enough to counteract the ubiquitious slice spin. An error to compensate for an error. Most books say the minimum handicap for those who cannot make the transition weight shift is 12, scores around 90, with many much higher.

Swing plane is ENTIRELY dependent on the downswing body sequence. Start with hips correctly and the swing plane will be correct