Re: Could someone help me out with my Ft-5?

If it was me, I'd be swapping out for the lower lofted model. Sounds like you're over-spinning this one.

Re: Could someone help me out with my Ft-5?

I have had a lot of different Callaway drivers, fairway woods and iron sets.
I presently have the 460 Big Bertha, amongt other makes of drivers.

It used to be that Callaway stock shafts were notorious for being weak. It was a common thing, that people loved the Callaway drivers, but they were disappointed with flight and distance. So rather than dumping the club, they ended up changing out to a Proforce or whatever shaft, and they reported the change was incredible. With the Fuji, though, that should not be a problem for you.

I believe the main factor is the new 460 drivers, and particularly the FT-5 and other composite drivers, have lower CG and increase the trajectory. In my case, my swing speed is about 87, and with a regular shaft my 10 deg launches the ball nicely high. Actually, for me, the flight is ideal, not ballooning at all, just a good solid carry. I was surprised, as my previous drivers all were 10.5 deg., and my swing speed is not getting any faster.

My opinion is that you could do with the 9 degree.

As an aside, I would guess your Firesole was a 10.5, but don't forget that's the old technology. Also, your swing speed is borderline, so you could have gone for firm or soft stiff, and because you went to regular, you could compensate by going to lower loft to balance the trajectory?

You may research this by talking to a knowledgable person at the store (I love the fact that so many of the big box golf stores actually have aspiring golf assistant pros working on staff these days), or otherwise.

Ideally, instaed of guessing at the right combination of shaft and loft for your swing, you should ideally check launch angle and spin.

Ted

Re: Could someone help me out with my Ft-5?

Ted, I hit the Big Bertha 460 with a 9 degree regular aldila shaft which had a lot of flex to it on a pretty decent angle. The ball just rose with a good flight. I know I don't have the spin #s handy but I can't imagine the 10 degree ft-5 with a better shaft changing that much.

What do you think?

I've been reading a lot that people often use a lower loft than neccessary. That is why I went with the 10.

Re: Could someone help me out with my Ft-5?

You'll increase ~300 rpm for every degree of loft increased. If you were already at the high end of the spin scale for your swing, moving to a more lofted driver may have pushed you over the edge into ballooning.

Re: Could someone help me out with my Ft-5?

I believe LowPost42 and I are on the same thoughts with your case.

I don't believe there is a huge difference in SG of the Big Bertha and the FT-5 head. But it would not surprise me that lofts being the same, the FT-5 make-up (composite crown) may launch higher than the Big Bertha 460 which you got the nice flight with, so the one degree lower loft may balance that out.

Regarding the caution about too little loft, it is true that many recreational golfers, who do not have the proper technique, don't play enough, don't have the swing speed (perhaps as one ages, strength issues, poor technique), are erractic (hitting slices and stray shots with a lot of side spin) should be using clubs with more loft. More loft makes it easier to get the ball in the air and the backspin imparted makes the ball go straighter). You do not seem to be in that category. The point is that 10 degrees with a regular shaft and your swing speed with the FT-5 would likely give you the effect of an older model 10.5 to 11 degrees clubs, in particular with creating more launch angle and spin.

I'm 69, and with a swing speed of 87, have no problems with nice consistent soaring flight with 10 deg and regular shaft. I believe my launch angle is 11 deg., no idea what my spin is, but it must be decent, so I lucked out with a good match. I worried about moving to the 10 from my previous 10.5's, but the flight is great. So by comparison, if you don't want to move up to a stiff shaft, it seems to me you could likely move down to a 9 degree loft, to remedy flight concern. You are right about being on the borderline. 95+ is stiff, otherwise stay with regular.

It would be great if you could get tested for the #'s.

It's funny. I'm a junky about knowing what equipment the pros play. It's surprising that some well known golfers even play regular shafts and others up to 10.5 loft drivers. Most play stiffs and XS and around 8.5 to 9. They often play "TP" lines, (neutral, lower trajectory), if available. They are also interested in accuracy and control, which stiffer shafts provide them, over distance which a more flexible shaft may give them.

Ted

Re: Could someone help me out with my Ft-5?

Ted, I'd be willing to bet that if your spin numbers are around the middle of the spectrum, you'd gain more distance with more loft for your stated swing speed.

Great points about the newer models with their lower, deeper CoG's increasing launch.

The other 'spin culprit' is where you hit on the face - low is spinny, high is not. High also increases LA.

Most guys on Tour have negative AoA's (if you can believe that!) so make up for their low LA's with a bit more spin and, of course, ball speed. But the big hitters have positive AoA's so they can play less loft (and less spin).

Re: Could someone help me out with my Ft-5?

Thank you all for your help. I appreciate the good advice and the prompt responses. I think if my spin rates are down I may be ok but that is an important "if". I will get out this weekend and get my spin rate measured and see where I am. That probably will tell a lot about the needed loft.

Ed

Re: Could someone help me out with my Ft-5?

Hi LowPost,

Actually, I have been playing around with a 460 13.5 degree driver that I built. It is very straight, as you would imagine. The flight does not look to be any higher, surprisingly, than the Big Bertha 10 degree and the total distance is not any longer. The strike sounds muffled and the ball does not have the same zip off the clubface. Perhaps too much spin. I figured, if I'm playing into my 90's, I'll need this loft, so gave it a shot.

About the negative AoA, I could believe it. There were comparisons of the swings of the elite golfers versus recreational golfers in extensive tests, and an article with pictures and measurements was in a Golf Digest once. The testees were wired up and photographed with high speed equipment.

One of the measurements was that the elite golfer's upper body moves ahead and finishes ahead plus whatever inches. That would mean the elite golfer is "on top of the ball", had shifted his weight fully. He is able to do this with strong and limber hamstring, back and core muscles, which allows him to maintain structure through the swing. Another measurement was the angle of the lag and how late it was kept. Between these two actions, a negative AoA should be the result.

The recreational golfer would fall back whatever inches, and would not have the same degree or retention of lag.

Ted

Re: Could someone help me out with my Ft-5?

Just wanted to update everyone with my club situation. I went back to the golf store today to get my swing tested and my 10 degree regular shaft was giving me about 3850 rpms. We tested out the same loft in a stiff shaft and my rpms went down to 3200 with a launch angle of 12.5 degrees. I took the 10 degree stiff shaft and am pretty happy with my choice. Thanks for all of your help!

Ed

Re: Could someone help me out with my Ft-5?

Hi Ed,

I'm happy you have found a satisfactory result. It was wearing on you, the high trajectory.

Out of curiousity, what was the launch angle with the regular shaft?

Ted

Re: Could someone help me out with my Ft-5?

I honestly don't remember. I didn't keep the print out. The swing speeds were the same though (97 mph).