Re: 8.5 degree driver with regular flex shaft?

This is the second time in a month that I've seen this request.

As long as your launch numbers are OK, then play what fits. If it's an R flex with an 8.5, then give 'er.

Re: 8.5 degree driver with regular flex shaft?

I agree with that totally. Most amateurs don't have the skill to hit their drives consistently within the ideal launch parameters. I guess manufacturers and counsumers think that 8.5 degs is for the more accomplished players with ideal swing paths, power and angle of attack. I naturally hit higher so an 8.5 works for me. But I am dissappointed that they market these lofts with stiff flexes where infact, people like me can benefit from this loft. I can honestly say that it doesn't affect side spin for me as much as a 9.5 or 10.5 degree. I think they should sell with softer shafts who have slower tempos, but want the lower flight or have fairly accurate swings. The other reason for choosing this loft is because I have measured my 9.5 and it actually measured 11.5 just above the centre of the face where I hit my shots.

Re: 8.5 degree driver with regular flex shaft?



You've determined the crux of your matter. Your driver is stamped 9.5, but in reality is more likely a 10.5 in the middle of the face or even 11. This means that you'd find 9.5 about a quarter inch from the bottom.

So what you want is a driver - even if you can find the same model - that specs out to 10 or even 9.5 where you hit it. Again - this is only if your launch numbers warrant it.

Generally speaking when ball speeds head south of 135 MPH, you almost can't launch it too high for maximum carry, and spin numbers become almost irrelevant.

Re: 8.5 degree driver with regular flex shaft?

LowPost - if I had the same head but with a NV65R, and I found this to be a ever so slightly softer feeling on impact (as if that I don't get enough power behind it as in NV65S), and the launch is a little higher, would an NV75R sit in between these shafts? For example, would the flex give me the softer feel, yet the weight will also lower the flight? How much of a swing speed reduction should I see with a 10g increment in shaft weight?

Re: 8.5 degree driver with regular flex shaft?

The 75 may launch a little lower if you swing it the same. The extra weight may do things to your swing - you may get steeper and come more from the inside, you may feel like you really have to work to swing it, your you may like the extra weight and it may help your flight altogether.

The OEM hype says longer and lighter is faster, and we all know that faster is farther!

The caveat is that faster is farther only if contact is the same or better. One of the drivers I've had that I absolutely smashed was a 43.5" junker from Walmart that I originally bought for the Winn grip.

Chances are you don't like the softer profile of the 65R, you don't like the bending feel at impact. Moving to a VS Proto 65 R may serve you well.

Re: 8.5 degree driver with regular flex shaft?

koonl. looking at your question at another angle.

i'd be interested to know why you hit a 8.5d driver so high... many years ago i went down to a 8.5 degree driver as i use to hit the ball high which was due to playing the ball off my back foot and getting too much height off a 10.5d driver.

i found i was restricted with the club and replaced it with a 10.5d driver that i had a hit with on several occasions before purchase and then got a lesson to help with my shot. The lesson did wonders for my game picking up an extra 20m within 3 weeks to 40m more 6 months down the track with the same 10.5 degree driver. i now use a 9 degree driver with a NV60S and can hit this upto 270m on an exceptional swing (currently back down to 220m due to my form)

Have you considered getting a couple of lessons to check your game to make sure you don't have any bad habits or to improve on what are are already doing... You only need 1 lesson to sort this out and it will be dramatically cheaper than replacing a shaft when teh shaft might not be the issue..

Just a suggestion