How To Determine Golf Club Driver Loft

By: Michael Bell

Break Studios Contributing Writer

It's important to know how to determine golf club driver loft in order to maximize distance. Every golfer is different. Some hit the ball high. Some low. They have different swing speeds, angles of attack, swing lengths, among other qualities. Because of all these different nuances, each golfer should make sure he or she has the correct golf club driver loft. Here's how to determine golf club driver loft: 

  1. Get a fitting. Go to a local golf club or golf department store that has a ball launch monitor. This computer program will help meet the perfect fitting to determine golf club driver loft. The launch monitor will measure swing speed, ball speed and spin, among other things, to help determine golf club driver loft. You can watch your ball flight and path on the virtual screen. This will help in selecting what driver loft you need. 
  2. Sample clubs. If you have trouble hitting the ball in the air, or if you just hit it too low, then you need a higher lofted club. Club lofts typically range from eight degrees to twelve degrees. Every golfer is unique in their own abilities, so experiment.
  3. Assess your skill level. If you are a novice who rarely gets out to the course, then you probably don't need a low-lofted club. Tiger Woods, for example, has been known to hit a driver with less than 7 degrees of loft. Why? Because he's Tiger Woods and is one of the only players in the world who can hit this club. Odds are, he's tried about every club and degree imaginable and this helps maximize distance and roll. There's nothing wrong with hitting a driver with high loft, and there's nothing wrong with hitting a driver with low loft. You just have to figure out what works best for you. 

The most important thing in determining golf club driver loft is to sample clubs. Usually, golf department stores, and sometimes local golf clubs, will have a launch monitor that will show you almost exactly what you need. Golf stores also typically have a variety of different clubs to choose from. So, in essence, you're learning more than just how to determine driver loft, you're also seeing what club works best for you.

Posted on: Jun. 15, 2010