General Manager's April Journal

Why is it important to have my Driver fitted to me?  This is a question that a lot of us amateur golfers probably don't ask enough, but we should.  There are several reasons why we should make sure that our clubs and yes even Driver should be fitted to us.

Technology in the field of golf club design has made huge advances over the last decade.  Drivers are a focus of many major manufacturers due to the club's "wow" factor and a constant desire by golfers to add distance and accuracy to their game.  Finding the best driver for your golf game is important to saving strokes off the tee and gaining an advantage over an opponent or course.  There are several things to consider when searching for a Driver suited to any swing or body-type.  Don't be fooled by the flair.  Lots of clubs have added details that offer cosmetic appeal, but don't necessarily cater to any swing.

As a general rule, the head of the club should be lofted in accordance with handicap.  High handicappers tend to have slower swing speeds and should purchase a driver with a high degree of loft.  Anything above 11 or 12 degrees should add a lot of lift to balls off the tee.  Low handicappers usually benefit from a more boring trajectory with added roll and penetrating flight.  Titanium, which is extremely light and strong, is used in the construction of most driver club heads today and encourages less spin off-center hits.  Low handicappers might also benefit from a larger club head to encourage confidence off the tee and a lot of forgiveness.

The shaft of a driver is also important for golfers of all levels and should be matched up to swing speed.  Shafts usually range from extra stiff to senior or ladies' in flex.  Extra stiff shafts are for faster swinging golfers who rely on precise timing at the point of impact that can be consistently recreated.  High handicappers or golfers with slow swing speeds should get shafts with more flex but less torque to help keel the club face square.  Drivers are produced in a fashion that allows the benefits of each design to golfers with different swings by offering the same model with options in shaft and loft.

The face of the club as it relates to a golfers swing should be promoting spin in the opposite direction.  Golfers who tend to push or slice the ball might want to get a driver with an offset face that encourages a draw.  Offset faces look closed when held square with the stance.  The hooding or closing of a club should help the golfer with a slice to consistently straighten the ball out to extents based on the degree of offset.  A lot of manufacturers are producing adjustable heads and shafts that can be changed during play to accommodate different swings or shots.

Another key aspect of choosing a driver for your game is getting fitted so the driver is tailored to your body mechanics.  Purchasing a driver packed with the newest technologies at the highest price point doesn't accomplish anything if the club isn't fitted properly or appropriate for a players swing.  This can be done at any of our Demo days and takes little time.  You can also set up a time with any one of our three teaching professionals.  Though power is an important part of scoring on the course, it should never be sacrificed for accuracy.  Staying out of the rough will save more strokes than adding 15yds plus, only to take a swim or go into the woods.

If someone does the fitting with you, they should figure out what loft and shaft flex works best for you.  They will also figure out what kick point shaft is best for you.  Together this will let you know what your driver should be.  Not what brand or make of driver, but what loft and shaft combination will work best to get you the distance you want with the accuracy you need.  With the information you get, They should be able to order you any driver you need with any head and shaft that fits your needs.

Fact is, most all modern OEM drivers will give you about the same performance, if they have the same shaft.  So if you hit a Cleveland driver well with a certain shaft, you should be able to buy a Titleist driver with the same shaft and get pretty much the same results.

I'd recommend you have an open mind and see what different drivers do for you and if you get one with the right shaft, you should be set to play some really good golf.

I mentioned driver, but you can apply this methodology to any club type you are purchasing.

Don't just buy "off the rack" or by brand.  The club heads are not that different.  The key is that it should fit your eye, so you feel good about it.  The right shaft can straighten your drives and certainly maximize your swing.

If your clubs aren't fitted to your personal specifications, you could well be sacrificing critical elements of your swing to make up for it.

So if you are looking for a new set of clubs, before you make any quick decisions, it's definitely best to get yourself fitted to begin with, saving all the hassles later on.  Or if there are so many problems with your shots that you really don't know where to start, then I'd definitely recommend looking at getting some properly fitted clubs first, then take a few lessons from Dave, Jimmy or Don.

Thank you,

Chuck Brazzeal

General Manager

Southern Pines Golf Club