Driver Fitting: 5 Factors To Know Before The Fitting

What you should know before you go and get a driver fitting has become more and more confusing to the average golfer when looking to buy the correct clubs. 

In this article we will talk about a few numbers that you need to be concerned with as an amateur to find the correct clubs for your swing and for your game.

Launch monitors have really changed the game when it comes to finding a golfers custom combination of head, shaft and grip to fit their swing. 

TrackMan and Flightscope (among other companies) have really given us a new insight over the last five to ten years when it comes to fitting. 

As an amateur, the two things that you need to be most concerned about are launch angle and spin rate.

So why should you care about dynamic loft and spin rate before your custom club fitting? 

These two factors are the main influences on the height and distance of any shot which will influence finding the best custom clubs for you.

Let’s talk about both of them…

Why Is The Launch Angle Important Driver Club Fitting

Trackman defines launch angle as the angle that the ball takes off relative to the horizon.

When discussing the term launch angle, there are few terms that we need to understand including static loft and dynamic loft.

What Is Static Loft On Clubs

Static loft is a loft that does not change.

The static loft would be determined by the loft of the club that you have in your hand.

For example, if you have a pitching wedge in your hand that is 46 degrees then the static loft would be 46 degrees.

This does not mean that loft will be delivered at impact. Keep reading… 

Why Is Dynamic Loft Important To Fit Your Swing

TrackMan defines dynamic loft as… the vertical angle of the clubface at the center point of contact between the club and the ball at the time of maximum compression. 

They also add that dynamic loft is the amount of loft on the clubface at impact and is measured relative to the horizon.

Multiple factors go into determining correct club’s dynamic loft for each golfer including… 

• The angle of attack
• How the shaft bends
• How the player releases the club head
• List Is the club face opened or closed to the path
• Where does the ball make contact on the club face

Your launch angle will always be a little bit less than your dynamic loft.

Why Is Spin Rate Important To A Driver Fitting?

TrackMan defines spin rate as the amount of spin on the ball immediately after impact. Typically, the more loft you have to higher the spin rate will be.

However, all things being equal the more clubhead speed that is generated the less spin that is needed.

Thus, a player with a lower swing speed needs more spin to hit the ball as efficiently as they can.

What Is Angle Of Attack And Why It’s Important During Your Fitting?

This will be the bonus term that you should know about. TrackMan defines angle of attack as… the up or down movement of the clubhead at the time of maximum compression.

In a swing, a golfer’s attack angle is measured relative to the horizon.

As you can see from the chart below, it can also make a big difference in selecting the best driver for golfers.

So when you are watching golf on Sunday, it is really impressive to see Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth or Rickie Fowler come up with a spin rate number in the 1600-1800 range. 

But, is that right for your swing?  

The answer is probably not… Unless… you can generate the type of clubhead speed with your swing… And… Not many players can do that… Even on tour. 

There are a lot of factors from the driver that you are swinging that go into determining “the numbers.”

For example, the clubhead that you select can change the numbers.

Depending on the head’s size or its center of gravity (COG) these numbers could easily change.

The variables that could influence dynamic loft and spin rate include the length, the stiffness or flex, the weight as well as the torque of the shaft.

As you can imagine, it is very important to find a trusted professional fitter at an academy in your area to get a proper club fitting to match your swing. 

However, once you do find a good fitter at an academy, your swing will be launching your driver high and long. That will change your game!

As you can tell from what you have read, giong to a proper club fitting is not what it used to be.

However, with this info you should be able to find a better custom club fitting experience and fit for you and more importantly give you the results you want on the course!

If you have any other questions about a club fitting in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, or Parrish, Florida feel free to email us at coach@ballflightacademy.com and join us on our Facebook page where the addresses https://www.facebook.com/BradMyersPGA

Learn More By Attending The Ball Flight Academy Group Golf Classes

Brad Myers, PGA has seen students at the academy from Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, LWR, Northport, St. Petersburg, Ruskin, Siesta Key, SRQ, Lakewood Ranch, Palmetto, Englewood, Tampa as well as other parts of Florida

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