How much of a difference is there is a driver that has a 8.5 degree loft and one with a 9.5 or 10?

Question

Reason being I found a Nike Sumo for cheap but it is a 8.5 and my driver now is a 9.5. I was just curious if it really mattered that much.

Answer 1

The difference between the 8.5 and 9.5 would be one degree.  The difference between the 8.5 and the 10 would by 1 1/2 degrees.  That is how much difference there is.

Answer 2

8.5 degree will make your ball trajectory lower. however, if you get the right shaft it wont make too much of a difference

Answer 3

it is a 12% decrease in loft , if it is a super deal , definatly purchase the club . if you are willing to spend the 50 to 75 to have a shaft change . great purchase . this loft ,single digit handicapper loft . positive point . great deal , does not work out , high resale value . to many positives , usuable or not , great purchase .  if it works you have a driver for five years . good deal , out of curosity how much will you getting it for . just curious .

Answer 4

Drivers are sometimes half a degree off.  That means a 9.5 could really be a 10 or a 9, etc.  Now, having said that you could be looking at a difference of 2 degrees if the 8.5 is really an 8.  That could be a huge deal...yes the lower the loft the lower the ball flight usually and yes the shaft will play a part in that.  I would buy the Sumo and try the shaft that it comes with if you're not happy with the results...swap the shaft from the old driver and put it into the new one.  It should only cost you about $15-20 bucks and you might get lucky.  If not you could always sell it on ebay and probably get close to what you paid.  Another thing that could affect the trajectory is the ball.  Try a high spin ball and a low spin ball and see which one works best for you...If your swing speed is over 95 mph I would go with a high spin ball...if not you'll probably do fine with low spin ball which should help with the distance...and save some money also...if the trajectory gets too low with the new driver trying tilting your spine a little more so that you catch the ball on the upswing a bit more and get it higher.  Last point, if your 9.5 is going low now forget the 8.5 Sumo and keep looking in ebay.  The lower the swing speed the higher loft you'll probably want.  I'm a 85 mph guy and a low ball hitter...so I use a 12 degree R5 and hit it consistently 220-235.  If you want to get a few extra yards try a driver that's draw biased...you'll get a better roll out of your drives also.  Now go do your personal best and keep it on the short grass.