Will getting my golf swing speed help me decide which driver to purchase??

Question

I made an appointment at one of our local golf shops to get my speed tested when swinging my driver. He said he can get the spin of the ball and some other things tested while I do this. Of course its not free but is it worth it??

Answer 1

Yes it's worth it.  When I was in the market for a driver I did the same thing, except I just went to Dicks Sporting Goods and they have a launch monitor there.  It monitors swing speed, ball speed, ball spin, launch angle, distance, accuracy ect........

They let me do it for free.  Told me I have an average swing speed of about 99 mph.  So I bought the Cobra LD F-Speed 10.5* driver.   Amazing driver, check it out when considering purchases.

If they're charging you more than 10 or 20 bux then it's not really worth it, call a dicks near you and see if you can come buy.  Just let dicks believe that your going to buy a driver that day and they'll hook you up to the monitor in a heartbeat just trying to get a sale.  (they work off of commission)

Answer 2

Using a launch monitor to get SS, spin rates, etc is one of the most important things you can do when buying clubs.  Using ill fitting clubs can have a huge impact on your game.

Getting your #'s isn't going to tell you which driver to buy, but it will help.  Your SS will tell you what flex shaft to get and the spin rates can help pick a driver that is optimal for you.

Try lots and lots of different drivers with different shafts.  Shafts make as big, if not a bigger impact, on performance than the club head does.  A great club head with a junk shaft is like putting and old VW motor in a Ferrari.  Remember that the shaft is what delivers the club to the ball.

So hit lots of combos and find the one combo that best fits your swing and gives you the best #'s.  The guy at the store should be able to explain what they mean.

So yes, it is absolutely worth it.  Most places don't charge you at all if you buy the club from them.  Try not to get caught up in names and what not, just try everything and see what works.  Also rememeber that most golfers don't launch the ball nearly high enough to get optimal #'s.  We all want to play Xstiff shafts and 8° drivers cuz that's what the tour guys use.  But if we were that good, we would be on tour.  Generally speaking, more loft is better.  I am a single digit handicap and play a 10.5° driver at 26 years old.  A few years ago I wouldn't have been caught dead with it, but it works great.  As do the hybrids, which I also would never have been caught with a few years ago.

So get fitted for all your clubs, not just the driver.  The right shafts can make a HUGE difference.

Answer 3

It will be the best indication as to which shaft you should have in your driver. From that point you can select the right head and shaft combination.