Why everybody needs to try more loft—and that means you! New Golf Digest testing proves you need more loft on your driver than you think

Golf Digest, Nov, 2003 by Mike Stachura

DRIVER                    LAUNCH   SPIN   CARRY

Callaway VFT

10[degrees] Ladies flex     16.5   3767     130
9[degrees] R-flex           11.5   3406     147
11[degrees] R-flex          12.8   2720     139
16[degrees] R-flex          17.4   4697     154

Dick Piretti

Lenox, Mass.

Handicap: 6

Swing speed: 97 mph

I tried it: I had seen tests like this before, and I was eager to see how it related to me. I didn't notice too much change in my ball flight with more loft, but I could really see it where my shots landed. I always thought I hit the ball too high, so I went to an 8-degree driver. I'll have to find a 9-degree driver I'm comfortable with.

What we think: Dick has a great swing--and a good launch angle and spin rate with his Callaway Biggest Big Bertha. By adding 1 degree of loft, he increased his launch angle and slightly decreased his backspin, which translated into a whopping 36 more yards of carry.

DRIVER                    LAUNCH   SPIN   CARRY

Callaway BBB

8[degrees] S-flex           14.4   3103     206
9[degrees] R-flex           13.7   4299     202
9[degrees] S-flex           14.7   2947     242
11[degrees] S-flex          14.7   4450     212

Peter Gordon

Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Handicap: 27

Swing speed: 84 mph

I tried it: Other than the clubs being numbered the same, the game is totally different than when I played before. This new equipment is unbelievable. I got the clubs I use now from a friend, but I'm going to go out and buy an 11-degree driver.

What we think: Peter just came back to the game after a long layoff, so he was in a position to benefit from the new technology. The 11- and 16-degree test clubs gave him slightly more carry and boosted his backspin--which helps get the ball in the air. Shots with his old club flew at a lower trajectory and knuckled a little because of the lack of spin.

DRIVER                    LAUNCH   SPIN   CARRY

Mizuno T-Zoid

10.5[degrees] R-flex        16.7   1701     208
9[degrees] R-flex            12    3933     215
11[degrees] R-flex          14.4   3322     217
16[degrees] R-flex          15.3   3029     214

Bob Tripp

Pittsfield, Mass.

Handicap: 22

Swing speed: 75 mph

I tried it: You hear about launch angle, clubhead speed and spin rate on the golf telecasts all the time, but they never explain what it all means. This showed me what they're talking about. I built my own driver from components, but I bought it more for the hot face. I'm going to check into more loft now.

What we think: Bob has a nice swing, but he doesn't have enough clubhead speed to launch a 10-degree club high enough. He got a little bit more carry from the 16-degree test club, and a better spin rate, and the shorter shaft gave him more accuracy.

DRIVER                    LAUNCH   SPIN   CARRY

Killer Bee

10[degrees] R-flex          17.1   2191     160
9[degrees] R-flex           17.6   3186     155
11[degrees] R-flex          14.9   1885     155
16[degrees] R-flex          18.9   2386     162

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