On the point of purchase a brand new driver? Do that earlier than you buy

In case your driver is getting a bit lengthy within the tooth and you’re feeling such as you’re leaving distance on the desk, it is likely to be time for an improve. However before you purchase, there are some things to bear in mind…

1. Know your potential

Sure, know-how performs a giant half in serving to you hit it farther off the tee, however gaining distance is all about physics and the quicker you swing the membership the extra ball pace you possibly can create and the gap you possibly can acquire — there’s a cause no one is profitable lengthy drive occasions swinging at 100 mph.

One option to create additional pace is with the assistance of a swing pace coaching program, and there are lots on the market. However another choice, for those who’re a golfer with a reasonable swing pace (90mph or much less), is to search for a driver with a lighter total weight. A lighter driver is simpler to swing quicker, and that immediately creates the potential for extra distance.

2. Perceive dynamics

Past gaining pace, the opposite necessary consider gaining potential distance is your angle of assault. If you happen to speak to any fitter they may inform you that the one two golf equipment in your bag you wish to hit up on are your driver and your putter. Since we’re speaking distance, let’s concentrate on the driving force for now.

Hitting down (with a damaging angle of assault) into the ball along with your driver will increase spin and robs you of distance. Positive, you possibly can nonetheless hit it lots far for those who’re hitting down however have a ton of membership head pace like Cameron Champ, however most golfers don’t swing quicker than 120mph so let’s concentrate on the issues we will management.

The beneath chart from Ping demonstrates the quantity of potential a golfer has based mostly on their angle of assault, so if you wish to acquire a ways with out gaining pace, strive hitting up.

3. Low spin is nice — to a degree

Decreasing driver spin is a good way to extend your distance, however if you find yourself decreasing spin by altering the specs of your driver, you need to watch out to not go too far within the improper route. If you happen to decrease spin an excessive amount of, directional management turns into extraordinarily tough, particularly on mishits. It is because backspin helps the ball keep stability and elevate — the identical means a aircraft stays in steady flight at its best pace.

With out sufficient elevate, a golf ball is not going to solely grow to be directionally unstable however any form of mishit will lead to a a lot greater lack of distance. That is the rationale you hear many professionals speak about how they wish to have a driver that maintains a “spin window” when hitting sure pictures, the extra constant the spin the extra constant the gap.

4. It’s okay to overlook

Final however not least, keep in mind that it doesn’t matter what you do, you will miss pictures along with your driver. This is the reason discovering a driver that provides the correct quantity of forgiveness to your recreation is so necessary. To place this into context let me take you again to the very early 2000s and the launch of the TaylorMade 300 collection drivers which had been supplied in (on the time) a whopping 300cc, 320cc, and 360cc choices.

It was initially assumed that golfers, together with professionals, would gravitate in direction of the extra traditional 300cc, appropriately named “300Ti” driver, and the 360cc, known as the, you guessed it “360Ti” could be the bottom promoting of the three. Properly, upon launch the 360 outsold the opposite drivers within the line virtually 4 to 1 and likewise turned the most well-liked driver with professionals, too. The outsized driver craze had formally begun.

So be sure that to maintain forgiveness in thoughts whenever you’re looking for the suitable mannequin, as a result of that additional assist goes to essentially repay on the course — and in your scorecard.

Wish to overhaul your bag for 2023? Discover a becoming location close to you at GOLF’s affiliate firm True Spec Golf. For extra on the newest gear information and knowledge, take a look at our newest Totally Outfitted podcast beneath.

Golf.com Editor

Ryan Barath is GOLF Journal and GOLF.com’s senior editor for tools. He has an intensive club-fitting and -building background with greater than 20 years of expertise working with golfers of all ability ranges, together with PGA Tour gamers. Earlier than becoming a member of the workers, he was the lead content material strategist for Tour Expertise Golf, in Toronto, Canada.