Trackman

I recently read in the trackman newsletter that a positive angle of attack is better than 0 or negative. A very interesting article that seemed to say that we should be hitting up on the driver and not down. Has anyone else read this?

I did, thought it to be very interesting and contrary to what we, as TGM enthusiasts, believe.

Originally Posted by RickPinewild I recently read in the trackman newsletter that a positive angle of attack is better than 0 or negative. A very interesting article that seemed to say that we should be hitting up on the driver and not down. Has anyone else read this?

Do you have a link to the article or their data?

I have the pdf. Can I post it here or I'll email to you.

Originally Posted by RickPinewild I recently read in the trackman newsletter that a positive angle of attack is better than 0 or negative. A very interesting article that seemed to say that we should be hitting up on the driver and not down. Has anyone else read this?

Be very careful with this one folks. The studies I have seen from Trackman may not be accurate because all it is saying is that with a 0 or 5 degree "upswing" the ball will go farther. However, they did not say what loft they were testing or if they were even using the same driver. It seemed to me that they were just creating launch angle.

The trackman is a very accurate machine and I like the fact that it can track the ball and the clubhead. I would like to see more testing with different driver lofts to see if swinging "up" is better or is more loft better.

I don't need the article, but I appreciate the offer Rick. Golfgnome answered my lingering questions.

I read the article, and, according to trackman, the main problem with more loft on the clubhead is that it is also the main factor in the spin rate. So to reduce spin you need to go to a lower lofted clubface, but then need to do something in your swing to keep the launch angle high.

I allways thought it was funny how most LPGA players have very low lofted Drivers, even with there relatively low swing speeds. Seems like they all set up to hit up on the ball also.

John

This could prove interesting. Tom Wishon announced that they will be working with trackman in several areas. Hopefully there will be better info on the horizon regarding clubfitting.

Originally Posted by golfgnome Be very careful with this one folks. The studies I have seen from Trackman may not be accurate because all it is saying is that with a 0 or 5 degree "upswing" the ball will go farther. However, they did not say what loft they were testing or if they were even using the same driver. It seemed to me that they were just creating launch angle.

The trackman is a very accurate machine and I like the fact that it can track the ball and the clubhead. I would like to see more testing with different driver lofts to see if swinging "up" is better or is more loft better.

golfgnome,

Ready for a 3x3 experiment to do this?
3 different lofts ex: ( 6, 9, 12*), (or vary impact spot on face?)
3 different attacks (+,-, level) (or vary tee height?)

Same driver make & set up. Same ball. Same consistent swinger for all combinations.

Regards,
Todd

Originally Posted by All4Golf golfgnome,

Ready for a 3x3 experiment to do this?
3 different lofts ex: ( 6, 9, 12*), (or vary impact spot on face?)
3 different attacks (+,-, level) (or vary tee height?)

Same driver make & set up. Same ball. Same consistent swinger for all combinations.

Regards,
Todd

Would love to do it. But lets use some realistic lofts like 9, 11.5, 13.5, 16.

Originally Posted by golfgnome Would love to do it. But lets use some realistic lofts like 9, 11.5, 13.5, 16.

Ok! Sounds like a good start. We can catch up later in the week when you're back and settled in from your trip.

Todd

Most professional Long Drivers have been saying this for years actually...hitting up on the ball creates the most distance. Maybe a better way of saying this is that the clubhead is attacking the ball at an upward angle rather than the fact that you are trying to HIT UPWARD on the ball. Two very different things in my opinion.

E.

Is that because of the forward bending of the shaft at impact??

Originally Posted by RickPinewild Is that because of the forward bending of the shaft at impact??

My assumption is that you are hitting the ball in the part of the clubhead arc that is past lowpoint. Again, that is only my assumption and I don't have any type of scientific data to back me up, but I do know for a fact that more loft yields more spin which at a certain point begins to kill my distance (as measured using the same club/shaft combo with different lofts on the monitors at the PGA superstore).

E.

Originally Posted by DukeNasty My assumption is that you are hitting the ball in the part of the clubhead arc that is past lowpoint. Again, that is only my assumption and I don't have any type of scientific data to back me up, but I do know for a fact that more loft yields more spin which at a certain point begins to kill my distance (as measured using the same club/shaft combo with different lofts on the monitors at the PGA superstore).

E.

Once again be very careful! I know for a fact that the simulators in the PGA Superstores read spin at about 800 to 1000rpms higher than it actually is. The other thing that you have to be aware of is angle of approach. If your approach angle is somewhere between -3 and +3 then you will probably get the best numbers. To little spin is just as dangerous as to much.

The rule with fitting drivers is use the loft and flex that allows you to achieve the best balance then test on the course. Monitors are only good to a point then it becomes a players prefernece. Many people find that they can produce the same numbers with different drivers yet on the course one goes much farther.

Someone mentioned the LPGA players using very little loft. If they have played that way their whole life why change them. Just like Bubba Watson, I may not change them but I sure won't teach it either.