Boomers - Margin for Error?

I have not had the opportunity to work with a lot of what I will call "boomers" - players who reside in the 115 mph or higher driver swing speed. Today though had a conversation with one of these folks that caused me to think that they provide some unique challenges in terms of getting the right driver fitting parameters.


The player I talked with is having lots of problems keeping the ball in play. He can hit a nice draw with the driver he has when he hits the ball well. But then sometimes the draw goes to a pull hook, then to a push in an attempt to correct for the hook, and then it becomes an issue of confidence in terms of hitting the driver.


On thinking of this, it seems to me that the right fitting for the driver becomes a huge issue because the Margin For Error with high swing speeds becomes a lot less. Some of the potential fitting areas that can help to iron out a big dispersion of shots, which start with a pull hook, are these......

1. Driver too long, so not in a good athletic position when making a swing.

2. Shaft flex profile that fits the players swing speed and where he releases the club.

3. Face Angle. This may be bigger issue than one might think. I already know for this particular driver that it has a very closed face angle, about 2.5 degrees. For a strong swinger, particularly with a little over the top swing, it can be easy to produce a pull hook since the face is likely to be pointing left at the start (unless the player manipulates the face to make the club "look square" at address.

4. Shaft weight. Another likely biggie for a boomer. The shaft in question is a 60 gram shaft, and a very strong player is more likely to help produce an inside swing path and allow the player to not have to guard against a pull hook. Probably at least a 75 gram shaft, maybe heavier.

5. Swingweight / club MOI. Greater headweight can help a player "feel" the clubhead more and be less likely to close the clubface too much at impact.


These are all considerations for all golfers to some extent. However, for folks blessed with being able to bomb the ball, getting the right club parameters is probably even important. Ah, to hit a 300 yard drive down the middle!


The Fit Is IT!!

Tony

More on Drivers.....

I got to read the latest Golf Digest this weekend, there was a good article related to Hank Haney and his relationship with Tiger - worth reading.


The part I remembered most is that Haney said that when Tiger was hitting the ball furthest he was playing a 43 inch driver.... And that now he is playing a 44 inch driver. This info. is for sure food for thought about driver length and whether most of mortals should be playing the 45 and 46 inch drivers you can buy in stores. I have been playing a 44 inch driver for at least a year, and there is no noticeable difference in how far I hit the ball.


The other "driver" item that I have run into twice this weekend relates to face angles of 460 degree drivers. Twice this weekend I was with players who I believe are playing drivers with about 2 degree closed face angle. Both can draw the ball pretty easily - and so the closed face is exactly what they do NOT need to hit the ball well. Closed face drivers have come from the fact that 460 cc driver heads are hard to close by lots of players - so a "fix" for this in drivers in stores is to sell drivers with closed faces - for the "masses." If you are looking to buy a new driver, it might be a good idea to be careful you know what you are REALLY getting and be sure it is right for you - it is a shame to pay a lot for a driver that will not work for your swing.


Tony