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Locate the hosel on the driver. This is the small metal joint where the shaft fits into the club head. Fit the wrench around the outer sleeve of the hosel joint and twist counterclockwise until completely loosened. Change the club head to your desired form using your hand. Jan 08, 2012 hold the club like you are going to hit it. Then lift the shaft more vertical so that you can see the end of the grip. For a neutral setting, the line at the end of the grip should either be pointing right at your stomach, or straight out in front of you. If its confusing to look at the back of the grip, there are also line on the str8-fit adapter. You want these marks to be in line with the.
Nike designed its STR8-Fit drivers with an adjustable hosel joint, allowing golfers to alter the face, loft and lie angles. These adjustments can create eight shot types when hitting the club off the tee. The lie is the angle you must hold the club to allow the club head to rest flat on the ground. Before you go tinkering with your equipment, you might want to reconsider your approach to this solution for a few reasons. If your swing is inconsistent, and if you're like most golfers it probably is, you might find that today's equipment adju.
There is a good chance that you are reading this post because you are looking at ways to increase how far you drive the ball which leads you to wanting to know what is the best loft for a driver. Overall, having an advantage of distance from the tee is a huge benefit (especially when combined with accuracy.)
There are many different ways that you can get extra yards into your golf drives and in this guide we’ll explore exactly how the right loft is beneficial and go into which is the best loft and why.
Once you have the right one you can be more confident with your tee shots. It is reassuring knowing that you are in a better position to hit the ball longer and you don’t need to worry as much about if it is right for you.
See Also:Best Driver Shafts For Distance
What Is The Best Loft For A Driver?
The driver loft that you choose can depend on your clubhead speed. If your swing speed is above 90mph then a 9.5 – 11 degree loft will give you the best angle of attack. Golfers who swing faster than 120mph would require a loft below 9.5 degrees and those golfers with a slower swing below 90mph would be better choosing a loft between 11.5 – 17 degrees for the optimal launch angle.
As you can tell above the loft is so important to get right when choosing a new driver because depending on the height of the loft, it can have a different outcome on the trajectory of the drive. If you are in the market for a beginner golf driver or senior driver then your requirements will be different to a low handicapper driver or mid handicapper driver.
This is because the optimal loft of the golf club can differ dependent on the level of ability of the golfer. By understanding the answer to the question ‘what is loft in golf?’ you put yourself in a better position to make the most out of your game, especially when it comes to driving the ball off the tee.
A good place to start when choosing one is to choose one that has adjustable loft such as the Callaway Mavrik and can be altered as the speed of your swing changes.
As we’ll cover in more detail later in this post, there isn’t a one size fits all approach to finding the best loft for distance and hitting the golf ball far as this has a lot to do with club head speed of players of differing ability affecting the desired loft required.
This confusion can often lead new golfers to ask themselves ‘what degree driver should i get?’ or ‘what loft driver should i use?’.
Driver Loft Chart
The below driver loft chart (source: wishongolf.com) illustrates the correlation between clubhead speed and loft. This shows that it is a myth that a low launch angle will mean greater distance in all cases.
As you can see in the chart, the launch angle that you choose can affect the distance of the drives.
However if your swing speeds are faster, especially when it is 100 mph or over then the lower angle of attack of the club actually provides extra driver distance than using a driver with a higher loft.
A popular speed is between 80mph and 90mph and this is where many golfers make a mistake as they will opt for a 9.5 degree when really a loft of 11-13 would be the best driver loft for 90mph speed to hit the ball as far as possible.
What Do Pros Use?
As you would expect professionals on the PGA Tour see a fast swing speed. As you can see from the above swinging faster will correlate to having less loft.
The average driver clubhead speed on the PGA Tour is 113 MPH and 94 MPH on the LPGA Tour with even faster ball speed (TrackMan) which indicates that they will require less loft, typically a 9.5 degree loft for their driver (especially the longest hitters on tour).
Best Distance Driver Loft
So that is how things look for professionals on tour but for you the ideal loft for distance is totally dependent on your own individual game. If you are a beginner golfer we would typically recommend a driver with a high loft attack angle of between 12-14 if you are looking to add extra distance as the probability is that your clubhead speed is lower. This additional loft will help to provide you to increase your average driver distance while focusing on improving your technique and increasing club head speed.
Alternatively if you have a handicap below 10 then you may wish to try a club with a lower loft angle of around 10-13 degrees as this will help add yards to your game as the chances are that you have a higher mph than golfers with a higher handicap.
It is also recommended to have an understanding of your own club head speed on a regular basis. There are a couple of easy ways to do this. Firstly, you could go to your local golf club for a fitting where they should be able to calculate this for you. Otherwise, you may wish to purchase a Sports Sensors Swing Speed Radar which will be able to measure this for you and allow you to track your progress without breaking the bank compared to expensive alternatives.
Best beginner Driver Loft
Quick Summary: The ideal loft for beginners would be between 12-14 degrees due to slower swings.
The best loft on your driver for beginners is dependent on the average club head speed generated but typically in this range I would recommend a beginner golfer purchasing a driver that is between 12-14 degrees in loft to get optimal ball distance. This loft would be recommended and allow beginners to find the best driver for a high handicapper.
An ideal driver that would accommodate this loft would be the Taylormade M2 or the Callaway Mavrik Max.
As your speed improves the loft of the driver should decrease in accordance to this. This will help to make sure that you maximize ball distance by using as much loft as you need.
The best way to stay on track is to use a simulator (You can view our top picks here). You can then track your key stats on a consistent basis to track any changes.
Best Seniors Driver Loft
Quick Summary:The ideal loft for seniors should be between 10.5 – 13 degrees depending on the individual golfer.
The best loft on your driver for seniors follows a similar pattern to that for beginners in the sense that senior golfers usually see their club head speed decrease. Therefore, the loft required for maximum distance will increase.
Depending on the performance level of the senior golfer in question the best loft for senior golfers should be somewhere between 10.5-13 degrees.
The best choice of here would be one of our choices of the best drivers for seniors such as the Taylormade RBZ Driver.
Average Driver Loft
An average loft if you are unsure would typically be a 10.5 degree ranging up to a 12 degree. Unless you have exceptionally fast club head speed for an amateur we would advise against using less loft such as a 9.5 degree starting out.
9.5 vs 10.5 Driver
Something that is often considered among amateur golfers is when comparing a 9.5 Vs 10.5 Drivers. As you can see from the above chart chances are that as a beginner you would hinder yourself greatly with a 9.5 driver and a 10.5 driver as a beginner is a much better choice. This also gives you plenty of room to grow as your game improves. However, to really maximize your game starting out the question shouldn’t be whether you choose a 9.5 vs 10.5 driver and instead whether to choose a 10.5 vs a 12 driver.
Summary
In summary, there is not a one size fits all when trying to answer the question ‘what is the best loft for a driver?’. However, as you can see from the above the answer to this question won’t always remain the same as it can change both when you move from a high handicapper to a low handicapper and when you move from a junior to senior golfer. This is because of the typical correlation with golf clubhead speeds at these points. Typically the lower your golf handicap the faster you will swing and the less loft you will need for the angle of attack on your drives. You can check your current golf handicap here.
By choosing the best loft for you, you can be certain that in your bag you have the best loft on your driver for distance so that you are getting the right attack angle and gaining maximum golf ball distance off the tee at all times on the golf course.
Use this guide to find out how much your Callaway, TaylorMade, Titleist, Ping and other golf clubs are worth plus where to trade in or sell golf clubs for cash.
Golf club prices: How much they’re worth
Get a ballpark idea for how much your golf clubs are worth by comparing offers between golf club trade in stores and eBay recent sales. For consistency, the table below compares drivers and iron sets manufactured in 2014 and 2015.
Resale and Trade-in Prices for 2014/2015 Golf Clubs (retrieved 11/2/2020)
Golf Club | Golf Club Trade-In Stores (PGA Value Guide) | Online Marketplaces (eBay, after fees) |
Callaway Big Bertha Alpha Driver | $33 | $75 |
Callaway X2 Hot Pro Steel Iron Set (4-PW) | $106 | $169 |
TaylorMade SLDR S Driver | $23 | $67 |
TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC Iron Set (3-PW) | $109 | $204 |
Titleist 915D3 Driver | $63 | $82 |
Titleist MB 714 Steel Iron Set (4-PW) | $123 | $208 |
Ping i25 Driver | $32 | $76 |
Ping S55 Iron Set (4-PW) | $90 | $180 |
Nike VR-S Covert Tour Driver | $18 | $65 |
Nike VR-S Covert Graphite Iron Set (4-PW) | $51 | $136 |
Cobra Bio Cell Pro Driver | $26 | $70 |
Cobra Bio Cell Silver Steel Iron Set (4-PW) | $72 | $199 |
Cleveland 588 Altitude Driver | $13 | $33 |
Cleveland CG Gold Graphite Iron Set (4-PW) | $33 | $156 |
Newer golf clubs are generally worth more than older models. For example, a used 2019 Callaway Epic Flash driver can sell for more than $350 on the private market and up to $250 on trade in. Compare that to a 2005 Callaway Big Bertha 454, which will net around $20 to $40 on the private market and $10 to $15 on trade in.
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That general axiom doesn’t apply to vintage golf clubs, which can be worth anywhere from just a few bucks to more than a thousand dollars. For example, an original Scottsdale Ping Answer Version 1 putter sold in an April 2019 auction for $1,405.
How to find the value of your golf clubs
There are two types of values applied to golf clubs: the private market value and the trade in value. The private market value is what individual buyers will pay and the trade in value is what companies that intend to resell your clubs for a profit will pay. Here’s how to find them:
Private market value: Search eBay and filter by sold items. Compare matching club models and conditions to see how much private buyers will pay.
Trade in value: Use the PGA golf club trade in value calculator. Select your club type (driver, fairway/wood, hybrid, iron set, wedge or putter), brand, model, specs like shaft material and iron count, and finally the condition to get the trade-in value for your golf clubs.
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What affects the value of golf clubs?
Used golf club values are affected by a variety of factors, including:
- Brand
- Type of club
- Shaft material
- Completeness (irons)
- Age
- Condition
Brand
Golf clubs manufactured by the following brands typically have value and can be traded in or sold for cash:
Golf clubs manufactured by the following brands typically have value and can be traded in or sold for cash:
Adams Ben Hogan Bettinardi Bobby Grace Bobby Jones Brainstorm Bridgestone Callaway Cleveland Cobra Cure Edel Evnroll Fourteen | Happy Putter Honma Kevin Burns MacGregor Maxfli Miura Mizuno Never Compromise Nickent Nike Odyssey Orlimar Ping PXG | Rife Scratch SeeMore Srixon TaylorMade Titleist Tommy Armour Toulon Design TourEdge Wilson XXIO Yes Yonex |
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Type of club
In general, drivers are the most valuable types of golf clubs, followed by fairway woods and then hybrids, putters and wedges. Irons are typically sold as sets – the more complete the set, the more valuable it is. This comparison of trade in prices for a set of 2018-2019 Titleist golf clubs illustrates the differences in club values:
In general, drivers are the most valuable types of golf clubs, followed by fairway woods and then hybrids, putters and wedges. Irons are typically sold as sets – the more complete the set, the more valuable it is. This comparison of trade in prices for a set of 2018-2019 Titleist golf clubs illustrates the differences in club values:
- TS3 Driver: $221
- TS3 Fairway Wood: $131
- 818 H2 Hybrid: $63
- T-MB 718 Graphite Iron Set (3-PW): $595 ($74 per iron)
- Vokey SM7 Brushed Steel D Graphite Wedge: $47
- Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Detour Putter: $60
Shaft material
Modern golf club shafts are composed of graphite or steel. Graphite clubs are generally more valuable, though the difference is often negligible. For example, the trade in value for an 8-piece set of Callaway Big Bertha 2019 irons with steel shafts is $500. With graphite shafts, it’s $504.
Modern golf club shafts are composed of graphite or steel. Graphite clubs are generally more valuable, though the difference is often negligible. For example, the trade in value for an 8-piece set of Callaway Big Bertha 2019 irons with steel shafts is $500. With graphite shafts, it’s $504.
Completeness (irons)
Everything else being equal, the more clubs in an iron set the greater its value: a set that has 8 irons will be more valuable than a set that has 6 irons. It’s also important for the clubs to be in consecutive order. Thus, an iron set that includes the 5 iron through the pitching wedge will generally be more valuable than a set that includes the 4 iron through the pitching wedge but is missing the 7 iron.
Everything else being equal, the more clubs in an iron set the greater its value: a set that has 8 irons will be more valuable than a set that has 6 irons. It’s also important for the clubs to be in consecutive order. Thus, an iron set that includes the 5 iron through the pitching wedge will generally be more valuable than a set that includes the 4 iron through the pitching wedge but is missing the 7 iron.
Some golf club trade in companies won’t accept iron sets that aren’t in consecutive order. For those that are in consecutive order, sets are valued according to the number of clubs. The PGA Value Guide offers the following valuations for complete and incomplete iron sets:
- 8 consecutive clubs: 100% of the value
- 7 consecutive clubs: 87.5% of the value
- 6 consecutive clubs: 75% of the value
- 5 consecutive clubs: 62.5% of the value
- 4 consecutive clubs or less: 0% of the value
Nike Vrs Driver Adjustment Chart
Age
As noted, newer clubs are generally more valuable than older clubs, though other factors such as brand, completeness and shaft material play a role.
As noted, newer clubs are generally more valuable than older clubs, though other factors such as brand, completeness and shaft material play a role.
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For example, a 2019 Cobra King F9 Speedback driver has a trade-in value of $185 (original MSRP $449), while a 2003 Cobra SZ 440 driver has a trade-in value of just $12, even though it originally retailed for $369.
Condition
Condition plays a major role in golf club values. The PGA Value Guide assesses two conditions: used and damaged.
Condition plays a major role in golf club values. The PGA Value Guide assesses two conditions: used and damaged.
- Used clubs have no noticeable gouging, rusting, dents, deep scratches, paint chipping or excessive wear. Iron sets must include at least 6 consecutive clubs. Loft or lie adjustments must be less than 3 inches from the manufacturer’s standard
- Damaged clubs have dents, gouging and/or deep scratching, paint chipping, rusting or excessive face wear. Iron sets may be nonsequential. Clubs with loft or lie adjustments greater than three inches from the manufacturer’s standard are considered damaged
Where to sell your golf clubs
Used golf club selling options include:
- Online golf club trade in stores
- Online marketplaces & forums
- Local golf club selling options
Online golf club trade in stores
Trade in stores let you sell your golf clubs for cash or credit that can be used to upgrade your sticks. They won’t pay full market value because they need to resell your clubs for a profit, but they do offer quick, convenient sales and – in many cases – free shipping. Examples include:
PGA Value Guide | 2nd Swing | Callaway Pre-Owned |
Online marketplaces & forums
You might be able to get more money by selling your golf clubs via online marketplaces and forums. eBay’s auction format can drive up the price, for example, though you’ll still need to pay selling and PayPal fees.
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Many golf forums have buy/sell/trade classifieds threads, and there are no middlemen to pay. However, forums typically aren’t moderated so you need to be sure you have cash in-hand (or at least escrow) before you ship your golf clubs. Examples include:
- Facebook golf buy/sell/trade groups like Golf Clubs/Equipment Buy & Sell America
Local golf club selling options
Local golf retailers and pro shops generally offer quick sales without the hassle of shipping your golf clubs. They won’t pay full market value because they need to resell for profit, though some will sell your golf clubs on consignment for a commission. Private buyers will pay more, though the pool of potential buyers is limited and you might need to wait for the right buyer. If you’re selling to an individual, protect yourself: take a friend along and meet in a well-lit, busy public venue. Examples of local selling options include:
- Craigslist
- Facebook Marketplace
- Apps like LetGo and OfferUp
- Local pro shops
- Local golf retailers and sporting goods stores like Play It Again Sports
- Pawn shops
Compare your golf club selling options to find the best fit for your goals. If you want a quick and convenient sale, online golf trade in stores are probably your best bet. Want to get the most money? Online marketplaces, forums and local private buyers might be worth the wait. If you need fast cash today, local pro stores and golf retailers are good options. Make sure you understand all the terms before you sell, including selling and shipping fees, so you can get a fair price and enjoy a pleasant golf club selling experience.
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