I bought an Epic driver last year and have been playing at the standard setting 9.5 and I instantly was hitting it 15 t0 20 yards further than my 2007 Taylor Made burner with 10.5 loft. It made a believer out of me on the new technologies. I guess I'll mess around with the setting and see what happens. Also my wife was hitting a 2015 lady's Cleveland driver with 12.5 loft and she always had a problem with little height and pushing to the right. Got her and Epic and set the loft up to 14.5 and moved the weight to full draw and it was amazing. With no swing change she started hitting around 25 yards further and with a slight draw. I wouldn't have believed it if hadn't seen it. This technology is truly amazing.
Rick great vid. I noticed some very interesting comments! I also recently visited our local Golf USA shop and hit the Ping G400 with a regular shaft. They had me warm up and then hit 5 balls using each loft setting. I was currently using a Callaway Epic Subzero set at 9*. Make a long story short, I did the same test 2 days in a row. I am now hitting the G400 set at 7.5*. Better lauch angle, more carry distance and less ball spin. I seriously thought as I get older I needed more loft and less flex. I was wrong. Just thought I would share my experience after watching you video.
An extremely valuable video from an honest & first class pro. His advice to get a GOOD PRO with a good launch monitor to check & adjust your driver makes a lot of sense. Important to not count any miss hits .Thank you.
My son fell in love with a used 2016 Ping G and wants to try and get it dialed in. This was very Interesting. Surprising, too. I have to say that I laughed out loud at the following quote ... "So if this test is as scientific as I think it could be or might be but probably isn't..." Very enjoyable and well done, guy.
Awesome James I did it my 2017 M1 460 9.5 thank you. Took it down and tested it on the track man I gained 17 yards in total distance by setting my loft down to 8.5. My spin rate is a bit high at 2700. I have struggled with distance since a shoulder injury 2 years ago and my swing speed is down to 98. I'm working on getting it back to 103, but what a difference. Now as long as I put a decent swing on it 255 yards is a reality not just a dream.
I appreciate the honesty. You had expected results and you let the evidence play out, even though the results contradicted your expectations. Nicely done. Thanks.
This is great info for all golfers, never gave this a thought till after watching James in this blog, thanks James, yet I got fitted for my irons! Twat!
I use a G30 at 9.5 but I just got fitted by Titleist for a TS2 with an Evenflow white in stiff flex and they set me at 7.75. Massive improvement! The adjustability factor is really changing my game. According to the data, I gained 23 yards of carry and 31 yards of total distance with the TS2. I balked at those numbers at first but they showed me the data. It doesn't lie! I hit my gamer and my Aeroburner 9.5 backup driver against the TS2 and I was carrying only 235ish and rolling barely over 250ish. I hit the G30 & Aero 275-290 total yards consistently on course so these new numbers floored me! If it wasn't for the high price tag, I'd be rocking the TS2. I watched James' TS 2/3 driver reviews and he is amazed as well by the performance. If you haven't watched it, I recommend seeing it! Great video!
Titleist's surefit hotel adjustments are second to none imo. I had tried the G400 Max last year and probably won't go back to Ping until they get serious about their hosel adjustments
I have a Callaway XR16. Set to 10 degrees loft a couple of years but changed to 8 degrees after a saw this video. Much better launch now and longer straighter drives!👍😃 Feels like I’m compress the ball better Thx for a great video. Keep Up! the good work. Per Alm / Sweden
I particularly like your videos because, I can relate to some of the issues that I am dealing with my golf. Also what I like is that you do your testing and videos mostly out on the course and not in some closed test room. It gives a sense of real testing instead of just looking at launch monitor readings. Well done.
I started playing in the 80's, and I don't remember there being anything adjustable about the driver; if you wanted a different loft you bought another driver. That being said. I grew up hearing things like "Tee it low and let it go" and Tee it high and let it fly". Through my experiences if I tee'd the ball up lower than normal I would get a low flighted 'worm-burner'. One that ran for miles. If I tee'd the ball up high, yep you guessed it, it would become a 'sky ball' and stick where it landed. That was how I adjusted for different weather conditions and hazards in the fairways. I am currently hitting a G25. After I establish my GHIN I plan on getting fitted for a proper, current driver. Assuming it will be adjustable, I just need to stop myself from tinkering with it while playing a round!! Great video James, as always!!
PING i25 8.5 adjustable & set neutral 8.5 with Tour Stiff stock shaft. i can still be up with my buddy using new a custom TM m4 (10.5) who is also 10 years my junior! Thanks for your work James. Just finished the vid... excellent point made about getting yourself on a monitor to gauge different results.
James - came upon this video today after having picked up a G400 SFT 10deg Reg shaft NOS at the local course last summer. I have played around with the hosel adjustment to see what works best. I find that the .6deg neg (effective loft around 9.4deg) tends work work best. Thanks for letting the data prove itself out. Also picked up a G410 3w reg shaft as a deal and Ping definitely upped the adjustment process there.
I use a TaylorMade M3 at 9.5 degrees. At my fitting I hit my Callaway XR-16 10.5 high (which was my on course tendency). The M3 9.5 in standard loft produced the best combination of consistency and distance. When I tested other lofts I occasionally hit some longer shots, but the best dispersion was with the 9.5.
Great video, I use a Ping G driver with the Ping tour stiff shaft, standard loft 10.5° average carry 267 yards total distance 285-295 yards depending on conditions. I've tried all the various lofts, quite like the 9.5° setting for a lower flight and more run out, hit quite a few over 300 yards but found accuracy suffered so settled at 10.5°. I'm 5 hcp
For a slower swing speed the extra loft will help you. Hence your tired swing went the farthest of the high loft angle. For a fast swing speed the lower loft angle is more advantageous.
Great video. I have a Ping G 10.5 Driver. Just got it a couple of months ago. The trajectory has been higher than I like. After watching your video, I am going to turn down my loft. Hopefully I will also get a few more yards out of my drives.
I currently use a Callaway Razr Fit, adjusted to a 9.5 degree lift and set to draw. I'm in the process of overhauling my entire bag, recently ordered a new set of custom fitted irons & hybrid. Now on to the driver and woods. I'd be interested in seeing a video that shows what the best overall value of drivers are out there for mid handicap players, not wishing to spend $500-$600 on a brand new driver, unless the test results are that overwhelming. Keep up the great work, love the content!
I finally got properly fitted for a new driver about six weeks ago. I ended up with the Callaway Rouge(draw) 10.5 degree. The biggest thing wasn’t with the loft but with actually shaft. I had a inch cut off the driver shaft went with the project x even flow blue 65g. This is what made the biggest difference in keeping the ball in play. I went from a off the shelf M2 to this and since I got it I dropped 2.5 strokes off my handicap 12.5 to a 10. I probably went from 30/40% of fairways hit to at least 75%+ now. I’ve hit a few over 300 and finding the fairway instead of the woods. I think degrees are important but proper shaft length, stiffness and kick point make the club.
My M2 2016 ended up on ebay and now have a Callaway Razr Fit Extreme....44" Reg shaft....I'm hitting more fairways and longer....consistently. I'm not the only one in my club flipping to Callaway.....Dunno how the pros get any use out of Taylormade's
I'm a 17 handicapper and used to have an old Ping G2 10° that I hated hitting and would never use on course. Short and dispersion all over the place. Always teed off with my 3 wood as I found it more forgiving and just as long on average. Eventually decided to get a Callaway XR16 high lofted driver adjustable from 12.5 to 15.5 degrees instead. I actually currently have it cranked all the way up to 15.5° atm. Sacrificing about 25m/30yds of distance but consistently finding fairways. Even very poor strikes are generally ending in play. Averaging around 230m/250yds in it's current specs. Can occasionally crank out at 290-300yd drive when playing it at 12.5° but my dispersion goes all over the place. Have not been fitted yet as I bought all my clubs 2nd hand and have only been playing for about a year.
Using a 2016 M1 9.5 on the highest loft setting and the weight all the way back to help with launch. Feel a fitting coming on, my pro changed the driver for me during a lesson. Can be on the fairway but also can be off the planet too.
I don’t understand how a driver loft can be adjusted even though I saw you do it. But anyway it was very interesting. I was planing on getting a Ping Driver but it wasn’t for this reason. Now I am even more convinced.
@@JamesRobinsonGolf This is the best explanation I have seen on how the adjustable hosel works. Interesting stuff. Like you, I never really put much stock in using this - I figured it was gimicky. I'll have to head out to the range and try these different settings out. Sucks a bit that I have an "Align" grip on my driver - so that will be all out of whack if I choose a setting different from how it was set up when I put the grip on!!
This video literally had the perfect timing. I have a G400MAX in 10.5 stiff with standard setting. This summer I’ve made big changes in my driver distance after getting my first lessons. I jumped from a 215 carry up to a 235 carry and with that came a very high ball flight. Just two days ago I noticed the ball was only getting a few yards of roll on flat fairways and I play on a very hard course. I think I’m going to take it down a degree and see what happens.
was playing 9.5 degree taylormade burner driver (stiff flex) averaged 270 off the tee... very high sweeping draw still got at most 5 yards roll typically, swapped to 7.5 degree taylormade M2 (x-stiff) 2 years ago and average 310 off the tee. Amazing at the difference getting fitted made. I'm about an 8 handicap.
I just picked up the Ping G400 Max 10.5. I have it on the lowest setting in an attempt to lower the launch. I have not played enough with it yet but the adjustment to the 9.5 certainly made a big difference in distance for me. Thanks for the info
I'm using a 2015 Nike Vapor Speed driver. It is adjustable 8.5-12.5 degrees. (average 58.5 degree lie) In the early season/spring I loft it down to 8.5 to keep the ball out of the wind, but in the summer I set it at 10.5 to get a higher ball flight.
Titleist TS3 11 deg, 1.5 deg upright, std length hzrdus smoke stiff shaft & I love it! Hitting long fairway shots again off the tee! Picked up a load of extra yards over my old one, R11 TP, set at 10.25,Fujikura x flex std length shaft! I just “grew out” of it or it got “too much” for me!
I've recently been "fitted" at AG and changed from a 9 degree R11 to a 10.5 M3 with a regular red Tensia shaft. Out on the course the new driver just went too high, so I've now changed the shaft to the stiff blue and cranked the loft down to it's minimum of 8.5. The results are a better flight and longer drives so next up I'm going to do as you suggest and when I have my next lesson see what the numbers are and discuss with my pro whether it might be worth trying the 8.5 degree head (then sell the 10.5/ tensia red shaft combo on ebay) I'm guessing the moral of the story here is even getting supposedly custom fitted might not get the results you want.
Ok, You made the case. I play a Ping Driver and Fairway woods, all in standard settings. I'm going to book a season with my local PGA Pro and see if changing the "loft" can improve my results...:)
Great video James , my set up is Titliest 917 D2 9.5 with 8 gram Neutral weight in head. Mitsubishi Diamana B series 60 x ( the real one ) 44.5 inches playing A1 neutral now ,due to tons of practice on range and launch monitors .Swing speed average 107mph.This set ups about as good as it gets for me ,I'm a bit of a range junkie
Cobra F9 set at 9. It is adjustable and have weights forward because my fitter pointed out my old driver, while consistently straight, had way to much spin. Decreased spin significantly with the change to the f9 and increased distance 30+ yards at times. Club Champion fitters are the best
Original M2 10.5 head knocked down 9.25 . As I naturally hit a high ball personally think I could go lower than that . But another great vlog pal . See you Friday when tanks boys n ladies come knocking . Be good to see you old boy 😁
Callaway XR at the minute set at 12.5 always thought you were supposed to loft up at one stage. Oh dear looks like someone got sucked in by the marketing. Very good video 👍
Ping G400 LST. 8.5 in the neutral setting. I tried it for several rounds in the +1 degree setting and it performed fine. The last two rounds were in the neutral setting. Flight was slightly lower, but it yielded more distance and faded less than the +1 setting.
In my fitting for a driver the pro told me at my swing speed ( 90 mph) I needed more loft and spin to keep it in the air for longer. It worked with my drives carrying 230 yards ( 207 m)
I have similar swing speed as you. Around 92 and initially similar carries of 230ish. I lofted my ping down to 8 (from 9) and gained 10-15 yards exactly how James experienced. You just have to lean back a bit at address and hit a little more up. I can’t see what swing speed has to do with it. But I’m no pga pro. (Play off 7). Late reply. Sorry. Damn RUclips :)
Food for thought as I'm looking at changing my 4 hybrid setting which is at the standard loft and purchasing a 3 hybrid. Think I'll take the 4 when testing the 3 and work on the gap.
What would be really interesting would be seeing what the differences in lofts make at different swing speeds. what is the best loft for you might be very different to an average club golfer with a slower swing. Another thought - is there a difference with changing lofts and shafts. Would a fitter put you in a different shaft for say 8.5 loft as opposed 10.5?
I agree with this, Spriggsy would give us a much better ideas of the effect it would have for us mid- high handicap players. I enjoy James’s content but will never match his swing speed. His backswing is so aggressive, it’s like he is slinging a sack of coal over his shoulder!
Currently using taylormade M2 2017 model,10.5 degrees fitted for me,good launch angle and carry and pretty much perfect smash factor with the shaft I was fitted for. Always struggled with my drivers and after my holiday to Florida 1st September I will probably go back to my fitter and re-try the shorter high balance shaft and possibly go down that road. If I don’t like or comment on your videos for a couple of weeks I do apologise it’s only because I’m away in Walt Disney world but I will catch up when I’m back
Taylor made r 1 and I have it on 10.5 so I can swing comfortable with a nice draw. Whenever I turn the loft down I pick up a fade which would work typically but it clashes with my natural swing type.
I swap between 2 drivers. Titleist 910d2 9.5° set to c1. So 8.75° and flatter lie. And a ping g400 lst 10° set to 9°. Both out of the middle the ping goes farther. But the titleist for me is much more consistent as far as direction. That could also be the shaft difference. Tour 65 stiff in the ping. And diamana d+ Ltd 70 stiff in the titleist.
TM M4 9.5...set at 9*...I was fitted for a M3, but liked the M4 better. Numbers are about the same. I prefer a open face look and this driver provides that look.
very interesting...bought a 2017 m2 off the shelf tried a regular shaft cos i'm getting older was missing left and right so got stiff shaft lofted up to 12 then got a lesson and sky everything now...will try less loft and a fitting session again.
I just brought a M4 Dype 10.5 degree Left handed driver. Going to use the Upright setting this weekend to relp reduce the slice will be interesting to see
Thanks for the great video James! Just got a new G410 9.5 driver set at the standard loft & I LOVE it! But I wasn’t sure about playing around with the loft settings as I didn’t know enough about it & was worried I’d not be able to hit it properly afterwards. Now I will hit the range myself to see how each setting feels before booking a session with my Pro to put a bit of science to getting it set right. I’d love to see the average comparison data from all 4 settings in 1 results table. Any chance you could put up a pic of that? Keep up the good work mate! (Also stay safe over there in the UK!)
Ping g20 12 degree. Was custom fitted at ping Gainsborough. They put a tour regular shaft in and made it 0.5 inch shorter. Going to get a new driver as think may need less loft now. Unfortunately its not adjustable
I have a ping g400 regular flex. The loft is 10.5. I had a lesson and he added adjusted it to 11.5. He used to work for Ping so I felt comfortable that he knew what he was talking about Seems to go a little further.
Cobra King F8+ . I hit a high shot with a 10.5 loft. Now I have it set to 9 loft and it has lowered my shot height by 10-20 yards but I think I need a 7.5-8 loft instead.
I'm using Cobra Speedzone King Sz . I had it at -1.5° draw and the heavyweight in front and had nice fade going on. Went and got fitted for new irons and thought hey look at my driver and see if we can get better. It didn't. Watching video to get my driver back dialed in.
Interesting. Surprised your spin numbers were so high as the LS Tec in hands of the friends I have gaming it are great, around the 2000-2300 range. As always depends on the delivery numbers but still
currently playing Mizuno JPX 900 10.5 Loft because I have a low ball flight with my driver .shaft Speeder 569 Evoluttion 2 Regular Flex thinking of getting a fitting for new driver
cobra f9 at 9.5 with a hazardous smoke stiff shaft doing well for my higher swing speed, although am slicing sometimes as it feels less forgiving then having it at 10.5, but I could barely get 280+ on 10.5 when I can get it regularly on 9.5 with good contact so
I’d love to get fitted. I’m only 17 tho and my parents don’t have the money which sucks but I really enjoy the game and have a 4 handicap. Being a Golf professional is my dream
I have a Ping G30 in stiff with 10.5 deg of loft. I was fitted for it but that was nearly 3 years ago. I think I generate too much spin at 10.5 but less loft = bigger misses.
Ive been hitting my GBB Epic at its 11* setting, with a regular shaft for a 260 carry and 280 total. Then I switched to a stiff project x shaft, and went up to 270 with 285 total. Im gonna switch it to its 8* setting and im gonna be hitting bombs 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 i hope so at least lol.
Fitters should have the adjustables, give customer specs. or send to company. As an experienced club builder I do not like adjustable clubs, excessive weight to the heel. The heads are too light as is. Target weight for driver should be 207-210 grams for better MOI. Ping has a target weight of 207- 208, that is the major contribution to the success of the G-400 series.
G400 Max standard 9 degree loft with the Ping tour 65 stiff like I said before high loft that flattens itself out for good carry and roll. Will try the 8 degree setting on the range but right now I don’t see how I could hit it any better with that setting.
Nike vapor fly pro 10.5° kuro kage x stiff shaft carry 270, ss of 110-115mph and get less then 1500 spin. Just got fitted for the G400 stock alta cb stiff shaft at 11.5° to get my spin up to 2000, gained 10 yards of carry and less dispersion.
When they had persimmon drivers all you could do was place few pieces of lead tape in back of the club. Seemed easier but the old drivers weren't forgiving.
I recently had a driver fitting. I play off 12hcp, after trying a few drivers and shaft combinations the fitter said best option was a Callaway Rogue 13.5 driver adjusted +1° thats 14.5 degs. I noticed on his data I was hitting 2° down so asked him wouldnt I be better having some lessons to hit up on the ball than having a 14.5° driver ? No reply !
The answer is yes. You're going to lose distance on your driver because you're going to have a lot of (back) spin with higher lofted driver and hitting down compared to lower lofted driver and positive angle of attack. More forgiving though.
I just bought that driver, the fitter suggested to keep the loft at 13.5. After buying the club I shared your thoughts however I am hitting the ball much straighter and more consistently than my previous 10.5 driver. I have possibly sacrificed some distance on my perfect shots but I'll stick with this driver until I improve my swing and warrant a driver that can achieve more distance. I play off 20 so no where near your level (as I've only been playing a couple of years without proper lessons!) but thought I'd share my thoughts with you. Right I'm off to book my first lessons armed with my 13.5 loft driver!
I bought an Epic driver last year and have been playing at the standard setting 9.5 and I instantly was hitting it 15 t0 20 yards further than my 2007 Taylor Made burner with 10.5 loft. It made a believer out of me on the new technologies. I guess I'll mess around with the setting and see what happens. Also my wife was hitting a 2015 lady's Cleveland driver with 12.5 loft and she always had a problem with little height and pushing to the right. Got her and Epic and set the loft up to 14.5 and moved the weight to full draw and it was amazing. With no swing change she started hitting around 25 yards further and with a slight draw. I wouldn't have believed it if hadn't seen it. This technology is truly amazing.
Rick great vid. I noticed some very interesting comments! I also recently visited our local Golf USA shop and hit the Ping G400 with a regular shaft. They had me warm up and then hit 5 balls using each loft setting. I was currently using a Callaway Epic Subzero set at 9*. Make a long story short, I did the same test 2 days in a row. I am now hitting the G400 set at 7.5*. Better lauch angle, more carry distance and less ball spin. I seriously thought as I get older I needed more loft and less flex. I was wrong. Just thought I would share my experience after watching you video.
Great throw back video! Watching this in 2021 he’s such a great informative golfer
An extremely valuable video from an honest & first class pro.
His advice to get a GOOD PRO with a good launch monitor to check & adjust your driver makes a lot of sense.
Important to not count any miss hits .Thank you.
Thanks Alan.
My son fell in love with a used 2016 Ping G and wants to try and get it dialed in. This was very Interesting. Surprising, too. I have to say that I laughed out loud at the following quote ... "So if this test is as scientific as I think it could be or might be but probably isn't..." Very enjoyable and well done, guy.
Awesome James
I did it my 2017 M1 460 9.5 thank you. Took it down and tested it on the track man I gained 17 yards in total distance by setting my loft down to 8.5. My spin rate is a bit high at 2700. I have struggled with distance since a shoulder injury 2 years ago and my swing speed is down to 98. I'm working on getting it back to 103, but what a difference. Now as long as I put a decent swing on it 255 yards is a reality not just a dream.
I appreciate the honesty. You had expected results and you let the evidence play out, even though the results contradicted your expectations. Nicely done. Thanks.
I've just lofted up to 11.5 always played a 8 go figure thanks again for the best info on youtube James
This is great info for all golfers, never gave this a thought till after watching James in this blog, thanks James, yet I got fitted for my irons! Twat!
I use a G30 at 9.5 but I just got fitted by Titleist for a TS2 with an Evenflow white in stiff flex and they set me at 7.75. Massive improvement! The adjustability factor is really changing my game. According to the data, I gained 23 yards of carry and 31 yards of total distance with the TS2. I balked at those numbers at first but they showed me the data. It doesn't lie! I hit my gamer and my Aeroburner 9.5 backup driver against the TS2 and I was carrying only 235ish and rolling barely over 250ish. I hit the G30 & Aero 275-290 total yards consistently on course so these new numbers floored me! If it wasn't for the high price tag, I'd be rocking the TS2. I watched James' TS 2/3 driver reviews and he is amazed as well by the performance. If you haven't watched it, I recommend seeing it! Great video!
Cheers Kristopher!! Appreciate that mate
Titleist's surefit hotel adjustments are second to none imo. I had tried the G400 Max last year and probably won't go back to Ping until they get serious about their hosel adjustments
Hard to believe Ping doesn't have a better hosel adjustment.
I have a Callaway XR16. Set to 10 degrees loft a couple of years but changed to 8 degrees after a saw this video. Much better launch now and longer straighter drives!👍😃
Feels like I’m compress the ball better
Thx for a great video. Keep Up! the good work.
Per Alm / Sweden
I particularly like your videos because, I can relate to some of the issues that I am dealing with my golf. Also what I like is that you do your testing and videos mostly out on the course and not in some closed test room. It gives a sense of real testing instead of just looking at launch monitor readings. Well done.
I started playing in the 80's, and I don't remember there being anything adjustable about the driver; if you wanted a different loft you bought another driver.
That being said.
I grew up hearing things like "Tee it low and let it go" and Tee it high and let it fly".
Through my experiences if I tee'd the ball up lower than normal I would get a low flighted 'worm-burner'. One that ran for miles.
If I tee'd the ball up high, yep you guessed it, it would become a 'sky ball' and stick where it landed.
That was how I adjusted for different weather conditions and hazards in the fairways.
I am currently hitting a G25. After I establish my GHIN I plan on getting fitted for a proper, current driver. Assuming it will be adjustable, I just need to stop myself from tinkering with it while playing a round!!
Great video James, as always!!
PING i25 8.5 adjustable & set neutral 8.5 with Tour Stiff stock shaft. i can still be up with my buddy using new a custom TM m4 (10.5) who is also 10 years my junior!
Thanks for your work James.
Just finished the vid... excellent point made about getting yourself on a monitor to gauge different results.
Thanks Dan! Really appreciate that mate!
James - came upon this video today after having picked up a G400 SFT 10deg Reg shaft NOS at the local course last summer. I have played around with the hosel adjustment to see what works best. I find that the .6deg neg (effective loft around 9.4deg) tends work work best. Thanks for letting the data prove itself out. Also picked up a G410 3w reg shaft as a deal and Ping definitely upped the adjustment process there.
I use a TaylorMade M3 at 9.5 degrees. At my fitting I hit my Callaway XR-16 10.5 high (which was my on course tendency). The M3 9.5 in standard loft produced the best combination of consistency and distance. When I tested other lofts I occasionally hit some longer shots, but the best dispersion was with the 9.5.
Great video, I use a Ping G driver with the Ping tour stiff shaft, standard loft 10.5° average carry 267 yards total distance 285-295 yards depending on conditions. I've tried all the various lofts, quite like the 9.5° setting for a lower flight and more run out, hit quite a few over 300 yards but found accuracy suffered so settled at 10.5°. I'm 5 hcp
What’s your swing speed?
For a slower swing speed the extra loft will help you. Hence your tired swing went the farthest of the high loft angle. For a fast swing speed the lower loft angle is more advantageous.
Michael Brohl what about dustin johnson?
@@gustiaridewo1089 you are anybody watching this video is nowhere close to Dustin's swing.
Launch angle has to be taken into account too, its not just speed.
@@gustiaridewo1089 How many golfers out there are Dustin Johnson level ? Using an extraordinary example has no validity.
Great video. I have a Ping G 10.5 Driver. Just got it a couple of months ago. The trajectory has been higher than I like. After watching your video, I am going to turn down my loft. Hopefully I will also get a few more yards out of my drives.
Thanks Sam!
I currently use a Callaway Razr Fit, adjusted to a 9.5 degree lift and set to draw. I'm in the process of overhauling my entire bag, recently ordered a new set of custom fitted irons & hybrid. Now on to the driver and woods. I'd be interested in seeing a video that shows what the best overall value of drivers are out there for mid handicap players, not wishing to spend $500-$600 on a brand new driver, unless the test results are that overwhelming. Keep up the great work, love the content!
I finally got properly fitted for a new driver about six weeks ago. I ended up with the Callaway Rouge(draw) 10.5 degree. The biggest thing wasn’t with the loft but with actually shaft. I had a inch cut off the driver shaft went with the project x even flow blue 65g. This is what made the biggest difference in keeping the ball in play. I went from a off the shelf M2 to this and since I got it I dropped 2.5 strokes off my handicap 12.5 to a 10. I probably went from 30/40% of fairways hit to at least 75%+ now. I’ve hit a few over 300 and finding the fairway instead of the woods. I think degrees are important but proper shaft length, stiffness and kick point make the club.
Totally agree on shaft length Jason ,I can't demo different drivers in store ,as the shafts are too damn long ,around 44 inch is perfect .
My M2 2016 ended up on ebay and now have a Callaway Razr Fit Extreme....44" Reg shaft....I'm hitting more fairways and longer....consistently. I'm not the only one in my club flipping to Callaway.....Dunno how the pros get any use out of Taylormade's
Squizzy Bollocks they probably hit the middle of the club with a consistent swing path.
I did that to.....but sometimes I wanted to draw or fade....my M2 had a mind of it's own....lol.
Great work James, it’s nice to see an honest and upfront review, hope to see more of these.
Cheers Andrew! Appreciate that!
I'm a 17 handicapper and used to have an old Ping G2 10° that I hated hitting and would never use on course. Short and dispersion all over the place. Always teed off with my 3 wood as I found it more forgiving and just as long on average. Eventually decided to get a Callaway XR16 high lofted driver adjustable from 12.5 to 15.5 degrees instead. I actually currently have it cranked all the way up to 15.5° atm. Sacrificing about 25m/30yds of distance but consistently finding fairways. Even very poor strikes are generally ending in play. Averaging around 230m/250yds in it's current specs. Can occasionally crank out at 290-300yd drive when playing it at 12.5° but my dispersion goes all over the place. Have not been fitted yet as I bought all my clubs 2nd hand and have only been playing for about a year.
Using a 2016 M1 9.5 on the highest loft setting and the weight all the way back to help with launch. Feel a fitting coming on, my pro changed the driver for me during a lesson. Can be on the fairway but also can be off the planet too.
I don’t understand how a driver loft can be adjusted even though I saw you do it. But anyway it was very interesting. I was planing on getting a Ping Driver but it wasn’t for this reason. Now I am even more convinced.
The shaft comes out and spins round mate . The tip is tilted on an axis
@@JamesRobinsonGolf This is the best explanation I have seen on how the adjustable hosel works. Interesting stuff. Like you, I never really put much stock in using this - I figured it was gimicky. I'll have to head out to the range and try these different settings out. Sucks a bit that I have an "Align" grip on my driver - so that will be all out of whack if I choose a setting different from how it was set up when I put the grip on!!
James: My golfing "friends" often state I lack loft (lack of friggen talent)! Great videos--keep up the great work!
This video literally had the perfect timing.
I have a G400MAX in 10.5 stiff with standard setting. This summer I’ve made big changes in my driver distance after getting my first lessons. I jumped from a 215 carry up to a 235 carry and with that came a very high ball flight.
Just two days ago I noticed the ball was only getting a few yards of roll on flat fairways and I play on a very hard course. I think I’m going to take it down a degree and see what happens.
James, thank you for getting me back on the course!
Currently using the taylor made M2 2017 model in 11.5 degrees, it gives me confidence and I hit it well:)
Great club!
was playing 9.5 degree taylormade burner driver (stiff flex) averaged 270 off the tee... very high sweeping draw still got at most 5 yards roll typically, swapped to 7.5 degree taylormade M2 (x-stiff) 2 years ago and average 310 off the tee. Amazing at the difference getting fitted made. I'm about an 8 handicap.
I just picked up the Ping G400 Max 10.5. I have it on the lowest setting in an attempt to lower the launch. I have not played enough with it yet but the adjustment to the 9.5 certainly made a big difference in distance for me. Thanks for the info
Did you gain distance from lower to 9.5?
@@onesipwonder yes. 15 to 20 yards
I'm using a 2015 Nike Vapor Speed driver. It is adjustable 8.5-12.5 degrees. (average 58.5 degree lie) In the early season/spring I loft it down to 8.5 to keep the ball out of the wind, but in the summer I set it at 10.5 to get a higher ball flight.
I'm a high handicap player. I was fitted for a rogue driver. Its a 9 degree and I play it +1 of loft and a face setting to draw.
Just been fitted for a Cobra F9 , stiff shaft and 10.5 degree .. Absolutely sweet..
Titleist TS3 11 deg, 1.5 deg upright, std length hzrdus smoke stiff shaft & I love it! Hitting long fairway shots again off the tee! Picked up a load of extra yards over my old one, R11 TP, set at 10.25,Fujikura x flex std length shaft! I just “grew out” of it or it got “too much” for me!
I've recently been "fitted" at AG and changed from a 9 degree R11 to a 10.5 M3 with a regular red Tensia shaft. Out on the course the new driver just went too high, so I've now changed the shaft to the stiff blue and cranked the loft down to it's minimum of 8.5. The results are a better flight and longer drives so next up I'm going to do as you suggest and when I have my next lesson see what the numbers are and discuss with my pro whether it might be worth trying the 8.5 degree head (then sell the 10.5/ tensia red shaft combo on ebay) I'm guessing the moral of the story here is even getting supposedly custom fitted might not get the results you want.
Ok, You made the case. I play a Ping Driver and Fairway woods, all in standard settings. I'm going to book a season with my local PGA Pro and see if changing the "loft" can improve my results...:)
Looking forward to watching the new Titleist reviews!
Maybe I can retire my old 910
Always love hearing that sound of you hitting the driver
Great video James , my set up is Titliest 917 D2 9.5 with 8 gram Neutral weight in head. Mitsubishi Diamana B series 60 x ( the real one ) 44.5 inches playing A1 neutral now ,due to tons of practice on range and launch monitors .Swing speed average 107mph.This set ups about as good as it gets for me ,I'm a bit of a range junkie
Thanks mate!! Appreciate the info!
Congrats on getting past 6000 subscribers👍🏻 My driver is a titleist 917 d2 with 10.5 loft
Thanks for making this video...will be adjusting my Titleist 917 D2 driver on the driving range next week and see about the results.
Hey if you get this let me know your results - I will be performing this test with my 917 D2 this weekend.
Cobra F9 set at 9. It is adjustable and have weights forward because my fitter pointed out my old driver, while consistently straight, had way to much spin. Decreased spin significantly with the change to the f9 and increased distance 30+ yards at times. Club Champion fitters are the best
TaylorMade 440 M3 9 degrees. gained 13 yards of carry from my 460 R15 … 440 cc = spin killer its amazing
Original M2 10.5 head knocked down 9.25 . As I naturally hit a high ball personally think I could go lower than that . But another great vlog pal .
See you Friday when tanks boys n ladies come knocking . Be good to see you old boy 😁
Callaway XR at the minute set at 12.5 always thought you were supposed to loft up at one stage. Oh dear looks like someone got sucked in by the marketing. Very good video 👍
Thanks Paul!!!
Fascinating Vlog mate, absolutely loved it ... cheers for sharing and more of the same on like tech please!
great stuff, super breakdown of possibilities with tweaking, so interesting.... love the range of topics james....
Ping G400 LST. 8.5 in the neutral setting. I tried it for several rounds in the +1 degree setting and it performed fine. The last two rounds were in the neutral setting. Flight was slightly lower, but it yielded more distance and faded less than the +1 setting.
Cobra F8 with 11 degrees loft at the moment. this video is getting me hoping to figure out the ideal loft
In my fitting for a driver the pro told me at my swing speed ( 90 mph) I needed more loft and spin to keep it in the air for longer. It worked with my drives carrying 230 yards ( 207 m)
I have similar swing speed as you. Around 92 and initially similar carries of 230ish. I lofted my ping down to 8 (from 9) and gained 10-15 yards exactly how James experienced. You just have to lean back a bit at address and hit a little more up. I can’t see what swing speed has to do with it. But I’m no pga pro. (Play off 7). Late reply. Sorry. Damn RUclips :)
Food for thought as I'm looking at changing my 4 hybrid setting which is at the standard loft and purchasing a 3 hybrid. Think I'll take the 4 when testing the 3 and work on the gap.
Ping G400 max 10.5 +1. Custom fitted at Gainsborough. Brilliant club.
What would be really interesting would be seeing what the differences in lofts make at different swing speeds.
what is the best loft for you might be very different to an average club golfer with a slower swing.
Another thought - is there a difference with changing lofts and shafts. Would a fitter put you in a different shaft for say 8.5 loft as opposed 10.5?
KevinS I agree. Using the average golfers swing speed would tell us much more.
I agree with this, Spriggsy would give us a much better ideas of the effect it would have for us mid- high handicap players. I enjoy James’s content but will never match his swing speed. His backswing is so aggressive, it’s like he is slinging a sack of coal over his shoulder!
Currently using taylormade M2 2017 model,10.5 degrees fitted for me,good launch angle and carry and pretty much perfect smash factor with the shaft I was fitted for. Always struggled with my drivers and after my holiday to Florida 1st September I will probably go back to my fitter and re-try the shorter high balance shaft and possibly go down that road.
If I don’t like or comment on your videos for a couple of weeks I do apologise it’s only because I’m away in Walt Disney world but I will catch up when I’m back
Taylor made r 1 and I have it on 10.5 so I can swing comfortable with a nice draw. Whenever I turn the loft down I pick up a fade which would work typically but it clashes with my natural swing type.
I swap between 2 drivers. Titleist 910d2 9.5° set to c1. So 8.75° and flatter lie. And a ping g400 lst 10° set to 9°. Both out of the middle the ping goes farther. But the titleist for me is much more consistent as far as direction. That could also be the shaft difference. Tour 65 stiff in the ping. And diamana d+ Ltd 70 stiff in the titleist.
Good thinking Greg!
TM M4 9.5...set at 9*...I was fitted for a M3, but liked the M4 better. Numbers are about the same. I prefer a open face look and this driver provides that look.
Cobra F7 10.5° in the low spin setting. I'm a new golfer, so I wasn't fit, but I changed it to low spin because I wanted more distance.
Such a good channel. Well done mate. 👍🏼
very interesting...bought a 2017 m2 off the shelf tried a regular shaft cos i'm getting older was missing left and right so got stiff shaft lofted up to 12 then got a lesson and sky everything now...will try less loft and a fitting session again.
Great test. I'll need to do that.
Great video!!! One of the most interesting and valuable for me. Thanks, JR.
I just brought a M4 Dype 10.5 degree Left handed driver. Going to use the Upright setting this weekend to relp reduce the slice will be interesting to see
any results on your left handed upright setting? I'm looking at buy the G400,rogue or M4..... really confused
Armando Saenz I tried the upright setting and realised the higher setting works best. Not slicing the ball as much
Thanks for the great video James!
Just got a new G410 9.5 driver set at the standard loft & I LOVE it! But I wasn’t sure about playing around with the loft settings as I didn’t know enough about it & was worried I’d not be able to hit it properly afterwards.
Now I will hit the range myself to see how each setting feels before booking a session with my Pro to put a bit of science to getting it set right.
I’d love to see the average comparison data from all 4 settings in 1 results table. Any chance you could put up a pic of that?
Keep up the good work mate!
(Also stay safe over there in the UK!)
Callaway Big Bertha lofted to 12.5. May not be super long but I am hitting a lot of fairways. In my league last week I hit 7/7.
Ping g20 12 degree. Was custom fitted at ping Gainsborough. They put a tour regular shaft in and made it 0.5 inch shorter. Going to get a new driver as think may need less loft now. Unfortunately its not adjustable
2007 Taylormade Burner Draw 9.5*.....gonna be hard to find one that treats me any better.
Love the videos. My problem? I think I just need a British friend to go play ⛳ with!
I have a ping g400 regular flex. The loft is 10.5. I had a lesson and he added adjusted it to 11.5. He used to work for Ping so I felt comfortable that he knew what he was talking about Seems to go a little further.
James, are all the wrenches the same torque for different companies?
Cobra King F8+ . I hit a high shot with a 10.5 loft. Now I have it set to 9 loft and it has lowered my shot height by 10-20 yards but I think I need a 7.5-8 loft instead.
Great video!
Very detailed loft changes including graphics
Watched your video went out and dropped loft from 12 to 9.5 gained 25 yards. Thanks
Taylormade M1 440 at 10.25°. Diamana Whiteboard LE shaft has hugely reduced my flight & spin so a little extra loft os needed.
I'm using Cobra Speedzone King Sz . I had it at -1.5° draw and the heavyweight in front and had nice fade going on. Went and got fitted for new irons and thought hey look at my driver and see if we can get better. It didn't. Watching video to get my driver back dialed in.
Interesting. Surprised your spin numbers were so high as the LS Tec in hands of the friends I have gaming it are great, around the 2000-2300 range. As always depends on the delivery numbers but still
U have a beautiful swing. U have vid on swing? Using Ping 400 @ 9 degrees
Current gaming the TM M3 440 at 9 degrees (standard loft) but I will be booking a session to check the loft changes
currently playing Mizuno JPX 900 10.5 Loft because I have a low ball flight with my driver .shaft Speeder 569 Evoluttion 2 Regular Flex thinking of getting a fitting for new driver
cobra f9 at 9.5 with a hazardous smoke stiff shaft doing well for my higher swing speed, although am slicing sometimes as it feels less forgiving then having it at 10.5, but I could barely get 280+ on 10.5 when I can get it regularly on 9.5 with good contact so
I bought years ago a nickent evolver 10.5 with adjustable R L always used Neutral. I'll try it. Thanx
I’d love to get fitted. I’m only 17 tho and my parents don’t have the money which sucks but I really enjoy the game and have a 4 handicap. Being a Golf professional is my dream
nice to see what the setting on the adjustable shafts do. Go me thinking that I have my driver setup wrong for me. thanks
Cheers James!
Epic flash sub - 9 degree. Using loft at 10 degree. Height of ball flight, look at address. Feel and flight of standard fade shot
G400 lft 12 degree loft. I was fitted . I’m running at 11degrees but my swing has changed. I feel that I would do better at 10.
I have a Ping G30 in stiff with 10.5 deg of loft. I was fitted for it but that was nearly 3 years ago. I think I generate too much spin at 10.5 but less loft = bigger misses.
Callaway XR16 Pro 10.5 degrees of loft and it currently stays in the bag since I am awful at driving and lose 90% of my balls OOB.
I have the Callaway XR 16, also with 10.5 degrees of loft. I can relate to the rest.
I love my XR 16 10.5 . I crush my drives
Ive been hitting my GBB Epic at its 11* setting, with a regular shaft for a 260 carry and 280 total. Then I switched to a stiff project x shaft, and went up to 270 with 285 total. Im gonna switch it to its 8* setting and im gonna be hitting bombs 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 i hope so at least lol.
Fitters should have the adjustables, give customer specs. or send to company. As an experienced club builder I do not like adjustable clubs, excessive weight to the heel. The heads are too light as is. Target weight for driver should be 207-210 grams for better MOI. Ping has a target weight of 207- 208, that is the major contribution to the success of the G-400 series.
Awesome points Thomas! Not something that most people would even consider
thomas ross Who provided a very valid point.
I play a PING G400 Max in 10.5 adjusted up 0.6 to counter my outside-in swing.
What does that even mean-to counter your slice?
G400 Max standard 9 degree loft with the Ping tour 65 stiff like I said before high loft that flattens itself out for good carry and roll. Will try the 8 degree setting on the range but right now I don’t see how I could hit it any better with that setting.
Nike vapor fly pro 10.5° kuro kage x stiff shaft carry 270, ss of 110-115mph and get less then 1500 spin. Just got fitted for the G400 stock alta cb stiff shaft at 11.5° to get my spin up to 2000, gained 10 yards of carry and less dispersion.
I am using Callaway XR 16 Sub Zero in 9.0 degrees.
My driver is 10.5, so a wee tinker at the range is on it’s way for sure 👍
G25 with standard face. 10,5 degrees. Some days i hit draw some days fades:)
I'm 12, playing off a 7.5 handicap and I play a taylormade R15 driver set at 12 degrees loft.
Awesome work! Keep going!
Max Regier Same Iam 16 I play r15 but at 7 loft
When they had persimmon drivers all you could do was place few pieces of lead tape in back of the club. Seemed easier but the old drivers weren't forgiving.
I recently had a driver fitting. I play off 12hcp, after trying a few drivers and shaft combinations the fitter said best option was a Callaway Rogue 13.5 driver adjusted +1° thats 14.5 degs. I noticed on his data I was hitting 2° down so asked him wouldnt I be better having some lessons to hit up on the ball than having a 14.5° driver ? No reply !
The answer is yes. You're going to lose distance on your driver because you're going to have a lot of (back) spin with higher lofted driver and hitting down compared to lower lofted driver and positive angle of attack. More forgiving though.
I just bought that driver, the fitter suggested to keep the loft at 13.5. After buying the club I shared your thoughts however I am hitting the ball much straighter and more consistently than my previous 10.5 driver. I have possibly sacrificed some distance on my perfect shots but I'll stick with this driver until I improve my swing and warrant a driver that can achieve more distance. I play off 20 so no where near your level (as I've only been playing a couple of years without proper lessons!) but thought I'd share my thoughts with you. Right I'm off to book my first lessons armed with my 13.5 loft driver!
fezzer I seemed to have fixed the issue consistently hitting straighter and longer. Got up to 275-300 yards at the range yesterday
how much does a fitting cost? just wondering
hi g400 best setting to avoid a mini....slice ? brilliant video u put together here bud thanks a stack
So the end results, change to 7.5 Degrees was the best fit for you James?
Yes mate! Absolutely was
James Robinson Golf
Great Information, with a 7.5 Degrees Driver, were you 0 Degrees to 2 Degrees up hitting the Ball?