| The
basic undeniable fact of golf: the longer the ball stays in the
air, the farther it's going to go. Period. With the advent of
new ball technology, today's golfers can take advantage of matching
the right loft and the right ball to extract longer distances.
At least 90 percent of average recreational golfers stand to benefit
and would see better results immediately if they could add 1 to
3 degrees of loft to their drivers.
High lofts are classified as those with lofts
between 11º and 16º.
Changes in golf technology and a greater understanding
of optimal launch conditions have seen Touring pros switch from
7.5ºand 8.5º drivers to 9.5º to 10.5º for
maximum distance. The new norm, larger heads (430cc – 460cc)
with 11º -16º lofts target slower swingers (50 –95
mph) who struggle to get sufficient lift and spin, ideal spin
or rpm, being between 2500 to 3,000 rpm.
The reason these large heads with high lofts
produce results is that the extra size means less curvature because
of a higher moment of inertia (resistance to twisting), and therefore
is more stable on hits away from the sweet spot.
Some manufacturers, such as TaylorMade, have
a Draw version (R5D) where the center of gravity has been moved
towards the heel, to work in combination with a closed face angle
to produce draw trajectory. These high lofted, large-headed drivers
are also more stable on hits away from the sweet spot that in
turn tighten shot dispersion equaling straighter and closer shots
from the centerline. Because the backspin level is high enough,
it offsets the sidespin produced in these off-center hits and
prevents a slice or a hook. This is obviously beneficial on those
35 to 40 yard fairways found on typical courses.
Another option from all this new technology is
the ability to choose a driver that can be manipulated to suit
your swing. Many manufacturers offer different models of either
adjustable screw weighting or preset configurations, such as neutral
setups or draw setups and 440cc to 460cc heads. These modifications
to the center of gravity are working in conjunction with high
lofted drivers to produce the spin and launch angle to generate
distance, mainly when the weights are placed in the back of the
clubheads.
The high lofted drivers can be enhanced even
further when they are built with a draw bias or a draw-enhancing
weight configuration which should produce drives with an average
of 13 to 15 yards less rightward movement than those with a neutral
setup. Simply stated, the draw-bias drivers hit the ball more
left than drivers with a neutral setup AND usually produce longer
drives.
According to TaylorMade Golf’s head of
research and development, “Pick a driver that gives you
as high a trajectory as you can get without sacrificing accuracy.
When you feel you are uncomfortably high, take the loft one step
down to see if you are still as consistently long nine out of
10 times. If in doubt, take more loft rather than less”
The following drivers merit your attention, as
they are the best in the high loft domain. It should be noted
that not all drivers described below offer weighting systems or
different biases, but nevertheless do produce results.
Two important points to remember are that different
manufacturers measure loft differently, but generally are within
one degree of the stated loft, unless they intentionally label
them lower than the actual loft to overcome the ego barrier to
accept higher lofted clubs. Secondly, it’s all about ball
performance and not just the stated loft on the driver. Just remember
to test drive and find what works best for you. Select a driver
that gives you as high a trajectory as you can get without sacrificing
accuracy and find a ball that gives you the best feel and distance
with your driver.
I highly recommend starting with an 11º
loft if your swing speed is 85 mph and a 14º to 16º
loft for slower swing speeds.
Nike
Sasquatch Lucky 13 and 16º
 WOW!
What a driver! This driver has an affinity for finding fairways.
Every one of our testers fought to use and or buy this driver.
The 460cc is imposing yet so very easy to hit with the new proprietary
Diamana shaft.
Citing the biggest footprint in golf, the SasQuatch
uses Nike’s NexTi titanium face, taking the center of gravity
deeper than any other driver.
Nike’s Powerbow technology, placed on the
back of the driver, expands the perimeter of performance, making
it easier to get the ball up and hit it straight. The Powerbow
adds a trailing volume of mass to apply more power and control
to the ball without overstepping the 460 cc legal limit.
The aesthetics as well as the setup at address
are confidence boosters. The ball simply rockets off the face
and it seems the slower you swing, the straighter and further
the ball flies.
The SasQuatch is available in both a Tour 460
cc version and a Standard 460cc version and features a proprietary
Diamana shaft with various flexes.
Standard version
$359.00 Tour Version $419.00
www.nikegolf.com
Adams
Redline RPM 460 Dual Titanium Driver– 11.5º and 15.5º
 This
460cc club head features an all titanium body. It has two changeable
weight screws which include two 7 gram pre-positioned in two ports
in the club, plus one 2 gram and one 12 gram screws that are adjustable
to achieve either a draw, neutral and fade bias.
This is an extremely easy driver to hit and the
feel is exceptional.
$299.99
www.adamsgolf.com
Callaway
Big Bertha Titanium 454 High Trajectory 13º and 15º
This 454cc 15º driver features a 4-degree closed face that
helps square the face at impact for the slower swinger. Callaway
recommends it for 80 mph and slower swingers. The 13º driver
has a 1º closed face. Both these drivers are extremely easy
to hit and their accuracy factor was in the top three of the drivers
tested in this article.
$299.99
www.callawaygolf.com
Callaway
Big Bertha Fusion FT-3 Composite 460cc 11º and HT 16º
 Callaway’s
latest and in short supply, is the best of their composite series
of drivers. Both Annika and Phil are devotees of this driver,
though in lower lofts.
With its precise weighting positioning inside
the back of the club head, Callaway is able to customize the center
of gravity in three configurations for each loft - draw, neutral
and fade. For those who do not like to tinker with screws, this
is the way to go.
$399.99
www.callawaygolf.com
Yonex
Cyberstar CT 420cc 12º - Ladies
 Yonex,
the leader in graphite technology, just released their new composite
driver that offers a strategically placed tungsten weight near
the rear of the soleplate, which helps lower the center of gravity
and square the face at impact.
The men’s version of the Cyberstar CT is
offered with a 460cc head with the highest loft of 10.5º
degrees only. Though only having a 10.5º loft, the performance
of this club is outstanding, launching the ball as though it has
12º of loft and comparing most favorably with the other drivers
mentioned in this article.
$349.99
www.yonexgolf.com
Tour Edge BAZOOKA HL 400cc
11.5º
 The
Bazooka HL (Hot Launch), though having the smallest sized club
head, features a four-piece, forged titanium clubhead with a super
thin face, thick soleplate and a UST shaft with a low kick point
to enhance launch angle, promote ball flight and spin rate.
The Bazooka has a series of internal disks in
the heel of the head that helps the average player more easily
square the club at impact. The heel weight, along with the closed
clubface, is designed to counter the sidespin that creates a slice.
The UST graphite shaft is geared to produce a
counterclockwise motion in the club head that also contributes
to squaring the clubface.
A truly excellent value and a top performer in
the high lofted driver category.
$179
www.touredgegolf.com
KZG Golf Gemini 460cc 12º
and SL 14º
Featuring a USGA approved twin face technology, this club, with
its Graphite Design Y6 shaft, produced outstanding results. This
driver was one of the top three drivers we tested. The ball explodes
off the face and the accuracy factor was amongst the best of all
the drivers tested.
$399.99
www.kzgolf.com
Ping G5 460 cc 12º
and 13.5º
 The
updated version of the outstandingly successful G2 driver, the
G5 features a lower CG (center of gravity), improved internal
weight placement that gives the G5 a higher MOI for more control,
stability and forgiveness. Its variable face geometry produces
increased ball speed. This driver, in the opinion of our testers,
ranked tied as Number #1 with the Nike Sasquatch. Our testers
raved about the ease of use, the distance and accuracy and the
overall feel and aesthetics of the club. Offset models are also
available.
$299.99
www.pinggolf.com
Playing with any of the above drivers,
the serious golfer will definitely improve their enjoyment of
the game and probably their handicap too. One caveat though; whatever
you do purchase, ensure that you are custom fitted to obtain the
highest benefits from these drivers.
A good club fitter with a launch monitor can
help find you the right loft AND the right ball for a winning
combination.
Barry
Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers
Association of America. He is also a member of the Golf Writers
Association of America and the California Golf Writers Association
and a Mediator for the golf industry. He is a contributing writer
to numerous national magazines. He can be reached at drlotz@cbsgolf.net |
