SLDR Loft

[oiler45]

Question for you SLDR users. I have a 9.5 degree original RBZ driver. My ss is 95 mph and a good drive goes about 250 with roll. My ball flight is on the lower side. Of course I'm looking to add a few yards and I'd like to try to bring my ball flight up and keep the spin down. I want to try a SLDR - question is do you guys recommend a 12 degree or a 14 degree head? Yes i will demo but I don't always trust in-store simulators.

I'd like to get some opinions from guys with similar swing speeds.

Thanks

[ignitewvu]

I'm only around 100Mph 105-110 on a good day.

I play a 9.5 and I crush it.....now it did take 3 shafts and the Fubuki ZT won because its perfect for this head.

The SLDR is a driver you need to hit Center or slightly above center, low hits are punished bad.

If you are choosing a low launch shaft, I would def go 12 but if your going with a high launch shaft I would stick with your regular loft.

[erock9174]

I swing in the low 90's and currently play a 12* S flex g25 but when I gamed the SLDR I had a 14* with stock R flex.

[Mcgeeno]

I was interested in this as well. The wife has signed off on a new driver for my birthday, I currently play a 9 degree Rapture with a Proforce V2 that I hit pretty high.

I'm above average length of the tee, not wrx long but pretty deep. Play to a 5 cap and can poke it out there 270 on average.

I purchased a 9.5 RFE and really struggled with it, could not get it in the air consistently. When I crushed it, it went a long ways though...

Now I would simply go to a golftown or something and try one out, but I live in a small town and there is only one club fitter with a launch monitor, so getting some comparable numbers is tough (and expensive)

I was thinking a 10.5 or a 12, but it looks like you can't get a 12 degree sldr in left handed?

Any opinions?

[tdeutmeyer]

I would go 12* and loft down to 11*. Find the right shaft and you are good to go. I'm loving the 12* 430 and just put my 460 up for sale if you are interested. SS ~103, Fubuki alpha stiff. Found the 15yds I've lost over the years and better accuracy.

[mbomber]

I got fitted at the Taylormade performance lab. I thought I would go from my 913 at 9.5* to 10.5 on a SLDR ... The initial recommendation was a 10.5 head but after messing around with a 430 and 460 head we settled on a 460 9.5 head set to around 11*.

In my opinion it's not a club you just buy off the shelf, you need to get fitted properly. Otherwise it will be an expensive exercise! Once we found the right head and shaft combo I was bombing it!

My SS I around 108mph, but I also hit up on the ball and an in to out swing, so you need to have this analysed for yourself before you buy.

[craniac76]

[quote name='oiler45' timestamp='1405808303' post='9737233']
Question for you SLDR users. I have a 9.5 degree original RBZ driver. My ss is 95 mph and a good drive goes about 250 with roll. My ball flight is on the lower side. Of course I'm looking to add a few yards and I'd like to try to bring my ball flight up and keep the spin down. I want to try a SLDR - question is do you guys recommend a 12 degree or a 14 degree head? Yes i will demo but I don't always trust in-store simulators.
I'd like to get some opinions from guys with similar swing speeds.
Thanks
[/quote]

Your SS is the same as mine. Funny thing, I don't hit that far.

[rbhan12]

Is your RBZ stock? If so your length is 46", which exaggerates the 95 mph SS. Regardless, I would also recommend a 12 degree head.

[ThunderBuzzworth]

[quote name='ignitewvu' timestamp='1405809213' post='9737281']
I'm only around 100Mph 105-110 on a good day.

I play a 9.5 and I crush it.....now it did take 3 shafts and the Fubuki ZT won because its perfect for this head.

The SLDR is a driver you need to hit Center or slightly above center, low hits are punished bad.

If you are choosing a low launch shaft, I would def go 12 but if your going with a high launch shaft I would stick with your regular loft.
[/quote]

I disagree completely with where to hit it on the face. Hits high on the face of the SLDR are dead to me. The SLDR head is so low spin that hits low on the face will spin in the normal range and get better results than high on the face. I like to hit my driver higher on the face and the SLDR has given me the worst results of any I have ever hit there.

[rbilramz]

I went from an 9 degree first-gen RBZ to a 10.5 SLDR

[rbhan12]

[quote name='ThunderBuzzworth' timestamp='1405888523' post='9743033']
[quote name='ignitewvu' timestamp='1405809213' post='9737281']
I'm only around 100Mph 105-110 on a good day.

I play a 9.5 and I crush it.....now it did take 3 shafts and the Fubuki ZT won because its perfect for this head.

The SLDR is a driver you need to hit Center or slightly above center, low hits are punished bad.

If you are choosing a low launch shaft, I would def go 12 but if your going with a high launch shaft I would stick with your regular loft.
[/quote]

I disagree completely with where to hit it on the face. Hits high on the face of the SLDR are dead to me. The SLDR head is so low spin that hits low on the face will spin in the normal range and get better results than high on the face. I like to hit my driver higher on the face and the SLDR has given me the worst results of any I have ever hit there.
[/quote]

As usual, thunder is right.

The SLDR's low forward CG produces a lower projection of the CG on the face. Shots above center are out of the sweet spot. On and a little below the center are great. The ball speed, at least for me, between above center and center was not only noticeable on Flightscope, but also visually. It actually looked like it was coming out faster (which it was). Not to mention the sound and feel was dramatically improved. Above center isn't ideal on the SLDR for ball speed.

[oiler45]

[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1405857801' post='9739973']
[quote name='oiler45' timestamp='1405808303' post='9737233']
Question for you SLDR users. I have a 9.5 degree original RBZ driver. My ss is 95 mph and a good drive goes about 250 with roll. My ball flight is on the lower side. Of course I'm looking to add a few yards and I'd like to try to bring my ball flight up and keep the spin down. I want to try a SLDR - question is do you guys recommend a 12 degree or a 14 degree head? Yes i will demo but I don't always trust in-store simulators.
I'd like to get some opinions from guys with similar swing speeds.
Thanks
[/quote]

Your SS is the same as mine. Funny thing, I don't hit that far.
[/quote]
Probably cause I live in Calgary which is at elevation. I have a Medicus which records ss and I use a Garmin GPS to calculate driver distance.
95 mph and 250 with roll is totally legit.

[oiler45]

[quote name='rbhan12' timestamp='1405881692' post='9742361']
Is your RBZ stock? If so your length is 46", which exaggerates the 95 mph SS. Regardless, I would also recommend a 12 degree head.
[/quote]

I don't understand this comment but I did cut my stock RBZ shaft down to 45".
Thanks - I will try a 12 deg. head with the stock R flex shaft and see how it goes.

[ignitewvu]

[quote name='ThunderBuzzworth' timestamp='1405888523' post='9743033']
[quote name='ignitewvu' timestamp='1405809213' post='9737281']
I'm only around 100Mph 105-110 on a good day.

I play a 9.5 and I crush it.....now it did take 3 shafts and the Fubuki ZT won because its perfect for this head.

The SLDR is a driver you need to hit Center or slightly above center, low hits are punished bad.

If you are choosing a low launch shaft, I would def go 12 but if your going with a high launch shaft I would stick with your regular loft.
[/quote]

I disagree completely with where to hit it on the face. Hits high on the face of the SLDR are dead to me. The SLDR head is so low spin that hits low on the face will spin in the normal range and get better results than high on the face. I like to hit my driver higher on the face and the SLDR has given me the worst results of any I have ever hit there.
[/quote]

I guess I can see your point but low hits barely lift off the gound, you are correct High hits feel very weird, but you can miss slightly high and still hit the sweet spot.

When I mean "Slightly" high I mean a few cm's....I don't mean high on the face.

[jdw2920]

The sldr for me when hit higher than normal I think I will be punished and start looking for ball short but it carries a lot longer than most drivers even on mishits

[craniac76]

[quote name='oiler45' timestamp='1405900176' post='9744287']
[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1405857801' post='9739973']
[quote name='oiler45' timestamp='1405808303' post='9737233']
Question for you SLDR users. I have a 9.5 degree original RBZ driver. My ss is 95 mph and a good drive goes about 250 with roll. My ball flight is on the lower side. Of course I'm looking to add a few yards and I'd like to try to bring my ball flight up and keep the spin down. I want to try a SLDR - question is do you guys recommend a 12 degree or a 14 degree head? Yes i will demo but I don't always trust in-store simulators.
I'd like to get some opinions from guys with similar swing speeds.
Thanks
[/quote]

Your SS is the same as mine. Funny thing, I don't hit that far.
[/quote]
Probably cause I live in Calgary which is at elevation. I have a Medicus which records ss and I use a Garmin GPS to calculate driver distance.
95 mph and 250 with roll is totally legit.
[/quote]

My driver is totally custom fitted for optimal distance for my swing speed. My fitter said you can't go further than 230 yards with your Swing speed.

[oiler45]

[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1405945883' post='9747541']
[quote name='oiler45' timestamp='1405900176' post='9744287']
[quote name='craniac76' timestamp='1405857801' post='9739973']
[quote name='oiler45' timestamp='1405808303' post='9737233']
Question for you SLDR users. I have a 9.5 degree original RBZ driver. My ss is 95 mph and a good drive goes about 250 with roll. My ball flight is on the lower side. Of course I'm looking to add a few yards and I'd like to try to bring my ball flight up and keep the spin down. I want to try a SLDR - question is do you guys recommend a 12 degree or a 14 degree head? Yes i will demo but I don't always trust in-store simulators.
I'd like to get some opinions from guys with similar swing speeds.
Thanks
[/quote]

Your SS is the same as mine. Funny thing, I don't hit that far.
[/quote]
Probably cause I live in Calgary which is at elevation. I have a Medicus which records ss and I use a Garmin GPS to calculate driver distance.
95 mph and 250 with roll is totally legit.
[/quote]

My driver is totally custom fitted for optimal distance for my swing speed. My fitter said you can't go further than 230 yards with your Swing speed.
[/quote]

Maybe at sea level with soft fairways.
Other than that your fitter is wrong. My ss is consistent and every round I hit a few drives in the 250+ yard range.

[CactusGolf]

I was fitted into a 10.5* R1 with the stock Aldila Phenom and a 12* SLDR at at TMAG Trackman fitting earlier this year.

Go with the 12* if you're going between just those two options.

[oiler45]

Thanks Cactus - that make sense.

[bobcat]

Hard to envision those who previously played a 9.5* Loft or less "Players" Driver and a premium shaft, would need to go all the way up to a 12* SLDR even in the 430 version. I think most of the aforementioned group should be fine with the 10.5* loft. Most from this group "loft up" only 1* to 1.5*.

Of course other more average golfers who previously played with a GI Driver or SGI type of Driver may need to loft up a bit more if they choose to go with the SLDR.

How much you need to "loft up" with the SLDR depends largely on what type of driver you are coming from.

[duck_hunter]

go 12 then turn it down to desired loft if needed, plus added benefit of going higher loft is when you dial down loft, it opens the face up.

[bobcat]

[quote name='duck_hunter' timestamp='1405968732' post='9751357']
go 12 then turn it down to desired loft if needed, plus added benefit of going higher loft is when you dial down loft, it opens the face up.
[/quote]

So if you wanted to end up with a 10.5* loft you would actually buy a 12* SLDR then loft it down to 10.5* whicih would create a face angle that is 3* Open??? That may work for certain Pros like Vijay Singh, but it is not something I would do. The closer to square the better for me.

I feel 1 degree open or 1 closed is generally OK, but 2* or more either way tends to create some accuracy problems. I realize you can always use the "slider" for a draw/fade adjustment, but I also beliee the SLDR Driver perorms best when the Slider's 20 grams of weight is centered directly behind the face. Having as much mass as possible directly behind the center of the face is best for maximizing distance.

[ThunderBuzzworth]

[quote name='bobcat' timestamp='1405965851' post='9750685']
Hard to envision those who previously played a 9.5* Loft or less "Players" Driver and a premium shaft, would need to go all the way up to a 12* SLDR even in the 430 version. I think most of the aforementioned group should be fine with the 10.5* loft. Most from this group "loft up" only 1* to 1.5*.

Of course other more average golfers who previously played with a GI Driver or SGI type of Driver may need to loft up a bit more if they choose to go with the SLDR.

How much you need to "loft up" with the SLDR depends largely on what type of driver you are coming from.


[/quote]
I went from a Razr fit extreme set to 8.75* to a 12* SLDR 430. Since then I have gone back to an old driver but I went up ~3*

[bobcat]

[quote name='ThunderBuzzworth' timestamp='1405985828' post='9753783']
[quote name='bobcat' timestamp='1405965851' post='9750685']
Hard to envision those who previously played a 9.5* Loft or less "Players" Driver and a premium shaft, would need to go all the way up to a 12* SLDR even in the 430 version. I think most of the aforementioned group should be fine with the 10.5* loft. Most from this group "loft up" only 1* to 1.5*.

Of course other more average golfers who previously played with a GI Driver or SGI type of Driver may need to loft up a bit more if they choose to go with the SLDR.

How much you need to "loft up" with the SLDR depends largely on what type of driver you are coming from.


[/quote]
I went from a Razr fit extreme set to 8.75* to a 12* SLDR 430. Since then I have gone back to an old driver but I went up ~3*
[/quote]

Thunder....Did you actually play the SLDR in the standard 12* setting with a square face or did you loft it down to a loft lower than that which opens the face? Since you didn't stick with it, do you feel 10.5* lofted 430 might have worked better for you?? Just what didn't you like about your SLDR 430 12* Loft???

[ThunderBuzzworth]

[quote name='bobcat' timestamp='1406051717' post='9759579']
[quote name='ThunderBuzzworth' timestamp='1405985828' post='9753783']
[quote name='bobcat' timestamp='1405965851' post='9750685']
Hard to envision those who previously played a 9.5* Loft or less "Players" Driver and a premium shaft, would need to go all the way up to a 12* SLDR even in the 430 version. I think most of the aforementioned group should be fine with the 10.5* loft. Most from this group "loft up" only 1* to 1.5*.

Of course other more average golfers who previously played with a GI Driver or SGI type of Driver may need to loft up a bit more if they choose to go with the SLDR.

How much you need to "loft up" with the SLDR depends largely on what type of driver you are coming from.


[/quote]
I went from a Razr fit extreme set to 8.75* to a 12* SLDR 430. Since then I have gone back to an old driver but I went up ~3*
[/quote]

Thunder....Did you actually play the SLDR in the standard 12* setting with a square face or did you loft it down to a loft lower than that which opens the face? Since you didn't stick with it, do you feel 10.5* lofted 430 might have worked better for you?? Just what didn't you like about your SLDR 430 12* Loft???
[/quote]
I played it between 11.5 and 10.5 looking for answers. The 12* 430 head was right for me no doubt but I was having terribly inconsistent flight with the head shaft combo that I was fitted in so I went back to an old driver that is really heavy searching for consistency.