Expectations if I upgrade from Jetspeed driver?

lchang · June 4, 2020

So the Jetspeed was introduced over 6 years ago now. I'm an 11-index with a ~95 mph swing speed. I don't dislike my driver, but wondering what I could expect if I got something more modern. I could expect better forgiveness without loss of distance on good strikes? More distance on good strikes? Both... or neither?

Would love to hear your thoughts....

Myherobobhope · June 4, 2020

Did you get fit? Have you toyed with other shafts?

good hits: pretty much the only way to increase distance on good hits is to increase driver speed... aerodynamics aren’t going to do it, but a lighter shaft and different weight profile might.

bad hits: new technology is usually more forgiving. Is it forgiving where you need it to be? That I can’t answer... path issues can be mitigated with the right set up, but the ball is going to go in the direction you send it... if your swing isn’t consistent, your results won’t be consistent... newer stuff will help if you miss the center of the club face, though.

lchang · June 5, 2020

I haven’t gotten fit (yet), thus the questions. And yes: on forgiveness, I was referring to my misses when I don’t hit the center of the club face.

So if I interpret your answer correctly, not much to be gained in the last 6 years of technology in terms of “hotness” of the face on center strikes. But perhaps ball speeds are better for non-sweet-spot shots?

Myherobobhope · June 5, 2020

If you didn’t get fit for the jetspeed (or didn’t go to a good fitter) getting fit is going to be the biggest benefit to your overall results...

but you are correct otherwise. Ball speed will improve across the club face except for the sweet spot.

honestly, find a good fitter and get fit.

lchang · June 5, 2020

Oh, I knew the advice I would get would be to "go get fit". And I will before I buy (if I do buy). Was just wondering what I could reasonably expect in terms of tech advancement. And I did get fit for my Jetspeed all those years ago. Well, at least, I hit a whole bunch of shaft - head combos on a launch monitor for a long time and went with the best one. (It was in a big golf store--not like a CoolClubs / Hotstix fitting)

Myherobobhope · June 5, 2020

I hear you... one of the best parts about getting fit is you get to see your numbers... launch, spin and ball speed... optimizing that will help your overall distance.

the worse your current driver fits, the more improvement you will see. That’s going to be the biggest gain.

the off center improvements just depend on your average strike quality and miss. You’ll get some improvements there.

honestly, the only way to find out how much you can improve is to get fit... I realize that’s not exactly the answer you are looking for, but it’s fun and not super expensive!

1Mordrid1 · June 5, 2020

It depends on how close the Jetspeed was to being right for you.

If it was pretty far off, you could possibly see significant gains. If nothing else you would might see better "misshits" from a properly fitted driver. With a 95mph SS, 220 yards is a very good carry, and 245 is a very good total. If you are already getting numbers like those regularly, you may not gain much in distance but a new fitted driver may still improve accuracy.

rwl · June 5, 2020

Wouldn't argue w/ the "get fit" advice, but if I remember correctly almost anything would be a significant upgrade from the Jetspeed. That thing & I did not get along at all!

Good luck!

aenemated · June 5, 2020

Echo'ing the fitting comments. Left to my own devices, I'd have never picked up a 9.5° with an XS shaft. I was sincerely shocked when I got put on that - but numbers don't lie.