What loft does your driver need?

Loft is the single characteristic that affects your ball flight the most – more than the shaft, the head or any other choice in the club. The right loft gets the ball up in the air with the right combination of launch and spin, which ultimately means more distance and better control. The wrong loft is one of the most common and most underestimated reasons for lost distance off the tee.

Tip: most players play too little loft

The majority of all golfers have too little loft and compensate by angling the club upwards – and thereby lose distance and accuracy.

Why swing speed says more than flex

Two players with the same flex can have different swing speeds, and therefore different loft needs. If you know your actual driver swing speed, it is a better basis than flex.

Recommended loft by swing speed
Swing speed (driver)Guideline loft
Under 70 mph12–13° or more
70–80 mph10.5–12°
80–90 mph9.5–11°
90–100 mph9–10°
100–110 mph8.5–9.5°
Over 110 mph7.5–9°

Quick facts about driver loft

  • Lower swing speeds generally need more loft to get enough launch and keep the ball in the air long enough.
  • Higher swing speeds generate more spin and launch on their own, and therefore need less loft to avoid the ball “ballooning” and losing speed.
  • Modern fitting data shows that most golfers – even long hitters – gain distance from more loft than they think. Higher launch with lower spin is today the optimal combination for most.