Boomers – Margin for Error?

I have not had the opportunity to work with a lot of what I will call “boomers” – players who reside in the 115 mph or higher driver swing speed. Today though had a conversation with one of these folks that caused me to think that they provide some unique challenges in terms of getting the right driver fitting parameters.

The player I talked with is having lots of problems keeping the ball in play. He can hit a nice draw with the driver he has when he hits the ball well. But then sometimes the draw goes to a pull hook, then to a push in an attempt to correct for the hook, and then it becomes an issue of confidence in terms of hitting the driver.

On thinking of this, it seems to me that the right fitting for the driver becomes a huge issue because the Margin For Error with high swing speeds becomes a lot less. Some of the potential fitting areas that can help to iron out a big dispersion of shots, which start with a pull hook, are these……

1. Driver too long, so not in a good athletic position when making a swing.

2. Shaft flex profile that fits the players swing speed and where he releases the club.

3. Face Angle. This may be bigger issue than one might think. I already know for this particular driver that it has a very closed face angle, about 2.5 degrees. For a strong swinger, particularly with a little over the top swing, it can be easy to produce a pull hook since the face is likely to be pointing left at the start (unless the player manipulates the face to make the club “look square” at address.

4. Shaft weight. Another likely biggie for a boomer. The shaft in question is a 60 gram shaft, and a very strong player is more likely to help produce an inside swing path and allow the player to not have to guard against a pull hook. Probably at least a 75 gram shaft, maybe heavier.

5. Swingweight / club MOI. Greater headweight can help a player “feel” the clubhead more and be less likely to close the clubface too much at impact.

These are all considerations for all golfers to some extent. However, for folks blessed with being able to bomb the ball, getting the right club parameters is probably even important. Ah, to hit a 300 yard drive down the middle!

The Fit Is IT!!

Tony