Many golfers are interested to know how exactly a driver fitting works. We want to share some of the critical things we are looking to accomplish at Pete’s Golf. Check out this video for all the details, and we’ll summarize some key points below:

Driver Heads Are All Unique

One of the biggest mistakes golfers make when purchasing new drivers is assuming they all have similar performance. Based on our experience, we can tell you that there are significant differences in each club. Here are some of the main things we are looking to customize in a driver head for your swing:

• Loft: The numbers you see stamped on the driver’s head are not necessarily representative of the actual loft. One manufacturer’s 10.5 degrees might actually be 10 degrees. With our Foresight GC Quad launch monitors, we are able to make sure you get the right loft on your driver to optimize your launch conditions.
• Center of Gravity: Even if you have two different drives with the same loft, the trajectory of the ball flight could change quite a bit based on where the center of gravity of the club is. You can read this article to find out more about that concept.
• Moment of Inertia (MOI): This is a measurement of “forgiveness factor” in a driver head design. The higher the MOI, the more the clubhead will resist twisting on off-center strikes. However, this could alter the spin rate dramatically, so we are always trying to match the proper MOI of a driver head to the player’s swing tendencies.
• Adjustability: Today, there are a lot of adjustable drivers, which allows us to dial in the head a little better for the customer. We won’t fit a golfer into an adjustable head if it’s not necessary. But if we do, we highly recommend not changing the settings on your own. Additionally, if you feel you’re having a problem with your settings, it’s always best to bring it to Pete’s Golf for us to double-check that everything is set correctly.

Importance of Shafts

Another essential part of your driver fitting is getting the right shaft. Our goal is to get the proper shaft so the player can deliver the sweet spot of the clubhead to the ball with the most consistency. We view shafts and driver heads as equally important. If you want to take a deeper dive into how we fit for shaft, you can read this article. When we fit players for shafts in their drives, here are some of the most critical factors:

• There are no standards: There are no standards in the golf industry for shaft specs. One company’s “stiff” might be another company’s “regular” flex. By working with reputable shaft manufacturers, and doing our own quality control, we make sure you are getting the right shaft specs based on the fitting.
• Flex is not about swing speed: If we’re speaking in generalities about flex, there is one misconception we would like to clear up. The overall speed of your swing is not the only determining factor for your flex requirement. It has more to do with the load you are applying. The shaft has no idea how fast the clubhead is moving.
• Shaft Length: Today, a lot of drivers have a stock length of 45 1/2″ to 46″. At Pete’s Golf, we usually operate with a 45″ standard because we typically find the best combination of distance and consistency. That doesn’t mean we won’t go shorter or longer; it all depends on the player and their swing.
• Aftermarket vs. Factory Shafts: The most significant difference between premium aftermarket shafts and factory shafts is quality control. That’s not to say factory shafts can’t work for certain golfers. Still, we have found that if we are looking to match a specific set of needs for a shaft (weight, flex, profile) – the aftermarket options are more reliable at delivering what the golfer needs.

To schedule your next driver fitting with a member of the Pete’s Golf staff, please visit this page.