Launch Monitor Numbers & Recommendation

[Backspin9]

I got a chance to get my launch monitor numbers from a Bridgestone Ball Fitting session.  As it turned out, the session ended up being more of a shaft fitting as the guy that was doing the testing was also a club fitter and teaching pro.  Oh yeah...the B330-S I've been playing is a good fit which is fine with me since I have 5 dozen at home.

Anyway, my current driver is a 10.5* J38 with an NVS 65 Stiff Flex.  As spinny as this shaft is supposed to be, I still was too low by almost 900 rpms.  Interesting.

Swing Speed: 104 mph
Ball Velocity: 152 mph
Launch Angle: 14*
Spin Rate: 1487 (2420 would be ideal)
Side Spin: -200 (translates to a 5-10 yd draw)
Total Carry: 262 yds (ideal would be 266)

The problem is that even with a 14* launch angle this driver takes A LOT of work to get/keep the ball in the air.  Could it be that this head is just too low spin for my swing?  At 104 mph (consistently) that doesn't seem logical. 

As we talked about what might get the spin rate up, it was suggested that I try a Graphite Design Aura Blue.  It is a little higher torque than an NVS and has a lower kick point.  He suggested an X flex as these are supposed to play soft to flex.  The guy sounded like he know what he was doing (and had a shaft catalog, LOL) but I'm a little hesitant to play an X.  I've heard good things about the Aura, though.  For $50 it's worth a try.

Does any of this make sense to anyone?  Is there a better option?  I'd like to do something before giving up on this driver altogether. 

[rlheiman]

The Aura line plays soft so you will need an x flex with that swing speed.

The Aura Blue might be a good fit should fly high with some spin, at the price the Aura line is really nice and smooth,  I had good results with the Gold and Red, but not exactly what you are looking for.  Also, with those numbers you might be able to do a light weight Redboard or even a 55 NVS to get the needed spin.  ProLaunch blue is a super spinner too.

Bridgestone does have low spinning heads.  Might have trouble getting the optimal spin with that head.  But the rest of your numbers look good

[mr_divots]

I might suggest a head with a little shallower profile to it. The J33 is pretty deep face/low spin. Shallower heads are usually easy to launch and tend to be a little higher spin. Grafalloy Prolaunch Blue is a relatively inexpensive option to raise the spin with the J33. Stiff flex should suffice in that one. They play pretty true to flex. A 10.5 905R with the NV 65s is one that comes to mind that is shallower and won't break the bank. Cobra ZL being a newer one that I think also flights higher and spins a little more if you want to try a newer one. Although I have not hit it, the new B-stone head looks shallower.

[Yanner]

I got a chance to get my launch monitor numbers from a Bridgestone Ball Fitting session.  As it turned out, the session ended up being more of a shaft fitting as the guy that was doing the testing was also a club fitter and teaching pro.  Oh yeah...the B330-S I've been playing is a good fit which is fine with me since I have 5 dozen at home.

Anyway, my current driver is a 10.5* J38 with an NVS 65 Stiff Flex.  As spinny as this shaft is supposed to be, I still was too low by almost 900 rpms.  Interesting.

Swing Speed: 104 mph
Ball Velocity: 152 mph
Launch Angle: 14*
Spin Rate: 1487 (2420 would be ideal)
Side Spin: -200 (translates to a 5-10 yd draw)
Total Carry: 262 yds (ideal would be 266)

The problem is that even with a 14* launch angle this driver takes A LOT of work to get/keep the ball in the air.  Could it be that this head is just too low spin for my swing?  At 104 mph (consistently) that doesn't seem logical. 

As we talked about what might get the spin rate up, it was suggested that I try a Graphite Design Aura Blue.  It is a little higher torque than an NVS and has a lower kick point.  He suggested an X flex as these are supposed to play soft to flex.  The guy sounded like he know what he was doing (and had a shaft catalog, LOL) but I'm a little hesitant to play an X.  I've heard good things about the Aura, though.  For $50 it's worth a try.

Does any of this make sense to anyone?  Is there a better option?  I'd like to do something before giving up on this driver altogether. 

High swing speed doesn't necessarily mean high spin, it all depends on how you deliver the club head to the ball. 

My SS is pretty close to yours and I am very level through the ball launching it at exactly the same loft as the club head, I also don't spin the ball much (I was in the low 1000 range with an Adams BUL)

IMHO I wouldn't start throwing shafts at the club head you've got, find a new spinney head you like and then find the shaft to fit.  However, if your pretty consistent with that set-up I wouldn't change it, your distance quote is only 4 yards from optimum!