Welcome again to a different version of #AskMyGolfSpy the place readers such as you submit your prime inquiries to our consultants right here at MGS. You’ll be able to cross alongside your inquiries to the group on Twitter, Fb, Instagram or proper right here within the feedback part beneath!
Q: If the USGA and R&A have a set of testing protocols for drivers to be conforming (distance) and a majority of drivers meet these protocols, why would I purchase a brand new 2024 driver? – @SlowMoSwing
You need to solely purchase a brand new driver in 2024 if it’s measurably higher than what you may have now, though I’ll settle for “as a result of I needed to” as a legitimate cause for purchasing a brand new membership.
For all intents and functions, USGA laws are restricted to quantity, size, second of inertia (MOI) and Attribute of Time (CT).
As we’ve mentioned, there’s some wiggle room between CT and the outdated COR restrict that does permit drivers to get barely quicker. Off-center efficiency continues to enhance with every new launch and, whereas the advantages are largely restricted to quicker gamers, there’s no cap on aerodynamic effectivity.
Supplies and manufacturing methods proceed to enhance as properly, which makes for extra constant and sturdy components.
The purpose in all of that is that there’s room for improved efficiency inside the guidelines.
It’s additionally true that our swings change and so the driving force that match us final yr may not match us as properly subsequent yr.
With all of that mentioned, the unique level stands: Solely purchase when efficiency is demonstrably higher.
Q: Loft jacking is right here to remain. Why don’t producers substitute numbers (6,7,5, and so on.) with the diploma that every membership is?
By and enormous, golfers don’t truly care what the loft of the membership is and, whereas most know the way far they hit a 7-iron, they don’t know what the loft is.
I stay these things and, whereas I understand how far I hit my 5-iron, in case you put me on the spot, the perfect I’d be capable of muster is an affordable guess as to the loft.
When the Ben Hogan firm returned (the primary time) a number of years in the past, it tried changing numbers with lofts. Whereas some thought it was cool, most discovered it annoying, which might be why when new homeowners took over, they ditched the lofts for the extra standard numbers.
In the end, the quantity on the membership is nothing greater than an identifier. It doesn’t a lot matter in case your 7-iron is 27 levels or 34 levels.
Q: How usually do you assume gamers ought to replace their golf equipment? Does the altering of know-how in golf equipment make them last more or get changed quicker? – @joshuajhoffmann
There’s no straightforward reply to how usually it’s best to substitute your golf equipment however we don’t assume it’s best to—except there’s a measurable efficiency profit.
With that in thoughts, it’s possible that your sand and lob wedges ought to be essentially the most incessantly changed golf equipment in your bag. Seventy-five rounds is the rule of thumb.
There’s no sensible lifespan on a putter although new applied sciences proceed to emerge.
Three to 5 years is affordable for a driver.
Except you’ve obtained money burning a gap in your pocket, every little thing else might be stretched out 5-6 years.
The one caveat is that on occasion one thing emerges that resets the class. A good instance was the unique Rocketballz which left a lot of the business behind within the fairway wooden class for a few years.
As a rule, nonetheless, year-over-year (over yr) enhancements are minimal.
As for whether or not or not golf equipment last more, extra resilient and sturdy supplies is a continuing speaking level and customarily talking high quality, and with that, longevity, have improved.
Q: Have you ever thought-about testing sun shades?
It’s been some time since our final sun shades take a look at, so to reply your query, hell, sure!
It’s taking place this yr.
My native course retrieves balls from water hazards and wooded areas, cleans them up a bit and lets us decide what we’d like. Ought to I even play these balls? – Tom Nikollaj
Possibly.
Balls pulled from the woods are most likely nice. These which were submerged for a bit may not be. Golf balls are hydroscopic, which suggests they take in water. If a ball has been submerged lengthy sufficient, its efficiency properties could have modified.
Q: Is there a golf ball higher for people who slice?
I’m not an enormous fan of counting on the golf ball for shot-shape correction. Having mentioned that, a higher-flying, lower-spinning ball (Bridgestone TOUR B RX, TaylorMade Tour Response or Callaway Chrome Tender) will fly a bit straighter, although it’s not going to avoid wasting you from a banana slice.
Low spin and low compression usually go hand in hand so, for greater swing velocity gamers particularly, that may imply a distance loss off the driving force.
There are firmer balls which are lower-spinning than others however even a extremely low-spin, high-compression ball (Titleist Professional V1x Left Sprint, for instance) goes to spin greater than most gentle choices available on the market.
Q: Do you may have a advice for a forgiving iron with conventional lofts that isn’t hollow-bodied? (I swing it exhausting however don’t usually discover the middle!) [email protected]
The disclaimer right here is that it’s at all times dicey to provide a particular product advice primarily based on restricted information.
Having mentioned that, that is an fascinating one.
Goal participant demographics being what they’re, conventional lofts and forgiving aren’t usually paired collectively. Throw in not hollow-bodied and the sector narrows fairly a bit extra nonetheless. I believe the perfect we’re going to do here’s a mix of traditional-ish and forgiving-ish. With that in thoughts, listed below are the highest three I got here up with.
Extra Questions?
As at all times, if in case you have any questions for the MGS crew (and so they don’t need to be concerning the golf ball), drop them beneath for an opportunity to be featured in subsequent week’s #AskMyGolfSpy!
