Read the following with a sense of humor and enjoy.

Just curious....in the Feb 2008 issue of Golf Digest (new equipment issue) they have an article "Trackman Says-Take Another Look at Loft" p.120 on swing speed vs. loft.  Actually has a chart detailing the test results of 75 and 95 mph players hitting lofts ranging from 9* to 16*, with resulting stats i.e. LA, BS, spin rate, carry, total dist., etc.  The chart actually has the 10.5* besting the 9* in carry distance by 20 yards AND total distance by 11 yds.  At the end of the article the author quotes a subject matter expert "Ultimately you want to fly the ball to the target.  Once it lands, you can't control how it's going to bounce."  Another says "...loft is more important than flex" Another...."many also believe that flying the ball further in the air is the SMARTER way to use your distance".  Quote from author: "The 95mph swinger benefitted most from the 10.5* and 12* drivers which carried 20-25 yards further than the 9* model."  The chart actually shows the 10.5* and 12* with 242yds TOTAL distance, 11yds past the 9* total distance.  12* for a 95mph swinger?  I know some guys hit slightly down on it, but were they TAKING A DIVOT with the driver or what?!!

Now get in your time machine and look at the Feb 2009 issue (new equipment issue), same author, same heading "Trackman Says-Key to Distance, Loft or Flex?" p. 110.  Surprise, surprise... (surprise? sorry I had to throw one more surprise in there for Gomer Pile), the author decides to include the critical but forgotten factor of shaft flex in the mix!  Wouldn't you know it, the 2009 article for the most part completely contradicts the 2008 version.  The NEW chart actually shows the 95-102mph 9.5* driver besting the 10.5* by what appears to be (chart is poorly defined) 10 yds in CARRY distance and 15-20yds in total distance!  The difference? The 9.5* driver is REG flex, the 10.5* STIFF.  He explains the seemingly "baffling" technicalities of this phenomena by referencing a Tom Wishom explanation.  It's worth reading but i'm not typing it here, you can read it on GD's website.

Thanks to a free fitting session with Cleveland Golf Trackman Radar,  I'm saavy to the impact that both loft and flex have on launch angle and spin rate, which culminate into the eventual carry distance, landing angle and resulting roll-out....which is why I currently have a 9.5* driver headed my way via UPS .

My problem is as a relatively new golfer (just over 2 years) I put too much stock in these opinionated  articles.  Not any more.  Here's why.....ask yourself this one question:  When's the last time you bragged to your buddies about "outcarrying" their drive?  Probably NEVER.  Why? TOTAL DISTANCE RULES.  I play a Cleveland XL 10.5* Stiff and my parter plays a PING G5 in 9.5* REG, pretty close in swing speed. I hit a straight ball he hits a 20yd draw.   I usually outcarry him sometimes by 20-30 yds only to watch his ball roll up to and sometimes past mine.  Couple of Sunday's ago  I smoked one down the middle "outcarrying" him the length of a Jiffy Lube only to die a little inside when I saw his ball even with mine. (keep in mind we talk a TON of trash) haha.

Ever watch a PGA Tour round and hear Jim Nance state "so-and-so leads the tour in carry distance"?  Probably not.  With the driver, carry distance as a singular factor doesn't mean squat in my book.  What say you?

PS:  Sorry this was so loooooooong.