Drive with caution

IT'S a question everyone has faced at some stage: "What driver loft should I use?"

The temptation, of course, is to swagger into the pro shop a la Tiger Woods, dip into the biggest, brashest golf bag and haul out a super dupper driver with a loft as straight as the Cliffs of Moher.

Don't!!!

When buying a driver (or, indeed, any equipment) a little piece of diffidence can turn out to be extremely useful. Ask for advice, and listen. With driver lofts running anywhere between 6.5 degrees and 13 degrees, customers can be smothered by the various options open to them.

Indeed, David Barton, club professional at Malahide Golf Club, makes the point that "90 per cent of golfers are using, clubs which are not suited to them - and that is not an exaggeration." Considering that almost everyone wants to use a driver off the tee, it is worth a touch of humility at the time of purchasing to save some embarrassment later on.

It is important to bear in mind that the better the golfer invariably the less degree of loft required. Most touring professionals use a driver with a 9 degree loft there are other steeper lofts available (for instance, the Great Big Bertha Driver range commences at 6.5 degrees, the Cleveland VAS; starts at 8 and the King Cobra, Taylor Made and MacGregor ranges start at 8.5 ), but pros are hitting the ball so far anyway that very few are tempted to sacrifice accuracy for an extra couple of yards, so most tend to stick with the 8.5 or 9 degree weapon.

If there is such a thing as an ordinary golfer, a man is likely to hold in his hands a metal driver, rather than a persimmon club, with a 10.5 degree loft; while a woman golfer (apart for the really good players) would be expected to go for a loftier driver, around 12 degrees, or even decide to use a three wood in preference. Barton observes that more and more women appear to be opting to put three, five and seven woods into their bags rather than the traditional driver, three and five woods.

One of the most important considerations when it comes to driver selection is ball trajectory. If you're the type of player who hits low ball drives, consider more loft; if you naturally hit the ball too high, try a degree or two less loft than you are presently playing.

The advent of the titanium driver has also affected the loft specifications. The ball tends to fly higher off a titanium because the clubhead is larger than the average stainless steel oversize models and its centre of gravity has moved. This shift causes the titanium's "dynamic loft" (the loft at impact rather than address) to increase, resulting in a higher launch angle and a faster spinning ball. This in turn has resulted in players being able to opt for a lower degree of loft than previously.

The bottom line, though, is that a wee chat with the man or woman behind the counter at your golf shop can save you considerable torment when it comes to deciding what driver loft to put into your bag, whether you are parting with £40 or £400.

As Barton so adequately puts it: "Why would you buy a size 44 jacket to wear if you are only a size 38? It is the same with your driver - it has to suit you."