Note to 151 users

[EPONfreak]

Hi,

Out of interest I've been teeing my ball down lower and have gained ball speed. It seems the 151 sweet spot is pretty much dead centre of the face. I don't have any data but trajectory and distance are a pretty good indicator. I usually strike my driver dead centre but as we all know, with most modern 460cc heads, a high toe miss often produces excellent launch conditions.

I usually tee the ball reasonably high (not super high or anything) but I wanted to hit a lower shot on a particular tee last week, teed the ball lower, and the thing went like a rocket. I've kept with this and noticed a definite difference.

I thought this might be worth passing on. Of course my personal swing mechanics (or lack there of) will play a part of the equation, if you're using a 151, give it a try.

Edited May 15, 2011 by EPONfreak

[FatMan]

Thanks for the heads up!

I'll certainly try this out with mine when I get back home.

[jamnguy1]

151 is a higher launching head to begin with

it may be that it launches too high with the loft ur playing with

if u hit any driver lower on the face, it will launch lower

its an educated guess, but if u go to a lower loft and hit it where its supposed to be hit, 1/2 in, above center, you can get ideal launch angle and less spin than ur current driver

[EPONfreak]

151 is a higher launching head to begin with

it may be that it launches too high with the loft ur playing with

if u hit any driver lower on the face, it will launch lower

its an educated guess, but if u go to a lower loft and hit it where its supposed to be hit, 1/2 in, above center, you can get ideal launch angle and less spin than ur current driver

no, I'm pretty sure of my launch characteristics. The 151 is definately hotter dead centre.

[jamnguy1]

no, I'm pretty sure of my launch characteristics. The 151 is definately hotter dead centre.

Then i will definitely take your word for it

Glad you found the right place to hit it

[Spoon]

i noticed that if i wanted a lower launch i would tee it lower, normal tee (half the ball above the crown) get a nice

high launch. as for the distance i never did compare the two. the 151 defintely has higher spin which is a good thing

for most but not for me. i changed to the 102 and am a happy camper. i still have and game the 152 on my off days

as this driver cant be beat in the forgiveness department.

thanks for sharing this info. would have never discovered it on my own!

[EPONfreak]

Likewise Spoon, the 151 isnt optimal for me, but i got it sometime ago to test and had the shaft lying around so may as well use it.

It is forgiving but high spin for me, the lower tee height still produces a medium trajectory, but I found the feel was better and the drives longer with a lower apex.

Nothing imperical here of course, just thought this might be interesting to anyone with a high SS playing the 151.

[EPONfreak]

Then i will definitely take your word for it

Glad you found the right place to hit it

this is only anecdotal mate, noting impirical of course, youre right that the 151 goes high and spins more (certainly than the 101/102) and lowering the tee height lowers the launch and apex. but hitting dead centre even with lower launch and apex increased carry most noticeably (hense I deduce better ball speed) and felt very much better. Im only relating to the 151 here not drivers in general.

[jamnguy1]

this is only anecdotal mate, noting impirical of course, youre right that the 151 goes high and spins more (certainly than the 101/102) and lowering the tee height lowers the launch and apex. but hitting dead centre even with lower launch and apex increased carry most noticeably (hense I deduce better ball speed) and felt very much better. Im only relating to the 151 here not drivers in general.

Yeah, this could be specific to the 151

Typically on most drivers, hitting it below (or anywhere else but) the sweet spot will have a different feel so you could definitely have found it there.

[MatthewC]

Very interstesting. Thanks for the feedback!

[EPONfreak]

I'm completely convinced on the lower Tee height as being the way to go, my accuracy hasnt been better for 10 years.

Interestingly, I see today's Shawn Humphries hump day tip reinforces exactly what I've found over the past 3 weeks.

http://www.shawnhumphries.com/humpday/tee-height-is-overrated

[jamnguy1]

I'm completely convinced on the lower Tee height as being the way to go, my accuracy hasnt been better for 10 years.

Interestingly, I see today's Shawn Humphries hump day tip reinforces exactly what I've found over the past 3 weeks.

http://www.shawnhumphries.com/humpday/tee-height-is-overrated

There isn't one right tee height. Some pros tee it high, others lower.

That said, research and club design point to a higher tee height which allows one to hit the ball on the upswing intead of hitting down on the ball.

It's hard to hit up on the ball when the tee is too low.

http://www.golf.com/golf/instruction/article/0,28136,1565244,00.html

http://www.tutelman.com/golf/clubs/gearEffect2.php

[Duffer19]

For me, at least, I would tee the ball higher for my 151 for best result while slightly lower for my EMS which has a shallower face.

[jamnguy1]

For me, at least, I would tee the ball higher for my 151 for best result while slightly lower for my EMS which has a shallower face.

Makes sense to do so because the 151 has a deeper face and EMG a shallower face. Tee height is also a matter of personal preference. What is really important is the dynamics of the swing, angle of attack, and launch angle in maximizing distance. Long drive professionals use very low loft but they tee it very high and hit way up on the ball to get their optimal launch angle. There's only 2 clubs in the bag where one tries to hit up on the ball.

[Spoon]

For me, at least, I would tee the ball higher for my 151 for best result while slightly lower for my EMS which has a shallower face.

same with me. when i had my 151 would manipulate the tee height depending on the hole i am playing.

with the 102 i will also do the same although i like teeing it up higher (half the ball above the ground) !

love seeing that sucker soar into the heavens!