Properly adjusting your driver for your swing can make a big difference in your game. Assuming you have already been fit for your current driver, there are further adjustments you can make to fine-tune your performance. The easiest way to improve your driver is to adjust the clubface for your specific needs. Modern drivers offer many opportunities to dial in your ideal launch characteristics and shot shape, making you look like a better player than you are. Adjusting the loft on your driver can have a significant impact on launch and spin, with some drivers offering up to +/- 2° of adjustability, which can move spin by up to 1,000 RPMs and change your launch window by several degrees.
In addition to adjusting loft, movable weight in modern drivers can also impact how the ball comes off the face and looks down range. When deciding where to place the movable weight, consider factors such as where you hit it on the face, where you miss it down range, and the lie angle of your driver. Moving weight can help you return the face to square through impact or correct any tendencies to push, slice, pull, or have a fast release through impact. The lie angle of your driver is also important, as it can affect the start direction of your tee shots. Working with a fitter or golf professional, along with the use of a launch monitor, can help you make the appropriate adjustments to optimize your performance.
When adjusting loft, keep in mind that every degree of loft added or subtracted can also change the face angle by as much as 2°. This allows you to adjust the loft sleeve to help with a particular miss or build in a shot shape bias. For example, taking a lower lofted head and adjusting it to a higher setting can close the face by 4° and make the lie angle more upright, turning it into an anti-slice machine. These adjustment options are some tricks of the trade used by fitting professionals to help players find the fairway more often. If all of this seems overwhelming, consider booking a fitting with True Spec Golf to have a professional fitter guide you through the process and help you optimize your driver performance for better results on the course.
Kris McCormack, a golf industry veteran with over 20 years of experience, has spent the last six years as the Vice President of Tour and Education for True Spec Golf. In this role, he has curated training programs for fitting staff, managed the Tour department, and built relationships with OEM partners. Prior to joining True Spec, McCormack worked with leading manufacturers as a Master level Fitting Professional, partnering with the Golf Channel Academy as a lead instructor and assisting R&D teams in product design and development. His expertise in the gear space makes him a valuable resource for golfers looking to improve their game through proper equipment adjustments.
