Optimal Driver Launch Angle

[doublebogey]

I've just recently switched from the Titleist 915 D2 to the 917 D2. The 917 D2 seems to launch the ball a bit lower than the 915 D2. With both set to 12 degree loft and around 95 mph swing speed, I launch the ball at ~18 degrees using the 915 D2 and the 917 D2 at ~16 degrees.

Now question is: What is the optimal launch angle for a driver? I've somehow always thought ~16 degrees is pretty optimal. But since I got the SkyTrak, the simulators seems to show launch angle of ~20 degrees will give me the most carry and total distance at around 2k-3k RPM backspin (I get same thing putting numbers into Flightscope's Trajectory Optimizer https://flightscope.com/products/trajectory-optimizer/).

With my Titleist 915 D2, I was hitting towering drives that do go a decent distance for my swing speed so I'm not complaining. But am just wondering if I should or shouldn't be setting my driver(s) to be hitting such high launch drives?

[StuartG]

If you want to believe the Trackman charts, for 95 mph club head speed, it can depend a little on the AoA. Also depends on if you want to optimize carry distance or total distance (and if so, what type of ground conditions do you normally play on). It can vary from as low as 8* to up to around 16*. But with the spin you are getting, it's likely in the higher side of that range.

Just a warning,

1) face impact location can have a big effect on both launch and spin - so before tweaking the driver loft, make sure you are getting that good center face contact or it likely wont do much good.
2) If you are looking at total distances from the flightscope optimzier, real conditions rarely match the kind of roll-out distances it gives for a hard fairway. The soft and medium hardness settings tends to be more accurate - but of course that depends on where you play.

[aja]

Maybe off topic, but I am more than skeptical of the "adjustable" lofts for drivers.

I have a 8.5 degree and 11 degree (same manufacturer) and in real life I don't experience any noticeable difference. In the sim, there is also no real discernable diffrence between the two.

Face angle alone does not determine launch angle. Factors such as the attack angle come into play.

[doublebogey]

I agree with AoA being the most critical. But what do you think is the optimal launch angle you're trying to achieve (w your AoA or driver loft or whatever it may be) to get maximum carry and total distance (of course fully aware that roll is highly dependent on fairway conditions)?

[StuartG]

Actually, AoA isn't nearly as critical as most make it out to be for most, in fact it's fairly insignificant to launch angle, a bit more for spin. Assuming good impact location on the face (which is the true #1 contributor), the dynamic loft delivered - or amount of forward or even backward shaft lean - is going to be the biggest contributor to the launch angle. Face to path can play a noticeable part as well.