Test Centre
It’s an important question, this time prompted by some recent driver launches, notably Titleist’s TS4 and Ping’s G410 LST. It’s a question being asked not just because of how these new models compare to the ‘standard’ ones, but because the launches were staggered, with the new versions arriving much later than other models within the same ranges.
The clue is really in the name – if you spin the ball to a greater degree than is optimum for your club speed or the way you deliver the club, then yes, you could consider a low-spin driver. If you have a very downward attack angle or a very
high swing speed, a low-spin driver could improve performance on centre hits, but beware, as there are some sacrifices, which are mostly focused around off-centre forgiveness.
We’ve found slight off-centre hits, especially those from the toe, see a much more significant reduction in carry distance and accuracy with low-spin drivers. Some low-spin models don’t spin as little as we were expecting – that was certainly the case with the Ping G410 LST. But its smaller size does mean the clubhead isn’t as stable, which is why only a small percentage of golfers who are blessed with consistent golf swings will benefit.
In fact, even low-handicap, highspeed players may prefer the extra accuracy that comes from having a little more spin. The chances are they could get away with a low-spin driver, but we’ve found that most standard drivers can be built with a loft and shaft combination that offers low enough spin without the drop-off in forgiveness.