One of the most common questions golfers ask when buying a driver is:
“What loft should I actually be using?”
You’ll see drivers available in all sorts of lofts, usually somewhere between 9° and 12°, and many golfers simply choose whatever looks good or what their mate plays.
But the reality is that driver loft has a huge influence on how well you hit the ball.
In many cases, golfers are playing a loft that’s actually making the game harder than it needs to be.
Why Driver Loft Matters
Driver loft affects three key things:
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Launch angle
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Spin rate
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Distance and forgiveness
If the loft is too low, the ball tends to:
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launch too low
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struggle to stay in the air
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curve more offline
If the loft is too high, the ball may:
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launch too high
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spin too much
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lose distance in windy conditions
Finding the right balance is the goal.
Most Golfers Need More Loft Than They Think
One thing I’ve noticed over the years coaching golfers is that many amateurs believe they should play low loft drivers like tour players.
But in reality, most golfers actually benefit from more loft rather than less.
For example:
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Many tour players use 8°–9° drivers
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Most amateur golfers perform better with 10.5° or even 12°
More loft helps golfers:
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launch the ball higher
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create more carry distance
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reduce side spin
And that usually means straighter drives as well.
A Simple Guide to Driver Loft
While every golfer is different, here’s a general guideline.
8°–9° drivers
Best suited to:
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very fast swing speeds
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highly skilled players
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golfers who naturally hit the ball high
10°–10.5° drivers
This is the most common loft and suits:
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mid handicap golfers
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moderate swing speeds
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golfers wanting a good balance of distance and control
11°–12° drivers
Often ideal for:
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slower swing speeds
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beginners
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golfers who struggle to get the ball airborne
Higher loft can actually produce more distance for many golfers because the ball stays in the air longer.
Why Loft and Shaft Work Together
Driver performance isn’t just about the loft on the head.
The shaft also plays a big role in:
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launch
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spin
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timing
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consistency
That’s why guessing your driver setup can sometimes lead to disappointing results.
Why Club Fitting Makes a Big Difference
One of the best ways to find the right driver loft is through proper club fitting.
Using launch monitor data, you can quickly see:
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launch angle
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spin numbers
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ball speed
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carry distance
Small adjustments in loft can often make a huge difference in performance.
Book a fitting at Golf 360
https://golf360.co.nz/pages/golf-club-fitting
The Bottom Line
If you’re struggling with your driver, don’t automatically assume you need a new swing.
Sometimes the biggest improvement simply comes from playing the right loft.
And in many cases, that means a little more loft than you expected.
FAQs
What loft driver do most golfers use?
Most amateur golfers perform best with a 10.5° driver.
Does more loft help reduce slices?
Yes. More loft generally reduces side spin and can make the driver more forgiving.
Can higher loft give more distance?
For many golfers, yes. A higher launch with the right spin often produces more carry distance.
Good luck and happy golfing
Scott Pickett
PGA Professional
Founder - Golf 360
Mount Maunganui
