Driver Sweet Spot

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In the first two videos in the "Bomb Your Driver" series I discussed the extreme importance of hitting the ball on the sweet spot of the driver and understanding the true loft of your club. In this next installment, prepare to have your eyes opened to the truth about the so-called driver "sweet spot". This term gets loosely thrown around a lot and there is a lot of misinformation out there. So to start, let's dispel some myths about the driver sweet spot that the club manufacturers would like for you to believe.

  • The "sweet spot" on any club head is the center of gravity - it is single point, not a whole area
  • Find the center of gravity by balancing the head on a point such as a pen - it's probably not in the center of the face
  • The sweet spot gives maximum ball speed & minimum spin
  • However, when the sweet spot is off center you lose COR, which can reduce ball speed
  • The center of gravity can be changed with rat glue or lead tape

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Paul
Hey Craig I was wondering how to determine if your clubs are the right length.I was golfing with my wife and used her driver a few times and liked it
July 9, 2023
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Paul. Most people play clubs that are too long. The only way to truly tell is to be measured by a club fitter. However, if your shoulder socket and elbow joint are inline and hanging correctly from the down the line perspective. But, the club is sitting incorrectly. It may be the length of club and not just the lie angle.
July 10, 2023
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Julie
Where is the sweet spot on irons?
June 25, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Julie. Most irons will be the middle of the face.
June 25, 2019
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Julie
O.k. Thank you
June 25, 2019
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Brandon
What's the best way to check where we're hitting the ball on the driver? I've tried impact tape but it is a hassle to put on and take off
January 24, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Brandon. You can use regular masking tape. Or, purchase some odor eaters foot spray. The powdered spray will give instant feedback. Easy to clean.
January 25, 2017
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Tim
Hi Craig, I have a critical issue I would like to ask you about. I have been with RST for a little over a month and my Instructor has strongly urged me to keep my spine angle (secondary axis) the same at address and through impact. He has warned me not to increase my secondary axis as this can lead to injury. He also said not to keep my head back and mentioned that Chris Tylor condones this advice.I have just watched the worlds top 6 mens golfers. All of them increase their spine angle from 10 degrees through to 20 degrees, averaging about 16 degees of spine increase. even your very own Chris Tyler, I measured in his driving video, increase his spine angle over 20 degrees. His head position actually went away from target a little bit between address and impact. Three of the pro's heads went back, 2 stayed the same and only Stensons moved towards the target a little. This has left me very confused and a little disillusioned as i would love to replicate the worlds greatest players. They all except Stenson keep their necks in pretty much the same position and all of them bump their lead hip toward the target creating this spine angle increase. Please clarify.
November 8, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Tim. With the driver (specialty club) you will see a lot of the better players and longer players head move back slightly with an increase of secondary tilt. This is for power. Maximizing the extension point and adding a few degrees of tilt for launch angle purposes. Purely physics working in the opposite direction. The way the RST Swing works is based purely from an objective and anatomical outlook. For safety increasing the secondary tilt and creating more curve can produce issues with the lumbar spine. But, players try to squeak out every yard they can. Therefore, giving up on some of the fundamental principles that protect the body. We teach creating the extra tilt at setup and maintaining it to impact to prevent future injury. However, for the possibility of that extra few yards some players reach the position you see.
November 8, 2016
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T David
I use a Cobra Fly-Z driver, which has an adjustable shaft for degree and draw/fade. I have never adjusted it, leaving it at 8.5 degree with no draw/fade. What is actually happening here if I change this adjustment? And, why would I ever want to change this setting?
October 16, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dave. Basically the draw/fade will open or close the face. To either delay squaring up or force it to rotate a little sooner. Unless you repeat the exact swing every time. I wouldn't worry with changing it right now.
October 16, 2016
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Jim
Why is he not measuring the sweet spot with the shaft installed? The shaft has mass
September 21, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jim. Because the amount of shaft that actually goes into the head weighs about a gram.
September 27, 2016
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Marc
After doing some research and speaking to some Taylor Made Fitters, it seems that the sweet spot that creates the highest ball speed is slightly towards the toe and slightly up from the center of the face. In order to hit the ball slightly towards the toe would you suggest that I stand a touch further from the ball at address? Thank you for your feedback.
October 23, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
We would need to see your specific data that on the club you are using. Seems a bit odd that the center of gravity would be in the area you speak of. I wouldn't make any sort of set up adjustment. What do the spin rates and launch angle look like when hitting it in this area of the club???
October 23, 2015
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Marc
I am using an R15 driver 9.5 degrees. You will find below the link to the article that shows the sweetspot on the club face. It was actually confirmed by some people I spoke to at Taylor Made http://www.dlancegolf.com/where-is-the-sweet-spot/
October 23, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Well, I always feels its' best to line the ball on the part of the clubface that we want to hit right at the address position. So, I would get the clubface set to this position but If that is where you want to hit it. I would be interested to see the spin axis of YOUR shots when hitting this part of the club. Who was your point of contact at taylormade?
October 24, 2015
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Marc
Very interesting. I took out the head of my driver on my Taylor Made R15 460cc with a 9.5 degree loft and I have indeed found that the sweet spot is about 1/8 of an inch higher than the middle of the club and about 1/10 of an inch towards the heel. My first question is whether I should adjust the weights to compensate the sweet spot being closer to the heel as I do not need to fight a slice. If so how which side, to have more draw or to have more fade? My second question concerns the place where I should hit the ball. I read that the optimum position on the clubface is about a half inch (or a bit more) above the centre of gravity for a driver. If the sweet spot on my driver is 1/8 higher than the middle of the club, does it mean that I have to hit the ball 5/8 of an inch higher than the middle of the club (4/8 inch + 1/8 inch)?
October 23, 2015
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
See my response above.
October 23, 2015
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Joaquin
When I hit my driver, at first, while the ball is going up, it goes straight. When the ball is going down it goes right. Please help
March 31, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
It sounds like you aren't squaring the face properly and the ball maybe a little too far back. Take a look at the Driver Setup Adjustments Video in the Setup Advanced Section. And, the Left Hand Release in the Downswing Section.
March 31, 2015
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Terry
Very interesting set of videos - I haven't ever heard anything about this. But it does explain a lot particularly about the higher and lower face hits. My question - are there some manufacturers that are more consistent at producing an 8 degree face when it is sold as 8 degree than others? Titliest? Ping? thanks Terry
February 4, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Terry. Clubs are very mass produced today. There really isn't a particular manufacturer that does better than another.
February 5, 2015
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Tom
Interesting video. Why do you try to locate the sweet spot of just the club head when you will be swinging the shaft and club head as a unit?
February 1, 2015
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R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Tom, Finding the sweet spot allows us to know the optimal place on the face to strike the ball. It affects how we tee the ball more so than our swing. Everything will still move as a unit. R.J.
February 1, 2015
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Tom
RJ - thanks for such a speedy reply. I do not think I clearly expressed my question. I will try again. Since the club consists of the head and the shaft why wouldn't we be more interested in the COG/"sweet spot" of the club (shaft and head) rather than just the head of the club when we are seeking the location of the best spot to strike the ball?
February 1, 2015
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R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Tom, The vertical COG of the entirety of the club, often referred to as swing weight or balance point, really only affects how heavy the club head feels while you swing. It's more of a preference of feel. I use a 214 gram driver head for my Callaway BB Alpha 815 DBD, but the total weight of my club is only 298 grams, which is below the average of 310 grams. So, my driver head feels really heavy in my swing, which I like, but I still have the benefit of having a lightweight club to generate more club head speed. And seeing how my driver head weighs 14 grams more than the average driver, I have more mass behind the ball at impact. You have to be careful with that though because an improper configuration with a heavy club head can generate too much backspin. The weight of the shaft is above and in front of the ball at impact and has little to no effect on the club's ability to convert club head speed into ball speed. The weight of the shaft can have a significant effect on how much control or club head speed one can produce in the swing depending on how light or heavy one would use for their swing. But when it comes to converting that club head speed into ball speed, it's all about contact and the mass behind it. In order to produce the optimum smash factor (Ball speed/Club head speed), the center of gravity of the club head and the center of gravity of the ball must be aligned through the path of the swing in both the vertical and horizontal planes. The point of contact on the club face under these conditions would be considered the "sweet spot" Clay has a video regarding the sweet spot and how it can change based on path, which I have posted here. http://www.rotaryswing.com/videos/full-swing-advanced/introduction/surprising-driver-sweet-spot-facts Let us know if you have any more questions! R.J.
February 1, 2015
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Tom
Thank you for taking time to provide a fuller answer. It is a pleasure to have a place to ask questions. Tom
February 1, 2015
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matt
R.J. does that mean if my swing weight is D4.5 on my driver, and I hit the ball with too much spin, lowering the swing weight should bring spin down? I'm using Titleist D3 9.5. I may also have a bit of a flippy motion.
February 1, 2015
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R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Matt, It depends on the flex and kick point of the shaft as well. The point in which you release your lag matters, too. The best way to know for sure is to get fitted with a launch monitor. R.J.
February 2, 2015
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Christian
Wow. If my sweet spot is high center, then my loft at that spot is different than what the club head states. I hit a high launching drive that everyone compliments me on. My spin is over 3000rpm. Could it be that it is because my sweet spot is high on the clubface?
December 8, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
With most new age drivers the sweet spot tends to be a little higher on the face. I can remember the late 2000's TaylorMade's and Titleist's drivers. A little high and towards the toe could produce some bombs. You are probably experiencing the same effect.
December 8, 2014
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matt
I find that with the driver, I'm not hitting it on the sweet spot. I used some footspray on the face, and find that I hit the ball towards the heel. So, at impact, my hands/arms are getting further from my body. Is this too much centrifugal force pushing them outward...i.e. too much body rotation? When I try to slow things down, my swing speed slows down (radar). What can I do to keep swing speed up, but prevent the arms from getting away from my body? Thanks. I want to start hitting this sweet spot.
September 3, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Matt. There are many culprits to hitting the toe. It sounds like you might be losing the tush line taking away all your room to hit. Take a look at the Losing the Tush Line Video in the Advanced Downswing Section. If you are maintaining the tush line. You could be stalling out too soon. If thats the case try the "stomp" drill in the How the Lower Body Works Video in the Downswing Section to get the hips rotating efficiently.
September 3, 2014
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Dennis
These videos are all well and good and very informative.But they don't say anything about how to "Bomb your driver".
August 14, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
The Driver Launch Angle Video will help you setup to maximize launch and carry.
August 14, 2014
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So would it be better to get an adjustable driver so that i can adjust the loft after i find the sweet spot?. I am just not sure how i would relay this information to the fitter at the golf store.
July 15, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
That would make it easier. I wouldn't worry too much about relaying it to the fitter. Find the driver best suited and do your own calculations to find the sweet spot.
July 15, 2014
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Craig I am not sure what you mean by doing "my own calculations"? I thought what Chuck meant the sweet spot is where the point of Center of Gravity is on the club head. Wouldnt our calculation that come into affect be are our swing speed which will dictate the loft we need to get the maximum ball flight. What I am trying to understand is how to we find the correct lofted club if the CG doesn't correlate to the center of the club face (where that most manufactures measure the lofts at) especially if the loft at the CG is can be significantly different than that at the center of the club head? If you could explain that it would be greatly appreciated.
July 15, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello. I'm sorry. I read the question incorrectly when checking it. If you have the capability see what a launch monitor says. There are numerous factors at play here. You may see one head and naturally hit it higher on the face because the face is deeper and it suits your eye vs a shallower face, etc. You can't choose a loft without a launch monitor. The numbers on the bottom of the club are somewhat arbitrary, they're really just a reference for comparing one of the same model to the next. Therefore, the adjustable might be a cheaper option for you in the long run.
July 16, 2014
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Sorry Craig one more question. Even if i get fitted on the launch monitor and they find the loft of club i need how will this help if the COG will at different height than the center of the club face. Wouldnt you have to change the CG of the club head to be more in the middle of the club face like chuck stated in the video? Or would you have to find a club that had little degree variance in reference to the center club head loft and the degree of loft at the COG.
July 16, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
You wouldn't have to change the COG unless you wanted to use that head exclusively. You could move it with lead tape or rat glue. Very common among pros. If you know the correct loft. You would need to find a head that has the sweet spot closer to your loft. Typically, if you can find a head that is closest to your loft and the sweet spot is just off center. Most pros tend to hit that spot. My driver and others if you take a look at them. Will have a wear spot above the center and to the right or left maximizing hitting its true sweet spot.
July 16, 2014
64x64
Thanks Craig, exactly the answer I was looking for!
July 16, 2014
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Edward
I was hoping to obtain instruction on the driver swing biomechanics rather than the physics behind the use of the driver as my bonus package. Can you tell me how I can send a video of my swing using my iPhone ? I presently use ubersense and the golf academy free apps to analyze my swings.
May 23, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Customer service should be contacting you shortly to help with your video upload. Thanks
May 23, 2014
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Mike
Based on what I just saw in this video, the new(er) Taylor Made R1 (for example) with variable weights could really screw me up if I am trying to rebuild my swing from scratch. Any thoughts on a good "Do this first" action?
May 13, 2014
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This article by Todd Sones explains more what Chris was talking about. http://www.toddsones.com/Todd-Sones-Impact-Golf-Club-Fitting.html Getting fitted before you get your swing mechanics down will cause to to stay in that bad swing.
July 17, 2014
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Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Always build your swing first and then get fitted for a driver that is going to match your swing. Never try to accommodate the club with building your swing around it.
May 14, 2014
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