What Driver Loft Should I Use? Driver Loft by Swing Speed with a Practical Chart
If you are looking for more distance off the tee, you probably suspect your driver loft has something to do with it. You are right. So, you might be asking yourself, “What driver loft should I use”?
Well, below is a simple chart that gives you an immediate starting point based on your swing speed.
However, we also need to address the biggest misconception in driving: More loft is not automatically for beginners, and less loft is not automatically for better players. There are plenty of tour pros using 10.5° drivers, and plenty of amateurs who actually need less loft because of how they hit the ball.
Here is how to find your number.
Quick Answer: Driver Loft Chart by Swing Speed
If you want the fast answer, here it is. This table provides a baseline range based on how fast you swing the club.
The Chart
| Swing Speed (mph) | Suggested Loft Range | Typical Tendency & Notes | Starting Point Recommendation |
| Under 80 mph | 12° to 15° | Needs help getting the ball airborne to maximize carry. | Start at 12° – 14° |
| 80 to 95 mph | 10.5° to 12° | The most common range for recreational golfers. | Start at 10.5° |
| 95 to 105 mph | 9° to 10.5° | Faster swingers who need to optimize roll. | Start at 10° or 9° |
| 105 to 115 mph | 8° to 9.5° | High speed; managing spin is crucial here. | Start at 9° |
| 115+ mph | 7.5° to 9° | Elite speed; focuses on reducing drag and spin. | Start at 8° |
If you do not know your swing speed
If you don’t have a radar handy, here are three quick ways to estimate where you fall on the chart:
- A simulator at a local shop: Go to a golf retailer (like PGA Superstore or Dick’s) and ask to hit a few balls in the bay. This is the most accurate method.
- Range day with a launch monitor: Many driving ranges now have Toptracer or Trackman installed in the bays. Look for “Club Head Speed.”
- Rough estimate based on carry distance: This is approximate, but usually gets you close enough.
- Carry 200 yards or less: Likely under 85 mph.
- Carry 210–240 yards: Likely 85–95 mph.
- Carry 250+ yards: Likely 100+ mph.
Why Loft Matters More Than Most People Think
Many golfers grab a 9° driver off the rack because it looks cool, or a 10.5° because it’s “standard,” without understanding the physics.
Loft affects launch and spin, but not in a simple way
In a vacuum, higher loft increases launch angle and backspin, while lower loft reduces them. However, modern driver heads are complex. The center of gravity (CG) of the head, the kick point of the shaft, and exactly where you strike the face can override the number stamped on the sole of the club.
The two outcomes you are trying to balance
Distance is a math equation. To maximize it, you are trying to balance two competing forces:
- Enough Launch: You need high enough launch to maximize carry distance.
- Controlled Spin: You don’t want so much spin that the ball “balloons” (climbs too steep and drops straight down), costing you total distance.
The Most Common Loft Choices (9° vs 10.5° vs 12°)
When you walk into a shop, you usually see three main numbers. Here is how they compare.
9° Drivers
These are generally designed for players with faster swing speeds (95+ mph) or players who hit “up” on the ball naturally.
- Common failure mode: For average swing speeds, a 9° head may not keep the ball in the air long enough. It also creates less backspin, which makes side-spin (hooks and slices) more dramatic on mishits.
10.5° Drivers
This is the default “starting loft” for the vast majority of male amateur golfers.
- Common benefit: It offers a playable launch window that balances carry and roll. It provides enough backspin to keep the ball stable in the air without ballooning for most swing speeds between 85-100 mph.
12° Drivers (and higher)
Historically viewed as “senior” clubs, these are actually secret weapons for many players.
- Who should consider it: If you struggle to carry the ball 200 yards, or if you struggle with a slice.
- Why: Higher loft increases backspin. Backspin fights side-spin. A 12° driver will often fly straighter than a 9° driver for the exact same swing.
The Exceptions That Override the Chart
The chart at the top of this page is a starting point, not a law. Here are the factors that might move you up or down a bracket.
Your typical miss
- The Slice: If your ball starts left and curves weakly to the right, you likely need more loft. The added backspin helps stabilize the axis of the ball.
- The Low Bullet: If you hit low screamers that dive into the ground, you definitely need more loft or a change in strike location.
- The Hook: Loft alone rarely fixes a hook. This is usually a face-to-path issue, though lower loft can sometimes help reduce the draw spin slightly.
Where you strike the face (the hidden lever)
- High Face Strike: Hitting high on the face tends to launch higher with less spin. This is the “Holy Grail” for distance.
- Low Face Strike: Hitting thin or low on the face increases spin drastically and lowers launch. If you hit it low on the face often, you may need a higher lofted driver to compensate for the low launch angle.
- Simple Test: Use foot spray powder or impact tape on the face to see your pattern.
Angle of attack
- Hitting Down: If you hit down on the driver (like an iron), you de-loft the club. You will need more loft (e.g., 12°) to get the ball up.
- Hitting Up: If you hit up on the ball, you add dynamic loft. You can often get away with less loft (e.g., 9°) and still launch it high.
Your typical course conditions
- Windy / Firm Fairways: If you play in Texas winds or on Scottish links, you might want a lower loft to keep the flight piercing and use the roll.
- Soft Fairways / Wet Conditions: If the course is soggy, roll is non-existent. You need to maximize carry distance, so favor higher loft.
Adjustable hosel reality check
Most modern drivers allow you to change loft by +/- 2 degrees.
- Warning: Changing loft changes the face angle. Lowering loft usually opens the face; increasing loft usually closes the face. If you lower your loft and suddenly start slicing, this is why.
What Your Ball Flight is Telling You
Diagnose your loft issue by watching the shape of the trajectory
Launches medium–high, climbs excessively, looks like it “hangs” in the air, then drops steeply. Often results in short distance with zero roll.
Spin is too high. Often caused by too much dynamic loft, a steep angle of attack, or low-face strikes.
Check contact (try to hit higher on the face) and tee it higher. Only then consider 1–2° less loft or a stiffer shaft.
High, strong arc with good carry. It lands on a decent angle. Rollout depends on turf firmness.
This is usually good. Launch is high and spin is in the ideal window.
If carry is good, keep it. If the spin is slightly high and fairways are firm, you can test 1° less loft, but verify with data first.
Low to medium‑low flight, very penetrating with lots of rollout. Struggles to carry bunkers or hold greens.
Launch angle is too low for max carry. Spin may be too low depending on strike.
Move ball slightly forward in stance and reduce shaft lean. If flight remains low, test 1–2° more loft or a more forgiving head.
Starts low, climbs very little, then falls quickly. Feels “dead” with no hang time.
Very low dynamic loft or poor strike (low on the face). Can also be a very steep attack angle.
Use impact tape to check strike pattern. Move tee height up. If speed/launch are still poor, try a higher-loft head (12°+).
How to Self-Fit Loft in 15 Minutes at the Range
You don’t always need a $500 professional fitting to get close to your ideal number.
Step-by-step quick test
- Warm-up: Hit 10 balls to get loose.
- Start at the Chart: Set your driver to the recommendation in the chart above (e.g., 10.5°).
- The Test: Hit 8 to 10 shots. Note the consistency of the carry and the peak height.
- The Switch: Move the loft up or down one notch (e.g., to 9.5° or 11.5°).
- Compare the Misses: Don’t just look at your one best shot. Look at your bad shots. Which setting kept the ball in play better? Which setting carried further on average?
The best metric for most golfers
Stop chasing the “one big drive.” The best loft for you is the one that produces the tightest playable dispersion with good carry. Reliability lowers scores faster than an extra 4 yards of distance.
Loft, Shaft, and Spin: What You Can Ignore and What You Cannot
What you can ignore early
- Exact Spin Rates: Unless you are consistently breaking 80, don’t obsess over whether you are at 2200 rpm or 2600 rpm.
- Exotic Shafts: Don’t buy a $300 aftermarket shaft upgrade to fix a loft issue. Fix the loft and contact first.
What matters a lot
- Loft & Strike: These are the primary drivers of distance.
- Shaft Flex: Ensure the flex is not wildly wrong (e.g., a senior shaft for a 110mph swing), but don’t overthink the kick point until you have the loft right.
- Forgiveness: A head that is stable (high MOI) matters more than low spin for most amateurs.
Suggested Loft by Golfer Type
- Beginners: 12° to 14°. Prioritize getting the ball in the air easily.
- High Handicappers (Slicers): 10.5° to 12°. The extra spin helps keep the ball on the planet.
- Mid Handicappers: 9° to 10.5°. You are looking to optimize carry vs. roll.
- Faster Swingers (Ballooning): 8° to 9°. You have plenty of speed; you need to lower the flight to control it.
- Seniors / Smooth Tempo: 12° to 13°. As speed decreases, launch angle must increase to maintain distance.
FAQ
A beginner should generally look for 12° of loft. It makes the club more forgiving and helps get the ball airborne, which is the hardest part of learning the driver.
Yes. 10.5° is the industry standard for a reason. It fits the widest bell curve of swing speeds (roughly 85 to 100 mph).
Yes. Increasing loft increases backspin. Higher backspin helps negate the side spin that causes a slice, often resulting in a straighter shot.
Lower loft reduces backspin. Without backspin to stabilize the flight, the side spin takes over, causing the ball to curve more violently.
At 90 mph, a 10.5° driver is usually the sweet spot.
At 100 mph, you can likely move down to a 9° or 9.5° head to optimize roll, provided you hit the center of the face.
Yes. If the loft is too high for your speed, the ball will launch too steep, spin too much, and drop out of the sky without rolling (“ballooning”).
Visually, the ball will look like it is climbing late in its flight, almost like an airplane taking off, and then it will drop straight down with zero roll.
Main Takeaway
Finding the right driver loft starts with your swing speed, but the exceptions are where the magic happens. If you are asking, what driver loft should I use, review the chart above as your baseline, but don’t be afraid to loft up if you play on soft courses or struggle with a slice.
If you are ready to dial in your gear further, check out our guide on Stiff vs. Regular Shafts or read our deep dive on How to Stop Slicing the Driver.
Writer/Editor: Danny Kapp is a passionate golf enthusiast and a 10-year veteran golf blog writer for Rock Bottom Golf, offering his unique perspective on the game. With a keen eye for detail, he covers various aspects of golf, ranging from technical insights to the latest trends in golf equipment and golf technology.
