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I hit a 8.5 degree driver now. I didnt even know that they made an 8.5 until now. I love the club and it rolls forever but how low do they actually make them and whats the lowest that you would buy?

I've seen them as low as 4*. Not sure if they make them any lower than that.
"Back in the day," I hit a 6.5* Callaway Great Big Bertha (the original GBB), and could get it in the air without a problem. I think the shaft had a lot to do with getting the ball airborne though.

If your not a scratch player , I would stick to 1 degree. Might eventry the lucky 13 degree

Mellow Yellow 420cc Beta Titanium Driver - Bang Golf, Inc.

Here is a good component company that makes this model of driver heads from 4 degrees to 18 degrees. I have no idea what clubhead speed you would need to launch a 4 degree driver, but I do know that I couldn't swing that fast. Certainly not with any kind of control.

The question of what degree is too low cannot be answered hard and fast. Primarily, it is a function of swing speed, but the manufacturing of the driver plays a large part, too. Shaft can be a signifcant factor, as well as whether the head itself is high-, medium-, or low-launching. But, really, what degree driver is right for you can be answered in front of a launch monitor pretty quickly today. With a properly set up system, there is very little guesswork involved today.

edit: I also wanted to add my comment that being a scratch golfer in and of itself has almost nothing to determine what loft driver is right for you. If you are not a scratch golfer, what part of your game is holding you back? There are some non-scratch golfers whose driving game is excellent but their putting/short game is their limiting factor. I don't think that it is fair to say that they shouldn't use a lower lofted driver just because they aren't scratch. Like I said above, a session on the launch monitor will tell you what driver/loft is giving you the best results. You have to be completely honest with yourself and your game. If you are an inconsistent driver, or tend to slice/hook a lot and/or badly, a higher lofted driver or heck not even using a driver is probably best for you -- but, if you are a good driver, there is no reason, whatever your overall game handicap may be, not to get fitted on a monitor and find the best combination for you.

I tried a 8.5 degree driver before and I couldn't hit anything with it. I've stuck with a 10.5 degree driver and that has worked well for me.

I've never hit a 8.5 before....hit a 9.5 and didn't hit it well at all so for now I'm going to stick with my 10.5

I've hit a 7.5 degree driver with an extra stiff shaft and it was a lot of fun. Took big rips at the ball but it would hardly get airborne. I did get a lot of roll from it but if I took the same cut with a driver fitted for me, I would guess I would get a lot more distance.

I don't know if I read it here or in some article but this equipment person asked someone to roll a golf ball as far as they could. Then to throw a ball as far as they could. The ball would travel further on the fly than on the roll.

Follow this link to myth number three.

I had a 7 degree TaylorMade Tour driver back in the late 80's for a while. I've always hit a high tee shot, but the problem with that driver was control. It was too easy to put sidespin on it, resulting in more slices... went to to an 8.5 which was much easier to control, and I averaged longer drives with it because of the inproved accuracy.

Mine is 8.5 and I hit it anywhere from high to too high. I changed the weights in the head (to the "lower flight" pattern) and it is still up there. I can get it way out there, and get little/no roll.

I've looked at the Bang's, but without trying out some different lofts, wouldn't want to jump at something and regret it (4-5 degree, and not be able to get a decent flight, or 7 degree and not notice any appreciable difference). I'd also worry about accuracy.

As for "Myth 3", I don't think "loft to gain distance" is a myth. I didn't read the article, but loft's effect on distance largely depends upon head-speed - low-and-low will get you a short knuckle-ball, but personally, I know that I would hit a 7degree driver farther than my 8.5. Give me a 10.5, and I'd probably get that thing to back-up once it hit terra-firma (may have to wait some time

I have just bought a Driver that is 10.5 degrees (can't do the sign !) and the face looks like a Putter compared to my ol' 1W which must be close to 13 degrees. Am gonna try it today on Range -> Course

Thanks, Buckeye! I should've stayed out of this thread - I'm now eyeing a 6deg Bang-O-Matic!

If I get one, I'll be sure to share what happens at the range!

i've got drivers from 8.5* to 12*, and I can hit all of them pretty well when I'm playing good golf. And after I learned how to hit the ball higher when I want to. I can even hit the 8.5* driver pretty high. But when I play golf, not just hit balls at the range, I put either my 11.5* or 12* dirver in the bag. Reason; I get more carry distance with the higher loft drivers. And while swing speed does come into play here, a high lolf driver isn't only for those with low swing speeds. My speed is not what you would consider slow, and I get better results with a higher loft driver. It's all about haveing a good launch angle of around 15 degrees or so. For those of you that think you need a low loft driver, you might be surprised what a 12* driver can do with a swing speed of 110 MPH. The ball just goes and goes some more, and it even rolls a good bit when I find the short grass. If you want to find the best loft for you, the only good way is to get fit on a launch monitor when you are hitting the ball well, and use the same ball you normally play. Is you can keep the back spin rate low, the higher the launch angle, the more distance you can get off the tee.

Im loving the 8.5*!!! Its a r7 quad and im getting to where i can hit it pretty solid. I put up my best 18 hole round of 85 today.(41&44) I was extremely happy with the driver. The only time i run into trouble is when im trying to go over a sand pit on a dog leg. If i dont hit the ball in the sweet spot im buried. Other than that the 8.5* was the best move ive made by far...

if your best round is 85 how are u a 6 handicap?