Seeing LS stamped on the sole of a shiny new golf driver means one very specific thing: Low Spin. This isn't just marketing jargon, it's a direct description of the club's primary design goal. Understanding what this means for your ball flight and your game is the first step to knowing if this powerful, yet demanding, piece of equipment is the right tool for you. This article will break down exactly what Low Spin means, who benefits from it, who should stay away, and how you can decide if an LS driver belongs in your bag.
In golf, every shot you hit launches with a certain amount of backspin. Think of it as the ball spinning backward as it flies forward. This backspin creates an aerodynamic force called "lift," similar to the principle that helps an airplane wing generate lift. The right amount of spin is fantastic - it helps the ball get airborne and stay there, maximizing carry distance.
However, like most things in golf, there's a point of diminishing returns. Here’s a breakdown of spin's role:
An LS (Low Spin) driver is engineered specifically to reduce the amount of backspin imparted on the ball at impact. The entire purpose is to help a certain type of player fight that "ballooning" effect and convert their high clubhead speed into a more efficient, distance-maximizing ball flight.
Creating a Low Spin driver isn't an accident, it's a very intentional act of physics and engineering. Manufacturers manipulate the clubhead's properties to produce this lower-spinning effect, primarily by adjusting the Center of Gravity (CG).
The single biggest factor in creating a low-spin driver is moving the clubhead's Center of Gravity forward, meaning closer to the clubface. For a pure "LS" model, the CG is also often positioned slightly higher in the clubhead compared to more forgiving models.
Imagine the CG as the balancing point of the driver head. When this point is positioned far back and low in the head (like in a 'Max' or high-forgiveness driver), it promotes stability and makes the club want to launch the ball high with more spin. It's more forgiving on off-center hits.
Conversely, a forward CG does the opposite. By positioning the mass closer to the hitting area, the club is less likely to produce excessive backspin. This forward weighting promotes that penetrating ball flight desired by players who are already generating plenty of spin on their own. The trade-off is that a forward CG reduces the Moment of Inertia (MOI), which is the club's resistance to twisting on mishits. This is why LS drivers are almost always less forgiving than their standard or 'Max' counterparts.
Many modern drivers come with adjustable weights, allowing golfers to fine-tune the club’s performance. In a driver with both an LS model and a standard model, you'll often see the LS version has a permanent or heavier weight port positioned toward the front of the sole. In drivers with slidable weight tracks, pushing the weight toward the face accomplishes the same goal: It shifts the CG forward, lowers spin, and reduces forgiveness. Sliding that same weight toward the back increases spin, launch, and forgiveness.
This is the most important question to answer. Just because a Tour Pro uses an LS driver doesn’t mean it will work wonders for you. In fact, for the average golfer, it can often do more harm than good. An LS driver is a specialized tool best suited for a specific player profile.
Being honest about your game is the best way to improve. For a large percentage of amateur golfers, an LS driver is simply the wrong piece of equipment.
The only way to know with 100% certainty is to test it out. Simply reading about it isn’t enough. Here’s how to do your homework:
This is, without a doubt, the best path forward. A qualified club fitter will use a launch monitor to capture precise data about your swing. They will measure your:
With this data, they can see exactly how much spin you are generating with your current driver and compare it to various LS and standard heads. They can instantly tell you if the LS model is helping you gain distance and control or if it’s hurting your performance. This takes all of the guesswork out of the equation.
If you can't get a full fitting, grab a demo of an LS driver and take it to the driving range. Don't just look at your best shots, pay close attention to the overall ball flight and your mishits.
Ultimately, "LS" on a driver signifies a low-spin design intended for a specific player: usually someone with high swing speed who needs to reduce spin to optimize their distance. While it can be a game-changer for the right golfer, its inherent lack of forgiveness makes it a poor choice for the majority of amateurs who benefit more from spin and stability.
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