You might have found a set of letters on your Callaway driver, such as D, N, and S, and wonder what the markings imply. All Callaway drivers featuring OptiFit Technology have these letters on the lower and upper adjustable cogs of the hosel. So, what does S mean on a Callaway driver?
The letter S on a Callaway driver means stated loft, which is the angle stamped on your clubhead, such as 9°, 10.5°, or 12°. You will also find numerical markings, i.e., -1, +1, and +2, next to the S on Callaway drivers. These numbers are the adjustable loft settings.
If your Callaway driver’s OptiFit hosel is adjusted to the S setting, you will be using the stamped or stated loft. You can increase this loft angle by a degree or two using the +1 and +2 markings, or reduce the S by a degree with -1. Read on to learn about the S marking and its adjustable loft settings.
The S on Callaway Drivers Is Stated Loft With Adjustable Settings
Suppose you get one of the Rogue ST MAX D drivers. These Callaway drivers are available in 3 models based on the stamped or stated loft angle, such as:
- 9°
- 10.5°
- 12°
Each of these 3 Rogue ST MAX D drivers has adjustable loft settings. You can adjust the angle in one-degree decrement or increment from the S or stated loft. While you can reduce the S by only 1°, you can increase the loft angle by up to 2°.
Hence, the Rogue ST MAX D drivers have the following range of adjustable loft settings:
- 9°: 8°, 10°, and 11°
- 10.5°: 9.5°, 11.5°, and 12.5°
- 12°: 11°, 13°, and 14°
You need to unscrew the clubhead to remove it from the hosel and adjust the cogs to tweak the loft angle based on your needs. If you own a Callaway driver with the OptiFit hosel, you should watch this video to adjust the S and loft angles, among other customizable settings:
The Significance of S or Stated Loft and Adjustable Angles
Suppose you have one of the Paradym Triple Diamond Drivers. Like the Callaway Rogue driver, this series also has three stated loft angles or S options. Consider the 10.5° model with the following adjustable or custom loft angles:
- 9.5°
- 11.5°
- 12.5°
If 10.5° is too high for you, and you want to launch your strike with a little shorter flight trajectory and less spin, you can reduce the loft angle from the S setting to 9.5°. Conversely, if you want a bit higher flight trajectory and more spin, you can increase the loft angle to 11.5° or even 12.5°.
Historically, a higher loft angle has been the preferred option for golfers with a moderate swing speed. That is no longer the case nowadays. As more golfers are swinging or striking golf balls with an upward angle of attack, the preferred loft is no longer on the higher end of the spectrum.
That said, like drivers and golf balls, you must choose an S and the custom loft angle based on your skills and demands on the course.
Conclusion
The S on Callaway drivers is the stamped or stated loft angle for the model you choose. The -1, +1, and +2 are adjustable loft settings that reduce or increase the angle for a Callaway driver as you deem fit. Tweaking the custom loft settings using the Callaway OptiFit hosel is a cakewalk.