Krank Golf is a distance-first driver brand with a different approach to fitting than most mainstream OEMs. Instead of “one face for everyone”, Krank’s Formula FIRE TOUR line uses three face thickness options aimed at different swing speeds and average driving distances.
The goal is simple: help more golfers access a strong spring effect and ball speed, even if they do not swing like a tour player.
If you are in the UK and you have heard “Krank Golf is a long drive brand” or “Krank Golf is non conforming”, this guide will make it clear what is what, who each model suits, and why a proper fitting matters more with Krank than with almost anything else.
Written by Outtabounds (UK). We supply and fit Krank Golf drivers using launch monitor data to match the right head, loft, and shaft to your swing. If you want help choosing the best Krank setup for your game, book a Krank Golf driver fitting.
Contents
- Why Krank Golf is different
- Which Krank Golf driver should you buy
- Conforming vs high COR, what it means in real life
- Formula FIRE TOUR lineup explained (XX TOUR vs X TOUR vs PRO TOUR, MINI Driver)
- Comparison Table
- The tech explained (cupped face, materials, energy transfer, bulge and roll)
- What a Krank Golf driver fitting looks like
- The numbers that matter on a launch monitor
- Launch Monitor Benchmarks
- Loft, shaft, length, and setup guidance
- FAQs
Why Krank Golf is different
Most driver ranges try to cover everybody with a single core head, then rely on loft and shaft to create variation. Krank Golf takes a more direct route by building three FIRE TOUR drivers designed around different swing profiles. They describe it as matching the driver to your “swing zone” using average driving distance as the starting point.
In plain English, the idea is:
- Faster swings can already create plenty of face deflection and spring effect, so they need a head that stays stable at speed and stays within conforming limits.
- Moderate and slower swings often struggle to access the same “pop”, so Krank tunes the face to help those speeds produce more ball speed and a more efficient launch.
That is the core of Krank’s appeal, especially in the UK where the brand has not been widely fitted or explained. If you get the model match right and then build the correct loft and shaft, you can end up with a driver that feels unusually “hot” across more of the face.
Which Krank driver is right for you?
Krank’s model matching is based on average drive distance and swing speed bands.
If you average under 200 yards off the tee
Formula FIRE XX TOUR
- Designed for slower swing speeds and average drives below 200 yards.
- Built to maximise spring effect for that speed band.
If you average 200 to 249 yards off the tee (roughly 85 to 105 mph)
Formula FIRE X TOUR
- Designed for mid speed golfers.
- Often described as “High COR” and aimed at roughly 85 to 105 mph swing speeds.
If you average 250 yards plus, or you need a conforming head
Formula FIRE PRO TOUR
- Aimed at golfers with average drives around 250 yards plus.
- Positioned as a conforming option for golfers who require it.
If you’re stuck between models, a 30 to 60 minute fitting will usually make it obvious. At Outtabounds we test your current driver, confirm your strike pattern, then match the correct FIRE TOUR head and build spec so you keep the speed while tightening dispersion. Book a Krank driver fitting.
Conforming vs “high COR”: what UK golfers need to know
This topic causes most of the confusion, so here is the practical version.
What “conforming” means
A conforming driver head is designed to meet the rules for clubs as set by golf’s governing bodies. If you play club competitions and want zero doubts, the simplest route is a conforming head and a proper fitting.
What “high COR” means in this context
Krank Golf uses the term to describe options designed to help moderate and slower swing speeds access more spring effect. The key point is that the correct model and build should match the way you deliver the club.
The honest takeaway
- If you compete, keep it simple and choose a conforming head, then get fit for the best performance you can within the rules.
- If your goal is pure distance for casual golf, you may explore higher COR options, but you should still get fit so the build is playable, not just fast.
- Always follow the rules relevant to the golf you play. “Conforming” is not a vibe. It is about specific models and rulings.
The Formula FIRE TOUR lineup explained (without the marketing fluff)
Here is how to think about the three models during a fitting.
Formula FIRE XX TOUR
Best for:
- Slower swing speeds
- Golfers who struggle to launch the ball high enough
- Golfers who lose ball speed on off-centre strikes
- Anyone who wants easier distance without changing their swing
Watch outs:
- If you already create high spin and high launch, the wrong loft or shaft can turn extra speed into ballooning.
Formula FIRE X TOUR
Best for:
- Moderate swing speeds
- Golfers in the 200 to 249 yard average drive band
- Players who want a hot face but still want control
Watch outs:
- With a lively face, strike location becomes more important. A fitting will often focus on tee height, length, and shaft profile to centre your impact.
Formula FIRE PRO TOUR
Best for:
- Faster swing speeds
- Golfers averaging 250 yards plus
- Competitive golfers who want a conforming option
Watch outs:
- Faster players can still pick the wrong loft and shaft and end up with inconsistent launch and spin.
Formula FIRE MINI DRIVER
Best for:
- Golfers who want a safer tee option on narrow holes
- Players who want a strong, repeatable flight with less “big miss” than a full driver
- Golfers building a two tee club setup, driver for max distance and mini driver for keep-it-in-play holes
Watch outs:
- Loft choice matters. Too little loft can turn it into a low-launch, low-carry club
- Tee height and strike location become more important. We fit for centred impact and tight dispersion, not just one long hit
- Gapping needs checking so it does not overlap your driver or your longest fairway wood
Model Comparisons
| Model | Best for | Typical swing speed | Launch / spin tendency | Forgiveness | Helps most with | Not ideal if you… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formula FIRE TOUR PRO | Max distance potential when you strike it well | Fast (often 105+ mph) | Lower launch, lower spin | Lowest (most demanding) | Keeping spin down, flattening ballooning drives | Need help on off-centre hits or struggle to launch it |
| Formula FIRE TOUR X | All-round performance with speed, still playable | Mid to fast (95–110+ mph) | Mid launch, mid-low spin | Mid | Balancing carry and roll without losing too much forgiveness | Need the most help with stability or consistent strike |
| Formula FIRE Tour XX | Consistency, control, and tighter dispersion | Wide range (85–105+ mph) | Mid launch, mid spin (easy to fit) | Highest (most stable) | Keeping misses playable, improving fairness and confidence | Only care about chasing the absolute lowest spin window |
| Formula FIRE MINI DRIVER | A controlled tee club when you want to keep it in play | Mid to fast (90–110+ mph) | Mid launch, mid spin (depends heavily on loft and shaft) | Mid-high (more stable than a low-spin driver, less than Tour XX) | Tighter dispersion off the tee on narrow holes without dropping to 3 wood distance | Want a fairway wood for turf shots, or need extra launch and carry help |
Quick pick:
If you want the safest option to fit most golfers, start with TOUR XX
If you want a strong blend of speed and playability, start with TOUR X.
If you are a high-speed striker trying to chase low spin, test PRO TOUR last.
The tech: what Krank Golf is actually doing
Krank leans heavily on face engineering, materials, and energy transfer. These are the concepts worth understanding before you book a fitting.
Three face options for three swing profiles
The FIRE TOUR range is built around matching the face characteristics to your swing speed and delivery. In a fitting, this matters because face behaviour influences ball speed, launch, and spin, especially when strike is not perfect.
Deep cupped face and spring effect
A cupped face design is typically aimed at maintaining ball speed across a larger impact area, not just centre strikes.
Energy transfer and stability
It is not just the face. The body and structure of the head also influence how efficiently energy transfers into the ball and how stable the head feels through impact.
Bulge and roll, and why it matters
Face curvature influences how off-centre strikes curve and how forgiving the club is on heel and toe misses. For most golfers, predictable misses are as important as peak distance.
Do you actually need a fitting for a Krank Golf driver?
If you want the biggest upside from Krank, a fitting is the smart move. At Outtabounds we treat the head model as step one, then optimise loft, shaft and length around your launch, spin and strike so the distance is repeatable on the course. Book a Krank Golf fitting.
If you skip fitting, you can easily end up with:
- A head that is not matched to your speed and impact
- Too much or too little loft
- A shaft that adds spin or kills launch
- A length that moves your strike all over the face
What a Krank Golf fitting looks like (step by step)
Step 1: Baseline your current driver
- Club speed and ball speed
- Launch and spin
- Strike pattern on the face
- Miss tendencies, shape, and start line
- Carry distance, total distance, and consistency
Step 2: Pick the correct Krank head model first
We start with the best matching head based on your real numbers and typical on-course distance, then validate it with strike and dispersion.
Step 3: Dial in loft before chasing shafts
Loft is one of the biggest distance levers in golf. We test loft options to find a flight that gives you carry, usable roll, and a pattern you can aim.
Step 4: Shaft optimisation (feel plus numbers)
Shaft choice is about timing, strike, and delivery. We look for better centre contact, tighter dispersion, and a feel you can repeat.
Step 5: Length, swing weight, and tee setup
A longer driver can create speed but it can also move strike to the heel and increase curvature. We test length to see what gives you the best blend of speed consistency and control.
Step 6: Final validation
We finish by validating your best Krank build against your gamer using the same ball and the same conditions.
The launch monitor numbers that matter most for driver
- Ball speed: the engine of distance
- Smash factor: efficiency and strike quality
- Launch angle: carry distance and trajectory
- Spin rate: carry, total, and consistency in wind
- Attack angle and dynamic loft: explains why launch and spin happen
- Strike location: consistency, ball speed stability, and curvature
- Dispersion: distance that stays in play
Launch monitor benchmarks (what “good numbers” look like)
These benchmarks are your starting point for a driver fitting. They are not rules. The best numbers are the ones that produce your best mix of carry, total distance, and dispersion for your swing.
Tip: Always judge a fitting by the combination of carry + dispersion + consistency, not one “perfect” shot.
Driver benchmarks by swing speed
Use the row closest to your driver club speed. If you do not know club speed, you can estimate it from ball speed (smash factor around 1.45 to 1.50 for a solid strike).
Launch monitor benchmarks (what “good numbers” look like)
These benchmarks are your starting point for a driver fitting. They are not rules. The best numbers are the ones that produce your best mix of carry, total distance, and dispersion for your swing.
Tip: Always judge a fitting by the combination of carry + dispersion + consistency, not one “perfect” shot.
Driver benchmarks by swing speed
Use the row closest to your driver club speed. If you do not know club speed, you can estimate it from ball speed (smash factor around 1.45 to 1.50 for a solid strike).
| Driver club speed | Ball speed target | Launch angle | Backspin | Peak height | Descent angle | Smash factor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85–95 mph | 125–140 mph | 13°–16° | 2300–3200 rpm | 70–95 ft | 33°–40° | 1.40–1.48 |
| 95–105 mph | 140–157 mph | 12°–15° | 2000–2900 rpm | 80–105 ft | 30°–38° | 1.45–1.50 |
| 105–115 mph | 157–172 mph | 10°–14° | 1700–2600 rpm | 85–115 ft | 28°–36° | 1.47–1.50 |
| 115–125+ mph | 172–187+ mph | 9°–13° | 1500–2400 rpm | 90–120 ft | 26°–34° | 1.48–1.50 |
Quick checks that usually matter most
- Ball speed: the biggest distance driver. If ball speed is not improving, the head and shaft combo is not really better.
- Launch and spin together: high spin with high launch tends to balloon. Low spin with low launch tends to fall out of the sky.
- Dispersion: the best driver is the one that keeps your bad shots playable.
- Strike location: centre strikes win. If strike moves towards the middle, your numbers improve even without chasing “perfect” spin.
Common “problem numbers” and what they usually mean
| What you see | What it often causes | What we normally test |
|---|---|---|
| Launch high and spin high (for your speed) | Ballooning, no roll, inconsistent carry in wind | Lower loft, lower spin head option, tip-stable shaft, tee height and strike location changes |
| Launch low and spin low | Flat shots that drop early, low carry | More loft, higher launching shaft profile, strike location check, optimised setup |
| Spin very high (often 3200+ rpm) | Shorter total distance, curve exaggeration | Different loft, more stable shaft, move strike away from low-heel |
| Smash factor low (often under 1.42) | Distance left on the table even with “good” launch and spin | Head weight and length, shaft feel and timing, strike pattern work, potentially a more forgiving head |
| Very wide dispersion | Unplayable misses even if the longest shot is great | More stable head option, weight and length tuning, shaft profile to match tempo |
Attack angle benchmarks (driver)
You can play great golf with many attack angles, but for most golfers chasing driver distance, a slightly upward strike helps.
- Typical useful window: +2° to +5°
- If you are steep (negative): you will often need more loft to keep launch up, and spin can climb.
- If you are very upward (+6° or more): you can sometimes launch too high. Spin control and face strike become the priority.
Indoor notes (so you do not get misled)
- Use premium balls in a fitting. Worn balls can change spin and launch.
- Same tee height and same target line across all heads tested.
- Compare averages across 6–10 shots per setup, not the single best one.
How to buy the right Krank Golf driver in the UK (even before you get fit)
- Know your real average driving distance, not your best.
- Be honest about your swing speed band. If you do not know, measure it.
- Choose the head model based on that band, then validate with launch and dispersion.
- Prioritise launch and spin over flex labels.
- Do not automatically chase ultra low loft. Playable distance comes from optimised loft, not ego loft.
Krank Golf fitting at Outtabounds (UK)
Krank Golf drivers can be brilliant when the head and build are matched properly, and frustrating when they aren’t. A fitting removes the guesswork.
- Baseline testing with your current driver (speed, launch, spin, strike, dispersion)
- Correct FIRE TOUR head match based on your numbers
- Loft and shaft optimisation for carry and total distance
- Length and swing weight dialled in for centre contact and control
- A clear spec sheet, plus ordering options if you want us to supply the build
Ready to get fit? Book your Krank driver fitting.
FAQs
Are Krank Golf drivers only for long drive competitors?
No. Krank is well known in long drive, but the FIRE TOUR range is positioned around everyday golfers across different swing speeds and distance bands.
Are Krank Golf drivers conforming?
Some models are positioned as conforming. If you compete, always verify the exact model and rules relevant to your events.
Will a Krank Golf driver automatically add 20 yards?
Sometimes, but not always. The biggest gains usually come from the correct head model, better centre strike, and optimised launch and spin.
What is the biggest fitting mistake people make with distance drivers?
Buying for their best swing and building too long and too low lofted. It creates one monster drive and a lot of misses.
Can I get fitted for Krank Golf drivers in the UK?
Yes. Outtabounds offers UK-based Krank Golf driver fittings using launch monitor data to match head model, loft and shaft to your swing. Book a Krank fitting here.