[Andy299]

Hi to All,

I saw the other thread on new driver hunt but thought it would be more appropriate if I start a new one. Being new here just feeling my way. So here we go:





I am looking for a new driver to buy or to build. Here is some info about me that may help you in your recommendation:

Buying drivers and putters and to a degree all of our clubs is much of a personal preference as anything else in life, just like buying cars, house, clothing, etc. Based on our needs, expectations, budget, etc we make our decisions. Like while I can’t afford a Ferrari or a Maserati (they are both great cars) I would not buy them even if I could afford them. As you can see in the “what’s in the bag” section most of my clubs are fairly old. However, I am very happy with most of them and the bed shots are direct result of the guy hanging on the end of the club and not the clubs themselves. Having said that I acknowledge that some of the new improvements in golf club design are making much easier to hit some shots. Hence I have the two hybrids in the bag now.

Now, why I want a new driver? Well I want more distance of the tee and want it consistently.

I play with a small draw, have a good low to mid trajectory, my swing speed is generally between 95 and 105mph (with driver) though occasionally it gets higher. I consider myself to be a swinger rather than a hitter. I have a fairly slow swing tempo and like to work the ball. My putting sucks and my short game is crap, even though I work on them a lot. They are getting better, but it is a slow process.

With my current driver, good shots are straight, I get 245+ yards carry and at least 25 yards roll in the summer, none at present. Can fade the ball, but drawing it with this driver (983E) is more difficult. Hooking is no problem at all! (I have a 975D, I draw all my drives with this one, can hit it straight, but can not fade it at all! It is a bit shorter than the 983E and just too short in the winter as there is no roll then.) I occasionally hit the 983E out of sight, over 300 yards (sometimes three times a round, and sometimes I can’t hit another one for a few weeks). Yet to figure out what on earth I need to do to repeat it.

I tested a number of OEM drivers, all of them 9* loft (these were the ones I could get to demo). These were Ping Rapture with stiff shaft, Srixon (forgot the model) with stiff, Callaway FT5 with Fit-on 150S, Tour Edge Exotics with Aldila NV 65S. On a separate occasion I tested the entire Callaway range of drivers with various lofts. I liked the FT3 with Aldila NVS 55S for feel and the FT5 with fit on 150S for feel. However, the distance and dispersion was not what I hoped for, some drive ballooned up in the air. In my opinion the Tour Edge was exceptionally good for both feel and also straight off the tee, but 10 to 20 yards shorter than my current driver (245+yards carry) even though the trajectory was good. I could hit it straight even in strong left to right and right to left winds, there was hardly any sideways drifting in the air. I suspect that the 9* loft is just not enough loft for me in a driver! At least not enough loft with these shafts.

I tested quite a few shafts in a few driver heads I have, like the 983E and a Bang-O-Matic 10.5*, but so far could not achieve any extra distance with either. It is time for input from people who tried thing I have yet to try.



Many thanks in advance
Andy