My driver reviews. I have owned all these clubs this season.

[ManchesterGolfer]

Set the back ground. I play off a handicap of 9, driving is probably the best part of my game, concetration the weakest. I am quite a large hitter, I regulary drive the 2 short par 4's at my course both about 265 up hill, it's not unheard of me driving 300+ holes and can hit both par 5's at my course with a driver and iron. My problem is that I think I'm caught between a Tour model driver and a normal one. I prefer the looks of the tour model drivers and when I'm grooving the swings they go well. On the other hand I want to hit fairways more often than not, even when my swing isn't at it's best so would like to find a club that looks good at address but offers forgivness when I'm not in the groove.

I split with my cheating ex last year and have moved home to my parents house, hence having the money and time to invest in new drivers and time to hit them. I play golf about 5 times a week either on the course or up at the range. I carry two drivers in my bag so I can compare them on the course.

Cobra X speed. 9.5* stiff.

I couldn't wait for the launch because i've always been a fan of the Aldila NVS and Cobra and here they were fitted together.
Looks;- I was not blown away with the looks of this driver. I wasn't keen on the fast back design and the tall face. The face also looked closed to me and never felt confortable at address.
Performance;- This driver delivered a low to mid trajectory and the distance was ok. I found that when winding one up trying to hit a bomb I was prone to a big slice with this club. Also had the F-Speed 9.5* stiff very simlar results exept slightly higher ball flight. (I have seen a lot of people using Speed drivers at the range and most seem to struggle with a slice). These clubs were a big let down for me I'm affraid.
overall I would rate the Speeds 5/10.

Cleveland 460Ti 9.5* stock stiff.

I have had both the offset and normal model.
Looks;- This driver looks superb from all angles and comes with a stunning headcover,IMO. (The offset driver looks a little different but thats to be expected). Both sit nicely behind the ball at address and fill you with confidance.
Performance;- These drivers felt solid at impact the length was about normal for me. I felt like I could go after one with this club and the club responded nicely. Good mid to high trajectory. The offset model I hit with a draw every time. I struggled to hit fairways with it though as I couldn't get my allignment sorted out correctly. This club now sits proudly in my golfing pals bag. He's a 21 handicap who struggles with a slice but the offset has helped him straigten out his drivers and added 10-15 yards.
I would rate the 460Ti at 7.5/10.

Cleveland Comp 460 9.5* stock stiff.
Looks;- Stunning at address. Sits gr8 behind the ball, nice square look to it. Jet Black finnish and carbon crown go great together. Nice headcover too. No alignment aid so I put a little 'danger' sticker on the crown.
Performance;- Longer carry than the 460Ti. Not as loud at impact but still felt solid. Ball seemed to carry for ever on a high trajectory. Easy to hit straight. I felt I could aim down the middle and only missed fairways when not paying full attention to my swing. I would have kept this driver but I had a Graf Blue NT prototype put on it to try to get a few greedy more yards. I went for a reg but found it a bit to whippy and started hitting fades so I'm affraid it went ebay bound.
Overall rating 8/10
............. (I have also had the Hi-Bore but only kept it for a couple of days as I just did not like the clubs looks at address therefore I wouldn't like to give a review as I think it would be unfair).

Callaway Ft3 Tour. 9.5* stiff NV. (draw and neutral).

Looks;- Nice looking club, I like the Callaway V sign on the face and the white writing on the jet black club head. This club just says quality. At address the club sits nice and square. The transition between the titanium face and carbon body takes a bit of getting used to, there's a line that seperates them. There is no allignment aid on the crown of this driver but it felt easy to line up any how.
Performance;- I know these clubs are meant to be the bomb, but I found the performance quite medioca. I just didn't seem to get any feedback from either sound or the feel at impact. The sound was just a dull thud and the feel was dead. The sound and feel where the same wether I middled one or caught one off the heel or toe. This was a shame because I really wanted to like this driver and even tried the draw model after getting rid of the neutral model. I may even try again with a different shaft because I do not like the NV.
Overall 6/10

Callaway X460 10* Stiff NVS.

Looks;- Another club that looks great in the hand. Nice X sign on the face and V allignment on top. White writing on black head, all good. Even the shiney sole looks nice, Different with it's anti rock design but attractive. The problem was when you put it behind the ball. The face just looks very shut and it's hard to allign because of it. I found myself trying to square the face at address but this was actually making me open the face if you know what I mean?
Performance;- The distance was up there with the Cleveland Comp, Long slightly lower ball flight more mid than high. The club gave good feedback with a solid noice and instant feedback on off centre hits. The problem I had was hitting fairways because I couldn't line it up properly because of how closed the face sat at address. I was tieing myself in knotts with it so off it went to ebay. I also felt that the Cleveland Comp & 460Ti where better for distance and forgivness on off centre strikes. I wouldn't put you off trying one of these but I would recommend the Tour version as it would sit square.
Overall 6.75/10

Titleist 905T Stiff Aldila NV 9.5*

Looks;- Great traditional shape, Not overkeen on the graphite grey though. Sits nice behind the ball.
Performance;- When middled superb. first ever shot I drove our 319 yard 1st hole which has a steep bank before the green. (Wind was behind). I soon found that this was not always the case for me. The head is smaller than most drivers I have tried at 400cc. This club seemed to be all or nothing. By that I mean if I got it out of the sweetspot then it went long and straight but if I didn't middle it then I lost lots of distance and could hit slices and hooks in the same round. I think the Titleist drivers are for more consistant ball strikers than myself.
Overall 6.5/10

Nike SQ Tour 9.5 Stiff Graff Blue.

Looks;- I like the SQ tour a lot. It looks great at address, you don't really notice how big it is because the silver part just doesn't catch the eye. It sits lovely and square behind the ball and fills you with confidance. When you turn it over though it does look thugly with it's yellow wings. The headcover also feels very cheap compared to most.
Performance;- When I hit it well the distance is fantastic. I just find with the Pro launch I never really get a consistant trajectory. I am changing because of the shaft not the club head itself. I will probably get another SQ in the future but with a different spec shaft.
Overall 7.5/10
........Also had the Max cg version. I got the wrong spec for me as I got it before it was released overhere and they only had a 10.5 regular so again don't feel it would be fair to give a proper review. Again at address you don't really notice the power bow, but when you look at it in hand it is ugly. The shaft was to whippy for me, I had an Aldila NV pink stiff put on it and a Blue Lamkin grip but the weight just felt wrong afterwards so I only hit about 20 balls with it before selling it on ebay.

Taylor made R7 460. 9.5* Stock Stiff.

Looks;- Big, Nice shape but noticeably big. This club seems to look the biggest of the 460cc drivers I have tried. That said it fills you with confidence and it sits well behind the ball. The face is closed but not to much that it effects allignment.
Performance;- On neutral I hit it straight or with a slight fade the distance was weak and I wasn't 100% sure if I liked it. Then when I changed it to draw thats exactly what the ball flight started to do the length increased to roughly the same as the Cleveland Comp and Nike SQ, Mid to High trajectory and long carry. I'm hitting more fairways with this driver than any other I have tried. The club sounds nice at impact and gives good feedback. The only problem is that when I really go after one when I'm hitting it so well I tend to get a hook. I think it may be improved with a different shaft but it's not broke so I'm not gonna try to fix it this time like I did with the Cleveland Comp.
Overall rating 9/10.

Conclusion? I don't think there is too much diffrence from one top of the range 460cc driver to another ,distance wise anyway. (Probably 12-18 yards from the longest to the shortest). I would say finding one that fits your eye at address is as important as the feel and sound you get at impact. If you aren't confident stood over a driver at address then you're gonna struggle even with a driver fitted for your swing, IMO.

I think thats it? I have probably missed one or two out but if I have I will add them later. The only thing I'm gonna do now is sell the Nike SQ and get a TM R7 425 as my 2nd driver. I had a look at them when I got the 460 but choose the 460 thinking of fairways. I read this week that TM has a fitting place with launch monitors at the Belfry, I've never had the pleasure of using a launch monitor So I might splash out on a new 425 custom fit and a round on the PGA course.

[SiberianDVM]

You really, really need to swing a Tour Edge Exotics.

[ManchesterGolfer]

Originally Posted by SiberianDVM

You really, really need to swing a Tour Edge Exotics.

I will do as soon as they hit the shops over here. I visit golf shops regulary and have not seen any of them over here as yet.

[SiberianDVM]

I should send you mine. The way I'm swinging clubs, I could do just as well with a plastic club out of a 2 year old's set.

[ManchesterGolfer]

Thats lucky, My little lad Thomas has two complete sets of plastic clubs. I will trade you? You get a bag with wheels, putter, driver, mid iron and wedge. I'll pay postage for both, up for it?

[SiberianDVM]

Only if they are Hogans.

[Bravo]

ManGolfer:

Can you tell me about the stock stiff shaft in the r7? Is this the MAS shaft? I am thinking of getting one of these on the used market and am considering the Aldila NVS or the Graf Blue.

Great write up BTW. One of the very best here from a comparo standpoint....

b

[ManchesterGolfer]

Originally Posted by Bravo

ManGolfer:

Can you tell me about the stock stiff shaft in the r7? Is this the MAS shaft? I am thinking of getting one of these on the used market and am considering the Aldila NVS or the Graf Blue.

Great write up BTW. One of the very best here from a comparo standpoint....

b

The stock shaft is the co-engineered by TM & Fujikura REAX 60. It's a mid kick point and is designed to stop ovaling, blar, blar.... It's a decent shaft not the stiffest I have ever swung, so I would Def try to demo one 1st. To be honest I hit more fairways with this then any other club I have used. I'm not gonna risk changing it with out demoing 1st no point gaining a few yards if it lose's the accuracy.

[Bravo]

Originally Posted by ManchesterGolfer

The stock shaft is the co-engineered by TM & Fujikura REAX 60. It's a mid kick point and is designed to stop ovaling, blar, blar.... It's a decent shaft not the stiffest I have ever swung, so I would Def try to demo one 1st. To be honest I hit more fairways with this then any other club I have used. I'm not gonna risk changing it with out demoing 1st no point gaining a few yards if it lose's the accuracy.

Thanks...this is great information...I don't hit it as long as you do and my biggest issue is putting it in the short grass - so as much as anything I want something forgiving.

My current driver is a TM R540 with a stock Regular shaft and I hit it decently at times and horridly others. Last weekend I hit it as well as I can on the Farmlinks and my very best drives (as well as I can possibly hit them) were around 285. I am 51 and just don't have the guns like I used to...I often will hit it around 250 or so in the winter when not in good form.

Well here comes the UPS driver now with my used r7 with the stock regular shaft. I am going to put it on a monitor at a local shop and see how it goes....I will let you know what I end up doing from a shaft standpoint...

[Rockford35]

Bravo,

I suggest trying both in Graf Blue and NV in an R7 if you can as they are both totally different performing shafts, especially if you are an agressive swinger.

I took an NV out of a Cleveland Launcher that I couldn't keep centered (always left) and put a Graf Blue in it and get nothing but dead center.

Just be aware of that...

R35

[Bravo]

Originally Posted by Rockford35

Bravo,

I suggest trying both in Graf Blue and NV in an R7 if you can as they are both totally different performing shafts, especially if you are an agressive swinger.

I took an NV out of a Cleveland Launcher that I couldn't keep centered (always left) and put a Graf Blue in it and get nothing but dead center.

Just be aware of that...

R35

Wow...timely advice. I still battle the hooks and have a decidedly right-to-left game...I will definitely keep this in mind.

Now that you mention it,my TM Rescue Mid with the Aldila shaft DOES seem to be a bit more 'lefty' than my other clubs.

Hmmmmm...

[DaveE]

Originally Posted by Bravo

Wow...timely advice. I still battle the hooks and have a decidedly right-to-left game...I will definitely keep this in mind.

Now that you mention it,my TM Rescue Mid with the Aldila shaft DOES seem to be a bit more 'lefty' than my other clubs.

Hmmmmm...

Don't forget about the draw bias with the Mids. When I don't get my junk through I'm in deep left field with those everytime.

[Bravo]

Originally Posted by DaveE

Don't forget about the draw bias with the Mids. When I don't get my junk through I'm in deep left field with those everytime.

I have heard that they have a draw bias and others say no. That is the last thing I need with my game as it is now.

I love the club though. I guess I could have it put on a machine to see if it has a closed face to really know.

[VtDivot]

Bravo - The reax that is in the new TM drivers plays true to flex. It's a players shaft. I'd compare it to the NV. The MAS shaft that you got in your used R7 (400cc I assume) is awesome for holding tall plants in the garden.

If you want a tight feeling combo I can't recommend the Blue enough (you may need to tee it a little higher).

Grab one new from golfsmith and enjoy the fairway.

NV is an option if you are more of a swinger than a hitter. It is supposedly the same torque and kick as the Blue, but I don't see it. I have the NV in my 3W and Blue in my driver and I notice a huge difference. I never hit 3W off the tee since I can control the driver much more. The 3W is a hook machine lately

[Bravo]

Originally Posted by VtDivot

Bravo - The reax that is in the new TM drivers plays true to flex. It's a players shaft. I'd compare it to the NV. The MAS shaft that you got in your used R7 (400cc I assume) is awesome for holding tall plants in the garden.

If you want a tight feeling combo I can't recommend the Blue enough (you may need to tee it a little higher).

Grab one new from golfsmith and enjoy the fairway.

Thanks for the advice...in the last two hours I have gotten much more confidence in what to do..

I agree with you about the MAS shaft. This is what is in my R540 as well as the new r7. It is very whippy and it can be easily torqued unless I really watch it from the top....too quick and I just snap it left.....

Can't wait to hit the shop tomorrow. The Blue is reasonably priced too. I can get it there for about $48 plus installation. I will have about $290 in the driver if I use that shaft. A pretty decent price.