New driver hunt 2

[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

[Adam Pettman]

Taylormade R7 460 9.5* with a prolaunch blue shaft. Sounds like it would suit your swing very well also the R7 head is very forgiving.

[Eracer]

I think that our opinions pale in significance compared to your own testing. Keep trying different clubs until you find the one. Having said that, I think the Tour Exotics is a great head. You just need to find a better (higher launch) shaft for it. I think the Graffaloy Proto CompNT 65g stiff (maybe tipped 1/2 inch) would work great with that 9-deg. head and your swing. Check out this great review by one of our most senior members.

Tour Edge Exotics Driver - the new hammer

[Andy299]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Eracer, Thanks for the link to the TTE review. I have every intention to try a 10.5* one in the next few weeks, if I can find a demo. Would love to try the 9* demo again preferably at the same session just to see the differences in launch angles. I loved the 9* one as I already mentioned in my post, the only draw back was the distance being on the short side compared to me 983E.

I have been looking for a cheap one on ebay with any shaft, but no luck so far. I would probably need to swap it out anyway for a good one.

[Crossfire]

If you like titleist, why not try a 905r? Depending on transition and such, I'd go with a YS-6 or a V2. I hated the ys-6, i LOVE the look of it, but i just tore it apart. My speed is only ~110 but i have a downright violent transition. If your smooth, you can make a stiff work. Best of luck mate.

[Andy299]

Hi crossfire,

I have thought about the 905R, T and S models, but undecided what to get. Do not like the idea that they (Titleist) installed a metal, I think Aluminum shat adaptor.

It makes reshafting complicated. Yes I heard that with small amount of heat it can be saved and I also know that I could get new replacement adapters, but just not quite comfortable with it. Given, it is a clever move by Titleist to stop most of us reshafting their heads.

Prices in the shops for these are still high and can't find a demo that i could try and then buy if I like it. Also, my swing is either pretty spot on or it is pretty shit so forgiveness in a head does not do a thing for me when I am swinging badly. I prefer a less forgiving head so I get the maximum out of it when I am spot on. If it makes sense. My 975D is still the most accurate both in distance and in fairways hit and it is by far older and less forgiving than any other stuff I have been trying out lately. I can hit 12 or even 14 out of 14 fairways with it and in the summer it is long enough for me to score well. Winter is a different story though, especially into strong wind.

I am also stupid and looking for extra distance like most of us!!!! (the current reader is always exception, whoever you are) It is really stupid I know. Probably should go and see a psychologist rather than searching for a new driver. It might be even cheaper. Come to think of it!!!

I am leaning towards the TEE, but it is still a bit expensive. When it comes to drivers (and putters and wedges and ...) I am probably just as bad as WBL just in a different way.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by Andy299

I am also stupid and looking for extra distance like most of us!!!! (the current reader is always exception, whoever you are) It is really stupid I know. Probably should go and see a psychologist rather than searching for a new driver. It might be even cheaper. Come to think of it!!!

And here we are, feeding each others' addictions. Always tempting our compadres to "try this", "look at this", etc. We're hopeless (current reader excepted, of course...)

Originally Posted by Andy299

I am leaning towards the TEE, but it is still a bit expensive. When it comes to drivers (and putters and wedges and ...) I am probably just as bad as WBL just in a different way.

Do I sense a rivalry beginning here? Can Andy299 take the crown from WBL? Or will Razor make a visit to the Land Down Under and end the rivalry a la Tonya Harding?

[Andy299]

Yeah, I know I am a basket case, but then again most of us hooked golf are, aren't we?

[warbirdlover]

Someone's after my title? Guess I better get back to work...

[Jules150]

if you want a tour edge exotics driver a with comp nt, i know a person who could sell you one

[Andy299]

Originally Posted by Jules150

if you want a tour edge exotics driver a with comp nt, i know a person who could sell you one

That little blue face must mean something. I wonder what that could be.

Let me see, could I justify traveling for it abroad? Sure! I just need to find a good excuse to tell my wife. Or maybe I just should send a ticket to get the owner bring it over here. Could you guys help me out? What should I do?

[MCDavis]

Tell us more, Jules...

[IrishGolfer]

I just sold "the one" to MG last month. he now has it on eBay. Not sure if it is going to sell or not. PM him. I'm sure he will give you a deal!

10.5 TEE with Graff NT stiff shaft. That is the one that Rock did the review on. At least 5 people from ST have now hit this thing.

It's a great club, problem was I had 2 of them and the wife was getting suspicious. Actually I usually have about 6 drivers continually revolving....

[ManchesterGolfer]

Originally Posted by IrishGolfer

I just sold "the one" to MG last month. he now has it on eBay. Not sure if it is going to sell or not. PM him. I'm sure he will give you a deal!

It's gonna be on it's way back across the Pond to R35's neck of the woods. A Canadian fella bought it as he's over here in the UK at the moment.

[dave.]

Geek

hth