Well, after a good summer of golf hitting my driver better than I ever have, I've made the "smart" decision to pick up a new driver.
I am such a moron.
I went to Nevada Bobs (more on this in a second) to try out as many drivers as I could. In no particular order, or directed towards a specific player, mind you. Here's my general breakdown of each. I'll do my best to be impartial and give each their just deserves:
Callaway Big Bertha 454 9.5*
I am a Callaway guy. Always have been. I liked their irons until this year and their drivers and fairway woods are amazing. In my opinion, at the top with a few others. This new driver is no exception. Long, forgiving and a nice feel. This one had the Aldila NV 75 in it, giving it a swingweight of D3, which is what I currently play. A perfect match. I felt the grip that came stock was the pits, but that's being picky. The head on this thing is gargantuan, and it takes some time getting used to standing over this thing. But one you start pounding a few off the toe and heel, you realize why this thing should be in every hackers bag. It's the real McCoy for forgiveness and length. Not the longest out there I found, but 280 is plenty for most guys out there.
Forgiveness 9/10. Feel 8.5/10. Length 8/10. Overall 9/10.
Titleist 905S 8.5*
This thing is long. Very long. Not as forgiving as one would like and it lacks the feel of the other drivers I tried, but you can take this thing deep. Smoke it on the screws and watch that pebble disappear. I also found that control was lacking some. Now, I will freely admit that i'm not a Titlesit guy. But this was one of the better drivers from the big T that i've tried. Tester club came with a stock Fuji Speeder for Titleist, which is a decent shaft. I say decent, because I think set up with either and NV, a Grafalloy or a aftermarket Speeder, this thing could be a cannon. Too bad it felt like hitting a rock off the face.
Forgiveness 6.5/10. Feel 6/10. Length 9.5/10. Overall 8.5/10
Ping G2 460
Does anyone here watch the Simpsons? Remember that episode where Homer went on a diet and had to eat rice cakes? "Hello, taste, where are you?"
I feel the same way about the G2. It looks nice, sets up well, feels decent, but where the hell is the distance? And how come a slice, hook and hit the ball perfect with the same swing?
This was the only driver I couldn't figure out. It came with the stock Ping shaft (whatever that was, I quickly discarded this club, it's not my choice at all) at 8.5* loft.
I hope Ping has the performace aspect figured out with the new G5, cuz this thing isn't the cat's meow.
Foregivess 5/10. Feel 7/10. Length 6/10. Overall 6/10.
Cleveland 460 Ti (not the Comp)
Whoever has one of these and can't hit it straight and long should go out and get lessons.
This is THE driver to have. Even set up with the stock Fuji shaft at 9.5* loft, I was BOMBING this driver. Huge. Off the heel, toe, center, high in the face, this thing just goes and goes. I tried a second one set up with a Grafalloy Blue (in X-stiff no less) and still cranked the hell out of the pebble. I averaged nearly 295 with this thing, even with a couple of shots high off the face, as I was testing the club to the best of my ability(

).
If you have trouble hitting the ball straight, go out and buy a Lancher 460. If you need more distance, buy a Launcher 460. If you have to unclog your toilet....well, I won't keep going...
This is by far the best driver I have ever hit for consistency. It had changed my view on Clevelands woods. (So much so, I had a go with some Launcher fairways and started looking for some on E-bay when I came home! So sweet! But that's another thread.)
If you have some time this week, go Demo this club. And don't be suprised if you find one in your bag by Sunday. It's truly that good.
Foregivess 10/10. Feel 10/10. Length 9/10. Overall 9.5/10.
Cobra 440SZ
This was a suprise. I've never been much of a fan of Cobra stuff, but this driver works. Well.
Matched with the NV HL (high launch), the ball just seems to float forever. Personally, I would like a more boring ballflight for control in the wind, but I would worry about that once I had purchased one, or considered demoing with another shaft installed, which unfortunately I couldn't. 9.5* loft, sweet feel and better than average forgiveness give the 460SZ my thumbs up. For the price, I would still get a Launcher, but the Cobra is more than equivalent as an alternative.
Well done Cobra. You have a winner, forsure.
Foregiveness 8/10. Feel 7.5/10. *Length 7.5/10. Overall 8/10.
*I equate the lack of length due to the high launch shaft. I'm a high ball hitter to begin with, so I'm making a note about this.
I never made it to the Taylor Made section, or the Hogan's. It was in my plan of attack, but I stupidly a) left my cell phone on and b) answered it. SWMBO was calling....at the golf shop...going home...cripes....
I did, however, get to hack a couple other clubs. Irons: Callaway X-tour Forged, Taylor Made Rac TP and Cleveland CG4's.
Quick comments......X-tours, heavy and fat. Good feel, but what the hell, Callaway? Get into the groove and make some real forged clubs. 5/10. And I'm a Cally guy...Rac TPs...sweet....nice setup and feel. A true Players club....CG4's, the real deal for the game improvement guy....great feel and looks. They smell nice too.
Try and remember before ripping me about any of the above that these are my opinions. I also will add that some of these clubs weren't set up for my swing and shaft combination as well as some others, so the numbers may or may not improve. But I thought i'd just share what I could.
Also, i'm going to advocate that no one buy stuff from Nevada Bobs. What a ripoff joint. I asked how much a set of irons would be for a re-shaft for TT DG S300's, 35 bucks a club BEFORE labour and taxes. Holy fack! Do i get to choose the parking cone that they'd kick straight up my ass too? Sheesh....for that price, i'd rather burn the clubs...
Anyways, that's my rant. Take it with a grain of salt...
R35