Jump to content
IGNORED

Thoughts on building vs. buying a new driver


amac
Note: This thread is 3695 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

I've been thumbing through the latest Golf Digest Hot List of drivers for 2014 - dangerous stuff!  My takeaway is that manufacturers are going for less/easier adjustments and promoting forgiveness and high launch.  Do we really need 86 ways to screw up a driver?  I find it frustrating how quickly the focus of new technology changes, leaving me feeling out of date.  Kind'a like Apple hyping an iProduct and then releasing a slightly better version 2 weeks later!   After reviewing the hot list, I'm developing a new thought about "custom fitting" a driver - would I be better off building a driver to my specs or getting fit (lot's of swings at golf shop into net and choosing which one I like the best) and buying off the rack?

Here is a list of thoughts about a driver head that would suit my needs...

1. minimal adjustability - I made on adjustment on my R1 - loft, everything else is stock

2. square to slightly closed at address

3. medium to large sized head for workability and some forgiveness

4. COG designed for medium ball launch and low spin

5. face construction that will last?  I'm concerned that my R1's adjustable face technology may result in the face going flat sooner than others.  As long as I have something that's "hot" and durable, I'm good.

6. prefer black in color with some alignment aid

7. feel and sound at impact is personal. I like the sound of Titleist, my R1 and my former Ping i15.  All have/had a solid feel and somewhat muted pop at impact.

I purchased an R1 at the end of last year.  I don't plan to make a driver change (thoughts creeping in), but a shaft change may be in order.  Afterall, isn't it the shaft that makes the club?  I talked with a club fitter and they informed me good aftermarket shafts will easily run $300!  With new drivers costing $300-$500, how good is the shaft?  What am I paying for - the head or the shaft?  If it's the head, then how cheap is the shaft?  This particular fitter lead me to believe stock shafts are very budget oriented - maybe worth $75 - $100.  That means low tech compared to the $300 model, right?

Armed with this information, I'm opening myself up to considering building a driver.  Driver heads are abundant and used ones can be purchased somewhat inexpensively.  Hard part will be finding somewhere that has a large inventory of shafts.  First, the driver head... any suggestions, old or new, that would fit my specs/needs?  Thanks

amac

Driver :tmade: R1

Fairwaywood :tmade: Rocketballz Stage 2 15*

Hybrids :ping: i15 20* and 23* Hybrids

Irons :mizuno: MP64 4 - PW

Wedges :edel: 54* and 58* 

Putter :edel: 

Golf Ball :titleist: Pro V1 

Link to comment
Share on other sites


If you're going to build a driver, I would suggest you figure out your "recipe" for your ideal driver first. Then, get the components and build it.

Otherwise, you'll end up with a pile of parts and no driver.

I've thought about assembling a personal club shop, but lack of space to put the equipment is the big drawback.

Focus, connect and follow through!

  • Completed KBS Education Seminar (online, 2015)
  • GolfWorks Clubmaking AcademyFitting, Assembly & Repair School (2012)

Driver:  :touredge: EXS 10.5°, weights neutral   ||  FWs:  :callaway: Rogue 4W + 7W
Hybrid:  :callaway: Big Bertha OS 4H at 22°  ||  Irons:  :callaway: Mavrik MAX 5i-PW
Wedges:  :callaway: MD3: 48°, 54°... MD4: 58° ||  Putter:image.png.b6c3447dddf0df25e482bf21abf775ae.pngInertial NM SL-583F, 34"  
Ball:  image.png.f0ca9194546a61407ba38502672e5ecf.png QStar Tour - Divide  ||  Bag: :sunmountain: Three 5 stand bag

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I've been thumbing through the latest Golf Digest Hot List of drivers for 2014 - dangerous stuff!

I purchased an R1 at the end of last year.  I don't plan to make a driver change (thoughts creeping in), but a shaft change may be in order.  Afterall, isn't it the shaft that makes the club?  I talked with a club fitter and they informed me good aftermarket shafts will easily run $300!  With new drivers costing $300-$500, how good is the shaft?  What am I paying for - the head or the shaft?  If it's the head, then how cheap is the shaft?  This particular fitter lead me to believe stock shafts are very budget oriented - maybe worth $75 - $100.  That means low tech compared to the $300 model, right?

Armed with this information, I'm opening myself up to considering building a driver.  Driver heads are abundant and used ones can be purchased somewhat inexpensively.  Hard part will be finding somewhere that has a large inventory of shafts.  First, the driver head... any suggestions, old or new, that would fit my specs/needs?  Thanks

amac

I honestly like golf.com more for equipment reviews, at least to see what is new. They add in a lot of other brands, and their reviews are a bit more in depth. Of course you can go to blogs as well. I think they have the best reviews overall.

As for the shafts. A lot of drivers have water down versions of the original after market shafts.

Its the shaft + the clubhead that make the club. I could take a shaft put two different club heads on it and get totally different results.

Also shafts you pay for brand as well. Some shafts that run 75-150 dollars could fit you just as well as a 300 dollar shaft. I think the $300 dollar shaft might end up being slightly more soft in feeling (Feel better at impact), but in the numbers you wont see that big of a difference. Heck a ton of golfers still play the Proforce V2, and that is a very boardie shaft (stiff and less responsive).

Matt Dougherty, P.E.
 fasdfa dfdsaf 

What's in My Bag
Driver; :pxg: 0311 Gen 5,  3-Wood: 
:titleist: 917h3 ,  Hybrid:  :titleist: 915 2-Hybrid,  Irons: Sub 70 TAIII Fordged
Wedges: :edel: (52, 56, 60),  Putter: :edel:,  Ball: :snell: MTB,  Shoe: :true_linkswear:,  Rangfinder: :leupold:
Bag: :ping:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Note: This thread is 3695 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up
  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.
  • Popular Now

  • Posts

    • We do not buy extended warranties. We will use one of our credit cards for the purchase that extends the warranty "x 2". Our thoughts are: a. if the item is a lemon, it will likely break right away and we can attempt to apply the original warranty or credit card extension. b. over the long haul, we will probably save more money by not purchasing the extended warranty and fixing/junking broken items out of our own pocket. The important thing is to keep some records of purchases so one may make a claim under the manufacturer's warranty. I recently sent back some Footjoy shoes for leaking and Footjoy did a reat job of making the claim process work very well. I had the original receipt, warrant info and box. Easy peasy.
    • First one. Drinks on me! Wordle 1,013 1/6 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
    • This is pretty much how I look at it.  I understand there are times when the piece of mind has value. I think over the long haul I'm money ahead by never buying the extended warrantee. Hell, What do I know? I went to Ch!cago PubIic SchooIs. 
    • Wordle 1,013 4/6 🟩⬜🟨⬜🟨 🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜ 🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
    • Wordle 1,013 3/6* 🟨⬜⬜⬜🟨 🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...