difference in tour driver?

**clearwaterms** · March 1, 2009

What is the difference in drivers between the tour version and the regular? I am considering picking up a new driver and might have a line on a good price on a tour version of a driver.

Can your average hack sucessfully use a tour driver?

FYI - this is a callaway I am looking at, so it's still a 460cc.

**klaymon** · March 1, 2009

"Tour" usually means a neutral to open face angle. A regular driver may be 1.5* closed, but a Tour model may be up to 1.5* open, for example. In the case of the Callaways, they may also come in different lofts.

**clearwaterms** · March 1, 2009

in terms of ball flight / shot pattern what does being open vs. closed mean? What is the purpose of having a open or closed face?

Why would somebody want an open face?

**TheLauncher** · March 1, 2009

in terms of ball flight / shot pattern what does being open vs. closed mean? What is the purpose of having a open or closed face?

With Iron Byron swinging, an open face will cause a left to right ball flight and a closed face a right to left ball flight. Draw drivers seem to have become popular in the market either because most amateurs tend to slice (ie. for swing correction) or because the draw flight causes overspin and hence more distance.

In my limited knowledge of the game I've found it reasonable to assume that if a club with a draw bias may work as a correction for those prone to the slice, so should an open face help those prone to a hook. So in my eyes, "tour" may seem to indicate that the club is appropriate fo lower handicaps, it's really jusy a fancy way of saying fade bias. And by all means, someone with more knowledge or experience please expound on or correct my assumptions.

**silentfink** · March 1, 2009

Yes, and they can charge more for the fade, er, uh, um, Tour bias...

**bruce** · March 1, 2009

I believe most pro's or low handicap players can struggle controlling a strong draw tee shoot so an open face helps to alter this as compared to a high handicapper trying to control a strong fade who opts for the closed face.

**clearwaterms** · March 1, 2009

so somebody fighting a slice already will want to avoid the open faced drivers.

**denver_nuggs_15** · March 1, 2009

so somebody fighting a slice already will want to avoid the open faced drivers.

Definately avoid an open faced driver if you fight a slice. There a two types of slicers: over-the-toppers and open-facers. The over-the-toppers come over the top and hit the ball with crazy sidespin. The ball could start out left and slice way to the right. The open-facers don't release the club properly, but may have a decent club path. The ball usually starts right and continues right. If you're an open-face slicer, an open face driver will increase your problem moreso than if you are an over-the-topper.

Tour drivers are usually anywhere between square to 1.5* open. That does not mean that they have a fade bias. Fade and draw bias have to do with the weighting of the club. If there is more weight near the heel of the club and less weight near the toe, it is easier the close the clubface (this would be draw bias). Vice-versa for fade bias. Most tour drivers that I've played are open face, but the weighting is usually neutral. Look at TM's TP drivers, many of Callaway's tour drivers, etc. I would not suggest a Tour model if your handicap is about 25. The drivers will usually launch the ball lower and won't help a slicer. If I were you, I'd look at Callaway's non-Tour edition clubs if you're going with Callaway. They are really good clubs and for $200 new for an FT-5, you can't go wrong. Good luck with your purchase.

***iacas*** · March 1, 2009

If you're an open-face slicer, an open face driver will increase your problem moreso than if you are an over-the-topper.

That may be the case most of the time, but it's not necessarily the case. Slices occur when there's a difference between the face angle and swing path. Adding to that difference will have the same effect: bigger slices.

That does not mean that they have a fade bias. Fade and draw bias have to do with the weighting of the club.

Fade and draw bias is typically the balance and measure of two things: weighting and face angle. Not just the one.

But that's why it's important to get both parameters where you like them. With a system that offered an open, closed, and square face and heel, neutral, and toe weight solutions, you've got nine different options (though unless you REALLY like the look of an open clubface but still want help hitting the ball left, open/heel probably isn't going to be chosen very often - or the opposite, closed/toe, leaving you with 7 real-world configs).

**Hidalgo** · March 1, 2009

That may be the case most of the time, but it's not necessarily the case. Slices occur when there's a difference between the face angle and swing path. Adding to that difference will have the same effect: bigger slices.

Good description and explanation.

Also, we have found that the "Tour" drivers will have the weight based VERY high in the head and also very close to the face, causing a lower trajectory and less inherent loft. Hitting a 9.5* "Tour-weighted" driver will usually provide the ball flight of a 7.5* face for the higher handicap player. Playing a driver with the weight based higher in the face, and closer to the face, requires a very high swing speed. Contrary to popular belief ( and range-talk-rumors ) there is a definite need for a certain degree of backspin to get the ball started on a desirable trajectory. Without high clubhead speeds, this isn't possible with these drivers and their weight locations in the clubhead.

**st0wgolf08** · March 1, 2009

My goodness, how many of these threads have we had recently?

***iacas*** · March 1, 2009

Also, we have found that the "Tour" drivers will have the weight based VERY high in the head and also very close to the face, causing a lower trajectory and less inherent loft.

A good point I left out. Closer to the face CG will also tend to allow you to work the ball a little more easily, and will be a bit less forgiving (because MOI is lower with the CG closer to the face).

The rest of what you said was also accurate.

My goodness, how many of these threads have we had recently?

Don't know, but what did this comment add to the discussion?

**birdiemachine** · March 1, 2009

shafts on tour model drivers tend to have a higher kickpoint as well, this is bc better players dont need as much help getting the ball airborne

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