Driver suggestions for average player!

Guys, I know there are many "which driver should I get" posts out here. So I thought I would give a little more info about me, what I hit.....etc.

I got back back into golf this spring after about 6 years away from the game. Back then, I consistently shot low 80's. Now getting back into the game I replaced my old TA3's with a set of Burner 1.0's mainly because they are so much more forgiving than my TA3's. I also found a good deal at Dick's for a Burner HT, so I purchased it. It is a pretty descent driver,seems forgiving enough but it being a 10.5 degree, I tend to hit it very very high. My overall game is improving (averaging mid-high 80's), I believe I need a lower lofted driver for more distance. When I am hitting the driver good I usually average anywhere from 230-240 on average. Every now and then I will come over the top and really slice or hook very bad. But normally I keep it in play and if I miss the fairway I am only off by a few yards. My swing speed varies around 97-102.

Here are some of the Drivers I am looking at:

TM Superfast 2.0: my main concern is the longer shaft and accuracy.

TM R11: Great reviews on this club, but a little pricey, is it worth the extra $170 over the Superfast 2.0.

TM R9 SuperTri: heard nothing but great things about this club, only 6yds shorter than the R11, but can't find a new driver, and used are going for $200

Titleist D3: just as long as the R11 same price....

I am open to any and all suggestions on drivers and lofts. I've heard a little bit about the Ping's and Callaway's, but heard the technology is what the other brands are offering. I may be wrong, just reading reviews about these clubs. Like I stated in the begining I am just getting back into the game and am way behind on the newer clubs.

More important than the driver head is the shaft.  That is really what makes the ball go higher or lower, with more spin or less.  Find a head that appeals to you, but more importantly, find the right shaft for your swing.

If those are the only choices, then the TM Superfast is the most forgiving and the most bang for the buck. However. I challenge you to go to Golf Galaxy (or equivalent), use the simulator, and compare the TM Burner from 2 years ago against this years model. I have a feeling          (make sure your SHAFT as stated in above post is the right stiffness for you.... 100mph plus versus less than 100mph swing speed)     that the previously owned TM Burner from 2 years ago will have Approximately the same distance as the TM Superfast you are looking at and cost much less.

Most amateurs do, and they are usually wrong.  Most amateurs tend to need more loft than they think.  My bet is 10.5° is enough, and you can fix your high shots with a shaft fitting, swing analysis, and a lower tee'd ball.

I hit my longest and straightest drives with a 12° head.  I have a slow, lazy swing and average 220-230.

The best bet if you are not the kind of guy that buys a new driver every year is to go adjustable, that way you can change the settings as your game changes (improves)

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First of all, you might want to play a few months until your swing stabilizes a little. Stick with the Burner HT until you're sure it always carries the ball high.

Then, take glock's advice - get a fitting.

In 2009, I was completing a transition from stiff to regular shafts - probably about five years overdue. One thing I found - both for woods and irons - is there are lots of excellent clubs out there. Test them out and see what all is available.

I play Callaway X Tour driver and 3W, and X20 Tour irons. I really like them. But, if I had a Burner 2.0 driver with the right shaft, and AP1 or CG16 Tour irons with the  right shafts, I'm sure I could play quite well with them. (I've test-hit them all, and the ball flies great as long as I keep my head still)

And, welcome back to golfdom!

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Meenman, You're right. Once I find the right driver, I will stick with it. My game is getting really close to the way I used to play.It's just the little things I am working. One minor issue I have from time to time, in which myback swings tends to be very upright and I will come over the top on my downswing. But have been really focusing on that over the last 2 weeks and so far is working great! I am keeping them in play.

WUTiger, I have been playing with the Burner HT all year now, it's done a great job helping me get my confidence back compared to my old Callaway Big Bertha II. Before I took time away from the game, I played the Titleist 975 9.5 degree and could hit it a mile. But sold it when I quit playing. Maybe I am looking at this all wrong, but I think going down to 9 or 9.5 degree will help with a more boring drive and get more roll. Where as the 10.5 doesn't get much roll at all. I am just looking for that edge of more yardage off the tee. Maybe like Meenman said, get an adjustable driver. How do you like the Burner 2.0? I've heard great things, is it really as long and forgiving as I have been told?

Thanks for your help  guys! And yes, its nice to be back into the game after so much time off!

I would also recommend getting fitted (properly) for your driver. You're around Nashville, right?

http://www.linktothelinks.com/

http://www.nashvillegolfclubfitter.com/about.html

http://hugoclubfitter.com/

I've been playing the Wishon 919 driver for the last year or so. It's a classic and I haven't found anything else easier to hit. (Tried G15, 910D2, Adams 9064, R11.) They make a white head too if you like that.

http://wishongolf.com/designs/drivers/919thi/

ping g20 cant go wrong, it's much better than the taylormade from the reviews i seen.

Guys thanks for all the help. I ran across a golf instructor, who had a demo 9 degree R11 (mint condition) and a brand new R11 3-wood on craigslist. After hitting it on the simulator I had to have it. It felt great! After some hard negotiations I ended up getting the R11 driver and a R11 3-wood for $450. Not a bad deal! Now if it would quit raining I hope to get out tomorrow and hit it on the course!

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Both clubhead loft/internal design and shaft launch profile will influence the height of the shot. Threads in the last few months suggest that loft and launch should be considered at the same time.

As for Burner 2.0, I tried one at 10.5* with a mid-launch shaft, but the shots took off like a 5 iron in height. They went almost as long as my current driver and a comparable RazR Hawk, but the B2.0 hang time exposed the shots to more wind influence. Again, maybe a 9.5* loft would be better.

Anyway, a driver would have to be pretty wonderful to bump my HyperX Tour. And, I need to stabilize my swing more before I buy more technology. I just need to take some wobbles out of my swing before I can benefit from new clubs.

Burner HT may need a new shaft.

I have a 12.5 deg driver, put a Fuji Blur 55g Regular in it (SS about 84-86) and the ball flight is direct and boring, not loopy or high.

Message me if you're interested in a like new Superfast 2.0 in 10.5 or HT -- both are at my club maker's place now -- heck you could get it reshafted by the finest club maker in New England.

All I can tell you is that I'm an average player & have put alot of time into learning how to hit a driver properly this year .... bought some name brand drivers (Ping K15, Nike Dymo) & have some lesser quality drivers & I hit my wife's Acuity driver the most consistently.      It about 2.5 inches shorter which accounts for alot of my success.      I have a couple cheaper men's drivers & have shortened them & hit them better than the expensive ones.    I guess what I'm saying is that until you really get established & have a repeatable swing ... I wouldn't spend alot of money on a high end driver, I doubt you'll see the benefits of it.

WU, I am the same boat as you. I just have those days where my swing is off. I have always hit the ball very high. But like I stated in OP, my swing gets upright at times and I tend to come across the ball at impact, which results in either  a very high slice or a low hook. Now if I am swinging good, I really hit that Burner HT well. I am by no means saying the Burner HT is not a good club, I just did not like the ball flight of it. Balls would not get much roll. Now that I bought the 9 degree R11, I put the weights at a neutral position (according to manual) and then adjusted the loft to 9.5 degrees. What a difference! The ball flight was close to perfect. When the ball landed it actually rolled about 15-30 yds. I believe once I go out to the driving range and hit some balls I will hopefully get the driver tuned in to my swing.

Thanks Mr. Desmond but I went with the R11. Absolutely love this club!

I totally agree with what you said. When my swing is off, it's off. But when its on, its on. Majority of the time, I am swinging the clubs good. I just have those random days where I can't hit anything including iron shots, putting and chipping. Like I stated above, when I am swinging good, I did not like the ball flight.

PhillyMac,

On days when I'm swing OK - not super, just OK - I can control the height of my drives somewhat by height of tee.

If I have the top of the ball about 1/4 inch above the driver crown, I get a fairly high shot. If the top of ball and driver crown are flush, I get a medium, hotter shot.

I should have mentioned that in my first reply, that's why I suggested a little more time wiht the HL. This assumes, of course, that you have fairly decent tee boxes and don't have to hit your driver out of moon craters.

I've enjoyed your posts - good luck!