My head is spinning (driver ?'s)

Why can't there just be like 10 to choose from...instead of a million?

A newbie with a semi-newbie question...I'm looking for a driver. Okay, I can't tell you that much about my swing because I myself don't know alot about it. I do know that right now I'm playing with a regular flex offset King Cobra (bought it when I first learned...didn't know what I was doing). So whenever I mishit, its a snap/duck/big time hook. Rarely will I hit it perfectly straight...and once in a blue moon i'll slide in front of the ball and open the face to push it.

My swing speed is 95-100. I went to GS yesterday and hit the Cobra F-speed S flex and TM R7 460 S flex, 9.5 degree. My first hits with the TM were decent. First hit was 2600 spin, center hit, 11-12 launch angle etc. Every shot after that was decent except for a few tops or catching it on the toe. The cobra was also decent, however I think I did tend to pull it more. That closed face kinda threw me off. I was carrying the ball farther (about 8-12 yards) with the cobra. The guy that was helping me liked the Cobra better...he said it mainly comes down to the shaft and the Cobra had a better shaft. I thought about the X Speed Cobra because it has the square face...however it is recommended for the "super fast" swingers of 105+ mph SS, and that just kinda scares me!

I could've stayed for hours hitting both, but I could tell by his body language that he was getting a little impatient. But I left just as confused as I came. Not to mention I had to drive 2 freakin hours just to get there. Also, i'm not dead set on just the Cobra or the TM, I just have no clue where to go. I don't have the money for the FT-5 or Superquad.

Bottom line, my main goal is accuracy. I don't really care about knocking it 280+. I want the fairway! Thats really my pitfall in my game now, ZERO confidence in my driver.

I just don't know where to go from here. So many drivers, but no idea where to look besides just reading countless reviews of how every single driver has "made my shots go 30 yards farther right in the middle!" I'd like to grab a handfull of clubs and go hit at the range. Obviously I can't do that. And I can't tell too much by just hitting a ball into a net. I doubt i'll buy from GS, so I feel odd in going up there and taking up their time and launch monitor testing out clubs, but I guess I just may have to buy from GS even though it'll cost me probably 80-120 more bucks!

I do know Cobra is having a demo day at a nearby club this Thursday, i'll definitely be going then. I am 2 hours from the nearest Golfsmith. Otherwise, are there any other driver recommendations anyone could offer...or more advice on decision making process? Thanks alot!

Well that demo day sounds like a good idea. See if you can find a demo day with all (or most) of the companies. We just had one here and if we can get the vendors to come to New Hampshire I'm sure there's one around you soon. Test whichever one's strike your fancy. Bottom line is if you let the market confuse you it will. There isn't one "best" driver out there. Hell, there aren't 10 "best" drivers. You can look at it two ways... 1 - there are too many good drivers to choose from, I am afraid of making the wrong chocie, or 2. there are so many good drivers out there I can choose whatever one feels the best, looks the best or even sounds the best and it will perform. Yup. Take the top 8 or so vendors, all their drivers are going to be great. Pick one blindfolded, then pick the right shaft and you will be happy. Now, I'm not suggesting this but you get my point. The guy you were dealing with is right, shaft is important and unfortunately you are going to have to get fitted for that. Also, see if you can find a driver on closeout. Companies roll these things out like Jay-Z does "last" albums. Do yourself a favor and get a driver that is being replaced, chances are it is just as good. Example: Callaway FT-3, awesome driver and can be had for under $200 right now. The driver I have, the Cleveland Launcher Comp was $400 2 or so years ago and is now $150. It's ridiculous. I saw an "older" Cobra Speed driver on closeout for $150 the other day.

PS Cobra speed is a very good driver. If you hit it well, like the look, like the sound then go with it and make sure you get fitted for the right shaft. Then don't look back.

I think CG is spot on. It just goes to show you how many high quality clubs are out there.

With all the fantastic products, I really think the decision comes down to "feel" of a club. How you feel hitting it, the look of the driver at setup, sound at impact, etc. I think some clubs and shafts give better results for different swings, but if you are demoing clubs with a launch monitor then you are seeing the hard data. All things being equal, it will come down to the "little things" that give you a preference of one over another.

I recently had a similar experience buying a hybrid. I must have demoed nearly every hybrid out there and, with only a few exceptions, they all hit the ball fantastic. Some had a different feel, or launched the ball slightly higher or lower, and many had a different "look" standing over the club, but they all went about the same distance and I would have been happy buying any one of about 6 different clubs. How did I pick the one I bought? It had a great feel at impact and seemed to give me a little more feedback. But we are talking a small nuance here -- the fundamentals of all the clubs were great.

I really like the feel of the Cobra F-speed myself. Last years model can be had around here for $200. I was looking into getting the F-speed with a stiff flex aldila shaft but ended up lucking out and trading out a car detail for a brand new ping g5..