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Need some opinions on a Driver for my Dad...


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I know, he needs to get fitted. Well, this is gonna be a Father's Day gift so I want it to be a surprise. My dad is is 75yrs old and at one time was a 3 hcp. He's lost a lot of distance in his time of course. He is left handed, cross handed. How he managed to play all these years like that is quite an accomplishment. Anyway, mom died 3 years ago which was obviously a life changing experience for him. He lost interest in golf shortly afterwards but is starting to play again. He's having a hard time facing the reality that he's not a "big hitter" anymore. I believe he currently has the TM R15 from 2013 that a friend gave him but It's got the stock shaft and in stiff. I don't think a stiff shaft is best for him. His swing speed is probably between 80-90mph. His back swing is quite short as well.

So, I know buying a club without fitting is unfavorable. But I just want to get him a nice new driver but have some more playable characteristics for him. Using the online fitting I came up with this and would like any opinions please.

Callaway V series with Graffaloy Project X LZ regular flex. He's 6'0 and pretty well built but arthritis certainly makes his flexibility limited. So I guess my biggest concern would be what shaft would you guys recommend for him? I know you have limited information on him as a player, but I'm just hoping you might have some general shafts in mind. Thanks guys.

:ping: G25 Driver Stiff :ping: G20 3W, 5W :ping: S55 4-W (aerotech steel fiber 110g shafts) :ping: Tour Wedges 50*, 54*, 58* :nike: Method Putter Floating clubs: :edel: 54* trapper wedge

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While in sure your dad would appreciate the new driver you buy him, How about buying him a fitting session? Many places will credit the fitting towards purchase of the new club. Seems like you value the importance of fitting, so this may be the route to go.
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Yeah that would be ideal. However, I can tell you my dad wouldn't have much interest in getting fitted. He's just a laid back old school guy who wants to hit the course again finally. In all his years of playing he's probably been to a driving range only a handful of times. It's been hard enough to get him to play again, setting up a fitting session would be "a hassle" to him. I just want to give him a driver he has the best chance of getting some good knocks.

:ping: G25 Driver Stiff :ping: G20 3W, 5W :ping: S55 4-W (aerotech steel fiber 110g shafts) :ping: Tour Wedges 50*, 54*, 58* :nike: Method Putter Floating clubs: :edel: 54* trapper wedge

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The V series is a great driver and has kicked out the Ping G30 SF Tec from my bag which I didn't think was possible.  If he's closer to 80mph and plans to use the driver for a few years I'd go Light flex, if he's closer to 90 now then I'd go Regular flex.  Depending on the trajectory he's getting currently you might consider the 13.5 head to give him a bit more carry

Joe Paradiso

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Thank you very much for your reply. Do you know anything about the Project X LZ shaft? What I read was it has different weights for each flex. However, when I selected the shaft for the driver, it just offered S, R, or L (A). It said nothing about the weight. Probably not a big deal huh? Also, do you have any opinion on the Callaway XR driver? Thanks.

:ping: G25 Driver Stiff :ping: G20 3W, 5W :ping: S55 4-W (aerotech steel fiber 110g shafts) :ping: Tour Wedges 50*, 54*, 58* :nike: Method Putter Floating clubs: :edel: 54* trapper wedge

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I would as others have stated get him a fitting if possible. I have played with several golfers with sub-90mph swing speed that like Callaway. I can attest to the Big Bertha V Series. IF your father is anywhere around 80mph/less then the following would be my recommendation for him to demo (I am sure other brands have like combinations that perform well--key is testing them if possible).

Big Bertha V Series

13.5 loft | 45.5"

2nd Gen Bassara E42 in LIGHT OR R-Flex (42/44 gram shaft)

Good straight / high ball flight on good swings I observed. A fitting/test of this club would ensure he doesn't launch too high due to spin, etc.  I only state that because from what I have seen watching others on the course, this club launches high and any additional spin created from ones swing may not yield the distance/consistency desired. Good luck.

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Callaway V series with Graffaloy Project X LZ regular flex. He's 6'0 and pretty well built but arthritis certainly makes his flexibility limited. So I guess my biggest concern would be what shaft would you guys recommend for him? I know you have limited information on him as a player, but I'm just hoping you might have some general shafts in mind. Thanks guys.

From what you said I think this is a pretty good way to go. V series is a great option for a senior golfer, lighter club, help launch the ball up in the air with moderate spin.

Mike McLoughlin

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Thank you very much for your reply. Do you know anything about the Project X LZ shaft? What I read was it has different weights for each flex. However, when I selected the shaft for the driver, it just offered S, R, or L (A). It said nothing about the weight. Probably not a big deal huh? Also, do you have any opinion on the Callaway XR driver? Thanks.


I've heard varying opinions about the Project X shaft - stiffer on the extremes and softer in the middle or Loading Zone.

I put the XR in a sim with Project X and it felt too soft, and I hit it for a while, interchanging it with the BB 815 and V Series, and just could not get consistent results with it on a sim. Reading reviews, the pro reviews are not impressed with distance, when some guys put in another shaft or a "handcrafted" PX LZ, they had better results. Guess I've avoid the stock shaft. Some people do not like the design to break up the wind on top. The R Moto Face sounds/feels soft - liked it on the BB in terms of feel, but not as much on the XR for some reason, maybe the shaft (Fuji565 versus PX LZ).

The V Series does well in reviews in terms of distance and forgiveness. Everyone likes the look at address even if they don't like the little decal on the sole. If your dad still has mid-80's SS, I might opt for the 10.5 since you can go 1 and 2 up. I also think the 42g Bassara is a good shaft that launches well - at low to mid 80's a regular seems fine. I started high 80's in an R flex and was pressing its boundaries. When I went low to mid 90's, I needed a stiff flex.  You can also find them at Callawaypreowned.

I hit the BB815 fine but it took longer to get numbers than the V Series. The experiment with 3 Callaway Drivers showed me that either we or drivers are peculiar beasts, and that we each respond differently to them.

I'd put him on a sim and see what numbers he gets. I'd also set him up in an address position that TST advocates - more off the lead big toe and away from the ball. With the V Seriess, I could not grow accustomed to 45.5 inches, and mine is down to 45. The XR is 46 inches and that is too long -- I've heard of lots of heel hits until the shaft is down to 45 inches. Of course, one could move further away from the ball, but all reports are that guys on forums are cutting them down.

I bag the V Series because right off the bat the numbers were higher and consistent. The feel was also more direct. Sound is excellent outside.

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

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Excellent Mike and Mr. Desmond. Thank you so much for helping. I'll try and get him on a monitor, if I can't get him to try that (he lives in a very small Missouri town) you guys have at least given me a good base.

:ping: G25 Driver Stiff :ping: G20 3W, 5W :ping: S55 4-W (aerotech steel fiber 110g shafts) :ping: Tour Wedges 50*, 54*, 58* :nike: Method Putter Floating clubs: :edel: 54* trapper wedge

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Ask him to grip down when he demo's if he is not getting good contact. His shorter swing may benefit him with a longer shaft -- that's a guess.

I had the V Series in stock form at 45.5 inches with the Bassara, had trouble with center contact (heel hits), put in counter balanced weights, still had issues on the course, and finally went down to 45 inches in a Fuji 565 shaft R flex. Better. Had to go to S Flex in a Fuji 565 and went with a 9 degree head, and upped it to 10 degrees. Still experimenting.

Oh, the Fuji 565 is still about 54g and is a no upcharge shaft. I do have a 565 in R flex about to hit eBay.

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

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.

Callaway V series with Graffaloy Project X LZ regular flex. He's 6'0 and pretty well built but arthritis certainly makes his flexibility limited. So I guess my biggest concern would be what shaft would you guys recommend for him? I know you have limited information on him as a player, but I'm just hoping you might have some general shafts in mind. Thanks guys.

I'm in a similar position, but a couple of years younger (71). I went to an "A" shaft that has more flex than any "R" shaft I tried and it works great. I just had to swallow my pride and focus on the score card. Don't rule out an "A", it could really get some life back into his game.

Hate crowned cups.

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@Mr. Desmond Just wanted to thank you! Went with the BB V Series and the Bassara 42 R shaft. Will ship in 2 weeks. Can't wait to see him hit it...I'll be here for July 4th.

:ping: G25 Driver Stiff :ping: G20 3W, 5W :ping: S55 4-W (aerotech steel fiber 110g shafts) :ping: Tour Wedges 50*, 54*, 58* :nike: Method Putter Floating clubs: :edel: 54* trapper wedge

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@Mr. Desmond

Just wanted to thank you! Went with the BB V Series and the Bassara 42 R shaft. Will ship in 2 weeks. Can't wait to see him hit it...I'll be here for July 4th.


Good luck with it! If he has issues with center contact, the shaft length may need adjustment.

Ping G400 Max 9/TPT Shaft, TEE EX10 Beta 4, 5 wd, PXG 22 HY, Mizuno JPX919F 5-GW, TItleist SM7 Raw 55-09, 59-11, Bettinardi BB39

 

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Will do!

:ping: G25 Driver Stiff :ping: G20 3W, 5W :ping: S55 4-W (aerotech steel fiber 110g shafts) :ping: Tour Wedges 50*, 54*, 58* :nike: Method Putter Floating clubs: :edel: 54* trapper wedge

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