New driver - Big Bertha 454 or TaylorMade R5?

[PvtPublic]

Hey all, I'm trying to decide which of these drivers to move to, as my Si3 is beyond it's usefulness. I've narrowed it down to the R5 and the Big Bertha Ti 454. Both seem to get really good reviews, so I'm asking what everyone's opinion of them is.

I like to hit low-ish drives, as I tend to play on windy courses. I'll probably be getting 7.5, 8, or 8.5* loft (my Si3 is 8*). I last had my swing speed measured in 2005 and it was an average of 126 (it's definitely down from then but I'm not sure how much). I'll probably end up with an X-Stiff shaft. What do you guys think? Thanks.

[TourSpoon]

I picked up the 454 with the Aldila NV 65 S from Golfsmith for 130. It was a steal imo. Good distance, forgiving and long.

[elvis14]

I have hit both and I'm generally a Taylor Made guy (my driver is an R7 460). Two of my friends have the 454. I would choose the 454 over the R5 based on the few times I've hit them both and the improvement I have seen for both of my friends who switched to the 454. Note, I'm not saying the R5 isn't a good club I just liked the 454 better and I like my R7 460 more than either of them.

Now, having said that I don't have a swing speed any where near yours nor do my friends so I'm not sure how comparable our results will be to yours.

[PvtPublic]

Well, I went ahead and bought a cheap 454 I found on eBay. We'll see how it works out.

[TourSpoon]

You will just bomb it...straight...even the misses are pretty straight. You have to work a little harder to shape it, but it is doable.

[PvtPublic]

That's perfectly ok for me anyways, I use a different drive for shaped shots.

[choran]

I had the 454 9.5* with the aldila nv shaft and I like it, but actually sold it to get an r5 dual type D (to help straighten my power fade). If you like low ball flight then I would suggest the aldila nv shaft (a little to low for my liking but a great shaft).