Need advice RE: TM R580

[JKilgore44]

I'm in the market for a new driver. I am currently swinging a Titleist 983K (364cc) and I am fairly satisfied with it. I think I could improve my accuracy with a slightly larger club head. I have been looking into some of the newer drivers but I think that 460cc is too much for me. I was considering the Ping Rapture, the 907, the r7 superquad, and even the Nike SQ tour. Then I stumbled upon the old Taylor Made R580. It's only 400cc and I can get one more a very reasonable price. However, I have struggled to find any quality reviews on it.

I would like to hear from you all what your experiences with the club have been. How does it compare with other drivers that are out? What is the overall quality of the club? etc. etc.

I don't want to have to settle on reviews from people who know nothing and I realize that you all are possibly the most knowledgable group of golfers I have ever discovered. Please let me know anything you've heard or expeirenced with this club. Thanks again

[twotacosfor99cents]

This should be in Equipment.

However, I swung it at Golfsmith. Seems like a nice club - large sweet spot, the head is the size of a small child. However, the only thing you can do is just go demo one.

[gasfreak]

I have this driver and like it very much,I can hit it pretty long and straight,also it has a nice sound to it when you get a good solid hit

[JKilgore44]

Sorry, definitely meant to put this in equipment section, hopefully Iacas can handle that for me

So, two respones so far, one says it's a good club. What kind of results do you get with mis-hits? My miss tends to be off the toe and results in a slightly shorter, right shot. What kind of toe mis-hit results do you get with the 580?

[rudygu]

It's a solid driver. I've played the R580, Callaway X460 Tour, and Nike SQ Sumo (non-square) and the R580 just kinda falls in the middle. It has good length and a fair amount of forgiveness - the Callaway is longer and less forgiving and the Nike is similar in distance and more forgiving. Toe hits are definitely going to result in a short, right shot - moreso with this club than with the 460 cc clubs I've played. The sound and feel are both solid. I'd say it is easily worth the prices they are going for now.

[Igor]

I used the R580 until six mnths ago-had been using it for 3 years. It was a 8.5 degrees stiff graphite shaft. got the 8.5 degrees as I was hitting the balls too high with my prevoius ERC originals. Not sure if it was the low kick point that made me able to use such low loft but i was using it ok and could control the drives with even smoother swings?? Anyway, I bought a Cobra Speed M regular shaft, yes big changes but i find the Cobra a little more volatile due to its closed face. Now thinking about a Ping G10 driver?

[KGC]

I used to own a Great Big Bertha II+ with 11* and a regular shaft and found when I went after the ball the shaft became too whippy and balls flew much too high. I found the 580 XD with the Harrison Titanium stiff shaft second hand and have found it to be a great club. Very forgiving. Shots out of the toe are penalised only a little, it gives a lot of scope for forgiveness. Smooth shots out of the centreface of the club are monsters. I really love hitting this club.
It could have been a bit of luck as there was no opportunity to hit the club down the range but it just felt great. I would note that when I first started looking for clubs the bigger clubs were confronting. The TM 580 XD is 440cc and is old technology compared with some of the great new clubs now and if I were in the market I would try some of the newer models as the shaft and head matches are a lot better but then if you are comfortable with a smaller club size a large headed club may always be a little off-putting.