newbie... Driver question

[msujohn]

I am a very high handicap player (35) and i'm in the market for a driver. I've been hitting quite a few and have decided on the Adams Insight BUL (2007). The question I have is while hitting it - i've only been able to hit a 9.5 and a 10.5 loft. I was not able to hit a 12.5. BUt, I can order one online. Is a 12.5 loft driver better for a new player? The folks at the store told me that 10.5 would be just fine - but did not have a 12.5 in stock and I thought they just wanted the sale. Should I get a 10.5 or a 12.5 loft? I really want to have more control/accuracy vs. distance at this point in time.

[WannaBeBogeyFree]

My suggestion is to take your driver out of the bag (this will lower your handicap faster than anything - trust me).

If you're dead set on a new driver - get the highest lofted one you can find, not just what's being pushed at you in the store.

[msujohn]

I agree that it makes since to keep the driver out of my bag when I play. But, I was thinking that I should get one (at a decent price) and learn how to hit it at the range.

I am not dead set on buying one - just have been considering it to learn.

On a side note - would to much loft be bad for a driver? Is the only downside on a higher loft club would be you would lose distance and maybe not use it during winding times?

Thanks for the input.

[Dent]

Buy a cheap one at first, with a high loft, because if your really dedicated and you go down fast, your gonna need to get a new lofted driver right away.

[NBGC]

I agree with dent, buy a cheap one with at least 12 degree's if not more loft. I'm sure you've done the research and everyone says that beginners/amateurs don't use enough loft. I started with a Nike Lucky 13 sumo2 and once I got to where I could "consistantly" hit it straight, slight pull/baby fade, I upgraded to my 10.5 XLS HiBore. Higher loft = less side spin so straighter drives for beginners.

Another option would be to get a good 3 wood. Use it as your tee club to get a feel for hitting a wood off a tee on the course and with a 15 degree loft will hopefully keep you inbetween the tree's.

[Mr Eagle]

The obsession with the Driver is a major flaw in the high handicappers game.Wannabebogeyfreee has the right advice in not using one at all,Id go a step further and say dont use anything more than a 5 iron.Work on your short game ,learn the fundermentals of the swing and be able to repeat the action at will and you will be able to buy any driver you like

[msujohn]

Would you recommend that i use my 5 iron to tee off as well?

[Dent]

Maybe go a little lower than that. Try a 3 iron, 4 iron or even a 5 Wood. Those are all great clubs off the tee and can still leave you in great position on a 300 + yard hole.

[JoeCanuck]

I went for years playing only with irons. I had an old driver set which I'd occasionally try out but I sucked so bad with them I took them out of my bag.

While I was content hitting my irons, a person just can't help wanting to hit that damned ball a ton down the fairway. Regardless if it just the "for show" part of the game, it's arguably the most fun. Accuracy is a necessary skill but unloading a cannon really does put a smile on your face. My opinion is to get a driver.

This year, I finally went for a new driver...about 5 generations newer than my last one...a Big Bertha 460. I love the thing...regular shaft, 13* loft. I chose this one by trying out a ton of drivers. With the help of a Vector machine, I narrowed it down to a couple that performed the best for me and took them to the range. I chose the one that feels and performs best for me. It's not the longest, (though almost), but it's the straightest. After all, shorter fairway drives score better than longer drives into the trees.

It's up to you to decide what you want from your golf game. If you want to become the best player you can be, (or even just a better player), get lessons. Your pro will help you decided on what equipment is best for you.

If you don't want lessons, practice a lot. This year, I'm planning on golfing a ton so I finally got fitted with good clubs and have a membership at a local course where they offer lessons. I'm going to try and knock down my score a bit this year.

Either way, if you plan on playing quite a bit, you will enjoy the game more if you are getting better. Having a driver in your bag, sitting there taunting you, will give you more incentive to get better with it.

I'd say at this stage, buy your clubs locally where you can try them out and/or possibly even return them if they are killing your game. Hit a lot of clubs...on a monitor of some sort or at least the range.

Whatever you decide, good luck and have fun.

[Dent]

I think going with a driver just starting the game is a good idea as well.

When you get better and you put a driver in your bag, you'll have the thought like "What the hell is this thing?" You won't be used to it and won't be able to adjust to hitting the ball straight.

When your beginning, and you play with a driver from the start, you'll be used to it.