Question about the driver

[Cole]

Just want to say thanks to the ones that have helped me with my previous questions. Had a bad slice, somebody steered me into the direction of going with a stronger grip. Cant express how much it helped. One simple movement of the hands, problem solved ( for the most part). Driver and irons. Amazing.

Now, my question....

With all the many, many new drivers every year on the market, how in the world should somebody go about finding the one that he (or she) can hit the straightest / farthest ... the best??

I dont want to step on any toes, but I am thinking that there is alot of golf equipment purchased because of the name, or maybe they just have to have whats new. Maybe Im wrong. I dunno.

If Taylor Made has a new driver, and Cobra has a new driver, and Ping has a new driver, how do I go about finding the one that I can hit the best?

How do I know which shaft needs to be in my driver?

I want to purchase the perfect driver. What do I need to do, to find it?

Thanks fo rthe help.

Cole

[EquipmentJunkie]

Now, my question....

The very short and simple answer to that is to go to a demo day at a range or go to a fitter/golf shop that has all of the major brands and hit all of the drivers at the range/launch monitor and see which one works out best for you. As for the shafts same thing, different/same driver heads with shaft combinations. There isn't a simple answer as to "the best", different strokes for different folks. Good luck. Prior to going you can research Drivers and make of the list of the ones that fit your player profile, but don't limit yourself to that list, the one you hit best may not even be on your radar.

[st0wgolf08]

The very short and simple answer to that is to go to a demo day at a range or go to a fitter/golf shop that has all of the major brands and hit all of the drivers at the range/launch monitor and see which one works out best for you. As for the shafts same thing, different/same driver heads with shaft combinations. There isn't a simple answer as to "the best", different strokes for different folks. Good luck. Prior to going you can research Drivers and make of the list of the ones that fit your player profile, but don't limit yourself to that list, the one you hit best may not even be on your radar.

This is very good advice, my advice is to just go hit them at a local shop, such as a golf galaxy or something. If you got in an off time for them, then you can hit for quite a while without anyone else needing to.

[Cole]

Thanks for the advice.

There are a few big stores in Myrtle Beach. About 2 hours from me. Maybe I should go there to swing some different clubs. PGA Superstore, Martins Golf, and a few others. These two places have nets to hit in, but how in the world will I be able to verify distance, and if I am slicing the club or not?

[st0wgolf08]

A lot of places like golf galaxy, their the closest to me has a simulator, that actually shows you. Also some places have all the special gadgets so even if your hitting into a net, it still tells you how far.

[brandon_mcg]

for me it was by going and hitting a couple at a golf store but to narrow it down to the ones i wanted to try out i read a lot of reviews by people with similar handicaps that i have and similar swing speeds, etc just to get an idea of how they thought the clubs played. of course these arent always trust worthy but i figured i would go nuts if i went through and tried to test out each individual driver with a different shaft and face angle combo.

[Chilli Dipper]

Thanks for the advice.

Go to the PGA Tour Superstore. If the Myrtle Beach locations are anything like the Atlanta locations, there will be plenty of simulators available for you to demo some clubs.

[Stacey_E]

Here is how I pick a new driver. This may not be the best method, but here goes:

1. I look them all over. I wont even consider a driver if I don't like the look at address.

2. I waggle the prettiest ones a little. Get a feel for the heft, length and lie angle of the different models. Also I prefer a square face so I try to look for that too. You may prefer a closed/open face, just be aware of the different models' face designs.

3. I narrow my choices down to 3-5 models and do some serious research on the web and in magazines for reviews. I pour over the manufacturers' specs as listed on their websites and memorize those. I often go into the stores with a better knowledge of the clubs' listed specs than the salesmen.

4. I decide on 2 or 3 models to demo. The range is better than a simulator at first. The course is better than the range.

5. I get real honest with myself on what each of the drivers do for me and not what they are supposed to do, or what other's experiences were with the clubs.

After I go through these qualitative evaluations I have a good idea what model Im in the market for. I can then move on to a fitting which involves a more quantitative analysis of clubheadspeed, launch angle, spin rate, sidespin etc. It is here I decide on loft, shaft flex/profile/length, any swingweight tweak and grip model.

Good luck!

[titaniummd]

Determine your swing speed first.

A higher loft will reduce sidespin. Some clubfitters recommend higher lofts like 11 to 12 degrees.

Other features of drivers such as whether the face is open, closed or neutral; offset; length of shaft; stiffness of shaft.

I struggled with a slice using a 10 degree or even 10.5. I now use an 11.5 degree.

Most drivers are said to be too long (Tom Wishon, for example - since professionals use 44.5 " lengths). Off the shelf, drivers are 45 or even longer.

Check out Search for the Perfect Club and Search for the Perfect Driver by Tom Wishon. Tom Wishon also has a web site with the 12 myths.