is 2 years too old for a driver?

[hrossroth]

With all the new technology coming out all the time, when should a perfectly good driver be replaced with something new. I have a driver that I like a lot, but I know some people think that a 2 year old driver should be replaced. There are a few drivers that have come out recently that I would have no problem looking closer at.

I also know that some people, Mark Calcavecchia included, stress that when you find a set of irons you like, be sure to stick with them.

[Titleist Man]

if you like your curren driver than don't even look at the others but if you think the new ones could help Go try a few because the it could help you mentally and probably performance wise. I'm guessing that the peoplenthat you hear this from are 20+ handicapers so the forgiveness probably helps them more than it does you. Good luck and also what drivers were you looking at?

[Stacey_E]

I see you are playing to a 7, so my guess is you know what you like in your equipment. It sounds like you like your driver so I wouldn't be too quick to switch. You might want to shop around. Hit on some launch monitors, demo some of those ugly square drivers, just enjoy the whole shopping around "ride".

Ultimately, unless you are WOWED by something new, you will be sticking with your old driver. But if you find something you can't live without, or that performs better in some area you feel you are lacking, then go for it.

Just my 2 cents. I'm still rocking the G5. But I have my eye on a SQ SuMo....

[hrossroth]

I have considered the Ping G10 w/ UST V2 High Launch 65 and the new 2009 Cleveland Launcher with the gold shaft in stiff.

I think that you may be right about a driver that is liked. Maybe two years and more is just fine. Now, my next plan of attack is to take my current driver to a close golf store where they have a year round range with heated bays. What I would like to do there is to get on a launch monitor to evaluate my current gear as well as some of the newer drivers. I got lucky with my current driver because it seems great and I bought it as a year old clearance, without getting fit. The difference, though, between my ancient Taylormade system2 and the 2006 Launcher was just huge!

[anthonykim3]

I do not think you need to change after 2 years I am playing a wilson pd5 form 2005 and it still goes farther with more acuarcy then all the other drivers out i have hit them all and i keep with the wilson cause nothing else is better the wilson is even a 400cc club head but i love it to death

[ks8829]

I am playing a 2 year old driver also and I am ready for the new technology to gain more distance, accuracy and workability of the new Drivers.

I play a R5 TP and looking at the Tour Burner TP 9.5 stiff. I wrote Santa and waiting for it under the tree in a couple of days.

[PiKapp23]

The driver I am currently using is a Taylor Made R540 XD that I bought winter 2003 (I think). I have owned 3 drivers since I bought the TM, but keep going back to the XD just because I can hit it better - meaning 'with more control'. The other newer drivers I have owned (TM R7 460, Callaway Big Bertha 460 Callaway X 460) were all a little longer when comparing 'perfect' drives, but those drivers were less frequent. I typically hit a lot of fairways with the R540 and with the others I was hitting much less.

There has been some amount of disagreement the last few years about the technology in drivers and whether or not you will see improvements based on those technological improvements on a year-to-year basis. Equipment expert Frank Thomas (from The Golf Channel and just about every golf publication) has advocated buying a model a year or 2 old because they are cheaper and will perform just as well, but there was an article this month in Golf World suggesting that if you have anything more than 2 years old that you are costing yourself strokes. There are some changes in equipment that might make a change in your game, but those are usually more for high-handicappers than someone in single digits. If you have a driver is that properly fit and at or close to max COR and you hit it well, I don't think you're going to see much improvement from 2 year old or new (if any at all).

Calc is correct about irons, because technology has not really changed much in irons over the years, especially with blades like he would be playing. Again, for higher handicappers this isn't as true, but for better players, most of the 'improvements' in irons are not really going to make much of a change.

[cigarnut81]

No!!!!!!!!!!!! The longest most consistent driver I ever owned was a TM 320cc head from like '92. I played that thing till the factory shaft broke and then it was never the same.

[ks8829]

I would suggest bring in your driver to your local golf store and try your driver compared to the latest you might consider and any suggestions the sales people might have for you and hit them compared to yours on the launch monitor and see what the result show. Then hit your driver and the top 3 out on the driving range and see if the results are worth the price you have to pay. I factor in how much golf I play per week, the enjoyment or improvement factor to my game, for example is 10 - 15 yards worth the $300 price tag if I only play once a month maybe not, but if I play once to twice a week, I might think differently about the cost to distance ratio. I did not mention hitting more fairways or workability of the new club also.

My thought process is that I play once a week and for an extra 10-20 yards its worth the cost to me. I am going to hit several drivers to see what club plus more importantly what shaft is right for me.

could be a nice problem to have in the long run.

[goblue107501]

With all the new technology coming out all the time, when should a perfectly good driver be replaced with something new.

Only when you find something that you can hit further, straighter, and more consistantly. I bought a new driver this past spring thinking the same thing - I have a 5-6 year old driver, the new stuff has to be better. What I found was that the new driver was a little more forgiving, but it didn't improve my game at all. I didn't hit it any straighter, it wasn't any longer, it carried a little longer due to a higher ball flight but as hard as fairways get here I like having the roll better and I couldn't work it as well as my old one. So I sold it and went back to the old reliable. I am always trying the demo clubs I come across to see if I like anything. After this last experience, I won't be buying anything until I know it is a better club for me.

[bogeyhitter25]

If you're having good success with it and there isn't many skymarks, scratches, or dents I'd suggest keeping it.

[gjm5w]

I agree with Bogeyhitter, stick with what works...some people buy too much into having the latest greatest. All you have to do is check out Golf Digest section where they take a snapshot of a pro's bag...some of them use equipment that is more than 3 years old.

[uttexas]

Keep your driver if you like it. Regrip it so it feels new. I'd say there have been leaps in driver technology every ten years and significant tweaks every five, the rest is fancy marketing.

The Launcher is a great club, and many think its better than the Hibore.

[flap]

I have the FT-3 in my bag now since they fist came out and have not found anything to knock it outof my bag yet.I am awaiting the release of the FT-9 to see if it can knock the champ off as my Mrs owes me one more Christmas present.