New Driver: Did I make the right choice?

[smithka]

I am only entering my 2nd season of playing golf...last year ended with me breaking the head off of my Callaway clone driver (which I paid about $10 for). Needless to say I didn't think it was worth getting fixed. I am admittedly very inconsistent with my swing and usually hit a slight fade (and sometimes a NASTY slice) which has made me play some 2nd shots from the wrong fairway (fairway on the next hole....). I had my mind set on the Taylormade Burner Draw after hitting it at the driving range a few swings and in the simulator at Dick's. Well when I actually went to buy the club, the salesman questioned why I wanted the draw version. He was an older gentleman who seemed to have a great deal of experience as well as good intentions. I went and hit the Draw driver into the net a few times. Then the salesman gave me a few pointers for my swing and grip. The new swing felt weird, but I could tell I was making solid contact. I then hit the regular version of the Burner, but mentioned that the $150 price tag on the Draw version was pretty much my limit. He then went and picked out another driver...a Walter Hagen MS/2 driver with Aldila shaft which was on closeout. I hit the club a few times and it felt quite comfortable. Long story slightly shorter, I walked out the door with the Hagen club (and some swing tips) for $50 bucks (original price tag said $180). I know the Hagen club is probably not as high quality as the Taylormade club, but the salesman did mention that if anything went wrong with the club he would take care of it.

I walked out of the store feeling good about saving some $$...do you think this was a better decision than my initial plan?

[ctw262]

While the Hagen name might not be as familiar as say "TaylorMade", I think you need to take it out to the course and see how it feels. Every person has a different swing and feel for clubs, so if it feels good to you then I say she's a keeper.

[Stacey_E]

I dont know anything about this club specifically. But at $50 I can't really see that you went wrong. You will probably be changing drivers as your handicap comes down anyway. Once you feel like you aren't comfortable with the driver, you can shop around more then. For now you should be OK.

Good Luck!

[dagolfer]

just to give some insight on the Walter Haegan stuff sold at dicks. I bought a carry bag there late last summer because i needed a new one for the high school golf season. This bag was originally 150 (i think) but i bought it for 70. It even isn't worth the 70. Within about 2 weeks of carrying it every day it began to rip where the strap attaches to the actual bag.

[denver_nuggs_15]

Walter Hagen is owned by Dicks Sporting Goods. He was probably told to push the product, so he did. It's happened to me too. For $50 though, I think it was probably worth it. What shaft does it have in it? That may be worth $50 by itself.

[TinCupTampa]

At your level... the shaft is probably more important than the head (as long as it is squared)... IMO

[SubPar]

The best thing to buy is "the greatest driver ever" from two years ago. You'll find them cheap in the used club bin.

No matter what you buy, it will be "right" for a few weeks and then oh-so-wrong by next year, and you'll be looking for another one. The best way to avoid spending a lot of money on new clubs is to find someone at the range who is really good and have them hit your clubs a few times. Once you see them hit your driver 280 yards or your eight iron 160-170 straight down the line, you'll be reminded what the real problem with your swing is.

Give them $20 and be happy you saved $500. This is what I do, really.

SubPar

[theislandofpen]

I am only entering my 2nd season of playing golf...last year ended with me breaking the head off of my Callaway clone driver (which I paid about $10 for). Needless to say I didn't think it was worth getting fixed. I am admittedly very inconsistent with my swing and usually hit a slight fade (and sometimes a NASTY slice) which has made me play some 2nd shots from the wrong fairway (fairway on the next hole....). I had my mind set on the Taylormade Burner Draw after hitting it at the driving range a few swings and in the simulator at Dick's. Well when I actually went to buy the club, the salesman questioned why I wanted the draw version. He was an older gentleman who seemed to have a great deal of experience as well as good intentions. I went and hit the Draw driver into the net a few times. Then the salesman gave me a few pointers for my swing and grip. The new swing felt weird, but I could tell I was making solid contact. I then hit the regular version of the Burner, but mentioned that the $150 price tag on the Draw version was pretty much my limit. He then went and picked out another driver...a Walter Hagen MS/2 driver with Aldila shaft which was on closeout. I hit the club a few times and it felt quite comfortable. Long story slightly shorter, I walked out the door with the Hagen club (and some swing tips) for $50 bucks (original price tag said $180). I know the Hagen club is probably not as high quality as the Taylormade club, but the salesman did mention that if anything went wrong with the club he would take care of it.

Congrats on the new club man, I always feel like a little kid on Christmas when I get a new club. Good luck and I hope you hit it well.

[PiKapp23]

If you like it, it feels good and you hit it well, then the name on it doesn't matter. You got a good shaft in it, which is as important as the head (some will say 'more' important). It might help to get some lessons with the money you saved. If you get $100 in lessons to go with the $50 driver it will probably pay off much better than just buying the $150 driver. Good luck and have fun.

[Kcas77]

The cheap clubs from Dick's I have found to break. But that isn't only the cheap clubs at Dicks the first time I went to the range I didn't have my own clubs but the guy at the pro shop let me use some clubs from a full set and the head flew off.