My first driver

[King Norre]

Hi,

After playing golf (or at least trying to ) for 2 years I think I'm ready to buy my first driver. Obviously I'm looking for maximum forgiveness and straight ballflights. Workability and distance are not that imported to me (yet). I've read Golf Digest's Hot List for 2009. It's a great source of info, but it's not always clear to me what level of playing is needed for a certain driver. So what is a good beginners driver? I want to buy a good driver that I can use for the next couple of years. I was thinking about the TM Burner 09, the Cleveland Launcher or the Ping G10. Personally I think the Titleist 909D2 is the most beautifull, but I heared that's not a good driver for a high handicapper like me.
I'm going to try a couple of drivers at the store and that should probably clear things up for me. However, I would like to hear your opinion also.
I already have a TM Burner (07) 3-W and when I have a good day I can hit it pretty well (for a beginner). I do have a tendency to hook/draw the ball when I'm having a bad day.

Thanks in advance,

KN

[TomDonS]

From my experience, Mid-high handicappers/novice golfers who switch to Ping improve immediately. The G10 is a great club, also comes in a Draw bias if needed. Its great to look at and it bombs the ball. Check out Ping.com they have a little G10 minisite.

http://www.pingpowerof10.com/

[tonyy]

I recently switched to a Ping G10 and this club is just ridiculous. It goes LONG and straight right down the pipe. The ball seems to carry forever and I get pretty good roll out. Most people say it's hard to work it but I can tend to put a baby draw or fade on it when I need to. Excellent club, get it!

[right handed phil mickelson]

I have never tried the Ping G10. I have heard good things about it but never actually picked it up. I currently have a Taylormade R7 superquad and I find it has the straightest drives I have ever hit. Also, you said that you tend to hit hooks or draws on a bad day, well the superquad is easily adjustable (weights) to straighten that out. hope this helps.

[Big_M]

Unless you really want to spend extra money.... I would look at the 2008' hot list or even 2007' and pick a driver off it. Why pay $300-500 when you can pay $100-200 for every bit as good of a product.

Some really good and cheap forgiving driver I would start with...
Adams XTD A3 OS
Nike Sumo SQ
Nike Sumo SQ (square)
Callaway Hyper X
Callaway FT-i
Cleveland HiBore XLS
Cobra Speed LD
Snake Eyes Python
Taylormade Burner

as far as where to buy...

http://www.rockbottomgolf.com/

http://callawaygolfpreowned.com/default.aspx

http://www.3balls.com/

or as a last resort... Golfsmith, Golf Galaxy or a local store with a sale.

[quiggz]

I just recentley bought a callaway Ft-i, and i find it to be quite straight and really forgiving, and i got a brand new one for half price because golftown was clearing out the 08 stock. Iam coming from a 983K, and i thought that i had learned to hit that thing pretty good over the years, but the FT-i was automatically easy to hit.

[I KyotE I]

I hit the g10. good driver. But for the price and how I hit the XLS just as well I went with the HiBore. If you want straight and don't mind sound you can pick up up a nike sumo squared. It has a very different sound but I have hurd good things about how straight it is. And right now dicks has the deal that if you buy one you get a squared wood free. Just a thought. But if your down to those choices, my pick would be the G10. Maybe the Luncher. I guess it's my bias as I never really liked TM. But in all fairness they do make good clubs as well. I would say find a place that will tape clubs for you and hit them or that has demos.

[Bump-n-MI]

  Big_M said:

Unless you really want to spend extra money.... I would look at the 2008' hot list or even 2007' and pick a driver off it. Why pay $300-500 when you can pay $100-200 for every bit as good of a product.

2nd this recommendation. The '07 4950 model sells for about $100. Probably the easiest driver I have ever hit.

[TomDonS]

  Big_M said:

Unless you really want to spend extra money.... I would look at the 2008' hot list or even 2007' and pick a driver off it. Why pay $300-500 when you can pay $100-200 for every bit as good of a product.

THIS IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU ARE GOING TO GET!!! I would do EXACTLY this!

Another great store is www.GreatGolfDeals.com

[Suited_Up]

I just got a new Callaway Diablo on Ebay for like 245. (Instead of 299) I am pretty much in the same boat as you and I think it's great so far. I went and hit a handful of different clubs and just seemed to connect the best with this one. I can get a solid hit on it consistently. Just need to fix my swing so I don't slice as much, but that's not the clubs issue at all. I'd at least try it out.

[RocketSauce]

try the new Nike Dymo. extremely hot face, plus they make a square version which will help you keep it straight. Also, the Nike Sumo SQ, Callaway Diablo, Cleveland Monster, and the Callaway FT-i

[Petden]

Square head drivers are said to be the straightest drivers available. More specificlly the Callaway FT-IQ is supposed the longest in this category. The FT-I, though is supposed to be decent for distance, and ver good for accuracy. Try the square heads before you buy them, they have a diffent feeling than traditional heads.

[alcorn]

Here's some advice I give everyone who is going to buy new clubs. Try as many as you can in you're price range and pick the one that you feel the most confident in. Remember what feels right to me may not feel right to you.

You said you have a tendency to draw the ball so I would definately take that into consideration. I just bought a Ping Rapture last weekend. I also tried the burner, hi bore, G5, G10, R9, Rapture 2, and it just happened to be the one that I liked the Rapture the best because it was simple and easy to hit, plus I got a hell of a deal because it was last years model. So if I were you I definately wouldn't count out last years model or looking at used clubs. Places like Golf Smith and those stores with have plenty of used clubs to try.

Personally, I would steer clear of titleist and alot of the TP drivers because they can be hard hit well (well - straight and long). I would recommend the the G5, the Rapture, or Taylormade Burner as a good starter driver because they're all pretty forgiving.

Bottomline though, decide your price and good try every driver ya can til you find that fits you.

Happy Hunting

[King Norre]

Thanks for the advice y'all. I went to check out a new store in my neighbourhood. Because it was a new store they didn't have any "old" drivers so I bought a 2009. The straightest one was the Callaway FT-IQ but I thought it was a little too expensive. It was a tough decision between the Ping G10 and the Callaway Diablo Big Bertha but I bought the G10. All there's left to do now for me is practice, practice, practice, ... and hopefully I can break 100 for the first time by the end of the season.

Ciao,

KN

[Big Al]

you should try out a Ben Hogan Big Ben CS3 they are great and pretty much being thrown away at the moment.