How far has driver technology come?

[opie]

Right now I play a TaylorMade R580 with a Graffaloy Blue Stiff shaft and like it. Hit it pretty straight with good distance. No huge complaints, lose one every once in a while when I try to swing too hard. Just wondering if a new model driver (fit to me) would benefit my distance and or accuracy that much? I know that's hard to quantify but just curious if folks have gone from a few year old driver recently to a newer one and see what gains they got

[Shorty]

Right now I play a TaylorMade R580 with a Graffaloy Blue Stiff shaft and like it. Hit it pretty straight with good distance. No huge complaints, lose one every once in a while when I try to swing too hard. Just wondering if a new model driver (fit to me) would benefit my distance and or accuracy that much? I know that's hard to quantify but just curious if folks have gone from a few year old driver recently to a newer one and see what gains they got

I think the rule of thumb is that if your driver is more than, say 3 or 4 years old you could benefit from the new technology.

A lot of good players still use the TM R580, though. It's a fine driver.

[Skywalker55]

Have it optimized, and you will see just how far technology has come.

[goblue107501]

It just really depends on how well you are hitting the driver you have and if you can improve. I use a driver that I have had for 6 years now and have no intentions of getting rid of it. I am sure that there is a club out there that would be better but I can't find it.

I did get suckered into the same thing last spring and bought one of the 'new' drivers and it didn't help me much. I had a bad shaft in it, so that may have been part of the problem. I just know it didn't magically increase my distance or accuracy.

I think with all the new drivers that come out, it gets harder and harder to find the right shaft/head combo for each person. I don't have the access to all the demo clubs, so my options are limited. If you can get a hold of demos, try as many as you can. If they are better, great. If not, there is nothing wrong with your old one. I think I saw where a guy won a Nationwide event a few weeks ago with the same club, so it must be okay.

[tricky]

Technology improves and equipment becomes more effective, but it is as well to bear in mind a number of things. Large driver heads may not suit all swings, and might be designed to improve the outcome of mishits rather than necessarily making the most of a perfect strike. With a good swing and a good contact many drivers will be effective. Don't exclusively expect the equipment to remedy shortcomings in your own game - rather learn to hit the club properly.

I've tried many modern drivers, and on the whole I find that I don't like the large headed drivers. They feel like they interfere with the tempo of my swing. I've gone back to an old set of titelist 975 driver and fairway woods. I feel more comfortable with them. I'm not hitting them brilliantly yet, but I will learn. They are more than capable of hitting the ball very well indeed. I'm choosing to fix me, not chase equipment improvements. It sounds like you hit the ball nicely, are you sure that you want, or need a change?

[Ameliaislanded]

As a newbie, I am not allowed to start any new threads, but perhaps I can get some good advice by responding to this thread as I think it applies.

Me = put down the clubs more than 10 years ago, thinking to stick to tennis. Now have a renewed passion to play golf again. I was a good golfer back in the day w. a constant 4-6 handicap. Weakness was shortgame and putting...strength was ball striking altho I wasnt particularly long.

Here's what I have/had in my bag, and I am wondering if I need to upgrade all my gear or not because I know the gear has really changed in the last decade.

Driver - When I quit it was a Big Bertha Warbird, stiff steel shaft and 9 degree loft. Head seems tiny compared to the current drivers, and feel sure a new driver is in order

Fairway Wood - Taylormade 16 degree Raylor, s330 shaft.

Irons - Daiwa DG273 blade - 2 thru 11 - s300 - swingweight now seems too high to me at 60 years old and think it may be time to go to a regular shaft. Cleveland Classic 60 degree wedge

My questions:
-Are the newer irons of lighter swingweight? I think that I have lost clubhead speed do to age so therefore distance and ability to hit a high ball as required
- I really prefer a traditional looking club having last played blades but realizing I need some game improvement features. Also played for years w. persimmon woods. So I need recommendations for a driver w. a conventional pear shape head and also cavity backs w. a thin top line and conventional headshape which are forgiving.
-Just before i quit 10 years ago, I tried a new Titleist ball , but it was really HOT! but spun great and had the soft feel I like...are most of the balls these days hot like that?

can folks here recommend how much of my gear I should scrap and based upon what I've said suggest some new gear for me? would really appreciate some help to get me back into the game. . I know that my best bet would be to try a bunch of different gear, but I think I need to at least put myself on the right track. thanks so much, and sorry if this is viewed as hijacking

[uttexas]

If you like your driver, don't rock the boat.

I would do the following:
Regrip it if you haven't done so in 6 months.
Have your driver data analyzed on a monitor. Preferably at a store with someone who knows what they are doing. They will then be able to give you advice on whether to stick with your current set up or change shafts, grip size, ball you use, etc.
Compare the data to other drivers in the store.

Don't buy a new driver if you like your current one.

[squaddie]

I like the idea of buying a new driver if the face of the existing driver gets a little worn, or loses it's spring.

However, one has to be careful of an aspect of the newer driver technology, which is the loud sound the drivers make while striking a ball could contribute to hearing loss in some people.

Per the following article from Jan. 2009: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencete...ern-clubs.html

One patient referenced in the article was using a similar Cobra driver model to the one I have, so I have been a little concerned. I wouldn't wear an earplug on the course, but if I'm doing a practice session on the range with my driver then I'll place an earplug in my right ear, just be safe.

[Iowa Hawkeye]

I like the idea of buying a new driver if the face of the existing driver gets a little worn, or loses it's spring. However, one has to be careful of an aspect of the newer driver technology, which is the loud sound the drivers make while striking a ball could contribute to hearing loss in some people. Per the following article from Jan. 2009: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencete...ern-clubs.html One patient referenced in the article was using a similar Cobra driver model to the one I have, so I have been a little concerned. I wouldn't wear an earplug on the course, but if I'm doing a practice session on the range with my driver then I'll place an earplug in my right ear, just be safe.

First, I LOVE the sound of my driver, can't get enough of it.

Now on topic. Most Tour or Pro models have the compact head. Concentration of weight does more for a well struck drive than size. The big heads help with mishits and spreading the weight for forgiveness (which helps me btw). I've been told by a few pro's and custom club makers that most will benefit from getting a new driver after about 4 years, but if you know how to work it just right you can stretch that to about 6. Wood Tech moves so much more faster than Iron tech (super cavity/hybrid irons are moving almost as fast as woods). Heck look at all the eye2s and zings that are still out there. The same can't be said for woods (more for drivers than FWs). IMO the order in which you need to update is: Ball Driver Hybrids Woods Putter (insert or cast) Irons (GI, CB) Irons (blade) Putter (milled)