Square Drivers vs. "Regular" Drivers

[NativeTxn]

I have recently started playing and committing myself to learning the game and getting better. I'm taking lessons and try to hit the range and play as much as time allows me.

Right now, I have the TM Tour Burner Driver in 9.5*.

I have a slice on most of my drives. Obviously, I hope to improve that as I take more lessons and become better.

However, would a square driver potentially help with some of that slice. The reason I ask is because I have read that square drivers can be more stable and help with straightening it out some, even though it obviously won't and can't "cure" my slice - only practice will do that.

As I said, I am hoping to work on the slice issue as I improve; therefore, I do not want to get one of an adjustable driver or a draw-bias driver, which will only act as a band-aid.

But, if a square driver could help with it some in the meantime, I'd be open to trying one out.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Mizzy57]

Square drivers typically have more forgiveness and huge MOI. I can't answer your question as to whether a square driver will help with your slice, but it wouldn't hurt.
Point being, as a beginner, using a low lofted (9.5*) tour model (open clubface) is really working against you. The lower the loft, the less backspin and more side spin you're getting. In laymens terms, it's accentuating your slice.
You want to go with a higher lofted driver and at least neutral face, or even draw until you get your swing grooved. I would even think about 12-13* drivers at your stage, the more backspin, the less sidespin.

[oregongolfguy]

I find that when i hit driver right it is usually because i didn't release the clubhead through the ball.....

I second that a 12-13 degree driver with a relatively short shaft will help alot also. I would bet more then a square driver vs traditional shaped driver.

[J-Rob]

I as well have a TM Tour Burner. Mine is 10.5* and I personally cannot stand using it. I have currently ditched it in favor of a Cleveland, but while I was using it, it just never felt right and it always felt as if I was fighting it. I have no problem getting the ball in the air and after hitting a bucket of balls with a friends Nike 5900 Sumo2, I now believe that a square driver may be what I need in order to achieve a straighter ball flight. Obviously some of the effect is purely mental, but the geometrical shape does come into play.

I'm currently trying to decide whether I need to purchase the regular square Nike Dymo or the Str8 fit version.

[leo3]

A Tour Burner may not be the best driver for a new player, as the low loft, and open face are going to accentuate swing flaws. Square drivers have the highest M.O.I., so they will give you the most help on controlling a slice. Switching to a driver with at least 10.5 degrees of loft, and a square face will help you greatly, regardless of its shape.

[mtsalmela80]

Out of curiosity, OP are you self taught? Or do you take lessons?

[gmanuel25]

The face angle on the tour burner is closed (two degrees I believe... I use to own one). Taylor Made did a poor job naming this club, people who see 'tour' in the name are going to assume that it has a neutral/open face. The tour burner TP will have an open face.

[enduro]

A slice is a problem with the swing, not the club. I'd save my money and get some lessons first. Then get a new driver if it has properties that get the most out of your swing.

[NativeTxn]

Out of curiosity, OP are you self taught? Or do you take lessons?

I was "self-taught" up this summer, when I decided to commit to actually getting better as opposed to just going out and hitting it around.

I've started taking lessons - I've had 3 so far. As of yet, we haven't started working on using the driver, and have just been working on developing a more consistent swing with the irons at this point. This is why I say that hopefully over the next several months, I will be working on fixing the slice by developing a better swing. I just thought that a square driver (that from my understanding is supposed to be a bit more stable because of where they can weight it) might help alleviate the slice a bit in the short term. Thanks for all the input! Any additional advice is certainly appreciated as well.

[whetstone]

I just bought a new Nike square driver. I've hit exactly 1 bag of range balls, and played 5 holes with it, so the jury's still out. However, my initial impressions are that it's much easier to hit the sweet spot, and my fade is much less pronounced than with my 15 yr old knockoff driver. I can say with certainty that I'm longer with it, and so is my playing partner.
Obviously fixing your swing is the most important thing, but if your mis-hits result in less disaster than before, you'll enjoy the game much more.
my $.02

[J-Rob]

The face angle on the tour burner is closed (two degrees I believe... I use to own one). Taylor Made did a poor job naming this club, people who see 'tour' in the name are going to assume that it has a neutral/open face. The tour burner TP will have an open face.

Well that is a good piece of information, seeing as I have been hooking the ball with it lately. At least I know now that its not just my swing.

[Replay]

Square drivers typically have more forgiveness and huge MOI. I can't answer your question as to whether a square driver will help with your slice, but it wouldn't hurt.

I agree. I just bought the Nike Dymo2 11.5* Driver - and man, this club is amazing!!!

I am hitting longer and straighter than ever before - huge MOI & huge forgiveness!!! Nike also make the Dymo2 Str8-Fit, which you adjust to make a draw club as well...although I would advise against this and stick with the regular Dymo2 which is forgiving enough to hit well but not overly comforting of poor shots like a draw club to inhibit improvement.

[NativeTxn]

I definitely want to stay away from the draw-bias drivers, because as I said, I hope to fix the slice through lessons and practice.

I've had a couple of different guys at Golfsmith recommend the Lynx LX5. They say it is as forgiving as the square drivers and has a better sound, and is an all-around great driver.

Has anyone had experience with the LX5 (or Lynx in general)? Any thoughts on the LX5 vs. square drivers such as the Sumo 5900 or the Dymo?