R9 trade for 905s?

[caliwedge]

My buddy thinks that the r9 I have which is a brand new head, never once been hit, would be a fair trade for a 905s with a speeder shaft in pretty good overall condition. I was planning on getting rid of the r9, and I do hit the 905 pretty well. But do you guys think this is a fair club for club trade?

[RC]

Only you can tell that by hitting both and deciding. However, I think there was something special in the 905. It depends also on which version it is. When I used one, I hit the longest drives ever and the flight was the best of any drivers I have ever hit. I always suspected the face was very close to being illegal, because the ball really came off hot and penetrating. I do know at first a few pros were reluctant to give up their 905s for the next generation from Titleist. Of course it is the shaft that makes most of the difference in good drivers, so that is something you will have to evaluate. I liked the 907 D2, and the 909 D3 even a little better, but the 905 produced longer shots when flushed. What shaft is in the 905? Oh, one other thing... the spring action faces on modern drivers are supposedly affected by how many times they have been hit. If a driver has been heavily used and is older, it may not be quite the same over time. My guess is it would take many 1,000's of drives to cause any fatigue. That is the folk tale I have heard but I have no proof. I still have my old Great Big Bertha, and it hits the ball just fine (but not as far or as consistently -- but it does not the latest shaft technology either.)

The 905 had the best "sound" for me.

[patriot07]

Look at the average sale price on ebay. r9s (TM's 2009 driver) are going for about $140-$170, and the 905s (Titleist's 2005 driver) is going for about $50-$60. Looks to me like he'd have to put some money with his driver to get it anywhere near being fair. But if you're happy with an even trade and you know you hit the 905s better, then go for it.

[RC]

Good point -- go online and buy a 905 for $50-$60 and get the shaft you want, and keep the R9. Later on you can try to sell the one you don't like as well.

[LBlack14]

Sounds like you and your "buddy" must be alot closer than most since he was trying to bend you over and stick it to ya.

[caliwedge]

Thanks for the great input so far guys. The club has a speeder shaft that he claims is very rare and used to cost $200 alone. Maybe I could find comparable driver to the 905 by getting a 907 or a newer 909? I really am set on the idea that a brand new r9 is not a fair trade for a 905s.

[patriot07]

The speeder shaft was $200 new, but it's not really rare or expensive in the Titleist line of clubs. They offer most of their new drivers with that shaft option and don't charge any extra over any of their other shafts.

I never really liked the 905 line very much. I had good luck with a 907D1 that I had for awhile. But I think the 909 is a better club. I really like them quite a bit. Not as much as my TM r9 460 TP, but they're very good.