how often do you upgrade to a new driver?

[cigarsmoke23]

Compared to other clubs in the bag, driver tech seems to grow leap and bounds over previous years products (or just really good marketing).

How often do you upgrade your driver? how long can you go before a driver become an antique?

[jldavis73]

Seems like every year to 18 months I purchase a new driver. I'm always chasing the dream. I do, however, tend NOT to purchase the newest and will go buy something from last season. Always looking for a bargain. Problem is, by the time I put it in play, it's already obsolete! Maybe I'm sabotaging my relationships with the drivers in my life...so I'll have a reason to get something else.

[goblue107501]

Seven years with the same driver and still going strong. One, I can't afford to change all the time. I am lucky to have the extra $40 to play a round, much less $300 to buy a new driver each year or two. Two, I have something that works so I have no interest in changing that. I did find a driver/shaft combo this year at a demo day that I would replace it with. But it is just wishful thinking on my part. If I can find a great deal over the winter since it is being replaced soon, I might try and do it.

While driver tech has improved drastically over the last 10 years or so, due to regulations they are pretty maxed out. Pretty much all they do now is come up with a gimick to sell. More important than the head is the shaft. If you get the right shaft for your swing, it can do wonders. Shaft technology is where it is at right now.

[JWL1957]

Up till a couple of years ago....... I played the same driver for 5 years. But after cracking the face on that one, I've had a 4-5 different drivers in the bag. I'm pretty happy with the Burner that I picked up a while back.... But I still go back to my strong 3 wood every now and then when things go bad with it.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Usually the driver is the club ive changed the least. Ive been playing about 6 years and before last month i had only used 3 drivers. TM R7 425/ Titliest 905R / Titleist 909D3. But in the last couple of weeks, ive gone from my 909D3 to a Ping i15, then back to my old R7 425 and right now im using a 909D2. Go figure..

[Chief Broom]

Way to often.

[Gioguy21]

I change roughly every 2 years.

[enis750]

a driver a year
love my new set up though, so i may game this one for a while

[ddalet]

You should all save your money and invest it in your swing. That's what is going to make a difference... the improvements in the past 2-3 years dont warrant 500$. The most you will g t out of it is 5-10 yards. That is not going to shave 5 strokes off your game; working on your swing with someone who knows what they are doing, might.

[golfro]

changed my driver for the first time in 7 years. and not by choice. my set got stolen :{

I do like my new Ping G10 so I imagine holding onto this one for some years to come.

[WUTiger]

Early in my golfing: When I switch out drivers, I tended to go through two or three in 18 months until I found the one that really worked.

Late 1960s Played a Wilson Staff driver for 7 years, until I cracked the head during warm-ups. I was going from regular to stiff shafts at the time, and I had two other drivers until I found "the driver" at a custom club shop in Oceanside, CA. in fall 1976. It was a very deep-faced driver for the time, and I kept it until about 1983. Traded it for MacGregor driver and woods to match my irons, but I often wish I had kept it.

In 1994, I got a fiberglas-shafted Pro Tour component driver when I completely redid my bag. Used it until about 2000 when I picked up an AirZevo demo driver with a larger head and (supposedly) a square face; turned out it was 2* closed - I had to open it a bit at address to hit ball straight. By chance, I picked up a second AirZevo driver with a low-launch shaft from my brother. First Air Zevo flew hot and cold, month to month.

Since 2000, improved engineering and the explosion in the number of shafts available for clubs has taken a lot of the hit-and-miss out of finding drivers.

In Fall 2008, I made the commitment to go from stiff to regular shafts. Had a full driver fitting with an excellent club fitter at Golf Galaxy. Took a while to really start hitting this driver, the first true "jumbo" I ever owned. Once I learned to tee it up properly, it worked well.

With any driver there's a learning curve to using it effectively. Between money and time, I don't see the benefit of constantly jacking around with drivers to gain an extra 5 yards.

[sean_miller]

I have a few drivers kicking around, but when I find one that works it's in the bag for long time. Definitely > 5 years.

Tried a few drivers from about 1989 through 1995 because technology was so different at the time - a lot of persimmon, maple, stainless, etcetera all worked about the same for me. I was longer with a Mizuno or Taylormade, but I hit more fairways with a Powerbilt persimmon - it wasn't untill the Titanium drivers that changed. I settled on good quality used Titanium driver (Callaway BB Warbird) about 7 years ago. Then last fall I upgraded again to a G10. Unless I break the face or the shaft, that's probably going to be it for then next few seasons.

[dbuck]

Not very often unless I run across something at the pawn shop that catches my eye, like the Titleist 905T ($50) in the bag now. We are not married yet but are getting aquainted during "scramble season". I am planning on playing a "real golf" individual tournament next month and am thinking the persimmon (Joe Powells also pawn shop aquistions-$8 each) will be back in the bag.

[Wet Doggg]

Not often at all. This is my 3rd season gaming my 905 and just love it. I hit it long and straight and can work it if needed. Before then, I gamed a TM 320 Tour for almost 10 years. I hot that one the same as the 905, except about 8 yards shorter. The 905 will be with me for quite a while. If something happens to it I will look for another one.

[cody west]

i buy them all the time. i owned 4 last year but i buy the same model over and over again because they wear out and the face gets nicks in it from hitting the same spot over and over again. and i make small changes. i played the same driver (model of a driver) for 3 years now but iv had 5 of them

[mlf16507]

Not since Tuesday. This is Thursday,so could be another one before end of week!!

[cigarsmoke23]

Not since Tuesday. This is Thursday,so could be another one before end of week!!

Well said. lol

[Stretch]

The face gets nicks in it from hitting the same spot over and over again.

Wish I had that problem!