Screw it. I'm going driverless.

[James_Black]

at 24.3 handicap, i wouldn't be giving any bold advice like this.

What's so bad about his advice?

If you can hit the ball well with an 8i then you should be able to hit it good with the other clubs.

[max power]

Interesting comments in this thread. Last year, I was exclusively using a 5-wood or 3-iron off the tee.

I feel like modern 460cc drivers, off a tee, are more forgiving than a 3 wood. Discrepancy has a lot to do with the shaft length and how you swing the club. Shorter shaft and most people make a far more controlled swing with a 3 wood. I think choking down a couple inches and making a smooth swing makes the modern driver at least as forgiving as a 3 wood.

[max power]

What's so bad about his advice?

There's a lot that's different about the 8 iron swing and the driver swing.

[James_Black]

There's a lot that's different about the 8 iron swing and the driver swing.

The driver swing is more of a sweep.

The longer shaft should do most of that.

[Meddle]

I feel like modern 460cc drivers, off a tee, are more forgiving than a 3 wood. Discrepancy has a lot to do with the shaft length and how you swing the club. Shorter shaft and most people make a far more controlled swing with a 3 wood. I think choking down a couple inches and making a smooth swing makes the modern driver at least as forgiving as a 3 wood.

Maybe more forgiving on off-center hits, but harder to control due to longer shaft and lower loft.

[max power]

Maybe more forgiving on off-center hits, but harder to control due to longer shaft and lower loft.

Maybe because I've always hit lower-lofted drivers, from an old TaylorMade Burner 8* to a Great Big Bertha 8.5*, up to a 9.5* Ti Bubble 2, back to a 8.5* 983E, and down to my current 7.5* Nike--but the one higher lofted driver I have, a 10.5 degree Titleist 907D2 doesn't (to me) comes across as unforgiving. A lot of backspin, not a lot of sidespin, hit the ball high (similar to 3 wood arc), and becomes tremendously easier to control when choking down a couple inches.

On the tee box, off a tee, I think the modern 10.5-13* 460cc driver with a 43.5" shaft (or playing at 43.5" because of choking down), is at least as easy to hit and control as a 3 wood, and still a bit longer. I tried it out, I started using the 907D2 choked down a couple inches coupled with a 70% swing, and I was hitting straiter shots and more controlled fades on tricky par 4s. Started out as a lark but I became convinced.

[mtsalmela80]

My prediction is you will be shopping for a new driver before this season is over. I went driver-less last week for league night, didnt lose one ball, shot a 57. Last night I played the driver on every applicable hole, lost one ball, shot a 49.

What does that tell me? If my game is on/off, it doesnt matter what club I use off the tee.

[chef35ca]

28 drivers in 7 years? If you spent half that money on lessons, you could probably have used the driver you got the first time.

You are absolutely right. Hindsight is funny that way. I've already talked to one of the pros at my course & am going to fix what's not right when i have some time.

But i'm going to film my current swing first & post it for my own twisted amusement. People will be running for cover when they see the train wreck that i hit the ball with:)

[chef35ca]

BTW, for the record, i've only bought a handful of drivers. Only one at retail(walmart). A couple used, & the rest have been swapped with other golfers. Shipping has added up to a couple of hundred bucks over 7 years. I'm alright with that.

I'm still on my first golf bag, i have 30$ in putters over 7 years, have bought 2 wedges off ebay for 31$ + shipping, a couple of hybrids & fairways, & i've swapped out some irons. I did buy one set of callaways at retail when i ended up with an insurance payout(biggest waste of money ever...).

It's not like i've been dropping 1000's of $$$ on these.

I don't drink, smoke or do drugs. I have my wife & kids, go to the gym, & play golf. I'm not a car person, i don't collect rolexes or picassos, clubs are my thing. Odd, yes.

[chef35ca]

My prediction is you will be shopping for a new driver before this season is over. I went driver-less last week for league night, didnt lose one ball, shot a 57. Last night I played the driver on every applicable hole, lost one ball, shot a 49.

So the 8 stroke difference is directly attributed to the driver?

Try the lessons route. Find out who gives lessons in your area - do a google search for their credentials - with 3 or 4 lessons (including video) you'll never look back. I suspect you've never had a driver fitting either.

I've been humming & hawing about a lesson for about 4 years. So time to step up.

I've actually played most of one season with my 3wd & no driver & shot pretty well. It still came down to whether i was hitting GIR & making putts. One of the reasons i kept changing out drivers was that i haven't found one that could outperform my 3wd consistantly. Should i have gotten fit? Yes. But there's that hindsight word again.

[alf174]

...........I don't drink, smoke or do drugs..............

Yep, found your problem right there. Need some vices man!

[chef35ca]

You can't be serious. Learn to swing an 8 iron and you will be able to hit a Driver?

I'm not overly short. Average maybe? 200-220 with a 3wd. I don't know where that places me. My home course is not overly long either. I could get around with my irons, but that would add a bit of pressure. I'd probably shoot about the same score with any setup.

Don't give up..............the golf merchandising industry needs you!

LOL...somebody has to pay those R&D; guys & their tireless hours of MOI marketing.

Yep, found your problem right there. Need some vices man!

LOL...moved past those vices when i started making babies. Speaking of, i just found out that #4 is on the way. Golfing time is dwindling.

Ah well. I already took my 5yr old daughter out to the range for her first time. It was alot of fun. I'm not one of those freaky overbearing live vicariously through my children kind of people.

[alf174]

LOL...moved past those vices when i started making babies. Speaking of, i just found out that #4 is on the way. Golfing time is dwindling.

Congrats! I hope you're younger than my brother who had his most recent when he was 47 years old. Crikey!

[chef35ca]

Congrats! I hope you're younger than my brother who had his most recent when he was 47 years old. Crikey!

35 for me. 47, geez. Thats' commitment.

[rcaddell23]

some of the best golf I've ever played (in my high school days) came with a 13* 3-wood in the bag and no driver... doesn't matter how you get there as long as its in regulation.