Drivers - have they changed that much during recent years?

[Erlend]

Hi,

I am considering getting a TaylorMade SuperQuad TP soon. I haven't tried very many newer drivers, and therefore need some help. I have used the SuperQuad for 18 holes back in 2008 or 2009 and I fell in love with it. Since you can get it really cheap nowadays, I am really thinking I should go on and buy one.

However, I am wondering whether I would see a significant difference if I rather buy a newer driver, like for instance a 2011 model. I have been using the Nike Sumo2 Sasquatch driver (square driver) and some times a TaylorMade Burner, but I would say I enjoy the SuperQuad more.

So, are the differences noticeable with the newer drivers? Is it worth paying 5 times the price of a SuperQuad?

I am a single digit handicapper, using stiff shafts on both my irons and my driver. My weakest part of the game is on and around the green.

Erlend

[Gioguy21]

to be honest since it's an older club it may be hard to do a side by side comparison with the newer drivers unless someone you knew had one that you could borrow to measure it against the technology and new ones out today. since clubs, balls, bags and everything else are on preference...my suggestion is to try as many as you can/want to and make an educated and best consumer choice. the technology that was in the superquad has been evolved into the R9 up to the R11 series of taylormade clubs...and callaway/cleveland/adams keep getting lighter and lighter while nike/cobra/titleist is sticking with the adjustable head/shaft combo.  best thing you can do is test, test, test and test again until you find one that fits you and your game. best of luck...the world of golf clubs is always comin out with the latest...but not always greatest.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by Erlend

1)  Is it worth paying 5 times the price of a SuperQuad?

2)  I am a single digit handicapper, using stiff shafts on both my irons and my driver. My weakest part of the game is on and around the green.

Erlend

1) I would say no.  Beyond a few genuine technological advances, I would say there is a lot more gimicky marketing advances instead.

2)  I would say either go with the SuperQuad that you know you like, and/or spend time and some $$ for instruction on putting lessons/practice, or even a putter fitting.  A lot of people downplay a putter fitting, but a lot believe that it is a more important fitting than for a driver or irons.  It is, after all, the one club you use for every hole.

[Erlend]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

2)  I would say either go with the SuperQuad that you know you like, and/or spend time and some $$ for instruction on putting lessons/practice, or even a putter fitting.  A lot of people downplay a putter fitting, but a lot believe that it is a more important fitting than for a driver or irons.  It is, after all, the one club you use for every hole.

First of all, let me say thanks for both of the replies.They are both giving me different views and things that I will take into consideration.

Are the money spent for putting lessons worth it? As I am a student, I don't have the time to play a lot and practice during the semesters, however I use the summer for practice, but I have never bought actual lessons.  I really don't know whether or not it's worth it either, as I am a pretty casual golfer. I am beyond doubt the best golfer amongst the ones I play with (I am sorry if it seems like bragging, but it's a fact), and most of my friends show off rather poor etiquette while on the green. They often tend to talk/tell jokes while someone is putting, and therefore, I wonder whether spending money on putting lessons are worth it.

Any advice on how to tell them to please be quiet while putting by the way? I find it rather annoying, even though I giggle as I set up to stroke the ball.

[glock35ipsc]

You say you are a single digit handicapper, and the weakest part of your game is on and around the green.  If I were you (which I am not, this is just me thinking out loud) I would spend my extra time practicing short game before trying to buy a better game in the driver.  I'm not trying to jab you in the ribs or anything, but you specifically mention not being good at the short game with no mention of a improving there, but are looking for a new driver without out saying why you are looking for a new driver.   I just think your time and money might be better spent in improving your weaknesses, rather than feeding the "want's" if that's what the desire for a new driver is.  If your driving sucks though, well then, that's another story!

Originally Posted by Erlend

Any advice on how to tell them to please be quiet while putting by the way? I find it rather annoying, even though I giggle as I set up to stroke the ball.

As for your golfing buddies.... kindly ask them to STFU or you are finding new ones! I try not to take myself too seriously while playing with friends, but at least respect the guy trying to make a good score.

EDIT TO ADD:  When I read your first post, and responded to it, I responded regarding just the putting.  My old brain remembered "on the green" and forgot the "around" part.  LOL

[Erlend]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

You say you are a single digit handicapper, and the weakest part of your game is on and around the green.  If I were you (which I am not, this is just me thinking out loud) I would spend my extra time practicing short game before trying to buy a better game in the driver.  I'm not trying to jab you in the ribs or anything, but you specifically mention not being good at the short game with no mention of a improving there, but are looking for a new driver without out saying why you are looking for a new driver.   I just think your time and money might be better spent in improving your weaknesses, rather than feeding the "want's" if that's what the desire for a new driver is.  If your driving sucks though, well then, that's another story!

As for your golfing buddies.... kindly ask them to STFU or you are finding new ones!    I try not to take myself too seriously while playing with friends, but at least respect the guy trying to make a good score.

EDIT TO ADD:  When I read your first post, and responded to it, I responded regarding just the putting.  My old brain remembered "on the green" and forgot the "around" part.  LOL

I agree on that point; first priority nowadays is beyond doubt the short game. But keep in mind that I can train as much as I want to throughout the summer - I have no plans except hanging out with friends, earn some cash every other weekend at the hotel I work and working out. I'm sure that my short game has improved drastically during the next week or so. I am all golf during the summer, and why not improve my short game, while getting a longer drive?

I wouldn't swap my golf buddies with anybody, except for the sand trap community of course ( ), but it's just frustrating when you are playing with only one friend, and he picks up his cell phone while you are setting up for the driver - it's like saying "good luck with your drive, buddy, I hope you hit the fairway, because I will not be able to help you to find it in the rough". I don't know how to tell about poor etiquette without creating an unfriendly setting, and therefore have a tendency to just shut up - even though my game and mental state of mind gets affected.

I'm probably the least serious guy of us, as I joke around as a fool all the time until someone puts down their bag and start their pre shot routine.

[imtomtomim]

It's funny, just reading the title, I was thinking, from the r7 to the present drivers, I think the driver heads are all pretty similar and perform closely enough.  Some of the more recent ones may have the center of gravity just a bit lower to launch higher, or weight spread out just a little bit wider, but really, it's not much difference.  I think the superquad is a great club and you wouldn't be at a disadvantage using it.

[arogolf]

Lighter, longer, lower center of gravity, adjustability. Having said that I can still blast my 983k and love the feel. It will be a sad day when it goes kaput.

[Bigtank]

I like the new drivers for the adjustability, but the real advances have been in shaft technology.  Spend the money on a new fitted shaft.  I went from a 907 to the 910 only because I could have several shafts and swap them out when I wanted to.

Look at the R9 with a good shaft..there are some excellent buys out there.

[arogolf]

I agree completely, shaft technology is the key.  Its really what makes the ball go boom --  most driver heads are the same.   I even dont mind the stock shaft you get in the TM superfast.  its not a $300 shaft, but its better than what you would get in a driver that is five years old.