Buying a Driver from Golf Galaxy

[YnotMcFly]

I am really new to golf as I have only been playing for a few months.  I currently do not have my own driver and have solely been practicing with my irons.  While this has been fun and I have gotten much better with my irons, it limits me to playing the shorter par 3 courses in my area.  Because of this my wife has decided to let me pick out a driver as a present for our first anniversary.  While looking at clubs within my budget online I have come up with a couple that I would like to try (Cobra S3 and Nike SQ Machspeed Black).   While I would like to try these two, I am willing to try others in my price range as well so that I can find the best fit for me, but here is where I have a few questions.  I will be getting my club from Golf Galaxy as I already have a gift card to add to the total.  Do I just go into the store and ask to hit some drivers?  Should I try them on a launch monitor and if so is this an additional charge?  Sorry for the elementary questions but I have very little experience hitting a driver and have never purchased one, so I am seeking advice on how to go about making this purchase.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[nickel_aTm]

You've pretty much got it.  Go to Golf Galaxy and hit a few options in the simulator.  No, there is not a charge.  Something else you might consider with your budget situation is buying a used driver.  Golf Galaxy accepts trade-in's and therefore always has an inventory of used drivers that will obviously cost significantly less than the brand new model.

Once you get in the simulator and take a few swings, get some guidance from the tech there about shaft flex.  After you hit each ball,  you'll notice a swing speed (among other data) register.  Generally speaking, if your swing speed with a driver is in the 80-90 range, you'll need a "regular" flex shaft.  If your swing speed is 95-105 range, you'll need a "stiff" flex.  If your swing speed is in the 90-95, there's a little gray area depending on swing characteristics.

Whether you're looking at new drivers or in the used section, shaft flex will be on the shaft somewhere a few inches below the grip.

R = Regular Flex

S = Still Flex

X = Extra Stiff

[nickel_aTm]

Also, in terms of overall performance (launch angle, carry, total distance, etc.) the shaft is far more important than the head.  With the technology out there these days, all the major manufacturers produce good equipment.  The difference you'll see in results with drivers will have more to do with the shaft than the head.

For example, if you took several swings each from five different manufacturers in the simulator -- all the same loft, all the same shaft flex -- you will see differences.  Some you might hit consistently farther, some you might push right more than the others, etc.

A "stiff" flex for one shaft model can and will certainly vary from "stiff" flexes of other models.

Bottom line: let swing speed measurements point you in the direction of flex (regular vs. stiff), try multipe options, and go with the one that performs best with your swing.  Buying new clubs is always fun.  Good luck.

[McShank]

I hit the machspeed and too me it sounds too "tinny" if that makes sense, not saying its a bad driver or anything of the sort. I believe the Diablo Octane is the same price as those, I would look at that one too. I really liked hitting that driver but i hit the razr hawk better so I went with that. I would just ask to hit everything in your price range and go with whatever you end up hitting the best.

[YnotMcFly]

Thanks for the info guys I really appreciate it