2010 Burner vs Cobra S3 Question ... (I was surprised)

[nickel_aTm]

Since early 2010, I've had a Taylormade Burner in the bag -- the final generation before the big white eggs came out.  Anyway, I was satisfied with the look and feel, and overall results with the Burner.  I didn't hit it real far, but I'm a short knocker so didn't think much of it.

I played last week with a regular partner who had just won a Cobra S3 at a tournament and put it in the bag for the first time.  He was clearly longer than normal with the S3 and talked me into hitting it on the back nine.  One the four holes I used the S3, I didn't miss a fairway and was a good 20 yards longer than what I'd been on the front with my Burner.

I grabbed a new/unused S3 on eBay with the same shaft, flex, and loft for $152 (shipping included).  These days, I think all the major manufacturers make good equipment.  I'm just wondering why I would pick up 20 yards just like that.  Is is really as simple as the shaft in the Cobra possibly being a better fit for my swing?  May S3 with the "oblong" sweet spot when my missed tend to be on the toe a bit?

Shorter club = 2010 Burner 9.5* with Grafalloy Pro Launch Red (stiff).

Longer club = 2011 Cobra S3 9.5* with Fujikura Blur (stiff).

[newtogolf]

Those two shafts are close in weight but have different characteristics

Graffalloy ProLaunch Red is 46" long - 3.0 Torque and high kick point (optimized for a lower ball flight)

Fujikura Blur is 45.5" 5.5 torque and mid kick point

Low torque (3.0 and lower) stiff shafts requires a higher club head speed and tend to push right if not hit with sufficient club head speed.  The combination of low torque and high kick point shaft could be why your drives are shorter with the 2010 Burner.

Originally Posted by nickel_aTm

Shorter club = 2010 Burner 9.5* with Grafalloy Pro Launch Red (stiff).

Longer club = 2011 Cobra S3 9.5* with Fujikura Blur (stiff).

[nickel_aTm]

Thanks for the reply.  Sounds like I've run into a better fitting shaft.

Two notes:

1. I mis-typed about "one of the four holes" comment.  I hit the driver on four holes, and each time I was in the fairway and longer than normal.

2. The Pro Lauch Red I've got in my Burner was cut to 44.5".