Why did I buy this thing...

[Ernest Jones]

So when I started golfing I purchased a Callaway BB Diablo Draw driver due to my massive slice issues. I found that I could slice just as easily with it! LOL.

I have since discovered SnT (thanks to this awesome forum shout out to IACAS) and have started to incorporate pieces into my swing - BAM - no more slice

But now I have trouble wrapping my head around using this draw driver. The face is 1* closed and I have to be careful not to pull or hook it. I have been opening the clubface a touch till it appears neutral to me and have found moderate success this way.

Question is: what kind of issues do forum members see happening in this scenario? How should I approach alignment of the clubface? Should I ignore the 1* variation? or aim more right? or open the face a touch as I have been doing? Would opening the face result in adding loft ( I do tend to "sky"it more often then I would like)?

Really want to trade/sell this and get something neutral as it is adding way to many thought demons when standing over the ball. I have video of myself hitting it in my swing post if that helps in answering my query.

I'm just concerned that I'll develop bad swing compensations due to this driver or at least due to what this driver does to my head!

[LuciusWooding]

I hate drivers that set up closed, open or whatever. Excessive offset is similar. If you set a lot of drivers on the ground, the sole will be aligned all screwy and it won't want to set up flat and square. My previous driver had a closed face, didn't like it even though I have been known to slice on occasion. A lot of companies are getting sneakier, trying to make the shafts longer and softer, lofts higher, and draw bias even in mid range drivers.

I would consider selling it myself, you could consider an adjustable model as a replacement which will have the draw bias available if you need the help, but a neutral and open setting to practice with and learn to use long term. That, or do what I did and buy a non adjustable but neutral driver and possibly suffer from the harsh reality of my swing; we'll have to see when I get a chance to hit it.

[Ernest Jones]

Originally Posted by LuciusWooding

I would consider selling it myself, you could consider an adjustable model as a replacement which will have the draw bias available if you need the help, but a neutral and open setting to practice with and learn to use long term. That, or do what I did and buy a non adjustable but neutral driver and possibly suffer from the harsh reality of my swing; we'll have to see when I get a chance to hit it.

Don't think I want to go the adjustable route, just too much to think about! Would love to get the same driver but neutral, the thing is freakin' long. Oh well, buyer's remorse and a good life lesson! STOP trying to buy a swing with equipment and just learn to hit a DRAW!

[Clambake]

Have you tried going into a golf shop that also has used clubs and seeing if they'd swap out with the non-draw model?   I was just in our local Golf Mart store on the weekend and they had barrels of used drivers, including lots of the Diablo in both normal and draw models.   I'd bet if your club is in good shape and you asked nicely they'd let you just swap 1:1.   Offer to buy a box of balls, or give them an extra $10 if necessary, but I'd be surprised if they didn't take you up on a swap offer.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Clambake

Have you tried going into a golf shop that also has used clubs and seeing if they'd swap out with the non-draw model?   I was just in our local Golf Mart store on the weekend and they had barrels of used drivers, including lots of the Diablo in both normal and draw models.   I'd bet if your club is in good shape and you asked nicely they'd let you just swap 1:1.   Offer to buy a box of balls, or give them an extra $10 if necessary, but I'd be surprised if they didn't take you up on a swap offer.

I love used drivers. Especially the virtually unhit ones with Tour shafts - you can get 'em for a song (no dance required).

[k-troop]

Another shout out for an adjustable driver, such as Titleist 910D3 or Taylor Made R11.  Set it up neutral; but if at some point you decide you want to favor one side of the fairway, you can open or close the face as needed.  The only really things to consider are what type of head do you want (spin reducing or more traditional), loft (though less important with the Titleist because you can adjust loft and keep the face neutral), and shaft.

You're going to have an adjustable driver eventually, because that's all the equipment companies are going to be making for the foreseeable future.

[newtogolf]

As long as it's not in the middle of a round in a tournament or that you're submitting for your handicap.

Originally Posted by k-troop

Another shout out for an adjustable driver, such as Titleist 910D3 or Taylor Made R11.  Set it up neutral; but if at some point you decide you want to favor one side of the fairway, you can open or close the face as needed.  The only really things to consider are what type of head do you want (spin reducing or more traditional), loft (though less important with the Titleist because you can adjust loft and keep the face neutral), and shaft.

You're going to have an adjustable driver eventually, because that's all the equipment companies are going to be making for the foreseeable future.

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

As long as it's not in the middle of a round in a tournament or that you're submitting for your handicap.

Obviously.  With some of these comments, I wonder if y'all all have scoring trailers set up off the 18th greens at your home clubs where you review tape to ensure that no one inadvertently grounded a club in the waste area off the 17th fairway.

[newtogolf]

May have been obvious to you, but not everyone realizes making adjustments to your driver in the middle of a round is a rules violation.  No scoring trailers at my home club BTW.

Originally Posted by k-troop

Obviously.  With some of these comments, I wonder if y'all all have scoring trailers set up off the 18th greens at your home clubs where you review tape to ensure that no one inadvertently grounded a club in the waste area off the 17th fairway.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by k-troop

Obviously.  With some of these comments, I wonder if y'all all have scoring trailers set up off the 18th greens at your home clubs where you review tape to ensure that no one inadvertently grounded a club in the waste area off the 17th fairway.

Why would that matter? You can ground your club in a waste area. It's not a hazard.

The Rules of Golf don't specify a "waste area." I'm simply using the common definition of a sandy or scrubby area that is simply part of the course but which is not a hazard (i.e. bunker).

[Beachcomber]

Originally Posted by k-troop

Another shout out for an adjustable driver, such as Titleist 910D3 or Taylor Made R11.  Set it up neutral; but if at some point you decide you want to favor one side of the fairway, you can open or close the face as needed.  The only really things to consider are what type of head do you want (spin reducing or more traditional), loft (though less important with the Titleist because you can adjust loft and keep the face neutral), and shaft.

You're going to have an adjustable driver eventually, because that's all the equipment companies are going to be making for the foreseeable future.

Agreed.  I have the R11 TP, and love it.  I believe you could get a trade on your Diablo, and get a 2011 R11 model for a fair price given the 2012 R11s model(s) are going to be released in February.

[k-troop]

Originally Posted by iacas

Why would that matter? You can ground your club in a waste area.  It's not a hazard.

The Rules of Golf don't specify a "waste area." I'm simply using the common definition of a sandy or scrubby area that is simply part of the course but which is not a hazard (i.e. bunker).

Touche'.