Jump to content
Subscribe to the Spin Axis Podcast! ×
Subscribe to the Spin Axis Podcast!
IGNORED

Where can you demo a brand new 2012 driver?

TheGolfAdvisor

By TheGolfAdvisor,
in Golf Talk

 Share
Note: This thread is 4458 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Recommended Posts

TheGolfAdvisor Member

TheGolfAdvisor

I'm looking to buy a new 2012 driver, but it's hard to spend the money if I can't actually see the ball flight. Furthermore, the brand new 2012 drivers at GS have to have masking tape on them, which screws up everything on the launch monitor. Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, how do you deal with this situation? Wouldn't being able to DEMO one or two new drivers on the course for a direct comparison solve the problem?

Thanks in advance!


MiniBlueDragon Great Member

MiniBlueDragon

In the UK I'd take a look at American Golf (ironic huh?) for demoing a club on a launch monitor and without impact tape.

SWING DNA
Speed [77] Tempo [5] ToeDown [5] KickAngle [6] Release [5] Mizuno JPX EZ 10.5° - Fujikura Orochi Black Eye (with Harrison ShotMaker) Mizuno JPX EZ 3W/3H - Fujikura Orochi Black Eye Mizuno JPX 850 Forged 4i-PW - True Temper XP 115 S300 Mizuno MP R-12 50.06/54.09/58.10 - Dynamic Gold Wedge Flex Mizuno MP A305 [:-P]


Gresh24 Dedicated Member

Gresh24

Go to golf manufacturers demo days at courses and clubs.

Driver:  :callaway: Diablo Octane
Fairway Wood:   :adams: Speedline 3W
Hybrid:   adams.gif A7OS 3 Hybrid 
Irons:   :callaway:  2004 Big Bertha 4-LW


Clambake Great Member

Clambake

Have you looked around to see what driving ranges also have retail operations?    I can think of at least 4 here in the San Diego area that give you the opportunity to demo the new clubs outside.    I just did two separate fittings, one for irons, one for a driver, at one of them and I had an amazing choice of clubs to try out.     A lot of courses with pro shops also let you go try out clubs on the course or on their range as well; the selection will be more limited, but if they happen to carry what you're looking for that's also a good option.


TheGolfAdvisor Member

TheGolfAdvisor

  • Author

There's one range in Tucson that has some drivers, but I think they mostly have older drivers and clubs. Do your golf ranges have 2012 drivers to demo (R 11s, etc.), or is that usually harder to find?

Thanks for the responses.


  • 1 month later...
JimMurphy99 Member

JimMurphy99

Agree but I just find that you need to be a member of that particular club and then it really comes down to whether they have enough of a range to actually get to try out a number of models.


Harmonious Great Member

Harmonious

Why don't you call several of the Tucson public golf courses and ask them your questions?  There are probably 50 or so public courses within a 25 mile radius.  I'm sure several of them have ranges, with demo clubs you could hit.


JimMurphy99 Member

JimMurphy99

I have done that to some extent already - predominantly in the Myrtle Beach area.  And have managed to get some clubs for a test drive...But often the range of clubs is not particularly good. And in reality few ranges/pro shops let you really test a model for any length of time


  • 3 months later...
JamesTucker Member

JamesTucker

  TheGolfAdvisor said:
Originally Posted by TheGolfAdvisor

I'm looking to buy a new 2012 driver, but it's hard to spend the money if I can't actually see the ball flight. Furthermore, the brand new 2012 drivers at GS have to have masking tape on them, which screws up everything on the launch monitor. Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, how do you deal with this situation? Wouldn't being able to DEMO one or two new drivers on the course for a direct comparison solve the problem?

Thanks in advance!

Probably a bit late to this thread but still relelvant to the new models that will come out in 2013.  It hink the easiest thing is to go to the manufacturer demo days...ya you won't be able to compare and contrast with other clubs but you will at least be able to get a "feel for the club.  I realize this is not as satisfactory as having a club and being able to play a bunch of rounds with it.  That would be a neat solution.  I sometimes ask friends who have new drivers etc. to borrow it for a few rounds just to see what it feels like.  I'll be in the market again early next year for the newer models but not quite sure how I am going to decide which one to get.


  • 1 month later...
JimMurphy99 Member

JimMurphy99

  TheGolfAdvisor said:
Originally Posted by TheGolfAdvisor

I'm looking to buy a new 2012 driver, but it's hard to spend the money if I can't actually see the ball flight. Furthermore, the brand new 2012 drivers at GS have to have masking tape on them, which screws up everything on the launch monitor. Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, how do you deal with this situation? Wouldn't being able to DEMO one or two new drivers on the course for a direct comparison solve the problem?

Thanks in advance!

So what was your decision in the end given that we are coming into the season when the new 2013 drivers will be announced.  Curious to know whether you will take the same approach in 2013...


GaijinGolfer Super Member

GaijinGolfer

Any decent golf shop should have a launch monitor where you can try out a new driver and see the full ballflight.  If a shop expected me to drop $300 on a new driver and wouldnt allow me to try it out first, Id turn around, walk out the door and take my business elsewhere.

Whats in my :sunmountain: C-130 cart bag?

Woods: :mizuno: JPX 850 9.5*, :mizuno: JPX 850 15*, :mizuno: JPX-850 19*, :mizuno: JPX Fli-Hi #4, :mizuno: JPX 800 Pro 5-PW, :mizuno: MP T-4 50-06, 54-09 58-10, :cleveland: Smart Square Blade and :bridgestone: B330-S


  • 2 months later...
JamesTucker Member

JamesTucker

just actually received a ping anser from golfredefined and going to try the new 913 d3 in a couple of months from the same guys.  they allow, for a relatively small monthly amount, the option to demo a whole range of top golf drivers on their site.  great service so far and very happy with it.  unfortunately they don't do irons or putters (yet!) but a great way to find out which driver suits you best.  might be worth you checking it out.  they also have an option which i did not go for but to just rent 2 or more top golf drivers on a short term rental so you can try them out...

  TheGolfAdvisor said:
Originally Posted by TheGolfAdvisor

I'm looking to buy a new 2012 driver, but it's hard to spend the money if I can't actually see the ball flight. Furthermore, the brand new 2012 drivers at GS have to have masking tape on them, which screws up everything on the launch monitor. Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, how do you deal with this situation? Wouldn't being able to DEMO one or two new drivers on the course for a direct comparison solve the problem?

Thanks in advance!

  • Upvote 1

petermccarthy Member

petermccarthy

Hi James

I signed up with them as well a few months ago.  Got a callaway razr fit in my bag at the moment and going to wait for the new Nike VRS Covert to come out in due course.  Have you tried their rental only option at all?

  JamesTucker said:
Originally Posted by JamesTucker

just actually received a ping anser from golfredefined and going to try the new 913 d3 in a couple of months from the same guys.  they allow, for a relatively small monthly amount, the option to demo a whole range of top golf drivers on their site.  great service so far and very happy with it.  unfortunately they don't do irons or putters (yet!) but a great way to find out which driver suits you best.  might be worth you checking it out.  they also have an option which i did not go for but to just rent 2 or more top golf drivers on a short term rental so you can try them out...


benjamindanila Newbie

benjamindanila

shouldn't you be looking at 2013 now? :)

new models look great!

  TheGolfAdvisor said:
Originally Posted by TheGolfAdvisor

I'm looking to buy a new 2012 driver, but it's hard to spend the money if I can't actually see the ball flight. Furthermore, the brand new 2012 drivers at GS have to have masking tape on them, which screws up everything on the launch monitor. Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, how do you deal with this situation? Wouldn't being able to DEMO one or two new drivers on the course for a direct comparison solve the problem?

Thanks in advance!


KrazyTrain18 Well Established Member

KrazyTrain18

I'm lucky that the private club where my dad works always has new gear before the release, so that's how I demo new stuff like drivers.

Titleist 913D2 9.5 (UST VTS 65)

Titleist 913F 15 (Diamana S+)

Titleist 913H 19 (Diamana S+)

Titleist 714 AP2 (4-PW) (DG XP-95)

Titleist Vokey SM5 (52,56,58) (DG XP-95)

Ping Anser 2 Classic


  • 4 weeks later...
benjamindanila Newbie

benjamindanila

  KrazyTrain18 said:
Originally Posted by KrazyTrain18

I'm lucky that the private club where my dad works always has new gear before the release, so that's how I demo new stuff like drivers.

Do they always have all models?  or is it a pretty limited selection?  I find that the few pro shops I have access to don't always have the full range etc.

I mean what if you want to try say the new Titleist 913D2 but with stiff shaft and 9.5 degrees? do they have those options?


Note: This thread is 4458 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up

  • TST Partners

    PlayBetter
    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FitForGolf
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-20%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack/FitForGolf, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope. 15% off TourStriker (no code).

  • Posts

    • ChetlovesMer
      Hitting Mat Recommendations for Home?

      By ChetlovesMer ·

      I've had this one since 2021.  Amazon.com No complaints.  I had to reglue the little Velcro tabs onto the yellow foam guide thingies. But that's not a big deal. The Velcro came off almost immediately and I put them back on using super-glue and they've been fine ever since. I've hit a lot of balls off this in my garage and I have no complaints. 
    • Zeph
      Hitting Mat Recommendations for Home?

      By Zeph ·

      I've been thinking about buying a hitting mat for home indoors use. I currently only got a small patch of some mat I bought years ago and stand on a wooden platform. It'd be nice having a mat to stand on and hit from. After some searching, I see Fiberbuilt often being praised. Not sure if I can get hold of it easily here, and buying internationally can get expensive for a mat that's already quite pricey (~$800). The Wittek Quattro is also usually favorably mentioned, and at half the price (~$400) of the Fiberbuilt. Anyone have experince with this mat? Any other suggestions?
    • ChetlovesMer
      What Callaway Driver and 3 Wood to Buy Given My Age, Skill, Level Etc?

      By ChetlovesMer ·

    • RWold
      What Callaway Driver and 3 Wood to Buy Given My Age, Skill, Level Etc?

      By RWold ·

      It just occurred to me that the last time I was serious about golf, my woods were made of….wood! Also interestingly (to me anyway) as I shopped for “woods”, mostly on eBay, I found that all the clubs in really nice cosmetic/aesthetic shape (good finish, nice club face, good grip) were woman’s clubs. Seems they either take really good care of them or don’t use them much.    And lastly, for now anyway, I went to a range today that has Top Tracer monitors at all the stations - another “new” development that may have been around for quite a while, but this was a first for me. I found it useful although I’m sure I only scratched the surface of its capabilities. 
    • TN94z
      Do Not Lead With the Trail Elbow (AMG)

      By TN94z ·

      Agreed. For me, the feel was introduced to get the arms moving down from the top. It wasn't necessarily a "get it in front of the hip" explanation as the correct position but more for an exaggerated feel to get rid of the earlier issue.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

  I accept
The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...