Testing the new drivers - The Grass is not always greener

[Tom Kilpatrick]

Recently, I went to a local golf shop for a Nike day. I hit the new Nike Covert. It was setup to my specs same as my Adams Insight A4 9015D (10.5 loft, 0 degrees closed  with Matrix shaft). I hit 10 balls first with my driver to warm up, then hit 10 with the Covert. The Covert felt somewhat boardy and hit the ball consistently about 5 yards farther than my Adams. However 5 yds is not worth $299 for a new club when I play to a 4 handicap and we talking the difference in 240 and 245 yrds. While I was there- the golf shop guys said I should hit the TayloMade Rocketballz, Callaway HOT and Adams Speedline S. Neither the Taylormade or Callaway drivers came close to the distance of my Adams 9015D within 5 yds. The Adams Speedline S hit the ball on average about the same as the Nike product. Again - not worth it to me for the money versus what I have.

Later I went to see my clubmaker and had him look at my setup with the 9015D. He found that I had been teeing the ball about 1 inch too high. I hit balls and compared the teeing height. The lower of the teeing height resulted in a more solid hit allowing me to turn the ball over and jumping distance as much as 19 yards further on several of the shots.  Turns out that the 9015D sets up a little open and when you tee it higher it results  shots that are higher and tend to be pushed but straight..

It is amazing when the grass is really not greener on the other side of the fence. So I am keeping my 9015D with Blue Board and loving what I have- Cant wait for warmer weather.

[Mr. Desmond]

Most of the new clubs offer slightly more ball speed due to positioning of the weight, less spin, and higher launch. They've also improved forgiveness on off-center hits. But if you're a 4 hc, you don't need the forgiveness issue on that big head.

As to tee height, as long as you're making contact just above the center of the face around the middle, at the appropriate place in the arc of the swing so your Angle of Attack is neutral or positive, you're going to do well.

I'm experimenting with tee height and ball position to get higher launch and less spin -- it's a balance of too high with the tee versus just right.