Driver Recomendation + shaft stiffness

[Dragasevich]

Im in the market for a new driver and price doesnt matter (its a present)

Ive been heading to the range and trying out all diferent sorts, from the lower price to the higher price.

Ended up loving the Titleist 907 D2 9.5 stiffened shaft.
Thats the only driver i hit with a stiffened shaft and maybe thats why i loved it so much, all the others i was hitting a regular shaft.

Every person i talk to about drivers has differing opinions regarding shaft stiffness.

I am swinging at about 105-107mph, hitting my 5 iron about 185m (approx 200yards) off the deck.

I have been told a can go either way with shaft stiffness

and i was therefore wondering, if i went the Titleist with the stiffened shaft as opposed to the regular shaft what would happen?
WOuld i get more control and a little less distance?

What do you recommend?
Do you think i would notice the difference, considering im playing off about 20, hitting a $600 driver as opposed to a $400 driver (Australian Dollars)?

Cheers

[mstuk]

playing off 20 a 9.5deg driver is almost cetainly not enough loft and a stiff shaft will only exacerbate the problems that lack of loft will generate. Thats a tour setup and with respect unless you currently have a short game like stevie wonder will amost certainly not help your scores IMHO.

[jmurdock]

How often can a 20 handicap hit a 5 iron off the deck 200 yds.??? Now while I swing at 105 mph with my driver, I only hit my 5 iron 185-190. But I hit it consistenly.

Back on topic.... If you are swinging at 106 mph, then I would go with a stiff shaft in your driver. The regular shaft will be too whippy for you.

[Burg]

Im in the market for a new driver and price doesnt matter (its a present)

Get fitted. The "stiffness" varies from shaft brand to shaft brand. There are other variables as well (kickpoint, tip stiffness, torque). It will be worth your while to get fitted. Also, if you are hitting a 5 iron 200 yards then maybe you should focus on the ol' short game for awhile. You shouldn't have a 20 handicap with that distance.

[iacas]

I'm not even certain a 105 MPH driver swing speed gets you 200 yards with a 5-iron, and if you're lying to yourself, none of our advice is worth anything.

[Dragasevich]

haha
Im not lying at all about the distance of my 5 iron.
I dont have the best swing but a use a whole not of body momentum me and a mate both hit the same distances as we have a very similar swing and neither of us use drivers and thats why im looking at getting one.
I havent actaully had my iron swing speed measured but about 106 is what im swinging with a driver at the golf shops.

Id play serious golf once every 6 weeks or so and thats why my handicap isnt so good as its more of a social game for me. The other day i played seriously and shot an 84. but it is my short game that lets me down.

ANYWAY back onto the topic. Ive only been playing this game for a year or 2 on and off and i have never hit a driver as my long iron shots im so comfortable with but i thought its about time i get a driver as i have been offered one for my birthday from a group of mates.

So the question was do you think i'd notice the difference in an expensive driver (titleist 907) as opposed to a more moderatly priced driver (callaway big bertha 460). Ive got a few mates who have the older versions of the titleist and ive hit them and love them for some reason they just work for me.

and the other question was about shaft stiffness and if i should get a stiffened shaft?

if i got it custom fitted i wouldnt know what is good for me as i havent hit a whole lot of drivers except demo ones at driving ranges. So would it still be worth it?

[playfromthetips11]

I would suggest finding someone who can put you on the lauch monitor and hitting a variety of drivers. It made a world of difference for me. I was looking at the new Callaway FT-5, but after the fitting and the launch monitor session the pro suggested the Titleist 905T with the UST Pro shaft. Not only do I hit it longer and straighter, I saved 200 dollars. Also after the fitting and seeing the numbers i feel confident standing on the tee with my new driver and for me that is the biggest thing.

[srjorion]

So the question was do you think i'd notice the difference in an expensive driver (titleist 907) as opposed to a more moderatly priced driver (callaway big bertha 460). Ive got a few mates who have the older versions of the titleist and ive hit them and love them for some reason they just work for me.

Two thoughts. One, get a lesson or two before you get fitted. I just went through the lesson/fitting process and am glad that I took some lessons first. I had some major swing flaws that would have affected the club fitting I received if I had not corrected them first.

Two, get some demo clubs to hit. Take them out on a round or two as well as out on the range. I was able to really get a feel for a couple of drivers I hit by taking them to the range and hitting them, and then taking them out on the course and playing 9 or 18 with them. If you are dropping 400 to 500 bones on a club you might as well take it for a test drive. I tried some various lofts and shaft stiffnesses and quickly figured out that higher lofts and less stiffness was not good for me. I would have guessed otherwise, but was suprised to learn that was not the case.