How much did your custom-built driver cost?

[tmac20]

I'm getting fitted for a new driver next week at a place called Modern Golf in the Toronto area. The fitting itself is going to cost me $125. I'm trying to figure out a rough estimate of the total cost, but I'm not sure how much the custom-built driver is going to cost me. For those of you who have a custom-built driver, how much did you pay for it?

I know that some shafts can run upwards of $500... I'm trying to keep the total purchase under $700.

[Abu3baid]

That seems like overkill to me... You can just go to any store and try all the clubs and get the one that gives you the best numbers on the launch monitor... You save the fitting fee too since it goes towards your purchase..

[tmac20]

That seems like overkill to me... You can just go to any store and try all the clubs and get the one that gives you the best numbers on the launch monitor... You save the fitting fee too since it goes towards your purchase..

I have been recommended many times to get a driver custom fit and built. An extra 15-20 yards and improved accuracy off the tee can make a huge difference, and it can only be done by a custom fitting.

[Shindig]

I went to Max Out Golf a while back and spent over $500 on the custom driver, and about as much on new shafts for my irons. I didn't see anywhere near the improvement I was told I'd see, and later found out that they recommended that driver/shaft combo to everyone, and the same iron shafts to everyone who came in. It became a running joke -- someone would see the shafts in my irons and would ask if I went to Max Out Golf and, if so, "let me guess, your driver is $model with $loft with $shaft in $flex. They told me that was optimal for me too!" So either there were a lot of people in the area with those specs, or it the fitting process they had us go through was a hoax. I'm all for getting fitted, but get a company rep who wants their company's driver to be the best it can be for you do it. Try a few different companies' suggestions (and don't go for a fitting that'll charge you!) on a monitor and find out which one really is best.

[tmac20]

I went to Max Out Golf a while back and spent over $500 on the custom driver, and about as much on new shafts for my irons. I didn't see anywhere near the improvement I was told I'd see, and later found out that they recommended that driver/shaft combo to everyone, and the same iron shafts to everyone who came in. It became a running joke -- someone would see the shafts in my irons and would ask if I went to Max Out Golf and, if so, "let me guess, your driver is $model with $loft with $shaft in $flex. They told me that was optimal for me too!" So either there were a lot of people in the area with those specs, or it the fitting process they had us go through was a hoax. I'm all for getting fitted, but get a company rep who wants their company's driver to be the best it can be for you do it. Try a few different companies' suggestions (and don't go for a fitting that'll charge you!) on a monitor and find out which one really is best.

The one I'm going to has a really good reputation; I'm not too worried about it being a hoax.

[colin007]

Tmac, if I were you, I'd just go to a big box store with the SLDR and jump on the monitor until you get the right combo. Seriously. And you get the extra 15 yards with the combo of low spin high launch driver/swing.

[jamo]

I think it depends on what shaft and head combo you get. Some of, say, Titleist's custom shafts are free or cost next to nothing. But if it takes a top of the line shaft to give you the best launch numbers, you might be paying upwards of $500.

[tmac20]

Tmac, if I were you, I'd just go to a big box store with the SLDR and jump on the monitor until you get the right combo. Seriously. And you get the extra 15 yards with the combo of low spin high launch driver/swing.

The only problem is, the stock shaft may not be right for my swing, so it would be impossible to get optimal numbers. And if I'm not mistaken, the shaft is the most important part of the driver.

[Lihu]

The only problem is, the stock shaft may not be right for my swing, so it would be impossible to get optimal numbers.

And if I'm not mistaken, the shaft is the most important part of the driver.

If you go to a good fitter, they might take up to 4 hours to fit the shaft and head. You might need to make 200-300 swings.

I know one who fits some of the pros, and people fly from all over the world to see him.

[arturo28mx]

I have two Titleist D2 drivers and four factory stock shafts (all Diamana Blue)

Two of the shafts are supposed to be "regular" and two are supposed to be "stiff". Well, they are all different. One of the regulars is firmer than the other (almost a stiff), and one of the stiffs is firmer than the other (almost an extra stiff).

I'm just saying this to warn you that "stock" shafts have a large variability and one may work for you but not another.

[Lihu]

I have two Titleist D2 drivers and four factory stock shafts (all Diamana Blue) Two of the shafts are supposed to be "regular" and two are supposed to be "stiff". Well, they are all different. One of the regulars is firmer than the other (almost a stiff), and one of the stiffs is firmer than the other (almost an extra stiff).  I'm just saying this to warn you that "stock" shafts have a large variability and one may work for you but not another.

These shafts are noted to be stiffer. Is there variance between the like types? I would be surprised if there is any.

[Dave2512]

I spent around 150. New Geek head was 89 on ebay, shaft was 32, grip less than 3. Because I didn't have a ferrule I paid someone to put it together rather that wait a week for a 20 cent part to be mailed. Get fit and source your own parts to save money. Good shafts are cheap on ebay.

[Hardballs]

$150! Geek DCT, 12* loft, Aldila reg shaft fitted at 44.5, swing weight @ d4. And a geek FS3, 12* loft, accuflex stiff shaft, Fitted at 44.25, swing weight @ d4 Same price!

[colin007]

The only problem is, the stock shaft may not be right for my swing, so it would be impossible to get optimal numbers.

And if I'm not mistaken, the shaft is the most important part of the driver.

by saying "may", you cant rule out any possibilities.  its possible that you may get optimal numbers from a "made by" shaft.  I know nobody likes to think of themselves as an off the rack kind of guy but those shafts will work perfectly for some people.

for what its worth, I got a callaway razr fit extreme with a Matrix Ozik Black Tie shaft - happens to be a free upgrade from callaway, not a "made by" shaft, so theres an option if you want.

[WUTiger]

I built mine at the GolfWorks school:

• Maltby KE4 SS1 Forged 9.5* drive head: $98.99
• XCaliber Tour SL shaft 48 grams R-flex. $59.99
• Dri-Tac AVS grip, standard: $6.99

Total cost = $166.97

I trimmed the light shaft to 44.5". At first it got almost as much yardage as my Callaway RazrFit, but recently the RazrFit has been the clear winner.

[trickyputt]

Xhot 10.5 off ebay, 105.00 Ust V2 75 60.00 Callaway grip. 0.00 had one from another club. 165.00ish. The driver head is a draw head of course, but with the shaft it is 47 inches long. This makes an unexpected combo of a long stick that returns like a neutral bias. I have tried shorter V2s and lost distance, and the oem sticks are noodly and I hook or slice, but it likes the setup with the raw length. It was dumb luck finding out about the shaft. I was running late to play that morning and threw a grip on thinking I would figure out the length later. Then I started killing it and was shocked.

[Lihu]

I'm kind of with everyone else, you should be able to, DIY a driver for <$200. You need to invest time anyway, but on the other hand, if you don't like to tinker the fitter will be the better choice. Just keep in mind that the cost is $200 to the fitter, and ask if that fitter worth the extra $500? In some cases, yes, and others, maybe not.

[tmac20]

I'm kind of with everyone else, you should be able to, DIY a driver for <$200. You need to invest time anyway, but on the other hand, if you don't like to tinker the fitter will be the better choice. Just keep in mind that the cost is $200 to the fitter, and ask if that fitter worth the extra $500? In some cases, yes, and others, maybe not.

Premium shafts cost $500+ if you buy them direct from the manufacturer. If I'm spending that much for the shaft, I want to make sure it's the right shaft for my swing. I've decided to pay the $125 for the fitting. I'll keep you guys updated on the process.