Nike Sasquatch 460 vs TaylorMade Burner

[RichF]

Drivers: I tested the Nike Sasquatch 460 driver (non-Tour version) last weekend...I like the look of it, sound of it....however, I found that it didn't match the other driver on my shortlist, TaylorMade's Burner (non-TP version).
Specs as follows:
Nike Sasquatch 460
* 10.5° loft
* Diamana Sasquatch graphite shaft (regular flex - 63)
* 45" length
* Standard grip

TaylorMade Burner
* 10.5° loft
* Fujikura Re-Ax SuperFast (regular flex - 50)
* 46" length
* Standard grip

I'm 6'3" and the golf-pro I have lessons with has said I have a 'fantastic' swing for someone with no handicap (I've only been playing seriously for 2-3 months).

My question is - howcome I'm out-driving the Nike with the TM longer and straighter pretty much every time? (maybe 240-250 against 220 or so, at a rough guess)
Is is the shaft flex or length that would/could be the cause here?

[aquacooled]

well first off the from the specs you have given the TM is longer in length and therefore your hitting it longer.. Both are great driver, I sell both however me personally I use TM not because its better per say just because I like the feel and sound compaired to Nike..

goodluck

[Xbmchs12X]

Drivers: I tested the Nike Sasquatch 460 driver (non-Tour version) last weekend...I like the look of it, sound of it....however, I found that it didn't match the other driver on my shortlist, TaylorMade's Burner (non-TP version).

You could just be hitting the Taylormade better b/c you like it better and because the shaft it an inch longer that all other drivers, but with that increase in your shaft you going to loose accuracy. Im playing the Nike that ur talking about, and am loving it, hit it about 15 father and straighter than the taylormade Quad. But its all preference, so if you hit the burner better I'd go with that

[RichF]

Interesting - the extra 1" of the Burner shaft hasn't affected my trajectory or line at all - I can hit pretty much hit the ball straight every time.

I think the Burner having a 1° closed-face might also be a factor?

[Sowbug2000]

RichF,

I'm not sure on all the specs and analysis.....and I'm somewhat biased (see my signature). I'll just say I'm EXTREMELY pleased with my TM Burner driver, 3W, and 3 Hybrid. I guess its all about confidence, feel and results. It sounds like you've answered your own question that the Burner is right for you, over the Nike.

Good luck!

[DDBowdoin]

one inch longer and a lighter shaft help you generate more clubhead speed, thats why you are hitting the ball longer.

keep your options open, I think I've hit every driver on the market and while the nike and the TM performed well (Tour and TP versions for me) I couldn't get passed the annoying and busy stuff going on on the crowns on the clubs. TM with that ghostly white lines and nike's silver thing at the back, a little annoying.

[RichF]

RichF,

Had another hit with following my post today and it appears I have purchased myself a TaylorMade Burner!

Hit with it for 20mins on the driving range and went on the club's 9-hole course, which to be fair is a bit of a 'bomber's paradise'. I kind of got 'power-mad' with it but out of 2 Par5's and 4 long Par4's, I only missed the fairway twice. Distance-wise...I'm still not sure cos the guys at the driving-range have told me the yardage markers 'aren't very accurate' . What that's all about I don't know, but back on the course, for example, I just made the green on a straight-ish 365yd, Par4 with one drive and one PW shot.

[RichF]

one inch longer and a lighter shaft help you generate more clubhead speed, thats why you are hitting the ball longer.

Yeah - at 50g, that shaft is pretty light, but I don't want that to turn into 'whippy' when my club-head swingspeed increases.

As for the crowns of the Burner....I never noticed it - I'm totally focussed on the right-hand-edge of the ball and the club-face! Makes a great sound when you tag one clean, though!

[DDBowdoin]

its a pretty interesting concept but one that definately has some issues. the average golfer just wants to hit the ball further so taylormade developed the burner. the problem that i have with the burner is two things, 1) the shaft is just to light if you are a strong player, never mind a good player but if you are athletic and young a 55 gram shaft is just to weak. 2) I don't agree with extending the shaft one inch to 46" ... yes, the longer shaft and lighter shaft will increase clubhead speed but it also detracts from your number of pure sweet spot hits due to a lack of control. I recently cut my Taylormade down to just under 44" and combined with the correct shaft and specs I'm outdriving my Titty 905R by almost 25-30 yards. With a shorter shaft you "lose" distance but I feel I have a greater ability to control the club and make more consistent shots on the sweet spot hence giving me greater distance.

[RichF]

its a pretty interesting concept but one that definately has some issues. the average golfer just wants to hit the ball further so taylormade developed the burner. the problem that i have with the burner is two things, 1) the shaft is just to light if you are a strong player, never mind a good player but if you are athletic and young a 55 gram shaft is just to weak. 2) I don't agree with extending the shaft one inch to 46" ... yes, the longer shaft and lighter shaft will increase clubhead speed but it also detracts from your number of pure sweet spot hits due to a lack of control. I recently cut my Taylormade down to just under 44" and combined with the correct shaft and specs I'm outdriving my Titty 905R by almost 25-30 yards. With a shorter shaft you "lose" distance but I feel I have a greater ability to control the club and make more consistent shots on the sweet spot hence giving me greater distance.

Yeah - I agree with you.

However - I'm not as young or athletic as I was (I'm now 37, but keep myself pretty fit with other sports)....I just don't think I have the neccessary technique or fast-twitch-muscles fibres to swing a heavier weight shaft (my swing-speed is around 80-85mph). The reason I picked the TaylorMade over the Sasquatch - was mainly the club-length: the Sasq. felt really awkward after using a 46" shaft. BTW, the 3rd driver choices in the mix were the Callaway FT models: 5 and i . However, I just couldnt justify the $400-450 price-tag!