New Drivers vs New Golf Balls

[GHIN0011458]

So in getting ready for the season I am looking at drivers and golf balls. Brandt Snedeker recently won with an older driver and James Hahn is using an old 3 wood. A lot of money goes into the marketing of a driver that is longer, but is it really the driver? I feel like there is more room for improvement in the technology of a golf ball than there is in the technology of a driver. What are your thoughts? Is a PING G30 really longer than a PING G25? I know shaft technology can be looked at too but I am specifically talking about the club heads themselves. Can I put a new supershaft in an older driver face and hit it just as long as a new driver head with the same shaft? I know that some of you know more on this topic than I do so I thought I would throw it out there to see some viewpoints.

http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=102619

[saevel25]

Snedeker uses a 4 year old driver with a 325 dollar golf shaft.

Basically unless the new COG and lower spin model fits your swing (new drivers), you probably will not see significant improvement in driver performance over the past 5-7 years. Hits off the center are maxed out at COR = 0.830. The only thing that has changed is the COR for off-center hits (ball speed forgiveness).

Also golf shafts might not be that big of deal either. Basically it is just optimizing your launch conditions. How ever you can do that, with a 5 year old driver or not is up to you.

As for golf ball performance. Driving distance difference is pretty much marginal at best between golf balls. Again it is about fitting to your game. Some balls spin more off the driver and that fits some players better than others. In terms of ball speed, they are all pretty much the same. Some years you might find one that is on the high end. Not many change golf balls year in and year out.

In terms of wedge spin, Urethane covers are key. You see a big jump in wedge spin with a premium cover. As for 4 or more layers. I haven't seen significant improvement. I personally like at least 3 layers. Just a lot better feel through out all the clubs.

[Yukari]

Snedeker uses a 4 year old driver with a 325 dollar golf shaft. :whistle: Basically unless the new COG and lower spin model fits your swing (new drivers), you probably will not see significant improvement in driver performance over the past 5-7 years. Hits off the center are maxed out at COR = 0.830. The only thing that has changed is the COR for off-center hits (ball speed forgiveness).  Also golf shafts might not be that big of deal either. Basically it is just optimizing your launch conditions. How ever you can do that, with a 5 year old driver or not is up to you.  As for golf ball performance. Driving distance difference is pretty much marginal at best between golf balls. Again it is about fitting to your game. Some balls spin more off the driver and that fits some players better than others. In terms of ball speed, they are all pretty much the same. Some years you might find one that is on the high end. Not many change golf balls year in and year out.  In terms of wedge spin, Urethane covers are key. You see a big jump in wedge spin with a premium cover. As for 4 or more layers. I haven't seen significant improvement. I personally like at least 3 layers. Just a lot better feel through out all the clubs.

+1 But I would say it's the shaft that makes more difference than the club head. You have to find the shaft that fits your swing. If you look at the club head, it makes less than <5% difference in your swing.