Which driver should I buy?

[wilkesy3]

Hi all, Just like to start off by thanking anyone who is going to offer any advice! I am 21 and have recently started back playing golf and am really enjoying it and starting to take it seriously, and am now looking to purchase another driver. I currently have a King Cobra 9.5 X/Speed stiff flex shaft, and have recently had a lesson to stop me slicing the shots. After my lesson I have found that I was connecting with the ball from out to in with my hands quite far infront of the ball. This has pretty much been corrected now but have been told I still connecting with the ball with my hands a bit far forward, so the club face at a steep angle. The pro suggested I get a different driver with a bigger angle and made a suggestion off a Ping G10/15 12 degrees stiff shaft. I have had a look at these and they do seem good and within my price range of about £50 - £100, but was wondering if I have any other options and what they would be? Like I have said my price range is between £50-£100 and I understand that it will have to be second hand but I am fine with that as I am going travelling during the summer and will think about spending a bit more money when I get back, but for now want something to help me get that distance and stability to help get my handicap down!:) Any assistance is much appreciated! Anthony

[b101]

Hi all,

Just like to start off by thanking anyone who is going to offer any advice!

I am 21 and have recently started back playing golf and am really enjoying it and starting to take it seriously, and am now looking to purchase another driver.

I currently have a King Cobra 9.5 X/Speed stiff flex shaft, and have recently had a lesson to stop me slicing the shots. After my lesson I have found that I was connecting with the ball from out to in with my hands quite far infront of the ball.

This has pretty much been corrected now but have been told I still connecting with the ball with my hands a bit far forward, so the club face at a steep angle. The pro suggested I get a different driver with a bigger angle and made a suggestion off a Ping G10/15 12 degrees stiff shaft. I have had a look at these and they do seem good and within my price range of about £50 - £100, but was wondering if I have any other options and what they would be?

Like I have said my price range is between £50-£100 and I understand that it will have to be second hand but I am fine with that as I am going travelling during the summer and will think about spending a bit more money when I get back, but for now want something to help me get that distance and stability to help get my handicap down!:)

Any assistance is much appreciated!

Anthony

Have you tried it first? I'm as tempted as anyone to get a new driver, but I'm well aware most of the faults are my own swing - I'd get that right then look around. Go to American Golf or somewhere similar and hit it on a launch monitor to see what the ball's actually doing and try out a couple of different clubs. You never know, you may find something even better. The other alternative may be to tee the ball a bit further forward, which could change things...

[wilkesy3]

Have you tried it first? I'm as tempted as anyone to get a new driver, but I'm well aware most of the faults are my own swing - I'd get that right then look around. Go to American Golf or somewhere similar and hit it on a launch monitor to see what the ball's actually doing and try out a couple of different clubs. You never know, you may find something even better. The other alternative may be to tee the ball a bit further forward, which could change things...

Thank you! Yeah I see what your saying about trying them out first. I am a memeber at American Golf so will book myself in, but really wanted to go there with a bit of info, or an idea of what to look for... If you get my drift?

[b101]

Thank you! Yeah I see what your saying about trying them out first. I am a memeber at American Golf so will book myself in, but really wanted to go there with a bit of info, or an idea of what to look for... If you get my drift?

Absolutely - the best knowledge you can go there with is an open mind and a rough idea of what you want to see. Do you want forgiveness? Changeable loft/lie? Small head/big head? Light/Heavy? Particular brand? For example, one of my mates has a Wilson Deep Red that feels hideous to me as it's way too heavy, but it works for him. I'd browse the internet (particularly golfbidder) and have a look at what's out there first to see what appeals to you.

They will push you towards current models as they are the most expensive, but look at last year's/two year old models. Check out reviews online but definitely go for what you find best to hit on the day and take your time. Additionally, if you're not hitting it well at all, just walk away.

Also, do you know your numbers with the current driver? Good hit/Bad hit? Typical miss you're trying to eliminate? These are all useful things to know walking in to a store, partly as it helps them fit to you, but mostly so that you don't feel like you're taking a wild stab in the dark!

[dkolo]

Hi all, Just like to start off by thanking anyone who is going to offer any advice! I am 21 and have recently started back playing golf and am really enjoying it and starting to take it seriously, and am now looking to purchase another driver. I currently have a King Cobra 9.5 X/Speed stiff flex shaft, and have recently had a lesson to stop me slicing the shots. After my lesson I have found that I was connecting with the ball from out to in with my hands quite far infront of the ball. This has pretty much been corrected now but have been told I still connecting with the ball with my hands a bit far forward, so the club face at a steep angle. The pro suggested I get a different driver with a bigger angle and made a suggestion off a Ping G10/15 12 degrees stiff shaft. I have had a look at these and they do seem good and within my price range of about £50 - £100, but was wondering if I have any other options and what they would be? Like I have said my price range is between £50-£100 and I understand that it will have to be second hand but I am fine with that as I am going travelling during the summer and will think about spending a bit more money when I get back, but for now want something to help me get that distance and stability to help get my handicap down!:) Any assistance is much appreciated! Anthony

Quick currency conversion tells me the high end of that price range can get you into a great condition club of last year's SLDR from Taylormade Preowned. So... basically you have most any club available to you up to the last year's models. The regular 2014 Big Bertha from Callaway drops down to that price range as well depending on sales and club condition. Both should be available at a retailer to try out.

[wilkesy3]

Absolutely - the best knowledge you can go there with is an open mind and a rough idea of what you want to see. Do you want forgiveness? Changeable loft/lie? Small head/big head? Light/Heavy? Particular brand? For example, one of my mates has a Wilson Deep Red that feels hideous to me as it's way too heavy, but it works for him. I'd browse the internet (particularly golfbidder) and have a look at what's out there first to see what appeals to you.

They will push you towards current models as they are the most expensive, but look at last year's/two year old models. Check out reviews online but definitely go for what you find best to hit on the day and take your time. Additionally, if you're not hitting it well at all, just walk away.

Also, do you know your numbers with the current driver? Good hit/Bad hit? Typical miss you're trying to eliminate? These are all useful things to know walking in to a store, partly as it helps them fit to you, but mostly so that you don't feel like you're taking a wild stab in the dark!

Okay thank you, going to have a look online and go in as prepared as possible. Not too sure what difference a few of those things do, ie forgiveness, changeable loft/lie, small head/big head and weight? Not too sure what I would want as I don't really know what they do..?

Any help on the effect of these would be great?

Ant

[b101]

Okay thank you, going to have a look online and go in as prepared as possible. Not too sure what difference a few of those things do, ie forgiveness, changeable loft/lie, small head/big head and weight? Not too sure what I would want as I don't really know what they do..?

Any help on the effect of these would be great?

Ant

No worries - we all started with those questions once!

Forgiveness - basically, all drivers will pound it off the centre of the face, but the more forgiving drivers will produce better results on off-centre hits meaning it'll still fly quite far. Directionally, it may well be a bit out, but there are a number of drivers that are aimed at mid-high handicappers because of their ability to keep bad shots in the air.

Changeable loft - maybe you hit the ball too high/low? The optimal launch angle with a driver is anywhere between 15-17 degrees depending on your swing speed and spin rate, so actually much higher than most people think. As for the lie angle, that's a fancy way of saying that you can alter the weights to produce more of a left-to-right (fade) bias or a right-to-left (draw) bias, which can counteract your usual miss to some extent. Sadly, it doesn't mean that the club produces a baby draw on demand. However, having the option to alter it means that you don't need to buy a new club if you want to tweak some aspect of your game. You don't need the full works, but you may want some customisable options.

Small head vs big head is probably personal preference. Do you like the way it looks? The pros use a slightly smaller (430/440 cc) head, but most are maxed at 460 cc. Go with what you like the look and feel of here. The same is true with weight; really up to you.

The last thing I haven't mentioned that I probably should have is shafts - to be honest, you don't need a perfectly spec'd shaft (they can cost LOADS), but you'll want the right flex. The table below is a decent rough approximation. Let us know how you get on!

Swing Speed (mph) 105-plus	Carry distance (yds) 260+	150 yard club 8 or 9-iron	Shaft Flex Extra-Stiff (XS)
90-105	240-260	6 or 7-iron	Stiff (S)
80-95	210-240	5 or 6-iron	Regular (R)

[b101]

You may also find this thread useful:

http://www.golfwrx.com/202229/2014-gear-trials-best-drivers/

[wilkesy3]

No worries - we all started with those questions once!

Forgiveness - basically, all drivers will pound it off the centre of the face, but the more forgiving drivers will produce better results on off-centre hits meaning it'll still fly quite far. Directionally, it may well be a bit out, but there are a number of drivers that are aimed at mid-high handicappers because of their ability to keep bad shots in the air.

Changeable loft - maybe you hit the ball too high/low? The optimal launch angle with a driver is anywhere between 15-17 degrees depending on your swing speed and spin rate, so actually much higher than most people think. As for the lie angle, that's a fancy way of saying that you can alter the weights to produce more of a left-to-right (fade) bias or a right-to-left (draw) bias, which can counteract your usual miss to some extent. Sadly, it doesn't mean that the club produces a baby draw on demand. However, having the option to alter it means that you don't need to buy a new club if you want to tweak some aspect of your game. You don't need the full works, but you may want some customisable options.

Small head vs big head is probably personal preference. Do you like the way it looks? The pros use a slightly smaller (430/440 cc) head, but most are maxed at 460 cc. Go with what you like the look and feel of here. The same is true with weight; really up to you.

The last thing I haven't mentioned that I probably should have is shafts - to be honest, you don't need a perfectly spec'd shaft (they can cost LOADS), but you'll want the right flex. The table below is a decent rough approximation. Let us know how you get on!

Swing Speed (mph)

105-plus

Carry distance (yds)

260+

150 yard club

8 or 9-iron

Shaft Flex

Extra-Stiff (XS)

90-105

240-260

6 or 7-iron

Stiff (S)

80-95

210-240

5 or 6-iron

Regular (R)

Ah mate, thank you very much, you've been extremely helpful!

If I had to pick out of those, I think I'd go for quite forgiving as, although I have a consistent swing, I know there are going to be plenty of times where I need a lot of forgiveness! Regarding loft angle, that has really shocked me! I've been told to look for 12 degree due to my swing so with your advice will defo not go any lower! Lie angle, I do have a natural fade, so maybe right to left bias would be good. Head size, i like the bigger look and I'm guessing that gives you more surface area to hit so I'd go large, and finally I've been advised to get a stiff shaft, so think that would be my option.

Again, I really do appreciate your help, it has been very useful!

Cheers buddy!

Ant

[b101]

Ah mate, thank you very much, you've been extremely helpful!

If I had to pick out of those, I think I'd go for quite forgiving as, although I have a consistent swing, I know there are going to be plenty of times where I need a lot of forgiveness! Regarding loft angle, that has really shocked me! I've been told to look for 12 degree due to my swing so with your advice will defo not go any lower! Lie angle, I do have a natural fade, so maybe right to left bias would be good. Head size, i like the bigger look and I'm guessing that gives you more surface area to hit so I'd go large, and finally I've been advised to get a stiff shaft, so think that would be my option.

Again, I really do appreciate your help, it has been very useful!

Cheers buddy!

Ant

No problem - be careful though as launch angle (angle between ball flight and the ground just after impact) is different to loft (angle between club face and the ground when held upright). Obviously the two go hand-in-hand to some extent, but 12 degree loft won't automatically mean 12 degree launch. Seems you're a bit more informed, anyway