Need a new Driver

[badfish74]

Yesterday before my round I was on the range and being a dumbass I set up too far back and on my back swing, and hit the club stand putting a massive crack in my Taylormade Burner driver.  Luckily they were demoing the new Nike Vapor, and was able to use one for the round.  While getting fitted I was surprised to find out that I had a club head speed of upwards of 110 mph and was told I should use an x-flex shaft.  This kinda surprised me but also was nice knowing some of the limited work I have been doing with my swing has been paying off.  Anyway I  played the round with the club and really liked it, but I can't afford a $400 club at this time.

So now I need a new driver.  I went to Golfsmith and Golf Galaxy and tried out the Caloway XR, Cobra Fly-Z, Taylormade Aeroburner, and Taylormade r-15.  I seemed to do the best with the Aeroburner, which I guess isn't suprising since I have read how forgiving they are.  The thing is the monitors there were showing club head speed between 95-100mph.  I imagine different devices may vary in measurements, bot it got me wondering. 

So basically I have a couple of questions.  Is there a huge difference between stiff flex and x-flex where it would be more beneficial to seek out an x-flex shaft?  I couldn't find any today anywhere I went. 

Also I have pretty much decided on the Aeroburner, but I have read that higher swings speeds should look towards the Tour option.  Does anyone have any insight in the differences between the two?  Would the tour option be too much for a higher handicapper regardless of swing speed?

 

 

Edited May 16, 2016 by badfish74

[saevel25]

3 minutes ago, badfish74 said:

So basically I have a couple of questions.  Is there a huge difference between stiff flex and x-flex where it would be more beneficial to seek out an x-flex shaft?  I couldn't find any today anywhere I went.

Depends on the make and model of the golf shaft. If you are comparing same models, then the change in the golf shaft is usually a few grams heavier. If you comparing across makes then they can vary greatly depending on how they flex throughout the golf swing. 

5 minutes ago, badfish74 said:

Also I have pretty much decided on the Aeroburner, but I have read that higher swings speeds should look towards the Tour option.  Does anyone have any insight in the differences between the two?  Would the tour option be too much for a higher handicapper regardless of swing speed?

Tour options just add an upcharge to get you a golf shaft that typically benefits higher swing speeds. 

95-100 mph you would be in the average swing speed range. I would say stick to the non-tour option. You could alway, and it is recommended, get fitted for the driver. You can then test between the two options. 

 

[badfish74]

1 hour ago, saevel25 said:

Depends on the make and model of the golf shaft. If you are comparing same models, then the change in the golf shaft is usually a few grams heavier. If you comparing across makes then they can vary greatly depending on how they flex throughout the golf swing. 

Tour options just add an upcharge to get you a golf shaft that typically benefits higher swing speeds. 

95-100 mph you would be in the average swing speed range. I would say stick to the non-tour option. You could alway, and it is recommended, get fitted for the driver. You can then test between the two options. 

 

Thanks for the response.

I'm thinking Aeroburner with a stiff flex should suit me well.  I like Taylormade products, and it is in my price range. 

I will admit when the guy at the club told me he doesn't recommend x-flex to many people, it shot my confidence up. :)  Small victories with this game. lol

Edited May 16, 2016 by badfish74

[Lihu]

1 hour ago, saevel25 said:

Depends on the make and model of the golf shaft. If you are comparing same models, then the change in the golf shaft is usually a few grams heavier. If you comparing across makes then they can vary greatly depending on how they flex throughout the golf swing. 

Tour options just add an upcharge to get you a golf shaft that typically benefits higher swing speeds. 

95-100 mph you would be in the average swing speed range. I would say stick to the non-tour option. You could alway, and it is recommended, get fitted for the driver. You can then test between the two options. 

 

He stated that he drives 110, which kind of surprises me for a 27HC, but S flex should work fine with that SS.

 

1 hour ago, badfish74 said:

Yesterday before my round I was on the range and being a dumbass I set up too far back and on my back swing, and hit the club stand putting a massive crack in my Taylormade Burner driver.  Luckily they were demoing the new Nike Vapor, and was able to use one for the round.  While getting fitted I was surprised to find out that I had a club head speed of upwards of 110 mph and was told I should use an x-flex shaft.  This kinda surprised me but also was nice knowing some of the limited work I have been doing with my swing has been paying off.  Anyway I  played the round with the club and really liked it, but I can't afford a $400 club at this time.

So now I need a new driver.  I went to Golfsmith and Golf Galaxy and tried out the Caloway XR, Cobra Fly-Z, Taylormade Aeroburner, and Taylormade r-15.  I seemed to do the best with the Aeroburner, which I guess isn't suprising since I have read how forgiving they are.  The thing is the monitors there were showing club head speed between 95-100mph.  I imagine different devices may vary in measurements, bot it got me wondering. 

So basically I have a couple of questions.  Is there a huge difference between stiff flex and x-flex where it would be more beneficial to seek out an x-flex shaft?  I couldn't find any today anywhere I went. 

Also I have pretty much decided on the Aeroburner, but I have read that higher swings speeds should look towards the Tour option.  Does anyone have any insight in the differences between the two?  Would the tour option be too much for a higher handicapper regardless of swing speed?

For that SS a standard stiff shaft should work fine. That's pretty much my son's average on course swing speed and he uses stiff flex 72gm Diamana with his Titleist driver.

His team mate has about a 120mph average swing speed and uses X.

[Jeremie Boop]

2 minutes ago, Lihu said:

He stated that he drives 110, which kind of surprises me for a 27HC, but S flex should work fine with that SS.

 

For that SS a standard stiff shaft should work fine. That's pretty much my son's average on course swing speed and he uses stiff flex 72gm Diamana with his Titleist driver.

His team mate has about a 120mph swing speed and uses X.

Have to take into account that it's not just swing speed but also tempo/transition. Someone who has an quick tempo, like myself, will benefit from a stiffer flex with the same swing speed as someone like your son, who may have a slower/smoother tempo swing.

[Lihu]

9 minutes ago, Jeremie Boop said:

Have to take into account that it's not just swing speed but also tempo/transition. Someone who has an quick tempo, like myself, will benefit from a stiffer flex with the same swing speed as someone like your son, who may have a slower/smoother tempo swing.

Yeah, but from what I've seen, it's more likely that more people could benefit from a less stiff flex. People with fast transitions are usually pretty strong looking.

[Jeremie Boop]

1 minute ago, Lihu said:

Yeah, but from what I've seen, it's more likely that more people could benefit from a less stiff flex. 

That's probably a fairly true statement for people who buy their clubs off the rack. Which is part of the reason I always advocate for people to get fitted. I'd say it's fairly rare for someone who takes their time to get fitted for their clubs to end up with the wrong flex shafts.

[saevel25]

8 hours ago, Lihu said:

Yeah, but from what I've seen, it's more likely that more people could benefit from a less stiff flex. People with fast transitions are usually pretty strong looking.

It depends on the make/model of the golf shaft. Shaft flex is one of the last thing to look at when getting fitted for a driver. 

[9wood]

10 hours ago, badfish74 said:

they were demoing the new Nike Vapor, and was able to use one for the round.  While getting fitted I was surprised to find out that I had a club head speed of upwards of 110 mph and was told I should use an x-flex shaft.  This kinda surprised me but also was nice knowing some of the limited work I have been doing with my swing has been paying off.  Anyway I  played the round with the club and really liked it, but I can't afford a $400 club at this time.

 

The sporting stores like Dicks have a huge overhead and therefore overcharge for equipment. While Dicks will soak you $400 plus tax for the club, yet you can get a new Nike Vapor on ebay for $229 + $10.00 shipping. Since ebay doesn't have the huge overhead like Dick's and other sporting good stores, you save over $200 for the same club when you include sales tax.

[saevel25]

23 minutes ago, 9wood said:

The sporting stores like Dicks have a huge overhead and therefore overcharge for equipment. While Dicks will soak you $400 plus tax for the club, yet you can get a new Nike Vapor on ebay for $229 + $10.00 shipping. Since ebay doesn't have the huge overhead like Dick's and other sporting good stores, you save over $200 for the same club when you include sales tax.

The issue with eBay is making sure you don't get a counterfeit club. 

 

[sirhacksalot]

1 hour ago, saevel25 said:

It depends on the make/model of the golf shaft. Shaft flex is one of the last thing to look at when getting fitted for a driver. 

+1, there are a ton of videos out there that contradict each other on shaft flex and what someone needs.  The best one that I saw, which doesn't really help me being in mostly the used club market sight unseen. But that shaft flex should be FEEL based. My biggest suggestion and I know that others may disagree, but taking your normal swing and go with what "feels" better and gives you the ball flight that you want. For some this may be gripping and ripping or nice and easy.  It really depends on the person.  Try your "fairway finder" swing and then "swing out of your shoes".  What is going to work for you in both situations. For one person with a 85 mile swing speed they may want board stiff for what they want.  While another may be complete opposite. 

My current clubs have flex ranges from R-X, I believe 100% that its me that is the reason for my handicap and not them. 

[Lihu]

1 hour ago, saevel25 said:

It depends on the make/model of the golf shaft. Shaft flex is one of the last thing to look at when getting fitted for a driver. 

Pretty much.

[9wood]

57 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

The issue with eBay is making sure you don't get a counterfeit club. 

 

ebay has quite a few good reputable dealers online who sell manufacture guaranteed clubs. But if someone still wants to pay over $200 more for the same club at Dick's then go ahead. I prefer to experience the $200 savings to use on golfing equipment or golf rounds.

Edited May 16, 2016 by 9wood

[Lihu]

Just now, 9wood said:

ebay has quite a few good reputable dealers online who sell manufacture guaranteed clubs. But if someone still wants to pay over $200 more for the same club at Dick's then go ahead. I prefer to experience the $200 savings for over golfing equipment or golf rounds.

Actually, from what I understand the better counterfeit clubs are almost if not exactly identical to the real clubs.

They typically duplicate the tools and the entire process because that's easier than making a new manufacturing process for something that would be easier to detect. As far as I know there is no special material handling to make the actual product superior.

At one of the local shops, the owner can't tell counterfeit product versus the actual product in looks nor performance.

This is how China makes the internally used versions of the iPhone and Galaxy. The ME at my factory and I spent a week here and there trying to spot functional differences between my old Galaxy and his phone. Same display, same processor and all else are pretty much off shelf components.

I feel really bad for the manufacturers trying to support their customers. I think user/shop registration of equipment is not far off in the horizon.

[Lastpick]

Buy used and save a bundle.  TGW, 3balls.com, and manufacturers sell used clubs on their web site.  

[badfish74]

Not really up on buying used.  I would rather spend a little more and have the piece of mind that someone wasn't chucking it down the fairway.

Anyway going to try a few more tomorrow and make a decision. Hopefully I will be swinging something new at the range tomorrow afternoon.

 

[WUTiger]

19 hours ago, badfish74 said:

Not really up on buying used.  I would rather spend a little more and have the piece of mind that someone wasn't chucking it down the fairway.

Buying online is OK if you want to get a 4H to match your 3H, or to get a wedge you liked last year but didn't buy then.

But for a driver or a set of irons, get fitted. By the time you try three eBay drivers and resell them because they don't work, you've come up short on both time and $$$.

[badfish74]

So after much deliberation I went with the Nike Vapor Speed.  Solid club and I like that it is fully adjustable.  Only $199 at Dicks on top of it, so in my budget. Now the decision if I want to keep my 21 degree driving iron in the bag or replace it with a lob wedge. lol

 

Edited June 6, 2016 by badfish74