Budget driver recommendations for returning golfer

[johnmcginn77]

Morning all

I played a lot of golf in my youth and got down to a 6 handicap at West Herts Golf Club in Watford where I was a junior member for many years. I then went through a period of many years of not playing mainly due to having young children and the cost and time constraints of the game making it an unviable hobby for me at this time. My girls are now 14 and 18 and I've started getting the 'golf bug' again in no small part to watching Rory's incredible win at Augusta, so I've cleaned up my old Mizuno TP18 irons got some new golf shoes etc. and can't wait to get back out onto the course. I would like some advice in the driver department though, my old driver is a Taylor Made Burner Plus which compared to modern clubs has a tiny clubhead; I'm hoping it will do the job in the short-term but if I start to play more regularly I would like to possibly upgrade this club but I don't want to spend hundreds of pounds. If any fellow golfers could recommend some decent, budget drivers I would greatly appreciate it; I've looked at some reviews of older drivers online and the Ping G10 is one that often is well thought of but it's a bit of a minefield as the game has changed exponentially since I was last on the fairways.

Many thanks

John

 

[Neilds]

Any of the slightly older Ping G series will be fine - have a look on some of the 2nd hand sites, like Golfbidder, Cashforeclubs, etc and should be able to pick up a bargain. If you get one and don't get on with it, you will be able to send it back within a certain time (in most circumstances).

Welcome back

 

[PJ87]

Lots of value out there

Pings are always good

Try cobra, old Taylor mades

Mizuno ST-Z 230 Golf Driver - Clubhouse Golf

Mizuno ST-Z 230 Golf Driver - Shop at Clubhouse Golf for a bigger choice with better value, plus free UK delivery over £30 and 0% finance available.

www.clubhousegolf.co.uk

Or these from mizuno £220 brand new

 

[Voyager EMH]

I bought a Ping G10 driver brand new in 2008. It was the first 460cc head that I owned. The one before this was a Taylormade R360 - really loved that driver.
I've had a habit of trying other chaps' drivers when playing social golf.
When our pro had a 2005 Cobra F Speed for sale (£25) in 2010 - I bought it as I liked a mate's one I had tried.
I alternated between the two for a while, but favoured the slightly older Cobra in the end and I use it today. Sold the G10.
Cobra F Speed drivers are always available on Ebay. Mine is 10.5° regular flex.
I bought a 9° stiff flex two years ago for £26. No overall improvement and I might sell this at a profit as they seem to go for about £40 now.

Of the more recent drivers I've tried, I get on well with the Callaways Epic and Mavrik. I might get one of these when the prices come down below £50.

 

[Imurg]

Hasn't it been proven that a 2nd hand G10 is better than any of the new drivers...?

 

[Orikoru]

I've looked at some reviews of older drivers online and the Ping G10 is one that often is well thought of but it's a bit of a minefield as the game has changed exponentially since I was last on the fairways.

You're on the right track. Anything with "Ping G..." in the name will be an excellent driver. Just get the newest one that fits your budget. G10 is pretty old now... if you could stretch to £200 for a G400 you'd be laughing, but any of the older ones will still be good. I had a G30 SFT back in the day, it was great. Went from that to G410 and now the G430. I think you could grab a G30 for around 100 quid.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Another vote for Ping G. I have a G410 and have tested it against the latest model and no real difference. As a golfer getting back to the game, I wouldn't worry about distance as much as keeping it where the mowers grow and there are few brands that math Pings forgiveness

 

[VVega]

If you had/have 100mph+ club head speed and have a positive angle of attack - TM SIM2 (not Max) at 8 or 9* loft is the best driver there is The last model before they went carbon face and the best

Golfclubs4cash has a selection.

 

[jim8flog]

If you are looking at TaylorMade one of the big you tube guys says they have not made a better driver than the M2. I had an M4 (only slightly different) and would agree to a large extent.