Buying a new driver

[miswell1]

I am relatively new to golf and use a second hand Callaway 454 Big Bertha driver with 11 degree loft. I am thinking about buying a new Wilson Staff Spine driver but do not know whether it should be 10.5 or 12 degree loft. Any thoughts on how I should decide?

 

[redmike]

I am relatively new to golf and use a second hand Callaway 454 Big Bertha driver with 11 degree loft. I am thinking about buying a new Wilson Staff Spine driver but do not know whether it should be 10.5 or 12 degree loft. Any thoughts on how I should decide?

the best way is to try them out and see what suits you the best. Most retailers/pros should let you do this

 

[Smiffy]

I am relatively new to golf and use a second hand Callaway 454 Big Bertha driver with 11 degree loft.

How do you get on with it?

 

[TonyN]

How do you hit the ball, Very high? Ver low? Are you fairly straight down the middle or do you slice/hook the ball.

A more lofted driver will obviously go higher and shorter but in theory is straighter than a lower lofted one.

If you suffer from slicing(side spin imparted on the ball) more loft will decrease the effects. Backspin counteracts sidespin there for when you hit across the ball, the extra degree's would add the backspin which will decrease the side spin and will go less left/right.

It wont be very noticable TBH and is in no way a cure (or reccomendation as a solution) for slicing but would certainly help a little.

If you dont have the above problem then a 10.5 could be good for you if your looking for extra distance and a bit more roll.

Best thing is try the two against each other and see which one you are happier with.

 

[Dodger]

A more lofted driver may not go shorter,common misconcepton that.
Best to try before you buy if you caan and getting the right shaft is as paramount as getting the correct loft.

 

[RGuk]

A more lofted driver may not go shorter, common misconcepton that.

Well said.

I've been boring everyone for ages with my stats on drivers and swing speeds. Just in case anyone has missed my posts.

These are the figures for various swing speeds performed by a robot catching the ball 5 cm after the lowest point of the swing.

85 mph

LOFT CARRY

9 173
11 * 180 *
14 178
16 174

* The 11-degree yielded higher ball speed (124)
vs. the 14- and 16-degree clubs.

95 mph

LOFT CARRY
9 201
11 * 210 *
14 204
16 198

* The 11-degree improved launch angle by
2 degrees (12.6 vs. 10.5).

105 mph

LOFT CARRY

9 234
11 * 238 *
14 228
16 222

* 9-degree yielded better spin, but the 11-degree
launched best.

115 mph

LOFT CARRY

9 257
11 * 259 *
14 244
16 240

* Launch angle with 11-degree was in a better
range (11.5 vs. 9.5).

My understanding of this is you don't want to stray too far away from these lofts unless you trust your current swing and it's short-comings.

 

[thecraw]

If you stay in Scotland get yourself down to the Wilson factory in Irvine Ayrshire and get custom fitted for a Spine, or get yourself down to a store/pro shop with a launch monitor and see the results for yourself.

 

[Imurg]

I am relatively new to golf and use a second hand Callaway 454 Big Bertha driver with 11 degree loft. I am thinking about buying a new Wilson Staff Spine driver but do not know whether it should be 10.5 or 12 degree loft. Any thoughts on how I should decide?

What's wrong with the Big Bertha? Does it go alright coz its a decent club. Probably a little unfashionable now but don't let that worry you. if you're not hitting it well then maybe a lesson or two will save you money.

Too many of us (me included) change clubs if we're not hitting them well instead of persevering or getting help.

 

[birdieman]

Have to say there is an awful lot of this type of post at the moment, be that good or bad.

Bottom line is you cannot buy your way to a better golf game. Of course it's exciting buying new gear and it can be an impetus to practice more but if you want to get better it's 99.9% technique and 0.1% latest gear.

Golf companies simply re-invent the wheel all the time to sell kit, nothing else.

I know we all know this already but it's worth saying again, especially to those on here new to the game. You don't need to break the bank to be a good golfer.

The clubs the pros played with 5 years ago aren't suddenly bad clubs, you can get excellent kit for pennies if you hunt about. Irons last for years just get them regripped.

"It's the Indian, not the arrows" as the old adage goes.

 

[RGuk]

What's wrong with the Big Bertha? Does it go alright coz its a decent club. Probably a little unfashionable now but

Too many of us (me included) change clubs if we're not hitting them well instead of persevering or getting help.

Too right....

As a canny buyer of "value" stuff all my life, it ought to surprise no-one that the 454 BB was the club of choice for me when I returned to Golf. I ended up with an FT-3 (same price) but this driver is easily good enough to live with, another 6cc is hardly going to offer much.

A few lessons and money spent on range trips and/or the petrol to the golf course range would be the way to go i.m.h.o.

 

[Herbie]

I have new wilson clubs and Im slowly getting used to the driver, little more lofted that my Cobra but hitting much the same distance, maybe a tad shorter but nothing worth moaning about. Im not sure if it suits me yet but I will give it a few more rounds and some practice before deciding.

You need to consider break in time when buying new, get the one you like the best for feel etc, make sure its the right size then give it time for you both to get aquainted.

 

[Smiffy]

What's wrong with the Big Bertha? Does it go alright coz its a decent club. Probably a little unfashionable now but don't let that worry you. if you're not hitting it well then maybe a lesson or two will save you money.

Fully agree with the above comment.
As per my sig, I am playing with woods that some might consider "unfashionable" but I hit them well. I posted on here a few weeks ago about buying new woods as I have recently changed my irons and have got an itchy "spending" finger, but the responses I received convinced me to keep what I have.
I have looked at new woods but honestly don't like these massive headed clubs that weigh next to nothing. I like the fact that my existing woods have some weight in the head and practically swing themselves!

With my old woods my bad shot with a driver was a high cut. So when I bought my Callaways I went down to a 9.5* to try to get rid of this. I worked.
But to be honest, I only tend to hit it when I am teeing off into the breeze, or if I am playing from an elevated tee with a decent amount of fairway in front of me.
My 3 wood is much more consistent, and if there is no breeze or what there is is coming from behind me, the 3 wood will perform every bit as well as the driver, if not better. When I tonk it, it really flies...and most people will assume that I have hit the big stick.
It's all in the head I know, but I get through the ball much better with my 3 wood than the driver, because I don't ease off it at all, knowing that I am not going to run out of fairway!

 

[madandra]

THERE IS ONLY ONE DRIVER FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION :::::::::::






ITS THE BES SAYERS BENNY AND IT COSTS £99 NEW WITH NEW DECADE GRIP AND GRAFALLOY RED S/R SHAFT.




NUFF SAID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





.

 

[DCB]

Andrew,

Don't shout, it's sunday morning and there will still be people in their beds at this time of day!


The Benny did rate very highly in recent reviews though so is worth consideration if on a budget.

 

[madandra]

David, It should be tried by anyone buying a driver regardless of budget as it is a cracker.

Sorry for shoutin' folks but felt the need to bang the Benny drum.


p.s.


I use a Ping G10

 

[MVP]

85 mph

LOFT CARRY

9 173
11 * 180 *
14 178
16 174

* The 11-degree yielded higher ball speed (124)
vs. the 14- and 16-degree clubs.

95 mph

LOFT CARRY
9 201
11 * 210 *
14 204
16 198

* The 11-degree improved launch angle by
2 degrees (12.6 vs. 10.5).

105 mph

LOFT CARRY

9 234
11 * 238 *
14 228
16 222

* 9-degree yielded better spin, but the 11-degree
launched best.

115 mph

LOFT CARRY

9 257
11 * 259 *
14 244
16 240

* Launch angle with 11-degree was in a better
range (11.5 vs. 9.5).

WTF
The guy has just started playing dont scare him off too quick with all the maths ....

 

[DCB]

What does your normal shot look like with the driver ? Is it high? right? Left Low ?

These are all questions to look at before deciding on what loft you are going for. What will the Wilson shaft perform like compared to the Call one.

Not trying to scare you with science but its a lot of money for a new club, you want to get one that will do the job.

As madandra said, have a look at the Sayers Benny, very good shaft fitted on this one.

http://www.bensayersgolf.com/content/drivers-m3-series.htm

oops sorry GM but your server is playing up

http://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/Golf/News/...iver-exclusive/

http://www.snaintongolf.co.uk/product.php?source=base&xProd=1672

 

[RGuk]

WTF
The guy has just started playing dont scare him off too quick with all the maths ....

Hadn't thought about that, whoops!

 

[MVP]

WTF
The guy has just started playing dont scare him off too quick with all the maths ....

Hadn't thought about that, whoops!

He thinks he needs a degree in maths and physics now before he can buy a driver!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Old mantra - get to a shop and try as many lofts and shafts as you can before you buy if you really feel you need a new stick. If you like what you already had invest in lessons and improve your swing.