Drivers 2015 - Poll

[garyinderry]

Handing random drivers of differing loft, shaft flex, shaft length is only going to get differing results with a wide variety of people.

For a true test. Each user would have to be custom fit for each of the drivers.

 

[BTatHome]

Handing random drivers of differing loft, shaft flex, shaft length is only going to get differing results with a wide variety of people.

For a true test. Each user would have to be custom fit for each of the drivers.

100% agree, but that would be a huge undertaking to do for even one player, never mind a few that would give good range of players.

 

[MadAdey]

100% agree, but that would be a huge undertaking to do for even one player, never mind a few that would give good range of players.

Check out Rick Ahiels YOUTUBE channel. He has just done a review on all the drivers against each other. TM R15, 915, VAPOR, G30 LS Tec all customs fitted to him.

 

[BTatHome]

Check out Rick Ahiels YOUTUBE channel. He has just done a review on all the drivers against each other. TM R15, 915, VAPOR, G30 LS Tec all customs fitted to him.

yes, but only relevant to a small number of people that have his swing characteristics.

As a 'normal' golfer you will never get the chance to be custom fit for all the drivers you want to compare, and unless you do that fit all of the same day, so that your swing is at least similar then your never gonna get a good comparison.

 

[MadAdey]

yes, but only relevant to a small number of people that have his swing characteristics.

As a 'normal' golfer you will never get the chance to be custom fit for all the drivers you want to compare, and unless you do that fit all of the same day, so that your swing is at least similar then your never gonna get a good comparison.

You could say that about any person doing a product comparison. But at least this was about as fair as you can get seeing as he has been fitted by the Manufacturers for each driver.

 

[Sponge1980]

This is always a questionable term for me, what are we classing as a "big name", is it those companies that simply market stronger in publications, get their many ambassadors to put the newly released drivers in their bags immediately on tour, invite joe public on testing days and flood the corners of the country with new products so network marketing is naturally undertaken, and the list could go on..

With all the above taking place, is it no wonder that those that have to pay for these specific latest drivers are looking at £299.00 plus, after all, someone has got to pay for all those subsidised and give-away drivers, not to mention all the advertising, sponsorship and marketing!

Or, could a big name driver still come from a company that mainly concentrates on the product itself with all the same or similar style of technology that is involved in various forms and as such it finds it can match and perform as well as some of those drivers that are heavily marketed and deemed to be "bigger names"?

Are we swayed by price alone, in that, do we think because its so much cheaper it must be inferior?

I was very impressed with the Wilson D200 on a recent driver exercise I took part in, knowing what drivers can cost and believing that the Wilson brand name is a very strong one, I would have thought its price point would be around £249-£299, so I am pleasantly surprised to see it around the £199 mark and even cheaper in some places, but, does that price make it come across to us as consumers as a lesser product than those being punted at £299-£349 or £399 as a £100+ variable is considerable!

Looking at last years models now which at the time were the latest all-singing and dancing must have drivers, you can now pick them up for 40-50% less than their launch prices, mainly because another newer model has been produced, so, is the strength of marketing becoming more important than the product itself to catch as many consumers as possible to impulse buy chasing those extra 10yds, adjust-ability and perfect ball flights, or are we all becoming more savy and waiting for those latest models which we all craved last year to become the older model and drop into our price range, and if that is becoming more the case and where a rush of new sales comes from against the latest models, then why don't manufacturers grasp that and sell at a more acceptable price point and look for a dominant brand presence based more on the quality of the driver alone.

I would love to see 6 unbranded (unknown) drivers put together and fitted to a range of handicapped golfers and then judged and see which manufacturers came out on top, would it still be the same as those we see all the time because we are unconsciously swayed by the brand, its price or strength of marketing, or would it really throw up a curve ball?

Sorry for the long post, I woke up early :smirk:

Good points very well made. I must admit I'd never really thought about as in depth as that before. Maybe "popular" or "fashionable" would have been better.

 

[markyjee]

I've had a go with the 915,r15, g30 and the vapour so far this year, all felt pretty good but I wi get a proper session on the launch monitor with the club pro in April.
The 915 will be my choice as long as none of the others show a significant advantage.

 

[SugarPenguin]

Wilson are a large name though. Can you remember the fat shafts? They sold a shed load of them

 

[garyinderry]

Wilson are a large name though. Can you remember the fat shafts? They sold a shed load of them

Fat shaft deep red woods and driver

 

[MadAdey]

Wilson are a large name though. Can you remember the fat shafts? They sold a shed load of them

I can remember John Daly with his Killer Whale driver, they came standard off the shelf with Aldila shafts.

 

[SugarPenguin]

^^

I am surprised the mizuno and Vapors do not seem to have much love.
Rest of the poll is as expected to be fair.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I would (and am) considering a Titleist now. The demo day really opened my eyes to the brand and it performed better than my G25. I would look at Benross and to be honest, if it got better results than the club I was using at the time I don't care what make it is

 

[garyinderry]

How many have actually hit the Mizuno? off the shelf is no good with that club. It needs fitted as its range of settings is so wide.