Drivers - How forgiving is forgiving?

[Navrig]

I have a 22HC. It was 24.5 at the beginning of the year. It rose from 19 at the start of last year as a result of me developing an uncontrolled slice which put me into all sorts of problems. I had a couple of lessons in Dec & Feb and my slice has gone. I did put the effort in after each lesson to develop the necessary muscle memory.

2 years ago I bought a second hand PXG driver. Unfortunately I didn't do enough research and I bought the tour model (T) rather than the forgiving model (XF).

At my home course there are 12 holes I typically drive (4 par 3s and 2 doglegs where I use my 3 wood). Typically, I'll hit 6-8 fairways, 2 will be in the side rough and 2 will put me in trouble. My club/ball contact is very good. My drives typically go 220 - 250 yards.

I am trying to reduce the number of drives which put me into trouble.

If I exchange my tour model for a a forgiving model will I really notice a difference? I am happy to forgo some distance for accuracy. I am not in a position to go for a new club fitting, it will be a 2nd had purchase.

 

[Navrig]

Perhaps I should complicate this further by adding that when I had my lessons the pro said my club head speed was just pushing me into stiff shaft territory. My current driver is regular. Would it be worth buying a forgiving driver with stiff shaft and testing the various combinations of T & regular, XF & regular, T & stiff and XF & stiff?

At the time of the lesson I discounted stiff shafts on the basis of being 62 my club head speed was unlikely increase as I got older.

 

[Neilds]

Try before you buy and you may get your answer. Find a demo day or other free fitting and have a play with a few shaft combinations.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Why not get a second hand stiiff shaft with the PXG adapter on it?
Theres plenty out there, as I found when I put a reg shaft into my daughters PXG I used to use.
I doubt many places will have the time and inclination to do an indepth fitting for nothing.

 

[Neilds]

Why not get a second hand stiiff shaft with the PXG adapter on it?
Theres plenty out there, as I found when I put a reg shaft into my daughters PXG I used to use.
I doubt many places will have the time and inclination to do an indepth fitting for nothing.

He’s 22 handicap, doesn’t need an in depth fitting - just needs to try a few combinations.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

He’s 22 handicap, doesn’t need an in depth fitting - just needs to try a few combinations.

I didnt say have an indepth fitting, just try an second hand stiff shaft
Not expensive option

 

[jim8flog]

Look at the statistics for the pros.
Most of them only hit about 50% of fairways
The best currently on the PGA tour only hits 72% of fairways.

Set your targets accordingly.

 

[Navrig]

Why not get a second hand stiiff shaft with the PXG adapter on it?
Theres plenty out there, as I found when I put a reg shaft into my daughters PXG I used to use.
I doubt many places will have the time and inclination to do an indepth fitting for nothing.

I am primarily trying to determine if a forgiving head will help me with directional control given my typical driving performance. The shaft issue is, largely, secondary unless I can be convinced that a sdtiff shaft will noticeably assist with directional control. I am not unhappy with my distance. I regularly out drive my golfing buddies who play off 12-15HC even keeping up with a 9HC player.

 

[Navrig]

Look at the statistics for the pros.
Most of them only hit about 50% of fairways
The best currently on the PGA tour only hits 72% of fairways.

Set your targets accordingly.

That's a great observation. Many thanks. It helps me put things in context.

 

[Navrig]

I've ordered the same model of head in the XF format with a stiff shaft. I'll take a trip to the driving range to see if there is a difference. I'll swap heads if it seems right then take both drivers onto the course for a game or two.

 

[Burnsey]

A hour or so's driver fitting is around £25 and the best money I ever spent.

Shaft selection was massive and that was the key ingredient for me.

Consistently straight, but can also fade or draw, albeit my carry went down, but so did my scores.

 

[WorldHandicapSystem]

Why not get a second hand stiiff shaft with the PXG adapter on it?
Theres plenty out there, as I found when I put a reg shaft into my daughters PXG I used to use.
I doubt many places will have the time and inclination to do an indepth fitting for nothing.

There are loads of places that will do a fitting for free. Some will charge. Either way it’s worth doing as opposed to buying random shafts and hoping for the best.

Weight of a shaft will be more of a significant difference than regular to stiff.

I’d be swapping the head first, it’s very unlikely to be suitable for a 20 handicapper.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

No one i know will do a free fitting unless it's part of the deal to buy.

 

[Burnsey]

No one i know will do a free fitting unless it's part of the deal to buy.

What’s £25 though?

Essentially it’s free, as the fitter will knock it off the component price.

Certainly cheaper than buying the wrong club over and over.

 

[BubbaP]

I've ordered the same model of head in the XF format with a stiff shaft. I'll take a trip to the driving range to see if there is a difference. I'll swap heads if it seems right then take both drivers onto the course for a game or two.

Good luck with your experimentation

 

[Bunkermagnet]

What’s £25 though?

Essentially it’s free, as the fitter will knock it off the component price.

Certainly cheaper than buying the wrong club over and over.

£25 may be "free" to some, but it's still £25 and the OP does say "I am not in a position to go for a new club fitting"
I suspect the term "fitting" has 2 connotations here.....fitted as is try a couple of clubs and buy what feels best, or "fitted" as in full on measurments and angles to find what the data says is best.

 

[Burnsey]

£25 may be "free" to some, but it's still £25 and the OP does say "I am not in a position to go for a new club fitting"
I suspect the term "fitting" has 2 connotations here.....fitted as is try a couple of clubs and buy what feels best, or "fitted" as in full on measurments and angles to find what the data says is best.

My connotation, to be clear is spend a likely tenth the price of a second hand club, which will lead onto saving money, not buying the wrong club.

But connotations aside, club fitting has never been a term used in the scenario 'try a couple of clubs' and if anyone spends £25 on that, I'd recommend never leaving the house

 

[Neilds]

£25 may be "free" to some, but it's still £25 and the OP does say "I am not in a position to go for a new club fitting"
I suspect the term "fitting" has 2 connotations here.....fitted as is try a couple of clubs and buy what feels best, or "fitted" as in full on measurments and angles to find what the data says is best.

And that is exactly why I said to try and find a demo day to try some different clubs (or maybe even try a few at AG )

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Always try before you buy where possible. Some second hand online stores offer a 7 day return policy. As for the OP why not look at different strategies on some holes especially now the ground has firmed up and consider a 3 or 5 wood off the tee to keep it in play You have shots so use them

 

[PJ87]

Always try before you buy where possible. Some second hand online stores offer a 7 day return policy. As for the OP why not look at different strategies on some holes especially now the ground has firmed up and consider a 3 or 5 wood off the tee to keep it in play You have shots so use them

Golfclubs4cash have a 30 day returns policy .. easily try a few drivers