Drivers

[OldWindy]

I use the G10 and it's beautifully forgiving. If you like this club but don't want to part with £200 then consider a second hand G5 - it's not quite as current but there are folks at our club who think the world of it. Nothing less than 10.5*, either. Good luck.

 

[GB72]

Have been reading this with interest as have been advised by my pro to move down from my current 13 degree driver to a 10.5. Not looking to spend a fortune so am going to have a look at a Benny and last years non square Nike. Will also try and visit the clubmaker who built the last drive for his input and to see whether it is as simple as just putting a new head on the old shaft.

 

[RGuk]

Whoa.....hold the front page......just discoverd this tip for using modern 460cc drivers.... I found it on a search 'cause I'm more likely to heel it with my G5.....

Set Up to Hit the Ball on the Center of the Face.

Most golfers set their driver on the ground at address. This results in a high percentage of driver shots being hit on the heel-side of the face, especially when we tee the ball higher. Test yourself this way: The next time you are at the range and set up to hit your driver, once in the address position stretch your arms out and move the club up to the ball's height. Notice where the ball is going to contact the face of your driver? On the heel side – or possibly the hosel – of your driver.

This is a very common problem for golfers – and it's an awkward adjustment. The solution is very simple, however. Instead of setting your driver behind the ball such that the center of the face is aligned with the ball, move backwards a couple of inches (towards your back) such that the toe of your driver is aligned with the ball. Now do the test again. Stretch out your arms and pick the club up to the ball's height. Is the ball aligned with the center of the driver face? If so, put the club back down and fire! If not, keep moving back until it is.

Don't worry that once you set the driver down it doesn't align with the ball. The ball isn't on the ground - it's three inches above the ground!

 

[mick]

I use the G5 and play off 18,while not getting on with it the last couple of weeks that was swing issues not club,I can highly recommend it.I use the 10 degree but was custom fitted so it obviously is the right loft for me.

 

[brendy]

Mizuno mp600 is a lovely driver but not for the higher handicap as it isnt as forgiving as some of the callaway/wilsons/cobra etc.

 

[RGuk]

Have been reading this with interest as have been advised by my pro to move down from my current 13 degree driver to a 10.5.

Do you know your swing speed (mph) with your driver?

 

[GB72]

Not had it checked for a while but it was somewhere around 85-90mph last time it was checked

 

[Tommo21]

I’ve tried a lot of drivers of late and the G10 came out on top for me. All the top drivers are really good but the G10 sits nice, isn’t too noisy, it’s as long, if not longer, than the best of them, it’s forgiving, it looks not bad, it’s a reasonable price and you’ll get a fair price if you sell it on.

A regular shaft job will do you fine.

 

[Ken_A]

I’ve tried a lot of drivers of late and the G10 came out on top for me. All the top drivers are really good but the G10 sits nice, isn’t too noisy, it’s as long, if not longer, than the best of them, it’s forgiving, it looks not bad, it’s a reasonable price and you’ll get a fair price if you sell it on.

A regular shaft job will do you fine.

I tried one and was not impressed - however it had the V2 shaft. And as stated above it may be the feel of the shaft I dont like.

 

[GB72]

Do like the look of the G10 but not going to spend that much. I am making a concious effort to cut my spending on kit this year so when I do decide to buy a lower lofted driver it will either be a budget brand, last year's model or a new head for my current one. The favourites at the moment are the Benny, last year's Nike or Cleveland or a new Orka kii head.

 

[RGuk]

Hey GB, thanks for getting back. I searched high and low for an 11 degree Callaway and never found one, so I opted for a 10. It's a close call, thankfully my "scooping" technique (bad, bad, bad!!) gives it a couple of degrees extra loft at impact. The 12 degree Ping gets the right trajectory every time.

My swing speed with driver before I quit was about 95-100 mph. Now (and I've had it read twice) it's around 92-95 ish.

Before you think about a 10.5 degree, have a look at this chart (I pinched it from a scientific study into Golf physics...through work!)

Face lofts (min-max) for differing golf swing speeds (Adams/Collins 2006)

70mph 12-15°
80mph 11-14°
90mph 10-13°
100mph 9-12°
110mph 8-11°
120mph 7-10°

I'd say 10.5 was at the low end for you.....make sure you don't rule out an 11 or 12......

The "launch angle" is what counts, of course, even a robot might struggle with the inconsistencies of a h'cap player!

 

[GB72]

Fair point, I felt that a 12 degree might not be enough of a change and the choice of 11 degree drivers is a bit limited though I will take a look. When the time comes I will certainly get as many out on the range as I can and see what happens. Thankfully DG in cambridge lets you hit as many balls on the range with as many clubs as you like.

 

[RGuk]

My DG would let me swing the whole shop for a sale!! (Good guys)
10.5 always used to be the middle choice for drivers, but the technology in the new clubs is different these days. It's a tricky decision to make. I'm sticking with both my drivers for the time being. The frustration is that the longest balls come off the Callaway 10 degree (with roll) but the pathetically short drives also come from the Callaway if my timing is out. The Ping G5 is a rock solid 195 (really bad) to 230 ish. The FT-3 has been known to scuttle along the floor 160 yards or on a sweet strike make 250....how's that for inconsistency......

In 1995 I used a 9 degree Taylor Made bubble burner with a "90" rated graphite shaft. It was like a good cop, bad cop routine.......one monster, one daisy cutter, one peach, one stinker. Only kept it for 3 or 4 months and traded it for a Cally Warbird 11 degree, like being in the desert for 6 days and finding an oasis.....bliss.....

 

[GB72]

Certainly not going to get rid of the 13 degree driver anyway. If things start going wrong it will be welcome back in the bag for a bit of confidence boosting. Besides, has little trade in value so would rather keep it or give it to a mate than trade it in or sell it for a pittance.

 

[medwayjon]

That is the beauty of the Ping, bad strikes still go long enough to be respectable wheras a ripper goes frightfully long.

My aim is to get a 300yd drive recorded this summer.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

You should be able to pick up an 11 degree Callaway easily in most AG stores. If not try a demo version and get them to order one

 

[welshjim22]

realgolferuk

Thanks for the tip. Not be playing long and never thought of this but when i tried it at setup it all made sense and i got a better strike.

 

[Ken_A]

Since I have closed the face of my driver I am hitting it really well, it has even helped me find the sweetspot. I am keeping up with my playing partners no problem now- Might return the R7 CGB max.

Tis a funny old game this Golf!!!!!

 

[viscount17]

Interesting table Dave, my 11.5 r7 looks to be about right for a swing speed of 88 mph, gives you renewed faith in the abilities of some of the guys at dg(cambridge).

GB, if you can stand the noise TM do 11.5 in the r7 range.

 

[GB72]

Have made my decision and booked myself back in to see the clubfitter at Strikerightgolf. He will at least check what I have at the moment to see if I need a change in loft, shaft etc and he built me a blinding driver last time so trust him to do the same again. At least that part of the service is free so may as well take the advice before I spend any money and get something built to suit me. If all is OK with what I have then I have not wasted any money. May even be as simple as buying a new head and having it fitted.