Hot face drivers

[Oddsocks]

What would be the advantage of using a 415cc hot face driver over a current 460cc model

 

[madandra]

Which drivers are you referring to as HOT FACE?

 

[Oddsocks]

Apparently my old Calloway 415+ has a hot face

Kinda pissed about it as I've been told it's now non-conforming which is typical as it behaved well yesterday against my current 09 tm burner

 

[Imurg]

A lot of drivers with "hot" faces were banned some time back. If the trampoline effect of the face against the ball (co-efficient of restitution!) was greater than 0.83 then the driver became non-conforming.
In simple terms 0.83 can be visualised by dropping a golf ball onto the floor from a 1 metre height. If it bounces back 84cm then the floor would be non-conforming!!
They are only non-conforming for competition play so you can use one for practice or solo rounds. Try using one in a game though and things could be different.

When the ban came in, the hot drivers did send the ball further, hence the ban. Modern drivers are now longer than the old hot drivers due to the advances in technology so there shouldn't be much to gain from them now.

 

[Oddsocks]

Imurg that's exactly my thoughts. If all drivers were around 410-420 then a hot faced driver would have an advantage, but with drivers now being 460cc and majorly advanced materials should mean if anything a 415cc hot faced unit should effectively be a disadvantage,

The issue is I know my 415 is around 30 yards shorter than my 460 but it's bullet straight so could really do with playin with that model again

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Did anyones club ever do any kind of audit when the ban came in to make sure members weren't using outlawed equipment. Did anyone have their driver checked on the first tee of a medal? Pretty sure mine didn't. I agree that larger headed modern drivers will probably give a better result that these hot faced ones

 

[Oddsocks]

Homer I can 100% say out of three bang on drives yesterday 2 with the outlawed item and one with my 09 model I was definitely atleast 30 yards less, just got the impression the smaller 415 felt more controllable. I want to check the shaft lengths of both units though

 

[USER1999]

They banned them because they hit it longer. For the pro's, 6 yrds longer. For us, f all.

Modern shafts made up the difference within a week.

If you want a smaller head, you have to go 909 D3, or similar.

 

[Oddsocks]

so 6 yards for pros that are driving 280+ (2% gain max) and they outlawed them. best thing is for pro's driving big numbers 300+ there isnt even a 1% gain.

OK so the question no is would you play this club personally or more importantly would you object to someone using it

 

[USER1999]

I would not play a non conforming club. It is cheating (whether it is beneficial or not). I wouldn't even practice with it, it's pointless.

And yes, I would object to my playing partners using non conforming kit. You can't agree to waive the rules, or you are both D/Q'ed.

 

[Oddsocks]

i was just interested to see poples views, i find it funny that playing with kit that offers no advantage (if anything a distance disadvantage) can still be outlawed but rules are rules none the less as you say.,

 

[viscount17]

everything is relative. for the pros, who we expect to hit any club well, the difference is 6 yards. for you it's 30 yards - so a distinct advantage - too right I'd object.

 

[Oddsocks]

ah a valid opinion. the thing i suppose thats getting me is against my current 460cc driver i know this is a disatnce disadvantage by around 30 yards atleast, the only advantage i see for me is increased accuracy.

For me the hotfaced one hit out of the button would only get 250/260 max, but the TM burner 460 will hit 280+ all day long when hit right.

 

[USER1999]

But how much of that is down to the modern shaft? If you re-shafted your non conforming driver, how much longer would it be again. The laws of physics say it would be longer, because the face has more spring, hence they are banned.

 

[DCB]

Bit of a pointless thread. If it's on the list of Non-Conforming Drivers then it's a non starter.

No point in practicing with it even if it is straighter. Better to spend the time working out how to hit your current driver in a straighter and more consistent manner.

Shorter shaft maybe ?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Having tried a few variations out at the weekend and heard lots of comments on here I think if you don't get any other club in the bag custom fitted then you should get the driver done. It is essential to get the right shaft for your game to make sure you maximise launch angle and minimise spin rates. An off the shelf version isn't guaranteed to do that. Armed with a club suited to you the only reason it can go wrong is the swing you put on it. Get it right and you'll optimise your length.

 

[Oddsocks]

What's a killer is up until a month ago my driving (armed with current driver) was the strongest point of my game, I can only think I have changed something in my swing which is now why I can't use my current stick, I can see a lesson being the only way of finding the issue although I have a strange feeling it's because I've slowed my swing down too much for the stiff shaft which would explain why my old driver with a regular shaft may seem like an easy out option