Long term benefits from a Mini

[tsped83]

I’m flirting with the idea of a Mini driver (again) and have borrowed a mate’s 14* SLDR for this Saturdays comp, having mullered a basket of balls this afternoon with it. Currently with my driver I’m averaging around 4/10 fairways hit, with the wasted recovery shot a trip in to the trees inevitably brings ruined what has otherwise been reasonable golf of late.

I had one previously in the same specs and found the flight a little high, although it’s exit from my bag was pretty hasty. So, depending on this weekend’s outcome, I may look to pick up a 12* model if everything feels right on Saturday.

For those that use a Mini driver, be it TM, Callaway or another, have you seen long term benefits replacing your driver with it? Not interested in it’s use from the fairway as such, solely as a direct driver replacement and any pros and cons you’ve seen over an extended period of time.

Thanks all

 

[Bazz]

I replaced my r1 slice machine with the same one you're trying out. The difference to my game has been fantastic.

Average about 200 yards with it, but it's straight every time. Could get about 220 out of my r1, but what's an extra 20 yards when you're chipping out sideways?

I can't recommend it enough

 

[duncan mackie]

I've the 16 SLDR and it's always in the bag - driver gets added on longer courses from time to time.

It's remarkably forgiving and has a very large effective area (even relative to my SLDR driver). This is the key advantage over a 3 wood for me.

 

[Bobirdie]

I have the 14° mini sldr.
Perfect for me as i launch the ball quite low so it doesnt baloon on me.
Dont think i could hit a friver anymore to be honest

 

[Imurg]

They're good clubs, no doubt, but they don't work for everybody.
I've tried the Callaway 1.5, a 14° set to 13°, and it gave me nothing over what my 3 wood offers.
Not as long as my driver and not as long or accurate as my 3 wood...
Well worth trying a few times before purchase, although it probably won't lose much in value should it not work...

 

[Neilds]

I have a 14* Aeroburner and can't recommend them enough for higher handicappers who can't hit a driver. Never tried it off the deck but can get 200-220 yards, 9/10 on the fairway. My driver sliced it so much ( the clubs faults not mine&#128512 I never used it at all for months, just took it for a nice walk round the course each time

 

[Beezerk]

16 deg Mini for me, if anything else it builds confidence for when you do use your driver. Mine will stay in my bag until it breaks.

 

[Which tree did that hit]

14 degree aeroburner for me.

Love it, misses are less frequent and less destructive. The only downside I find is that niggle in the back of my head telling me to go back to a 'proper' driver, so far I have ignored it but it is always there

 

[Hacker Khan]

I went for the 1.6 Cooper, great buy and thoroughly recommended.

 

[LincolnShep]

I went for the 1.6 Cooper, great buy and thoroughly recommended.

What shaft?

 

[trevor]

just took it for a nice walk round the course each time[/QUOTE]

Yes I know the feeling exactly!!

 

[Mark1751]

I've just recently taken mine out of the bag as I found I was not using it at all as my driving has improved massively (ping g30) and wouldn't (couldn't) hit it from the deck, have gone back to a 3 wood at 14.5 which I use from both the tee and fairway.

 

[Hacker Khan]

What shaft?

crank

 

[LincolnShep]

crank

I was only asking.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

What's the difference between one of the 'minis' and my 'small' headed Callaway Steelhead driver bought circa 2004?

 

[tsped83]

What's the difference between one of the 'minis' and my 'small' headed Callaway Steelhead driver bought circa 2004?

Don't know but would be very interested to hear. My brother plays once a month and still uses an old steelhead driver. It goes a mile.

 

[Hacker Khan]

What's the difference between one of the 'minis' and my 'small' headed Callaway Steelhead driver bought circa 2004?

Marketing

 

[daverollo]

What's the difference between one of the 'minis' and my 'small' headed Callaway Steelhead driver bought circa 2004?

It's amazing how many of the threads created on this site have some cross over. Reality is, in terms of club length the answer is probably very similar. I do recall reading an article around 10 years ago, I think in golf monthly, around optimal launch angle for drivers and the average golfer. Ever since then I have used a 12 degree driver and works a treat.

I posted this is another thread 'Correct driver shaft length' only a couple of days ago. Its written by Tom Wishon a master club maker in the US, talking about modern drivers.

Upshot is, the Mini is more like a driver from years gone by, only with a larger head.

http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/sh...shaft-length&p=1384195&viewfull=1#post1384195

 

[Imurg]

What's the difference between one of the 'minis' and my 'small' headed Callaway Steelhead driver bought circa 2004?

The Steelhead was a cracking club back in the day, but the modern "Mini" will, I suspect, out perform it in every department.
You'll likely get more distance from more loft as the head will be weighted to provide better launch as well as having a thinner, springier face. Shaft tech has moved on immensely in 10 years and the shaft will give more consistent results.
Forgiveness should be miles better, if only by having more loft.
Whether it's 200quids worth better/longer/straighter is another matter...

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've never really got into these. I tried the TM and Cally versions when they came out but I am averaging around 52% in the last three months which off my handicap is above average and my bad ones are rarely real card wreckers. I do still get them but I think I would with the mini version too and as my average distance according to GG is a measly 212 yards I really can't afford to lose any more distance