Think I Am Replacing My Driver

[Spoff]

I think I have finally negotiated the relese of some funds fromshe who must be obayed.

I have £130-£150ish to blow on a driver. Going to my local shop and going to let them sort me out, but as it will be my first custom fit jobby what should I expect and is there anything I should be asking of them?

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I'll give you a piece of advice which helped me.

Take a 7 iron with you.

This way you can calm down your swing every so often, as otherwise you just stand there smacking drives as hard as you can.

The other thing is that IMHO first impressions with drivers are important. You have to hit them well first time (as on the course), not after 5 efforts.

Other things I've been told:

The driver should have the stiffest shaft in your bag (longer shaft).

Straight is more important than long.

If you aren't happy walk away. Don't let the shop keep talk you into anything you don't like.

Oh yes, looks are important. If you don't like the look of the club it will affect your game. Shouldn't, but I can guarantee it will!

 

[Spoff]

Good call with the 7 iron, Gil, thanks for that.

 

[viscount17]

I too have just been looking at new drivers. Take your old one as well as the 7. You will want both of these to warm up, which you must do before trying anything new and to make a comparison.

Don't be put off (or suade) by make or looks. I tried three, one I couldn't get a straight shot from, one was OK but off-putting (colour and sound) the other worked well.
But I would suggest girding the loins etc and NOT buying first time, I would advocate going back (or somewhere else) and trying it, and others, again.

Don't know where you plan to go but if possible get a pro to deal with you. He may spot and correct a swing fault that will help your decision and he's less likely to push the wrong club. (I ended up with an £18 lesson which saved me £170+ as he showed me that mine was perfectly good if I only swung it correctly.)

 

[Spoff]

I'm going with an open mind, although I would 'like' a big name I wouldn't refuse a lesser name so I can walk out with a Ping G10 that doesn't fit.

My current driver is part of a set I bought last year, I wasn't planning on taking it as I have never been able to use it.

I always put that down to my newness to the game. But have used a friends recently TaylorMade Burner and sent is longish and straight which has convinced me decent kit = decent results.

 

[USER1999]

You won't need your own driver if you don't normally hit it well, the whole point is to find one you can hit. They will give you a driver to hit, and will be able to make suitable suggestions based on the results from that one.

Enjoy it. It is fun (the golfers equivalent of being pampered in the health spa).

 

[viscount17]

I think not being able to hit package drivers well is a common issue; at least I couldn't either, I started OK then rapidly deteriorated. It's down to lesser quality shafts I think, in my case it was much too soft - far too much flex. It may well be that it's intentional on the basis that a beginner is expected to have a slower swing.

 

[GB72]

Simple bit of advice is to pay attention to the worst shots that you hit with any driver and not just the best ones. Obvious I know but I have wasted money on drivers before because I was impressed when I hit my 'Sunday Best' shot with it and managed to forget that the ten balls hit before it were awful.

The CEO of Adams golf has said that you should not hit more than 5 shots when trying a club as after that you start to adjust your swing to compensate for the club's deficiencies.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Try and go somewhere where you can get the choice of shafts as an off the peg driver irrespective of looks. You may need a more flexible of stiffer shaft. Also make sure you don't try and belt every ball. Swing within yourself

 

[OldWindy]

...and try one of the Cobra drivers to reaffirm what a strange driver sound really is. Indescribably horrible.

 

[viscount17]

no, for a really strange sound you need to experience the Wilson Spine

 

[Parmo]

no, for a really strange sound you need to experience the Wilson Spine

Or Nike Sumo sq2

I like the sound of my old Cobra F speed

 

[Spoff]

just discovered where I was going to go is a Cobra specialist and only stock them and Nike. I was hoping for a wider choise.

AG have put me off because of previous experience.

There is a Direct Golf, Huddersfield, near me. Anyone any experience with a Direct Golf shop?

 

[andiritchie]

...and try one of the Cobra drivers to reaffirm what a strange driver sound really is. Indescribably horrible.

bit harsh they aint that bad

 

[mboy1980]

My advice would be to opt for a more lofted Driver.Somewhere around 12 - 13 degrees.

The reason being you will find it easier to get airbourne and will hit is straighter.

Concentrate more on accuracy than distance.

 

[vig]

I know you said AG put you off but I believe that the Tingley store has a Yonex demo day at the acanthus course soon.

My advice is to go with an open mind, don't go thinking that for example a TM burner is the club for you or you will convince yourself that it is right or not.

As others have said look at all your shots but worst shots are important.
Ask questions such as spin rates, launch angle,carry etc... you may not know what you're talking about but it puts doubt in the sellers mind.
go for best fit not necessarily best name

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If you want a horrible sound try the Cleveland HiBore. I always get really stange looks at the range and loads of mutterings from the adjacent bays.

I agree with the extra loft comments as well

 

[Spoff]

I know you said AG put you off but I believe that the Tingley store has a Yonex demo day at the acanthus course soon.

My advice is to go with an open mind, don't go thinking that for example a TM burner is the club for you or you will convince yourself that it is right or not.

I'll look into the Yonex thing, I'll be at Acanthus on Saturday, will try and get there earlier this week.

 

[nomadpaul]

I got the Ben Sayers Benny HT driver ( HT - High Trajectory ) which i believe is 13* or 13.5* loft. It definitely flies higher than my old driver but with less slice. I've used it twice over the range now and there is a definite improvement on my dispersal range...and it took a few balls but i'm finding it more consistent. The shaft is about 1.5" longer than my original which is why it took me a while to get used to it......and i got £20 off which was a bargain

 

[madandra]

There is only one driver you should consider and that is the Ben Sayer BENNY ......... £99 fitted with Grafalloy Red shaft R&S and Golf Pride mlti compound grip for less than a big note.