And29
Head Pro
I've been toying with the idea of getting myself a 2nd hand SLDR driver
Anybody hit one or had any good or bad experiences with this club
Anybody hit one or had any good or bad experiences with this club
To sldr or not to sldr
- Thread starter And29
- Start date
Region3
Ryder Cup Winner
I used one for 18 months.
Very good, very long (especially into the wind), not forgiving.
All my opinion on how it worked for me, others will be different no doubt.
Very good, very long (especially into the wind), not forgiving.
All my opinion on how it worked for me, others will be different no doubt.
snell
Journeyman Pro
My regular PP uses a sldr mini driver, and it's the most forgiving driver I've seen him use! Not had a go of it myself so can't comment personally, but it's like a magicians wand in his hands!
peterlav
Challenge Tour Pro
A lot higher ball flight (I lofted up to 14 degrees), a lot more carry, longer than my previous drivers. With the higher ball flight you would expect to struggle playing into the wind, but it just seems to keep going and going!
As has been said not the most forgiving, but I tend to lose distance with mis-hits, but it stays straight, which for me is a far more playable mis-hit than something which doesn't lose distance but goes sideways!!!
I'm delighted with mine, will take something very special to make me change in the foreseeable future.
Should be a fair few knocking about for you to be able to try
As has been said not the most forgiving, but I tend to lose distance with mis-hits, but it stays straight, which for me is a far more playable mis-hit than something which doesn't lose distance but goes sideways!!!
I'm delighted with mine, will take something very special to make me change in the foreseeable future.
Should be a fair few knocking about for you to be able to try
MC72
Assistant Pro
Noticed you have a Ping G10 driver listed in your signature, one of the best and most forgiving drivers. I owned one for a couple of years and couldn't believe what it lets you away with. If you have Ping G10 and are having issues with your driving then I'm afraid it's an issue with you/your swing that will follow on to an SLDR, please note not a personal attack on You!
If you just fancy a change to the SLDR take into account what others are saying about its forgiveness or lack of. In terms of gaining distance as the primary reason for change you could change the shaft in the G10, and your X2 Hot driver gets a good reputation anyway.
Either way, your choice. May be worth trying one at American golf to see if you can get on with it first.
Good Luck
Khamelion
Tour Winner
Tried the SLDR when it came out, just did not get on with it, I was never going to buy one, but it would have been rude not to try when offered. Maybe a proper fitting would've given me better results, but the SLDR in the stock shaft, for me, was rubbish.
Like all clubs, you have to try it and see if it works for you, one mans treasure is another mans junk.
Like all clubs, you have to try it and see if it works for you, one mans treasure is another mans junk.
pbrown7582
Money List Winner
ive got one and am quite happy with mine give it a go!
ManinBlack
Tour Winner
Best driver I have ever had. BUT the stock shaft it came with was rubbish, the flight was far too high & there was too much spin. A lot of the members of the Forum use the Black Tie shaft & swear by it. Might be quite hard to find a used one. I bought a Cleveland driver with the Black Tie shaft for £75, & had it pulled & a SLDR sleeve fitted.
I switched to a SLDR from an Xhot pro and found it quite forgiving and gave a an ok flight. Managed to get a TP shaft as the stock stiff was a bit hit and miss.
Goes higher than any driver ive had before but is also longer and i play on a windy links course. Main thing i noticed was you have to tee the ball up high to get the sweet spot which is near the top of the face. I got it cheap SH and it was only going to be a stop gap until the Mizuno 850 driver came out, but i can't see me changing anytime soon TBH
Goes higher than any driver ive had before but is also longer and i play on a windy links course. Main thing i noticed was you have to tee the ball up high to get the sweet spot which is near the top of the face. I got it cheap SH and it was only going to be a stop gap until the Mizuno 850 driver came out, but i can't see me changing anytime soon TBH
SAPCOR1
Journeyman Pro
I bought a Mini in November and only played once with it along with a few range sessions. As others said, flies well and for me not too many mis-hits. Time will tell when the action really starts in the nicer weather.
As an alternative have a bash at a 13* Jet Speed, which has a longer shaft if i recall correctly. These can be picked up new for well under £100
As an alternative have a bash at a 13* Jet Speed, which has a longer shaft if i recall correctly. These can be picked up new for well under £100
D
Deleted member 18121
Guest
The SLDR driver took my game to places it had never been before..... I cant emphasise enough how much I love it.
snell
Journeyman Pro
My driver takes me to parts of the course I should never be haha!
wrighty1874
Journeyman Pro
The 3 wood is a great tool and generally goes past my pp drives and my own on many occasions.
Last edited:
duncan mackie
Money List Winner
I agree completely
Based on experience of the mini and many other modern drivers I expected the SLDR driver to be more forgiving than it is in practice. However, I think this is better viewed the other way round and it rewards shots from the sweet spot!
Both deliver a natural launch angle and low spin to provide a good trajectory (mine are 12 & 16 degrees both stock and R shafts - which 'just work' for me although I have had S TP shafts in most of my other TM clubs. My driver speed is only 100 though, so well below the forum average).
The driver went in the bag 2 months ago and the real test is going to be whether I can get the handicap back down to 8-9 where I think it belongs - time will tell (and it's not just the driver of course!)
Region3
Ryder Cup Winner
Not a dig at anyone, but I think far too many people automatically think stock shafts are rubbish and need something aftermarket or upgrade to handle their 90mph driver swing.
Maybe that was the case 2 or 3 years ago but I get the impression now that the manufacturers have decided it's a false economy to put a poor version of a shaft in, and things I've read suggest that stock shafts are now relatively decent. Someone like Ethan would know better than me though.
FWIW, I had the stock stiff Speeder57 in my SLDR and it felt and performed fine with my ~100mph chs.
Maybe that was the case 2 or 3 years ago but I get the impression now that the manufacturers have decided it's a false economy to put a poor version of a shaft in, and things I've read suggest that stock shafts are now relatively decent. Someone like Ethan would know better than me though.
FWIW, I had the stock stiff Speeder57 in my SLDR and it felt and performed fine with my ~100mph chs.
Rooter
Money List Winner
Same here, my driver swing is prob about 100-105, and i have the same shaft. I have the 14degree head and while most would think thats 3 wood loft, it does have a really decent flight!
It isnt the most forgiving of drivers, but i have owned worse! (R1) It might be in danger now though after seeing the Aeroburner mini!!
You may well be right but sometimes the whole "you have this swing speed, so can't use this shaft etc" is not always the case. by rights i should not have enough CHS to get the TP shaft to work, but the results for me with it over the stock shaft are night and day. It wasn't a fitting suggestion, just trial and error.
Region3
Ryder Cup Winner
I'm with you 100%, but you have tried both and made an informed decision. Some people won't even entertain the idea of trying the stock shaft and I feel they're potentially missing out.
After all, the manufacturers will have tested lots of shafts with their new head and chosen a combo that will work well for most 'average' golfers.
Beezerk
Money List Winner
Boom, funnily enough one of my many nicknames is Harry Potter :whoo: shame my first drive at Wynyard wasn't as magical :fore:
And29
Head Pro
Thanks for the great advice
