when will there be a genuine driver comparison?

[stevelev]

Is it just me or do other people think it would be much more benificial to read an article in magazines that give data from a club comparison that used a robot rather than human to give accurate comparison to each club tested. The mag could still have a person to give feedback on aesthetics and feel etc but for accurate spin rates, carry and roll out data it would much better if the resder had fscts rsther than a variety of swings where the tester may miss the sweet spot by a mm on each swing, at least with the robot it will be a repeatsble swing, struck in the same point on the face each time,

We could then get accurate rates for forgiveness and smash factor ball speed to swing epeed to make it essier when looking for our ideal to narrow it down when going for a fitting

 

[Lump]

It wouldn't mean much though surely. Just because a swing machine gives you data, doesn't mean that head/shaft combo works for you.

 

[stevelev]

It wouldn't mean much though surely. Just because a swing machine gives you data, doesn't mean that head/shaft combo works for you.

True but for shaft that suit certain swing speeds or launch it lower it can be helpful surely, also the clubs tested in mags are all off the shelf items and not independent custom fit which is slightly different to being fitted in most retailers

 

[London mike 61]

I suppose it could work if you had data from say 1 degree closed/ straight and slightly open , then fitted with different shafts then I don't see why it wouldn't work. At the least you would have a scientific way of evaluating a driver as opposed to biased opinion however well meaning.

 

[Oddsocks]

The problem with a shoot out is that someone has to win , loads have to lose.... And this could result in lost advertising revenue should a brand believe it was not a fair test

 

[Deleted member 15344]

What's wrong with consumer testing ?

And then driving testing yourself with a pro ?

 

[BTatHome]

Would be great to see a comparison for a stiff shafted driver for golfer with around 103mph golfer with a low launch shaft, with low spin head, with a slight out to in swing path ... . well at least it would suit me, shame about everyone else that doesn't match those characteristics

 

[USER1999]

The whole point is that there is a driver out there for every one, you just need to find it. There's no such thing as a bad driver these days.

 

[CMAC]

The problem with a shoot out is that someone has to win , loads have to lose.... And this could result in lost advertising revenue should a brand believe it was not a fair test

there cant be a 'winner' as there isn't a goal! there would only be stats associated with clubhead speed, launch angle, face angles, ball speed etc etc. It would be an overall fairer comparison as opposed to 3 handicappers of low/middle/high handicaps all with a fast SS, or slow SS, or smooth/jerky swing.....you get the idea

 

[HomerJSimpson]

For one thing there be no need or a lesser need for GM testers and the great opportunities we currently get. Who provides the "independent" robot and what happens to those products not ranked #1. The current status quo and personalised reviews give readers an idea of how a club may perform but at the end of the day it all comes down to trying the new releases in options that suit your own game.

 

[CMAC]

For one thing there be no need or a lesser need for GM testers and the great opportunities we currently get. Who provides the "independent" robot and what happens to those products not ranked #1. The current status quo and personalised reviews give readers an idea of how a club may perform but at the end of the day it all comes down to trying the new releases in options that suit your own game.

there wouldnt be a rank, just stats, performance

 

[HomerJSimpson]

there wouldnt be a rank, just stats, performance

But these stats will surely include distance... hence a ranking

 

[pbrown7582]

Aren't the facts and figs released by manufacturer provided by robot test giving spin ball speed etc at a given swing speed.

For club v club tests check out precision golf blog, as they test model v model (ie R1 v SLDR)

 

[stevelev]

But these stats will surely include distance... hence a ranking

Only the same as magazines giving them bronze, silver gold awards. However the best for distance may launch higher so those with already high ball flight may discount it. Also the one that goes the furthest may not have the lowest dispersion or greatest carry.

Surely every manufacturer would be glad of an independant test against all other major clubs out at the time. And there would still be testers required to givr opinion on feel, sound, appearance grip etc... even if a mag did a special edition supplement after the major golf shows to help, which could carry as many ads as could sell.So less of revenue is doubtful, whats GM towers take on this.

 

[stevelev]

Aren't the facts and figs released by manufacturer provided by robot test giving spin ball speed etc at a given swing speed.

For club v club tests check out precision golf blog, as they test model v model (ie R1 v SLDR)

Is that done using exact same swing speed, agle of attack swing psth etc for every manufacturer or do they use their own, also do they all use same ball weather conditions etc... see where a true comparison of data would be good

Just checked and they use peoplectesting so there is a good deal of variance on each strike, so good reviews relating to looks and feel, but not for data relation to stats

 

[duncan mackie]

Is it just me or do other people think it would be much more benificial to read an article in magazines that give data from a club comparison that used a robot rather than human to give accurate comparison to each club tested.

totally agree

unfortunately no-one can agree on how to programme the robot to give a fair representation :rofl:

 

[stevelev]

totally agree

unfortunately no-one can agree on how to programme the robot to give a fair representation :rofl:

If they programme it to swing like me it will knacker itself up after half an hour beating balls.

 

[pbrown7582]

Surely every manufacturer would be glad of an independant test against all other major clubs out at the time. And there would still be testers required to givr opinion on feel, sound, appearance grip etc... even if a mag did a special edition supplement after the major golf shows to help, which could carry as many ads as could sell.So less of revenue is doubtful, whats GM towers take on this.

Just not going to happen Titleist Acshunet will not allow any of it's products to be in direct comparison, check out any ball test supplement and there is no Pro V1, undoubtedly the No1 ball for best part of 10 years but still not part of any direct comparison test by main stream media.

 

[MadAdey]

The whole point is that there is a driver out there for every one, you just need to find it. There's no such thing as a bad driver these days.

Hits the nail on the head. All the top manufacturers make top quality drivers, so there are no bad ones out there. So I do not know what benefits a robot testing article could have. Even consumer testing for drivers is not of any interest to me, as that is all a matter of opinion.

When I got my R11s, I tried all the drivers that had been released for that year. My personal opinion was it was either the R11s or the Cobra Encore. Hated the way the Ping G20 sounded, didn't like the feel of the Titleist and didn't like the look of the Callaway. See the problem I have with consumer rating on drivers, plenty of people would argue about my opinion that I just made.

 

[shewy]

Personally I'd rather see a driver shootout by a bunch of forum testers,a robot can't tell you about forgiveness,sound,looks, all important IMO.Standing over the ball confidence in your driver is the main thing, and a robot can't tell you that. From the results you can make a choice based on recommendation but you still need fitting to fine tune it.