Yes, another SLDR mini driver thread

[Oddsocks]

I have an old macgregor magtec driver at 13.5 loft which I'm considering popping the shaft from my old fairway wood in

But you couldn't hit it off the floor

Definitely interested in having a bash with one, I'd run my driver, SLDR mini then 5 wood because I don't hit my 3 wood off he deck anyway

I'm just not totally convinced on the evolution cycle and correct target punter for this club,

I can see why some of the players would want this club but to me it's a false positive. if their wild with the big stick then knocking 10-20 yards off and hitting more fairways has to be a good thing..... But....... Surely being less wild with the big stick has to be down to technique and swing flaws , swing easier or fix the fault and hit more fairways why maintaining that distance. The main reason people are more consistent with this is because their not trying to rip it every time like they do with a driver. My amp 3w on a good smooth swing is no more than 15/20 yards behind my driver, this isn't because it's some new found mystery of because it's a wonder club, it's simply because I swing smooth wi good tempo and find the middle of the club more often than not.

Higher cappers wanting more consistency for me has to be the ideal market, when I was a junior and around 16 years old I couldn't hit a driver and have a save miss, or even a predictable miss, I was so inconsistent it was shocking. I dropped the driver and with a callaway big Bertha copy 3w proceeded to drop from high twenties to mid teens very quickly as I was finding the short stuff and safe positions more. But soon after this drop I learned to hit a driver properly. And thus dropped/improved further.

Now the evolution cycle is the main hang up for me, at the moment it's 260cc, the mini2 will no doubt be longer in length " almost a driver " so the speak, but will not doubt creep up into 280/300cc, with the same progression against in the stage two meaning your be mid 300cc's.

For me i think TM have just about exhausted the sales using the " longest driver" " fastest ball speeds" so on sales, their just looking for the next market and people struggling with stats and wild drives are the next market, but..... Surely if this stat bothered you that much you would have a course of lessons to fix the technique issue and then maximise your length from the tee.... Not handicap yourself but giving it up?

 

[BTatHome]

Fix the fault, and have lessons is pretty much the answer to every single club purchase on the planet then.

Life would be so boring if that happened .....

 

[Oddsocks]

Fix the fault, and have lessons is pretty much the answer to every single club purchase on the planet then.

Life would be so boring if that happened .....

Maybe, but there's a difference.

Fix the fault and maintain if not gain length and consistency or....... Plop for a club half the size and cover it up.

Most people were saying the rbz3w was as long as their driver.... Is this just a rebranded and repainted rbz?

I'm under no illusion clubs evolve as technology improves, but it amazes me when you read the " what's in the bag " sections of pro articles in the mag, how many don't actually carry the latest gear. Lawrie carrying an older Cally ft 3w in the last issue being the prime example.

Another example would be rick g, the man is a tinkering wizard and loves a new concept, but have you seen what he's currently using, not the 910, 913, rbz, or r11 that have been there over the last 24 months.

 

[BTatHome]

Rebranded or repainted RBZ .... Well since it's different size/shape I doubt that .... unless you want to say every club is just a rebranded/repainted version of the last one too.

 

[Oddsocks]

As I said I'm not totally sold on it, or what it's actual target market is. I suppose like anything in this game it's what suits and inspires confidence. For me though, at this stage I'm out,

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Seems to work for Mickleson on certain course when being straight is more of a concern to being long - from what i have read the club fills the market between the driver and the 3 wood - some ( in fact a lot ) i reckon dont get within 40 yards of their driver with a 3 wood where as a mini driver will allow people to gain consistency and better dispersion than a driver but just a little bit longer than a 3 wood. Driver is one of the hardest clubs to hit - lots of room for error - this club just reduces the error a little bit but still giving a bit of length needed from the tee

 

[harpo_72]

It's interesting reading, I am a bit on the fence, at the moment, but I do have my voucher card ready !
I used to play a strong three t-zoid when they first came out, I eventually bought a great big Bertha as my driver. But I mainly played the t-zoid from the tee and the Bertha would be used on open long 4s and 5s. There was a distance difference but I am comfortable from 150 yards in, so strategically I would play for position and to give me a full shot.
Now I have a strong 3w in my bag, it's powerful but would the mini be more so? I occasionally use it off the deck but my 5 wood is plenty long enough. My driving is a bit poor at the moment so I will look to improve that. Which is partly the reason I am not running off to try this club. What I am saying is if I cannot control my driver will I control this ?
Plus has anyone seen the custom option shafts ? How expensive are they ?

 

[SAPCOR1]

If this, or any other club helps people to enjoy the game more then that is main point for me.

Lessons aren't always the answer

 

[shewy]

I really wanted to buy this club but when I saw it I was underwhelmed, the face is no bigger than my 3 wood, I will try it out but I dont think its what I was after, I think you would get the same results from a 10 year old 12 degree driver chopped to 43".
The jury is well and truly out on this one, and I'm their target audience.

 

[MadAdey]

As I said I'm not totally sold on it, or what it's actual target market is. I suppose like anything in this game it's what suits and inspires confidence. For me though, at this stage I'm out,

I think I have figured it out to be 3 target markets:

1: the beginner, as we always tell them to not use a driver and go with a 3w as it is easier to hit and control.
2: the higher handicapper that struggles with consistency off the tee
3: the bigger hitting low handicapper that normally uses a 3w for accuracy over length.

 

[Oddsocks]

I think I have figured it out to be 3 target markets:

1: the beginner, as we always tell them to not use a driver and go with a 3w as it is easier to hit and control.
2: the higher handicapper that struggles with consistency off the tee
3: the bigger hitting low handicapper that normally uses a 3w for accuracy over length.

So it's aimed at everyone lol

 

[MadAdey]

So it's aimed at everyone lol

To be honest I think it is.......

 

[fundy]

Maybe, but there's a difference.

Fix the fault and maintain if not gain length and consistency or....... Plop for a club half the size and cover it up.

Most people were saying the rbz3w was as long as their driver.... Is this just a rebranded and repainted rbz?

I'm under no illusion clubs evolve as technology improves, but it amazes me when you read the " what's in the bag " sections of pro articles in the mag, how many don't actually carry the latest gear. Lawrie carrying an older Cally ft 3w in the last issue being the prime example.

Another example would be rick g, the man is a tinkering wizard and loves a new concept, but have you seen what he's currently using, not the 910, 913, rbz, or r11 that have been there over the last 24 months.

Only cos the posties late bringing the latest one

 

[MadAdey]

So with this in mind maybe the ideal gapping up top is mini-d / 4w?

No not at all, well not for me. A 4w would be too close to my 2i, anyway the MINI goes further than my 3w by a good 10-20 yards so it is just going in the bag to replace my driver. I like to have the long end of my bag loaded as I am comfortable with manufacturing shots with my wedges. But for those than carry more wedges the MINI/4w combo would work really well.

 

[harpo_72]

No not at all, well not for me. A 4w would be too close to my 2i, anyway the MINI goes further than my 3w by a good 10-20 yards so it is just going in the bag to replace my driver. I like to have the long end of my bag loaded as I am comfortable with manufacturing shots with my wedges. But for those than carry more wedges the MINI/4w combo would work really well.

Is there any need for your 3wood?

 

[MadAdey]

Is there any need for your 3wood?

Yes because the MINI goes about 20 yards further. I like they way the long end of my bag is now looking distance gap wise:

2i - 230
3w - 250
MINI - 270

Anyone getting one of these will have to see what works for them, I think you will see a variety of combinations depending on the player and what they want. I would say anyone looking to replace a 3w should be looking at the 16* model.

 

[Oddsocks]

Yes because the MINI goes about 20 yards further. I like they way the long end of my bag is now looking distance gap wise:

2i - 230
3w - 250
MINI - 270

Anyone getting one of these will have to see what works for them, I think you will see a variety of combinations depending on the player and what they want. I would say anyone looking to replace a 3w should be looking at the 16* model.

I like that spacing

 

[Agent Pies]

Are you all buying the standard version or the TP version for £50 more? What is the main difference between the 2?

 

[MadAdey]

Are you all buying the standard version or the TP version for £50 more? What is the main difference between the 2?

I got the standard as I am not a fan of TM made for shafts, so was always going to change Si saw no point in the TP version as the heads are the same, you just get a heavier shaft in TP model.

 

[harpo_72]

Yes because the MINI goes about 20 yards further. I like they way the long end of my bag is now looking distance gap wise:

2i - 230
3w - 250
MINI - 270

Anyone getting one of these will have to see what works for them, I think you will see a variety of combinations depending on the player and what they want. I would say anyone looking to replace a 3w should be looking at the 16* model.

That's interesting I think it would be hard for me to decide what loft, my 5 wood dictated my top end and I am still not certain whether I picked up a huge amount of difference between the 3wood and my driver... So if I bought a mini it would be a 14 degree, the 12 degree is SLDR driver territory. I think if I did anything it would have to be refined with a yardage verification.