Golf Forums - Drivers, I can't decide!

Hey everyone, the 2009 season is just around the corner. I am very excited, however...I'm looking for a driver. I am currently using a 6-7 year old TaylorMade R5. It's just not doing the job anymore. I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions of what brands of drivers I could look at.

When you say it's not doing the job how do you mean?
Personal experiance tells me to use what feels comfortable nad have custom fitted driver it helps you to hit the ball a lot mor consistantly. If you have had Taylor Made then look at the R7 series they are fantastic clubs!!!!

Steven, you need to get down to a driving range that has a big golf shot attached to it.

Tell them you are looking for a new driver and that you would like to try some and see how you do with them.

Find one you are comfortable with and make sure you get it custom fitted.

By doing this you will be able to try a large range of different brands/model and you can be sure you are happy with the one you buy (if you decide to buy one!)

Russ

Hi - As you are a high handicapper, why not give a K1 Speed driver by Slazenger a try out. Very forgiving club will rid you of a slice and hook off the tee.

I still use mine - would not be without it.

Good Luck 

I can recommend American Golf -- they let me try a number of drivers on their indoor  range and finally recommended a Mizuno (as it has the biggest sweet spot) that works very well for me

I'd go with the Cleveland Monster XLS.  Get club, cheaper than most.

Steve,

I have been banging golf balls for almost 40 years and still drive consistently over 250. that is not all that amazing but know I just had my left hip replaced and my leg lengthened. It took me over a year  to get any real consistency. I love my woods and once held a 10 handicap with a 1 -  10 woods. I just hit them better, still do.

What I have found through all this I think can help you and others who stuggle with drivers and woods in general. The type is important but the feel and fit is vital. If the club does not fit your particular height and feel then you are sunk. If when you pick up your driver your head zones out with well here we go again, then you are sunk big time!

My approach is to practice with your driver alone. Hit the club until your muscle memory is locked in. If it goes bad then walk away get a drink and clear your head. Watch your grip and rhthym ... don't try to "kill it" just try to hit it sweet and let the club do it's job. So then the club head style becomes important. and that is mostly a matter of personal taste. Don't be fooled that bigger is better as if you shank a small head the chances are you will do the same on most everything. Solve the shank on the smaller head and then a bigger head might give you more distance and consistency.

Sorry for the tirade but this old Texan loves the driver and have made it a lifelong pursuit. And anyone can tell you that this club does this or that but in your hands the most expensive club can still be a real bummer. And your pocket is some lighter for the experience. For the record I use a set of 1, 3, and 5 woods that are Macgregor Tourney V-Foils. The pro that sold them to me used them and could not hit them anymore. He was amazed that the first few hits, as I tried them out, were long and straight. Then if I needed I could draw or fade them as long as my arthritis would not freak out my back. and these clubs suit me so well it was love at first grip and my bad back and hips lasted much longer.

Best wishes and hit 'em where they shold go!

Roy

Hey everyone, thanks for your help and suggestions. For the R5 not doing the job anymore...as I was playing my last few rounds before I went back to school, my drive on hole 16, I heard a "CLUNK" kind of sound when I hit it. I had to retire the club. I noticed before my club decied to die, that I wasn't getting a farther drive. I continued to use the R5 because I didn't have the money to buy a new driver then. I used my dad's R7 a few times and the ball absolutly flew a lot better than the R5. That was the kind of yardage that I was looking for out of the R5, but I guess I just wore it down.

As for a new driver goes...I heard that at the country club I belong to they are having a demo day for drivers. Figure I'll drive home from school for the weekend and participate at the demo day and find what feels best for me. If I find something I like, I will definately get it custom fitted.

Thank you all again. I'll keep you updated on what I went with and how I'm doing with it.

-Steven

I've been playing for over 40 years now and have tried all the different drivers from demos to hitting friends clubs to buying different clubs.  Right now I'm hitting the HAMMER 3 wood.  I've tried the driver but am hitting the 3 wood almost 275.  When I hit the driver I push the shot to the right.  I had a driver made for me using an HRG head on a grafite shaft with 15% loft and can control the shot with about 250 off the tee.  Better to be in the fairway than longer and in the rough.
You don't have to spend several hundred for a name brand when other clubs do the same job.

Hi Steven. I have just bought a new driver, and I am so pleased with it I think you should consider it. I am talking about the Nike Sasquatch Sumo 5000! It is a great looking club, feels well balanced, and boy, I have never hit a ball so far (and straight) before! The only dissapointing thing about it was the head cover, but I can live with that.
 If you look on www.onlinegolf.com you will find it on offer for only £78. Reduced from £220!!
Good luck with your serch, and happy golfing!

Actually, I was looking at the SUMO 5000. I've been reading Awesome reviews on it from Golf Galaxy and Golf Smith. I plan on trying the Sumo, the K1 Speed, Mizuno, Cleveland and whatever else I can at the Demo day. Thank you for your review on the 5000. Again, I just got to see what fits me the best.

Hey everyone! Hope you all are squeezing a few games in here and there before the season comes along! May is just around the corner! I have bought a driver! I had gone with the Nike Sumo 5000. I have tried the drivers suggested by you guys. They were nice clubs, I just have seemed to hit the ball better with the SUMO. I got a game in before I went back to college, and man, was that ball ever so straight and ever so far! I am very happy with my decision. I mean the price was awesome! A $400.00 club when it first came out, dropped the prices to about $149.99 and I with the help of a $25.00 gift card! No complaints here!

Again, thanks to all of your help and advice! Happy Golfing!

Glad you finally found the Driver you were looking for. You can't go wrong with the Sumo 5000. I was so impressed with it I bought the 3 & 5 woods to go with it. Well worth checking out, they are superb clubs. Happy golfing. Alan.