What are your thoughts on lighter drivers?

Hi guys.

Firstly I'm a newbie been playing golf since late last yr. I use a callaway ftiz 10deg graphite reg, 45inch shaft.

Tody I was at e range I tried my friend's driver. I think it's an older Cleveland model not sure which but it had a fujikara shaft (stiff). Not much changed in distance but I felt I could hit it straighter. I just felt more comfortable w it than my own..

So I thought maybe it's e flex. I went to my coach's cupboard where he keeps old clubs n took an Adams stuff shaft n swung it. I totally hated it. Felt like I was swinging a rock n could hardly make decent contact w e ball.

Hence I deduce it's e weight of the driver that made me feel more comfortable. That being said what are your thoughts on lighter drivers? I checked n it seems Cleveland has some really light drivers out there under 300g. Wondering if I should get myself one prob a cheap 2nd hand one see if it helps me or do you think e weight isn't so impt?

the weight is important, but there's no easy answer to this. light doesn't mean good, heavy doesn't mean bad. it all depends on what suits u.

the primary aim of lighter drivers, such as cleveland, is to give greater distance. the reasoning is that if the driver / shaft is lighter, swing speed can be faster, hence distance increases

this is however too simplistic. As basic physics will teach u, force = mass x acceleration. hence, if u increase acceleration but decrease mass, force may not necessarily increase. it all depends what is the OPTIMUM level of mass / acceleration for you.

Bottomline is that you need to find a weight that suits u. Whilst a lighter shaft may seem easier to handle, u may also lose the stability in a heavier shaft. So how do u find a suitable weight? the easiest way is to go for fitting. the other way is to just try different drivers until u find one that works. it seems from your post that your friend's driver suits u. i suggest u borrow it for 1 round on the course, bcos hitting on the range is v different from on the course. if it still works for u, then give ur friend a good price for it.

Personally, I prefer a lighter driver (mine is just 270g and I am building another that is 260+g). However, do note that a light driver does not equate to a light swing weight (my driver's swing weight is E2, which is super heavy for the swing). Thus, a lighter driver might not be longer or easier to hit. Other parameters like the flex, kick, torque of the shaft also affects your 'feel' of the club. Maybe the older Cleveland driver you tested might be a good choice for you... you can go to the marketplace and put a WTB thread.

Yeah I thought about fitting too but the other problem is everyone says not to go for fitting until u r good enough haha. I guess I'll have to do more trial and error on my own for now thanks!

Oh and I can't post in the marketplace at the moment lol.. Will keep a lookout for WTS

To each his own bah

But I feel that one shld play to the weight they can handle best and not simply go lighter and lighter ( keep that when you retire )

Yeah but the problem is I don't think I'm good enough to get fitted yet. I have a PC only but that's pretty easy to get lol. I also haven't had much chance to try other equip. That's why only today I suddenly realized that a different club could make a world of difference. In fact the driver I tried was stiff when I should be using reg.. Loft 9.5 when I should be using 10.5 n above probably but it still felt good when I was manouevering the club in the few hits I tried

If you got a bit of $$$, can buy a 910D then no need to worry... can change lie, loft, weight and as when you have even more $$$, can also change shaft.

Joshua wrote:

To each his own bah

But I feel that one shld play to the weight they can handle best and not simply go lighter and lighter ( keep that when you retire )

Yap... I am retiring...from golf.

Lol no money hehe gonna do more testing with other ppls drivers then probably look for a used or to purchase. I hit my 7i (if it's good) about 120-130m at the range so I think for my relative swing speed lighter should be better for me ba..

I dislike light drivers. I need to feel the club and clubhead when I swing. Too light and I'm not even sure what I'm doing (then again, it often feels that way regardless).

there is one important criteria when moving to lighter shafts (and vice versa). your tempo - it will determine if you are a suitable candidate for say a 50g or sub 50g shaft. if you have a quick tempo (takeaway), you are unlikely to fare well with a lighter shaft.

the benefits of using a lighter shaft will be the ease of use, less motor control breakdown (you don't get choke on the downswing), smoother rhythm, less taxing - in essence you can control the driver better if you have a slower tempo. there should be no loss in distance and you might gain distance and control as a result of increased clubhead speed and better control at impact.

if you naturally have a quick tempo, using a lighter shaft will make one lose control, over-swing might creep in and even loss of confidence.

so its something that one might want to explore depending on your tempo. i have recently experimented with a 52g shaft and it has done wonders in distance and dispersion.

hope this helps.....DGman

To summarize DGman's words...

GGF

Go Get Fitted

I experimenting with light swing weight(feel less club head weight) and it seems to work for my swing.

Thanks dgman n the rest for the tips! Consciously slowing down my tempo actually. Will def try some light drivers

Ok I went range again today with another friend who just happened to have e exact same driver as my other friend... So it seems it's the Cleveland hibore xls. 10.5deg graphite reg. I spent time hitti both my own FTIZ and the Cleveland... I could hit the Cleveland with much more ease, straighter more often and at the longest distance was even 20m further (and straight) than my own FTIz! Looks like its the one for me... Time to search.....(and sell my ftiz) haha

i am using a D8 SW driver..so far much better....if got $$, better get fitted...wasted 3 years swing a D0 (actually a C9 SW discovered only after i change grip) driver, now accidentally discover SW D8 closer to my liking (and result). If too poor at the very least get an adjustable driver and play play.

BTW i say too poor is not the fitting is expensive, but fitting may opens up the options to a whole new world of spending in golf equipment which i know i cannot resist. Got phobia to go fitting.

Also got some I think out to make money de leh today at range one guy was getting fitted inne bay beside mine. The fitter recommend him r11s...even ask him try rbz.. He wasn't hitting that well but he keep saying these clubs as he gets better then he will b able to use better...

I dunno lar I'm no pro but if I get fitted i rather be fitted for clubs that "fit" me now. Not clubs that maybe someday if I get better will work for me

Hey,

I don't wanna give advuce becoz the Master, DGMAN has already stated the correct & the Truth.

But wanted to share something....

I find Callaway shafts, OEM stock shaft ( Original shaft installed ) to be heavier as compared to other brands.

If you to go a Golf shop like Isetan, where you can compare different brands in one floor area.

You will noticed that Callaway shafts are either 75 or 80grams on 3, 5 wood and even on their hybrid.

While other brands shaft weights are between 60 to 65 grams.

Weight plays an important role on distance