Golf Driver Discussion...

Hey guys.. at the moment .. im using a Taylormade R7 460 driver. i know thats quite old already..haha..
so now looking at some of the drivers that is currently in the market.. realised that there isnt many choices.. it seems to have a slow down in golf company to churn out new models.. like taylormade??..

After a glance through, i have choosen .. Nike Dymo.. ( not the square edition) ... Taylormade Tour Burner( wanted to get this , but dint hv a chance, still available?).


wah only 2 models.. lol. not much choices sia... so how do you guys think about the dymo and tour burner?.. dymo is going for 200+ right?.. but 8.5/9.5/10.5 loft of dymo, each have a different head size?..


thanks and help to resolve my doubts.. haha..

TM has R9 models available. How abt other brands?? like mizuno, cleveland, titleist, cobra, callaway, adams, ping and more.

Not saying dymo and tour burner no gd, just want to point out that there are still alot of drivers ard

I've played the Nike Dymo (squared) 5900 and TM Burner 09 (not the tour burner) so my comments aren't exactly on point but hopefully, give you some insight into these clubs.

Nike
+ Easy to get the ball off the ground.
+ Relatively long.
+ Forgiving (BUT not as forgiving as the Burner).
- Loud (but the 5900 is notorious for this)
- Square head not agreeable with all.
- Club head felt hollow.

TM Burner
+ Head shape inspires confidence (but this is personal).
+ Long (longer than the Nike).
+ Forgiving.
+ Sounds solid upon impact.
- Stock shaft is crap (but they usually are). I had an Asian stiff shaft.

Aside from the TM and Nike, you may want to consider these other drivers all of which are pretty good.

1. Ping G10 (or even the V2) (or splurge on the G15 or I15)
2. Cleveland Launcher 09
3. Cleveland HiBore Monster XLS (my current driver)
4. Mizuno MX-700
5. TM R9 (or the R9 Max or 460)
6. Cobra S9-1

By the way, just because there are no new driver models doesn't mean that the market is slow. If anything, it could mean that the current breed of drivers are doing really well.

It's also a little tricky trying to recommend drivers without knowing your skill level. Some drivers are obviously more suited for better golfers whereas other drivers are more forgiving and therefore tend to be favored by higher handicap golfers.

All said and done, it is important to realize that drivers are (in many ways) like putters. They are quite personal. To make matters more complicated, the performance of a driver can vastly improve (or get worse) depending on the shaft of the club so there are other variables which need to be considered in addition to the clubhead alone.

I hope this helps. Feel free to share your thoughts

Why don't you consider sticking to the same R7 head...but go fitting for a new shaft???? From a mag which I read last month (the free monthly ones ), the shaft is like the engine of car........

juz to add, i think driver dun have too old wan la, unless u bought it 5 yrs ago...

we can nvr keep up to date on the latest driver unless yr $$$$ strong..


impt is to find one that u are comfortable n confident.. i think can last 3 yrs ba.....

thanks to techno and weesern. and also the others who had responded..

oh yea.. i actually had forgotten about cleveland and Cobra. haha..thanks..

cleveland the hibore looks cool.. the sound also pretty solid.. ..


cobra. yea. maybe i wanna get a cobra.. but they are quite expensive and singapore only pan-west and a few small shops in far east carry them?

erm whereas R9... imo.. no offence arh.. since the first R9 till now the r9460.. i dint think the design is nice.. looks quite simple lei.. but maybe in future... i will change the view?. haha.. but i did tried my friends' R9 460.. even though its US spec with reg. still whippy?... ???lol..

never tried PING before... so i cant comment. lol..

thanks for e comments.. haha.. keep em rolling

IMO, drivers have pretty much reached their limits. 460 is the max for a head and there are limits on MOI and COR. All that companies can do is change the head shapes and use different materials in an attempt to shift weight and CG around. The promise of distance with every new driver is all pretty much marketing. And the shaft being the engine of the club is right. Stock shafts that come with the driver will not be as good as a dedicated after market premium shaft. So the best thing is to go for a fitting and have ur shaft changed to achieve optimum launch angle and spin rate. Much better than buying a new driver of the rack every couple of years which will eventually cost you more in terms dollars spent.

And the only way to get distance quick is to go with a longer shaft, which is why you see 46 inches now very much the norm. TaylorMade Burner, MacGregor NV-NXs, the Yamaha Inpres X 4.6 ST-long is even longer at 46.25 inches. High MOI and Lower CG have now made the heads stable enough to take the much technologically advanced longer shafts keeping dispersion within an acceptable range.

My driver (Cleveland TI 460) itself is 5 years old or more, and I don't find it any shorter than the drivers of today, if there has been any increase in distance or accuracy, it's negligable. In fact, I have gained some distance from understanding the more efficient use of leverage. In other words practice la... can't get around that.

Here's a thought. My driver when I bought it was on sale for $299. Compare it to the latest $1000 driver. Even if I get 10 metres more with the latest club (mostly marketing I feel), when I divide the distance hit with each driver by how much I spent, my Cleveland still comes out the winner giving me the max distance for every dollar.

And that's what I tell myself when some sales guy tells me this driver good ah, hit 10 meteres longer. LOL.

But I must confess my resolve is weakening after testing the new Cobra ZL. I'm almost at the verge of caving in....

i love my r7 limited! haha i find taylormade drivers to feel very powerful. however, if i were to get one now, i'd definitely go for the titleist 909D3.

i've got the nike sumo2 5900 but like tspaz mentioned it doesn't go as far (compared to my the r7) although it is much more forgiving for off centre hits.

i'm not a big fan of the adjustable technology in drivers today though i.e r9, cobra ZL, str8-fit..

i reckon most drivers today perform really well. so you can't go wrong with choosing any of them, but i feel you have to like the look and the sound and how confidence-inspiring it is. oh and test/demo them whenever you can.

Toa Payoh range for PING, Bishan for Nike.. not sure where to demo Taylormade though.. Cobra is having a demo coming up at MBGC on the 29th!

There is a driver out there call Krank rage driver and it has won most of the long drive contest in states. It has very good reviews on the net but is practically unknown here.
Price wise it is not too costly at US$320.00 including freight charges to Singapore. Wonder anyone has tried this driver before? It seems that krank golf specialised in drivers.

i'm a beginner and my old nike SQ sumo 5000 with stock diamana SR shaft hits for 180-200 on a good drive. most of the time it fades on me though... :/

but i don't quite like the sound of nike drivers.... overly loud and hollow. i like the nice solid pings.

one driver i'm looking at upgrading in future might be the adams speedline series as i've read quite good reviews except that it's not a very popular brand locally.

titleist driver the buttom looks freaking cool. but then its not so nice when its facing u when u launch the ball.. ( hard to explain wad i meant by buttom and top . lol)..

now there is driver longer than 46 inches?!..

Alamak...fm the various comments, it seems that my Nike 460 is considered old, passe and loud or some call noisy.....sigh...I better hide this truth fm my nike driver......will pamper him tonite and motivate him....HAHAHAHAH

Duval_S wrote:

Alamak...fm the various comments, it seems that my Nike 460 is considered old, passe and loud or some call noisy.....sigh...I better hide this truth fm my nike driver......will pamper him tonite and motivate him....HAHAHAHAH

haha... i'm still using my old noisy driver...

i actually like the sound of the 1st gen sumo square.. .. tried.. and can really go really straight...

Hi I have hit my 1st golf ball in 2002. Used to participate in another golf Forum called Cyber Tee Box in Delphi Forums which sadly died off for lack of participation as everyone progresses forward . Initially it was real active as most of us were beginners. WE had regular outtings. This can be attested by Slinger, Ssquirel, Nutty and Golfamigo as they were all forerunners there. I was known as the 'component' guy down there where nearly every week I brought down new drivers for everyone to try though I was a beginner. Who ever loves the club can buy it off me. You see at that time I really believe that my golf skill which sucks was due to the 'arrow' not being straight. But after 3 or 4 years down the road, after spending lots of moolas on new drivers, I have to admit to myself that it was the "Indian" who could not aim straight. Not the "arrow" crooked. Since then I have stayed faithfully on my Nike Sumo SQ Tour 9.5' for nearly 3 0r more years now. In between still experiment a bit but nothing can kick my Nike out of its place. I am not a far hitter but I have confidence that it will land in the Fairways 200 m away, most of the time anyway kekekeke. What I am trying to say is stay with a club even if it does not perform initially. Give it a chance and some time and eventually you will get use to its timing, flex and your rhythm will synchronised together perfectly. JMHO.


***In The Bag***
Driver:Nike SQ Tour 9.5* GRAMAN LIMEY UL640 R/F 45" length.

Fairway: Big Bertha Steelhead Plus 4 Wood R/F (CAN'T KICK THIS OUT EITHER DESPITE NEW RANGES IN THE MARKET). Cleveland Halo 22* Utility R/F, TM Burner 3 Hybrid R/F

Irons: Cobra S9 NS 80 R Flex 5-GW


Wedges: Titleist Vokey 60* L/W, Cleveland CG 11 S/W
Putter: Macgregor/Grace vFoil M6.4k

wah...bro-Tituman, that was a very nice of the journey then and now......I am also using the Nike...but not tour version coz not tour-inclined performance yet.....but actually the basic Nike 460 normal shape driver.....

Fm your equipment, the only common with you is the Ti-Tao (hokkien)

Welcome to the forum...do join us for range and game

Tituman wrote:

Hi I have hit my 1st golf ball in 2002. Used to participate in another golf Forum called Cyber Tee Box in Delphi Forums which sadly died off for lack of participation as everyone progresses forward . Initially it was real active as most of us were beginners. WE had regular outtings. This can be attested by Slinger, Ssquirel, Nutty and Golfamigo as they were all forerunners there. I was known as the 'component' guy down there where nearly every week I brought down new drivers for everyone to try though I was a beginner. Who ever loves the club can buy it off me. You see at that time I really believe that my golf skill which sucks was due to the 'arrow' not being straight. But after 3 or 4 years down the road, after spending lots of moolas on new drivers, I have to admit to myself that it was the "Indian" who could not aim straight. Not the "arrow" crooked. Since then I have stayed faithfully on my Nike Sumo SQ Tour 9.5' for nearly 3 0r more years now. In between still experiment a bit but nothing can kick my Nike out of its place. I am not a far hitter but I have confidence that it will land in the Fairways 200 m away, most of the time anyway kekekeke. What I am trying to say is stay with a club even if it does not perform initially. Give it a chance and some time and eventually you will get use to its timing, flex and your rhythm will synchronised together perfectly. JMHO.


***In The Bag***
Driver:Nike SQ Tour 9.5* GRAMAN LIMEY UL640 R/F 45" length.

Fairway: Big Bertha Steelhead Plus 4 Wood R/F (CAN'T KICK THIS OUT EITHER DESPITE NEW RANGES IN THE MARKET). Cleveland Halo 22* Utility R/F, TM Burner 3 Hybrid R/F

Irons: Cobra S9 NS 80 R Flex 5-GW


Wedges: Titleist Vokey 60* L/W, Cleveland CG 11 S/W
Putter: Macgregor/Grace vFoil M6.4k

welcome spidey, folks, unlike our TSS who is a 180m specialist, we now have a 200m "specialist" ........ bewarned hor ppl

Tks Duval. hope to join up with you guys soon.
Slinger, don't be a Buaya here la. Now already withdrew my CPF how many strokes you give me now? I surender age to you, skill and flexibility to you, experience. Last time you gave me 5/5 now 7/7? Paiseh to ask 9/9 la. Got to have some face myself right? Last time already 250m carry, now add on with more experience, 280m now???? Even then lose also got to 'lun' la. Can't join you guys for the Legend trip as it is Primary School Exam month. If I go, then my golf licence will be suspended by MOF. Sigh.......what to do? She brings in the bread. I only knows how to eat and golf..... So got to be chauffeur cum MOHA. Hope to join you guys next month and maybe catch up with Uncle Lau for game at NSRCC as he is the Resident Green Keeper there. Oh in fact, he should call me old uncle la as I am at least 10 years his senior. Contemplating joining NSRCC soon and hope he could help me to book golf for Sat mornings. 'Allo UL, think you could assist me in that if I join later? Kam Sia Kam Sia........I buy coffee for you okie?

Titu

TLHENG wrote:

There is a driver out there call Krank rage driver and it has won most of the long drive contest in states. It has very good reviews on the net but is practically unknown here.
Price wise it is not too costly at US$320.00 including freight charges to Singapore. Wonder anyone has tried this driver before? It seems that krank golf specialised in drivers.

Hi TL, do you have any idea whats the length of their shaft. I guess you know la but for the benefit of those who doesnt, it is as long as 52" to 56" compared to our 45" to sometime 46". All you need is one good hit and you are there. But for that kind of length, they required stiffness of flex in the XXXXXXXXXXXXXX STIFF FLEX ! Think using our stainless steel water pipe still not stiff enough I reckon.

Titu

Hi TL, do you have any idea whats the length of their shaft. I guess you know la but for the benefit of those who doesnt, it is as long as 52" to 56" compared to our 45" to sometime 46". All you need is one good hit and you are there. But for that kind of length, they required stiffness of flex in the XXXXXXXXXXXXXX STIFF FLEX ! Think using our stainless steel water pipe still not stiff enough I reckon


Hi Tituman, the length of the shaft is 45inches which is standard. According to Krank golf, 95% of their customers are ordinary players and not super hard hitter. You can visit their website www.krankgolf.com for more info.

For my swing speed (85mph) they recommended A or senior flex shaft which is what I am having with my current driver (touredge).

Hi TL, I over exagerated on the length there. Official legal length for Long Drive is 50". But I am not kidding these guys flex goes to the XXXXXXXXXX stiff flex.I have read people using longer than that up to 56" in length. Thats where my mistake thinking that one was during official Long Drive Competition. Do you know that someone nearly hit 500 m with one of those 'tek ko'? BANG is a component brand famous for its long drive competition drivers. You can do a search for this brand. I have one of BANG's component head which hits 400 m plus but I can only do 200m with it and at best if hit perfectly another 20m more.. So its not the 'arrow' but the 'Indian'. I learnt the hard way at the beginning thru my pocket but now mellow down and have to accept the Arrow and Indian theory.

http://www.longdrivers.com/remax_howtoenter.php

http://www.banggolf.com/

Titu

PS I still have one of the Bang driver head which won the World Record Long Drive (official distance) at 539 yds at the 29th April 2004 LDA Championship. It has a sticker which comes alonng with the head when I bot it. But I old man could only hit max distance of 230m on one of those 'perfect' hits. I shafted it with the gold coloured Pro Force VS at 46" but R flex as I dont have any club head speed at all. Fore runners are welcome to try my this club if one of this days we can meet at the range. But hard hitters will be disappointed with the R flex that it is now shafted with. Dont mind letting it go at a reasonable price though.

Hi Tituman, which model of the Bang driver head and what's the volume (460cc)?

TLHENG wrote:

Hi Tituman, which model of the Bang driver head and what's the volume (460cc)?

Bangster with 430cc volume.

http://www.banggolf.com/prodgroup.asp?cat=DRVBSTR
http://www.banggolf.com/index.asp

Titu

They have a 4˚ driver? WOW!

Tried my recently acquired Nik2 Dymo2 10.5, excellent distance with i can hit it right.