Driver Suggestions

Guisseppeth

Recently traded in my starter set that I have had for a few years and bought myself a new set of Wilson Deep Red Irons/Hybrids.

I am now looking for a new driver to go with these. I wouldn't say I am a great golfer or a bad one either - somewhere middle of the road. Would normally average anything from 90's to low 100's when playing which at the moment is less that 10 times a year. Will be increasing this though which is why I have decided to invest in new clubs.

I tend to slice the ball a bit when driving but I have slowed my downswing and this helps me a bit. Therefore I'm looking for something thats a bit "forgiving". Don't really know too much about what degrees loft etc I should be going for. Any suggestions?? Don't want to break the bank either but don't mind paying for something that will definitely help me drive.

Cheers

Mister Sifter

I'd say you should go for one with 10.5 degree loft. Something with a big head... maybe the Taylor Made r5... it's been superceeded by the r7 now so has been brought down in price a fair bit. You should pick one up in the bigger golf stores for around 100 - 130 euro.

Be sure to take a look in the second hand area too... some real bargains to be had. I often look at the second hand clubs in McGuirks and there are some really good ones for pretty cheap.

Guisseppeth

Cheers Graeme. Saw the R7 in Elverys earlier in the week for either €249 or €299 (can't remember). A mate of mine has just got an R5 and has been talking about it non stop so I'll have a go with his to see what its like.

Mister Sifter

If it's the R7 you fancy, take a look at direct golf. They have the R7 on sale at the moment for 149 pounds (about 210 euro or so). They deliver to Ireland for about 15 euro and are excellent. I've bought from them for years and never had a problem. Could maybe save yourself a few euro.

I've seen many golfers of a similar standard to yourself with the r5 and i've not heard anybody say a bad thing about them.

Depends how much you want to spend, but all the recent taylor made drivers are excellent and generally easy to hit. Whether it's R5, R7 or the dearer Superquad... i'm fairly sure you'll love it!

Guisseppeth

Cheers - Seems like Taylor Made is the way to go then. A few people have actually said that to me. As for which one - I suppose it will depend on what I can afford at the time when I go to buy it.

dak

Guisseppeth wrote:

Cheers - Seems like Taylor Made is the way to go then. A few people have actually said that to me. As for which one - I suppose it will depend on what I can afford at the time when I go to buy it.

I would also like to suggest the King Cobra 10.5 F Speed also around half price at around 140 euro ( Noisy but forgiving) Saw a few in golfworks in portmarnock driving range the other night

Golf Ninja

dak wrote:

I would also like to suggest the King Cobra 10.5 F Speed also around half price at around 140 euro ( Noisy but forgiving) Saw a few in golfworks in portmarnock driving range the other night

Alot of it depends on what way you are hitting the ball right to left or left to right.

Make sure you get something about 10.5 or more with probably a regular shaft.

Sandwich

I would suggest avoiding a driver altogether for the moment. Its sacrosanct place in most handicap golfer's (especially beginners) bags is over rated. Really it is a 'better players' club and should be no more recommended than playing with a set of bladed irons until a good level has been reached.

Playing 3 wood (possibly 13 or 14deg, rather than more common 15deg) will give you generally better scores more than compensating for the few yards you will lose on a low % of your tee shots by not playing a driver.

Mister Sifter

McGuirks in Blanch have a few decent drivers and 3-woods in the second hand section just now... i was out there tonight. There's one Taylor Made R7 draw, a Nike sasquatch (sp?), a Titleist 3 wood and a few others .

dak

Sandwich wrote:

I would suggest avoiding a driver altogether for the moment. Its sacrosanct place in most handicap golfer's (especially beginners) bags is over rated. Really it is a 'better players' club and should be no more recommended than playing with a set of bladed irons until a good level has been reached.

Playing 3 wood (possibly 13 or 14deg, rather than more common 15deg) will give you generally better scores more than compensating for the few yards you will lose on a low % of your tee shots by not playing a driver.

I'd haveto agree with this arguement for beginners ! I personally started off with a bag with a 3 and a 5 wood ( No driver) and once I got the hang of those I progressed to a 2 wood . I been playing off and on for 30 years and I'd say its only in the last ten that the driver has become important. For beginners its probably more important to get your short game right. If you don't it doesn't really matter how far you hit your first shot!

Guisseppeth

Cheers Lads. To be honest I'm not a beginner and have been playing for a good few years but just not on a regular enough basis. I can "hit a ball" as they say and am pretty consistent with most of my other longer shots so its just really my initial tee shot but more often than not my putting thats bringing the scores up. That and the fact I need to play more regularly.

I don't need to have a driver but I think I'm better off learning "on the job" as this is the only way I'm going to improve.

Thanks for all the suggestions though - will take them all under consideration.

daconn

I was in the same boat as you.

Went to McGuirks and was looking at the Taylormade R7 draw.

Fella in Mcguirks put a MacGregor NVG2 Draw in my hand, and I'm a new golfer. Was voted best driver to eliminate slice in 2 mags.

Have to say it's great.
Friend had a G5 and after trying the Mac he went and traded in.
Hitting the ball 40 yards further, straight, and I've gone from scoring 25-30 to 30 -36 points per round.

my 2 pence worth.