Do I need a new Driver?

Sugarblue

Hello people,
No GUI handicap but in the range of 18-20. Have a TM Burner Draw 13* (circa 2007) hitting it straight nearly all the time. Getting around 200 YDS. I don't mill it to ensure hitting it straight. I would like to upgrade to maybe a SLDR or Jetspeed but don't want to go back to slicing it right ? Do you think I should be satisfied with 200 yds and stick to the Burner? Any comments appreciated! Thanks....

markthespark77

why change something that is't broken,if your happy with the driver keep it..maybe put the money aside for a few lessons and ask the pro's advice on a driver if u still want a new one.

Russman

This exactly ^^^^

Don't take this the wrong way, but if your hitting your driver 200yds then you certainly don't want a SLDR, it's really better for higher swing speeds.

If you're determined to change or want a new club, get some sort of fitting done, even a basic one in the likes of McGuirks, then get yourself a Ping G25 at a knockdown price.

Sugarblue

Thanks guys . I just thought 200yds was a little on the low side? Lessons it is! And a look at the ping G25 cheers again.

alxmorgan

Sugarblue wrote: »

Thanks guys . I just thought 200yds was a little on the low side? Lessons it is! And a look at the ping G25 cheers again.

All depends on your swing speed. May be fine for how fast you swing the club. Or may be that you are not as efficient as you could be. But a pro should be your first stop.

One with a launch monitor would be able to tell you quickly how efficient you are hitting it.

Sugarblue

Swing speed is very slow back then more going forward . Trajectory looks like 5 wood and straight just afraid to get really into it. It feels like the perfect contact and looks great (so everyone says) but accuracy is definitely compromised when letting it rip. It could be a lesson or 2 on santas wish list me thinks!

Letree

Sugarblue wrote: »

but accuracy is definitely compromised when letting it rip.

That is the curse of all amateur golfer and even most pros.

What age are you sugarblue, are you in reasonable shape?

Sugarblue

46 and not unfit (reasonable shape)

Letree

Sugarblue wrote: »

46 and not unfit (reasonable shape)

You should be able to get a good few more yards than 200 then. A few lessons would be a good start.

As for the new driver, golf is our hobby and it can be great to splash out on new clubs every now and then. So if you feel like a new driver get one. The ping g25 is a really good driver. A friend of mine got one recently.

Sugarblue

I'll definitely have a look at the G25. Next stop lessons.

FixdePitchmark

Sugarblue wrote: »

Hello people,
No GUI handicap but in the range of 18-20. Have a TM Burner Draw 13* (circa 2007) hitting it straight nearly all the time. Getting around 200 YDS. I don't mill it to ensure hitting it straight. I would like to upgrade to maybe a SLDR or Jetspeed but don't want to go back to slicing it right ? Do you think I should be satisfied with 200 yds and stick to the Burner? Any comments appreciated! Thanks....

I'd say go for lessons first.

If you are using a draw club and fearing a slice. I think you should get lessons. Also 200 yards is grand - but if you want to push on , you will need to hit some sort of club 230 + - you are just making golf so hard hitting hybrids - low irons , on even short par 4s for 2nd shot. Your chance of hitting a GIR are greatly diminished , if you are not hitting GIRs you will always be in that 12 to 20 range - even if you think you are Phil Mckelson with a 64 degree

There are so many things that can cause loss of distance - going to a new club is the easy answer to what is most likely a swing issue.

Going to something like an SLDR would be madness.

But men are men - we buy toys.

Go to a range with clubs for sale - go to 2nd hand bag - get good looking young pro - female or male to go out to bay and tell you what sort of shaft or club would be a good driver for you.

Buy one for 70 to 130 euro that you hit well.

Get lessons - 5 for 100 euro going in some places.

You will be slicing the bejasus out of new club - by the 5th lesson the pro will have your slice fixed , you will be hitting it 230 ,

You've a better swing - you have a new club - you have 30 yards - still 100 quid in pocket - your handicap will go down by 3 - rinse and repeat.

Money back guarantee ;)

alxmorgan

May also help to understand why a slice happens. Check this out for starters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-89M1vt66FA

Any questions....fire away

Down9194

Sugarblue if your selling the one you have let me know it sounds like it might suit me

Sugarblue

Down9194 wrote: »

Sugarblue if your selling the one you have let me know it sounds like it might suit me

Ok could be a few months though

blackwhite

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

get good looking young pro - female or male to go out to bay and tell you what sort of shaft

alxmorgan

Useful video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JhgLZ4chJQ&list=UUFHZHhZaH7Rc_FOMIzUziJA

Freemount09

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

... - get good looking young pro ...

Yea those ugly old pro's don't have a clue !

Montgolfier

Definitely need a new driver, if you went to the bother of asking here its clear you and your driver are no longer in love.
So I say fresh start to the new season spanking new driver how bad.
Check out this link http://www.golfwrx.com/202229/2014-gear-trials-best-drivers/

Sugarblue

Great link . Options to look into

Ciaranra

Get a new driver y not
Got myself a jetspeed and changed the stock shaft with a new Grafolloy prolaunch blue 65s
Having hit it yet but expect good things,
Going through a swing change so prob was a bad time to buy but at least it looks like a beast:D

Sugarblue

Got sorted the other day. Went to a well known golf shop and brought my driver . Hit with it first then tried the Callaway x2 Hot. The difference was inspiring! Turned 10.5 into 12* and added draw. Carry went from aver. 170 to 205 with same swing. Got it there and then along with the 5Wood. Job done . Thanks to all the guys who posted on this...

galwaylad14

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I'd say go for lessons first.

If you are using a draw club and fearing a slice. I think you should get lessons. Also 200 yards is grand - but if you want to push on , you will need to hit some sort of club 230 + - you are just making golf so hard hitting hybrids - low irons , on even short par 4s for 2nd shot. Your chance of hitting a GIR are greatly diminished , if you are not hitting GIRs you will always be in that 12 to 20 range - even if you think you are Phil Mckelson with a 64 degree

There are so many things that can cause loss of distance - going to a new club is the easy answer to what is most likely a swing issue.

Going to something like an SLDR would be madness.

But men are men - we buy toys.

Go to a range with clubs for sale - go to 2nd hand bag - get good looking young pro - female or male to go out to bay and tell you what sort of shaft or club would be a good driver for you.

Buy one for 70 to 130 euro that you hit well.

Get lessons - 5 for 100 euro going in some places.

You will be slicing the bejasus out of new club - by the 5th lesson the pro will have your slice fixed , you will be hitting it 230 ,

You've a better swing - you have a new club - you have 30 yards - still 100 quid in pocket - your handicap will go down by 3 - rinse and repeat.

Money back guarantee ;)

This is just great advice on so many levels.

Defintley recommend the cheaper driver option and spend the surplus on lessons.

No offence but at your age and in your shape if you're only hitting it 200 yards then there's something going wrong somewhere in your swing.

Get some lessons and I'd be surprised if you're not able to add another 20 yards and you won't believe how much this will help your game. So much easier to hit a green with an 8 iron than a 6 iron for example

stockdam

200 yards in the winter is OK but 200 yards total in the summer is short and you should be able to add 30 to 50 yards. You said that when you try for more length then you are erratic so that probably could be improved by lessons and practice.

The loft of your driver is 13 degrees which us quite lofted. What shaft does your driver have; a stiff shaft may not suit your swing.

Do you tee the ball low? If so then try a long tee and tee the ball higher. By teeing the ball low you may be hitting down and creating backspin. That coupled with your driver loft will hit the ball high and short. By teeing higher and moving the ball forward in your stance you'll hit the ball slightly on the way up which will reduce backspin.

Instead of blindly buying a new driver I'd go to a shop or pro who will let you try different drivers, lofts and shafts. The right loft and shaft may gain you lots. Next sign up to some lessons and with a bit of tweaking you may gain extra yards without compromising distance.

dodzy

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Go to a range - get good looking young pro - female or male to go out to bay and tell you what sort of shaft or club would be a good driver for you.

I took the liberty of doing the groundwork for the OP. Instructor sorted. He can thank me later