New Driver Recommendation

morrga

Anyone recommend a new Driver with a budget up to €300? Was looking at Taylormade SLDR or Cobra's and perhaps Pings.

Wombatman

Brandon Grace sure loves his Big Bertha Alpha Double Black Diamond :rolleyes:

http://www.mcguirksgolf.com/page/callaway-big-bertha-alpha-815-drivers/502

Sean_pop

morrga wrote: »

Anyone recommend a new Driver with a budget up to €300? Was looking at Taylormade SLDR or Cobra's and perhaps Pings.

I would stay well clear of Cobra anyway.

I would recommend to go and get fitted.

Ask for advice based on your results as to which driver suits you best.

titlebearer

Ping are always a great club for Driving. The new G30 and the last version of G25 are very good.

dan_ep82

Sean_pop wrote: »

I would stay well clear of Cobra anyway.

Why? Seen a few using them well and thelatest are giving very good reviews

9to5

If you go to any pro or shop with a trackman or flightscope and tell them you have 300 to spend on a new driver you'll get your choice to hit. No way you should spend 300 without seeing the numbers.

Russman

9to5 wrote: »

If you go to any pro or shop with a trackman or flightscope and tell them you have 300 to spend on a new driver you'll get your choice to hit. No way you should spend 300 without seeing the numbers.

Best advice is to get fitted, even a basic fit somewhere like McGuirks will give you some idea of what you need.

But don't tell them you've up to €300 to spend or you'll end up spending €300 !:)
Wait to see what clubs work best for you. You should be able to haggle a new Ping G30 down to €300 anyway. It'd be fairly unusual not to find a Ping driver that can't be spec'd to suit someone, without the need to go exotic with shafts, especially that there's multiple G30 heads & lofts available and 3 excellent stock shafts.

ronnie3585

As above, get one fitted.

I have the Ping G25 and I absolutely love it. I love the way it looks, very understated. I find it very forgiving too with off center strikes. Don't see myself changing it for a long time.

FixdePitchmark

What did you have before ?

Great deals here for a top of the range driver with great shafts and SureFit hosel.

http://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/q_titleist+913/

rollotomasi

morrga wrote: »

Anyone recommend a new Driver with a budget up to €300? Was looking at Taylormade SLDR or Cobra's and perhaps Pings.

The latest and greatest drivers from the premium brands will all cost more than €300. But you will pick up some great deals on models that have been out a while or about to be replaced.
I'd try out the Callaway X-Hots - these are now at a good price.
If you can get fitted somewhere with a range, all the better - e.g. McGuirks Kinsealy.
Also, here are some upcoming range demo days and better than hitting indoors at a net:
http://www.mcguirksgolf.com/page/demo-days/200

mafc

morrga wrote: »

Anyone recommend a new Driver with a budget up to €300? Was looking at Taylormade SLDR or Cobra's and perhaps Pings.

Got the SLDR for €199 in American Golf a few weeks ago.

stockdam

Drivers are personal choices, what works for one person may be a dog for another. I cannot hit draw biased drivers (well I can but when I'm playing well I need to stay away from snap hooks).

Hit as many as you can until you find one that suits your swing. Don't underestimate how the driver sits at address as that can give you confidence.

Sean_pop

dan_ep82 wrote: »

Why? Seen a few using them well and thelatest are giving very good reviews

I have not used one myself. its just that I heard from people is that they found it difficult to get a consistent ball flight and it was not as forgiving as other drivers on the market.

neckedit

Sean_pop wrote: »

I have not used one myself. its just that I heard from people is that they found it difficult to get a consistent ball flight and it was not as forgiving as other drivers on the market.

Cobra are, in my opinion as good as any other brand on the market at the moment, while they are not the "In" brand, i would suggest the lack of consistent ball flight is a direct result of the end user.

Sean_pop

neckedit wrote: »

Cobra are, in my opinion as good as any other brand on the market at the moment, while they are not the "In" brand, i would suggest the lack of consistent ball flight is a direct result of the end user.

You probably hit the nail on the head. Just going on what I heard from others who are of a good standard.

morrga

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

What did you have before ?

Great deals here for a top of the range driver with great shafts and SureFit hosel.

http://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/q_titleist+913/

I have a Cobra S3. Did the job for me as a basic starter driver. Actually quite like it but feel ready to try something different. Hence why I dont mind trying a Cobra again.

I booked into McGuirks to hit a few demos? Does that or the fitting cost anything? They never specified.

Thanks everyone for all comments thus far, all appreciated.

slave1

Keeping it short and sweet, shaft is 80% of a driver, heads are much of a muchness between all the brands ~ 20%, it's the shaft that will influence your decision. Get fitted.

alxmorgan

slave1 wrote: »

Keeping it short and sweet, shaft is 80% of a driver, heads are much of a muchness between all the brands ~ 20%, it's the shaft that will influence your decision. Get fitted.

I used to think this but based on recent experience I would put it more at 50/50 to be honest

BOB81

morrga wrote: »

I have a Cobra S3. Did the job for me as a basic starter driver. Actually quite like it but feel ready to try something different. Hence why I dont mind trying a Cobra again.

I booked into McGuirks to hit a few demos? Does that or the fitting cost anything? They never specified.

Thanks everyone for all comments thus far, all appreciated.

Did a fitting in mcguirks in kinsealy and it was €25 which you can then deduct off the cost of a future purchase. Not sure if the same charge applies for in store launch monitor fitting. As for drivers themselves my vote would be for the g30 (or g25 as they can be had quite reasonably), very forgiving and plenty long

THEFRIDGE

I went and got fitted, might be an option for you

Montgolfier

Put this link on a thread a while back and it went fine well.


http://www.golfwrx.com/202229/2014-gear-trials-best-drivers/

Tilikum

Try the ping G30 or G30 LS.

Don't get the sldr. You need to have a certain swing speed to be able to hit. The most returned driver in history, I'd wager.

BigChap1759

Tilikum wrote: »

Try the ping G30 or G30 LS.

Don't get the sldr. You need to have a certain swing speed to be able to hit. The most returned driver in history, I'd wager.

`
Not a certain swing speed but critical that you are fit properly or it will not perform at all due to the forward COG

slave1

Tilikum wrote: »

Try the ping G30 or G30 LS.

Don't get the sldr. You need to have a certain swing speed to be able to hit. The most returned driver in history, I'd wager.

I tried to hit this during a fitting in December, tried being the proper word, not a hope

mafc

slave1 wrote: »

I tried to hit this during a fitting in December, tried being the proper word, not a hope

I tried Titleist 915,Ping i25,Ping G30 ,TM Jetspeed & SLDR. The longest & most consistent for me was the SLDR. Horses for courses I suppose

slave1

mafc wrote: »

...Horses for courses I suppose...

Absolutely

Cona

Anyone aware of any place in Cork where PING or Taylormade or doing a demo day similar to the above in McGuirks?
I'm looking to try a driver or two as well but really would like to see some numbers on a flight scope as opposed to just lashing at a net.

cairny

Cona wrote: »

Anyone aware of any place in Cork where PING or Taylormade or doing a demo day similar to the above in McGuirks?
I'm looking to try a driver or two as well but really would like to see some numbers on a flight scope as opposed to just lashing at a net.

Pretty sure American Golf have a flight scope. As far as I know you can book a slot on it. I have it in my head that it's free but not 100% on that.

mafc

cairny wrote: »

Pretty sure American Golf have a flight scope. As far as I know you can book a slot on it. I have it in my head that it's free but not 100% on that.

It's free in Tallaght store, spent an hour trying different clubs and didn't have to pre book.

alxmorgan

Halpenny has a flightscope too. Will let you try clubs out I reckon. It's the fitting they would charge for.

dan_ep82

alxmorgan wrote: »

Halpenny has a flightscope too. Will let you try clubs out I reckon. It's the fitting they would charge for.

Trackman in Drogheda , they used to have a Vector but upgraded late last year.

Ollieboy

Bought a new driver on Wednesday, my old driver was 6 years old and I felt it was time to change.

So I ran down to McGuirks (hate the service) to avail of the 20% discount. Was planning to get the Titlest 915 Driver, but bought the G30 instead (329 to 264). I was hitting it far better than any other club. The 915 was second but a long way behind.

I got him to explain the difference to me and basically the 915 and Slider are designed for people with faster swings (high kick), as my fitting is regular the G30 was better at getting the head back into position. I hate the shape of the head on the G30 and far rather the 915, but results count. It was interesting to use the scope to see the results. Will get out at the weekend to hit my new toy on the course.

I defo wouldn't buy any club again without some sort of fitting or hitting balls on a scope.

alxmorgan

Ollieboy wrote: »

Bought a new driver on Wednesday, my old driver was 6 years old and I felt it was time to change.

So I ran down to McGuirks (hate the service) to avail of the 20% discount. Was planning to get the Titlest 915 Driver, but bought the G30 instead (329 to 264). I was hitting it far better than any other club. The 915 was second but a long way behind.

I got him to explain the difference to me and basically the 915 and Slider are designed for people with faster swings (high kick), as my fitting is regular the G30 was better at getting the head back into position. I hate the shape of the head on the G30 and far rather the 915, but results count. It was interesting to use the scope to see the results. Will get out at the weekend to hit my new toy on the course.

I defo wouldn't buy any club again without some sort of fitting or hitting balls on a scope.

Not sure on this one. Mark Crossfield doesn't have a fast swing and uses one very effectively. And kick point has more to do with how you swing rather than how fast

BigChap1759

Exactly, saying that they are designed for faster swings just shows how little the person in the shop understands, nonsense.

Tilikum

alxmorgan wrote: »

Not sure on this one. Mark Crossfield doesn't have a fast swing and uses one very effectively. And kick point has more to do with how you swing rather than how fast

Doesn't use one anyone and from any videos I've seen of him on the course, I'm not surprised at all.

neckedit

BigChap1759 wrote: »

Exactly, saying that they are designed for faster swings just shows how little the person in the shop understands, nonsense.

I wouldn't say its nonsense, it has not been a great seller down to the fact the ordinary Joe Soap player can get the best out of it, Taylor Made by their own admission, agree that the significant distance and benefits of these clubs where achieved using a testing robot and 150 MPH ball speed and centre strikes, the avg player,does not achieve 150 ball speed let alone centre strikes. I know there is a few out there who do top out at and above this mark. it will start to move now that the price has come down with the introduction of the R15, but its definitely not a club for the masses.

dan_ep82

neckedit wrote: »

I wouldn't say its nonsense, it has not been a great seller down to the fact the ordinary Joe Soap player can get the best out of it, Taylor Made by their own admission, agree that the significant distance and benefits of these clubs where achieved using a testing robot and 150 MPH ball speed and centre strikes, the avg player,does not achieve 150 ball speed let alone centre strikes. I know there is a few out there who do top out at and above this mark. it will start to move now that the price has come down with the introduction of the R15, but its definitely not a club for the masses.

I think it has more to do with the lower MOI than the swing speed. The issue I had with the few I tested was off center strikes were punishing but it was a few yards longer than others. I wouldn't be swinging at 120mph, more around 100-110

alxmorgan

Tilikum wrote: »

Doesn't use one anyone and from any videos I've seen of him on the course, I'm not surprised at all.

Yes he has changed recently but for about 6 months (see any of the vlogs from last summer) he used one all the time

spacecoyote

Yeah, he played the SLDR driver for most of last year looking at his vlogs & raved about it. He has definitely switched to something else by now, but not sure exactly what.

His pal Lockey is using the G30 now. His swing speed would be higher than Crossfield's as far as I know and he was playing the Jetspeed last year

Crossfield might not be up at Rory speed, but from his launch monitor stuff he's still swinging comfortably above 100mph so not exactly a slouch .

Reality is that every person will get different results from different clubs so try every option available to you, and make an informed decision based on the feedback you see, not what any of us can recommend.

neckedit

dan_ep82 wrote:

I think it has more to do with the lower MOI than the swing speed. The issue I had with the few I tested was off center strikes were punishing but it was a few yards longer than others. I wouldn't be swinging at 120mph, more around 100-110

I'm with you on the lack of forgiveness....but I never mentioned swing speed. I was talking about ball speed. You can swing it as hard as you like, if you don't middle it it under performs. I think we maybe argueing the same point.......

morrga

spacecoyote wrote: »

Yeah, he played the SLDR driver for most of last year looking at his vlogs & raved about it. He has definitely switched to something else by now, but not sure exactly what.

His pal Lockey is using the G30 now. His swing speed would be higher than Crossfield's as far as I know and he was playing the Jetspeed last year

Crossfield might not be up at Rory speed, but from his launch monitor stuff he's still swinging comfortably above 100mph so not exactly a slouch .

Reality is that every person will get different results from different clubs so try every option available to you, and make an informed decision based on the feedback you see, not what any of us can recommend.

Agree and I have a clear idea what to do now after reading all the various comments. Will book in a fitting and see what suits.

Ollieboy

neckedit wrote: »

I wouldn't say its nonsense, it has not been a great seller down to the fact the ordinary Joe Soap player can get the best out of it, Taylor Made by their own admission, agree that the significant distance and benefits of these clubs where achieved using a testing robot and 150 MPH ball speed and centre strikes, the avg player,does not achieve 150 ball speed let alone centre strikes. I know there is a few out there who do top out at and above this mark. it will start to move now that the price has come down with the introduction of the R15, but its definitely not a club for the masses.

You've explain that far better than I could, the guy in the shop felt that both clubs suit the better striker of a golf ball and someone that could create better speed or down force. And also hit the ball the same way each time.

My swing speed was 90 and people would describe me as a long hitter at my club.

I was disappointed that the 915 and Slider didn't work for me as I defo fancy getting either. But hopefully in 3 months time I'll be in love with my G30.

Russman

Ollieboy wrote: »

You've explain that far better than I could, the guy in the shop felt that both clubs suit the better striker of a golf ball and someone that could create better speed or down force. And also hit the ball the same way each time.

My swing speed was 90 and people would describe me as a long hitter at my club.

I was disappointed that the 915 and Slider didn't work for me as I defo fancy getting either. But hopefully in 3 months time I'll be in love with my G30.

I think you will be !
I've had a few games with mine and, for me, its so much better than G25.

TheDoc

Personally I think a driver is the most custom and personal club in your back, and what works for one won't work for everyone.

One of the clubs I'd say you really should get fitted for and try a large selection before settling. I wouldn't be too phased if you handed me a new putter, new irons or wedges tomorrow for the first time, but I'd lose my **** if you handed me a new driver to play with.

Noticable how most pros value their driver as being the most valuable in their bag. Once they find one that works they tend to stick with it.

dan_ep82

I'm seriously considering going to Carton to get a fitting on a driver, it's the one club I've never been able to find one I'm happy with once the honeymoon period is over.

The fittings I got in Halpenny and McGuirks were basically hit this,try this one, now this one etc with no measurements taken or questions except what hc do you play off so it would be interesting to see what it came up with. I'd be delighted if it was a stock shaft+head as I simply don't have the money for exotic shafts

TheDoc

dan_ep82 wrote: »

I'm seriously considering going to Carton to get a fitting on a driver, it's the one club I've never been able to find one I'm happy with once the honeymoon period is over.

The fittings I got in Halpenny and McGuirks were basically hit this,try this one, now this one etc with no measurements taken or questions except what hc do you play off so it would be interesting to see what it came up with. I'd be delighted if it was a stock shaft+head as I simply don't have the money for exotic shafts

depending on the brand, you've a wealth of options. Titleist for example have a universe of options. Taylor Made, not so much ( two year ago anyway)

A Titleist fitting day was on in my club two summers ago and I went down with my Da. Had a hankering for a driver but figured I'd kick some tyres and end up bottling it.

The weather wasn't great but the service was top notch. I feel like **** for not remembering the guys name but he was brilliant. He had me hit balls with my current driver which was one he said he used himself a while back. After looking at me swinging and reading my numbers he went through a few configs before settling on recommending one for me.

He was really helpful and explained everything in plain English. He tried to refine it down to like, perfect, but in the end after speaking to me recommended me a setup that he felt wouldn't be too negative if I decided to change my swing ( I had told him I was contemplating a swing change)

Still use it, and am in no rush to change. It's a 910D2. Ended up being the stock shaft, but he was able to give me the correct settings for it. Granted I changed these after swing changes.

I'd be hard pushed to now A)Move away from Titleist and not get custom fit.

I genuinelly can't remember the guys name, but I believe he travels around to clubs and driving ranges in the Fingal area every so often.


Best of all I was able to use vouchers I'd accrued in the pro shop account, so only paid something like €100 for the driver, the fitting itself was free. My Da who had only come down to watch, walked away with an invoice for a new set of Ap1's custom fitted

dan_ep82

TheDoc wrote: »

depending on the brand, you've a wealth of options. Titleist for example have a universe of options. Taylor Made, not so much ( two year ago anyway)

A Titleist fitting day was on in my club two summers ago and I went down with my Da. Had a hankering for a driver but figured I'd kick some tyres and end up bottling it.

The weather wasn't great but the service was top notch. I feel like **** for not remembering the guys name but he was brilliant. He had me hit balls with my current driver which was one he said he used himself a while back. After looking at me swinging and reading my numbers he went through a few configs before settling on recommending one for me.

He was really helpful and explained everything in plain English. He tried to refine it down to like, perfect, but in the end after speaking to me recommended me a setup that he felt wouldn't be too negative if I decided to change my swing ( I had told him I was contemplating a swing change)

Still use it, and am in no rush to change. It's a 910D2. Ended up being the stock shaft, but he was able to give me the correct settings for it. Granted I changed these after swing changes.

I'd be hard pushed to now A)Move away from Titleist and not get custom fit.

I genuinelly can't remember the guys name, but I believe he travels around to clubs and driving ranges in the Fingal area every so often.


Best of all I was able to use vouchers I'd accrued in the pro shop account, so only paid something like €100 for the driver, the fitting itself was free. My Da who had only come down to watch, walked away with an invoice for a new set of Ap1's custom fitted

Do carton only do a selection of brands?

I'm using the 913 D2 at the minute, I had the 910 for a while and liked it but sold a few parts I had lying around and said I'd treat myself. It just doesn't feel as forgiving or fast off the face compared to the likes of the Xhot range but I tend to hook those which I'd imagine is down to the draw bias where the D2 is slightly open

TheDoc

dan_ep82 wrote: »

Do carton only do a selection of brands?

I'm using the 913 D2 at the minute, I had the 910 for a while and liked it but sold a few parts I had lying around and said I'd treat myself. It just doesn't feel as forgiving or fast off the face compared to the likes of the Xhot range but I tend to hook those which I'd imagine is down to the draw bias where the D2 is slightly open

Not sure on the brand selection. I know the Titleist HQ is there though. Mark O'Mahony was the main man there last time I heard, had actually planned to go down to get him to take a look at my rescue and 3 wood and make some recommendations.

I'm on the 910D2 at the moment, no real need to change it.

I used to hit a relatively low ball, that had pretty rubbish carry( for my size and ability) and I wanted to see what could be done clubwise. That is what pushed me to get a new driver and get fitted. I was using a TM Burner(white headed thing) and I just couldn't get any carry or distance, and it had a tendancy to be wild.

I'm comfortably maxing at the 300-310 yard range now and getting really good carry and ball flight. At first I was hitting this mad slingshothook, but ironed that out over time.

I'm in my current job over a year now and have had two outings, and the face on people when I hit my driver

John Divney

I'd go for the Ping G30 to try out as top of the list

dan_ep82

TheDoc wrote: »

Not sure on the brand selection. I know the Titleist HQ is there though. Mark O'Mahony was the main man there last time I heard, had actually planned to go down to get him to take a look at my rescue and 3 wood and make some recommendations.

I'm on the 910D2 at the moment, no real need to change it.

I used to hit a relatively low ball, that had pretty rubbish carry( for my size and ability) and I wanted to see what could be done clubwise. That is what pushed me to get a new driver and get fitted. I was using a TM Burner(white headed thing) and I just couldn't get any carry or distance, and it had a tendancy to be wild.

I'm comfortably maxing at the 300-310 yard range now and getting really good carry and ball flight. At first I was hitting this mad slingshothook, but ironed that out over time.

I'm in my current job over a year now and have had two outings, and the face on people when I hit my driver

Thats one thing I'd be worried about, lack of selection.

300 is well and above my average, something I've only ever hit on my best of strikes with the xhot pro during the summer with a good roll. If I could carry 250-260 consistently I'd be really happy

John Divney wrote: »

I'd go for the Ping G30 to try out as top of the list

Ping is coming to the club early march and I'm going to book into a fitting for them to see if it would be any good.

Freemount09

Don't think I've ever seen any non pro using a Nike driver !? Anyone here using the new Nike Vapor ?