Gave up on the SLDR koolaid.....going on a new driver quest.

[evanseze]

First of all, I am not a TMAG hater, so please don't turn this thread into TMAG bash thread. Now on to my point of this thread.

 

I have been using a SLDR with a speeder TS 6.2x for the last 5-6 rounds of golf and while I love the look, sound, feel and ball flight, it is just not the end all be all driver that some are trying to tout it as. This club works well when hit in its very small sweet spot, but miss it just a bit........not so much. While I do hit quite a few fairways with this club, it is not by any means the longest driver I have ever hit when hit in the sweet spot. I had 2 SLDR drivers and a R1 that have both been let go via eBay. My swing speed is around the 104-108 range and my AOA ranges from -1 to +.5 for reference. I had one of the SLDR heads customized with a lighter weight, toe screw and a little cotton to give me a D3 SW and a sound that was reminiscent of the old R510tp. I am going all out on my quest to find the best driver for me. Here is my list of drivers that I am purchasing to try out.

 

- ping i25 8.5 degree

- Adams xtd 9 degree (using my TS 6.2x shaft in this head)

- Cobra Bio Cell pro

- TEE xcg7 beta

 

Again I am not here to bash on the SLDR, as I think it is a good driver, just not to the point of the hype it is getting not only on this site, but other sites as well. I can see why the pros like this club as it is very accurate, just incredibly unforgiving. Personally, I am hoping that Titleist will finally be bringing a solid offering in the 915 series as personally I thought the 913 series was a bit lack luster that really did not bring anything to the table that bettered the 910 series......if even as good. The ping G30 might be worth a try as well with the slightly lower spin and even more forgiveness.....hard to not take a look at that. For now, the 4 I have listed will be my trial run with the losers headed to the Bay. Once I have ran thru the 4 listed, I will post back with my findings and personal opinion.

[Steelhead]

I went i25 because it appeared to be a "forgiving" low spin driver and for me it's been the ticket. I had the SLDR and when I wasn't hitting it 180 yds it was 260 yds but certainly not repeatable (hello TMAG, we are all not perfect ball strikers :-). The i25 is forgiving and as long for me with a low spin. I've ordered the g30 'cause that's what we do here...if it beats my i25 then booYah! i25 is a beast

[tdelam]

I never liked the lack of forgiveness either, that COG placement really hurts. The i25 is a good one but if forgiveness is what you're after then you might be better off looking at the G25 instead, the i25 is not very forgiving.

[troublelove]

Why not demo them to find the right shaft rather than purchasing them then selling them on ebay? The Cobra is a great club but you need the right shaft in it to get in to perform at its max ability.

[audioph1x]

My buddy games the g25. To me it's pretty forgiving, and that says alot because my drives get pretty rough..

[evanseze]

[quote name='troublelove' timestamp='1405231361' post='9690205']
Why not demo them to find the right shaft rather than purchasing them then selling them on ebay? The Cobra is a great club but you need the right shaft in it to get in to perform at its max ability.
[/quote]

Where I live, the closest place to demo is 2.5 hours away.....besides I have almost $1000 in my paypal account from selling old clubs. Going to take my time and give all 4 an honest shot. Sell the 3 that don't make the grade, and then in true ho fashion.....pick up a G30 and a 915 d3 when they come out.

[Grapehunter]

Get the Cobra BC Pro and never look back. I'm so scared Cobras future iterations will change the way this driver plays that I'm tempted to buy a few back up heads.

[Kalicardplayer28]

I'm with Grapehunter go with the Bio cell pro. It's just as low spin and it is super forgiving. It setups nice and is a bomber. Cobra is on top if their game with this driver.

[BuckyBadger]

[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1405231934' post='9690231']
[quote name='troublelove' timestamp='1405231361' post='9690205']
Why not demo them to find the right shaft rather than purchasing them then selling them on ebay? The Cobra is a great club but you need the right shaft in it to get in to perform at its max ability.
[/quote]

Where I live, the closest place to demo is 2.5 hours away.....besides I have almost $1000 in my paypal account from selling old clubs. Going to take my time and give all 4 an honest shot. Sell the 3 that don't make the grade, and then in true ho fashion.....pick up a G30 and a 915 d3 when they come out.
[/quote]

I love your attitude. Sounds just like mine. No where near me to get fitted or try the lateset offerings. Good luck on your search. I have also dumped the SLDR and am looking for something else.

[Jado]

I'm with you brotha, had more SLDR's than anyone I know & wanted it to work more than any other driver I've ever owned but unless you're swinging well it's unfortunately hard work.
Enter the Bio Cell +, similar low spin (not as low spin as the sldr though) penetrating ball flight, more forgiving on heel & toe strikes even though its a 440cc head, absolutely murders the ball when pured & the bonus of coming with a sensational stock shaft.

[Goldenhawk]

If you need more forgiveness than the SLDR, then wait for the G30. It's long an forgiving. I have hit the G30 and I was impressed. The G30 in stock configuration in not as my SLDR due to the fact that my SLDr is a custom fit. But is was close. I reckon that when the G30 arrives in the fitting carts, I will be able to configure one into one long bomber.

[GWD]

Hey! How about adding a Bombtech driver to your test group.

They are a sponsor on here now and I'd bet many on WRX would really appreciate a side-by-side review of what (on paper) looks to be a quality product. You could be "DA MAN".

It would be easy enough to resell if it doesn't work out.

[bryanwmilburn]

Do you often mishit your driver? I'll tell you this I felt the same way about it until I put in an Aldila NVS Pink shaft and had it cut down to 44 inches. With the stock configuration I had trouble finding the sweet spot with it. Now, its undoubtedly the best driver I've ever owned. In my last 3 rounds I've missed a total of 4 fairways with it and my average distance has been the longest ever for me. I also have a 9.5 head cranked to 8 degrees and it set all the way on fade, so it's as open as you can get it. Just nothing but mid/low launch low spin missles. Took me about a month and 4 or 5 range sessions to get it dialed in but I dont see myself ever getting rid of it if it keeps performing the way it does now. I've mishit it s few times off the toe, but they are still definitely playable. Obviously the g25/i25 is more forgiving, but for me the SLDR lives up to all of the hype.

When it comes to comparing the other drivers mentioned, I actually really, really like the g25. Inspires infinite confidence when you're looking down and you know your misses on the club face are still going to be in play. I took my SLDR up to Golfsmith last week to test against the i25, g25, bio cell plus and X2Hot pro and my driver just absolutely blew them all away. Like by 20 yards or more. So to each his own, but for the lower handicap player who hits the center of the club face consistently, a properly fit SLDR is the end all of drivers, IMO.

[SwingMan]

Then there is the balance of low spin and forgiveness -- the BB. I know, nothing exotic.

I put it against the Cobra Bio Cell (no plus), X2Hot, Covert, et all (but not Ping), and BB was 15-20 yards longer... for me. Your mileage will vary. I will look at the BB and the G30, but don't know if it will match what I have now.

[bladehunter]

i don't know of any driver that will give you max distance in off center (sweetspot) hits.... id say youd have better money spent demoing different launch type shafts at a reasonable length that driver heads... I play my 430 at 44 1/4 its super easy to hit in my opinion....and ridiculously long... BUT it wasn't that way for me until I found the right shaft and made the length manageable.... that being said ..if you just want an excuse to go buy a truck load of drivers...you probably wont get any arguments from these guys....heck by some left handed heads while your at it..give them a go

[Kevmonton]

[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1405231934' post='9690231']
[quote name='troublelove' timestamp='1405231361' post='9690205']
Why not demo them to find the right shaft rather than purchasing them then selling them on ebay? The Cobra is a great club but you need the right shaft in it to get in to perform at its max ability.
[/quote]

Where I live, the closest place to demo is 2.5 hours away.....besides I have almost $1000 in my paypal account from selling old clubs. Going to take my time and give all 4 an honest shot. Sell the 3 that don't make the grade, and then in true ho fashion.....pick up a G30 and a 915 d3 when they come out.
[/quote]You know you can transfer your Paypal cash into your checking......

[TJCDAS]

When you break up with a driver you have to say "it's me not you"

[texcrom]

My impression is that many who have issues with the SLDR are hitting it with the stock shaft.

I have the 430TP with the TS 7.3 Speeder and as I have said on many other posts, it is the longest driver I've ever played.

In addition, after hitting every fairway on the front, the heat got to me a little in the back, and I hit a couple if bad drives (93 degrees and 58 years of age don't mix well).

Two of the drives I hit were on the toe (I can tell because I position the ball on the tee with my Sharpie marks to hit the face), but still resulted in draws that carried well and were very playable.

My point is that I find the driver more forgiving than many claim on here.

I have played Titleist 913 D3, and Ping Anser and G25. I still believe the SLDR looks better, feels better, is longer, and is forgiving enough to justify its spot in my bag.

[Redhill]

My experience with the SLDR was about the same as yours. When I demoed it I found it to be longer and lower spinning than my current driver at the time, a Stage 2 Tour 9* with an Oban Kiyoshi White. The SLDR was about the same forgiveness as the Stage 2 with some better numbers so I put it on my schedule to buy the SLDR in the fall.

Next came the Cobra Bio Cell Pro discount event here on these boards and I jumped on the Pro. It is a whisper longer and a wee bit less spin than the SLDR but a heck of a lot more forgiving than the SLDR. Getting the right shaft is important and my swing profile is almost identical to yours. I couldn't find a Xstiff in the stock offerings that worked after trying two of them.

I also had a Speeder 6.2 TS hanging around and in it went into the Pro and we are hitting it longer with less spin and a lot of forgiveness. Current swing erratics excepted!!

[evanseze]

[quote name='Kevmonton' timestamp='1405291300' post='9693191']
[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1405231934' post='9690231']
[quote name='troublelove' timestamp='1405231361' post='9690205']
Why not demo them to find the right shaft rather than purchasing them then selling them on ebay? The Cobra is a great club but you need the right shaft in it to get in to perform at its max ability.
[/quote]

Where I live, the closest place to demo is 2.5 hours away.....besides I have almost $1000 in my paypal account from selling old clubs. Going to take my time and give all 4 an honest shot. Sell the 3 that don't make the grade, and then in true ho fashion.....pick up a G30 and a 915 d3 when they come out.
[/quote]You know you can transfer your Paypal cash into your checking......
[/quote]


wow! Really you can do that???.....you mean I DON'T have to leave the money in there to only be used for more eBay items??!!! I can't believe that after being on eBay since pretty much it's inception that I had not figured that out by now......I don't know what I would have done if you had not come into my thread and made such an incredible observation....you my friend are a genius amongst all of us ordinary golfers here on WRX........

I guess I could have just said......NO s*** SHERLOCK, but I don't think my point would have been made quite as well.

[jclark3]

Bio cell pro. It's crazy long and I find it very forgiving. I don't know what else a company could ever offer in a driver.

[StarFleetGolfer]

I have a sldr and I hit the i25 more consistent and just as long. It's a good alternative to the sldr.

[playa]

[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1405293705' post='9693453']
[quote name='Kevmonton' timestamp='1405291300' post='9693191']
[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1405231934' post='9690231']
[quote name='troublelove' timestamp='1405231361' post='9690205']
Why not demo them to find the right shaft rather than purchasing them then selling them on ebay? The Cobra is a great club but you need the right shaft in it to get in to perform at its max ability.
[/quote]

Where I live, the closest place to demo is 2.5 hours away.....besides I have almost $1000 in my paypal account from selling old clubs. Going to take my time and give all 4 an honest shot. Sell the 3 that don't make the grade, and then in true ho fashion.....pick up a G30 and a 915 d3 when they come out.
[/quote]You know you can transfer your Paypal cash into your checking......
[/quote]


wow! Really you can do that???.....you mean I DON'T have to leave the money in there to only be used for more eBay items??!!! I can't believe that after being on eBay since pretty much it's inception that I had not figured that out by now......I don't know what I would have done if you had not come into my thread and made such an incredible observation....you my friend are a genius amongst all of us ordinary golfers here on WRX........

I guess I could have just said......NO s*** SHERLOCK, but I don't think my point would have been made quite as well.
[/quote]
Don't worry evanseze, the rest of us got your joke.

[clinkinfo]

[quote name='BuckyBadger' timestamp='1405248367' post='9690469']
[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1405231934' post='9690231']
[quote name='troublelove' timestamp='1405231361' post='9690205']
Why not demo them to find the right shaft rather than purchasing them then selling them on ebay? The Cobra is a great club but you need the right shaft in it to get in to perform at its max ability.
[/quote]

Where I live, the closest place to demo is 2.5 hours away.....besides I have almost $1000 in my paypal account from selling old clubs. Going to take my time and give all 4 an honest shot. Sell the 3 that don't make the grade, and then in true ho fashion.....pick up a G30 and a 915 d3 when they come out.
[/quote]

I love your attitude. Sounds just like mine. No where near me to get fitted or try the lateset offerings. Good luck on your search. I have also dumped the SLDR and am looking for something else.
[/quote]


I get the issue, but I think your missing a bit of the point. A fitted X driver will outperform an un-fitted alternative, unless you just get flat lucky.

I'm on the launch monitor often and the numbers simply are not that easy to figure out when on the course or at the range. It's not reasonable to 'see' the trajectory and spin 250 yards away.

In my opinion, that 2.5 hour drive is worth it to avoid the 10 hours of buying and selling on eBay, because you'll know you're in the right setup. Otherwise, as good as whatever random setup is you buy, you will instantly continue looking for the next one (because you'll be convinced there's probably something better).

It's fun to buy and try different clubs. It's more fun to know you bought the correct setup for your swing and play well.

[evanseze]

[quote name='Golfjunki71' timestamp='1405293997' post='9693481']
I have a sldr and I hit the i25 more consistent and just as long. It's a good alternative to the sldr.
[/quote]

I have a feeling it is going to come down to the following 3 drivers
Adams XTD
Ping i25
Cobra BC Pro

I think all 3 of these are quite a bit more forgiving than the SLDR and for the most part will produce the same low spin.....or possibly lower as the SLDR was not all that low spin for me personally. I had a Cally RHT with a PX 7.0 shaft that consistently put up 1900-2300 spin rates with a 12-14* launch. Regrettably heat got to the head and the seam popped, but overall the spin rates were a lot lower with that combo than my SLDR with a speeder TS 6.2x. Different strokes for different folks.

[playa]

[quote name='clinkinfo' timestamp='1405294356' post='9693523']
[quote name='BuckyBadger' timestamp='1405248367' post='9690469']
[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1405231934' post='9690231']
[quote name='troublelove' timestamp='1405231361' post='9690205']
Why not demo them to find the right shaft rather than purchasing them then selling them on ebay? The Cobra is a great club but you need the right shaft in it to get in to perform at its max ability.
[/quote]

Where I live, the closest place to demo is 2.5 hours away.....besides I have almost $1000 in my paypal account from selling old clubs. Going to take my time and give all 4 an honest shot. Sell the 3 that don't make the grade, and then in true ho fashion.....pick up a G30 and a 915 d3 when they come out.
[/quote]

I love your attitude. Sounds just like mine. No where near me to get fitted or try the lateset offerings. Good luck on your search. I have also dumped the SLDR and am looking for something else.
[/quote]


I get the issue, but I think your missing a bit of the point. A fitted X driver will outperform an un-fitted alternative, unless you just get flat lucky.

I'm on the launch monitor often and the numbers simply are not that easy to figure out when on the course or at the range. It's not reasonable to 'see' the trajectory and spin 250 yards away.

In my opinion, that 2.5 hour drive is worth it to avoid the 10 hours of buying and selling on eBay, because you'll know you're in the right setup. Otherwise, as good as whatever random setup is you buy, you will instantly continue looking for the next one (because you'll be convinced there's probably something better).

It's fun to buy and try different clubs. It's more fun to know you bought the correct setup for your swing and play well.
[/quote]
I prefer to demo clubs on the course. Oneof the big problems with getting fitted imo is that you are basing your results on the demo club. There are 2 issues I have with that. First there is no guarantee your ordered driver will have the correct specs as they are notoriously inaccurate, especially loft stamped on drivers. Secondly and equally valid, even if you get components in the 'correct' specs, there is a good chance that the demo driver was out so your fitted specs are not accurate to begin with. I will hit used drivers on the launch monitor and then buy it if it specs out ok, but unless I can purchass the exact demo club I hit in the net I'm not interested in new drivers.

[evanseze]

[quote name='clinkinfo' timestamp='1405294356' post='9693523']
[quote name='BuckyBadger' timestamp='1405248367' post='9690469']
[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1405231934' post='9690231']
[quote name='troublelove' timestamp='1405231361' post='9690205']
Why not demo them to find the right shaft rather than purchasing them then selling them on ebay? The Cobra is a great club but you need the right shaft in it to get in to perform at its max ability.
[/quote]

Where I live, the closest place to demo is 2.5 hours away.....besides I have almost $1000 in my paypal account from selling old clubs. Going to take my time and give all 4 an honest shot. Sell the 3 that don't make the grade, and then in true ho fashion.....pick up a G30 and a 915 d3 when they come out.
[/quote]

I love your attitude. Sounds just like mine. No where near me to get fitted or try the lateset offerings. Good luck on your search. I have also dumped the SLDR and am looking for something else.
[/quote]


I get the issue, but I think your missing a bit of the point. A fitted X driver will outperform an un-fitted alternative, unless you just get flat lucky.

I'm on the launch monitor often and the numbers simply are not that easy to figure out when on the course or at the range. It's not reasonable to 'see' the trajectory and spin 250 yards away.

In my opinion, that 2.5 hour drive is worth it to avoid the 10 hours of buying and selling on eBay, because you'll know you're in the right setup. Otherwise, as good as whatever random setup is you buy, you will instantly continue looking for the next one (because you'll be convinced there's probably something better).

It's fun to buy and try different clubs. It's more fun to know you bought the correct setup for your swing and play well.
[/quote]

Trust me, I am not discounting the advantage of a good fitting, but traveling 2.5 hours away for a golf fitting is not the easiest ting to do when you are married with a full time job and a 2 year old.....the dads on this board will understand that. Plus I am a tinkerer.....I enjoy it and the fact I know my swing should allow me to come up with some pretty good findings. I do plan on going into a GG in St. Louis here in another month or so when we are back up that way, but in the meantime, I am going to go on a driver buying spree until I find "the one".......plus if I transfer the money, my wife will just spend it on crap for the house or clothes at her local boutique......

[Bece2117]

Try the Covert 2.0 Tour, it was the last demo I hit, I'm not a Nike guy, but the numbers were off the chart....it's worth a shot!


Sent from my iPhone using GolfWRX Mobile

[evanseze]

[quote name='playa' timestamp='1405294890' post='9693607']
[quote name='clinkinfo' timestamp='1405294356' post='9693523']
[quote name='BuckyBadger' timestamp='1405248367' post='9690469']
[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1405231934' post='9690231']
[quote name='troublelove' timestamp='1405231361' post='9690205']
Why not demo them to find the right shaft rather than purchasing them then selling them on ebay? The Cobra is a great club but you need the right shaft in it to get in to perform at its max ability.
[/quote]

Where I live, the closest place to demo is 2.5 hours away.....besides I have almost $1000 in my paypal account from selling old clubs. Going to take my time and give all 4 an honest shot. Sell the 3 that don't make the grade, and then in true ho fashion.....pick up a G30 and a 915 d3 when they come out.
[/quote]

I love your attitude. Sounds just like mine. No where near me to get fitted or try the lateset offerings. Good luck on your search. I have also dumped the SLDR and am looking for something else.
[/quote]


I get the issue, but I think your missing a bit of the point. A fitted X driver will outperform an un-fitted alternative, unless you just get flat lucky.

I'm on the launch monitor often and the numbers simply are not that easy to figure out when on the course or at the range. It's not reasonable to 'see' the trajectory and spin 250 yards away.

In my opinion, that 2.5 hour drive is worth it to avoid the 10 hours of buying and selling on eBay, because you'll know you're in the right setup. Otherwise, as good as whatever random setup is you buy, you will instantly continue looking for the next one (because you'll be convinced there's probably something better).

It's fun to buy and try different clubs. It's more fun to know you bought the correct setup for your swing and play well.
[/quote]
I prefer to demo clubs on the course. Oneof the big problems with getting fitted imo is that you are basing your results on the demo club. There are 2 issues I have with that. First there is no guarantee your ordered driver will have the correct specs as they are notoriously inaccurate, especially loft stamped on drivers. Secondly and equally valid, even if you get components in the 'correct' specs, there is a good chance that the demo driver was out so your fitted specs are not accurate to begin with. I will hit used drivers on the launch monitor and then buy it if it specs out ok, but unless I can purchass the exact demo club I hit in the net I'm not interested in new drivers.
[/quote]

I agree 100%.....I would rather go thru 10 different drivers on the course trying to find "the one" rather than get fitted with demo clubs that may or may not be the loft you see on the head and then to get the club you ordered set up "exactly" like the demo you hit in the shop only to find out that it is a totally different club altogether. I went thru 2 additional RHT drivers from Cally after my "HOLY GRAIL" popped at the seam and neither of the 2 they sent me gave me the same results.

[highflyer13]

[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1405295098' post='9693627']
[quote name='clinkinfo' timestamp='1405294356' post='9693523']
[quote name='BuckyBadger' timestamp='1405248367' post='9690469']
[quote name='evanseze' timestamp='1405231934' post='9690231']
[quote name='troublelove' timestamp='1405231361' post='9690205']
Why not demo them to find the right shaft rather than purchasing them then selling them on ebay? The Cobra is a great club but you need the right shaft in it to get in to perform at its max ability.
[/quote]

Where I live, the closest place to demo is 2.5 hours away.....besides I have almost $1000 in my paypal account from selling old clubs. Going to take my time and give all 4 an honest shot. Sell the 3 that don't make the grade, and then in true ho fashion.....pick up a G30 and a 915 d3 when they come out.
[/quote]

I love your attitude. Sounds just like mine. No where near me to get fitted or try the lateset offerings. Good luck on your search. I have also dumped the SLDR and am looking for something else.
[/quote]


I get the issue, but I think your missing a bit of the point. A fitted X driver will outperform an un-fitted alternative, unless you just get flat lucky.

I'm on the launch monitor often and the numbers simply are not that easy to figure out when on the course or at the range. It's not reasonable to 'see' the trajectory and spin 250 yards away.

In my opinion, that 2.5 hour drive is worth it to avoid the 10 hours of buying and selling on eBay, because you'll know you're in the right setup. Otherwise, as good as whatever random setup is you buy, you will instantly continue looking for the next one (because you'll be convinced there's probably something better).

It's fun to buy and try different clubs. It's more fun to know you bought the correct setup for your swing and play well.
[/quote]

Trust me, I am not discounting the advantage of a good fitting, but traveling 2.5 hours away for a golf fitting is not the easiest ting to do when you are married with a full time job and a 2 year old.....the dads on this board will understand that. Plus I am a tinkerer.....I enjoy it and the fact I know my swing should allow me to come up with some pretty good findings. I do plan on going into a GG in St. Louis here in another month or so when we are back up that way, but in the meantime, I am going to go on a driver buying spree until I find "the one".......plus if I transfer the money, my wife will just spend it on crap for the house or clothes at her local boutique......
[/quote]
Or just take a day and get fit instead of playing golf? Sucks to spend a grand and who knows how much wasted time trying them to still not be optimal.