Driver Help

nochct1 · February 27, 2015

Hi - I'm thinking of getting a new driver, but thought I would ask here for some ideas first. I don't like to make big changes to my equipment and don't usually run out to but the latest and greatest.

I currently use an RBZ Tour 10.5 w a stiff stock XCon 6 shaft. I like the driver, but feel like I'm giving up distance. But I'm not sure if it's the club head or the shaft that is causing the issue.

I usually am between a 3-5 handicap and seem to hit it on the longer side w my irons. I'm comfortable hitting PW from 135-140 and for a 170 shot, no wind, flat lie I'm usually going to hit 7 iron because I know a good shot gets me there and a slight mishit will put me somewhere on the green. I have a Aldila Proto By You 95x in my 19 degree hybrid and hit it about 235 off the tee. I like to swing smooth, but don't want to be overly penalized if I over swing a bit. I'm a high spin player, and play in a windy area so I like to keep that in mind when looking at shafts and shots that I will need to hit.

My driver probably goes about 265-270 on normal swings under normal conditions. When it's firm and fast I can hit a hard draw and get it out there a bit longer, but that's not ideal. When I step on it, it occasionally brings the lefts into play.

I know I need to get on a monitor to get the numbers. But should I be looking for a full overhaul of my driver? I don't know if the RBZ Tour is the wrong head, or can I solve any issues by simply getting changing out the shaft? Am I actually leaving yards on the table with this shaft/driver combo?

ConfusedGolfer3412 · February 27, 2015

if you're a highspin player, todays modern drivers will be a big help. The SLDR, R15, Fly z plus, Big bertha 815 (also double black diamond). My favorite is the cobra fly z plus of the ones i listed. cobra really hit the mark with this driver. The weight forward and low really kills the spin, very SLDR like, however unlike the SLDR, cobra really focused on forgiveness too. the speed channel really helps on heel toe and low misses, the carbon fiber crown really brings the weight low to make the club that much more forgiving. Its still not the most forgiving driver out there but for the low forward cg drivers it is the most forgiving imo. for me as well i picked up a couple mph ballspeed.

to be honest, yes you could be losing yardage because of your driver, the rbz, while a great driver for many, is still not considered a low spin driver. and your shaft choice is not low launch low spin. That shaft will probably spin to much if you consider yourself a high spin player. if you hit your 7 iron 170 you should be in the category of 110+ swing speed so your driver distance is not good. your not maximizing your numbers. I highly suggest looking into some of the new Low spin drivers and a lowerspin shaft. from what you described the cobra fly z plus with an aldila tour atx green would do some damage to the courses you play. Theres a lot of other choices too that will be amazing, but thats one that comes to mind for me for what you described.

hope i helped,
major

JaketheJack · February 27, 2015

New drivers will be a godsend with the spin.

Gl

Tex1986 · February 27, 2015

You hit your clubs the same distance I do. I don't have much advice however because I love my R9 Supertri and enjoy hitting "high spin" fades into the fairway.

I liked how the Ping anser/G25 drivers felt but nothing has really jumped out at me.

drifliboy · February 27, 2015

TEE XCG7 Beta with the Black Tie or Red Tie shaft. Smaller tour size head, lower spin head and shaft. Great Looking driver, adjustable loft from 8.5 to 12*. I play one with the white tie shaft, so far I really like it. Check Budget Golf, they had them for around $139 a couple of weeks ago. That's about a third of MSRP I believe. Lot of good drivers out there that would probably help you. I also have a high spin swing and this driver has really helped with that. As Tex1986 posted, I have two Supertri's and loved them also, good carry but no roll out. I could almost back a ball up on the fairway as well as I could a wedge into the green. Not blaming the driver as much as my swing, but it is what it is. I'm too old for any major swing changes.

Exactice808 · February 27, 2015

Your numbers/situation sounds Identical, I have hit so many drivers for the $h!ts and giggles (Nike Coverts, TM RBZ & 2 SLDR jetspeed, Callaway Xhot's and BB, etc etc) I have found nothing to change unless I have ridiculous amount of money to blow (and I dont).

The RBZ Driver was a great driver from TM in general and all the current heads really are about the same.....I really dont see difference (relative, yes yes all this tech) But really......5 yards maybe, maybe some dispersion etc...... but the shaft maybe something worth tuning.

just dont see much in the department of driver heads that will be a game changer at this point.

my $0.02 again unless you got money..... see if you can work witht he shaft to get optimal numbers.....

nochct1 · February 27, 2015

Thanks so much for the replies so far, and great info. Are the newer heads really that much lower spin? I originally went with the RBZ Tour because I felt that the regular RBZ would have too much spin, would launch too high etc.

So are all of these new club heads really super low spin compared to the RBZ Tour? I have found over the years that most clubs are made for the masses, and therefore the stock shaft or the head is mid / high spin because otherwise most people can't hit it. I'm not overly concerned about forgiveness. I don't have issues with hitting the center of the clubface.

If there are no big technological advances in head technology, my instinct is to replace the shaft and stick with the head.

I would love to spend hours trying new drivers, but I don't really have the time to do that, but if I go the new driver route, I'll spend some time on the monitors.

ConfusedGolfer3412 · February 28, 2015

[quote name='nochct1' timestamp='1425095233' post='11045229']
Thanks so much for the replies so far, and great info. Are the newer heads really that much lower spin? I originally went with the RBZ Tour because I felt that the regular RBZ would have too much spin, would launch too high etc.

So are all of these new club heads really super low spin compared to the RBZ Tour? I have found over the years that most clubs are made for the masses, and therefore the stock shaft or the head is mid / high spin because otherwise most people can't hit it. I'm not overly concerned about forgiveness. I don't have issues with hitting the center of the clubface.

If there are no big technological advances in head technology, my instinct is to replace the shaft and stick with the head.

I would love to spend hours trying new drivers, but I don't really have the time to do that, but if I go the new driver route, I'll spend some time on the monitors.
[/quote]

yea, the new drivers are really that low spin, you may have to upgrade to get the lower launching shafts, but the whole idea now is to have the lowest spin you can get with the highest launch. it won't be long till we hit the perfect number, 45* launch with no spin, everyone will be hitting 400yd bombs then lol. But for now the closer you can get to that the better you are and todays drivers will help you so much more than the rbz

Flip4000 · February 28, 2015

[quote name='major123' timestamp='1425139811' post='11047173'][quote name='nochct1' timestamp='1425095233' post='11045229']
Thanks so much for the replies so far, and great info. Are the newer heads really that much lower spin? I originally went with the RBZ Tour because I felt that the regular RBZ would have too much spin, would launch too high etc.

So are all of these new club heads really super low spin compared to the RBZ Tour? I have found over the years that most clubs are made for the masses, and therefore the stock shaft or the head is mid / high spin because otherwise most people can't hit it. I'm not overly concerned about forgiveness. I don't have issues with hitting the center of the clubface.

If there are no big technological advances in head technology, my instinct is to replace the shaft and stick with the head.

I would love to spend hours trying new drivers, but I don't really have the time to do that, but if I go the new driver route, I'll spend some time on the monitors.
[/quote]

yea, the new drivers are really that low spin, you may have to upgrade to get the lower launching shafts, but the whole idea now is to have the lowest spin you can get with the highest launch. it won't be long till we hit the perfect number, 45* launch with no spin, everyone will be hitting 400yd bombs then lol. But for now the closer you can get to that the better you are and todays drivers will help you so much more than the rbz[/quote]

Yeah I think the modern drivers will definitely give u surprise in the spin department.

I am a high spin player and I bought a sldr off the bst with a very high level of skepticism after reading reviews. After a year the driver has really helped me with my spin and helped me with my accuracy ( which is probably the higher loft using a 12 degree coming from a 10.5 RBZ)

I would try the sldr and see if it works since one can be had pretty cheaply now due to market saturation or check out ping, callaway or titleist. All offer low spin options.

TMBob · February 28, 2015

My first thought would be to look at a 9.5 AeroBurner TP....pretty much your RBZ with some changes. Problem is, without numbers you do not know what your leaving on the table and how those numbers could provide a great starting point for choosing a new one.

Just winging it I would add the 915 D2, Mizuno JPX 850 and Ping G30 to the already mentioned AB TP

nochct1 · March 4, 2015

Hi - Thank you very much for the responses. I've seen a few comments about the RBZ being a somewhat high spin driver compared to new offerings (such as the Aeroburner and SLDR). I just want to clarify that its the RBZ Tour, not the standard RBZ. I would assume the Tour would be lower spin that the regular version, so wasn't sure if Taylor Made created the SLDR to spin lower than the Tour, or just the regular RBZ.

I'm going to head out this weekend to do driver testing and will at least have some numbers to work with. The difficulty of course is trying to determine if any issues are tied to just the head, just the shaft or both...which I hope a fitting can help determine.

As mentioned earlier, I don't like to make big changes because I prefer to be very comfortable, and therefore confident with a club. If I can bring down spin slightly with a simple shaft change instead of a complete overhaul that it what I would prefer. But if the head is too "spinny" and any issues cannot be solved by changing shafts then I will certainly change everything.

Just for reference, I played a round on a high end indoor simulator this weekend. I know they don't show spin rate, launch etc, but I was carrying it 265, but only rolling out to 268-269. I carried some of them a bit further into the 275-280 range, but those were longer draws that ended up in the left rough...which is precisely the shot that I want to avoid (I hate big hooks). And yes, there are swing mechanics that I look to improve on, but I am realistic and know that those swing flaws will creep up during a round.

Exactice808 · March 4, 2015

[quote name='nochct1' timestamp='1425485017' post='11075659']
Hi - Thank you very much for the responses. I've seen a few comments about the RBZ being a somewhat high spin driver compared to new offerings (such as the Aeroburner and SLDR). I just want to clarify that its the RBZ Tour, not the standard RBZ. I would assume the Tour would be lower spin that the regular version, so wasn't sure if Taylor Made created the SLDR to spin lower than the Tour, or just the regular RBZ.

I'm going to head out this weekend to do driver testing and will at least have some numbers to work with. The difficulty of course is trying to determine if any issues are tied to just the head, just the shaft or both...which I hope a fitting can help determine.

As mentioned earlier, I don't like to make big changes because I prefer to be very comfortable, and therefore confident with a club. If I can bring down spin slightly with a simple shaft change instead of a complete overhaul that it what I would prefer. But if the head is too "spinny" and any issues cannot be solved by changing shafts then I will certainly change everything.

Just for reference, I played a round on a high end indoor simulator this weekend. I know they don't show spin rate, launch etc, but I was carrying it 265, but only rolling out to 268-269. I carried some of them a bit further into the 275-280 range, but those were longer draws that ended up in the left rough...which is precisely the shot that I want to avoid (I hate big hooks). And yes, there are swing mechanics that I look to improve on, but I am realistic and know that those swing flaws will creep up during a round.
[/quote]

Im going to be honest, this is my ignorant opinion so take it with a grain of salt.

Spin for me seems more from the Shaft and Swing than it is by the head design. And even if there was a huge difference the head itself to me doesnt make the drastic change, to me its the way I attack the ball and the shaft putting spin on it.

Ok now why I feel this way, I have an 07 Burner TP @ 9.5*, I also have the Nike Covert 1.0 set at 10.5. Stock TP shaft in the Burner and I have gone through 2 shafts in the nike, The Stock Kuro and now the Project X PXv.

The only difference that I see is regardless I launch the Burner higher than the Nike. I get similar distances and spin does not seem to affect the difference as much as launch.

If I hit the TP lower, I can get that "Roll" and low spin effect like I get on the Nike..... so really again the spin of 1000rpms for maxing out distance is negligible. If you are over spinning the driver like 3500rpms+, I think its a swing thing rather than a driver head thing....

But if you can get 3000rpms or less and I think a correct swing on any driver can manage this.... then that is realistic....... All this low spin higher launch..... for what? $500 for 5-10 yards..... Not worth it in my opinion....

I say start with the shaft. cheaper and easier....... I play with a 5 handi that plays the 9* RBZ tour and hits it just fine....low and piercing....

*edit*

Other than that.... if you are set on buying a driver than that is up to you...... but personally....... nothing worth the $500 yet.... for me....I would rather take the $500 for lessons so i get a tighter dispersion and hitting consistency...then something for 5 yards....