Is there really any difference in driver heads these days?

[ironcat]

I still see posts about people picking up 10-15 hards each year on Wrx with their new Tmag, Cobra, or Epic; I just question if that's really true or if they just lucked out with a shaft change that happened to fit them better.

 

I try new drivers each year on a LM and my yardages throughout all the top clubs stays pretty similar.

[Mudguard]

I was fit for the 917 and the TS. My numbers with the TS (with the 44'' shaft from my 917) were the same as my 905 over 10 years ago...

[kiwihacker]

> @ironcat said:

> I still see posts about people picking up 10-15 hards each year on Wrx with their new Tmag, Cobra, or Epic; I just question if that's really true or if they just lucked out with a shaft change that happened to fit them better.

>

> I try new drivers each year on a LM and my yardages throughout all the top clubs stays pretty similar.

 

Oh it's true alright. I used drive approx 220 on average but I've bought every new model Taylormade driver for the past 10 years and my drives now average 370 carry.

[joakimpekkari]

From what I've seen lately the only true gains are from switching from a badly fitted driver to a properly fitted driver.

[matchavez]

Two gains, since they're all 0.83 CoR.

1. good fit

2. better misses

That's it. BUT... that's significant.

[MtlJeff]

There's a 10 yd difference for me between my g400max and f8+. Though the shaft is different, but similar (low launch)

 

 

[monkeyboy]

A properly fit shaft will make the biggest change.

Center strikes, any of the top drivers will be too close to call.

Off center hits is where I think new drivers outperform those from 5-10 years ago.

Heads also matter for your 'confidence factor' - do you like what you see when you look down?

[Ivyguy]

I'm coming from a Ping Anser, 8.5, to a 8.5 TS3.

 

The driver feels more alive, I never thought that my Ping felt "not alive". But, after the fitting and debating about the 500 bucks, I dont think I would be happy hitting my dear old Ping. We went through some battles together, but it is time.

 

Piped drives were longer, 8 yards or so. BUT, my misses are where this Titleist driver really shined over the competition FOR ME.

 

The Flash and M5 were great, but the confidence that I gained (totally soft science) was what made me make the deal.

 

Oh, and the headcovers are better now... so, I have that going for me... which is nice.

[Night train]

I'd like to have a driver that I could hit as far as the one I had 15 years ago............but I'm 65

[kiw1982]

If they are properly fitted, I would say the difference amount new drivers is minimal.

 

That means you can be a real fanboy to a certain brand or product. lol

[Ri_Redneck]

Those big yardage gains come from a driver better suited to the golfer than what they had before. Could be head, shaft, grip, weighting or any combination of those. Distance comes from speed, launch angle and spin. ANYTHING that improves those parameters will give you better results. That being said, since MOI, COR and size are all limited by the USGA, the only thing OEMs can play with is spin and looks. Most are toying with internal and external weighting to influence spin. High launch and low spin will always be of a benefit to most amateurs. I am also very curious about Callaways "Jailbrake" tech. Will be trying it out soon.

 

Now, most will say "What do looks have to do with driver performance?". Well, if I don't like the way a club looks, I can't get into playing it. Many a shot has been spoiled by a simple distraction in ones subconscious. I don't need that crap cause this game is hard enough as it is! Was a huge cobra fan till the F8 came out. Fugly in every sense of the word! Thank God they have a straight black version of the F9! Can't get into the TM M series either. Just don't like the lighter color up front for some reason.

 

Anyway, staying educated on clubs these days take a tremendous amount of time, but it's well worth it!

 

BT

[Davidv]

If you read about it on the Internet it has to be true.

[agood3putt]

I think with the COR already maxed drivers nowadays are all about forgiveness, feel/sound and fit. I played a Callaway Diablo driver for some time and then PING G30, then M2 '17 and now the TS2. New drivers have premium sound which translates to feel for me. Plus there is a larger margin for error I feel with the drivers of today.

[Graymulligan]

From a scientific and statistical standpoint, one head isn't a whole lot longer than any other head at this point. You can't really buy more yardage going from the latest and greatest from one company compared to another, in optimal conditions with an optimal swing.

 

You can, however, find the club/shaft combo that best fits your swing, and buy that. I had a fitting over the winter, and landed on an M5 not because it was twenty yards longer than the other clubs I hit, but because it fit my ugly-a** swing better than the other clubs, and it felt the best.