"Classic" (???) - Jeff Sheets designed w/a sweet spot the size of a 460cc driver 😂😎

[bcstones]

Yuppers....the Golfsmith 1K driver (as the toe states "USGA non conforming....then again, I don't compete, so I don't really care what they say)
The shaft is a UST graphite made especially for the 1K.The grip is kinda  semi-corded.

Here's what Jeff Sheets wrote about it:

"Model: 1K
Material/Mfg: 6-4 Titanium
Introduction: 2005

Why a 1000cc driver head? Why not?! We had worked on developing a novelty driver as a prop for custom club makers but the prop turned into a hittable product and Golfsmith sold more of these heads than they originally forecasted. It was big, it was loud and it was an attention grabber at the driving range. The 1K driver was the great equalizer for long drive holes at golf outings. Every contestant always had an equal chance at getting a decent drive the first time they would swing it."

 

I bought one waaay back at Golfsmith, from their used club section. I was helping out, a go-fer more or less, at the Ft Sam Houston Golf Club, the Pro's were instructing Vets from Brooks Army Medical Center - to learn to play golf w/their  various "challenges"...I don't remember who sponsored the program at that time, out of Florida IMS. Anyway I let a number of Vets try it out (w/the admonishment to just swing, don't force it...that massive head doesn't it). Brpought alot of smiles & chuckles. However, it developed a small hairline fracture just behind the face..so I retired it. Sure would love to find some way to repair that wee fracture.
This driver is just about having FUN!  Hey, @Jiggered about your video on the 460 driver....just think what those kids would have thought about this one 🤣

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the tip is .370 & butt is .600

Edited July 3 by bcstones

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

Golf morphs into an entirely different sport/game/pastime/whatever. Only thing that's missing is an appropriate marketable name and governing body. I jest.

[Foozle]

I need one of these in my life!

I would pull the shaft, fit a cork bung and use it as a novelty water bottle!

Perfect addition to my bag! 🤣

[bcstones]

2 hours ago, Foozle said:

I need one of these in my life!

I would pull the shaft, fit a cork bung and use it as a novelty water bottle!

Perfect addition to my bag! 🤣

well, that is an idea, if I can't figure out a way to repair the fracture 🤣

[ezgoer]

15 hours ago, bcstones said:

Yuppers....the Golfsmith 1K driver (as the toe states "USGA non conforming....then again, I don't compete, so I don't really care what they say)
The shaft is a UST graphite made especially for the 1K.The grip is kinda  semi-corded.

Here's what Jeff Sheets wrote about it:

"Model: 1K
Material/Mfg: 6-4 Titanium
Introduction: 2005

Why a 1000cc driver head? Why not?! We had worked on developing a novelty driver as a prop for custom club makers but the prop turned into a hittable product and Golfsmith sold more of these heads than they originally forecasted. It was big, it was loud and it was an attention grabber at the driving range. The 1K driver was the great equalizer for long drive holes at golf outings. Every contestant always had an equal chance at getting a decent drive the first time they would swing it."

 

I bought one waaay back at Golfsmith, from their used club section. I was helping out, a go-fer more or less, at the Ft Sam Houston Golf Club, the Pro's were instructing Vets from Brooks Army Medical Center - to learn to play golf w/their  various "challenges"...I don't remember who sponsored the program at that time, out of Florida IMS. Anyway I let a number of Vets try it out (w/the admonishment to just swing, don't force it...that massive head doesn't it). Brpought alot of smiles & chuckles. However, it developed a small hairline fracture just behind the face..so I retired it. Sure would love to find some way to repair that wee fracture.
This driver is just about having FUN!  Hey, @Jiggered about your video on the 460 driver....just think what those kids would have thought about this one 🤣

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the tip is .370 & butt is .600

Cool in a circus freak show kinda way! 
 

I remember the 600cc heads but I don’t remember this. Back around this time one of the kids that worked for me had an 600 and we would try to tee up 2 balls at once. That was impossible. Anytime I hear reviewers complain about the sound of modern drivers I think about these things. Loud barely begins to describe them. 
 

Maybe someone here can help me on this. As a lark I always thought it would be cool to have a club you could load some type of gun powder charge into. Years ago my dad had a hammer driving tool you would load a 22 blank into. Think it was for driving something into concrete?? Back pre internet I wouldn’t be shocked if there was an add in the back pages of golf publications on something like this. I can’t be the only one to dream this up. Anyone ever see anything like this?? Rick Shiels did the swingless club and I’ve seen videos of some guy that can really swing as it is but he’s hitting balls at a driving range with those simple kid hammer caps stuck to the face. Normally this guy could make noises with contact that few can but with the tiny explosive caps it’s ridiculous sounding. 

Edited July 3 by ezgoer

[scotts33]

One of my favorite drivers of all time is a Sheets effort at Golfsmith.  The GS Hi-COR + 400cc a very hot and great sound/feel head.

 

[bcstones]

5 minutes ago, scotts33 said:

One of my favorite drivers of all time is a Sheets effort at Golfsmith.  The GS Hi-COR + 400cc a very hot and great sound/feel head.

 

 

Here's Jeff Sheets:
"

Model: HiCOR+
Material/Mfg: Investment Cast 6-4 Titanium with 15-3-3-3 Beta Titanium Face
Introduction: 2003, 2005, 2007

This was the first driver I designed at Golfsmith. Having just come off designing the Wilson Deep Red and Deep Red II I was very much focused on using a sole and skirt geometry that focused on a low rearward center of gravity. You can shift the center of gravity much more efficiently using geometry as opposed to mass. This design proved that again. The HiCOR+ project was timed with the debate on whether the USGA would permit a .860COR (coefficient of restitution) for all non-PGA Tour golfers or restrict the golfing public to an .830COR like the tour was limited to. As I designed the driver I had two different face configurations I had to keep in mind, all depending on which direction the USGA went with their ruling. As we all know the .830COR limit was settled on and subsequently the “deader” of the two face designs was used in this model. The face was constructed of 15-3-3-3 beta titanium which wasn’t very popular at the time. The material was much too brittle for most foundries to work with however the HiCOR+ producer, Sino Manufacturing, had been working with 15-3-3-3 enough to ensure great durability with this project. The HiCOR+ sales rivaled the volume of many mid and small size OEMs. Lofts were offered from as low as 7.5° upward to 15° in the driver. We had also manufactured some 17° lofts we used for training schools and physics experimentations. This was the driver that established precedence on the virtues of high loft for slower swing speeds throughout the rest of the industry."

[scotts33]

4 minutes ago, bcstones said:

This was the driver that established precedence on the virtues of high loft for slower swing speeds throughout the rest of the industry."

Completely agree with Jeff Sheets assessment with lower driver club head speeds.  Mine is an 11 deg. 44" on a SK Fiber Pure Energy "R"  great performance and great head overall on a great shaft when SK Fiber was owned by Charlie Blume.  

 

I use a lot of Sheets designs as he designs for Swing Science.  

[st1800e]

On 7/3/2025 at 10:08 AM, ezgoer said:

Maybe someone here can help me on this. As a lark I always thought it would be cool to have a club you could load some type of gun powder charge into. Years ago my dad had a hammer driving tool you would load a 22 blank into. Think it was for driving something into concrete?? Back pre internet I wouldn’t be shocked if there was an add in the back pages of golf publications on something like this. I can’t be the only one to dream this up. Anyone ever see anything like this??

Yes, that existed.  .22 charge in a driver head.  Reportedly went about 200 yards.  

[AZBandit]

3 hours ago, st1800e said:

Yes, that existed.  .22 charge in a driver head.  Reportedly went about 200 yards.  

They still have something like this for golfers with physical challenges. I think they're pneumatic now, though.

[Jtgavigan]

Had that 1K driver as a gag. It was LOUD!!!!!

 

I remember bringing it to a scramble one day and we had a long drive contest with it. It was so heavy and hard to swing, not sure anyone hit it past 225 yards. A young kid ended up buying it off my that day as a tempo trainer. Kinda wish I still had it!

[bcstones]

2 hours ago, Jtgavigan said:

It was so heavy and hard to swing, not sure anyone hit it past 225 yards

"heavy"? maybe a bit..."hard to swing", yes if using a modern high swing speed - however, slow the swing speed down & let that massive clubhead do the work - 300+yds is capable for even a duffer like me (& I have a slow swing speed, suited to hickory shafted clubs) & I've done it.
 

[Maine Golfer]

ha ha ha looks wild 

[Jtgavigan]

1 hour ago, bcstones said:

"heavy"? maybe a bit..."hard to swing", yes if using a modern high swing speed - however, slow the swing speed down & let that massive clubhead do the work - 300+yds is capable for even a duffer like me (& I have a slow swing speed, suited to hickory shafted clubs) & I've done it.
 

I have always been a high swing speed player, but I couldn't hit that thing over 200 yards. I think the swing weight was in the high E's and I built it short. 

 

I'm telling you, you couldn't move that dang thing...

[bcstones]

1 hour ago, Jtgavigan said:

I have always been a high swing speed player, but I couldn't hit that thing over 200 yards. I think the swing weight was in the high E's and I built it short. 

 

I'm telling you, you couldn't move that dang thing...

ah...both the IK's I have, I bought the complete club - already shafted w/a UST graphite shaft made specifically for the K1. I'm guessing that is the difference...besides I have always had a slow swing speed - since I was first taught some 65+ years ago.

[Jtgavigan]

Gary Martin did a YouTube video on it in the last year or so. I seem to recall no one was able to hit it too well. 

 

I am pretty sure I used the shaft made for it as well. I found some old threads on here where people talked about the swingweight being off the scale. 

 

It has been too long. I just remember it being heavy and sounding like a gong. It was hilarious in that scramble. Watching everyone's reactions.....🤣🤣🤣🤣

Edited July 5 by Jtgavigan

[bcstones]

2 hours ago, Jtgavigan said:

Gary Martin did a YouTube video on it in the last year or so. I seem to recall no one was able to hit it too well. 

 

I am pretty sure I used the shaft made for it as well. I found some old threads on here where people talked about the swingweight being off the scale. 

 

It has been too long. I just remember it being heavy and sounding like a gong. It was hilarious in that scramble. Watching everyone's reactions.....🤣🤣🤣🤣

 I saw that video, I think....and my impression was that they smacked the ball with all their might (ala Palmer). I remember Palmer, after playing his new Tru-Matics vs hickory shaft, saying that hickory shafts not only flexed but also had torque (they twisted), so he had to slow his swing down to lessen that.
I remember when I purchased my first (now fractured) K-1 at the North Golfsmith store in Austin TX, I took it to the man who headed the repair/rebuild/build shop - he chuckled & told me it was originally meant to be a trophy, but it turned out to be playable also...if you slowed your swing down cuz of massive club head.
That was the advice I remembered every time I hit it at the range & the same advice I gave to those 'challenged' Vets learning/retweeking their Golf at Ft Sam Houston. Every single one of those Vets who swung slow, letting the clubhead do it's work...the ball traveled well over 250yds.

[ezgoer]

Essentially buggy whipping a modern club I imagine. I have 3 Lagshot swing trainer clubs with super flexible shafts. Driver, 7iron & 54 you kinda do the same with. I pull those out when I start swinging too quick. They are dangerous though if you use them too much. If I hit a few I’m good but if I dedicate a full range session too them I start going after them and I’m relying on the lag too much. After really going after the Lag and hitting a great drawing shot I’ll hit a massive snap hook with a regular club. You can hit the Lag’s pretty hard but it’s different hand release that I’m not good enough to recognize when I get a regular club back in my hands. The driver can be kinda a monster and I could/should play it for a round. 

Edited July 7 by ezgoer

[bcstones]

@ezgoer I didn't know there was such a thing as a "swing trainer". Closest thing I ever had, was what is now called a "weed whip" - my Dad made me use it to strengthen my grip...in fact, I came across one in a local hardware store, bought it, removed the thick wood handle, epoxed a steel shaft over the rod & will install a grip when that stuff cures.  

It taught a number of things - cuz it cut grass on the up-stroke & the back-stroke, tempo was stressed & cuz Dad had me use it one handed (my left, as I'm right handed), strengthened. I kinda remember that if I held it as a golf club, w/both hands, I had to keep the swing slow cuz if too fast, I had the tendency to go off balance.

Thinking on it, I may even have that old 65+ blade in the garage somewhere...hmmm.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

[ezgoer]

12 hours ago, bcstones said:

@ezgoer I didn't know there was such a thing as a "swing trainer". Closest thing I ever had, was what is now called a "weed whip" - my Dad made me use it to strengthen my grip...in fact, I came across one in a local hardware store, bought it, removed the thick wood handle, epoxed a steel shaft over the rod & will install a grip when that stuff cures.  

It taught a number of things - cuz it cut grass on the up-stroke & the back-stroke, tempo was stressed & cuz Dad had me use it one handed (my left, as I'm right handed), strengthened. I kinda remember that if I held it as a golf club, w/both hands, I had to keep the swing slow cuz if too fast, I had the tendency to go off balance.

Thinking on it, I may even have that old 65+ blade in the garage somewhere...hmmm.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Your pops was smart. The old fashioned way and got some honest work out of you. 
 

Here’s the Lagshot clubs. Swing training aids is a much better description. Driver and 7 are modern standard length I believe. Never realized the 54 was long until I took this picture. All are very whippy shafts and heavier heads. 
 

I’ve resisted most training aid clubs throughout the years but I succumbed to these for some odd reason. Infomercial got me I guess. They will slow your transition down and you can feel them load up. I think there’s even a putter and that makes zero sense in my mind. 
 

Reminds me there might be a couple Medicus hinged training clubs on the GW auction site I watch. If nobody bids maybe I’ll add more of this witchcraft to my collection. I never was able to make a Medicus work. 

Edited July 8 by ezgoer

[bcstones]

20 minutes ago, ezgoer said:

Reminds me there might be a couple Medicus hinged training clubs on the GW auction site I watch. If nobody bids maybe I’ll add more of this witchcraft to my collection. I never was able to make a Medicus work. 

get ahold of Ernest Jones' "Just Swing"...he taught using a handkerchier w/a weight in one corner, the idea was that the weight would stay with the swing unless you attempted to "force" your swing & it would droop....since Ernest Jones taught in the '20s & '30s - that REAL old school 🤣