Role of a Mini Driver?

[johnspies]

I'm interested in replacing my Driver and 3 wood with a Mini Driver. Losing a few yards but perhaps gaining a bit of accuracy is perfect for my situation plus I'd like to consolidate 2 clubs to 1 if possible. Having not hit one, are they capable of replacing a 3-4 wood from the fairway? Off the tee, I'd imagine there's little if any difference?

 

I'm a 17 handicap so looking for something more consistent off the tee and willing to sacrifice some yards to stay in the fairway. thanks in advance.

[lil'mike]

For me, I wouldn't replace a driver with a mini because they are not as forgiving as the bigger head.  I would be more apt to cut the shaft down and add weight to the big driver and play a shorter one at the mini driver length of 43.75 inches or so for better control.  The Mini's are a lot harder to hit off the fairway than a 3wd but then again, the 3wd isn't the easiest for most golfers either.

 

I put a 13.5 deg Mini in the bag but only as a 3wd replacement and for strictly off the tee type club.  I have no plans on hitting it off the turf, that's what my 5wd or 7wd is for.

 

If you want to replace the driver with one and play it off the turf like a 3wd, then I would suggest the 13.5 head not the 11.5 one so it is a little better height wise off the turf or at least should be.

 

Of course this is just my opinion.  It also may depend on how far you hit both clubs.

 

[BYK]

agree with much of the above post

only thing i'd add is figure out what you want to use it for and consider certain models seem better for different roles

TM Brnr was better for FW for me and good off the tee, Callaway better off the tee for me and not great at all off the FW

[Mobert19]

Not to be rude, but as a 17 you should look at lessons and practice to be more consistent from tee box. 

[johnspies]

Doing this as well; the Pro supports my approach to the clubs but seeking some validation I suppose.

[vmann]

Seeking validation from others is a fool's errand. No one on this forum knows anything about your game and any opinion they give you is based on their game. If you and your pro think it's a good idea, go for it. Good luck. 

[Yakhandicap]

I switched it a 13.5 mini driver and use it off the tee. I just played 36 in Big Sky and left the driver at home (mostly because I packed some of my kid’s clubs and my driver and I are not in a positive relationship currently) and used it exclusively off the tee. Probably some of the most consistent tee shots I’ve hit. It definitely is replacing the three wood for a fairway finder off the tee. 

[Johnny Biarritz]

 

When I played one, I'd ditch the driver and 3W on shorter courses where I needed more coverage in the longer irons or wanted a 5th wedge (before I altered my iron set to permanently accommodate the 5th wedge). I found the mini to be very difficult to hit from the fairway. I would not use it on a course where I thought I would need a 3 or 4 wood from the fairway normally, but I had it as a ‘break in case of emergency’ club if there was no other option from the fairway.

If you’re considering a mini as a driver and 3W replacement, why not just get a 12.5+ degree driver and just throw the 3W in the trash? Take an inch off the actual driver shaft if you want more control.

[AU_Matt]

8 hours ago, johnspies said:

I'm interested in replacing my Driver and 3 wood with a Mini Driver. Losing a few yards but perhaps gaining a bit of accuracy is perfect for my situation plus I'd like to consolidate 2 clubs to 1 if possible. Having not hit one, are they capable of replacing a 3-4 wood from the fairway? Off the tee, I'd imagine there's little if any difference?

 

I'm a 17 handicap so looking for something more consistent off the tee and willing to sacrifice some yards to stay in the fairway. thanks in advance.

Compared to 3W, the mini will be longer and easier to hit off the tee, but significantly harder to elevate from the fairway due to the deeper face. Distance loss from the driver will likely not be too significant. I bag one due to the fact that I basically never play 3 wood off the deck, and it gaps well in to my 5 wood then 4 iron.

[Rosco1216]

If everyone is being honest, you likely won’t find validation here given what you’ve told us. As previous poster mentioned, you’re better off cutting down a normal driver. For someone looking at mini as a fairway wood replacement with the intent to use it as a traditional fairway wood to hit into greens won’t find what they’re looking for.

[braincramp52]

73 year old 8 handicap here so take this with a grain of salt. I tried the shorter driver route before I bought a Mini and the Mini blew it away. When you shorten a driver you need to add weight back to the head which is no biggie but the center of gravity changes which sometimes adds spin. Also it changes the characteristic's of the shaft after cutting. Since I'm older I actually gained distance AND accuracy with the Mini driver. It will not replace my 16.5 fairway wood off the deck. The only way I'd use my 11.5 Mini off the ground would be if I had a really great fluffy lie.

[Ger21]

I used to carry Driver, 3 wood, 7 wood. The 3 wood was a tee only club for me on shorter holes.

Now I carry an 11.5° mini, and a 5 wood. I can hit 5 wood on any holes that need something less than the mini, and it's easier off the deck than a 3 wood.

 

Mini is longer and straighter than a driver for me on all but perfect strikes with the driver. My average driver distance, and accuracy, are way up since switching to the mini.

 

[lil'mike]

1 hour ago, braincramp52 said:

73 year old 8 handicap here so take this with a grain of salt. I tried the shorter driver route before I bought a Mini and the Mini blew it away. When you shorten a driver you need to add weight back to the head which is no biggie but the center of gravity changes which sometimes adds spin. Also it changes the characteristic's of the shaft after cutting. Since I'm older I actually gained distance AND accuracy with the Mini driver. It will not replace my 16.5 fairway wood off the deck. The only way I'd use my 11.5 Mini off the ground would be if I had a really great fluffy lie.

What do you think about cutting down a stock driver shaft to use in the mini at 43.75.  Do you think the shaft will add spin and change the characteristics resulting in the mini not preforming as good as it could?

 

[Ger21]

23 minutes ago, lil'mike said:

What do you think about cutting down a stock driver shaft to use in the mini at 43.75.  Do you think the shaft will add spin and change the characteristics resulting in the mini not preforming as good as it could?

 

The shaft in my mini came out of my  driver. It played 44-1/2" in my driver. I tipped it 1/2", and it plays 43-3/4" in my mini.

[robbie91]

Outside of a golfer who has a mental block with a traditional driver, I've never understood why someone would want to replace a 460cc head with mini driver. If it's the loft or shaft length in the mini driver that's producing consistency, both can be adjusted in a 460cc head without losing any forgiveness.  

 

I do think mini driver can make sense as a 3 wood replacement for guys who primarily hit 3 wood off the tee or who are comfortable hitting the mini driver from the turf. As someone who rarely fits 3 wood into greens, I've been interested in tinkering with one myself. 

[g_swell]

I tried a GT280 for a while. It was a great club but I can’t see the point of a mini driver for my game. Prefer having a 4w instead. I can get the ball out there with driver so I thought the mini would be good for holes that need abit less than driver but the reality is there’s not many holes where that occurs. It’s either driver or something shorter. Would rather just use driver and then for anything shorter either 4w or 3 iron. For me this feels like my bag has more flexibility 

[braincramp52]

1 hour ago, lil'mike said:

What do you think about cutting down a stock driver shaft to use in the mini at 43.75.  Do you think the shaft will add spin and change the characteristics resulting in the mini not preforming as good as it could?

 

Not sure but I doubt if you notice much difference. 

[braincramp52]

15 minutes ago, robbie91 said:

Outside of a golfer who has a mental block with a traditional driver, I've never understood why someone would want to replace a 460cc head with mini driver. If it's the loft or shaft length in the mini driver that's producing consistency, both can be adjusted in a 460cc head without losing any forgiveness.  

 

I do think mini driver can make sense as a 3 wood replacement for guys who primarily hit 3 wood off the tee or who are comfortable hitting the mini driver from the turf. As someone who rarely fits 3 wood into greens, I've been interested in tinkering with one myself. 

I can't speak for others but for me, looking down at a 460cc head on a 43 1/2" shaft just looks like crap. 

[BogeyTed]

1 hour ago, robbie91 said:

Outside of a golfer who has a mental block with a traditional driver, I've never understood why someone would want to replace a 460cc head with mini driver. 

I can. 

 

Personally I've never felt a bigger head gives confidence. I hit my 180 cc 3 wood far more clean, more often than my driver. 

 

Aim small miss small and all that. 

[Kimpano]

I switched to a mini driver this year. It's by far the best decision I've made. I hit straighter and not much shorter. The advantage of mini drivers is that you can hit more down on the ball, which in my opinion gives better results than a regular driver.

 

I only use my mini driver from the tee, and then my next club is a 7-wood. 

[Streuner]

There are many reasons to try a mini…. Consistency of the tee is one aspect. Higher Ball flight with a 13 deg modell if needed.

There are Golfers that simply not like the bigger 460ccm heads, even 440 looks often huge. The Callaway Mini with the 320ccm looks much more familiar to them.

Shot shape is easier for me with the mini, but this is personal preference. 
The shorter shaft will help you to find the middle better, but the shorter shaft in a 440/460 head will give you even more forgivness. 
the Howard Jones DIY driver Fitting is still a very good Plan to fit into the perfect length for your gaming driver, just for sure, the shaft has to be the right one. 

 

for me the Mini Driver is an extra in the Bag. On bad days on course with the Driver, I have the mini as 2nd option. On all other days, my Driver is perfect for fade shots and my Mini for draws. 

 

[GG194]

Tried one for a little while, not for distance control but for a higher flight on certain holes that needed to carry a hazard since I don’t hit a high drive. For me it was a limited use club but usually have room in the bag. It was an extra club and didn’t replace anything. 

[redshirtgolfer]

Long story short: if you can’t hit a driver constantly good, you can’t hit a mini driver constantly good. 

[Streuner]

27 minutes ago, redshirtgolfer said:

Long story short: if you can’t hit a driver constantly good, you can’t hit a mini driver constantly good. 

No, I would not agree… I still have bad days with my Driver sometimes. On those days the mini is giving me confidence on my tee shots. 2 Inch shorter shafted is is really easier to find the middle. 

[redshirtgolfer]

Yeah, but it seems like you are able to have good days with your driver which means you know how to hit a driver. A friend of mine NEVER had a good day with his driver, bought a mini and thought it will solve all his problems. Surprise: it didn’t. 

[braincramp52]

1 hour ago, redshirtgolfer said:

Long story short: if you can’t hit a driver constantly good, you can’t hit a mini driver constantly good. 

You're correct, but many find the center more often.

[Ger21]

8 hours ago, robbie91 said:

Outside of a golfer who has a mental block with a traditional driver, I've never understood why someone would want to replace a 460cc head with mini driver.

 

You probably don't hit 2 or 3 drives/round 50 yards offline.

[Ger21]

1 hour ago, redshirtgolfer said:

Long story short: if you can’t hit a driver constantly good, you can’t hit a mini driver constantly good. 

The 3 members of my foursome playing mini drivers would strongly disagree.

[NRJyzr]

10 hours ago, lil'mike said:

What do you think about cutting down a stock driver shaft to use in the mini at 43.75.  Do you think the shaft will add spin and change the characteristics resulting in the mini not preforming as good as it could?

 

 

It's the same as with any other club.  It's a matter of matching up the flex.  

 

I play my drivers at 43½" for the most part, regardless of size.  I use the same shafts in both 440-460cc clubheads and my 300 mini, and play them at the same swingweight.  Were I playing 45"+ drivers, I would probably look to tip the shaft like it was a 3w installation.  

 

It's important to note, not everyone would be affected by the shaft being softer at the shorter length with heavier clubhead; some players are not particularly affected by flex.  And, as Brother Stuart often says, weight is (generally) more important than flex.  The only way to know for each of us is through actual swings, demo or range/course use.

 

[johnspies]

Thanks everyone. To clarify, I’m a 17 but can play much better when I’m hitting well off the tee. Hence, looking for something that might keep me in play more often. Shot an 84 at Royal County Down two weeks ago as an example….felt so good that day. The next day? A 93 at Ardglass 😉

 

I’m tinkering with this (with the help of a PGA professional) along with a 4-wood and 7 wood to see what works best for me. My gut says I’ll settle into the Mini and the 7 wood; I very rarely hit a 3/4 wood off the deck and just got the 7 wood as a recommendation from club members who swear by it.

Another motivator, and I understand it might have very little application (if any) is that I used to play a 425 TM Driver that I just loved. 

Thanks for the answers to my question and the description of experiences.