Big Drivers - Do they go further?

[Ozzy]

I currently use a 410cc 10.5 loft driver (Nike Ignite) which I feel comfortable with but don't get much more that around 240 yards off the tee. For someone with what I consider a good hit, I wondering whether upgrading my driver will help.
I've been told my shaft is too flexible for me by a club fitter, so I'm going to get that changed but I thought I'd get some feedback on the 460cc drivers. When I test the larger heads the size puts me off, but it seems almost impossible to get smaller drivers now?!? So, is a bigger head driver really any better?

[The ClubMaker]

It may not go further, but it will most probably go straighter!
It all depends on how far your tee shots drift left or right :eek:

[clintyboy12]

Funny - I was (up until Fri) looking for some knowledgeable info on this very topic!
I have a 4 year old Ping Tisi Tec which for the most part has been pretty good. From my group of players I am usually amongst the longest, though not always straightest. Not sure how big the head is but I have started contemplating switching to something huge
- partly because every other bugger has one and it's the clubhead-envy syndrome
- partly because I've had the club for a few years and it's time for a change and
- partly because I had an awful round and wanted something to blame!!!

Through the wonders of Golfbidder I tried a Callaway FT-3 after seeing some good reviews. Whilst the head isn't massive it is a darn sight larger than my current one. I was disappointed however as it just did not feel right. Sure it went nice and straight and found the fairway many more times than usual, but it made such a dull thud when the ball flew off it just did not feel great nor worth swapping my current one. I also seemes to lose distance on it.
I also tested on the range both the Nike Sumo SQ2 and the Cleveland Hi-Bore - Nike was poor for me and Hi-bore was good but again the contact did not seem great.
I know there is a lot to be said about sorting my swing out, and I do need to book some lessons (though not now at the start of the season!) but I do like Ping gear. Through Golfbidder I exchanged the Callaway for a year-old Ping G10 Draw and boy what a difference. Great penetrating ball flight, nice reassuring sound off the face. No doubt after a while my bad habits will start to cause problems but for now this club is AWESOME and I love it... I can't wait to play again, in fact I am getting up early tomorrow to have 9 holes before work! And that is from someone who cannot get up in the morning!!

[Ozzy]

I know exactly what you mean about the sound and look of the club. I tried a few clubs at the Golf Show, but must admit the massive long shafts just didn't feel right to me.
Rather ambarrasingly, I had a go on the flight monitor with a ladies shorter shaft driver and I was splitting the fairway in half! Just don't tell the lads.

I've been looking at the new Snake Eye Viper drivers though, very nice and pretty although I am tending to hook with those so need to get measured up see what difference that will make.

[JonPaul]

i play with a taylormade Tour Burner TP 9' stiff shaft..... same as sergio garcia..... low spin makes it have nice good roll..... it says mid launch but it goes higher than my r7 which says its high launch :S :) ..... high swing speed needed for it but all i do is a sergio swing.... that is basically my swing :) ......

****://*****taylormadegolf.com/media/uploads/TourBurnerTPDriver_header.gif

****://*****taylormadegolf.com/media/uploads/TourBurnerTPDriver_product_matrix.gif »


I spent ages tryin to find the perfect driver for me..... but always stayed to taylormade as i think taylormade are the best company going and also i play better with taylormade just because my mind says i dont like nike im gunna hit this bad..... its weird but i think u know what i mean

[Ozzy]

I've decided to go for a new driver.

My swing has changed over the past few weeks. Much faster and harder, and I have had to readjust my shots because I'm hitting 10-15 yards further with each iron.
I currently play with a Nike Ignite with a custom fitted mid flex shaft, but I'm hitting the balls higher than they travel. Would be fine if the balls didn't burn up on re-entry :D. So Mr Clubfitter on here has suggested I look at the new Snake Eye Viper with a stiffer or steel shaft. Will let you guys know how I get on.

[M4rtyn]

I use the new Sumo2 the square shaped one regular shaft, as not used by Tiger (claims it hits too straight, cannot shape the ball). Love it, straight down the middle thanks to David Ledbetters software. I was hitting my old load of rubbish about 250 yards with a regular shaft I have managed 306 yards by my skycaddie with the Nike Sumo2. They say and I quote

"Take a look at the distance you hit your driver. This is a good, but very general, indicator. If you carry you driver 250 yards or more, go with Stiff; 230-250 yards, Regular; 200-230 yards, Senior; less than 200 yards, Ladies. Only the biggest of the big hitters is going to need Extra Stiff. For most of us, Extra Stiff isn't even in the picture".

[Petter Player]

i play with a taylormade Tour Burner TP 9' stiff shaft..... same as sergio garcia..... low spin makes it have nice good roll..... it says mid launch but it goes higher than my r7 which says its high launch :S :) ..... high swing speed needed for it but all i do is a sergio swing.... that is basically my swing :) ......

****://*****taylormadegolf.com/media/uploads/TourBurnerTPDriver_header.gif

****://*****taylormadegolf.com/media/uploads/TourBurnerTPDriver_product_matrix.gif »


I spent ages tryin to find the perfect driver for me..... but always stayed to taylormade as i think taylormade are the best company going and also i play better with taylormade just because my mind says i dont like nike im gunna hit this bad..... its weird but i think u know what i mean


I only got my first TM club after playing for 15 years. It is the TourBurner 2008 or was it 07, driver 9.5° (actually it is 10.5 as my club smith measured it). Anyway it had the OEM Stiff shaft - over long and notoriously lightweight.

After I had it reshafted with a Fujikura Speeder 757 Tour specs Stiff it started to work. Also it is now some half or three quarters of an inch shorter than the orginal and has swing weight of D5 - Boom!

I hit it dead straight from a lazy 265 to knocking it stiff for 325 meters straight as well. Lovely club head, but the factory shaft is something else.

Before the make-over it was very inconsistent and went from slice to hook, no reason at all. My tempo is around .99 and clubhead speed must be sth like 115 normally, but will exceed up to 125 when I rip it.

BTW why is it that factories claim the lofts beeing something els than what they really are ???

[M4rtyn]

The difference in the lofts quoted is probably that everyone de-lofts the club-head a couple of degrees when you go through the impact zone.