Announcement

**bdbl** · 04-16-2009, 08:54 AM

Re: Premium driver versus low cost driver

Originally posted by totallycalm View Post

Hi

I currently use a £30 driver from JJB (GT600) and hit between 220 and 250 depending on wind conditions and hit the fairway more often than not. Don't really think I could get much more distance out of my swing and current driver. the wear on the face of my driver is on the centre so getting good contact with a slight fade.

Was looking at buying the Nike 4950 as it has had good reviews.

So, could I expect some extra yards from the tea to justify the outlay? If so, what would the average extra distance expected?

Any advice appreciated.

Derek

I'm not sure that the answer is that easy.

Others can advise better but you could end up losing distance, staying the same, or gaining depending on how the club works for you.

Either go somewhere where you can tyy a few out, and then buy from somewhere that operates a "trial Period" policy, or take the plunge and get fitted somewhere.

**totallycalm** · 04-16-2009, 09:32 AM

Re: Premium driver versus low cost driver

Thanks for the reply.

I was considering going for a fitting session as I am sure that it would be of benefit.

Was just looking for a general opinion on whether the better quality drivers as a rule give better distance (based on everything being similar e.g regular flex, loft etc).

Derek

**rotator** · 04-16-2009, 08:22 PM

Re: Premium driver versus low cost driver

Hi totallycalm,

As bdbl says, it could be a ****shoot, unless the particular equipment suits you. Some golfers could play well with no name equipment and bomb out with equipment of a big name manu. There were/are many pros whose games fell apart after they made an equipment sponsor change, and that is from one major company to another.

I forgot who it was that played well on the tour in the 70"s, and he was playing K-Mart drivers. The key here, and in most cases, is he had a topline shaft installed. A top line head instead of the K-Mart head would have possibly performed better, but it would not have been by much. These guys could hit acceptable shots with just about any head, as long as they have decent shafts. That's why the fitting and trial usage in play is so critical

Ted.

**bill reed** · 04-16-2009, 08:32 PM

Re: Premium driver versus low cost driver

hi
i think you be buying a better quality make driver with better quality controls but that does not also mean you will hit the ball longer or even better.
having a club fitted you can have the spin rate check and get the right loft in the driver you need and also what shaft matched your swing.
having a fitted cheap driver from a good fitter is often better than spending twice as much buying at top maker's driver taken off the shelf.
cheers
Bill

**totallycalm** · 04-17-2009, 07:57 AM

Re: Premium driver versus low cost driver

Thanks for the replies. Looks like a fitting is the way to go then.

Derek

**Neil18** · 04-17-2009, 10:09 AM

Re: Premium driver versus low cost driver

You may also find that recognised golf manufacturers clubs will outlast cheaper makes.

I had a cheap driver from a sports store that lasted 4 months before the face stoved itself in.

**LowPost42** · 04-17-2009, 12:48 PM

Re: Premium driver versus low cost driver

Honestly? I probably wouldn't bother. Sounds like your smashing your current driver. But if you're curious, find a launch monitor and find out what your numbers are (ball speed, launch angle, spin) with your driver - you may not need another one.

**GolfJunkieSr** · 04-17-2009, 05:08 PM

Re: Premium driver versus low cost driver

Here is a true story. I have a custom fit driver that cost me less than $200.00. I hit it very well, most of the time. I max out at about 230 yards when I am swinging well with it. I have a nephew, who only golfs when I am in his area visiting him, and other relatives. He is a huge John Daly fan. So much of a fan he may have even contemplated suicide, or at the very least, a long drinking binge when he heard about JD's suspension. A few years ago he found a John Daly driver at Wal-Mart, and paid $19.95 for it, which also included a "Lion" head cover. He hits balls well over 290 yards consistently with it, and is also quite accurate, never missing the fairways by more than a few feet when his does miss. I can't hit his driver to save my back side, and he can't hit my driver very well 99% of the time. When I do hit his driver well, the ball travels about 190 yards, or 40 yards less than I hit my own driver. He has hit my driver on a very few occasions, well over 320 yards when he swung it well. My point is the same as posted above. When a golfer gets a golf club that matches up well with his/her's swing technique, that club becomes priceless to them, regardless of how much it cost. Cheap, or costly, one should make sure the club fits their swing before purchasing it. GJS

**rotator** · 04-17-2009, 05:56 PM

Re: Premium driver versus low cost driver

Originally posted by Neil18 View Post

You may also find that recognised golf manufacturers clubs will outlast cheaper makes.

I had a cheap driver from a sports store that lasted 4 months before the face stoved itself in.

What Neil says is sound advice. There are heads which may be made of old automobile s**** metals melted down with other nondescript alloys, or which are not designed at all, so they will not withstand the stresses and impact and could crack etc.

That is not to say there are not quality clones and generics. I have built quite a lot of equipment to know that. One set I made for a large powerful guy. He had a very steep swing and was breaking clubs at an incredible rate. He broke several from different setss he purchased from the store at the bottom of the hosels! I reluctantly built him a set of irons, which he now has been using for over 7 years. He still raves about them, whenever I see him, and I am constantly amazed that he has not broken the clubs. I used to cringe, whenever I ran into him at first, but the warranty has to be considered off now.

Ted

**totallycalm** · 04-21-2009, 04:48 PM

Re: Premium driver versus low cost driver

Hi All

Had club fitting today and was very happy at the difference between my driver and the fitted one. Nice ball flight, more carry and roll

The changes were 2 degrees flat on irons with stiff SS shafts (my current irons were graphite regular with a standard lie angle)

A stiff shaft and a reduction to 9.5 deg from 10.5 deg was all that was required with the driver. Did try stiff with draw bias but the draw was a little too strong, bordering on a hook.

Anyway, big thanks to those that replied, club fitting was definately the way to go.

Derek

**AussieGolfBoy** · 04-27-2009, 12:28 AM

Re: Premium driver versus low cost driver

a new driver will more than likely give you extra distance. however, just because it has good reviews doesn't mean that driver your looking at will give "you" more distance.

if you can demo a few different clubs before purchase you'll save a lot of heartache down the track in choosing the right driver for you.

**hakkrsBware** · 06-12-2009, 07:34 AM

Re: Premium driver versus low cost driver

totallyCalm,

Good for you... I had a driver fitted for me a few months ago (Ollie Golf, up in Ajax, ON - GREAT GREAT guy! - set me up with a Tad More head and a Fujikara shaft), and have been very happy with the results. Much better, and finer tuned than most other drivers I have tried.

However, I found that (whether by chance or destiny) the Taylormade R360 I was using just felt better for some reason, and I can still hit the lights out with it.

BTW, just wanted to put in my 2 cents into this discussion... What rotator said is absolutely dead on. The shaft is where it's at. I forget the figures, but the reason that custom fitting really works is because of the variety of swing speeds that they have shafts for (as opposed to the 2-3 flexes that most large scale manus have).

Yes, the head does make a difference, but mostly in longevity of the driver. The material make up in a Bang Golf head, and the K-mart head is apples and rotten oranges...

Just my views...

LOVE the site.

-hBw

**AussieGolfBoy** · 06-17-2009, 01:01 PM

Re: Premium driver versus low cost driver

I'll also add to this. a mate who plays off 9 went out and bought off ebay 2 $12.99 shafts to put in his $100 driver. yet these shafts and driver were pulled after 1 season after so many bad reviews. but he loves them. he tried $400 clubs and personally couldn't see any difference.

Announcement

Premium driver versus low cost driver

Premium driver versus low cost driver

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment