Trevor Ng
Golf drivers are one of the most important and sought-after golf clubs, setting the tone for each hole. The right driver can help you play at your best potential, while the wrong one can negatively affect your play. When buying a golf driver, it's important to consider the shaft and club-head. The shaft is the engine of the club, and a low-quality one will hinder performance. You can buy a shaft new or used, but it's recommended to buy it brand new to ensure it hasn't been trimmed. The club-head should complement the shaft for optimal performance. Other factors to consider include the loft angle, flex, and centre of gravity, which can be adjusted with movable weights to hit a fade, draw, or neutral shot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Club head | Enlarged club heads allow for maximum height and distance |
| Loft angle | Affects ball control and speed |
| Flex | Affects ball control and speed |
| Center of gravity | Affects ball control and speed; adjustable weights allow for tailored shots |
| Shaft | Should be purchased brand new; a good shaft with a poor club head will not function optimally |
| Handedness | Drivers are designed for left- and right-handed golfers |
| Brand | Options include Callaway, Cobra, PING, and TaylorMade |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right shaft
There are many intricacies to finding a good driver shaft. One key consideration is to buy a new shaft rather than a used one, as a used shaft may have been trimmed, affecting the playability of the club.
When choosing a shaft, it's important to consider the loft angle. Modern drivers have adjustable lofts, typically adjustable by +/- 1 degree from the loft engraved on the club-head. This means that you can buy a 10.5-degree head and adjust it to either 9.5 or 11.5 degrees. However, it's worth noting that every driver's head will have a different spin rate and launch angle, so it's important to test out different options to find the right combination of shaft and head that works for you.
If you're serious about improving your game, it's recommended to find a professional club-fitter who can conduct the fitting outdoors on a range. While indoor fittings using a launch monitor can provide data, seeing the ball flight will give you a better understanding of what works best for you.
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Getting a club-head that suits the shaft
The club head and shaft are both important components of a golf driver, and they work together as a "system" to create the best results. However, the club head has a more significant impact on ball flight.
When choosing a golf driver, it is essential to consider the club head's specifications, such as loft, lie angle, centre of gravity, and mass (weight). These factors influence ball control, speed, and launch direction. For example, a driver with a more forward centre of gravity will launch the ball lower with less spin, while a centre of gravity farther away from the face will result in a higher launch and increased spin. Adjusting the weights on the sole of the club can also help tailor the club to hit a fade, draw, or neutral shot.
While the shaft is important, it is not as crucial as the club head in terms of immediate improvements and benefits. A well-fitted shaft can enhance the performance of a well-engineered head, but it cannot drastically improve a poorly engineered one. The shaft's weight, bend profile, balance point, and overall stiffness are perceived differently by each player and can impact their swing. Therefore, it is essential to find a shaft that works with the selected club head and the golfer's natural swing pattern to ensure consistent results.
To summarise, when buying a golf driver, focus on finding a club head that suits your needs and preferences, and then work on finding a compatible shaft that complements the head and your swing. This approach will help optimise your performance and provide the most significant benefits to your game.
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Loft angle and adjustability
Loft angle is a critical factor in choosing your golf driver. The loft of the driver, typically between 7.5 and 14 degrees, influences the trajectory of the ball's flight. Higher loft angles can improve accuracy and are generally more forgiving, especially for golfers with slower swing speeds or poor accuracy. For swing speeds under 70 mph, lofts up to 15°–16.5° are beneficial, but exceeding this range can lead to excessive spin and reduced distance. Most drivers offer lofts ranging from 12° to 14°, with specialty models providing up to 16°.
When selecting a loft angle, it's important to consider your swing speed and accuracy. If you have a slower swing speed, a higher loft angle can help compensate and increase the distance the ball travels. Additionally, if you struggle with accuracy, a slightly higher loft than what is typically recommended for your swing speed can provide added forgiveness.
Adjustability in golf drivers offers significant advantages. Modern drivers often feature adjustable loft settings, allowing you to fine-tune the loft angle to match your swing characteristics. This adjustability means you're not locked into a single loft setting, giving you the flexibility to experiment and find the optimal setting for your game. You can increase or decrease the loft by a degree or two, using a tool provided with the club. This adjustability is particularly beneficial for beginners as their swing develops and improves over time.
Additionally, some drivers offer clubface angle adjustability, which can also impact the loft. Changing the face angle can help you correct mishits and improve your launch angle. Certain manufacturers, like TaylorMade, have designs where adjusting the loft also adjusts the face angle. However, it's important to note that some manufacturers allow these adjustments to work independently.
Other adjustable features found in modern drivers include adjustable hosel settings and weights. Adjusting the hosel settings can help you lower or increase the loft, reducing the initial launch angle and spin. Moving adjustable weights can also help reduce spin and improve your swing. For example, placing the weight forward and close to the face can help reduce spin, while putting weight into the heel side of the club can reduce "side spin" and improve draw.
While adjustability provides great benefits, it's important to remember that finding the right settings for your game may take time and experimentation. It's recommended to start with the default settings and make small adjustments to find what works best for you.
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Centre of gravity and moveable weights
The centre of gravity (CG or CoG) is the point at which all of an object's weight appears to be concentrated. In golf clubs, the CG is influenced by the positioning of the hosel, which is the part of the club where the head and shaft connect. The CG is always located within a 12mm x 14mm box. Small CG movements within this box can significantly impact performance.
Golf drivers with adjustable CG technology allow golfers to alter the centre of gravity themselves by moving around weights. This is important because the CG influences the launch angle, spin rate, MOI (forgiveness), and closure rate of the club.
There are four different types of adjustable driver head weights: sliding weights, movable weights, immovable weights, and internal weighting. Sliding weights are usually the largest in mass and run in a track from heel to toe or from front to back. Movable weights can be swapped between set locations in the club head. Immovable weights are usually the heaviest and are set by the manufacturer or club fitter and should not be touched. Internal weighting is where engineers position the centre of gravity to the gram or millimetre.
By moving weights in the club head, golfers can shift the CG to where it is needed and minimise the impact of twisting. For example, moving the weight into the heel can help correct a fade or slice by reducing the amount the club head rotates at impact. Moving the CG location from the front to the back of the club head or vice versa will affect the amount of spin on the ball, changing the trajectory of the shot.
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Buying new vs. used
Golf drivers are one of the most important and sought-after golf clubs. It is the club that golfers use to get the ball in play from off the tee. Because it is so important, it is usually the most expensive, with some models costing more than $500.
When it comes to buying a golf driver, you have the option of buying a new or used one. Buying a new driver can be expensive, but it ensures that you are the first owner and can be confident of the club's authenticity and condition. On the other hand, buying a used driver can be a more affordable option, especially for beginners who may not want to invest a lot of money in a new club. Used drivers can be found on websites like eBay, and you can often find models that are only a few years old and in good condition.
There are some potential downsides to buying a used driver. For example, you may not be able to find a model with the exact specifications that you want, such as shaft length and loft angle. Additionally, there is a risk that the club may be damaged or not match the description provided by the seller.
When deciding whether to buy a new or used golf driver, it is important to consider your budget, your level of experience with the game, and your specific needs and preferences for the club. If you are a beginner, a used driver can be a good option to get started without breaking the bank. However, if you are an experienced golfer with specific requirements for your club, investing in a new driver may be the better choice.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf drivers are used to drive the golf ball long distances off the tee. They are the largest golf club in the bag and have enlarged club heads.
The shaft and club-head are the most important things to consider. The shaft is like the engine of a car, so it's essential to get a good quality one. Then you need to find a club-head that performs with that shaft.
Yes, the loft angle, flex, and centre of gravity of the driver can impact your ball control and speed. Modern drivers have adjustable lofts, so you can tailor the club to hit a fade, draw or neutral shot.
There are many online and in-store options to buy golf drivers, including PGA TOUR Superstore, Golf Galaxy, and Golf Discount.
You can try out different drivers at your local golf store and see how the ball feels off the club-face. You can also consult a professional club-fitter, either indoors on a launch monitor or outdoors on a range.
