Discussion
bodhi said:
Hammersia said:
milesgiles said:
How far is Bolton old links? Not played but I know they have invested and improved its on a hill with scots pines so I’d think as dry as anywhere
What is this weird obsession with Scots Pines
leglessAlex said:
The reviews might not be wrong. Is it possibly to buy a bad driver now? Or any truly bad clubs from any major brand?
Sure, some might be better than others, but it’s more likely basically everything in the mid to high end now is good.
As a beginner, I’d be really surprised if I could even tell that much difference between all the top drivers!
What amuses me as the admissions that come about about the previous or two generations. Just one example, Stealth was the best thing since sliced bread upon initial reviews. Now watch the Qi10 reviews and it’s acknowledged as being unforgiving offcentre. Where was that conclusion at launch!Sure, some might be better than others, but it’s more likely basically everything in the mid to high end now is good.
As a beginner, I’d be really surprised if I could even tell that much difference between all the top drivers!
Teatowell said:
leglessAlex said:
The reviews might not be wrong. Is it possibly to buy a bad driver now? Or any truly bad clubs from any major brand?
Sure, some might be better than others, but it’s more likely basically everything in the mid to high end now is good.
As a beginner, I’d be really surprised if I could even tell that much difference between all the top drivers!
What amuses me as the admissions that come about about the previous or two generations. Just one example, Stealth was the best thing since sliced bread upon initial reviews. Now watch the Qi10 reviews and it’s acknowledged as being unforgiving offcentre. Where was that conclusion at launch!Sure, some might be better than others, but it’s more likely basically everything in the mid to high end now is good.
As a beginner, I’d be really surprised if I could even tell that much difference between all the top drivers!
I don't agree with 460cc drivers anyway, but FWIW Matt Fry on youtube does as good a job as anyone on explaining the tech developments and numbers.
MyGolfSpy does a big testing pool every year and is the best bet for averaged out numbers, e.g. from their 2023 test of the Stealth 2:
"Cons
Average forgiveness is Stealth 2 Plus’s downfall. Carry yardage consistency and dispersion hurt it a bit in comparison to those that finish ahead of it."
Edited by Hammersia on Wednesday 10th January 09:17
Edited by Hammersia on Wednesday 10th January 09:47
Teatowell said:
leglessAlex said:
The reviews might not be wrong. Is it possibly to buy a bad driver now? Or any truly bad clubs from any major brand?
Sure, some might be better than others, but it’s more likely basically everything in the mid to high end now is good.
As a beginner, I’d be really surprised if I could even tell that much difference between all the top drivers!
What amuses me as the admissions that come about about the previous or two generations. Just one example, Stealth was the best thing since sliced bread upon initial reviews. Now watch the Qi10 reviews and it’s acknowledged as being unforgiving offcentre. Where was that conclusion at launch!Sure, some might be better than others, but it’s more likely basically everything in the mid to high end now is good.
As a beginner, I’d be really surprised if I could even tell that much difference between all the top drivers!
I've stuck with my fitted Mizuno STG-220 for the last 18 months or so and can't see myself changing that anytime soon - it's an absolute beast of a driver and the best one I've had by far. The only thing that's even remotely tempted me to switch is the TSR2 but I couldn't justify nearly £500 for a few extra yards.
TBF, part of Golf's appeal to many is the ability to chop and change equipment (me included, sadly)
The TXG/Club Champion review of the Ping G430 10K yesterday wasn't particularly positive (against the standard Max driver) but props to Ping for trying to push the envelope a little more.
The TXG/Club Champion review of the Ping G430 10K yesterday wasn't particularly positive (against the standard Max driver) but props to Ping for trying to push the envelope a little more.
Nezquick said:
Completely agree. My mate loves a hyped up driver and I have no doubt that I'll be seeing either a Qi10 or a G430 in his bag at some point soon - it won't make him play any better, and he'll realise that after two or three rounds and be annoyed he fell for the spiel on YouTube. I think he's on his 6th driver in about 2 years. Madness!
I've stuck with my fitted Mizuno STG-220 for the last 18 months or so and can't see myself changing that anytime soon - it's an absolute beast of a driver and the best one I've had by far. The only thing that's even remotely tempted me to switch is the TSR2 but I couldn't justify nearly £500 for a few extra yards.
An old chum of mine, now departed, was a decent golfer off 5 ish. Never forget one round he drove it absolutely as well as anyone I’ve ever seen round my own course. Not just every fairway but the right bit of every fairway.I've stuck with my fitted Mizuno STG-220 for the last 18 months or so and can't see myself changing that anytime soon - it's an absolute beast of a driver and the best one I've had by far. The only thing that's even remotely tempted me to switch is the TSR2 but I couldn't justify nearly £500 for a few extra yards.
Next week, different driver..
Teatowell said:
leglessAlex said:
The reviews might not be wrong. Is it possibly to buy a bad driver now? Or any truly bad clubs from any major brand?
Sure, some might be better than others, but it’s more likely basically everything in the mid to high end now is good.
As a beginner, I’d be really surprised if I could even tell that much difference between all the top drivers!
What amuses me as the admissions that come about about the previous or two generations. Just one example, Stealth was the best thing since sliced bread upon initial reviews. Now watch the Qi10 reviews and it’s acknowledged as being unforgiving offcentre. Where was that conclusion at launch!Sure, some might be better than others, but it’s more likely basically everything in the mid to high end now is good.
As a beginner, I’d be really surprised if I could even tell that much difference between all the top drivers!
Plus when you get in the hand of joe public who struggles to hit is consistently out the centre of the face then they just override anything the club is supposedly fixing.
It is bizarre re the new drivers, but clearly people fall for it (including myself).
I started playing 3 years ago and bought the original Taylormade SIM. I stuck with it until the end of 2023 when I purchased a Stealth2, and whilst it does definately go a little further, I reckon I was better with the old SIM to be honest, but could do with the extra distance so will stick with the Stealth.
I've watched the reviews of the new QI10 & Ping drivers, both of which are obviously breaking the 10,000 MOI threshold, which I do believe to be a genuine benefit, however it is only the certain models in the range which actually do this, ie the QI10 'Max' does it, but the other 2 models don't, and similarly with the Ping. It is also seems evident that the 10,000 MOI models go considerably less distance than the other 'non 10,000' models in the line up, as multiple reviewers have indiciated, so to get the increased forgiveness, there is a considerable drop off in distance (I think Rick Shiels was seeing over 10% in distance).
I'm sticking with the Stealth2 and will work on getting better with it as fundamentally don't believe 'technology' can make a 16 handicapper hit a solid drive every time. I'll spend the money on lessons to get a better technique which I think is a better investment for now.
I started playing 3 years ago and bought the original Taylormade SIM. I stuck with it until the end of 2023 when I purchased a Stealth2, and whilst it does definately go a little further, I reckon I was better with the old SIM to be honest, but could do with the extra distance so will stick with the Stealth.
I've watched the reviews of the new QI10 & Ping drivers, both of which are obviously breaking the 10,000 MOI threshold, which I do believe to be a genuine benefit, however it is only the certain models in the range which actually do this, ie the QI10 'Max' does it, but the other 2 models don't, and similarly with the Ping. It is also seems evident that the 10,000 MOI models go considerably less distance than the other 'non 10,000' models in the line up, as multiple reviewers have indiciated, so to get the increased forgiveness, there is a considerable drop off in distance (I think Rick Shiels was seeing over 10% in distance).
I'm sticking with the Stealth2 and will work on getting better with it as fundamentally don't believe 'technology' can make a 16 handicapper hit a solid drive every time. I'll spend the money on lessons to get a better technique which I think is a better investment for now.
I bought the Mizuno ST200G in 2020, and instantly got on really well with it.
Early summer last year my driving had gone to pot, when I realised that one of the sliding weights on the bottom of my driver was missing.
No idea where or when it disappeared, but my driving had definitely fallen off a cliff.
So I went back to my old 2015 Ping G30 driver, which I'm still using now as Mizuno frustratingly haven't been able to supply me with a new weight.
And you know what? I'm driving the ball probably as well as I ever have, to the point where I've kind of forgotten about the Mizuno anyway!
Early summer last year my driving had gone to pot, when I realised that one of the sliding weights on the bottom of my driver was missing.
No idea where or when it disappeared, but my driving had definitely fallen off a cliff.
So I went back to my old 2015 Ping G30 driver, which I'm still using now as Mizuno frustratingly haven't been able to supply me with a new weight.
And you know what? I'm driving the ball probably as well as I ever have, to the point where I've kind of forgotten about the Mizuno anyway!
There seems to be a £100 a year price increase cycle going on which really doesn't stand up to any sort of objective examination. Every old v new driver comparo I've seen has been an incentive to comb the classifieds for old clubs for under £50. I'd love to be a fly on the locker room wall when the pros get their new kit every year. It's probably just their old stuff in disguise.
The YT reviews should always be taken with a pinch of salt imho.
What I would actually like to see is a meaningful review for those of us with a slower swing speed / more inconsistent strike and none of the current crop of YouTubers seem to do this.
In that I don't really care if Danny Maude, James Robinson, Rick Shiels etc are getting 305 yards or not as it is so far away from where my game is. I'll be lucky to get 250 on a good day (more like 220-240 max on course).
But I would be interested if one of these drivers can get a little bit more out of my game as I'm currently playing a G430 3 wood as my main tee club having parked my 10 year old Callaway driver in the car boot for the last year.
(I did go and try out the G430 driver on Top Tracer but it seemed to be about as long as my 3 wood!)
What I would actually like to see is a meaningful review for those of us with a slower swing speed / more inconsistent strike and none of the current crop of YouTubers seem to do this.
In that I don't really care if Danny Maude, James Robinson, Rick Shiels etc are getting 305 yards or not as it is so far away from where my game is. I'll be lucky to get 250 on a good day (more like 220-240 max on course).
But I would be interested if one of these drivers can get a little bit more out of my game as I'm currently playing a G430 3 wood as my main tee club having parked my 10 year old Callaway driver in the car boot for the last year.
(I did go and try out the G430 driver on Top Tracer but it seemed to be about as long as my 3 wood!)
fat80b said:
The YT reviews should always be taken with a pinch of salt imho.
What I would actually like to see is a meaningful review for those of us with a slower swing speed / more inconsistent strike and none of the current crop of YouTubers seem to do this.
In that I don't really care if Danny Maude, James Robinson, Rick Shiels etc are getting 305 yards or not as it is so far away from where my game is. I'll be lucky to get 250 on a good day (more like 220-240 max on course).
But I would be interested if one of these drivers can get a little bit more out of my game as I'm currently playing a G430 3 wood as my main tee club having parked my 10 year old Callaway driver in the car boot for the last year.
(I did go and try out the G430 driver on Top Tracer but it seemed to be about as long as my 3 wood!)
My G430 5-wood almost always goes the same distance as my G430 driver, and with more consistency in direction. I don't have the 3, the pro advised me not to bother, and now I see why. The driver will beat it when I get it absolutely right but as you say in real-world mid h'cap golf that rarely happens. My buds often ask me why I bother with the driver. What I would actually like to see is a meaningful review for those of us with a slower swing speed / more inconsistent strike and none of the current crop of YouTubers seem to do this.
In that I don't really care if Danny Maude, James Robinson, Rick Shiels etc are getting 305 yards or not as it is so far away from where my game is. I'll be lucky to get 250 on a good day (more like 220-240 max on course).
But I would be interested if one of these drivers can get a little bit more out of my game as I'm currently playing a G430 3 wood as my main tee club having parked my 10 year old Callaway driver in the car boot for the last year.
(I did go and try out the G430 driver on Top Tracer but it seemed to be about as long as my 3 wood!)
Whilst I'm not really a chop and changer, I am on my 3rd Driver since I bought my current 3 wood, which is a Titleist 917 F3 with a Rogue Max shaft. However that's more of a reflection on the 3 wood - I have no idea why, but it is at least 20 yards longer than any other 3 wood I've tried including the TS range.
I can hit it 250-260, with some even over 300 if I pull off a draw on a downhill fairway, which does make the Driver somewhat redundant if it only goes 10 yards further. Even trying the 917 D3 with the same shaft only gained me an extra 10-15 yards on a clean strike, and the 3 wood was far more accurate.
I've got a bit more separation with the TS4 I have currently, however the 3 wood is still my default tee club on most courses, especially if it's on the tighter side.
I can hit it 250-260, with some even over 300 if I pull off a draw on a downhill fairway, which does make the Driver somewhat redundant if it only goes 10 yards further. Even trying the 917 D3 with the same shaft only gained me an extra 10-15 yards on a clean strike, and the 3 wood was far more accurate.
I've got a bit more separation with the TS4 I have currently, however the 3 wood is still my default tee club on most courses, especially if it's on the tighter side.
fat80b said:
The YT reviews should always be taken with a pinch of salt imho.
What I would actually like to see is a meaningful review for those of us with a slower swing speed / more inconsistent strike and none of the current crop of YouTubers seem to do this.
In that I don't really care if Danny Maude, James Robinson, Rick Shiels etc are getting 305 yards or not as it is so far away from where my game is. I'll be lucky to get 250 on a good day (more like 220-240 max on course).
But I would be interested if one of these drivers can get a little bit more out of my game as I'm currently playing a G430 3 wood as my main tee club having parked my 10 year old Callaway driver in the car boot for the last year.
(I did go and try out the G430 driver on Top Tracer but it seemed to be about as long as my 3 wood!)
In reality none of those YT guys mentioned above are getting anything like 305 yards carry. These are all GC Quad generated calculated numbers which are well known to flatter very low spin numbers. In UK conditions a 1900-2100 spin drive is crooked and falling out of the sky, it's ludicrous to even bother with GC Quad at that point but that's ego for you.What I would actually like to see is a meaningful review for those of us with a slower swing speed / more inconsistent strike and none of the current crop of YouTubers seem to do this.
In that I don't really care if Danny Maude, James Robinson, Rick Shiels etc are getting 305 yards or not as it is so far away from where my game is. I'll be lucky to get 250 on a good day (more like 220-240 max on course).
But I would be interested if one of these drivers can get a little bit more out of my game as I'm currently playing a G430 3 wood as my main tee club having parked my 10 year old Callaway driver in the car boot for the last year.
(I did go and try out the G430 driver on Top Tracer but it seemed to be about as long as my 3 wood!)
If anyone sets up Trackman behind them on the course and quotes carry numbers from that you can absolutely trust that.
Hammersia said:
fat80b said:
The YT reviews should always be taken with a pinch of salt imho.
What I would actually like to see is a meaningful review for those of us with a slower swing speed / more inconsistent strike and none of the current crop of YouTubers seem to do this.
In that I don't really care if Danny Maude, James Robinson, Rick Shiels etc are getting 305 yards or not as it is so far away from where my game is. I'll be lucky to get 250 on a good day (more like 220-240 max on course).
But I would be interested if one of these drivers can get a little bit more out of my game as I'm currently playing a G430 3 wood as my main tee club having parked my 10 year old Callaway driver in the car boot for the last year.
(I did go and try out the G430 driver on Top Tracer but it seemed to be about as long as my 3 wood!)
In reality none of those YT guys mentioned above are getting anything like 305 yards carry. These are all GC Quad generated calculated numbers which are well known to flatter very low spin numbers. In UK conditions a 1900-2100 spin drive is crooked and falling out of the sky, it's ludicrous to even bother with GC Quad at that point but that's ego for you.What I would actually like to see is a meaningful review for those of us with a slower swing speed / more inconsistent strike and none of the current crop of YouTubers seem to do this.
In that I don't really care if Danny Maude, James Robinson, Rick Shiels etc are getting 305 yards or not as it is so far away from where my game is. I'll be lucky to get 250 on a good day (more like 220-240 max on course).
But I would be interested if one of these drivers can get a little bit more out of my game as I'm currently playing a G430 3 wood as my main tee club having parked my 10 year old Callaway driver in the car boot for the last year.
(I did go and try out the G430 driver on Top Tracer but it seemed to be about as long as my 3 wood!)
If anyone sets up Trackman behind them on the course and quotes carry numbers from that you can absolutely trust that.
Hobo said:
It is bizarre re the new drivers, but clearly people fall for it (including myself).
I started playing 3 years ago and bought the original Taylormade SIM. I stuck with it until the end of 2023 when I purchased a Stealth2, and whilst it does definately go a little further, I reckon I was better with the old SIM to be honest, but could do with the extra distance so will stick with the Stealth.
I've watched the reviews of the new QI10 & Ping drivers, both of which are obviously breaking the 10,000 MOI threshold, which I do believe to be a genuine benefit, however it is only the certain models in the range which actually do this, ie the QI10 'Max' does it, but the other 2 models don't, and similarly with the Ping. It is also seems evident that the 10,000 MOI models go considerably less distance than the other 'non 10,000' models in the line up, as multiple reviewers have indiciated, so to get the increased forgiveness, there is a considerable drop off in distance (I think Rick Shiels was seeing over 10% in distance).
I'm sticking with the Stealth2 and will work on getting better with it as fundamentally don't believe 'technology' can make a 16 handicapper hit a solid drive every time. I'll spend the money on lessons to get a better technique which I think is a better investment for now.
I'd like to think good fitters will highlight when there's no point in chucking £500 on a new driver.I started playing 3 years ago and bought the original Taylormade SIM. I stuck with it until the end of 2023 when I purchased a Stealth2, and whilst it does definately go a little further, I reckon I was better with the old SIM to be honest, but could do with the extra distance so will stick with the Stealth.
I've watched the reviews of the new QI10 & Ping drivers, both of which are obviously breaking the 10,000 MOI threshold, which I do believe to be a genuine benefit, however it is only the certain models in the range which actually do this, ie the QI10 'Max' does it, but the other 2 models don't, and similarly with the Ping. It is also seems evident that the 10,000 MOI models go considerably less distance than the other 'non 10,000' models in the line up, as multiple reviewers have indiciated, so to get the increased forgiveness, there is a considerable drop off in distance (I think Rick Shiels was seeing over 10% in distance).
I'm sticking with the Stealth2 and will work on getting better with it as fundamentally don't believe 'technology' can make a 16 handicapper hit a solid drive every time. I'll spend the money on lessons to get a better technique which I think is a better investment for now.
I had a few fittings at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre and Stuart there is brand new. I was getting back into it so had an old Titleist 975J so it was self-evident I could only get something better suited but he did advise not bothering changing for an easy 5 years.
Patrick Bateman said:
I'd like to think good fitters will highlight when there's no point in chucking £500 on a new driver.
I had a few fittings at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre and Stuart there is brand new. I was getting back into it so had an old Titleist 975J so it was self-evident I could only get something better suited but he did advise not bothering changing for an easy 5 years.
Definately.I had a few fittings at the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre and Stuart there is brand new. I was getting back into it so had an old Titleist 975J so it was self-evident I could only get something better suited but he did advise not bothering changing for an easy 5 years.
A mate of mines plays off around 5 and is using a circa 10 year old driver, and has been for at least one fitting in the past year and been told not to bother changing as what he has suits him, and he isn't struggling for distance at all (can hit it 300 yards).
Bizarrely enough, as mentioned above, I played on Sunday and the longest shot I hit off the tee was with my Taylormade 'Rocket' 3 wood which I purchased as an ex-demo for a seriously good price. It was marginal difference between that and driver, but on that day the 3 wood won and I generally hit it once a round, and that its normally off the tee. I generally put it down to the fact that I've been working on elimating a 'casting' issue recently and compressing the ball more, and my irons have massively improved, but my driver has dropped off, which used to be the best club in my bag.
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