Despite the fact that the United States Golf Association has set driver size and COR (Coefficient of Restitution) limits, today’s club designers and engineers are creating drivers that will help you hit it farther and straighter.
The recent technological advancements in materials have produced three new trends in driver designs--all titanium clubheads, those with composite crowns, and drivers with adjustable weights.
An increasing number of manufacturers are producing models that feature clubheads made from a combination of titanium and carbon composite. These drivers provide customized internal weighting for enhanced overall performance. The “combo” clubhead materials move the center of gravity lower and deeper in the driver, resulting in improved launch angles and spin rates for increased forgiveness. The Callaway ERC Fusion drivers were the first to introduce this composite crown technology, but many manufacturers have followed suit, including Adams, Cleveland, Cobra, Hippo, Mizuno and Yonex.
In addition to the composite crown trend, some companies are offering drivers featuring external weights, both moveable and fixed, which allow the golfer to choose the exact type of performance they want. TaylorMade’s r7 Quad was the first such driver to come to market, allowing the golfer to customize the performance of the club by manipulating small weights in various locations of the clubhead in order to change launch angles and ball flight. Adams, KZG, MacGregor and Vulcan now offer this technology in their drivers, while TaylorMade’s new offerings--the r7 425 and r7 460 drivers—also come equipped with adjustable weights.
There are a host of new drivers solely constructed of titanium, with significant upgrades from previous titanium drivers designed into the clubs. Titanium makes a driver capable of outstanding performance equal to both the composite crown and adjustable weight drivers. With advances in materials, club manufacturers are able to produce titanium drivers at the limit of 460cc’s, a size thought too large just a year ago. The SMT Encore driver is an excellent example of an all-titanium driver that hides many of its design features by positioning them internally, such as a variable face thickness and other strategically placed internal weights.
These elements make the club, as well as other all-titanium drivers, more forgiving on off-center hits and very long off the tee. Nike, Ping, Callaway and Nickent are now offering titanium drivers at the maximum 460cc clubhead, making them the largest drivers ever produced by these companies.
The first step you should take in finding a driver that best suits your swing and needs is to get fitted on a launch monitor. Be sure to choose a driver with enough loft, because today’s golf balls work best with a clubface that produces a high launch angle with optimal spin. (Launch angle is the angle at which the ball leaves the clubface and is not the same as loft of the club). Players with slower swing speeds, around 80 miles an hour, should have a 16 degree launch angle to keep the ball airborne for maximum distance. As the swing speed increases the launch angle of the ball will need to decrease. A player with 100 mph of swing speed would need approximately 14 degrees of launch angle for maximum results. Another item not to overlook is the shaft. Most manufacturers offer multiple options for what is called “the engine of the club.”
So make sure to get on a launch monitor with a qualified club fitter to insure you purchase the driver that will work best for you. TaylorMade r7 460 www.taylormadegolf.com | (800) 888-CLUB | $399.99
Unique Features: TaylorMade’s r7 460 driver is the latest, greatest, biggest, and best of the pioneering company’s drivers. The r7 460 uses Movable Weight Technology to become the most versatile driver on the market. Whether you want to promote a draw or a fade, the 16 grams of movable weight allow you to do so. The extra-large body and face of the r7 460 gives golfers more forgiveness on off-center hits, while the exclusive TaylorMade RE*AX shaft from Fujikura gives more clubhead speed and shot stability.
Tester Comment: “Very Forgiving, Really liked feel of the shaft. Nice high, long drives. I loved it.” Robert McCullagh, 11 handicap
Nike Sasquatch
www.nikegolf.com | 800-806-6453 | $359
Unique Features: Golf Digest’s Editor’s Choice for drivers features “the largest footprint in golf.” The Sasquatch pushes the breadth-to-face ratio to the USGA limit in an effort to deepen the center of gravity. The club also has an enormous sweet spot that gives the maximum in power and forgiveness. The face of the Sasquatch is made of Nike’s patented NexTi titanium, the lightest, strongest titanium on the market.
Tester Comment:“Cool look, everything went straight, even mis-hits. “ Trey Williams, 9 handicap
Vulcan V14 Powerball
www.vulcangolf.com | 800-842-1836 | $399
Unique Features: The V14 from Vulcan bills itself as an “adjustable driver.” Using patented “Weight Channels,” the V14 allows golfers to adjust the weight distribution in the clubhead, effectively fitting the club to their swing characteristics. The SP700 Beta Ti Face gives the club an extremely high COR, resulting in fantastic distance. Golfers will love the options that the V14 gives them.
Tester Comment:“Very solid and forgiving. The driver seemed to have perimeter weighting – my mis-hits felt solid.”
Cory Atkins, 10 handicap
SMT Encore
www.smtgolf.com | 888-693-4001 | $139 (head only)
Unique Features: Continuing the long-driving legacy of its predecessor the Spectrum, the SMT Encore features a three-sided wraparound soleplate for more stability and concentration of power than any other club on the market. The 450cc head makes the Encore extremely forgiving, while the 100% titanium body provides the feel that golfers prefer when striking the ball. SMT Encore drivers can be found in custom club shops.
Tester Comment:“Don’t think I ever hit a ball so long. Great feel.”
Kevin McManus, 12 handicap
Tour Edge Exotics
www.touredge.com | 800-515-3343 | $399
Unique Features: The Exotics Driver from Tour Edge takes the technology implemented in the company’s ultra-successful fairway woods to a new level. Featuring a laser-bonded face and a combo-brazed crown, the Exotics Driver forgoes traditional welding techniques, resulting in a cleaner, purer club that has optimal rebound characteristics every time you hit it. Two six-gram tungsten screws positioned deep in the head of the club increases forgiveness, and provides the perfect launch angle at impact.
Tester Comment:“Ball jumped off the face more than any club I have tried. Good solid feel and long.” Dan Lynch 9 handicap
Adams RPM 460 Ti
www.adamsgolf.com | 800-709-6142 | $249.99
Unique Features: The RPM Ti’s oversized head allows for a greater sweet spot and more forgiveness on off-center hits. A 16-gram weight is located low and back to reposition weight from the crown and face, resulting in shots with a high launch angle and low spin rate. The RPM Ti gives golfers maximum distance while still remaining easy to hit. The RPM even comes in a model that promotes a natural draw.
Tester Comment:“Nice clean looking driver that really launched the ball. Fair price for this driver.” John Gray, 8 handicap
Bridgestone J33 460
www.bridgestonegolf.com | (800) 358-6319 | $499
Unique Features: An elastomer compound insert within the clubhead reduces vibration throughout the crown, sole and face of the club. The reduction in vibration accounts for a more efficient energy transfer resulting in more distance. A patented Low Modulus (Thin) Crown flexes slightly at impact adding loft to the clubhead, which enhances the vertical gear effect. The enhanced vertical gear effect then leads to an even higher launch and further decreased backspin off the tee.
Tester Comment:“Easy to work the ball, good solid distance. Great look.” George Hathaway, 12 handicap
Callaway X460
www.callawaygolf.com | 800-588-9836 | $375
Unique Features: From the company that brought you the Big Bertha, Callaway introduces the X460, their most advanced driver yet. The X460 features a new X-Sole design that allows the club to rest on two distinct points at address to give a more consistent alignment every time. Callaway’s innovative Tru-Bore technology allows for the ultimate in clubhead control and feel, while distributing weight to the perimeter of the club makes the X460 Callaway’s most forgiving driver ever.
Tester Comment:“Trading in my Big Bertha from 2004 for this. This is Hot. Easy to hit.” Michael Tierney, 14 handicap
Cleveland HiBore
www.clevelandgolf.com | 800-999-6263 | $399.95
Unique Features: From the company that brought you the Big Bertha, Callaway introduces the X460, their most advanced driver yet. The X460 features a new X-Sole design that allows the club to rest on two distinct points at address to give a more consistent alignment every time. Callaway’s innovative Tru-Bore technology allows for the ultimate in clubhead control and feel, while distributing weight to the perimeter of the club makes the X460 Callaway’s most forgiving driver ever.
Tester Comment:“Trading in my Big Bertha from 2004 for this. This is Hot. Easy to hit.” Michael Tierney, 14 handicap
Dunlop LoCo Dart
www.dunlopsportsonline.com | 800-235-5516 | $199
Unique Features: The LoCo Dart from Dunlop sports a 3-piece Ti-carbon head and has 4 adjustable weights that allows golfers to minimize the effects of slices and hooks, while also creating a deeper weight distribution that results in higher, farther, more penetrating shots. DART stands for Distance Accuracy Response Technology. The distance achieved by the LoCo is second to none.
Tester Comment:“I have a LoCo from last year – this is much better. I am trading up. Thanks” Craig Palmer, 14 handicap
Mizuno MX-500
www.mizuno.com | 800-966-1211 | $299.99
Unique Features: The MX-500 driver from Mizuno combines a titanium body with a graphite toe insert and top crown to make for the perfect weight distribution. Golfers will find their shots sailing long, high, and straight thanks to Mizuno’s perimeter weighting system and innovative CORTECH face areas. The MX-500 also has a 460cc head, the largest allowable under USGA rules, for more forgiveness than any other club on the market.
Tester Comment:“Easy to hit, nice high tee shots. Ball jumped off face. Had to get used to softer sound, but I liked it.”
Joe Vaccarino, 12 handicap
Nickent Genex 3DX
www.nickentgolf.com | 888-NICKENT | $199.99
Unique Features: The Genex 3DX comes in two models—one that features an improved ability to draw the ball, the D-Spec, and one that features a flatter trajectory and more workability, the T-Spec. Both drivers feature a 460cc head and multiple fixed weight ports that increase forgiveness and give golfers a more desirable ball flight. Golfers that have enjoyed the 3DX hybrids from Nickent will find that the company’s drivers are just as easy to hit.
Tester Comment:“Tried the draw model and loved it. Easy to hit and I lost my tendency to go right. Good Price also.” Terry Scott 14 handicap
Ping G5
www.pinggolf.com | 800-474-6434 | $299.99
Unique Features: The Ping G5 comes with a huge 460cc clubhead and a lower center of gravity than ever. By moving eight grams of weight from the crown and face of the club to the sole, Ping’s engineers have ensured that golfers will get a lower spin rate and added distance. Besides offering maximum performance, the Ping G5 is also one of the best-looking drivers on the market.
Tester Comment:“Seemed like where ever the ball contacted the face, the shot was still good. I bought one with the money I took from my friends when testing this club.” Rob McKenzie, 12 handicap
TaylorMade r7 Quad 425
www.taylormadegolf.com | (800) 888-CLUB | $399.99
Unique Features: The all-titanium r7 425 features walls that are .6 millimeters thick and uses Movable Weight Technology to promote a draw or a fade shot shape. The four weight ports allow you to redistribute 28 grams to achieve your desired ball flight. TaylorMade RE*AX shaft from Fujikura gives more clubhead speed and shot stability.
Tester Comment:“Perfect size for my eye, does not look as big as it is. Long and easy to hit. Liked moving the weights while trying on range and found the perfect set-up for me. Loved it.”
Rod Hughes, 10 handicap
Wilson Staff Dd6
www.wilsongolf.com | 773-714-6400 | $279.99
Unique Features: The ETF frame of the Wilson Staff Dd6 captures energy and focuses it towards the face of the club, making the “Hot Zone” of the club even larger. This results in greater ball velocity at impact and more forgiveness on off-center hits. The rear-positioned “L-Pods” deliver a higher launch angle. The Dd6 is perfect for the golfer who wants a perfect blend of power and forgiveness.
Tester Comment:“Hit it high and long, although was not crazy about the look of the club, but results were good.”
Greg Boston, 14 handicap
Yonex Cyberstar Nanospeed
www.yonex.com/golf | 800-44-YONEX | $349.99
Unique Features: The Cyberstar Nanospeed driver from Yonex comes equipped with the thinnest crown available in any golf club anywhere. This powerful, lightweight nano-carbon crown allows for a redistribution of weight to the base of the club, resulting in a higher launch angle, lower spin rate, higher MOI, and most importantly, a larger sweet spot. Yonex’s Centrifugal Force System takes weight from the grip of the shaft and transfers it to the tip, increasing swing speed and adding distance.
Tester Comment:“Hot club, although sound was a little soft. Long, Long, Long.” Stephen Young, 12 handicap
KZG GF4
www.kzgolf.com | 800-200-8800
Unique Features: KZG is taking the use of customizable weight ports to an entirely new level. Using Gravitational Force Technology, four different screw ports with seven different interchangeable weights gives the golfer a total of 2,401 different combinations, providing 2,401 different launch conditions, one of which will fit perfectly with your swing. The GF4 features an expanded hitting area and a classic design as a cherry on top.
Tester Comment:“A little overwhelmed with weight system, but hit it well. Loved the feel – need some time to find which weights are right for me.
Element 21 Alloy Shock
www.e21Golf.com | 888-365-2121
Unique Features: A louvered effect on the crown plate of the club creates a corrugated effect providing additional strength to the club head design and allows more weight to strategic points within the sole of the club head to improve distance and accuracy. An optimized face bulge minimizes dispersion for off-center hits and maximizes trajectory. The scandium metal alloy shafts are one key factor in generating increased distance and significantly improving accuracy from these clubs.
Tester Comment:“Funky look, but it felt great. Didn’t feel any shock in my hands even on mis-hits. Nice club.”
Hank Jones 12 handicap
Hippo XXL
www.hippo-golf.com | 800-204-2807
Unique Features: Two sets of weights are provided to let you customize these woods to your particular needs and ball flight desires. The club has a deep face design with maximum COR of .830 generates explosive distance along with a power channel sole design to create excellent impact efficiency. The 460CC head is constructed of high grade Beta Titanium.
Tester Comment:“I need to upgrade my driver. This was much better than my current, old driver.” Roger Tyler, 18 handicap
