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The SECOND most important club in the bag...Aug 04 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line When picking your driver, pick one you like, fits your swing, fits your game, and keeps you in the short grass. The LONGEST driver is NOT always the answer.
WOW, I am SO GLAD to finally see that epinions has updated the golf section with a 'how to select..." section. You will notice in my title that I call the driver the 'second most important club in your bag'. The reason is that the club you tee off with is the club that sets the tone for the entire hole, and maybe even the entire round of golf. If you do not have a club that gives you confidence that you will be hitting from the fairway, you are going to be miserable on the golf course. Believe it or not, the first thing that is important in selecting a driver is how it looks to you. I know that this sounds petty, or effeminate, but it's true. If you do not like the way a club looks in your bag, at address, the color, make up or design, you will ultimately NOT hit it well. Keep something in mind, the looks of a club can grow on you. For example, I swore I would never play a Ping TiSI...they are just godawful ugly. Guess what has been in my bag for the last two and a half years? Right, the big ugly Ping. Something equally important to remember in selecting your driver is selecting the correct shaft for your swing. The shaft is the 'engine' of the driver, and ALL clubs. A shaft that is too stiff (which is what MOST people have) will result in a loss of distance, lack of feel, and usually a shot that is high, right, and weak. On the flip side, a shaft that is excessively soft will result in inaccuracy, and a lack of confidence off the tee. Advising someone that I have never seen swing a golf club would be a disservice. There are many shops that offer 'driver fitting racks' that offer a variety of lie, loft, and face angles, as well as different shaft types, flexes, and other options. TRY THEM OUT. DEMO as many as you can, and regardless of what the label says, by the driver with the shaft that fits YOU the best. Also to consider when selecting a driver is your confidence level. Can you accomplish what you want with it? Can you keep the ball in the fairway? Does it stay in play when you hit a errant drive? Does it offer sufficient carry or roll for you? A lot of these factors are determined by the course and conditions you play in. In terms of choosing loft for your driver, I have a difficult time believing that many amateurs should be playing less than NINE degrees of loft. Nor do I base my loft recommendations on swing speed. In theory, the lower the loft, the more 'distance' potential is there. In fact, the lower the loft, the LESS forgiving the driver. When loft is reduced, the amount of backspin is reduced. This produces greater carry distance (time the ball spends in the air). When the backspin is reduced, the tendency for SIDESPIN (hooks and slices) is increased. Beginning golfers, seniors, women, and golfers with slower swing speeds should NOT carry a driver in there bag. They should tee off with a three wood (12-16 degrees of loft) or even a five wood (17-21 degrees of loft). These clubs will give adequate distance (190 - 230 yards), and are much easier to keep in play. The additional loft will increase their carry distance, increase the number of fairways hit, and ultimately result in lower scores, and more opportunities for birdies and pars. The tee shot is like the opening move in a chess match. It sets the tone for what happens on the next shot, then the next shot, and so on. The proper driver can be a help or a hindrance. The MOST important piece of advice I can give you in selecting a driver is to NOT buy a club off the rack. Demo the club. Seek advice of a certified club fitter, and do not let your ego select your club for you...let the RESULTS select the club for you. Fairways and greens, Sir Hacksalot  |
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