Golf Driver Buying Guide
Let's be honest: you like to hit the driver since you hit it the farthest, but it can also be the hardest club for a golfer to hit into the fairway. This buying guide is here to help golfers figure out what the best driver for them will be, to help make the driver the easiest to use club in the bag.
What Driver Should I Buy?
To start improving off of the tee, players need to make sure they have confidence in their driver. The first step in finding the right driver is making sure you know how the equipment's technology works and which quirks will properly fit your game.
Newer drivers have the benefit of new research on materials and shapes all of which are designed to generate more distance and accuracy. If you haven't bought any drivers in 5 years you are missing out on these innovations.
5 Important Features
1). Head Size
Drivers are designed with a large clubhead to provide a bigger sweet spot. While drivers do have the largest face of any club, there are several different sizes to choose from.
The largest size allowed by most governing organizations is 460cc (cubic centimeters). This is the most popular size.
But you can find smaller head sizes such as 440cc and 420cc that allow for improved shot-making ability. A smaller size is generally popular with skilled players looking for workability in situations such as cutting around a corner.
2). Materials
The driver’s head is commonly made of titanium or composite materials. The material you choose will come down to personal preference.
Titanium
Titanium is going to be stronger, which leads to lasting longer. Aside from that, titanium will be lightweight, allowing for larger clubheads while not adding any ounces to the clubhead which ought to make for a larger sweet spot.
A lighter club will allow for a player to get more distance. This is due to the golfer's ability to create more velocity on their swing.
Composite
Composite clubheads combine several different materials into a single head. You will find lightweight materials like carbon in the rear of the clubhead to help reduce the weight of the driver.
Combined with a titanium face, it can help produce optimal ball speeds. Heavier materials like tungsten combined with titanium can help increase a club’s perimeter weight.
3). Loft
As with any club, the loft is one of the most important things when assessing new clubs. The driver's loft is different than many other clubs as there is a wide range.
The higher loft a driver has the higher trajectory there will be. The lower the loft, the lower the trajectory.
A golfer's swing is something that needs to be heavily considered when looking at which loft is right for each individual. Based on a swing's velocity, consider focusing on these degrees of loft:
Adjustable Clubs
The nice thing about technology in a new driver is the ability for the loft (and sometimes even weight) to be adjustable. Adjustable drivers allow golfers to change the loft the driver has at any given time (but not during a round per USGA official rules and regulations). This allows each player to play around and find exactly which face angle is right for them.
The nice thing about new technology in golf drivers is the ability for the loft to be adjustable. Adjustable drivers allow golfers to change the loft the driver has at any given time. This allows each player to play around and find exactly which type of loft is right for them.
4). Shafts
Another important factor in all golf clubs is the shaft the club has. Drivers have three options to choose from including steel, titanium, and graphite shafts.
Steel will be the heaviest of the three, while graphite will typically be the lightest. The lighter it is, the more clubhead speed golfers will usually have. The material that someone chooses boils down to feel and what type of speed they need to fit their game.
Lie Angle
Another feature of the golf club is the flex. Drivers have the widest range of unique flexes that make it versatile and unique to each individual player. The typical flexes that are seen on the club include ladies/senior, regular, stiff, and extra stiff.
Shaft Length
A typical length for a mens driver is usually between 45 and 48 inches, while womens range from 43 to 45 inches in length. For a golfer with the right skill level, longer shafts will create more club head pace creating more distance.
Shaft Flex
Another feature to consider is the flex. Drivers have the widest range of unique flexes that make it versatile and unique to each individual player. The typical flexes that are seen include ladies/senior, regular, stiff, and extra stiff.
5). Golf Club Weight
Another facet in buying drivers is knowing what type of weight is necessary for your swing style. The typical range is usually between 275 to 310 grams. This is something that is entirely dependent on a player's swing speed, and the feel a player wants.
Other Considerations
Moment of Inertia (MOI) in Golf Drivers
MOI is one aspect that is often overlooked. MOI can be directly related to the forgiveness the club has. The higher MOI a driver has, the less twisting that will occur, and with less twisting all golfers will have a better chance for the ball flight to find the short grass with their shot.
Center of Gravity (CG)
The CG of the driver is the balance point of the club. When you hit the ball, the launch will change with where the CG is.
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