Golf - Buying first driver.

[koonja]

As the title says, I'm looking to buy my first driver. I picked up golf two years ago and really started to like it. I go about 10 times per year, but I'm still not very good and shoot between 47-52 on 9 holes. I have never hit a driver consistently, so I've literally used irons off of every tee with an occasional driver if I'm feeling groovy. I usually slice, not terribly where it will be OB every time, but significantly enough where I'm better off hitting my irons.

I'm willing to between $200-$350 I'd say. I'd go more if it was worth it, but I'd like to stay around $300 or under.

When I hit a friends, I seem to increase my slice with the larger headed drivers.

Any suggestions?

 

[youngblood24]

3balls.com or rockbottomgolf.com

Go hit various drivers at the range/store and see what fits. You'll get a better deal online by far. I picked up my last driver for 85 shipped. A Cleveland Hybore- quality.

 

[NDGOLDEN]

Rockbottomgolf.com isn't a legit site their gonna get shut down soon so go get a driver soon before they get shut down

 

[Rack Em]

I used to stay really up to date on golf club, but not as much any more. But I still have a few pieces of advice:

1) Since you slice, look for an offset driver. That'll help cut down your slice.

2) Find a store attached to a driving range or course so you can demo some drivers. They'll tape the face so you don't put any wear on it. This way you'll get a "feel" for the driver. I can't stress how important this can be (as I'm sure you know).

3) If you demo a driver and like it, don't buy it in the store. Look online. Specifically at golfsmith.com - they're the best.

4) Based on your description of your game, I'd recommend a Cobra driver. I have a one that's about 5-6 years old and I love it. They make reasonably priced clubs that are more forgiving than, say, Ping or Titleist. Plus you won't see a drop off in quality even though Cobra typically makes game improvement clubs. I've always been impressed with their stuff.

 

[tadman95]

I would suggest finding a used late model adjustable driver that you can tweak to fit your skills. As you improve you can continue to tweak the settings as you improve.

The shaft can be a HUGE factor in the hit-ability of a club and that will change as your skills and swing improve. The chance of finding the right club this early is slim. Save a few bucks until you dial in what you need. Drivers lose value quickly because new models come out every year.

The Taylormade R11 and R11s are good options. Cobra has some good options too.

If you can get a read on your actual swing speed it will help determine the shaft needed. A pro should be able to help with that.

 

[Rack Em]

Personally, I wouldn't get an offset driver. I find them to play into my swing rather than force me to develop the proper muscle memory for a good swing.

 

[Rack Em]

I would suggest finding a used late model adjustable driver that you can tweak to fit your skills. As you improve you can continue to tweak the settings as you improve.

The shaft can be a HUGE factor in the hit-ability of a club and that will change as your skills and swing improve. The chance of finding the right club this early is slim. Save a few bucks until you dial in what you need. Drivers lose value quickly because new models come out every year.

The Taylormade R11 and R11s are good options. Cobra has some good options too.

If you can get a read on your actual swing speed will help determine the shaft needed. A pro shpuld be able to help with that.

Ooooooo that's a good idea too. I've never hit an adjustable driver, but the concept has always intrigue me.

 

[NDGOLDEN]

I play golf about 5 times a week. I use a Nike 5000 its an older driver but I love it. You have to try as many out as you can cause you'll know when you like the driver and that's basically about it its all about confidence. Just like a putter you gotta believe in it or your SOL

 

[GowerND11]

Definitely go somewhere that knows golf, not just a Dicks, or local sports store. Tell them you are still beginner and need a GAME IMPROVEMENT driver. They'll help you get fitted. You don't need something like a Taylor Made RBZ Tour 9.5 degree Stiff Flex Driver. That will look great and be what the pros use, but it will do more harm.

You need to figure out your launch angles, shaft flex requirements, what loft you need, etc. Good luck and find a driver that YOU feel comfortable with.

Also a slice off the tee is a common mistake for all amateurs (trust me I know all to well haha). One thing that will help is a driver upgrade. Another is getting just a few lessons from a local pro. Even if that slice can be adjusted into a fade you'll see great improvement.

 

[NDGOLDEN]

Ooooooo that's a good idea too. I've never hit an adjustable driver, but the concept has always intrigue me.

Their not as good as they sound I had one and I personally didn't like it and another thing is their gonna become illegal soon. Offset drivers are good but if you go demo drivers and find the one you love then buy it but try an offset one too

 

[TheChosen1]

As the title says, I'm looking to buy my first driver. I picked up golf two years ago and really started to like it. I go about 10 times per year, but I'm still not very good and shoot between 47-52 on 9 holes. I have never hit a driver consistently, so I've literally used irons off of every tee with an occasional driver if I'm feeling groovy. I usually slice, not terribly where it will be OB every time, but significantly enough where I'm better off hitting my irons.

I'm willing to between $200-$350 I'd say. I'd go more if it was worth it, but I'd like to stay around $300 or under.

When I hit a friends, I seem to increase my slice with the larger headed drivers.

Any suggestions?

Don't spend 200-350 on your first driver

 

[WestCoast]

Demo a bunch of name brand drivers. Figure out which name brand driver you like, then look for a clone or "knock-off" driver head. Then pick your own shaft (the standard shafts installed on most drivers are good, but not the best quality.) and have them assembled. You can get a major brand clone driver head and a tour quality shaft for about $100.

If it turns out it's not for you, you haven't spent so much. You can then buy a different driver head and reuse the shaft.

 

[koonja]

Thanks guys.

Someone mentioned the R1 because it's the most 'customizable', meaning I can easily make adjustments on the weights as my swing (hopefully) changes. I mean, if it REALLY helped, I'd consider the R1, but I'm not a good enough golfer that I need to be spending that much on a club. Is the R1 THAT much more customizable or are there other clubs you can quickly adjust?

 

[koonja]

Also, the irons I'm hitting are ping eye 2's. How out of date am I? Lol. I play them pretty well though.

 

[tadman95]

Thanks guys.

Someone mentioned the R1 because it's the most 'customizable', meaning I can easily make adjustments on the weights as my swing (hopefully) changes. I mean, if it REALLY helped, I'd consider the R1, but I'm not a good enough golfer that I need to be spending that much on a club. Is the R1 THAT much more customizable or are there other clubs you can quickly adjust?

The R1 is this year's model. You can get a good/new R11 for $150 or so on ebay. I personally don't like the look of the Taylormade but they are a good club.

Good comments above. The most important point is don't spend $300 out of the gate. You can do better.

 

[NDGOLDEN]

Also, the irons I'm hitting are ping eye 2's. How out of date am I? Lol. I play them pretty well though.

Doesn't matter if you hit them well then keep using them. I use MacGregor's forged irons from the 80s and Im a 2 handicap so if you hit them well then its fine

 

[tadman95]

Also, the irons I'm hitting are ping eye 2's. How out of date am I? Lol. I play them pretty well though.

The right putter can make up for a lot wayward irons. Find one that works. I've had two in my life. The first I used for 30 years.

 

[GowerND11]

Also, the irons I'm hitting are ping eye 2's. How out of date am I? Lol. I play them pretty well though.

If you hit them well I wouldn't be too worried. One of the cheapest and easiest things you can do to extend the life of your irons is regrip them. Them feel like new and, as long as you keep the face clean, well play well for a good amount of years until you need to upgrade.

 

[koonja]

Doesn't matter if you hit them well then keep using them. I use MacGregor's forged irons from the 80s and Im a 2 handicap so if you hit them well then its fine

After I figure out this driver issue, you'll have to teach me how to calculate a handicap, lol.

 

[NDGOLDEN]

After I figure out this driver issue, you'll have to teach me how to calculate a handicap, lol.

Its pretty easy actually whatever the course par is like a 72 is the usual par then you basically minus that from what you score every time and that number is your handicap except if you play a lot then you do an average of all the rounds you play

 

[koonja]

Its pretty easy actually whatever the course par is like a 72 is the usual par then you basically minus that from what you score every time and that number is your handicap except if you play a lot then you do an average of all the rounds you play

That's simple, but don't you not factor in holes that you do exceptionally good/bad on? Like, for me, if I got a birdie, I wouldn't count that, nor would I count the 11 I recorded on hole 8 lol.

 

[notredomer23]

That's simple, but don't you not factor in holes that you do exceptionally good/bad on? Like, for me, if I got a birdie, I wouldn't count that, nor would I count the 11 I recorded on hole 8 lol.

Incorrect about the first part(I am pretty sure), but correct about the second part. I am pretty sure a golfer at your level should take no more than 8.

 

[NDGOLDEN]

That's simple, but don't you not factor in holes that you do exceptionally good/bad on? Like, for me, if I got a birdie, I wouldn't count that, nor would I count the 11 I recorded on hole 8 lol.

Well the birdie would count and that 11 would go down to your average so let's say its a par 4 and the handicap.for the hole for the course you play is the number 1 hardest hole and let's say your a 20 handicap then you would get 2 strokes for that hold so basically your par would be a 6 so your 11would go down a little. All depends on your handicap

 

[clashmore_mike]

Handicaps take into account the course rating/slope as well, just not the score in relation to par. A 72 on the local course I play in our league isn't the same as a 72 at Augusta National. Yahoo has a free handicap tracker on their site that will give you a decent idea. I'll try to find the link.

 

[NDGOLDEN]

Incorrect about the first part(I am pretty sure), but correct about the second part. I am pretty sure a golfer at your level should take no more than 8.

Its actually double the par of the hole so if par 3 then its 6 and so on

 

[BleedBlueGold]

You should take that $300 and get some lessons...just sayin. It's not going to matter what type of driver you buy. If you don't have a good swing, the nicest most expensive driver will still slice. And then what? You keep a $300 driver in your bag and go back to hitting irons off the tee.

 

[NDGOLDEN]

Handicaps take into account the course rating/slope as well, just not the score in relation to par. A 72 on the local course I play in our league isn't the same as a 72 at Augusta National. Yahoo has a free handicap tracker on their site that will give you a decent idea. I'll try to find the link.

Ya exactly

 

[koonja]

You should take that $300 and get some lessons...just sayin. It's not going to matter what type of driver you buy. If you don't have a good swing, the nicest most expensive driver will still slice. And then what? You keep a $300 driver in your bag and go back to hitting irons off the tee.

Lessons start Wednesday!

 

[clashmore_mike]

Golf HandicapTracker

You can enter your scores as you go and it will calculate it. Usually counts your 10 best rounds out of your last 20 played, so it continually changes.

 

[NDGOLDEN]

Golf HandicapTracker

You can enter your scores as you go and it will calculate it. Usually counts your 10 best rounds out of your last 20 played, so it continually changes.

Yup you gotta have at least 10in there before it gives you a legit handicap