Golf drivers guide: 10 things to know before you buy your next driver!
The driver is typically the most expensive club in the bag and the one we use the majority of frequently off the tee on a par-four or par-five. It therefore makes sense to get one that is right for you personally.
With no such thing as an one-size-fits-all driver, given the variety of heads, centre of gravity positions and adjustable gadgets simply now available, the driver selection process is frequently among the toughest to decipher for players.
It's crucial - especially if you're playing regularly and looking to get better
fast - to find a driver that is going to assist you to shoot the lowest scores.
From loft and launch to CG and shafts, there is much to learn about the club labelled the "big dog".
From loft and launch to CG and shafts, there is much to learn about the club labelled the "big dog".
1. CLUBHEAD SIZE
The size of a driver head is measured by volume in cubic centimetres and the
maximum size allowed by golf's governing bodies is 460cc.
All of the latest drivers sit between 440cc (drivers suited for players who like to shape the ball more in the air) and 460cc (drivers fitted to players who crave more forgiveness).
Size matters. Find the one that appeals most for you at address.
All of the latest drivers sit between 440cc (drivers suited for players who like to shape the ball more in the air) and 460cc (drivers fitted to players who crave more forgiveness).
Size matters. Find the one that appeals most for you at address.
2. MATERIALS
Gone are the days when we used persimmon woods or metal woods manufactured from
steel. The latest drivers on the market are usually either made of titanium,
carbon composite heads, or perhaps a bit of both.
Titanium has become a particularly popular choice for driver heads since it is a strong, light thend durable material.
As a result of using either titanium or composite materials, golf companies can design 460cc drivers without increasing weight. This means players can swing the club faster and hit the ball further and more accurately because of the larger sweetspot on the facial skin of the driver.
When used on the crown or the rear sectiupon of a clubhead, carbon can reduce the overall weight of a driver.
When it comes to the crown, you also desire to not only find the right shape as you stand on the ball at address, but also the right design and colour that fits your eye. Some crowns are shiny, others have a matte finish that reduces glare. Inside our personal opinion, the latter appeals more (well, certainly once the sun arrives out!)
Titanium has become a particularly popular choice for driver heads since it is a strong, light thend durable material.
As a result of using either titanium or composite materials, golf companies can design 460cc drivers without increasing weight. This means players can swing the club faster and hit the ball further and more accurately because of the larger sweetspot on the facial skin of the driver.
When used on the crown or the rear sectiupon of a clubhead, carbon can reduce the overall weight of a driver.
When it comes to the crown, you also desire to not only find the right shape as you stand on the ball at address, but also the right design and colour that fits your eye. Some crowns are shiny, others have a matte finish that reduces glare. Inside our personal opinion, the latter appeals more (well, certainly once the sun arrives out!)
3. MOMENT OF INERTIA (MOI)
MOI is a common phrthese in golf, particularly when it comes to the
driver.
It refers to a club's forgiveness, specifically its resistance to twisting at impact.
A driver with a high MOI means it really is less likely to twist or rotate once you strike the ball outside the centre of the facial skin.
If you seek plenty of forgiveness, check out our 2020 Drivers Test to see which club you should be opting for this year.
It refers to a club's forgiveness, specifically its resistance to twisting at impact.
A driver with a high MOI means it really is less likely to twist or rotate once you strike the ball outside the centre of the facial skin.
If you seek plenty of forgiveness, check out our 2020 Drivers Test to see which club you should be opting for this year.
4. CENTRE OF GRAVITY (CG)
CG is another common phrase and it refers to the single balance point of the
driver. Different brands have opposing views on where best to place the CG in
their drivers.
The CG of a driver can be moved vertically, horizontally, or back and forward in a clubhead by moving fixed or adjustable weights inside the head.
It can be a bit of a minefield, so the only real way to find out which CG location works best for you is to get custom fitted.
In general, the lower and further back the CG is, the higher the ball will launch as the spin is increased. The driver will also be more forgiving as the MOI will be higher. Moving the CG forward will increase ball speeds but reduce the ball spin and the MOI.
A balance of high launch, low spin is the holy grail.
The CG of a driver can be moved vertically, horizontally, or back and forward in a clubhead by moving fixed or adjustable weights inside the head.
It can be a bit of a minefield, so the only real way to find out which CG location works best for you is to get custom fitted.
In general, the lower and further back the CG is, the higher the ball will launch as the spin is increased. The driver will also be more forgiving as the MOI will be higher. Moving the CG forward will increase ball speeds but reduce the ball spin and the MOI.
A balance of high launch, low spin is the holy grail.
5. LOFT AND LIE
Driver loft refers to the angle of the facial skin in relation to the vertical,
and each model is normally available between eight and 13 degrees.
Lower lofted clubs (e.g. eight degrees) have a slightly lower trajectory, but go a little further in the hands of players who is able to generate plenty of clubhead speed.
Higher lofted clubs (e.g. 13 degrees) are better for player with slower swing speeds or players that need extra help get the ball airborne.
Lofts in between (e.g 10.5 degrees) are for the vast majority of players who've neither particularly fast or slow swwithing speeds.
With a plethora of adjustable drivers now available, however, this means you can tinker all day and play about with your loft. To do this, you just remove a screw in the heel of the club, connect the shaft to the clubhead and replace it to a predetermined setting.
However, be careful when adjusting the loft of one's driver because that will sometimes also change the lie angle - the angle of the shaft to the bottom at address. A change to the lie angle will certainly affect your ball flight horizontally left or right.
But remember, you cannot change the setup of your driver during your round.
Lower lofted clubs (e.g. eight degrees) have a slightly lower trajectory, but go a little further in the hands of players who is able to generate plenty of clubhead speed.
Higher lofted clubs (e.g. 13 degrees) are better for player with slower swing speeds or players that need extra help get the ball airborne.
Lofts in between (e.g 10.5 degrees) are for the vast majority of players who've neither particularly fast or slow swwithing speeds.
With a plethora of adjustable drivers now available, however, this means you can tinker all day and play about with your loft. To do this, you just remove a screw in the heel of the club, connect the shaft to the clubhead and replace it to a predetermined setting.
However, be careful when adjusting the loft of one's driver because that will sometimes also change the lie angle - the angle of the shaft to the bottom at address. A change to the lie angle will certainly affect your ball flight horizontally left or right.
But remember, you cannot change the setup of your driver during your round.
6. WEIGHTS
Using weights in the clubhead of a driver can have a significant impact on
improvwithing a player's ball flight since it changes the club's CG and MOI
properties.
Of the drivers that feature weights, you can expect to see sliding weights or plugs from anything between one and 20 grams on the sole of the club.
The benefit of using more weight in the heel is that it will create a draw bias, while placing more excess weight in the toe will create a fade bias.
And if a player craves a higher ball flight, they can simply place weight in the trunk portion of the head.
Of the drivers that feature weights, you can expect to see sliding weights or plugs from anything between one and 20 grams on the sole of the club.
The benefit of using more weight in the heel is that it will create a draw bias, while placing more excess weight in the toe will create a fade bias.
And if a player craves a higher ball flight, they can simply place weight in the trunk portion of the head.
7. SWINGWEIGHT
This one often goes overlooked, but it's an incredibly important feature of a
golf club to notice.
Knowing how much your driver weighs (total weight), and of that weight, just how much of it is in the top (swingweight), is becoming a critical section of improving a pltheyer's driving.
The total weight and the headweight of your driver need to be matched to your physical strength, your swing tempo and your golfing athletic ability.
Play with too light of a total weight or swingweight for your strength, tempo and ability and your percentage of off-centre hits increases.
Knowing how much your driver weighs (total weight), and of that weight, just how much of it is in the top (swingweight), is becoming a critical section of improving a pltheyer's driving.
The total weight and the headweight of your driver need to be matched to your physical strength, your swing tempo and your golfing athletic ability.
Play with too light of a total weight or swingweight for your strength, tempo and ability and your percentage of off-centre hits increases.
8. SHAFT FLEX
Shafts are important in every clubs, but especially drivers.
Using lighter, less stiff shafts will create a higher, right-to-left biased ball flight, while heavier, stiff shafts will launch the ball lower with an increased tendency to shape the ball to the proper.
The right shaft can help players hit the ball further, straighter and more consistently. Most manufacturers will offer drivers in regular (R), stiff (S) and extra stiff (XS) shaft flexes.
Other flexes include light or ladies flex (L), senior (A) and more extra stiff options (XXS, XXXS).
Using lighter, less stiff shafts will create a higher, right-to-left biased ball flight, while heavier, stiff shafts will launch the ball lower with an increased tendency to shape the ball to the proper.
The right shaft can help players hit the ball further, straighter and more consistently. Most manufacturers will offer drivers in regular (R), stiff (S) and extra stiff (XS) shaft flexes.
Other flexes include light or ladies flex (L), senior (A) and more extra stiff options (XXS, XXXS).
9. SHAFT LENGTH
Although the legal limit for the length of a driver is 48 inches, most drivers
have a shaft of around 45 or 46 inches to strike the very best balance of
distance and control.
While longer drivers will typically increase speed and help players hit the ball further, the additional length of the driver will sacrifice an element of control and accuracy.
So unless you are a basketball player, anything around 45 inches in driver length will typically suit the vast majority of players.
While longer drivers will typically increase speed and help players hit the ball further, the additional length of the driver will sacrifice an element of control and accuracy.
So unless you are a basketball player, anything around 45 inches in driver length will typically suit the vast majority of players.
10. SOUND / FEEL AT IMPACT
Yes, finding the right shaft, clubhead and swingweight combinations are all
important traits to consider when it comes to the feel of a driver, however the
sound at impact can be whin is gowithing to make you would like to keep coming
back for more.
If your driver doesn't sound and feel right to you at impact, then it's going to become pretty unattractive to you. Yes, there are no pictures or sounds on the scorecard, but this in all likelihood can be an expensive purchase for you and you also want to feel satisfied each and every time you pull the trigger.
Find yourself a driver ththet not only works for you off the tee peg, but also gives you a satisfying feeling at impact and enables you to want to keep returning for more.
Many of the major golf manufacturers have dramatically improved their acoustics through the years, however, so we'd be surprised if you discover one in the class of 2019 that does not satisfy your preferences.
Need more help in your next driver purchase? GolfMagic is here now to help. Drop us a line on our social media channels, or visit our YouTube page where you discover all the latest equipment reviews, and we'll offer you all the information you will definitely need.
If your driver doesn't sound and feel right to you at impact, then it's going to become pretty unattractive to you. Yes, there are no pictures or sounds on the scorecard, but this in all likelihood can be an expensive purchase for you and you also want to feel satisfied each and every time you pull the trigger.
Find yourself a driver ththet not only works for you off the tee peg, but also gives you a satisfying feeling at impact and enables you to want to keep returning for more.
Many of the major golf manufacturers have dramatically improved their acoustics through the years, however, so we'd be surprised if you discover one in the class of 2019 that does not satisfy your preferences.
Need more help in your next driver purchase? GolfMagic is here now to help. Drop us a line on our social media channels, or visit our YouTube page where you discover all the latest equipment reviews, and we'll offer you all the information you will definitely need.
Leave a Comment