Thanks... I too hit the PING G5 in the store and loved it. But the $$$ tag is what made me go " "

Here's an update on my new/used PING Si3 9* driver for $54 bucks. I took it to the driving range after dinner last night and just got a small bucket of balls to sort of "get to know" the driver.

Driving range length: 250 yards (but there is a homemade sign nailed to a tree at the edge of the woods that reads 260). Normal swing, normal drive with knock-off PING driver = 250 with a roll.

PING Si3 (first swing): 230 yards straight. {whoa, where's my distance?} Then remembered the PING shaft is "S" (stiff) and I was doing an uncertain, easy, swing (duh!) . But still, the club felt wonderful and extremely easy to hit. I probably used an easy 75-80mph swing speed.

...after a few more practice swings to figure out the driver, and picking up my tempo (increase swing speed for the stiff shaft)...

Distance: 260 into the trees
ball flight: medium with slight fade

After understanding the club and getting comfortable, I tried "going for broke" to see what happens. (i.e... can I break a 100mph with my swing? What will happen?) So, I totally cranked down on it with all 215 lbs of my 6' body! The ball rocketed off the clubface and went 250 and then did a huge banana slice for another 50 yards to the right edge of the range, and I almost spun out of my shoes! ....D'oh!

In a nutshell: I think the used PING Si3 is a great driver for the measily $54 bucks that I spent. I gained 10 yards with it and can hit it straight with a slight fade, as long as I increase my swing speed but not go crazy with it. Not too shabby!!