Given a proper fit, will there really be any noticeable difference in performance between any of the major manufacturers--component companies included--other than maybe a few yards in length?
For example, is the (next to) latest and greatest from, say, Callaway really any better than the (next to) latest from Ping, or Mizuno, or KGB, or Wishon, or Titleist, or whoever? Or are they all pretty much the same?
There's a lot of marketing hype in the industry, and I just want to cut through the ****, since I'll be shopping soon--my main concern will be forgiveness.
Last edited by straightshooter : February 25th, 2007 at 09:40 PM.
Reason: Please refer to the language and content policy.
The answer is that it really depends. You have to swing a bunch of different brands, lofts, and shafts to find the right one for you. Some are more forgiving while others are longer or more workable. If you're looking for a really forgiving club I would stay away from the Titleist, while it is long and very workable it is not as forgiving as say the Ping.
Anyway, a shop with a bunch of different options and a launch monitor is the best way to find the best club for you.
Id personally say they biggest difference from one to another is feel and the shape and look of the head. Personally Id say try the SQ it is wonderful. Also for most people we are off the sweetspot side to side and not up and down and this bein slightly lower profile and wider really attempts this.
As far as distance I'd say they are really close as far as the clubhead goes. Where you will see differences is with the right shaft for you. As was said above feel and look will be the main difference in the clubhead. For instance I've been hitting an ft3 tour for a while now which has a compsite material mated to titanium and when I hit an all titanium head they feel kinda clanky but to a person who is used to all titanium the composite feels dead at first. I really know nothing about component clubs by the way.
Bottom line is yes.....and it is not usually a few extra yards.....the big difference is how straight you hit it. And that is where you see the big differences.
Maybe I should have asked this a little differently...I understand that with a proper fitting, I will walk away with the correct grip, shaft, and clubhead loft. So, does it really matter what brand the clubhead is, assuming it's a quality product from a reputable company? With the USGA setting its limits on size and materials, I have a hard time believing there's really that much of a difference between Brand X and Brand Y, when the specs are maxed out.
As I mentioned earlier, I'll be shopping soon, and I just don't want to spend all my time (and money) chasing the perfect piece of equipment. After doing that for years with softball bats, I came to the conclusion that they pretty much all had the same sweet spots/centers of percussion once we got past the double wall and composite technologies and the USSSA, ASA, and NSA all had their say. I'm wondering it golf clubs are reaching the same design limitations.
(And again, I'm starting with the premise of a proper fit.)
Maybe I should have asked this a little differently...I understand that with a proper fitting, I will walk away with the correct grip, shaft, and clubhead loft. So, does it really matter what brand the clubhead is, assuming it's a quality product from a reputable company? With the USGA setting its limits on size and materials, I have a hard time believing there's really that much of a difference between Brand X and Brand Y, when the specs are maxed out.
As I mentioned earlier, I'll be shopping soon, and I just don't want to spend all my time (and money) chasing the perfect piece of equipment. After doing that for years with softball bats, I came to the conclusion that they pretty much all had the same sweet spots/centers of percussion once we got past the double wall and composite technologies and the USSSA, ASA, and NSA all had their say. I'm wondering it golf clubs are reaching the same design limitations.
(And again, I'm starting with the premise of a proper fit.)
I believe it does matter...When I say this, I am not saying that one brand is better than another or whatever...but some people just hit different brands better....I personally hit ALL callaway drivers like garbage...I have a very high launch with a lot of spin, and callaways do not work well....Also with the Titleist drivers...I can the the 905S really well but I hit the 906R TERRIBLE....So I definately think that every hits drivers differently....But as far as how "HOT" the face is...I think Nike has the best on the market...When I do demo days, we have a launch monitor out there and have people hit balls on the monitor...We allow the customers to get whatever driver they want that other companies have, and hit ours vs their's and we compare ball speed...I rarely find customers who have a higher ball speed with another driver than ours.....We have faith in our product and that is why we let them do that.....But it is all about hitting a bunch of clubs, and seeing what works...Different drivers have different characteristics that make them unique....So the thing to do is find the driver that the characteristics are made for you!
I can definently agree with pervious statements. Getting your club fitted, can make a huge difference! Like NikeRep said, just hit a bunch of clubs, see what brands youl like, and go from there. Me personally, I can't hit Nike, Tieleist or SMT very well. (No offense to NikeRep intended) Theyre good club, just not right for me. Buy what works for you, and get it fitted. Nothing worse than having a club an inch to long or short...
Drivers are like putters in a sense that when you look down at it from address, are you comfortable with it's shape. Since designers have done what they can with the core, driver head design is the next area that are working with, hence the SQ, Sumo, FT-5, HiBore, etc. For me, I like the way I hit the Sumo, I just couldn't get used to it at address. I previously had an r7 Quad and loved the way that looked and was looking to get the the r7 460, but the head design again didn't suit my eye. The FT-3 wasn't the longest driver out of the group I was looking, but it was the best overall performer which matters more than distance imo. Each line of drivers (TM's 425, 450, and 460D or Callaway's X460, FT-3, FT-5 or Nike's SQ, Sumo, etc) which have it's own individual playing characteristics.
I generally find that the OEM clubs have more consistency to their feel from club to club. Although I'm a big proponent of component clubs, I prefer to see am's using them. The better you get, the more you may want the OEM's.
Some of the shops in my area will let you put a deposit on the demo down and take it out for a round. Usually when I buy a driver I have narrowed it down to about two or three and I just hit until I have the one that the shop and myself feel is the best for me. But feel I think is a major factor. If you don't feel confident with it on the tee then you are already behind the eight ball.
I agree with most people, if you can try them out definitely do it. For me, I seem to hit Nike drivers the best. I tried some Cobras, Ping, Taylor Made, Cleveland, and Nike and ended up getting a Sasquatch.
If some people say that components don't have as good consistency then why does the Bang-O-Matic 460 Driver hold the world's longest drive which is 539 yards and the Bang Storm was the winner of the 2006 World Long Drive Championship (component drivers)?
I could beat the longest drive of 539 yards if you get me on an airport runway and let me hit it there lol.
January 10th, 2007, 06:40 PM
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