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The USGA list of conforming driver heads has recently included new models from Cleveland, including the HiBore XLS, HiBore XLS Draw, and HiBore XLS Tour as well as Nike SuMo 5000 and SuMo SQ 5900. Black and white photos of the sole are shown on thier site.

United States Golf Association

All of the models look a lot like the 2006 and 2007 models; probably just a few MOI units higher.

Thanks for the info and pics.

I'll wait for the next generation material that will increase distance. I am not into MOI and feel it is an overplayed term. If increasing MOI works for you, so be it.

Getting fitted with the right shaft/head combination has straightened my drives more than anything.

I just read were the average driving distance on tour went down this year, from 289.3 to 289.1. Last year it was up .3 yards. So I have to wonder how much more distance all the new drivers are worth. If the tour average has not gone up in the last 2 years. can all the new drivers really be that much longer and better??? Or is all the talk nothing but smoke???

Do you know the firgures for fairways hit/accuracy?

From looking at the PGA Tour stats for 2006 and 2007, I calculated 63.54% in 2006 and 63.59% in 2007. JD came in last in 2007.

.05% better is 1 more drive in the fairway out of 200 attempts.

It is even less significant: 0.05% = 1 / 2000

Kinda proves that the fuss about all these new 'high moi' drivers is at best suspect.

Ok so let me ask a question as I am in the search for a new driver. Besides getting fit and hitting several different models what should I look for in a driver? My swing speed is between 95 and 100 mph, and I normally play a slight fade. Distance is nice but not that important, I just want one that with a good swing lets me put it in the fairway. The driver I have right now I can hit my 3 wood as far or farther so some distance increase would be nice.

Since the actual distance producing effect of all the clubheads, the coefficient of restitution and characteristic time (COR and CT) are at USGA official limit specifications, the key to maximizing distance is 100% fitting. Get a loft and shaft combination that gives you optimal launch angle and spin rate and you can't ask for anything more. I would suggest a launch angle in the 15 or 16 degree range for your swing speed. Spin rate I couldn't cite from the top of my head.

As for the driver brand or model, find the one that fits your eye. Unless you have a systemic slice that you'd rather cure with equipment than a swing change, I would recommend staying away from "draw" drivers.

Even with the FTi in his hands I have seen Els miss more fairways than I expected. He still leaks the odd one to the right.

I agree that they must be nearing the limits of what they can do. Even so, I still think they will bring out 'longer' & 'Straighter' drivers for 2008, but we might only be talking 1-2 yrds rather than the previous 10-15.

Thanks for the help Martini! I had not considered that type of launch angle but I will check it out. As for the "draw" drivers I have the TM 3Wood Draw and I am looking to replace it after the driver . I have really been working on my swing mechanics and fixing them instead of relying on a quick fix.

I agree 100% with Martini. Get fit and you will find distance and fairways more often. I can say that from my experience. The shaft is more important than the head for this, but the driver head must fit your eye and comfort zone.

Look for an independent club fitter, so they can suggest a group of driver/shaft options.