Any Golfers out there? Question about a driver.

[Tommy VanNess]

I have a gift certificate to Dicks Sporting Goods and really want a driver. I have used bigger drivers and I like them alot. I know the biggest you can go is 460cc's. I was looking at some on-line at www.dickssportinggoods.com and saw a special for a Big Bertha. It was 360cc's and $150. Another one I saw was an Adams, same price, but 460cc's.



My question: Does the size of the head matter? Would I be better with the bigger club, or would it be better to go with a more familiar name brand? What differences can be observed with a bigger club head; distance, accuracy?



Thanks for any info.



Tommy

 

[Bruce Branch]

I think that is all personal preference. In my opinion the big drivers give you a bigger sweet spot but they don't make you hit the ball any further. If you can hit the sweet spot on a smaller headed driver the ball will travel just as far as the big head, but it is easier to hit the sweet spot with the big head. Personally I don't like them, I feel like I am swinging a boat paddle. I think they make most people swing harder which isn't a good thing for a mediocar golfer. I play the Callaway Steelhead driver, 3 and five. They are a smaller head and I can drive or out drive most people that I play with that use the oversized clubs. I have never been able to hit a club with graphite shafts, maybe if I ever came accross a 460cc driver with a steel shaft I may have a different opinion but for now I love the Steelhead and would recommend it to anyone. Give it a try before you go for the BIG head, I'll be tyou like it. It's a forgiving club that does not cost ALOT. My 2 cents.

 

[The Boss]

it is all about personal preference. i prefer a semi-small head based on today's standards, but i've also used tiny and huge ones. i think the biggest difference might be upgrading your shaft and/or grip. but again, all personal preference. just try different ones out and figure out which ones you like.

 

[Richard Lange 2]

I recently bought a used Big Bertha (I think it is 5+ years old), and loved it. I was using a small very old driver before. However, on my last trip for work I won a Cleveland Launcher with a ridicoulosly large head.



I hit them both about 200-250 yards, but because the Clevland is a composite head it is easily half the weight as the Big Bertha. So I get the same distance with half the effort. The only downside I see so far is that I need the really long 'Texas' tees.



I played in KS last weekend and waited until I got to the golf course to buy tees. And would'nt you know it ... not a single 'Texas' tee in the place!

 

[Johnny O]

IMO the bigger heads can slow your swing down because of wind resistance. Can't bring the club around as fast. I don't even carry a driver but I have a Callaway Steelhead 3 wood and a Titanium Great Big Bertha 4 wood and I usually outdrive my partners (I play in a league every Tuesday), one of whom is really good. Couple of them have drivers with a head the size of my foot. I'd rather hit it 220 yards straight than 260 into the trees. When it comes to golf, you are far better off spending your money on lessons than dropping a lot on clubs. You won't go wrong with anything from Callaway though.

If you're fairly new to golf or don't really hit that far, look for a driver with more loft, no less than 10.5 degrees, more is better, or go for a 2 wood or 3 wood. I just don't care for the longer shaft of the drivers, I hit my 3 or 4 with the clubface closed a little. Ball goes straighter for me that way. The pros can hit that 8 and 9 degree stuff, but not me and you or we'd already be on the Tour.

 

[TomT]

I'm with you JohnnyO. About a year ago I quit carrying a driver and just use a 3 wood. My scores have dramatically improved. I may loose 30 to 40 yards on the drive but now I hit everything down the middle. Of course I was a terrible slicer when I used my driver.

 

[Tommy VanNess]

Thanks for the advice. I enjoy golf alot, but don't go as often as I like. So, when I do get to borrow a friends big driver for a hole, my shot seems to go further, and usually is alot more down the middle. Like you guys said, personal preference is what matters. I will check out how they feel at the store. Thanks for the advice on the loft too JohnnyO, I was going to ask about that as well.



Tommy

 

[Frank Marano]

I use a Taylormade dual tp neutral R5 driver. It is a 460cc head and I love it.



I read above about larger cc's slowing your clubhead speed down....thats good. New drivers aren't made to swing with all of your might. Slow the swing down some, work on YOUR mechanics and let the club do the work. The harder you try and crank a ball the more slice you will get. Driving a golfball isntall about pure power...look at some of these younger girls who are playing with the pros and can outdrive a 250lb man. Just some food for thought.

 

[David Griffith 2]

I have the R5 dual as well... Couldn't reccomend better driver... It was weird moving up to the bigger head but it gave me more room for a sweet spot...

 

[Nick Mitchell]

Get a 460cc. If you don't play alot go with 10 or 11 degress of loft. The big head may look strange at first but you will get used to it quickly. And will be much more forgiving (larger sweet spot, i.e. straighter, potentially longer). I have a Cleveland Comp 460 and love it. Of course the shaft is the most important thing, but there is no way I would not get a 460.

 

[Jeff C]

Yeah, where I'm working, at a golf course, we currently have a Ping rep out there. You can get fitted, try any club you want, and they'll even video record your swing and analyze it and give pointers.

 

[Bruce Branch]

Jeff C

Which golf course are you working at? I'll try to give you a holler the next time I'm in Auburn playing.

 

[Jeff C]

Saugahatchee Country Club. It's a private club. If you wanna play, we can play for free whenever we want after work ends at 4pm.