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United States24701 Posts
For those of you who read my previous blog about how I was interesting in buying some woods, let me summarize what has happened.
The pro who's giving me lessons gave me a call a couple of days later and told me another student of his had just bought some clubs (3w and 5w) at a pretty good price. He told me to make sure the shafts said 75 S on them. So I checked them out and bought them. Here are the details:
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3432684&cp=2367438.2367822.2273502.2273503
Each wood was 60 dollars. He had not instructed me to get a driver even though they had the equivalent one with a 65 S shaft for 80 dollars, so I didn't:
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3432680
I had my fourth of five lessons today and was actually doing much better with the woods than I was expecting. After a few swings with the 3W I nailed one straight back in to the fairway. He told me it had gone 240 yards, but I think he was exaggerating a bit even if you compensate for the crappy range balls. Either way, I was bombing them and sending them out either straight or sometimes with a small draw. After the lesson I practiced on my own for a bit with the 5W and was blasting them back again. There was a little bit of draw or occasionally fade but I could tell they were very solid hits. At this point I feel comfortable looking into a driver.
I spoke to him today about it and he told me "if you want to start looking for a driver now you definitely can, but you certainly don't have to. You should shop around until you can get a good sale, and don't worry if the driver doesn't match your other woods, even though that Walter Hagen driver isn't bad either. If you don't see anything immediately, you'll probably see some very good sales as we get towards the end of the season." That is basically the gist of what he told me.
So I went over to the local golf store (NY Golf Center) I frequent the most and explained the situation to the salesman. I also told him that my teaching pro had recommended either a 9.5 or 10 degree driver, but that 10.5 would probably be too much. He had three recommendations for me: the TaylorMade Burner, the King Cobra, and I believe he said one of the Callaway Drivers. Each one was on sale for 200 dollars. I think the sale I had mentioned in my previous blog were for 300 dollar woods with a free fairway wood, but since I don't need a free fairway wood this sale seems more suitable for me.
Still, maybe that isn't the best I can do, or maybe those aren't really the drivers I want. My goal is to find the right sale on the right club, and then once I have all the specific information, call the pro on his cell and double check with him. If he says "sounds like a good club and a good deal" then I'll buy it. I'm willing to spend the 200 (probably not more) if it's my best bet, but I don't want to trust just the salesman. I'm hoping the few golf gurus out there including haji can weigh in on this decision for me.
For reference, in addition to Dick's Sporting Goods, I also frequent New York Golf Center and have been to Golf Smith once. I also did a quick look on Amazon and saw that they have a full lineup of clubs, but I'm guessing I should insist that I tryout whatever driver I want before buying it.... correct me if I'm wrong.
Any advice would be appreciated. If you see any sales that you believe are very good, please let me know! Alternately, general advice about drivers would be great.
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i'll drive your golf for free.
oh wait...
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I don't have any advice for golf drivers but I'd be willing to drive you around the gold course, at a fee of course. After all, the title can be misleading.
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I think its only misleading if your not a golfer lol
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For a beginer I would suggest you to buy a 150$ driver of last year model or if your lucky, a 2 year old model used that should also go at around 100$. Something like the Tailor Made R7 is a really good and safe choice.
I don't know your size of strengh (your club head spped) but I suggest you this driver if you really want a "new one" but King Cobra driver
But as I said, I don't really suggest that for a new Golfer since it won't really affect the way you play. But also, don't go buy some shitty driver at wall-mart or place like that as they arn't balance and fitted (not sure if this is the word).
Could you tell how many time you play and what score you play? might help to suggest you equipement.
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United States24701 Posts
On August 06 2009 04:25 FaCE_1 wrote:For a beginer I would suggest you to buy a 150$ driver of last year model or if your lucky, a 2 year old model used that should also go at around 100$. Something like the Tailor Made R7 is a really good and safe choice. I don't know your size of strengh (your club head spped) but I suggest you this driver if you really want a "new one" but King Cobra driverBut as I said, I don't really suggest that for a new Golfer since it won't really affect the way you play. But also, don't go buy some shitty driver at wall-mart or place like that as they arn't balance and fitted (not sure if this is the word). Could you tell how many time you play and what score you play? might help to suggest you equipement.
Ah I think that King Cobra is one of the three that the salesman recommended at NY Golf.
I know it's hard for us to discuss my golf ability over the web. It's also a bit difficult for me to gauge my own ability since I'm just getting back into it. However, I played a couple of rounds on a 9 hole course near me last week (pretty easy course) and had a few pars each round and mostly bogeys otherwise if that gives you an idea of my overall ability. I'd guess once I replace my putter and practice my short game a bunch, I'll be a bogey golfer ready to enter the 80s with practice.
edit: If it means anything the pro did suggest I get a 9.5 or 10 degree driver, and not a 10.5 degree driver... and also that I get stiff shafts for my woods...
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By experience, those recommended drivers are very sensitive ( you have to hit the perfect spot for the ball to go straight etc. but if you dont, hooks, slices happen). Im not good at golf, but I have a Nike SQ driver and it has served me quite well. Even when i don't hit well, it does its job which is why i like it. My dad who has golfed for quite a while says that when he tried out the Taylormades it was sensitive, Callaway's are for people who like to hit the ball with alot of power and force. Then he tried my driver and said that I dont have to hit it well for it to go straight. So there are alot of factors when considering Drivers. Also, the flex of your shaft is very very important.
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On August 06 2009 04:01 StorrZerg wrote:
I think its only misleading if your not a golfer lol
I am a golfer, but I was kidding...
EDIT: Me being a golfer doesn't mean I have any advice for clubs. I never buy them. They were inherited, and I don't golf religiously, so I don't have any buying advice. Sorry =\.
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United States24701 Posts
On August 06 2009 05:26 Archaic wrote:Show nested quote +On August 06 2009 04:01 StorrZerg wrote:
I think its only misleading if your not a golfer lol I am a golfer, but I was kidding...
If you are a golfer then skip the jokes and help me! :D
edit: oh in that case then gl to both of us since you'll probably need clubs one day also.
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dude, if you're hitting it 240 with a 3-wood 0_0 you don't need a driver lol. you'll rarely need to hit it further than that, especially if you're hitting it fairly straight. I'm jealous lol
edit: i always get into trouble trying to hit my driver, which i can't keep straight very often  even though i hit my 3 straight (only about 200 yards though)
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United States24701 Posts
On August 06 2009 06:32 jonnyp wrote:dude, if you're hitting it 240 with a 3-wood 0_0 you don't need a driver lol. you'll rarely need to hit it further than that, especially if you're hitting it fairly straight. I'm jealous lol edit: i always get into trouble trying to hit my driver, which i can't keep straight very often even though i hit my 3 straight (only about 200 yards though)
I don't think 240 is my real 3 wood distance lol. More like 225ish is my guess. I can definitely MANAGE if I can't get a driver for a while, but I definitely want to get one.
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you are lucky you are trying to by a driver this year. Last year I got a Tour Burner for like $370 (which was a deal at the time) Ive seen them going for $150 this year.
Basically Id try to hit a bunch of them and see what feels the best and sounds the nicest to you.
the Cobra and Nike drivers have very distinct sounds...I personally dont really care for them. Cleveland Taylormade and Titleist are always safe bets. The few callaway drivers I have tried i didnt really like but their fairwaywoods were nice.
definately go hit some though. I wouldnt pay more than 150 for one atm since honestly...all the drivers are the same and all maxed out on specs they just look and feel different. On the brightside if you do invest in the r9 or the nike dymo or whatever its called with movableweights/heads you can have a club you can adjust as you get better.
im also surprised he suggested avoiding a 10.5. The higher lofts generally are more forgiving and dont take as much swing speed to get into the air. Angle of attack is a huge factor though.
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United States24701 Posts
On August 06 2009 12:29 Sadist wrote:
you are lucky you are trying to by a driver this year. Last year I got a Tour Burner for like $370 (which was a deal at the time) Ive seen them going for $150 this year.
Basically Id try to hit a bunch of them and see what feels the best and sounds the nicest to you.
Yeah I should just try them. Still, it's nice to have a staring plan.
the Cobra and Nike drivers have very distinct sounds...I personally dont really care for them. Cleveland Taylormade and Titleist are always safe bets. The few callaway drivers I have tried i didnt really like but their fairwaywoods were nice.
What about a driver haven't you liked?
definately go hit some though. I wouldnt pay more than 150 for one atm since honestly...all the drivers are the same and all maxed out on specs they just look and feel different. On the brightside if you do invest in the r9 or the nike dymo or whatever its called with movableweights/heads you can have a club you can adjust as you get better. That's interesting... but I probably shouldn't bother splurging for a very nice club since... if I get good enough that I need a top of the line driver.... I'll happily get fitted for a brand new set of clubs.
im also surprised he suggested avoiding a 10.5. The higher lofts generally are more forgiving and dont take as much swing speed to get into the air. Angle of attack is a huge factor though.
I said I'd hit the ball too high with a 10.5. Swing speed isn't my problem... but I guess he feels I could handle the less forgiving driver. I'm sure it will take some getting used to though.
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United States24701 Posts
On August 06 2009 04:25 FaCE_1 wrote: I don't know your size of strengh (your club head spped) but I suggest you this driver if you really want a "new one" but King Cobra driver
After trying some clubs out, I went with this one after all. I was hitting the ball very nicely in the simulator so I felt like it was the one for me.
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good news 
hope it go good on course !
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Try looking into golf clubs to buy older model drivers that have been demo'ed. I have a friend who works at the UT Golf Club and he bought some really nice clubs at half the price because they were used. Typically, you can find all the top brands and last years models. Don't spring too much money before you get good, at this point you are only developing your style and working on muscle memory. Once you have a firm understanding of the mechanics, then you can work out the kinks with more expensive clubs and how they affect your game. Good Luck!
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