New Driver. How many chances do before switching?

**Plag** · 10-11-2007

I just wanted to get an idea of how much playing time should I give a driver before I decide its not the best for my swing. Should you know instantly or give it time and work with it.

**Not a hacker** · 10-11-2007

I think you should know pretty well straight away if a driver is suited to you. Every driver I've ever bought ahs felt great from the first few swings.

Not sure how long us amatuers should persist with a new driver, but for the pro's it's about 2 to 4 swings. That's how many swings they will take to see if they can hit a new driver. If it takes them any longer than that they know it means they will start adjusting their swing to suit the driver, which is not what they want.

My advice is to only test a new driver after you are warmed up and hitting the ball well, and then only take a few swings to see how you hit it.

**Plag** · 10-11-2007

Originally Posted by Not a hacker

I think you should know pretty well straight away if a driver is suited to you. Every driver I've ever bought ahs felt great from the first few swings.

Not sure how long us amatuers should persist with a new driver, but for the pro's it's about 2 to 4 swings. That's how many swings they will take to see if they can hit a new driver. If it takes them any longer than that they know it means they will start adjusting their swing to suit the driver, which is not what they want.

My advice is to only test a new driver after you are warmed up and hitting the ball well, and then only take a few swings to see how you hit it.

I picked up a Cally FT-5 and played 18 with it yesterday and felt I was less accurate than normal. I wasnt sure if it was the driver , I think I was having a bad day with my swing. I sure loved it when I hit it on the sweet spot though.

**Kiwi Player** · 10-11-2007

Agree with Hacker. Get warmed up with your old clubs and make sure you're hitting your old driver well before you demo the new one.

I did that after a range session where I was hitting everything sweet. I didn't intend to buy a new driver but on the way out I stopped to look at the Cleveland Launcher that was on sale in the pro shop. The salesman asked if I wanted a hit and I was in love with it after about six shots! I bought it on the spot and still love it 2 years later.

**Plag** · 10-11-2007

Originally Posted by Kiwi Player

Agree with Hacker. Get warmed up with your old clubs and make sure you're hitting your old driver well before you demo the new one.

I did that after a range session where I was hitting everything sweet. I didn't intend to buy a new driver but on the way out I stopped to look at the Cleveland Launcher that was on sale in the pro shop. The salesman asked if I wanted a hit and I was in love with it after about six shots! I bought it on the spot and still love it 2 years later.

I was hitting my old driver sweet too, but of course a trip to the shop just looking turns into buying.

**pingman360** · 10-12-2007

Originally Posted by Not a hacker

I think you should know pretty well straight away if a driver is suited to you. Every driver I've ever bought ahs felt great from the first few swings.

Not sure how long us amatuers should persist with a new driver, but for the pro's it's about 2 to 4 swings. That's how many swings they will take to see if they can hit a new driver. If it takes them any longer than that they know it means they will start adjusting their swing to suit the driver, which is not what they want.

My advice is to only test a new driver after you are warmed up and hitting the ball well, and then only take a few swings to see how you hit it.

i kinda agree with this... yes pro's can tell if they like a driver after a few swings but that doesnt mean that htey bag it right away... for instance, Adam Scott when he made the change to the 905r from the 983e (or 983x or 983k i cant remember) he practiced with it for a couple of months... so yes sometimes a pro will put it i play right away but other times he will take longer... in short once you feel comfortable with the new driver then put it in play... for me it takes about a week but it may be 15min for others...

**LyleG** · 10-12-2007

4 swings, after that you begin to make adjustments if you mean to or not.

**lorenzoinoc** · 10-12-2007

I'd go with four swings, but I'd also suggest hitting the clubface a couple of times against a tree if it isn't working for you. Sometimes you have to let them know their fate is in your hands, so they should be careful with yours. I've turned drivers around that way. I was close to backing over my last driver with my car when it lost its fear of me. The other thing I might suggest is winging a club you don't like into the lake, while you're standing next to your bag so the other clubs can see it. That's also worked for me. Good luck.

**Plag** · 10-12-2007

Originally Posted by lorenzoinoc

I'd go with four swings, but I'd also suggest hitting the clubface a couple of times against a tree if it isn't working for you. Sometimes you have to let them know their fate is in your hands, so they should be careful with yours. I've turned drivers around that way. I was close to backing over my last driver with my car when it lost its fear of me. The other thing I might suggest is winging a club you don't like into the lake, while you're standing next to your bag so the other clubs can see it. That's also worked for me. Good luck.

Yeah maybe I can scare some of my other clubs to start working better.

**shooter mcgavin** · 10-14-2007

Take it to the range for a few sessions first, but don't just hit a whole bucket with the driver, switch it up with irons and wedges like you would on the course. Then give it a round or two, you should definitely know by then.

__________________
Titleist 704, DG S300
Titleist 904T 10.5
Callaway 52d wedge
Titleist Vokey Oil Can 60d wedge
Adams redline 5 wood stiff flex steel
4 Ball putter

**bassplayer7770** · 10-23-2007

If you really want to know what works best for you, then you need to visit a store and try out all the Drivers you can. I did the same recently, and the Driver that worked best for me wasn't a serious consideration before I went in the store. I'm now a proud owner of a TaylorMade Burner 9.5 degree Driver with stock S-flex shaft.

I guess my point is a session in a simulator or launch monitor could really narrow down your choices. When I first entered the store, the Pro asked me a few questions, then picked out a few Drivers for me to try out. He sat with me as I tried every Driver. At first, I was trying out 10 or 10.5 degree models with R-flex shafts. At that point, the Burner models were the most consistent for me. However, I was launching the ball too high, and my swing speed was around 98mph, so he grabbed a 9.5 degree model with a S-flex shaft. That gave me a more boring trajectory. The Burner also worked out better for me than the Burner Draw. I think he said the Draw model has a softer tip.

On an additional note, a few days later, I returned to the store and ended up taking a lesson with the Pro, and the video analysis showed me why I was launching the ball so high. I was releasing the club too early in my downswing, so I was adding 5 degrees of loft by the time I made contact. I was also setting up too close to the ball and gripping WAY too hard. Just a 30 minute lesson seemed to really help me out a lot. I'd like to take a series of lessons next year before the season starts up.