how to buy a golf driver

How Do I Buy a Golf Club Driver?

1. Visit your golf retailer and ask to be tested for swing speed on a launch monitor. ...
2. Have your wrist-to-floor measurement taken. This, combined with your height, will determine if you can use a standard-length driver shaft or if you need to add or subtract ...
3. Examine the flexibility and materials of the shaft. ...

More items...

Full Answer

What is the best driver for an average golfer?

Jan 12, 2021 · Once you know all the factors that go into picking a driver and have answered the five questions above, buying a driver online at TGW is easy. You can choose a model you like and review the loft, shaft, and flex options available. Many drivers can also be custom ordered. Customers can select a custom shaft and grip, as well as length fit to them.

Which Golf driver is best for a high ball flight?

How-to-Buy Drivers When looking for a driver, there are a few things to keep in mind. We recommend visiting your local PGA TOUR Superstore for a free custom fitting where a certified club fitting expert will fit you for the proper clubhead design, shaft, length, lie, swing weight, adjustment setting and grip size. If you want to do a little research before your fitting, here are …

Which VW Golf should I buy?

Go to your local golf store and hit some different drivers. Don’t pay attention to the ball flight (the shaft mainly determines this), but just notice how the ball feels off the club-face. Chances are, you’ll have a good idea of what driver model suits you best. Choose a Loft Unfortunately, there is no good way that I know of to choose a loft.

What is the most popular golf driver?

If you have an average swing speed of less than 100 mph, you probably should choose a driver with a loft of at least 12 degrees. Only choose a driver with less loft if you swing considerably faster, but never less than about 10 degrees of loft. Lee Elder, the first Black golfer to play at the Masters, dies at 87.

How do I choose the right golf driver?

Driver loft, which typically ranges from 8.5° to 15°, should match your swing speed. The slower your swing speed the more loft you should have. If your average swing speed is between 80 and 90 mph (the average for most male golfers) you should be using a driver with about 10.5° to 12° of loft.

How do you size a golf driver?

Simply hold your golf club at 45 degrees to the ground or as in your playing position. At this point take a golf club ruler or take measure and place under the sole of the club. Measure to butt of grip. This will give you you an accurate and USGA standard for measuring your golf driver.

How much should you spend on a golf driver?

For example, you can anticipate an average cost of $200-400 or so, depending on the golf club. Some drivers may cost as much as $600, though you may be able to find a cheaper set of clubs made of lower-quality materials.

How much should a beginner pay for a golf driver?

Average Cost Of Golf Clubs for Beginners: $200 to $300.

What is the legal length of a golf driver?

46 inchesGolf's governing bodies announced a new model local rule Tuesday that will reduce the maximum length of driver shafts from 48 to 46 inches. The rule, which goes into effect Jan. 1, will allow the various tours the option to implement a local rule (MLR G-10) that will cap driver length at 46 inches.Oct 12, 2021

What is the most forgiving driver?

Most Forgiving DriversPing G425 Max Driver. Best For Consistency In 2022. ... Titleist TSi2 Driver. Best For All Playing Levels. ... TaylorMade Stealth Driver. Best Looking Driver For 2022. ... Callaway Epic Max Driver. ... Cobra LTDx Max Driver. ... Honma T//World GS Driver. ... Wilson Staff D9 Driver. ... Tour Edge Exotics E722 Driver.More items...•Feb 28, 2022

What is the best time to buy golf clubs?

Golf Equipment Deals in Late Winter/Early Spring This is the prime time to get last season's model at its cheapest price, as all the newest models are hitting the shelves as well. In a cold-weather climate, no one is thinking about golfing during this time of year, so you may be able to find some great deals.

How many golf clubs are in a full set?

twelve clubsA modern set of golf clubs typically consists of three woods (the 1-driver, 3, and 5), at least 1 hybrid (3H) seven irons (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and PW), and a putter. This gives you a total of twelve clubs.

How much does a good golf set cost?

How Much Do Golf Clubs Cost? A Giant Guide With 32 ExamplesCLUB TYPEMENWOMENComplete sets$355$367Drivers$305$315Fairway Woods$242$185Hybrids & Utility Clubs$195$1804 more rows

Are used golf clubs worth buying?

Golf clubs of a recent vintage are always an excellent value provided they're in good condition and fit you reasonably well. If you do a little research and get guidance from a knowledgeable friend or good sales person, used clubs can definitely be the way to go.Oct 18, 2018

How long should golf clubs last?

3 years to 10 yearsThe standard set of golf clubs is going to last from 3 years to 10 years, depending on the number of rounds played per year, and how well you take care of your clubs. If you play a few times per month, you can expect your clubs to wear out much quicker than the golfer who plays just a handful of times per year.Apr 12, 2021

How much is a dozen golf balls?

They come in a range of prices, from as little as $10 or $15 per dozen, on up to $50 per dozen and more. To make sure you purchase a box of balls that is a good fit for your game, it is important that you go to the store with a clear plan in mind.

What is a driver in golf?

The driver is a club that golfers at every level need to have before they head to the course.

What is the maximum size of a golf driver?

While the driver does have the largest hitting area of any club, there are various sizes available. The maximum size allowed by the USGA is 460cc (cubic centimeters). This tends to be the most popular size of driver with amateurs and new players as it offers more forgiveness on off-center shots.

Why are golf drivers lighter?

Manufacturers have focused on making golf drivers lighter to help increase clubhead speed. Most golfers benefit from having a lighter driver to help produce the most distance off the tee.

What is the loft of a driver?

The loft is the angle of the clubface and can affect trajectory and distance. Drivers come in various lofts, from 8 to 15 degrees. Knowing which loft to choose depends on your swing speed:

What is a driver shaft made of?

SHAFT. The driver shaft is typically made of steel, titanium or graphite. Steel tends to be the heaviest but is often lower priced than the other two options. Titanium and graphite shafts are lighter and can help increase clubhead speed, which can lead to improved distance.

What is the most commonly used golf club?

The driver is one of the most commonly used and important clubs for golfers at every level. By finding a driver that fits you and your skill level, you will be one step closer to a successful day on the course. Once you find the driver that fits your game, you will be ready to put it to use.

Is titanium good for golf?

Consider: Titanium tends to be strong, long lasting and lightweight. This allows for larger clubheads without additional weight, helping players to swing faster for more distance with a greater margin of error, thanks in part to a larger sweet spot.

Step 1

Choose a driver that has the right amount of loft, because that is the most critical part of your selection process. Most players equate distance with a lower lofted driver, but for most golfers, the opposite is more accurate.

Step 2

Look for a driver that provides the trajectory that' is most suited to your play.

Step 3

Make sure that your new driver has a forgiveness rating that matches up with the quality of your game. For instance, if you hit tee shots often that miss the proverbial “sweet spot,” you probably need a driver with a maximum forgiveness rating. Most club manufacturers include that information.

Step 4

Choose a driver with a shaft of the proper length. Interestingly enough, most tournament professionals opt for drivers that are 44.5” long, while most manufacturer make “off-the-rack” drivers that are an inch or two longer. Once again, there is no correlation between the length of your driver and the distance of your tee shots.

How long is a golf driver?

According to the Rules of Golf, drivers can be no longer than 48", but most drivers are built at 45 3/4" standard length. The longer the shaft the higher the clubhead speed produced, but longer shafts also make it more difficult to square the clubface at impact. Shorter driver shafts can help a golfer with more consistent contact and control.

What is flex in golf?

Flex, the shaft's ability to bend, is determined at different points in the swing by measuring swing speed, tempo and personal preference, and ranges from regular to extra stiff. Kick point, refers to the bend profile of a shaft in a 3-4 inch section toward the bottom of the shaft. Shafts with higher kick points produce a lower launch and spin, while lower kick point produce a higher launch and spin condition.

What is the degree of loft in golf?

The higher the club number also equates to a higher the loft. For fairway woods, the degree in loft varies from 13 to 30º, with women's clubs having higher lofts than men's.

How long is a hybrid golf club?

Hybrids are shorter than fairway woods, but are usually slightly longer than irons. The club length varies from about 38 inches to 41 inches, depending on the lift of the hybrid. Hybrids become shorter and more lofted as the number increases.

What is the best putter for a straight back stroke?

If you sit the putter upright on a flat surface, with the head hanging off the edge, and the face points upward, you have a face-balanced putter. Face-balanced putters are best for a straight back, straight through putting stroke because it keeps the clubface square through impact (it's also good for players who stand closer to the ball). If the toe is hanging at a 45° angle, you have a neutral-balanced putter. If the toe points at the ground or 90°, you have a toe-balanced or "toe-hang" putter. Toe-balanced putters are great for an arced putting stroke that squares the clubface at impact.

What does loft mean in golf?

Loft. The number of the club indicates how high and far the shot will travel. The higher number correlates to a greater angle of loft. High loft results in the ball flying higher and traveling a shorter distance.

How long should a putter be?

When thinking about length, the first thing you need to focus on is finding a length that keeps your eyes directly over the ball. Putters generally range in length from 32 to 43 inches, with 35 inches being the standard length.

How much weight can a golf driver plug have?

Various weight and plugs ranging from 1 to 20 grams can be positioned on the sole of the driver, and altered to fit your game. They can create a draw bias (more weight in the heel), a fade bias (more weight in the toe) or even a higher ball (more weight in the back portion of the head).

What are drivers made of?

Now virtually all drivers today are made of titanium or composite heads. The reason titanium became so popular is that it is strong, long lasting and lightweight.

Why do you need more loft in golf?

Therefore golfers with slower swing speeds, of around 90mph or less, will need more loft to optimise their launch conditions.

What is loft in golf?

Loft dictates how high or low the ball will fly off the clubface and is measured on a vertical axis. A clubface with 0 degrees of loft would sit perpendicular to the ground, but most drivers typically range in loft from 8 to 12 degrees. Loft adds backspin to the ball enabling it to generate lift and rise into the air.

What is the centre of gravity of a driver?

The Centre of Gravity (CG) of a driver is the single balance point of the driver. It can be moved vertically, horizontally, or back and forward in a club head by moving fixed or adjustable weights inside the head. In general the lower and further back the CG is, the higher the ball will launch, because the spin is increased.

What is composite driver?

Composite drivers are clubs that combine several different types of materials. Lightweight materials such as carbon or heavyweight materials such as tungsten are often combined with titanium to improve driver performance. When used on the crown or the rear section of a clubhead, carbon can reduce the overall weight of a driver.

What is the COR limit in golf?

If COR was equal to 1.00 all of the energy from the clubhead would be transferred to the ball. Golf's governing bodies have set the COR limit at 0.83, meaning that there can be no more than an 83% energy transfer from the clubhead to the ball.

Series Navigation

As of today, the average driving distance on the PGA Tour is 287 yards. The PGA Tour average for driving accuracy is 60.69%. Pretty good huh? Although these statistics are not realistic for most of us, surely we can all improve with the driver. In this post, I will go through many of the things that one must consider when buying a driver.

Series Navigation

Hey!! I'm Zach, the founder of The DIY Golfer. I created this site in 2015 while playing D1 collegiate golf to help myself understand the game of golf better and improve as a player. Fast forward a few years, and it has become much more than a journal.

Why is it important to find the right driver for a golf club?

Drivers can be pricey, so finding the right fit is important so that you can hit your best shots off the tee. In recent years, golf club manufacturers have worked hard to lure golfers to spend hundreds of dollars to pursue their dream of hitting the ball long and straight with a driver.

Why do golfers choose drivers with the least amount of loft?

For many years, golfers chose drivers with the least amount of loft because it was commonly believed the lower the loft, the longer the ball would travel because they would hit it lower . New research indicates something different in that balls that fly higher, fly farther.

What is the right shaft for a driver?

The Right Shaft. There are three shafts that are made of different metals: steel, graphite and titanium. Drivers with steel shafts generally are less expensive and are heavier than the others. If you are a high handicapper, spend more money to buy a driver with a graphite or titanium shaft because their less weight will translate ...

How many flexes are there in a golf shaft?

Further, all three types of shafts come with five flexes: senior's, woman's, regular, stiff and extra stiff. If your ball carries less than 200 yards, choose a woman's shaft; 225 yards, senior's; 250 yards, regular; 275 yards, stiff; 300 yards, extra stiff. Finally, make sure you choose the right length of shaft.

Why do drivers have a bigger head?

Most players reason a driver with a larger head provides a bigger “sweet spot” so it's easier to get away with an off-center shot. They're right, but some drivers have such large heads that they get in the way of most golfers.

Do golf clubs have drivers?

But most golfers don't realize it is the attributes of a particular driver that lead to good results, not the fact it's the latest one available.

What are drivers made of?

The latest drivers on the market are either made of titanium, carbon composite heads, or a bit of both. Titanium has become a particularly popular choice for driver heads because it is a strong, light and durable material.

How long is a driver's shaft?

Although the legal limit for the length of a driver is 48 inches, most drivers have a shaft of around 45 or 46 inches to strike the best balance of distance and control.

What is CG in golf?

CG is another common phrase and it refers to the single balance point of the driver. Different brands have opposing views on where best to place the CG in their drivers. The CG of a driver can be moved vertically, horizontally, or back and forward in a clubhead by moving fixed or adjustable weights inside the head.

Why are shafts important in golf?

Shafts are important in all clubs, but especially drivers. Using lighter, less stiff shafts will produce a higher, right-to-left biased ball flight, while heavier, stiff shafts will launch the ball lower with a higher tendency to shape the ball to the right.

Which is better, lofted or higher lofted golf clubs?

eight degrees) have a slightly lower trajectory, but go a little further in the hands of players who can generate plenty of clubhead speed. Higher lofted clubs (e.g. 13 degrees) are better for player with slower swing speeds or players that need extra help to get the ball airborne.

Is there such a thing as a one size fits all driver?

With no such thing as a one-size-fits-all driver, given the variety of heads, centre of gravity positions and adjustable gadgets now available, the driver selection process is often one of the toughest to decipher for players.

Is there a fault in premium drivers?

Yes, it's hard to see fault in any of the new premium drivers the world's best players are using on Tour right now (many of which we've tested in the video above), but sometimes that 'impulse buy' just because your favourite golfer has it in the bag isn't always the prudent play.

What is the number one driver shaft on the PGA Tour?

According to Golf.com’s Andrew Tursky, The Mitsubishi Kuro Kage Tini Xts is the number one driver shaft on the PGA Tour. The shaft is used by Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Australians Adam Scott and Jason Day. Mitsubishi designed this shaft for aggressive swingers, providing low torque, launch, and spin.

How long is a golf driver shaft?

The standard retail driver shaft measures 45.5 inches. If you have not been fitted for clubs, then this is likely the length of your driver shaft. Longer shafts help you to generate accelerated clubhead speed. However, it becomes more difficult to control the clubhead, increasing the risk of off-center strikes.

What is a driver shaft?

Driver shafts come in varied flex, weight, and length options, all designed to assist different golfers. The correct driver shaft is vital to achieving your desired spin rate, launch angle, shot shape, carry, and total distance. For example, faster swinging golfers may generate too much spin and height with a softer driver that has more flex.

Why is clubhead speed important in golf?

This increases the club head speed on the downswing. Clubhead speed does not guarantee a great golf shot, but it helps to amplify the C.O.R at impact.

What happens if your driver shaft is too heavy?

If your driver shaft is too heavy, it will cause you to achieve a lower flight and less spin off the tee. This could significantly reduce your carry distance and total distance. On the other hand, if your shaft is too light, you will likely balloon your drives and gather excessive spin.

What is torque in golf?

Torque. Simply put, torque measures the shaft’s ability to resist twisting. Shafts with low torque can withstand twisting, making this option suitable for faster swinging golfers or those of you who tend to hook the ball. These shafts often carry a higher price tag in comparison to the higher torque options.

What are the characteristics of a driver shaft?

There are three core characteristics of a driver shaft, length, flex, and weight. All three of these elements need to combine harmoniously to deliver optimal performance. Below I have outlined the importance of each factor and how it impacts the result of your shot.

What are drivers used for?

Drivers are used to launch the ball long distances down the fairway. Once made primarily of wood or steel, modern drivers most often have titanium heads and graphite shafts for strength as well as lightness.

Where did the driver come from?

Origins of the Driver. Drivers have come a long way since the first, hand-carved wooden stick (also known as the golf club) was invented in Scotland in the 1400’s. These sticks were used to play a game that everyone now knows as golf (whether the Scotts adopted the game from the Dutch, Chinese or other cultures has been an on-going debate ...

What is hybrid golf?

Hybrids are a cross between a fairway wood and an iron, with the center of gravity located towards the front of the head in comparison to drivers and fairway woods. Hybrids are good for various course situations because they deliver the most accuracy even if they deliver the least amount of distance.

What is a 1-wood driver?

Today’s top-of-the-line driver (also know as a 1-wood) is commonly made with a titanium head and feather-light graphite shaft. You will also find that most woods come with a composite or steel head. The driver, which is the largest of the woods, is designed to be light enough to promote swing speed while also provide enough weight to knock the ball a good distance down the fairway.

How fast should a golf ball be?

Ball speed is considered to be the initial velocity of the ball as it leaves the club face, and experts say your ideal ball speed should generally be 1 ½ times your swing speed. This covers more distance and results in fewer shots to the green. You will be able to improve your swing speed as your game progresses.

What color is a driver's head?

Black (or dark wood) is the traditional color of a driver head, but manufacturers have recently begun building them with colors that have greater contrast against a green grass background. If a strong color contrast helps your swing, by all means make that choice.

How has technology improved golf?

Modern technology has made golf equipment lighter, faster, and far more accurate than in the days of yore, where all it took to fill your golf bag were a few decent sticks of wood, a sharp whittling knife, and some time . Clubs have also improved even from the persimmon wood or steel used just a few decades ago.

Size & Material

Shaft

Weight

Length

Loft

• The loft is the angle of the clubface and can affect trajectory and distance. Drivers come in various lofts, from 8 to 15 degrees. Knowing which loft to choose depends on your swing speed: 1. Less than 60 MPH = 14-15 degrees of loft. 2. 60 to 70 MPH = 12-13 degrees of loft. 3. 70 to 80 MPH = 10.5-11.5 degrees of loft. 4. 80 to 90 MPH = At least 9 t...

See more on protips.dickssportinggoods.com

Adjustability

Golf Club Fitting