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how to tell the material golf club driver

by Carlie Hand II Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Head weight on counterfeit drivers is normally heavier than authentic drivers because they are not made of titanium. You can also try the magnet test on your driver to see if it will stick. A magnet will not stick to a titanium driver, but it will to a counterfeit steel driver.

Full Answer

What is the best material for a golf driver?

What is the best material? Driver technology has moved on a long way since persimmon woods and even the first metal woods that were made from steel. 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.

What should I look for when buying a golf shaft?

A simple rule of thumb to remember when buying a shaft is a high kick point rating means low ball trajectory. Low kick point means higher ball flight trajectory. It also may feel like the club is “whipping” during the swing while a high kick point will feel more solid and stiff. Should I Buy Steel, Graphite, or Which Type of Shaft Material?

How can you tell if a golf club is authentic?

Since you normally don’t have a known authentic club to compare to, let’s get started with some detailed analysis of the differences starting with the grip. May have a strong rubber odor like a swimming pool float or a bicycle tire. The grips logos may also not be aligned properly when the club is sitting at address.

How adjustable are golf drivers?

The majority of drivers today include various forms of adjusability, allowing players to customize their driver to suit their swing, size and conditions. Most of the adjustability contained within these drivers can be broken down into three aspects. As we mentioned before, finding the right loft and launch angle can be crucial.

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What material are golf drivers made from?

Driver technology has moved on a long way since persimmon woods and even the first metal woods that were made from steel. 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.

How can you tell the difference between a driver and a wood?

0:0312:46DRIVER vs 3 WOOD WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE - Simple Golf TipsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight so taking a look at both of the clubs. There are some obvious differences driver head isMoreRight so taking a look at both of the clubs. There are some obvious differences driver head is substantially bigger than the three-wood. Head also the loft on them driver.

What metal are golf drivers made of?

With driver heads reaching the maximum volume of 460 cubic centimeters, the most common alloy is 6/4 Titanium, by which 90% of the material is titanium, 6% is aluminum and 4% is vanadium. There are many other alloys or grades of titanium (sometimes called Beta Titanium) such as 15-3-3-3, SP700, 10-2-3, etc.

How do you tell if a club is a driver?

The driver belongs to the woods category of golf clubs and is classically referred to as the 1-Wood. It is typically the longest club found in a golf bag and also sports the biggest head of any club. Its goal is to get the ball as far as possible towards the green.

Why can I hit my 3 wood but not my driver?

There are many reasons for it, but the most frequent problem is that your clubface is not lined up on the target line and your swing path is from out-to-in. Your driver swing differs vastly from other clubs and you aim to hit the ball on the up. The arc is also much wider, and the swing builds up more speed.

Why do I hit my 3 wood further than my driver?

Players who hit their 3- or 5-wood as far or longer than their driver are typically using too little loft with the driver for their clubhead speed. You know, it's a funny thing with the driver and its loft compared to the other clubs in the bag.

Is carbon driver better than titanium?

TaylorMade says carbon fiber, which has been used in driver crowns and bodies for years now, is superior to titanium. It;s lighter, stronger, easier to customize and holds up to thousands of impacts better than titanium, which can deform, flatten and become non-conforming over time.

What is the difference between graphite and titanium golf clubs?

The advantage of graphite shafts (which is really graphite combined with titanium) is that it is much lighter than titanium and therefore easier to swing. The lighter nature of the clubs also enable the manufacturers to move much of the weight in the clubs' head back further, which makes the clubs more forgiving.

Are titanium drivers good?

Titanium golf drivers offer greater distance off the tee simply because the face of the driver can be thinner since the material is so durable. A thinner face means there is more flexibility and more propulsion on the ball, due to a trampoline effect.

How can you tell if a club is a wood?

Woods have longer shafts and larger, rounder heads than other club types, and are used to hit the ball longer distances than other types.

How can you tell if a club is a wood *?

A wood is a hollow-bodied large headed golf club. It's customary to use your woods when you are 175 yards or more away from the green. The driver (also called the 1 wood) has the lowest loft of any golf club. Loft is the angle of the club face that controls trajectory and affects distance.

How do you tell golf clubs apart?

Generally speaking, the following clubs are used in the following shot range:Driver = 230 yards.3-wood = 210 yards.2-iron/4-wood = 190 yards.3-iron/5-wood = 180 yards.4-iron = 170 yards.5-iron = 160 yards.6-iron = 150 yards.7-iron = 140 yards.More items...

What is the best driver for golf?

For someone who hits the course or driving range only occasionally, a high quality alloy driver can be found at a reasonable price. A titanium driver, or multi-material driver like titanium and composite, that combines light weight and excellent strength is more expensive and for golfers who play more consistently.

How many yards does a golf driver drive carry?

Weight is what you’ll want to pay attention to. You don’t want a shaft that’s too heavy. As far as flex, if your drives carry between 230-250 yards, a regular flex is best for your game.

Why do golf clubs swing sideways?

Many golfers think they’re not good enough to get custom-fit clubs, that the flaws in their swing will override any potential benefits of clubs built just for them, but fitters say the reason many players hit it sideways is because they haven’t been custom-fit. Trying to swing golf clubs whose length, weight, lie angle, shaft flex or grip size don’t match the body encourages players to make unnatural compensations that prevent them from developing proper mechanics. Choosing this type of driver will cost you a little more time and money, but it ensures you’ll get a perfectly-fit driver.

What is driver loft?

LOFT. Loft is the amount that the face of the club slopes back. 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.

How long is a standard driver?

No standard length exists for a driver. Every manufacturer offers different models with varying lengths (usually 43.5” to 47”) but drivers continue to get progressively longer, with some even reaching 48” (the maximum allowable). That’s because in most cases, the longer the shaft the faster the head will travel.

Can you adjust the face angle of a golf club?

Using only a wrench, golfers are now able to adjust the face angle, loft and lie angle without the help of their local club fitter—or having to buy a new club altogether. Golfers can alter the club dynamics to suit their desired ball flight or pick up a few additional yards of carry. Many manufacturers insist an adjustable driver gives you every advantage. However, others disagree, citing a more expensive price tag, additional weighting in less than ideal locations, and confusion about all the different setting combinations as reasons to play a traditional, non-adjustable driver.

Can you custom order a driver?

Many drivers can also be custom ordered. Customers can select a custom shaft and grip, as well as length fit to them. All custom orders are placed directly with the manufacturer and assembled by the experts that make the clubs. This is a great option if you have been custom fit for a driver.

What happens if your driver shaft is too stiff?

Generally speaking, a driver shaft that’s too stiff will cause shots to launch too low, with too little spin and low peak heights. A shaft that’s too weak, on the other hand, may cause shots to spin too much, fly too high, and widen dispersion patterns.

What shafts do you need for a slow swing?

Slow swing speeds will generally require softer-flex shafts, while high swing speeds need stiffer shafts; due to variations in swing patterns, however, swing speed is only one portion of finding the right shaft. Briand’s recommendation is to use your current driver shaft as a baseline.

What does low torque mean on a shaft?

5. Torque. A low torque measurement means that a shaft has greater resistance to twisting, while a high torque measurement means it will twist more easily.

What happens if you have a longer shaft?

As Briand says, a longer shaft will cause a less consistent strike on the face, and the golfer will tend to hit the ball closer to the heel. A shorter shaft, on the other hand, will cause a more consistent strike pattern, but impact location will tend to be on the toe. A golfer’s physical size, arm length, swing speed, consistency, ...

How tall is Rickie Fowler's shaft?

A look at Rickie Fowler's fairway wood shaft, which measures 42 inches with 0.5 inches of tipping. Fitting a golfer into the exact right shaft for them over the internet is a tall, if not impossible, task. All driver swings are different, and there are so many options on the current market. Shafts are made with different flexes, lengths, weights, ...

Does tipping a shaft change the bend point?

Remember, though, that tipping a shaft will change the bend point, and it’s also irreversible, so make sure you know the purpose behind tipping your shaft. 2. Weight. The weight of a shaft has a similar correlation to performance as flex.

Does a high bend point lower or raise the ball?

According to Briand, a high bend point will lower ball flight and a low bend point will raise ball flight. So, if you tend to have a ball flight that’s too high, look for shafts that have a high kick point, and vice versa. It’s important to note that variations in length and shaft tipping will impact the designed bend point of a shaft.

What is the best material for golf club heads?

Golf club heads can be made from many materials. Zinc and Aluminum alloys are primarily used in beginners sets and putters. HST Aluminum is a much harder aluminum and is popular in very large drivers. 431 and 17-4ph stainless steel is commonly used in professional quality iron heads. You will also find 17-4 stainless steel in some wood heads.

What are the most important parts of a golf club?

Grips are the least expensive yet one of the most important parts of a golf club. Our most important advice is — change your golf grips often. Grips tend to oxidize, harden, get slick, and lose their grip over time. It is a two edged sword — the grips with the best grip are usually the grips that lose their grip the fastest.

What is maraging metal?

Maraging metal is a stainless steel put through a very special hardening process that makes it very very hard and is a popular material for the faceplates in the highest performing woods. Titanium is the most expensive material used in building golf clubs heads and combines light weight and excellent strength.

How much does graphite weigh?

Graphite shafts weigh from 50 grams to 85 grams, while steel shafts generally start at 120 grams. Graphite shafts reduce the shock at impact — this is good for women, seniors, aging baby boomers and those of us with joint problems.

Is graphite shaft better than steel shaft?

Graphite shafts allow for longer clubs — this is good for distance (but maybe not quite so good for control). Graphite shafts have greater construction alternatives so that they can be designed to affect the flight of the ball to a greater degree than steel shafts.

Does Pinemeadow Golf carry titanium?

Pinemeadow Golf carries a wide assortment of titanium woods. Do not confuse Ti- Alloy with Titanium. Ti-Alloy products are Aluminum products with trace elements of Titanium that attempt to take advantage of the Titanium name. Ti-Alloy products are among the least expensive and are meant for beginners and junior golfers.

Is a golf head maker the same as another golf club?

Generally, if a club is made from the same materials, using the same shapes, with the same weight distributions and overall weight, it should perform the same as another club similarly constructed.

What are golf clubs made of?

Club Heads. Club heads were historically made of beech, dogwood, apple or pear. For most of golf's history, the favored wood was persimmon. By the 1900s, forged iron clubs began to be seen. By the 1980s, even the clubs known as woods would become metal. Today club heads are made of light metals like steel or titanium that allow for bounce off ...

Why do golfers use rubber grips?

This rubber grip is often preferred because it deals with moisture well and allows for a more consistent grip. The rubber grip can be found in a variety of thicknesses and textures, allowing the golfer to customize their grip. Some golfers prefer the feel of an outer wrap of leather or a faux leather sleeve.

What are putter grips made of?

Grips. Originally grips were made of leather strips wrapped around the shaft. The leather outer grip is sometimes used today on putters and custom clubs. Wrap-style grips allow for custom designed diameters and textures for the club's owner.

What is graphite shaft?

Graphite shafts are different composites of graphite and other alloys which allow for different club weights and flexes. Shafts on "irons" are cast today from steel alloys that allow for cavity designs that lower the center of mass, making the club easier to hit.

Why are golf clubs not appreciated?

Golf clubs are not normally appreciated for the amount of technology and innovation that go into their design and production. Golf clubs are made of multiple materials and have multiple components.

What wood is used for shafts?

Shafts. Historically shafts were made of different types of wood including orangewood, ash and hickory; but, hickory became the wood of choice in the mid-1800s. The 20th century brought innovations in shaft construction including the development by Ping of laminated woods for increased strength.

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.

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).

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 does MOI mean in golf?

MOI stands for Moment Of Interia. It refers to a club's forgiveness, specifically its resistance to twisting at impact. The higher the MOI, the less likely a club is to twist or rotate when you strike the ball away from the centre of the face.

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.

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 the most common shaft material used in golf clubs?

Graphite Shafts. Graphite – this type of shaft is usually lighter weight compared to a steel shaft but it’s less durable and more expensive to make. Graphite is one of the most common shaft types used in golf clubs and can arguably be considered the main shaft material used, beating out steel.

How to determine golf shaft flex?

Start by using a launch monitor to analyze your golf swing speed. If your swing ranges between 85 mph and 95 mph then you should start with a regular flex. If your swing speed is faster than 95 mph, then you should try a stiff shaft.

What is the best shaft for golf?

Steel – A steel golf shaft is usually stronger and more durable (less likely to snap) than a graphite shaft. It’s also less expensive and sometimes stainless steel is used in the creation of the steel shaft. There is also two variations, stepped steel and rifle steel.

Why does my golf shaft have a slice?

When the golf shaft is too stiff, it doesn’t unload properly at impact. This can lead to the face staying open and result in a slice golf shot. Beware, a slice isn’t always an indication the shaft is too stiff so if you already have a slice, it could be caused by another fault in your golf swing.

What shafts do golfers use?

For most golfers, a graphite shaft works great. Most iron sets are made with graphite shafts as well so you get that material type by default usually unless you specifically seek out steel shafted irons. With steel shafts, you may find that golf shots are easier to control.

Why do golf clubs have shafts?

During the golf swing the shaft causes deflection (bend) that causes the clubhead to be in a forward and toe downward position relative to the grip of the club.

What to know about golf shafts?

In today’s guide we will review everything you need to know about golf shafts. Picking out the proper golf shaft is very important as it will impact several components of your golf swing. For example, picking the wrong golf shaft flex can cause you to hook or slice the golf ball. It also can hinder the total distance the ball flies by having too much spin or too low of launch. But don’t worry, at the end of reading today’s guide you’ll be much more educated on the buying process and how to pick out the right golf shaft. Lets Get Started!

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.

What does MOI mean in golf?

MOMENT OF INERTIA (MOI) MOI is a common phrase in golf, particularly when it comes to the driver. It refers to a club's forgiveness, specifically its resistance to twisting at impact. RELATED: A BLUFFER'S GUIDE TO GOLF TECH.

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.

What is the first thing you notice about a fake golf club?

The first thing you will notice about a fake club is the quality doesn’t compare to the real deal. If held side by side with an authentic club, it will be easy to identify the counterfeit golf club because of the inferior quality.

Where are the stickers on golf clubs?

Most stickers on authentic clubs are placed on the underside of the shaft up by the grip or down next to the ferrule. Counterfeit clubs usually have this sticker near the shaft band on the top of the shaft so it is easily visible. They figure it will make it look more authentic I suppose.

What is Taylormade serial number?

TaylorMade serial numbers are normally put on with a laser and are smooth to the touch just like most counterfeit clubs. Normally, the counterfeit serial numbers are in a different font and specifically a larger font.

Where is the serial number on a Mizuno iron?

Mizuno iron sets will have the serial number on the hosel of every iron . Mizuno clubs normally have the serial number lasered on, but it will be in small writing. Fake clubs will look like it is lasered on, but the writing will be much larger and a lot of times will only be on one club. This would be the same for Mizuno drivers and fairway woods. For iron international iron sets (Europe/Asia) the serial number is on the shaft underneath the grip.w

What does a counterfeit grip smell like?

Counterfeit Grip Details. May have a strong rubber odor like a swimming pool float or a bicycle tire. The grips logos may also not be aligned properly when the club is sitting at address. If there is a brand logo, many times the paint fill will be coming out and the font will be slightly different.

Why is the head weight of a counterfeit driver heavier than the head weight of an authentic driver?

Head weight on counterfeit drivers is normally heavier than authentic drivers because they are not made of titanium. You can also try the magnet test on your driver to see if it will stick.

Can a magnet stick to a titanium driver?

A magnet will not stick to a titanium driver , but it will to a counterfeit steel driver. Adjustment adapter will not line up exactly or generally looks poor quality. Counterfeit Ping G30 Driver. Notice the word LOFT is a totally different font and the serial number is much larger on the counterfeit.

Which shaft is the most played on the PGA Tour?

Companies like Fujikura, Mitsubishi and True Temper each offer hundreds of driver shaft options, sometimes dozens under the same model. Fujikura’s Ventus, which has been the most played shaft on the PGA Tour, is available in 23 versions on its website. True Temper’s Project X HZRDUS has 70 varieties.

What is the right shaft for a high handicapper?

The right shaft, even for a high-handicapper, lines up with the signature of your swing.”. There are general rules all fitters use: (1) A lighter shaft will be easier to swing faster and is likely to launch the ball higher. But it’s best to match your strength to shaft weight.

What is the missing link to the best possible performance?

The shaft is the missing link to the best possible performance. Get the right shaft and your swing becomes more effortless. Let the head solve direction. The right shaft is going to be all about consistency and speed, speed, and more speed.”. The challenge is that there are thousands of potential right shafts.

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