Are new golf drivers longer than old drivers?
Unsurprisingly, we found that new drivers are significantly longer than old drivers. When looking at the group average, the modern driver was 30 yards ahead of the persimmon driver and 13 yards ahead of the driver from the 90’s. Interestingly, the modern driver was edged out by our 2000’s driver. There are a couple reasons for this.
Are golf clubs better now than 40 years ago?
On the whole, the clubs being produced now are very impressive. It would be difficult to argue that any golfer could pick up a club from 40 years ago and have better performance than one produced today.
Are drivers still fun for golfers?
All golfers love to improve, and you aren’t going to find improvement through your driver alone. Drivers will always be fun for golfers. They love to talk about them, try out new ones, and hit them as frequently as possible during a round of golf.
Is the modern driver really better than the 2000s driver?
First, the modern driver’s average was hurt by a couple of truly awful mishits. Second, the shaft in the 2000’s driver was, overall, a better fit for our test group. Our test group had a number of very strong players who really preferred the heavier, stiffer shaft.
Are modern golf drivers really better?
Newer drivers have newer technology that helps give golfers more distance but it depends on the year it was made in terms of drastic differences in length. A 20 year-old driver will have less distance than a new driver. Ball speed and driver faces are two factors that have changed over time.
How has golf changed throughout the years?
The modern golf ball is much more technologically advanced than a ball from twenty or even ten years ago. The golf ball has gone from mainly being a two to three piece construction to sometimes having five pieces. Typically speaking, the more pieces a golf ball has, the higher the performance on the course.
How much longer are today's drivers?
Year-over-year, distance increases in new equipment are generally minimal. If you bought a driver in 2019, the 2020 model may only be 1-2 yards longer. But, if you have a driver from 2004, then the 2020 model could be 20+ yards longer.
When did golf drivers get so big?
1991: Callaway Launches World's First Stainless Steel Driver This was where the game was changed immensely. Callaway took the bull by the horns and produced the ever popular Big Bertha Stainless Steel headed driver. At 195cc it was enormous compared to what golfers were used to. It was a game changer.
Are 30 year old golf clubs still good?
There is no evidence that golf clubs deteriorate over time. Well maintained clubs will last a lifetime. 10+ year old clubs should be checked for better options but clubs less than 5 years old do not need replacing except for wear and tear issues to which wedges and forged irons are most vulnerable.
How has technology affected golf?
Golf Club Technology Factors like aerodynamics, component weight and better graphite shafts have allowed golfers to hit the ball longer and straighter. The head of the driver is now built with aerodynamics in mind. New technology in this area results in less wind resistance and more club head speed.
Is there really a difference in golf drivers?
All drivers are not made the same, and all golfers have different swings. One club might be better for you than another, despite whatever marketing claims you have seen. For an hour of your time and little extra money, you can make sure you are giving yourself the best chance off the tee with the right driver setup.
Does a better driver hit farther?
10:2411:27Hit driver 50 YARDS FURTHER!!!! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSome of you might be over 60 70.. Some you might only be 30. I apologize if it's only 30 yards. ButMoreSome of you might be over 60 70.. Some you might only be 30. I apologize if it's only 30 yards. But if you get better and better you will get to 50..
What degree driver hits the farthest?
The low loft of a golf driver is very surprising from the perspective of physics. Everyone in freshman physics learns that the optimal launch angle for a projectile - the angle that makes a ball fly the farthest - is 45 degrees.
When did golf drivers stop being wood?
Wooden heads predominated until the late 1980s. They had evolved to include a metal sole and a metal or plastic faceplate. These wooden headed clubs were dense and heavy, and were generally much smaller than today's clubheads.
When did wooden drivers stop?
The last significant year was 1997 when 11 players used wooden drivers in 43 events.
When did drivers become metal?
1979That changed in 1979 when the TaylorMade golf company began making drivers and other woods out of metal, giving rise to one of the great oxymorons of all time, the metal wood. Two years after their introduction, the first professional golf tournament was won with a metal wood — the Houston Open.
What is the longest running golf company?
Titleist is one of the longest running golf companies, with ties to the game dating all the way back into the 1930’s. However, they were primarily focused on golf balls for most of that time, and they have been a relatively recent entrant into the golf club business.
How many yards off the tee in 1980?
In 1980, there were only six players who averaged between 270 – 280 yards off the tee, and none longer on average than 280.
What is the head of a Taylormade golf club made of?
The head of the club was completely made from stainless steel, which was another departure for golfers used to traditional persimmon. TaylorMade was the first to bring the metal driver to the golf world, but Callaway changed the game as well when the Big Bertha made its appearance.
What is the most popular name in Callaway drivers?
For the last decade, TaylorMade has been the most popular name in drivers, and that success is largely owed to the impressive accomplishments of the original R7 Quad. When it comes to Callaway drivers, there is only one name that comes to mind right off the bat – the Big Bertha.
Why are drivers so expensive?
Of course, modern drivers are rather expensive due to the materials and engineering required to bring them to life , but most golfers are glad to pay the price if it means they can outdrive their playing partners on a regular basis.
What is the feeling of hitting a drive down the middle of the fairway?
The feeling of smashing a drive long down the middle of the fairway is something that golfers search for over and over again. Rarely will you find a golfer who would prefer to hit a fairway wood or long iron off the tee.
How many players averaged 300 yards off the tee in 2011?
looked quite different by 2011. In that year, there were 21 players averaging over 300 yards off the tee, and just a single player averaging under 270. Put another way, the very longest hitters in 1980 would have been some of the very shortest hitters in 2011.
What is SLDR in motorsport?
The SLDR represented some seriously different thinking from TaylorMade. It was the first driver to go all-out for low-forward weighting (to deliver high launch with low spin), and it also showcased a sliding weight, rather than just moveable weights. The message with the SLDR was to “Loft Up”, because TaylorMade knew the SLDR wasn’t the most forgiving driver they’d ever made.
What is the G400 Max?
The numbers speak for themselves; the G400 MAX is a potent combination of distance and forgiveness which will deliver the goods for lots of golfers. It’s one of the most well-rounded drivers we’ve ever tested and we can’t think of many golfers who’d be happy to sacrifice 10 yards of carry to game an older Ping model.
Does Newer Mean Better?
Every year, equipment manufacturers tell us that their latest products are the longest, straightest clubs ever created, and every year, thousands of golfers buy new drivers in the hope that it’s true.
How We Tested
We brought together five testers and four drivers, each from a different decade – the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, and 2010’s. Each player hit each driver five times, and every shot was recorded.
The Results
Unsurprisingly, we found that new drivers are significantly longer than old drivers. When looking at the group average, the modern driver was 30 yards ahead of the persimmon driver and 13 yards ahead of the driver from the 90’s.
Conclusion
The next time you see an ad touting the latest driver as being the longest ever, remember what you’ve seen here: a driver that’s nearly 10 years old went toe-to-toe with the best driver of the year because of a well-fit shaft. It’s true that drivers do improve every year, but the improvements are gradual.
How often do golfers change their equipment?
Golfers on average change their equipment every four or five years. If you don't, you risk getting left behind in technology. Equipment Editor Mike Johnson's analysis of the 102 players on the PGA Tour who qualified for distance-stat tracking in 2013 and again in 2017 shows the average distance gain was 2.2 yards, from 289.8 to 292.0 yards. Sixty-eight players got longer; 34 got shorter. Rory McIlroy gained the most: 15 yards. Experts will tell you distance gain is actually greater because pros can hit it farther when they want to. There were 29 drives of 400 yards or more last year on the tour. But let's talk about us, not them, and why you should use this 15th edition of the Hot List ( View the complete 2018 Hot List) as a shopping guide. I'm calling in Senior Editor of Equipment Mike Stachura to testify:
How long is a driver shaft?
Driver lengths have settled back down, generally to around 45½ inches. Longer isn't longer; properly fit for length (and loft and face angle and weight and bend profile) is longer. Although longer shafts generate more speed, shorter shafts might give you more distance because you find the center of the face more often.
EmperorPenguin
I think we had already reached our distance limits with the driver when driver heads first had their limit size of 460cc. In the driving range I sampled two drivers: Taylor Made M1 and Titleist 905R. The 905R was released in 2006 and the M1 was released last year.
leo the lion
I will pose a question.........Are some of today's drivers more forgiving on 'off center' hits than something built, say 10 years ago? I would say 'yes' depending on the model.
MadGolfer76
Very similar performance. We like to think that low spinning drivers only came out in the last year or two, but that totally isn't true.
BirdieBob
More adjustable drivers in the current market to get that low spin cannon shot. Couldn't do that with the 905R (which I had btw).
JStang
I feel like I hit the ball further with driver 5 years ago than I do now. I'm 33 and still hit the gym 3-4 times per week so strength and flexibility are about the same as it was 5 years ago. I went back to a 910D2 driver (~7 years old now) and hope to regain some distance. Low spin isn't for everyone.
ElJefe26
I will pose a question.........Are some of today's drivers more forgiving on 'off center' hits than something built, say 10 years ago? I would say 'yes' depending on the model.
jokerusn
I don't hit the ball any farther today than I did 10 years ago. Maybe 5 yards tops. 10 years ago I was playing a FT-3 tour with a diamana blue 73x in it. Killed that club.
ronaldkuntoro
Are new drivers (since 2008) straighter than older drivers before that? I haven't tried many drivers so I don't know if this is true. Maybe golfers who switched drivers each 6 month will know the answer.
Danattherock
One of my straightest drivers was a Callaway Big Bertha titanium, maybe 4-5 years old now. It was 330 cc I believe and I got a nice shaft put in it. The newer drivers are nice I guess, but I still find myself wanting a smaller head on a 44" shaft at times. Luckily I still have the older driver I mention.
blackxpress
I was just about to post a similar thread so this is timely. A friend of mine who owns a golf shop came across a whole box full of R580 heads recently and built up a bunch of R580 drivers with different shafts. Just yesterday he sold me one with a Grafalloy ProLite 3.5S for $29.
Deryck Griffith
I agree with wrx_junki on the point of driver technology being maxed out. You can pretty much be good with the technology from 2004-2005+ without really missing out on anything that comes in today's drivers (besides adjustbility).
ghalfaire
Are new drivers (since 2008) straighter than older drivers before that? I haven't tried many drivers so I don't know if this is true. Maybe golfers who switched drivers each 6 month will know the answer.
Shanks A Million
No driver is "straighter" than another. The only difference is how much it will forgive you if you hit it off center.
jamo
No driver is "straighter" than another. The only difference is how much it will forgive you if you hit it off center.
How long is a golf driver?
According to the rules of golf 48 inches is the maximum shaft length allowed to be used in a driver, most standard drivers however are around 45 inches. A longer shaft in combination with the right driver head and lie/loft setting can give you that extra 10 yards that you are after.
What is the goal of a golfer when he steps up to the tee?
When a golfer steps up to the tee with their driver in hand their main goal is to try and hit the ball as far as possible. For many hitting it far is easy, but hitting it far and straight is another story.
What is a Krank driver?
Krank is a well-known name amongst long drive enthusiasts. Krank specializes in the design of long driver drivers but in recent years their drivers are becoming more and more popular amongst regular golfers. The latest Krank driver, the Formula 11 XX, is one of their best driver designs to date.
Why is clubhead speed important?
Added clubhead speed ensures that maximum energy is transferred over to the golf ball which delivers high ball speeds and maximum distance.
How does spin affect distance?
Spin rate has a massive influence on both height and distance. To ensure maximum distance off the tee it is vital to optimize spin rates. Too much spin and the golf ball will lose distance and too little spin and the ball will struggle to get airborne which will also mean less distance.
What does speed and rhythm mean in golf?
Speed and Rhythm. By now we know that speed equates to distance. All of the long hitters on the PGA Tour have high swing speeds and it is the main reason for how they hit the golf ball as far as they do. Without good rhythm though swing speed and added distance will only get you into trouble.
What is a Formula 11 XX driver?
The Formula 11 XX is a 100% handmade driver with a forged driver head. Forged clubheads aren’t unique in the golf industry, but it is unique for a driver head to be forged. The Formula 11 XX is a culmination of what the Krank R&D team has discovered about long drive driver designs over the last 16 years.
Golfers Did Not Have Many Options
What Changed?
- A lot of advancements have been made over the past several decades. The golf world has attracted top-level engineering talent from places like aerospace industry. These brilliant minds have been able to design, manufacture, and measure club performance better than ever. Every manufacturer is investing major dollars each year trying to push things forwards in order to capt…
The Modern Blade vs The Classic
- The test I was most interested in was comparing an older-style blade iron versus a modern one. Truth be told not too much has changed in the looks of a blade iron over the years. Many companies are still producing the classic forged blade that is a symbol of craftsmanship. I purchased a McGregor Jack Nicklaus 7-iron from eBay, which is representative of a run of the m…
Ball Comparison
- The invention of the Pro V1 by Titleist marked a major shift in golf ball technology. It has allowed golfers to get the best of both worlds – longer distances with the driver and optimal spin conditions when you need them. Many of you remember the wound golf balls from Titleist. Older balls are hard to come by unused, but I was able to purchase a box of DT Wound 100 that were n…
Wrapping It Up
- I have learned a tremendous amount about golf equipment since I first started Practical Golf. What I can tell you with certainty is that the clubs and ball you play can have a large impact on your performance. As you know golf is a very challenging game, and playing the wrong equipment will make it that much harder for you. On the whole, the clubs being produced now are very impr…
Does Newer Mean Better?
The Myths
- Myth #1: New drivers are longer than old drivers Myth #2: New drivers are more accurate than old drivers Myth #3: New drivers are more forgiving than old drivers
How We Tested
- We brought together five testers and four drivers, each from a different decade – the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, and 2010’s. Each player hit each driver five times, and every shot was recorded. Hopefully this is obvious, but I’ll say it anyway: this is meant to be a fun test. There are huge differences in the shafts of each driver, and that obviously had a large impact on the performance of the clubs…
The Results
- Unsurprisingly, we found that new drivers are significantly longer than old drivers. When looking at the group average, the modern driver was 30 yards ahead of the persimmon driverand 13 yards ahead of the driver from the 90’s. Interestingly, the modern driver was edged out by our 2000’s driver. There are a couple reasons for this. First, the moder...
Conclusion
- The next time you see an ad touting the latest driver as being the longest ever, remember what you’ve seen here: a driver that’s nearly 10 years old went toe-to-toe with the best driver of the year because of a well-fit shaft. It’s true that drivers do improve every year, but the improvements are gradual. If you want to really see a jump in performance, get fit for the best head and shaft comb…