HOW-TO-BUY DRIVERS

 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 a few of the basics to help you select your driver.

LOFT This is the angle the face of the club sits relative to the shaft. The lower the loft the lower the ball flight, while a higher loft means a higher trajectory. Most of today's drivers are made with adjustable hosel sleeves. These adjustable sleeves allow the golfer to change the loft up to +/- 4° and set the face angle open or closed. Driver with a lower loft typically fit higher clubhead speed players, while slower swing speeds generally prefer higher lofts.

LENGTH

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.

GRIP Grips are available in multiple sizes, textures, and colors. The grip sizes include undersize, standard, midsize and oversize/jumbo; all dependent on the size of your hands. Grip size can also help with clubhead release and accuracy. A larger grip requires less grip strength and applies more shock absorption. A corded grip provides a firmer grip with more texture, which is ideal for all weather conditions, sweaty hands and players who don't wear a glove. However, most golfers gravitate toward a rubber (non-cord) grip. If you have arthritis or tendonitis, you may benefit from a slightly larger grip.

SHAFT

Flex and kick point are two common terms used when talking about shafts. 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.

CLUB HEAD

The clubhead affects the distance, direction and height the ball will travel. Clubheads with more perimeter weighting and higher Moment of Inertia (M.O.I) will limit the golfer's ability to shape ball flight in all directions. Clubheads with less perimeter weighting will allow the golfer to manipulate ball flight, but will also provide less forgiveness for off-center hits.

DRIVER/PLAYER TYPES

Game improvement/beginner/slower swings should look for a driver with a higher loft, higher M.O.I and draw-biased options. All driver heads in this category would be 460cc, the max size allowed by Rules of Golf. Adjustable or offset options come with lighter shafts (40-55 grams) to help generate additional clubhead speed.

Weekend golfer/minimal practice/moderate swing speed players benefit from a variety of head shapes, lofts and shafts. These players should select a driver with mid to high loft, high M.O.I and adjustable heads for changes in your golf swing. Drivers in this category will range in head size from 430cc to 460cc, and provide a range of head shapes and adjustments to accommodate a variety of swing types.

Low handicap/competitive players should select a driver head with a lower loft and a higher/more forward Center of Gravity (C.O.G), with neutral to fade bias and heavier shafts with lower launch angles. Drivers in this category may have a head size under 460cc to optimize C.O.G. and lower spin conditions.