driver choice

hi guys, my searches havnt really found alot so i thought i may as well post/ I play of 26 and my iron striking is pretty good, so i should be getting down to abut 20 fairly soon. However ive never used a driver. i have a v-steel 5 wood but i rarely use it. Im looking for a driver, im not sure what to get though. im only 17 and idont have alot of money, but i was thinking maybe looking on ebay for an ignite or g2. bear in mind im from the uk, id be greatful for any help, and links to some drivers on ebay if possible. thanks.

It's tough to suggest anything without more information.

A driver is more than just a head - the shaft is important, too.

What good is an Ignite or G2 if I put an AccuFlex EP in LL flex in it, if your swingspeed is 100MPH?

Also, we need to know your standard shot shape with your 5w. Some of your standard distances would be a good idea as well (7 iron carry, what club you pull from 150 yards).

So, if you can give us your swing speed, your standard woods shot shape, and some distances with your clubs, we can start to make some recommendations.

__________________
True Length Technology Fitter - www.truelengthtechnology.com
It's live! - www.ShipShapeClubs.com
PCS Class 'A' Clubfitter

A new highlight: Golfing the home course on Christmas Day.

I say it too often: If it's golf club shaped, you can play with it.

For the record, I'm a club doctor, not a swing doctor.

usually a 7 iron from 150 to make sure is gets there, i slightly slice/fade my woods and generally hit a 5 wood off a tee about 215 id say average. i swing relatively fast, im not certain of swing speed but faster than my mates. I usually tend to slow down the swing of woods to keep they straighter.

Well, I would probably start with a stiff shaft in your driver. Which stiff shaft? There's a million out there. The Grafalloy Blue plays stiffer than most stiffs, and I find the Mercury Performance Plus plays weaker.

I'm an AccuFlex man, myself (and am trying Aggressive shafts for the first time this year), and like the VS339 in S (untipped). Since you have an aggressive swing, you may be able to use an AccuFlex Evolution in R (a very tip-stiff shaft, it plays almost a full flex more than it's stated flex). Going with a stiffer shaft will let you still 'go at the ball'.

Your driver head should have a closed face (will line up left of target for a RH golfer). This will help reduce your fade/slice. An 11º or 12º SMT 455 Deep Bore should do it for you (they set up 1º closed, and the extra loft will add some extra yardage for you, assuming you don't hit a high ball already). The extra head size will add forgiveness on mishits.

I mentioned two products that I believe in (the shaft and head), but overall I'd search for a club with 11º or more loft, and a stiff shaft (I'm assuming you'll overpower an R flex shaft).

Obviously your best bet is to go demo some clubs, and see a clubfitter. I can only make general equipment fittings without actually seeing you swing.

__________________
True Length Technology Fitter - www.truelengthtechnology.com
It's live! - www.ShipShapeClubs.com
PCS Class 'A' Clubfitter

A new highlight: Golfing the home course on Christmas Day.

I say it too often: If it's golf club shaped, you can play with it.

For the record, I'm a club doctor, not a swing doctor.

Hi Ashley,

If your looking to grab yourself a bargin on a driver then I would suggest going down to JJB sports that have a golf section as the one by me (Chester uk) has a massive sale on at the moment and I picked up a taylor made 540xd 10deg loft for £50 now these where nearly £400 last year and they have the new r7 in at £149.99 but I think this price is just for a limited offer.
Cheers
Mark

you really need to be fitted. most club fitters will waive any fees if you buy a club from them. get on a launch monitor and find out what works best for you. then you can truely crush the ball.

Hi What lowpost is saying is good, now you have some question to ask the pro shop. I believe we all need to be fitted for our clubs. Your fitting will be deducted from the price of a the clubs. you might need a lie change or club length change. Don't waste your money with out trying first

thanks guys

hi guys, today my local pro let me take out his ping g2 driver in 8.5 degrees and had an adila 65s shaft . Im not the most confident of people and obviously was a bit nervous using his club but after a few hits i got used to it and actually found it to be really good and went supprisingly high for 8.5. I feel that if i was to get one it probably get 9.5 degrees though but with that shaft. He has offered me the same club (with my choice of loft) for £169.99 in either the g2 or g5. Do you guys feel this is a good buy, or do you think i can get it much cheaper elsewhere. His normal price is 210 and its the club sale this weekend. Im not going to buy from ebay because even though it will cost me more, atleast i have the guarantee with a pro or a major supplier i have the guarantee etc. All help will be much apreciated. Also to LowPost42, it really is suprising how much more confident the diffrent shaft made me feel with my power, and also how much difference a shaft can make. Ash

How far was the 8.5 going? Try a 9.5, try a 10.5. Take the longest combo that you can control.

well i hit like 8 shots with it and it took me 4 to get used to it. the 1st i didnt really get hold of as i was kinda nervous of hitting someone elses club. the second sliced like 200. the 4th went straight but not very high and about 200 yards. the 5th faded but i caught it really well and it went pretty high for a 8.5 deg, even higher than my mate hit his 10.5 and i didnt sky it and that went like 240. the next was like a soft slice which went like 190. Then i really caught the next and that went about 280 and the last went about the same but was a bit of a push. the shaft felt slightly too stiff but i wouldnt want it any where near reg. I read theres a aldila nv and an nvs, but im not sure what they do different from each other.

I needed a new driver last year and money was definately an issue. I was given the number for a clubmaker who deals with Golfsmith.

He told me about a club called Killer Bee Stinger which I hadn't heard of before. I looked them up on the internet and they got a great write up and were used in long drive competitions.

I had the club fitted up with a top shaft and the club including cover was £100.

The club has an amazing ping to it and it plays aswell as any Ping, Taylormade etc.

Dont fall into the trap of thinking the expensive brands are better quality than some other brands.

__________________
Killer Bee Stinger 420 Driver
Snake Eyes Python 3 wood
La Jolla Knife Rescue wood
Snake Eyes Fire Forged 2 Irons
Odyssey 2 Ball White Steel Putter

Hi Ashley,

The NV and the NVS are too different creatures. Most people make the comparison that the NVS feels 'loose' compared to the NV. But by all means try an NVS in stiff, and see how it works for you.

ok, im a bit confused after some legnthy reading about what the difference between the g2 and g5 actually is.

you may also look at what loft a driver you need. Generally most people could use more loft to gain control. I play to a 5 and my two drivers are 11* and 12* asnd average about 260 / drive. Of course the shaft is the engine and most people use too stiff a shaft. Use the shaft that you can best control.
For what it's worth, both G2 and G5 are excellent head choices.