TaylorMade R5 vs R580

What kind of difference would you expect to see from the two models? I'm considering getting the R580 since it's much cheaper with the launch of the newer models.

Hi Simon,

Both very good clubs mate, choose which one you like the feel of, there is no real difference.

Cheers

Ian.

Great Ian. That's reassuring to hear. I was actually also considering the other bands like Cleveland and Titleist and Nike. I believe all have a model behind the latest which are much cheaper, but without the latest hoo-ha like composite or nanotechnology or whatever else there is :P For my level now, I am seriously considering getting one of those models instead. Of course will try them out before making any rash decision Thanks!

Wow here's what I was quoted my a local importer :

R580 around USD175
R7 425 around USD362

The guy told me the R580 would be much more difficult to hit - is that really true? I'm pretty tempted to go with the R580, and plan is to go get a custom fitted one say 1-2 years down the road when I've more or less fixed my swing...

I also saw the Ben Hogan driver (460cc titanium head) for around USD178. Would that be a good buy as well?

I would say no true. I learn how to play with a driver with a R580. Anyway over at myside, a 2nd hand R580xd only cost about SDG$180 ... and the cond is good .. so I believe the price for the R580 is abit x.

ANyway spend less money now as you would spend much more on a driver the moment you had got your driver smoking .....

The ben hogan driver is a vaule for money club .. it comes with a NV shaft and it is 460cc what more can you ask for ? ... for me .. i just do not like the feel of it ...

Hi Klein, I think I remember you, you're from Singapore too right? So how's your game coming along?

So you got your R580? Indeed, the guy who was selling TaylorMade clubs was offering me a 2nd hand R580 for SGD190. But it was 9.5 and I was actually looking for a 10.5. He was asking me to get the R7 425, at SGD580.

I just saw the Ben Hogan at Marina, intend to demo it the next time I go down there. They also said I could demo the other clubs if I want so I think I will try the R5, R580 and R7 to see how they feel.

Oh well, my game is still as bad as ever ...

anyway just for info on the yahoo singapore auctions.

http://auctions.yahoo.com/sg/auction/97818385

they have alot of 2nd hand clubs on the auction and it whould be worth while just buying them first as you will change it real soon after you get the hang of the driver ...

anyway just for info .. I used to be using a 460cc nicket driver ... and only last month I "downgrade" to a smaller CC driver .. i changed to the 375cc driver and I feel so much better as compared to the 460cc..

You need to try the driver to like it .. and take note it does not mean 460CC driver will 100% feel better then the smaller cc drivers ...

Thanks for the link Klein. Some good stuff there, and quite affordable

Do they have any demo days over there guys? Or ranges that will let you try clubs out with tape?

I would advise not buying anything until youve hit it? Are you members of a club? Perhaps your club pro would lend you a demo club for a round?

I like the 580XD alot. I have never hit the R5. I didn't know too much about movable weights. I hit this driver in a stock stiff shaft about 300-325. At first I hade a slice, but reduced my grip pressure and now am lazer beaming down the gut. I went with the 580xd because of price, but I don't know that I would change now if they were the same money. I really love my driver.

Good for you dogfan For a new guy, you can imagine how overwhelming it can be just to even look at one brand of drivers! I could never understand though, why do people by draw or fade drivers?? Why don't they work on theri swing instead??? :P

The golf industry makes a lot of money because a lot of folks buy into that "technology" stuff. I personally think that if you have good golfing fundamentals, you will do just as great with a 580 or with a R7. It's best to find what's right for you. Go get a custom fitting.

That D and F driver **** is bogus. If you have a lousy slicing swing, a draw-type driver isn't going to help. It's a bloody gimmick.

I agree that good fundamentals are important. However, the R7 is not a gimmick. It actually does make a difference. I spent an hour demo'ing one at the range and it did make a difference.

I love my R580Xd. Try rockbottomgolf.com they have them on sale with shaft uprgades.

You can listen to others opinions, but don't make a decision for yourself until you have tried it. Not every club works for every person. You need to try the club before you buy it.

Big Sheesh, as for the draw and fade, it only works if you have a good swing. You are right, it doesn't fix a swing flaw. I also agree that technology sales are rediculous. I could probably re-shaft my old Ping Eye 2 and hit very similar distances that I can with any of the oversize drivers on the market today, or better. It would be like comparing a blade from 15 years ago to a new O/S cavity back. Hits off center will go farther and straighter with the bigger face, but hits on the sweetspot will go better with the smaller head.

__________________
Gord

Quote of the month:
"It's easy to see golf not as a game at all but as some whey-faced, nineteenth-century Presbyterian minister's fever dream of exorcism achieved through ritual and self-mortification." ~Bruce McCall