driver bang for buck

I am an avid but novice golfer playing twice per week. I am at the stage where I am experimenting with drivers (no 1 wood) Standard men's flex in a Brosnan club results in chronic fading (steel shaft 3 & 5 are okay) I'm confused by the choice and their promises. Can anyone advise me on where I should start? I am a pensioner so I do have to work to a budget - no more than AUD$200 = USD$135.
I have tried a few second hand and the King Cobra Steel shaft of unknown age, will give me 218 yards (is that reasonable?)
Thanks

is it in the fairway?
you wont go far wrong with a cobra driver, just concentrate on accuracy to start with, 218yds on the fairway is better than 240yds in the trees

perhaps try an offset driver

Thanks Slats,so I am probably doing ok for now. I am finding more distance and accuracy with practice.I have also found a Taylor made Burner ( age unknown) It is a 5 wood and might be nice off the fairway(haven"t tried it yet).

Hi golfshooter,

The 5 wood Burner, does it have a bunch of indentations on the face of the toe? Obviously a very small head? If so, it's probably this one:

http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/viewi...pg, v487c.jpg

It was called "Tour Preferred Burner", and many came with titanium shafts as standard.

I had one, back in the 80's, I think.

Ted

Hi Ted,
It looks similar to that one but it has silver and bronze on the head with red flames, no dimples. The shaft is a "bubble shaft - r-80+".
Thanks Peter

Hi Peter,

I think you have the later model, when TM went to the bronze colour and the bubble shaft.

That bubble shaft was really great technology. I used to take swings with my friend's clubs and I could not screw up a shot with it. The technology was to move the weight further towards the head from the butt end of the club.

I think you will do well with it, until you want to upgrade.

Ted

Thanks Ted,amazing what I have learned
through joining this forum.
Peter.

Hi,has anyone out there heard of clubs and irons called Power Bilt TPS.All the shafts are frequecy modulated high modulus graphite made by UST USA.I was given a set by a relative.Have not had a chance to really try them out yet,they look the goods though.

Hi Peter,

Power Bilt is not one of the big name brands. They have been around for a long time. At one time, before the Taylor Made, Ping and the newer companies came along, they were one of the top line brands. They even had some pros using them. They still make the Citation Series, (the woods had the cool looking brass back weights), which is a cheaper line to the TPS.

The Power Bilts are available at all the golf stores, and are cheaper priced than the big names, but they don't have any pros they have to pay to endorse them. They are good quality, and incorporate all the new technology.

Do a search and check out the Power Bilt website.

UST (United Sports Technologies) make a variety of shafts, which pros play the topline ones on their top brand equipment. You'll be able to find info on the specific model you have, if the model is imprinted on the shaft, as well.

It's just that people have to have the big brands, with the headcovers and brand names on the bags.

Ted

Ted

Ted,I have googled PowerBilt TPS but am having trouble isolating this particular set detailes or age. It probably does not matter as my accuracy and distance have improved dramaticly since using them on the range,(2o_30 yards for the driver!).they feel great.They all need regriping however hence my interest in their age and expected life.I am somewhat computer challenged so I probably have not gone far enough with my search.Thank you for your help Ted,Ifyou think of anything else ,I would be keen to know.
Peter

Hi Peter,

I've used the following website for researching reviews of clubs I'm contemplating buying (new and used) for many years.

http://www.golfreview.com/

On this page, find the Manufacturers selection window and scroll for Power Bilt. Hit Driver, iron, or whatever category you're interested in. that will open a list of the available models and reviews.

You usually get a picture of the models, so can compare with the clubs you have. Read the reviews. Note the dates of the reviews. The earliest reviews will give an idea of when the model was available, allowing that some of the reviews were of used equipment.

Perhaps, you will find your clubs there, or be able to slot in the time frame, by comparing against the other models' looks. If you do, great.

The difficulty is that clubs like the PB TPS have been made for many years, I would reckon at least 30 years that I remember seeing them, so could be longer. The features and looks have changed over time. I'm guessing that your clubs are from the late 90's to early 2000's, based on the graphite shafts, and I'm also presuming that the driver head is not a 460cc, possibly a 400.

You could research your Taylor Made here also.

Ted

Thanks Ted,exactly what I was looking for.I will get right to it!
Peter

Try the MD range I bought one of their hybrids after reading a report, the only bad comment I read was from a pro who stated it didn't look good.So I bought it, had nothing to lose it was half the price of the big names and if it didn't work it could always be traded in.If I hadn't kept on with my Taylor made driver ( I even left that in Spain for 18 months ) I would have tried out the new range of MD @ my local retailer.But both clubs are now firmly entrenched in my bag and I'm a firm believer that dearest is always the best.The new callaway driver has been left with No2 clubs in Spain.
Happy Golfing Chipperx