Tips For Buying a Driver
purchasing a driver can be quite a challenge. With so many
brands to choose from and each company having a variety of
models to choose from makes it difficult to make an educated
decision. Here is a simple overview and some tips to help you
between a few models most retail stores will allow you to "test
drive" them before making your final decision.

Golf club manufacturers produce clubs for specific types of
golfers, there are almost no golf clubs that are "one size fits all".
For ease of instruction they are generally targeting players
as follows:

1. Low handicap golfer -shoots 81 or less on a par 72 course,
usually has a high swing speed and draws the ball.  See minimize
draw or hook and increase control and workability.

2. The Mid handicap golfer - shoots between 82 and 92 on a
par 72 course,  usually has an average swing speed and fades
the ball.  See minimize fade or slice.

3. The High handicap golfer - shoots over 92 on a par 72
course, usually has an moderate to average swing speed and
slices the ball.  See increase forgiveness.

What do I look for in a driver that will help minimize a fade
or slice?                                                           
*A closed face angle -  that is the toe is slightly more forward than
the heel - try the Big Bertha Diablo Draw or TaylorMade Burner     
                                                           
*Offset club head design - the hosel is more forward than the face
is - try the Ping G10 Draw or Cobra S9-1 Offset                              
                                  
*Clubs that are heel weighted - including some movable weight
clubs - try the FT-9 draw or R9 460                                                 
           
*More upright lie angle to help square up face, most drivers are
58° - try the TaylorMade R9 460 at 59° plus you can adjust it to
60° (please note some manufacturer's agree with this principle
while other's do not)

What do I look for in a driver to increase forgiveness?
*A square shaped driver offers the maximum forgiveness because
of where the weight can be positioned in the club head - so
therefore a square or almost square driver is your best choice -
try the Callaway Ft-IQ or the Cobra L5V
* A composite or lightweight crown will offer more forgiveness than
a traditional titanium crown because weight can be located lower -
try the Titleist 909D Comp or TaylorMade Burner
*Weights that are located low and back from the face will also help
you - try the Callaway FT-9 or Rapture V2
*The maximum club head size of 460cc - that includes almost all
drivers on the market now.

What do I look for in a driver that will help minimize a draw
or hook?
*A square or open face angle -  that is the heel is equal to or
slightly more forward than the toe - try the Callaway FT-9 Tour or
TaylorMade TP Burner
*Clubs that have balanced weighting or movable weights - try the
TaylorMade R9 or Big Bertha Diablo Neutral
*Flatter lie angle to help keep face open- try the adjustable
TaylorMade R9 or Nike Str8-Fit (please note some manufacturer's
agree with this principle while other's do not)
*Simply look for clubs that have "Tour" "TP" or "Neutral" in the
name will get you moving in the right direction

What do I look for in a driver to increase control and
workability?
*A smaller and more round shaped club head - try the Titleist D3
(440 cc) or TaylorMade R9 (418 cc to 422 cc depending on loft)
*Once again simply look for clubs that have "Tour" "TP" or
"Neutral" in the name and you will get moving in the right direction

Now that you understand the basics of driver club head design
and engineering you will be able to make a more educated buying
decision.           
          
Good luck in your search!                                                

Any questions or comments regarding the above information
contact:    
                         
Darcy Schmidt at  905 732 9692 or drop by Golf Stuff in
Welland