Driver that feels like a v-steel fairway wood?

I have a confession to make. I’m not a great golf player. I do not swing 100+ mph, I have no idea what an eagle looks like and I am far better off calling my shots after I hit them. I am certainly not able to feel how the shaft loads and unloads or how it twists during my transission. The only thing I feel is “that felt great” or “that felt meh”, no idea what part of “that” is responsible for what.

I am absolutely certain that I should use all the help I can get and that there is equipment out there much more suitable for me then I’m currently using. Here’s the thing though…I am absolutely loving my set of V-steel woods that I'm using for a year now. They’re just gorgeous and I hit them so well that I have an isane amount of confidence in them….even the 3 wood from the deck. I don’t know what it is about these clubs but they are the easiest and the straightest clubs that I have ever hit. Surely they shouldn’t be as forgiving as they are for my random hacking, but they are…just straight. I tried different “modern” alternatives before I bought the V-steels and some afterwards for fun, but nothing ever came close to the solid and straight thwack from my V-steels.

Now for the million dollar question. I am gaming 2 different drivers (RBZ fitted to me & Bombtech Grenade) which I both really like and hit rather well but I can’t love them like I love my V-steels. The clubho in me is searching for the driver that feels like my V-steel woods, I just have no idea where to look. Any suggestions?

The facts: shoot high 80’s low 90’s. My typical shot is a slight fade which can turn into a push quite easilly (depending on the day it can turn into anything really). Swingspeed around 95mph.

My first thought for a driver that feels like a v-steel fw would be something with a smaller, more solid feeling head. Something like a 10 year old Titleist.

Those V-steel fairway woods must be good; they have a great following.

If you want something dependable off the tee, the Ping G25 works pretty darn well. Set the head on the "+" position to close the face a bit, which will help mitigate your fade. You can also accomplish the same thing with a titleist 910 D2: set it in the closed position (A2, B2, C3, maybe A3).

The simple fact is that a driver will never feel "as good" as a wood. They are built differently and feel different because of that. That said, I have a Titleist 983k that I put in and out of play throughout each year that feels about as close as I have found. It is not as long as my 909 or my 910, but the feel is great and that length is probably shaft related. Try to hit some drivers with 440 or small heads. They usually don't feel so "trampoline" like on contact.

Thanks for the suggestions! I understand that a driver will not feel like a fairwaywood, just hoping to get close to the same feeling and expecially the same straight flight (rather straight then super duper extra far)

I was browsing a bit looking for some older drivers hoping that those would indeed give me more of that "solid thwack" feeling but a bit scared that I would compromise forgiveness with those older and smaller drivers. On the other hand those v-steels are the oldest clubs in my bag and smaller then the newer alternatives that I tried but they are still the straigthest clubs in my bag aswell. I guess older and smaller is probably the way to try in search for my personal holy grail.

Unfortunately over here we can't pick up second hands as cheap as in the usa but there are some options available. There is a Titleist 905T 10.5 / TM burner bubble 10.5 for about 50 bucks each. For about 80 bucks there is also a Mizuno mp001 or a MP630 FT (bit scared about the apollo UL shaft on the 630, reviews about apollo shafts seem a bit mixed). Dark horse of them all is a Yonex Vmass 350 10.5 that practically lives next door and can be had real cheap, that might just be a tad to tiny though and I only know Yonex from tennis, not golf

I also love my v steel, and hit it off the tee when I'm not too confident with my driver. Out of the list above I would pick the 905T. The 905 series is tough to heat even by today's standards

Throw your current drivers away, hit your 3 wood from the tee. Whenever you have the opportunity, demo other drivers.

Feel is personal, you'll know the right club for you when you feel it..

Good luck.

I feel the same way about my VSteel. I found a VSteel 3+ and pretty much stopped using my driver for a month.

However, to address your question about a driver that feels more like a VSteel, I've chased that same feeling and I've found that the major part of the equation is not so much the head as the shaft.

Get a heavier shaft. I wouldn't keep it at 46" length, I'd go shorter. Use some lead tape to calibrate the right swing weight you want. Might not work for you but, for me, I also avoid the full 460cc driver heads.

Today I'm quite happy with the driver I've got. Might not be the longest driver I've ever had but it's exactly what I'm looking for, something that feels like my 3W with some extra pop.

As far as drivers go, you're not going to find one that has a dead on match to the feel of the V-steel, or any fairway wood for that matter. That said, some of the older smaller headed drivers may give you more of the feel you're looking for, especially if paired with a shaft that has a firmer profile. In terms of a relatively contemporary 460 Ti driver that may give you the feel you're after, a Titleist 905R may do the trick with it's bore through design. I've always liked the feel of bore through drivers because to me they do feel much more solid than a blind bore or adjustable head (though I've found out that tipping the shaft of a blind bore or adjustable driver can make the club feel a little more solid/stout). To really get a feel that approximates the V-Steel, you'll want a small club head, so look at the Titleist 905S. If you really go back in the way back machine, you can get a VERY solid feeling driver with the Titleist 983E or K and definitely with the Titleist 975D. The latter is the club that would be the absolute closest to your V-Steel.

Love me some V Steels. Closest I ever came to a similar feel was an old TM 300ti, which I am playing as a mini driver at the moment. Some of those older titleists will fit the bill as well.

I can't believe I forgot it, but the Taylor Made 200 Steel driver would also be pretty close to the V-Steel.

I used to game a tour issue TM V-Steel three wood with an X-100 shaft. Loved the combo, but over time my age and flexibility forced me to change!! The old Taylormade R510 comes to my mind right as a similar feeling wood!

Here is a good one for sale with a stiff shaft!! And NO it is not my club!!
[url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-TOUR-ISSUE-Taylormade-R510-9-5-Deep-Face-Prototype-Driver-w-Cover-/271611341244?pt=Golf_Clubs&hash=item3f3d4c29bc"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-TOUR-ISSUE-Taylormade-R510-9-5-Deep-Face-Prototype-Driver-w-Cover-/271611341244?pt=Golf_Clubs&hash=item3f3d4c29bc[/url]

Thanks for the replies all!

there seems to be a recurring theme....older titleist drivers? There's a 983k nearby that can possibly be had for cheap, I might jump on it to give it a try.

I'm also intrigued by the possibility of a heavier shaft, need to read up on shafts a bit I guess (I did already shorten the shafts on my current drivers to 44.5). Might need to visit the pro for some advice on shafts but he got me fitted on a rather light shaft last time. But first let's see if I can get a steal on that 983k for some fun non scientific experimentation...

TM R7 or KZG VC420

titliest 975d

An older driver with a smaller head will probably give you the closest comparison. The two that I have found are the 983k/e and the Taylormade r510. I haven't tried the TM300 or 200 series. I have found the 983k/e and r510 to be a little less forgiving than my newer drivers. However, if you feel more comfortable with them, than you will probably make a better pass at the ball.

Good luck!

I like the TM200 3 wood better than the driver!
Like the Mizuno MP001 to ! Forged
Try a Nike VR Tour or VR Tour LTD Edition, around 420cc, forgedCheers, Roger

I liked the TM 200 steel driver. Old boss of mine used to have one and I would hit it occasionally for fun. Used to get it out there pretty good too, 260/270 carry+roll which is about average for me even with modern drivers. Plenty of good options out there for older small headed drivers, plus can be had for cheap. Best of luck finding what you are lookin for!

R7 425 TP

TM 300 TI (I have one). Pretty small, 300cc, but that same feel as the V Steel (I have a 3 wood). With the right shaft for you, that would be a nice driver. Cheap experiment, too.

I totally disagree with the titleist heads like 983k feeling like the v-steel. I thought the PING G10 or maybe rapture v2 would be closer in feel

Okay small update. After all the recommendations I spent some time online and found a titleist 983k 9.5 stiff nearby. I was a bit afraid cause I ussualy play a bit higher lofted drivers with a regular shaft (I do know that the indication on the shaft basically means nothing) but the first session on the range went rather well. As I mentioned before I don't "feel shafts" or anything, but overall the driver felt great so I guess the stiff shaft isn't hurting me very badly (non scientific approach here). Ofcourse ball flight is a bit different and distance is tough to judge but it [i]looked[/i] like carry distance was about the same, maybe slightly less but with a nice slighlty lower flight. Since I get my shots airborne rather easy I actually liked the slightly lower flight. Most of my shots started straight but leaked a little bit right, sure a bad swing is still a bad swing but overall my dispersion was a bit tighter with the 983k then the RBZ I also brought along.

Now about that solid thwack that I was searching for. Ofcourse it's not a v-steel fairwaywood so it doesn't feel exactly the same but my oh my I loved the sound and feel of the 983k (it's that solid thwack again instead of a lighweight piiiing). It is much more similar to the v-steel then my other drivers. The 983k feels a bit heavier then the RBZ (not sure if that's true but it feels that way) and I seem to like that. For some reason my mind thinks that with the lightweight RBZ I have to hit harder to get the ball going. I know that's not really true but that's the way my head works. With the 983k feeling a bit heavier I feel more at ease, allowing gravity to make the club fall down and generate speed instead of me trying to swing as hard as I can.

It's an early love affair and it's easy to get excited about new toys but this first session was great.

It may sound strange but I have a Yonex Ezone 420 that I love. It is very traditional looking, medium size head, and feels/sounds very similar to the v-steel to me. I usually play a lower loft and my Ezone is a 10* and is still reasonably low spin. It's a very underrated head and if you keep an eye out you can score a good deal on one.

My Callaway 3 deep and 2 deep feel pretty solid. They are not a driver, but I get pretty good distance and they feel great. Might be something to look into.

[quote name='BMC' timestamp='1411242833' post='10153695']
TM 300 TI (I have one). Pretty small, 300cc, but that same feel as the V Steel (I have a 3 wood). With the right shaft for you, that would be a nice driver. Cheap experiment, too.
[/quote]

Wish I still had my 320 TI!

[quote name='jefka' timestamp='1411316405' post='10157283']
Okay small update. After all the recommendations I spent some time online and found a titleist 983k 9.5 stiff nearby. I was a bit afraid cause I ussualy play a bit higher lofted drivers with a regular shaft (I do know that the indication on the shaft basically means nothing) but the first session on the range went rather well. As I mentioned before I don't "feel shafts" or anything, but overall the driver felt great so I guess the stiff shaft isn't hurting me very badly (non scientific approach here). Ofcourse ball flight is a bit different and distance is tough to judge but it [i]looked[/i] like carry distance was about the same, maybe slightly less but with a nice slighlty lower flight. Since I get my shots airborne rather easy I actually liked the slightly lower flight. Most of my shots started straight but leaked a little bit right, sure a bad swing is still a bad swing but overall my dispersion was a bit tighter with the 983k then the RBZ I also brought along.

Now about that solid thwack that I was searching for. Ofcourse it's not a v-steel fairwaywood so it doesn't feel exactly the same but my oh my I loved the sound and feel of the 983k (it's that solid thwack again instead of a lighweight piiiing). It is much more similar to the v-steel then my other drivers. The 983k feels a bit heavier then the RBZ (not sure if that's true but it feels that way) and I seem to like that. For some reason my mind thinks that with the lightweight RBZ I have to hit harder to get the ball going. I know that's not really true but that's the way my head works. With the 983k feeling a bit heavier I feel more at ease, allowing gravity to make the club fall down and generate speed instead of me trying to swing as hard as I can.

It's an early love affair and it's easy to get excited about new toys but this first session was great.
[/quote]

I have played the 983k since it came out... On my third head and third shaft. What shaft is in it? I have played the V2 and GD YS-6. Mine with the YS-6 is the best feeling and performing driver I have ever hit. I try every year to upgrade, but that feeling stays with me and nothing has outperformed it yet either.

You could look for a taylor made 200... older club, could be had for less than $30 probably.

[quote name='donaldp83' timestamp='1411338199' post='10158759']
I have played the 983k since it came out... On my third head and third shaft. What shaft is in it? I have played the V2 and GD YS-6. Mine with the YS-6 is the best feeling and performing driver I have ever hit. I try every year to upgrade, but that feeling stays with me and nothing has outperformed it yet either.
[/quote]

It has the stock fubuki speeder shaft in it. Like I said I was a bit afraid because I read some comments that the speeder is indeed quite firm but sofar it didn't feel like too much of a shaft for me, might not be optimal but not problematic either.

I read allot of good stuff about the YS-6 combined with the 983k.

I'm not surprised by your choice of the 983. To me, it seems like the ball "gives" with older Titleist drivers. The face feels like it gives with Taylormades. Both feel good.

[quote name='jefka' timestamp='1411382406' post='10161021']
[quote name='donaldp83' timestamp='1411338199' post='10158759']
I have played the 983k since it came out... On my third head and third shaft. What shaft is in it? I have played the V2 and GD YS-6. Mine with the YS-6 is the best feeling and performing driver I have ever hit. I try every year to upgrade, but that feeling stays with me and nothing has outperformed it yet either.
[/quote]

It has the stock fubuki speeder shaft in it. Like I said I was a bit afraid because I read some comments that the speeder is indeed quite firm but sofar it didn't feel like too much of a shaft for me, might not be optimal but not problematic either.

I read allot of good stuff about the YS-6 combined with the 983k.
[/quote]

I'm glad you found something that you like (initially anyway)! After your thread I took my 983k/e to the range again. They have been in the garage since spring. I forgot how great that driver sounds and feels. The 983k is much better suited to my swing than the 983e. I found that on my great shots I was getting more distance in both carry and roll. On my mediocre shots I was losing a bit. On my bad shots... it was bad. I lost a ton of distance. I have a NVS in the 983k right now. The head is a 9.5*. I had it faced up against the driver in my signature... So there is a BIG difference in loft. The 983k looked like a frozen rope on my good shots. I thought it was going to be significantly shorter... but it kept going and going.

Now I have to figure out if I want to try to put that 983k back in the bag. I could really use the forgiveness of the Anser... but the distance is intriguing!!! Thanks a lot OP...