blunt advice needed.

[ajschn06]

Just make sure it's filled and rolled tight and you should be good

[Browzek13]

Game Greens always seem to work well, a lot better than a swisher IMO.

[justwellsy]

I think it'll take some time to figure out exactly what works best for you. For me, either the M2 or M1 430 are leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the current crop. However, some guys get better numbers with the King LTD, XR16, etc. The best thing for you to do is get a proper fitting AFTER you have demoed a few of these drivers. The Speeder 757 that comes as a stock option in the M1 and 2 is a great shaft IMO. It's very sturdy and has a much heavier feel than the 661 that DJ uses. It's hard to find demo clubs in x flex at most local stores, but don't book a fitting appointment without hitting a few of these first simply to gauge feel. The M1 460 for me doesn't have a great feel and I don't even like the sound. Others love the feel and sound. It's all personal preference!

[Jab3384]

The fatter and stinkier the better.

[WidespreadPanic]

I always go with a Honey Dutch.

[Cwebb]

Whether you get a new driver or not,....I'd suggest always keeping your trusted one. You never know when you will want to go back to it...or wish you could go back to it. It happens all the time, even among very good players who have access to everything

[magnito1969]

I'm gaming the LTD and love it... but I would be sure to try one out first. its been a hit or miss for some of my range buddies who's tried it, some love it, some don't.

[Medic]

The driver you are playing is a classic. Going to be a big change for you.

 

My blunt advice:

 

Get fitted by a neutral party. Someone without any brand biases.

 

You are about to lay out a decent amount to upgrade. You have waited a long time to do it.

 

If you don't get fitted into just the right head/shaft combo you won't realize the maximum benefits from your purchase.

 

If you opt to go this route go into it completely open minded my friend. You never know what surprises await and odds are the driver you end up with won't be on your main radar screen going into the process.

 

Good luck, have fun, and be sure to let everyone know what you decide.

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

I have a ft3 tour 9.5 with a speeder 757 tour in X. I find this combo to be long and steaight when hit well, but a touch unforgiving. I am prepared to sacrifice forgiveness for better accuracy, but am I missing out on a total package by going old school?

 

let's just use the premise that your current driver isn't "ideal" anymore... I guesstimate you're leaving 10 yds on the table every swing and missing 2 fairways a round because of it.

[VNutz]

If it ain't broke don't fix it. If you're content with it I wouldn't actively seek out something new, but rather hit stuff when you can and see what might work. If something wows you then look into a fitting or purchase.

[Hot Rod 71]

I don't understand giving up forgiveness for accuracy. Doesn't a more forgiving driver improve accuracy?

 

Try the XR16 or new Great Big Bertha.

[jslane57]

I don't understand giving up forgiveness for accuracy. Doesn't a more forgiving driver improve accuracy?

 

Try the XR16 or new Great Big Bertha.

Where is the blades vs. GI thread when we need it? Lol.

[matchavez]

I thought you wanted advice about a blunt. Different topic.

[matchavez]

I always go with a Honey Dutch.

 

Can't believe it took until page 2.

[DoglegRight]

Most newer heads have little difference in their playing characteristics so shaft fitting is critical. The Ping G series with the Tour x-stiff shaft sounds like a good fit for what you've described. Also check out the last generation Mizuno jpx 850 with the stock (real deal speeder) x-stiff.

[swizbeatz]

I got sidetracked, what were we talking about?

[playa]

Here is some blunt advice: don't change, or trade in, your FT-3 until you are sure that the new driver is better. And, if that takes months to figure out, so be it.

 

This x1000....dont' get rid of your gamer until you absolutely know the new stick is in for the long haul!

No plans to trade the ft3 regardless of what happens. I would only get a pittance for a trade, better off keeping as a back up and training aid, like practising with a blade long iron.

[playa]

I don't understand giving up forgiveness for accuracy. Doesn't a more forgiving driver improve accuracy?

 

Try the XR16 or new Great Big Bertha.

I mean trading losing more distance on off centre hits but those misses being straight, against more distance but wilder dispersion.

[playa]

I think it'll take some time to figure out exactly what works best for you. For me, either the M2 or M1 430 are leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the current crop. However, some guys get better numbers with the King LTD, XR16, etc. The best thing for you to do is get a proper fitting AFTER you have demoed a few of these drivers. The Speeder 757 that comes as a stock option in the M1 and 2 is a great shaft IMO. It's very sturdy and has a much heavier feel than the 661 that DJ uses. It's hard to find demo clubs in x flex at most local stores, but don't book a fitting appointment without hitting a few of these first simply to gauge feel. The M1 460 for me doesn't have a great feel and I don't even like the sound. Others love the feel and sound. It's all personal preference!

I would probably go stiff flex in a new driver, the ft3 was second hand and just came in X. I can handle the X but would probably fit better in stiff.

[playa]

The driver you are playing is a classic. Going to be a big change for you.

 

My blunt advice:

 

Get fitted by a neutral party. Someone without any brand biases.

 

You are about to lay out a decent amount to upgrade. You have waited a long time to do it.

 

If you don't get fitted into just the right head/shaft combo you won't realize the maximum benefits from your purchase.

 

If you opt to go this route go into it completely open minded my friend. You never know what surprises await and odds are the driver you end up with won't be on your main radar screen going into the process.

 

Good luck, have fun, and be sure to let everyone know what you decide.

This is great advice and the path I plan to take. But it may take some time. I have limited time and finances (young family) so I will have to do some fittings when I get a chance then keep an eye out for bargains in the used bins when I know what to look for.

[TravAz]

OP - How often are you missing the sweetspot of your driver, and by how much? When you do miss, is it generally in the same area, i.e. Low heel, high toe, etc?

[Tcann32]

That's a great shaft. The Second make of it is my favorite shaft still, and the third incarnation isn't as good.

 

You've been gaming that one for a long time. It's probably going to be difficult to find something you are comfortable with, but you'll just have to stick it out. The more forgiving drivers are getting longer now, which is nice. Obvious answers: XR line, 816 DBD, M1, M2, LTD.

 

The M2 and the XR are impressive drivers. You have the game to play a stout shaft, so spin shouldn't be outrageous either. I would think about keeping that shaft around though. You just might find the best luck with an old shaft and a new driver head.

[jjr]

Whether you get a new driver or not,....I'd suggest always keeping your trusted one. You never know when you will want to go back to it...or wish you could go back to it. It happens all the time, even among very good players who have access to everything

 

I'm a 5 hdcp, 99-100mph and play 2x a month. Just picked up a Ping G LS, my Qwok'd SFTP V1 is in the backup bag, finally replaced it after 6 years. I only have 18 on the G but I can tell you it's definitely longer and more accurate on less than pure strikes. I haven't had enough time with it to know if it will be longer when both are struck pure but my fingers are crossed that I'll get 5-10 yards

[playa]

OP - How often are you missing the sweetspot of your driver, and by how much? When you do miss, is it generally in the same area, i.e. Low heel, high toe, etc?

I guess I don't miss the sweet spot that often, usually high towards the toe when I do miss. My bad miss has always been a hook, which is probably why I like low torque shafts.

[playa]

That's a great shaft. The Second make of it is my favorite shaft still, and the third incarnation isn't as good.

 

You've been gaming that one for a long time. It's probably going to be difficult to find something you are comfortable with, but you'll just have to stick it out. The more forgiving drivers are getting longer now, which is nice. Obvious answers: XR line, 816 DBD, M1, M2, LTD.

 

The M2 and the XR are impressive drivers. You have the game to play a stout shaft, so spin shouldn't be outrageous either. I would think about keeping that shaft around though. You just might find the best luck with an old shaft and a new driver head.

Was bust at the store and hit a 815 DBD with a black tie 70 stiff, which was going for $179, which seems like a good price. Long and straight on the monitor, but didn't have my gamer to compare.

[TravAz]

That's a great shaft. The Second make of it is my favorite shaft still, and the third incarnation isn't as good.

 

You've been gaming that one for a long time. It's probably going to be difficult to find something you are comfortable with, but you'll just have to stick it out. The more forgiving drivers are getting longer now, which is nice. Obvious answers: XR line, 816 DBD, M1, M2, LTD.

 

The M2 and the XR are impressive drivers. You have the game to play a stout shaft, so spin shouldn't be outrageous either. I would think about keeping that shaft around though. You just might find the best luck with an old shaft and a new driver head.

Was bust at the store and hit a 815 DBD with a black tie 70 stiff, which was going for $179, which seems like a good price. Long and straight on the monitor, but didn't have my gamer to compare.

 

Honestly, if your hitting the middle most of the time, your probably burning some money switching drivers. The sweetspot isnt any hotter on the new stuff than on yours.

 

I currently game the 815 alpha dbd and I like it. I would really suggest the 816 dbd over the 815 though because you get 4 cog postions due to the dual gravity core chambers. Awesome if you consistently miss in the same location on the face because you can get the cog closer to that spot. The king f6+ might be another good option for a toe miss (weight forward).

[playa]

That's a great shaft. The Second make of it is my favorite shaft still, and the third incarnation isn't as good.

 

You've been gaming that one for a long time. It's probably going to be difficult to find something you are comfortable with, but you'll just have to stick it out. The more forgiving drivers are getting longer now, which is nice. Obvious answers: XR line, 816 DBD, M1, M2, LTD.

 

The M2 and the XR are impressive drivers. You have the game to play a stout shaft, so spin shouldn't be outrageous either. I would think about keeping that shaft around though. You just might find the best luck with an old shaft and a new driver head.

Was bust at the store and hit a 815 DBD with a black tie 70 stiff, which was going for $179, which seems like a good price. Long and straight on the monitor, but didn't have my gamer to compare.

 

Honestly, if your hitting the middle most of the time, your probably burning some money switching drivers. The sweetspot isnt any hotter on the new stuff than on yours.

 

I currently game the 815 alpha dbd and I like it. I would really suggest the 816 dbd over the 815 though because you get 4 cog postions due to the dual gravity core chambers. Awesome if you consistently miss in the same location on the face because you can get the cog closer to that spot. The king f6+ might be another good option for a toe miss (weight forward).

I agree about burning money and am in no hurry to pull the trigger. I learned the game with early metal drivers and then the gbb, so I have had to learn how to hit the sweet spot. I am happy playing the ft3 until the right club comes along.

[Kingcat990]

Some great advice in here. I feel like I've sampled a hundred drivers over the years. The only 2 that really stand out over the years were the Cobra Amp Cell and the Yonex i-ezone I'm gaming now. On a whim I paid $90 for my Yonex brand new in the wrapper out of curiosity and it was the most eye opening driver I have owned.

 

From everything out there this year, that Ping is hard to pass up.

[emncaity]

I thought this would be a marijuana thread.

 

No. NO. You may NOT.

[tap in birdie]

I need some equipment advice. I currently game a very old driver, which I am happy with, but want to know if I am short changing myself by not using modern equipment. I have a ft3 tour 9.5 with a speeder 757 tour in X. I find this combo to be long and steaight when hit well, but a touch unforgiving. I am prepared to sacrifice forgiveness for better accuracy, but am I missing out on a total package by going old school?

Don't hold back with any consteuctive advice, tell it how it is.

 

Yes. You're screwing yourself out of a few yards in distance and dispersion. It's all about how much those yards really matter to you. If you want optimal performance then yes. Just put an oban or graphitedesign shaft in an xr 16 pro head and compare to your current gamer. I hate tmag but M2 is beast as well. I know several people who gained a few yards w those clubs and their previous gamers were newer than yours.