SLDR Mini D.......thoroughly impressed

Shipwreck · October 1, 2018

I posted a topic about what people thought about a set up I was considering, a 16* Mini D w/ an Oban Devotion to replace my current 3w since it’s a club I never really hit off the deck. Most people seem to have more of a “hate” relationship with the minis and saw it more of a fad than a useful club and I can understand that, as it’s not very versatile to the majority of people.

Well I took the plunge, had my club guy put it together, cut it to 43.5” and slapped a grip on it. I didn’t get a chance to go to the range during the week, prior to my round on Sunday, so it was either gonna work or it would be terrible and a waste of time. I was able to hit a few balls right before tee off and I must say that the club met and exceeded all of my expectations.

One member said something about the MOI etc wasn’t as high as the 3w of today and i wouldn’t be getting anything that I wasn’t already getting from my current 3w set up (Epic SZ). One thing I did notice right off the bat was the height I was able to get. I’m normally a low-mid launch player on all of my clubs, so my 3w would be no exception. Yes this translated into a good amount of roll which is great. But holy crap. This thing launched like you see the pros launch a 3w. And they weren’t ballooning balls either. They went high and kept going.

One of the flags was 255 out towards the end of the range and I was carrying it there, with range balls. Now don’t get me wrong, this wasn’t a “fire and forget” kind of club, I still had to put a good swing on it, but it truly felt like I was further and more consistent than with my current 3w.

I’ve got some time between now and my next tournament so I’m going to put it through the ringer and make sure it’s something i want to commit to, but as of now it’s definitelt a winner in my book. But like I said, I can completely understand why a lot of people disliked it.

Argonne69 · October 1, 2018

If you mess around with the tee height, I think you can get a nice low stinger if it's called for.

Yeah, mini drivers didn't quite pan out as driver replacements, but for folks who don't hit a 3W off the deck, they're certainly worth considering as a driver companion.

me05501 · October 1, 2018

If you mess around with the tee height, I think you can get a nice low stinger if it's called for.

Yeah, mini drivers didn't quite pan out as driver replacements, but for folks who don't hit a 3W off the deck, they're certainly worth considering as a driver companion.

That's how I'm using mine. I get a straight, boring flight out of it and it's a fairway finder.

I would say my AVERAGE MiniDriver and my average real driver shots will roll out within 10-12 yards of each other. I find the sweet spot of the MiniDriver more frequently and the shaft is a great fit for me. It's a great short hole club and a life saver on days when I can't seem to handle my driver.

I haven't tried to hit it off the deck, but I am pretty short anyway and I'm rarely approaching par fives in two or that sort of thing.

idriveahonda · October 11, 2018

I'm one of the folks who cannot hit a 3-wood, be it off a tee or off the deck. However, driver is the best club in my bag. Can hit driver off the deck as well...must just be a brain thing.

I have a 16* Mini as well (not currently in bag, but been contemplating putting it back), and I agree it launches STRAIGHT up in the air from the deck.

Will be adding it to the bag for the tournament this weekend...supposed to be wet.

ewe8523 · October 11, 2018

I can’t hit a 3W off the deck so I carry a mini driver instead to hit off the tee. I love it. I can hit it almost as far as my driver but more accurately.

For a while I was successful teeing it up at driver height and hitting it like that which produced an excellent ball flight. Recently though I haven’t been able to replicate that and have had to tee it lower to prevent pop ups.

me05501 · October 11, 2018

I can't hit a 3W off the deck so I carry a mini driver instead to hit off the tee. I love it. I can hit it almost as far as my driver but more accurately.

For a while I was successful teeing it up at driver height and hitting it like that which produced an excellent ball flight. Recently though I haven't been able to replicate that and have had to tee it lower to prevent pop ups.

I usually push the tee in until my knuckles hit the ground, so the ball is sitting off the turf by the thickness of my pointer/third fingers. Lower than that works too.

DoglegRight · October 11, 2018

I'm a 3 wood off the tee only kind of player. Mainly because I love my f7 5 wood off the deck. So, this summer I stumbled across a Callaway Mini 1.5 *14. In it went and out came the f7 3 wood. So far, it's been a great experience. In fact I just picked up an Aeroburner Mini Driver TP to compare to the Mini 1.5. Regardless of which one wins out, I don't see myself going back to a standard 3 wood until I find a good deal on a CBX.

baudi · October 12, 2018

The mini driver was one of the best revivals of the old 2W. It filled the gap the manufacturers had created themselves.

I cannot think of any bad review about the mini driver. I own a 14degree Aeroburner which is money.

Why don't the OEMs produce and sell at least two versions of their play clubs A a 430+ model and a lofted smaller model?

me05501 · October 12, 2018

The mini driver was one of the best revivals of the old 2W. It filled the gap the manufacturers had created themselves.
I cannot think of any bad review about the mini driver. I own a 14degree Aeroburner which is money.
Why don't the OEMs produce and sell at least two versions of their play clubs A a 430+ model and a lofted smaller model?

Right? Seems like they're always keen to find a way to sell another $200-300 club. Maybe fairway woods and hybrids are more profitable. Maybe the MiniDrivers were cannibalizing sales from the much more expensive drivers.

I always have to remind myself that the club industry does not exist to make me play better. It exists to convince me to buy clubs.