Best drivers circa 2014-16? / Should I buy a 915 D2?

[tjc4golf]

In the market for a dirt cheap (under $75), used driver.

 

Why an older driver:

• I'm cheap / for a second bag that stays at my parents' house and rarely gets used
  
• driver tech has not changed dramatically in the past few years
  
• time allows consensus to emerge (e.g. "that was a great club" or "that club was hard to hit")
  

About me:

• I'm an ok player (6 hcp). 100ish SS / 275ish yards off tee.
  
• Prefer low spin drivers - my ball flight can get a little high.
  
• Don't work the ball. Prefer forgiving to workable.
  
• Not very sensitive to club changes - if it's a well regarded club I'll hit it well
  
• Not too worried about shafts - Aldila NV shafts work well for me and I have some extras lying around
  

Current thoughts:

• Get a Titleist 915 D2. Consensus seems to be that they were great clubs
  
• Pings seem great BUT G20 isn't adjustable (deal breaker), G25 has the old adapter (deal breaker), and G30 is a little beyond my budget
  
• SLDR consensus say it's too unforgiving. R15 outside my budget
  

Questions:

• Are there any great Callaways from that era?
  
• Other brands / clubs I should consider?
  
• Or should I just go with a 915?
  

[jtj74]

Cobra King LTD.

[msd71]

LTD or Anser

 

Edit - Anser has the old ping adapter but for cheap low spin it can't be beat.

[Lancj1]

XR or XR 16, maybe Pro ?

[Macklessdaddy]

gonna be tough as hell for an under 75 dollar modern driver

[Christen_The_Sloop]

I still play the 915 D3. Great clubs.

[tjc4golf]

gonna be tough as hell for an under 75 dollar modern driver

 

Don't underestimate my thriftiness. Just lost an eBay auction on a 915 D3 by $1. Winner got it for $29 + $13 shipping.

[Steele47]

915 D3 is great choice. It's one of the clubs I have no intention of ever selling. I tried the D2 but just prefer the shape of D3.

[ChristopherMcDonald]

Cobra LTD's can be had pretty cheap these days even brand new. Great club IMO

[Lefty96]

D2 is a pretty high spin head. I had both a 910 d3 and a 910 d2. D3 was a little better for spin, but both spun too much for me. Xr 16 pro, or you could maybe pull an epic off ebay for near a 100.

[BackNine29]

Finding for about $75 will be tough, but the outstanding Cobra LTD. can be found for a only a little bit more.

[dmarch]

915 D2 is a great choice. Not the longest out there but nothing has been straighter for me.

[Justsomeguy]

Love my 915d3. Very forgiving. It's long for me. By comparison, I had a Callaway Epic for a minute that was a bit longer, but not as predictable.

As for spin, I had to use a higher torque shaft to get enough. I'm low 90s driver ss.

[Whit1969]

2016 M2, end of discussion

[Booker]

Doubt you will find an m2 for $75 but cobra fly z plus and biocell pro were decent. 915 d2 is a decent choice but the d3 would be a lower spin option (awful tinny sound though if you can deal with that).

[K13]

One more vote for Cobra King LTD. Checks all your boxes for low spin, straight, forgiving.

[naj959]

Hey op. I have a g30 as a gamer and bought a 915d2 in very good condition for $80 over the holidays. I have a mid 100mph swing but my handicap is a bit higher. The 915 is in the bag right now because it is a very accurate driver. Its about 10 yards shorter than my g30 but I was not fit for either so take that with a grain of salt. I have the confidence to just aim down the left side and take a rip with the 915. The ping tends to draw on me and a hook is my miss. With the D2 that hook swing produces a tiny draw that finds the left side of the fairway. I have it in the fade setting and lofted up. At 9.5 degrees the d2 launches lower than the 9* g30 but as we all know stated lofts mean nothing. So in short, the d2 is great for short tight courses and the g30 would be better suited for a longer course with wider fairways. YMMV; hope this helps.

[BYK]

XR or XR 16, maybe Pro ?

 

Love my XR16 Pro

Still in the bag

[Jagpilotohio]

Another LTD vote.

[thedurtydurden]

I loved my Cally Razr Hawk Tour. I liked it more than my 2016 M2 that I've used for a few years now (and still use), but I'd recommend either of the two.

[Tree Levino]

Love my D2

[wam78]

some great insight in here. I agree with 915 D3 (wish I kept mine) and LTD. You might be able to find a Callaway GBB head for that price as well. Low spinning and long!

[tjc4golf]

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

Seems the Cobra LTD, 915 D2 and 915 D3 are the top choices from this generation.

 

XR 16 seems to be a solid option too but not quite as widely praised as those top three.

[Jagpilotohio]

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

Seems the Cobra LTD, 915 D2 and 915 D3 are the top choices from this generation.

 

XR 16 seems to be a solid option too but not quite as widely praised as those top three.

 

Here is WRX test results from 2016 best drivers. They treated LTD and the LTD Pro as different clubs for some reason. Only the loft and lie is different. If they treated them as one club it wins best driver.

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/352108/2016-gear-trials-best-drivers-club-test/

[erock9174]

Callaway Great Big Bertha 2016. Sliding weight. Adjustable hosel. Dirt cheap. Tip is still current.

[erock9174]

2016 M2, end of discussion

 

Cult following pushed prices back up. Although I snagged a brand new 12* back in Oct on auction for $22 shipped. Sold it the day after it came in for $160.

[T.B.]

2016 M2. Was,, is a great driver.

[dunn]

One thing I've learned in hundreds of clubs I've played over last 6 or so years is

 

If you find one you hit well for whatever reason, hang on to it.....thoroughly test another without giving that " EXACT CLUB" up

 

It's a strange thing....but it's TRUE

 

I've given up many to find better and go back and get another model same as one I had and wasnt same.....

 

Cant even count how many drivers, woods, wedges, putters and irons I've had.....

 

Currently with M6 and its money....not even gonna change the grip and when I do I will copy exact weight and profile....its working that good...its not better than others it just fits me

 

Had all M series, RBZ series, R series, titleist series, blah blah

 

Last driver I absolutely hit better than anything was TM SF TP 2.0...since than it's been a struggle....titleist drivers are great.....have buddy's who smash em and cant hit TM drivers so it's just about you and what you hit well

[Rk5]

I played a 915D2 for a while, it was a very nice club. Also I find Titleist clubs age very well but still drop in price so can be had for a steal.

 

The titleist stock shaft options have been great for years which means there is plenty of selection for cheap on ebay.

[mwink822]

Cobra Bio Cell or Bio Cell+