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Best Driver in the last 5 years?


tcatone5

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The G400 Max is the best fairway finder I think I've ever hit. Been in play for 8 rounds and I've missed 3 fairway's with it and those were just horrible swings or trying to reach places I shouldn't try to reach in winter weather.

So 8 rounds is like 100 driver shots... you're hitting >95% fairways???

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The G400 Max is the best fairway finder I think I've ever hit. Been in play for 8 rounds and I've missed 3 fairway's with it and those were just horrible swings or trying to reach places I shouldn't try to reach in winter weather.

So 8 rounds is like 100 driver shots... you're hitting >95% fairways???

109/112 fairways is very impressive. Over 97%.

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Currently testing the Epic SZ & King LTD Pro. They are both very similar in feel and performance I find. I have always had the LTD Pro in my heart since the 1st time I hit it, so there's that. Plus I feel more comfortable over the ball with the shape. Both great drivers though.

Driver: Cobra LTD Pro 7.5o - Kuro Kage DC XT 70 TX - Tipped 1"

UDI: 2019 TaylorMade P790 2i

Irons: 3-PW: Srixon z745 with Modus 130x

Wedges: 52o/56o/60o - Cleveland RTX4s

Putter: Ping Kushin 4

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The G400 Max is the best fairway finder I think I've ever hit. Been in play for 8 rounds and I've missed 3 fairway's with it and those were just horrible swings or trying to reach places I shouldn't try to reach in winter weather.

 

That is truly remarkable. You missed only 3 out of around 100 fairways?!

Titleist TS2 9.5* Diamana S+ 60 LTD
TItleist 917F2 16.5* Diamana S+ 70 LTD
Mizuno MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi 3i Modus 120 -OR- TM V Steel 7W 21* NV 75
Ping i210 4-UW DG 120
Ping Glide 2.0 Stealth 54* & 60* SS
Scotty Cameron California Monterey 1.5

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For whatever reason, I just didn't hit my TS3 all that great. I hit my 917D3 farther which was strange. I went back to my tour issue 2016 M2 yesterday at the range and fell in love all over again. The sound/feel off that head with hot melt is perfect. I was hitting it really high but I think that has more to do with my positive angle of attack than anything.

 

I also have an F9 inbound that I got at a price I couldn't say no to so there will be a nice shootout soon.

 

Everytime I try to replace my 2016 M2 8.5 head I end up wondering what the hell I'm doing and go right back. It's the Michael Jordan of driver heads.

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Let me get one of your backups Toll. Is the 8.5 really that much hotter than the 9.5?

 

I only have one backup head and I can't risk selling it. I don't play a 9.5 driver so I don't really hit those lofts unless it's for fun in the cage but compared to just about anything else in the same loft, the ball speeds off my 8.5 heads are always at the highest end of the spectrum, even against this year's heads.

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Lot of snarky shots at the SLDR...yet it’s clear there’s this awesome respect for the sheer power...almost a longing to be able to slay the beast...with your cruddy swing? Dream on.

Taylormade M5 Tour 10.5* 

Taylormade 300 Series 15*

Taylormade Sim2 Max 18*

Titleist 818H2  21*

Titleist 718 TMB 4 24*

Titleist 718 AP2  5-PW

Mizuno T20  54*   58*

Taylormade Spider GT  #3

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The 2016 M2 was is still is the best. I wish I would have kept one around. The one I had with a little hot melt in it was a solid feeling cannon!

Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond- 8* Ventus TR Black 6X
TM Stealth 2 Plus - 16.5* Ventus TR Blue 7X
Titleist U505- 2 Iron Hzrdous Black 6.5
PXG GEN 5 Tour - 4-PW LA Golf 120 S
Artisan Hand Grind- 50, 55, 60 DG TI S400
Tyson Lamb- Bridgeport Custom
 

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I currently game the XR16 and still get great distance with it and have been generally happy with it. I am thinking about making a switch to a new driver mainly because the new models came out and last years have gone down in price.

 

What is the best driver that has come out in the last 5 years?

 

How much better could the clubs really be getting if they release a new model every year?

 

Same here, bought a 10.5 XR16, White Tie shaft for $150 on eBay, never been happier !!! Took it to the PGA Superstore to compare it to a Taylormade M3, salesman tried to talk me into spending $349 because my "numbers" were so much better with the M3,,, simulator said +3 yards distance and -1 dispersion,,, NOPE, not enough,,, did buy a drink because I was tired of trying out shafts on the M3,,,,

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Let me get one of your backups Toll. Is the 8.5 really that much hotter than the 9.5?

 

I only have one backup head and I can't risk selling it. I don't play a 9.5 driver so I don't really hit those lofts unless it's for fun in the cage but compared to just about anything else in the same loft, the ball speeds off my 8.5 heads are always at the highest end of the spectrum, even against this year's heads.

 

 

I really hope I never crack mine. Wish I bought a backup a couple years ago while they were still readily available. If anyone ever finds a source, please DM me.

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G400LST or 400 Are hard to beat.

The 400Max didn't work all that well for me.

As long as I'm swinging OK, the G400 is in the fairway. Swinging really well, 15 yards past my Epic

Compared to my Epic, forgiveness is way better.

Rogue ST Max LS Oban Devotion 6/03 10.5, -1* @45.25" 

Paradym 3HL  Kai’li 60 R
Ping G410 19*,  22* & 26* Riptide CB 80 5.5
Srixon ZX5 MKII 6-AW, SF i80cw R,  Or Cobra Forged Tec Black 6-GW, SF i95cw R   
PM Grind 2.0 54 and 58

Bettinardi Innovai Rev 6.0  33” 

 E.R.C. Soft TT/ Chrome Soft TT / TM Tour Response '20

 

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Let me get one of your backups Toll. Is the 8.5 really that much hotter than the 9.5?

 

I only have one backup head and I can't risk selling it. I don't play a 9.5 driver so I don't really hit those lofts unless it's for fun in the cage but compared to just about anything else in the same loft, the ball speeds off my 8.5 heads are always at the highest end of the spectrum, even against this year's heads.

 

Do you have any experience with the 2016 M1 in 8.5 loft? I wonder if it's as hot as the M2?

TSR3 TSi3 3 Wood | 915H 18 |  T150 4-PW Vokey SM9  50, 54, 58 |  Ping PLD Anser 2D

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Let me get one of your backups Toll. Is the 8.5 really that much hotter than the 9.5?

 

I only have one backup head and I can't risk selling it. I don't play a 9.5 driver so I don't really hit those lofts unless it's for fun in the cage but compared to just about anything else in the same loft, the ball speeds off my 8.5 heads are always at the highest end of the spectrum, even against this year's heads.

 

Do you have any experience with the 2016 M1 in 8.5 loft? I wonder if it's as hot as the M2?

 

Not trying to be a smartass, but he has that comp in the first page of this thread. 16 M2 is a ballspeed freak.

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1718984-taylormade-tour-issue-2016-2018-m-series-driverstrackman-comparison-data/

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The G400 Max is the best fairway finder I think I've ever hit. Been in play for 8 rounds and I've missed 3 fairway's with it and those were just horrible swings or trying to reach places I shouldn't try to reach in winter weather.

So 8 rounds is like 100 driver shots... you're hitting >95% fairways???

 

I only hit driver 6 holes on my home course. Fairly wide fairways. I've changed my driving philosophy over the last year. I am happy with 260-270 as long as it's in the short stuff and very rarely go after my driver.

G430 Max 10K

HiBore 2w “Unicorn”

G410 3w & 3h

ZX7 MKII 4-A

Glide 4.0 54 & 58

Jailbird 380

 

 

 

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Let me get one of your backups Toll. Is the 8.5 really that much hotter than the 9.5?

 

I only have one backup head and I can't risk selling it. I don't play a 9.5 driver so I don't really hit those lofts unless it's for fun in the cage but compared to just about anything else in the same loft, the ball speeds off my 8.5 heads are always at the highest end of the spectrum, even against this year's heads.

 

Do you have any experience with the 2016 M1 in 8.5 loft? I wonder if it's as hot as the M2?

 

Not trying to be a smartass, but he has that comp in the first page of this thread. 16 M2 is a ballspeed freak.

 

http://www.golfwrx.c...omparison-data/

 

Thanks, I didn't even think to reference that.

TSR3 TSi3 3 Wood | 915H 18 |  T150 4-PW Vokey SM9  50, 54, 58 |  Ping PLD Anser 2D

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The G400 Max is the best fairway finder I think I've ever hit. Been in play for 8 rounds and I've missed 3 fairway's with it and those were just horrible swings or trying to reach places I shouldn't try to reach in winter weather.

 

That is truly remarkable. You missed only 3 out of around 100 fairways?!

 

I hit 3 wood more than driver. I only hit driver 5-6 times a round and use a very smooth swing and just try to place the ball. Have fairly wide fairways at my home course. I always aim middle and if I fade or draw a couple yards I'm still in good shape.

G430 Max 10K

HiBore 2w “Unicorn”

G410 3w & 3h

ZX7 MKII 4-A

Glide 4.0 54 & 58

Jailbird 380

 

 

 

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Recently bought a 2016 M2 head just to see what all the fuss is about, won't be able to hit it for awhile though.

TM 2016 M2 12*(-2 setting) - OG Grafalloy Blue X, 43.5"

TEE XCG7 16.5* 4w, OG Grafalloy Blue S, 41.75"

Wilson D9 18* 4i, KBS Max-R, 39.5”

Cobra King OS 4-G, TT XP95 R300, -.5
Mack Daddy CB 56.14(2* weak)  60.12(3*  weak)

Edel Brick

 

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There was only 1 non paid Titleist driver in play last week. You are correct.

To be honest, I don't think that's a useful metric in any way. All the guys who would want to play TS are already Titleist guys otherwise everyone else has their preferred or brand paid driver OR they're playing Tmag for the tee-up money. What is more impressive is Mizuno's ST190 being a brand that isn't known for woods and doesn't advertise and market their products to pros. When you have more than 1 pro put it in the bag when they aren't paid to for a company that doesn't have a rep for good woods it says something.

 

Taylormade does not pay tee up money. Everyone else still does though. For the record Taylormade had 68% of all the non contracted drivers in play last week. When players are not paid you can count on 4 things. They will play Taylormade drivers, Mitsubishi shafts, Mizuno irons and Scotty putters at an overwealming percentage.

 

On the money. I was at Torrey Pines and Riviera and no doubt the TM drivers dominate. It’s not even close. And you know, of the four brands listed here I can see it with three of them. TaylorMade drivers, Mitsubishi shafts (Diamana remains an all-time fave of mine) and Mizuno irons are all really strong. Mizuno irons are my choice most of the time. I just like how they play.

 

The only one I have never understood is the Scotty putters. Never have been drawn to them even after multiple demos. And mine is not the most prevalent opinion but I think the TaylorMade putter insert is the best one going. I bought a discounted Chaska last summer and that insert gets the ball rolling so well. I get really consistent distance control with it.

 

Guys who play Titleist like the TS3 and they are smashing it, but these guys smash everything. TS3 over the TS2 for most, but TS2 fairways are the choice off the turf.

 

Also, there is a lot of buzz about this year’s Mizuno drivers. Probably not enough to get TM players to switch but it certainly is recognized as a big step forward for Mizuno drivers. It is worth watching Keith Mitchell just to see him hit the ST190.

Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond 10.5 w/Diamana TB 60S

PXG GEN6 5 wood w/Diamana S-plus 70 stiff

Yamaha RMX VD 7 wood w/Diamana S-plus 70 stiff

Callaway Mavrik Pro hybrid (22) w/Aldila Tour Blue 85 stiff hybrid

Wilson Staff Model CB 5-G w/DG s300 shafts

Edel T grind 54 w/Nippon 125 wedge shaft

Fourteen RM-12 58 w/Dynamic Golds400

Axis1 Rose putter, 34 inches

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Hardest thing is finding the right shaft. The head differences are there but it has always been about finding that shaft that you can swing fully with and get the results desired.

 

JP thinks that driver head changes from OEMs are mostly small and incremental, and more marketing than tech. As such, the focus on the driver head is a little too accentuated....but we are all prey to shiny pretty new things yes...

Taylormade M5 Tour 10.5* 

Taylormade 300 Series 15*

Taylormade Sim2 Max 18*

Titleist 818H2  21*

Titleist 718 TMB 4 24*

Titleist 718 AP2  5-PW

Mizuno T20  54*   58*

Taylormade Spider GT  #3

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  • 3 weeks later...

M2 either 2016 or 2017. The 2017 was a tad more draw bias than the 2016 though. The 2016 just provided a more solid feel, sound, and a little less spin for me. Haven’t found anything to beat it out yet. Have a Diamana D+ in mine and it’s a great combination.

 

Also the Cobra Fly Z+ is a great option at a fantastic price now.

SiM 2 10.5* GD Tour iZ 6s

TSR2 15* Tensei Blue

TSR2 18* Hybrid Hzrdus Black Gen 4

Mizuno JPX 921F 4-P Pro Modus 105

Titleist SM9 Black 50, 54 & 58

Odyssey Protype iX #1 or TM Spider Hydro Blast slant neck

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