Driver Test Results: A Personal ReviewS

Ruddy · April 4, 2014

I am a 62 year old 13 hc with driver SS 92 - 96 mph, so around 94 average. I have Played Cleveland UltraLite XL270 in 9* with Miyazaki 39gr in stiff for 2 years, carries 220 average , and the Cleveland Classic 290 in 10.5* with Miyazaki stiff in 43gr, avg carry 210. Tested my XL270 and 5 other drivers today at Golfsmith for 2 hours alone on launch monitor reviewing spin rates, carries, total distance with no wind. Tested Adams Super S, Calloway XtremeFit, Cleveland Classic XL, a Cobra all black with 48" yes 48" shaft, TM RBZ Stage 2 and my own Cleveland UltraLite XL270. All shafts stock OEM in stiff flex. As noted, SS was around 92-96, mostly 92-93, with occasional 89 mishit. Ballspeed at 135. Short version: the TM (not a fan) carried 220-230, just slightly longer than my own XL270. However, the S2 was more controllable , and gave a very solid feel as feedback with no vibration or torque, Seemed easy to point and shoot. My XL270 was just all over, but mostly right. Total distance with my XL270 about 255 on a good hit, but the TM RBZ S2 totally blew by to around 263-270. S2 not Tour version with Fuji 50 gr shaft. After about 200 balls in 2 hours, I bought the S2. Spin rates were sometimes under 2000, bad strikes around 3600. The Adams was good, as was the Calloway , but their spin rates were around 3600+ and they did not produce the feel of the TM. I surprised myself by hitting the 48" Cobra consistently straighter than the shorter clubs, but as I tired, I lost that control. The Cobra spin varied widely from 2100-3700, sometimes with much sidespin in the 300-400 range. The S2 was just easy to hit and great solid shaft feel. It seemed as easy to draw as to fade, and easier swings seemed to fly just as far. Before now, I didn't like TM, but they may have a new convert.

Ruddy · April 6, 2014

I've played 2 rounds with my new RBZ Stage 2 driver, and am pretty pleased with the results. First round hit 7/13 fairway where I used driver, second round 9/12. I noted that several of the misses were very playable and left shots to the green (which I may or may not have hit). Distances as measured by Garmin GPS : median (middle) total distance 223-226. Ranged from a low of 185 to - wait for it - 296! More on that in a minute . Hit total distance of 210 - 216 x 5. Distance of 219 - 226 x 5. Distance of 230 - 237 x 6. Distance of >240 x 4. Those were 240, 247, 250 and 296. The big drive was downwind, about 1 club wind, and got a lot of roll on our flat, dried-out #18, which is often the long drive hole for contests. Just flat out nailed it, low and straight , right over the 150 marker, landing about at 260 and running like a striped ape for 36 more yards, stopping just inside the barber pole to keep carts away from the green. Left 68 yards to the hole, and a pitch and, yep, a 2 day camel ride to fall in the side door for bird, my second in 2 holes. Yahoo! Birdie drought is over!

eagles1 · April 15, 2014

My eyes are now crossed.

RyKnocks · June 1, 2014

Glad you like your new driver. I've been meaning to test this one out as there are still rave reviews about it.

One recommendation when posting in forums is to separate/organize your key points into different paragraphs. Putting everything into one big block of text is very hard to read and follow. Possibly why you haven't gotten much response on this thread.

Grats on the driver!