Tour model drivers.

[playa]

Just wondering how many players prefer the smaller head, open faced drivers. In this age of 460cc super forgiving heads, I still find that the tour heads work better for me. I have recently put my Cleveland Classic 310 tour in play with great success. As easy as the 460cc heads are to hit, for me I just can't stand on the tee not knowing for sure where it will go. With the Classic, I stand on the right side of the tee box and aim at left centre and just go for it knowing I will hit a cut every time. Sure I lose more distance on mishits than other drivers, hut with the extra confidence I get from knowing where the ball will go I actually hit the centre of the face more often. Only other drawback is I can't hit drawers with this driver, but again that's almost a plus as iteans I can keep the left side of the course out of play. If I absolutely need a draw I can use my 3wood which I hit a stock draw with.

 

Anyone else find the smaller 'tour' heads to be more reliable than 460cc drivers?

[Awarren11]

I play a SLDR 430 and generally like a the smaller headed drivers. I had a RFE and still have a Diablo Tour in the garage for hard times. The only 460 I've really ever been able to hit is a 905r, which I also have for backup. Hard to imagine i will ever play a 460. Just doesn't look right.

[playa]

[quote name='Awarren11' timestamp='1412993513' post='10268789']
I play a SLDR 430 and generally like a the smaller headed drivers. I had a RFE and still have a Diablo Tour in the garage for hard times. The only 460 I've really ever been able to hit is a 905r, which I also have for backup. Hard to imagine i will ever play a 460. Just doesn't look right.
[/quote]
Do you find any downside? For me distance is as good or better with a tour driver, just not quite as forgiving on mishits but still forgiving enough to get away with them.

[Ri_Redneck]

Count me in. I play the 430cc Amp Cell Pro. Would take a 400cc if they offered it.

BT

[Awarren11]

The sldr 430 is not the most forgiving driver as it stands, but most tour drivers are less forgiving. It does feel like I get a better ball flight and distance out of the smaller drivers while mishits are better on the 905r among others. Basically what you would expect.

[craniac76]

[quote name='Awarren11' timestamp='1412999894' post='10269281']
The sldr 430 is not the most forgiving driver as it stands, but most tour drivers are less forgiving. It does feel like I get a better ball flight and distance out of the smaller drivers while mishits are better on the 905r among others. Basically what you would expect.
[/quote]

How about Covert Tour 2.0? 460cc Tour driver....

[justasgood]

Smaller head less chance to miss the sweet spot.

[bigred90gt]

I prefer the look of smaller heads. The ERC fusion is one of my favorite drivers, along with the R7 425. I wish I still had the first ERC Fusion I bought. It was a cannon. I currently have a 910D3, which is not a lot smaller than the D2, but it's something. I wish they would make 400cc and smaller heads again.

The only 460cc head I ever got along with consistently is a 7.5 deg G15.

Just the same, I prefer to play blades over GI irons. I bought my MP68 as a 7-8 handicap, and was able to get to a 3.2 with them. I got away from them after my first back surgery, but put them back in the bag a month or 2 before my last one. When I start playing again, I am going to stick with them until I need new irons, then I will look at whichever ones are available in lefty (which ain't many, unfortunately).

[grayfox]

Im gaming the TEE xcg7 beta and i really like the smaller head. The 9.5 setting I play it in is about 3* open and it gives me a nice fade flight. I find the fairway with this thing more than I did with any of the 460 heads I hit while hitting it pretty much the same distance.

[hh2nd]

I just went back to my old 983K. Played yesterday and hit more fairways than I have hit in a single round all season.

[Gauchograd99]

I really miss smaller headed drivers, but since "everyone knows" it is easier to hit a bigger headed driver there is no turning back. Soon, we will have 600cc heads and I will have to bring my old Mizuno T-Zoid Forged Titanium driver out just to vex people.

[playa]

[quote name='hh2nd' timestamp='1413052372' post='10271129']
I just went back to my old 983K. Played yesterday and hit more fairways than I have hit in a single round all season.
[/quote]
That's pretty cool. Must have been interesting to see the looks you got from other players. I hit a 983K during a round a couple years ago, and I was amazed at how solid and stable it felt through impact. Real feeling of precision hitting that thing. Have been considering tracking one down since that day but have a 905T I'm reshafting which I will ty first. I'm happy with my Cleveland Classic 310, but would like to have an old school driver to fall back on. I also can't help ho'ing so I figure if I get a couple drivers I really like I can swap them around without buying new stuff.

[CHSStateChamp]

I have more success with a smaller headed driver. I use a cally Razr hawk tour and a cleveland launcher tl310. They just inspire more confidence standing over the ball. With a huge driver, I feel like I cannot find the center of the face as consistently. Probably just a mental thing.

[bobcat]

The OP is abolustely right on with his comments about the Cleveland Classic 310 Tour Driver. With the stock Miyazaki Kusala Black 61 shaft that driver does NOT like to go left, (hook/draw) at all. If you are a RH player who is looking to take the left side out of play, you will not likely find a better driver option than the Cleveland Classic 310 Tour. It is also one of the longest drivers ever made as well! Too many folks chose the Classic 290 when both drivers were available new, but for a better player, the Classic 310 was a much better choice.

[jonyim94]

Once I'm done tinkering & fine tuning my woods, I'll have my RAZR Hawk Tour driver in the bag. I'll keep the RAZR Fit driver as backup. I just like the smaller head of the RAZR Hawk Tour driver (450cc), but I also like the compact head of the RAZR Fit, considering the RAZR Fit is 460cc. I hate drivers that sit closed at address, but I'm scared of drivers that sit way open (1.5* or 2* open). I like smaller drivers that sit a little bit open (0.5* or 1* open). I guess it comes down to how I'm swinging and feeling that day.

[MacDaddyMike]

[quote name='bobcat' timestamp='1413067256' post='10271933']
The OP is abolustely right on with his comments about the Cleveland Classic 310 Tour Driver. With the stock Miyazaki Kusala Black 61 shaft that driver does NOT like to go left, (hook/draw) at all. If you are a RH player who is looking to take the left side out of play, you will not likely find a better driver option than the Cleveland Classic 310 Tour. It is also one of the longest drivers ever made as well! Too many folks chose the Classic 290 when both drivers were available new, but for a better player, the Classic 310 was a much better choice.


[/quote]

I sold my cleveland classic 310 because I missed left with it way to often. It just felt to light. Now I'm playing the ping anser with miyazaki kusala black 72x and it's much much better. I can actually hit a fade with it.

[playa]

[quote name='MacDaddyMike' timestamp='1413072921' post='10272277']
[quote name='bobcat' timestamp='1413067256' post='10271933']
The OP is abolustely right on with his comments about the Cleveland Classic 310 Tour Driver. With the stock Miyazaki Kusala Black 61 shaft that driver does NOT like to go left, (hook/draw) at all. If you are a RH player who is looking to take the left side out of play, you will not likely find a better driver option than the Cleveland Classic 310 Tour. It is also one of the longest drivers ever made as well! Too many folks chose the Classic 290 when both drivers were available new, but for a better player, the Classic 310 was a much better choice.


[/quote]

I sold my cleveland classic 310 because I missed left with it way to often. It just felt to light. Now I'm playing the ping anser with miyazaki kusala black 72x and it's much much better. I can actually hit a fade with it.
[/quote]
I have to hit a real bad arm swing to hit it left with my 310. Any semi decent swing and it will always play left to right. Maybe you set up for draws. I set up slightly open and hit push fades every time. Like mentioned above, I also find mine to be really long. I hit my fades with the 310 longer than draws with other clubs. It's the perfect combination of distance and accuracy for me.

[hh2nd]

[quote name='playa' timestamp='1413063833' post='10271709'][quote name='hh2nd' timestamp='1413052372' post='10271129']
I just went back to my old 983K. Played yesterday and hit more fairways than I have hit in a single round all season.
[/quote]
That's pretty cool. Must have been interesting to see the looks you got from other players. I hit a 983K during a round a couple years ago, and I was amazed at how solid and stable it felt through impact. Real feeling of precision hitting that thing. Have been considering tracking one down since that day but have a 905T I'm reshafting which I will ty first. I'm happy with my Cleveland Classic 310, but would like to have an old school driver to fall back on. I also can't help ho'ing so I figure if I get a couple drivers I really like I can swap them around without buying new stuff.[/quote]

It was really funny. My playing partner was hitting a Ping G25 and kept asking me if I wanted to hit his driver. I can't figure out why he was asking because I out drove him on every single hole. I even hit an old Mizuno F60 3 wood past his driver on one hole.

[MacDaddyMike]

[quote name='playa' timestamp='1413074624' post='10272419']
[quote name='MacDaddyMike' timestamp='1413072921' post='10272277']
[quote name='bobcat' timestamp='1413067256' post='10271933']
The OP is abolustely right on with his comments about the Cleveland Classic 310 Tour Driver. With the stock Miyazaki Kusala Black 61 shaft that driver does NOT like to go left, (hook/draw) at all. If you are a RH player who is looking to take the left side out of play, you will not likely find a better driver option than the Cleveland Classic 310 Tour. It is also one of the longest drivers ever made as well! Too many folks chose the Classic 290 when both drivers were available new, but for a better player, the Classic 310 was a much better choice.


[/quote]

I sold my cleveland classic 310 because I missed left with it way to often. It just felt to light. Now I'm playing the ping anser with miyazaki kusala black 72x and it's much much better. I can actually hit a fade with it.
[/quote]
I have to hit a real bad arm swing to hit it left with my 310. Any semi decent swing and it will always play left to right. Maybe you set up for draws. I set up slightly open and hit push fades every time. Like mentioned above, I also find mine to be really long. I hit my fades with the 310 longer than draws with other clubs. It's the perfect combination of distance and accuracy for me.
[/quote]

The classic 310 is certainly a great club. I used it in the u.s open qualifier this year and had some pretty good success. But for me I had to play about a 30 yard draw with it. As for the anser I can aim down the center and play a draw or fade. And usually I struggle with hitting a fade.

Edit-Spelling

[Awarren11]

[quote name='jonyim94' timestamp='1413070921' post='10272123']Once I'm done tinkering & fine tuning my woods, I'll have my RAZR Hawk Tour driver in the bag. I'll keep the RAZR Fit driver as backup. I just like the smaller head of the RAZR Hawk Tour driver (450cc), but I also like the compact head of the RAZR Fit, considering the RAZR Fit is 460cc. I hate drivers that sit closed at address, but I'm scared of drivers that sit way open (1.5* or 2* open). I like smaller drivers that sit a little bit open (0.5* or 1* open). I guess it comes down to how I'm swinging and feeling that day.[/quote]

I think the RFX I had was a 440 head. What is your loft? I think 9.5 and lower had a 440 head. Something like that anyway.

[playa]

[quote name='MacDaddyMike' timestamp='1413076179' post='10272553']
[quote name='playa' timestamp='1413074624' post='10272419']
[quote name='MacDaddyMike' timestamp='1413072921' post='10272277']
[quote name='bobcat' timestamp='1413067256' post='10271933']
The OP is abolustely right on with his comments about the Cleveland Classic 310 Tour Driver. With the stock Miyazaki Kusala Black 61 shaft that driver does NOT like to go left, (hook/draw) at all. If you are a RH player who is looking to take the left side out of play, you will not likely find a better driver option than the Cleveland Classic 310 Tour. It is also one of the longest drivers ever made as well! Too many folks chose the Classic 290 when both drivers were available new, but for a better player, the Classic 310 was a much better choice.


[/quote]

I sold my cleveland classic 310 because I missed left with it way to often. It just felt to light. Now I'm playing the ping anser with miyazaki kusala black 72x and it's much much better. I can actually hit a fade with it.
[/quote]
I have to hit a real bad arm swing to hit it left with my 310. Any semi decent swing and it will always play left to right. Maybe you set up for draws. I set up slightly open and hit push fades every time. Like mentioned above, I also find mine to be really long. I hit my fades with the 310 longer than draws with other clubs. It's the perfect combination of distance and accuracy for me.
[/quote]

The classic 310 is certainly a great club. I used it in the u.s open qualifier this year and had some pretty good success. But for me I had to play about a 30 yard draw with it. As for the anser I can aim down the center and play a draw or fade. And usually I struggle with hitting a fade.

Edit-Spelling
[/quote]
Aha, now I understand where you're coming from. We aren't making an apples to apples comparison. You are a US Open qualifier and I'm a mid single digit hacker haha. I would imagine there is a difference of at least 10mph between us as well as you having a far more inside to insde swing path. I can see how at your level you would need a heavier combo and maybe an even more open face, but for weekend warriors like myself the 310 is very hard to hook.

[Redhill]

I like them, not for the smaller sized heads, but for the open faces. Many are square to 2* open and I like that set up.

I'm perfectly capable of making the tee shot go right to left all by myself without any assistance from a closed clubface.

[MacDaddyMike]

[quote name='playa' timestamp='1413084835' post='10273127']
[quote name='MacDaddyMike' timestamp='1413076179' post='10272553']
[quote name='playa' timestamp='1413074624' post='10272419']
[quote name='MacDaddyMike' timestamp='1413072921' post='10272277']
[quote name='bobcat' timestamp='1413067256' post='10271933']
The OP is abolustely right on with his comments about the Cleveland Classic 310 Tour Driver. With the stock Miyazaki Kusala Black 61 shaft that driver does NOT like to go left, (hook/draw) at all. If you are a RH player who is looking to take the left side out of play, you will not likely find a better driver option than the Cleveland Classic 310 Tour. It is also one of the longest drivers ever made as well! Too many folks chose the Classic 290 when both drivers were available new, but for a better player, the Classic 310 was a much better choice.


[/quote]

I sold my cleveland classic 310 because I missed left with it way to often. It just felt to light. Now I'm playing the ping anser with miyazaki kusala black 72x and it's much much better. I can actually hit a fade with it.
[/quote]
I have to hit a real bad arm swing to hit it left with my 310. Any semi decent swing and it will always play left to right. Maybe you set up for draws. I set up slightly open and hit push fades every time. Like mentioned above, I also find mine to be really long. I hit my fades with the 310 longer than draws with other clubs. It's the perfect combination of distance and accuracy for me.
[/quote]

The classic 310 is certainly a great club. I used it in the u.s open qualifier this year and had some pretty good success. But for me I had to play about a 30 yard draw with it. As for the anser I can aim down the center and play a draw or fade. And usually I struggle with hitting a fade.

Edit-Spelling
[/quote]
Aha, now I understand where you're coming from. We aren't making an apples to apples comparison. You are a US Open qualifier and I'm a mid single digit hacker haha. I would imagine there is a difference of at least 10mph between us as well as you having a far more inside to insde swing path. I can see how at your level you would need a heavier combo and maybe an even more open face, but for weekend warriors like myself the 310 is very hard to hook.
[/quote]
I wouldn't call yourself a hacker! Mid single digits is better then most! The 310 classic still has one of the best stock shafts ever. And the head shape is much much prettier then my anser. I actually would like to find one of them classic 290 heads that are tour issue. T3 stamp I think. And put my miyazaki black 72x in it!

[Rodabodem]

The only 460 head I like is the G25. That's a hell of a club right there. Other than that, I like 440 and below. I prefer 420.

[jonyim94]

[quote name='Awarren11' timestamp='1413082676' post='10272993']
[quote name='jonyim94' timestamp='1413070921' post='10272123']Once I'm done tinkering & fine tuning my woods, I'll have my RAZR Hawk Tour driver in the bag. I'll keep the RAZR Fit driver as backup. I just like the smaller head of the RAZR Hawk Tour driver (450cc), but I also like the compact head of the RAZR Fit, considering the RAZR Fit is 460cc. I hate drivers that sit closed at address, but I'm scared of drivers that sit way open (1.5* or 2* open). I like smaller drivers that sit a little bit open (0.5* or 1* open). I guess it comes down to how I'm swinging and feeling that day.[/quote]

I think the RFX I had was a 440 head. What is your loft? I think 9.5 and lower had a 440 head. Something like that anyway.
[/quote]

Yeah, I remember for the RFX driver anything loft at 10.5* and below had a 440cc head. I think 11.5* and above had a 460cc head. I have the original RAZR Fit driver, tried the Xtreme head and didn't quite work out. Maybe it wasn't meant for me or wasn't swinging well back then.

[phizzy30]

Can't stand 460cc drivers. I have to play with a driver that is at least 2 degrees open which is why I play tour issue. My R1 v2 is cranked open to 2.25 degrees set in neutral. My FT-9TA previously was 2 degrees open. I like heads that are 400-430cc.

[Free swingr]

I've used a bunch of your heads over the years and I much prefer them. I like lower lofted and I like atleast 2* open. I've got some friends on staff with Taylormade and their tour heads fit me great!!

I like my 3 wood and hybrid to be smaller and open too.

[RandomGolfGuy]

I prefer the smaller head drivers. Favorite to date was the FT Tour 440cc. I do play the RAZR fit currently which is like 450 I think but doesn't look huge or big. I can deal with the 460s that have a smaller profile front to back with deeper faces DBD is a great example of current models. I could never get comfortable with pings g series bc they look so huge, not saying they weren't good drivers just dont like the huge look

[Spooky67]

Most accurate driver I ever played was a Nike Ignite 410 tour issue 9.5deg.