A driver question with no answer...

[jomatty]

So I know that there is no real answer to this question without getting fitted.  That said, I’m curious what others think and what direction they would go.  
 

I recently just got a TS2 drivers for my wife and myself.  It’s working out great for my wife, but hasn’t been a great fit for me.  I’m hitting it fine and finding a lot of fairways, but just don’t love it.  I was gaming a Mizuno st190 before that and liked it quite a bit, but got a good deal on the ts2 so decided to give it a try.  It’s just not as long for me as the st190 was.  So I’m going to buy another new driver (most likely used) and sell the ts2 and the st190.  The question is what direction to go.  This driver will last me until spring 2022 in theory.  At that point I plan on doing a full bag fit and getting new irons as well as get fitted for driver.  There is a part of me that wants to go do it this spring but my i500’s are in good shape and I don’t really think I can do much better for my game right now.

 

So, instead of getting fitted for driver now or in the spring I’m going to wait (I know I know 😂 not what anyone in this forum would suggest).  The drivers I’m looking at now are the Mizuno st200, the epic flash, or the cobra sz.  I know I will like the st200 so am leaning a little in that direction.  It is so similar to the st190 that I know I’ll like it but am also curious about trying something new.  Cobra is a company I’ve never used but I like the look of the black and white sz’s and can get one of them new instead of used at a good price.  The color way of the epic flash is not something I’m thrilled with, but if it performs I can get past that.

 

any thoughts or any other drivers I should consider?

[Chadwickog]

You still have the st190? Why wouldn’t you just put that back in the bag?

[Golf64]

G410.

[Davidv]

If you go with the Mizuno you will always be wondering what the Cobra is like. So what the hell go with the Cobra, good price, something different.

[RxGolf1]

I own the Epic Flash and Speedzone Extreme. The EF is much hotter, especially on miss hits.  

[thisjustanother]

ive been gaming my G410plus for the past 6 months and it has been great.  another good option that people seem to be raving over is the PXG 0810 prototype. 

[jomatty]

8 hours ago, Chadwickog said:

You still have the st190? Why wouldn’t you just put that back in the bag?

I do still have it. The main reason to not do that is it seems like a lot less fun.  I agree that’s probably the smart answer though. Then I’d have some money to spend on a new putter that I don’t need...

[jomatty]

7 hours ago, Davidv said:

If you go with the Mizuno you will always be wondering what the Cobra is like. So what the hell go with the Cobra, good price, something different.

That’s kind of my main reason I was thinking about going with something else. I know the Mizuno will be about exactly the same as the one I have but may be a little more stable.  

[Justsomeguy]

It's not the head, it's the shaft. Even if it's the same shaft, it's the head shaft combo.

[Pepperturbo]

Well, that's the reason there are a slew of drivers made, and even more for resale. 

 

I don't have a clue as to why you're not hitting the TS2 well.  I've had mine since it was introduced, only I never liked the stock shaft.  Not until I got a sleeve put on my Fujikura Fuel Tour Spec 60 shaft was I really happy.  But when I put a Ventus Red "S" in it and got it dialed in, I been happier than a pig in slop, ever since.  That shaft is keeping me in the game.  

 

What I can say about TS2 head is it's forgiving and with Ventus it's got me out there with others much younger.

Edited October 16, 2020 by Pepperturbo

[jomatty]

21 minutes ago, Pepperturbo said:

Well, that's the reason there are a slew of drivers made, and even more for resale. 

 

I don't have a clue as to why you're not hitting the TS2 well.  I've had mine since it was introduced, only I never liked the stock shaft.  Not until I got a sleeve put on my Fujikura Fuel Tour Spec 60 shaft was I really happy.  But when I put a Ventus Red "S" in it and got it dialed in, I been happier than a pig in slop, ever since.  That shaft is keeping me in the game.  

 

What I can say about TS2 head is it's forgiving and with Ventus it's got me out there with others much younger.

I don’t know what to tell you. I just don’t like the DS2 that much. I know it’s a good head and I have found it very forgiving. I just don’t care for the look at a dress which could be making me less confident.  I’m not using the original shaft but a shaft I know I get along with (hc evenflow blue).  I think it has something to do with the shallow looking face at the squashed looking head. I thought I was gonna like it but I just don’t... I certainly could play it just fine but it’s not my preference

 

and of course this is the reason there are a lot of drivers made. Any of us could do just fine with any of the modern drivers. But I enjoy trying different things and trying to find something a little more optimal. It may cost a little bit more than just getting fit in the long run but I like trying different things and having them in the bag for awhile.  

[Pepperturbo]

2 minutes ago, jomatty said:

I don’t know what to tell you. I just don’t like the DS2 that much. I know it’s a good head and I have found it very forgiving. I just don’t care for the look at a dress which could be making me less confident.  I’m not using the original shaft but a shaft I know I get along with (hc evenflow blue).  I think it has something to do with the shallow looking face at the squashed looking head. I thought I was gonna like it but I just don’t... I certainly could play it just fine but it’s not my preference

 

and of course this is the reason there are a lot of drivers made. Any of us could do just fine with any of the modern drivers. But I enjoy trying different things and trying to find something a little more optimal. It may cost a little bit more than just getting fit in the long run but I like trying different things and having them in the bag for awhile.  

 

OK - everyone is different and has quirks.  Not heard anyone say the head is squashed looking, though.  LOL  Before I bought it I tried TM and Cobra and Callaway drivers, it's relatively the same 460cc size as those except painted different.  Have you messed with sleeve setting.

 

Mine is 9.5', sleeve is A4 and 44.75" OA playing length.

[TourSpoon]

I haven't had a Titleist driver since the 975D model (best headcover ever). I switched to Cally and never looked back until this year going from a Razr Tour Authentic to a Cobra F9 with a PX Even Flow White shaft that I ordered from Cobra directly on closeout. I had tried the newer version and liked the head and had hit the shaft in a different head so I knew that it would work for me. If it didn't I would quietly go back to my TA. With that being said, life is too short to be hitting equipment you don't have confidence in so kick it out of the bag and hit your Mizzy as you begin to search for a new mistress. 

[jomatty]

2 hours ago, Pepperturbo said:

 

OK - everyone is different and has quirks.  Not heard anyone say the head is squashed looking, though.  LOL  Before I bought it I tried TM and Cobra and Callaway drivers, it's relatively the same 460cc size as those except painted different.  Have you messed with sleeve setting.

 

Mine is 9.5', sleeve is A4 and 44.75" OA playing length.

When I say squashed looking I’m not saying it’s a bad looking head. I like the way it looked well enough that I bought it. But the face is definitely shallower and larger looking then some other heads, even though they are the same size. For instance the TS3 is also 460 cc And appears taller and smaller overall. I know it’s a great driver it’s just not for me. My wife absolutely loves hers and it’s tacked 10 yards on from the old ping she was using

[jomatty]

It’s strange that I don’t get along well with the driver because I’m playing with the TS2 hybrid in Fairway and love them both...

[clinkinfo]

16 hours ago, jomatty said:

When I say squashed looking I’m not saying it’s a bad looking head. I like the way it looked well enough that I bought it. But the face is definitely shallower and larger looking then some other heads, even though they are the same size. For instance the TS3 is also 460 cc And appears taller and smaller overall. I know it’s a great driver it’s just not for me. My wife absolutely loves hers and it’s tacked 10 yards on from the old ping she was using

 

it’s ok, we all have preferences.  I personally think Titleist drivers are ugly, always have, probably will until a new shape is around.  I don’t know what it is, but I just don’t like them even though I recognize they are probably actually traditional looking.   It’s ok, we all have that kind of weird preference, the key is just being honest with yourself.  If you’re drawn for example to the weird turbulator things on the ping, go try the ping.  It’s weird how our preferences affect our perception and actual results.

 

but I guess it would be nice if you could clearly state what it is you don’t like, for example:

 

Stuff like I’m losing distance, the ball is flying too high, I Slice it or hook it all the time.  Or is it simply I don’t like the way it looks?

 

It might help us understand and make better suggestions. 

 

 

[jomatty]

5 minutes ago, clinkinfo said:

 

it’s ok, we all have preferences.  I personally think Titleist drivers are ugly, always have, probably will until a new shape is around.  I don’t know what it is, but I just don’t like them even though I recognize they are probably actually traditional looking.   It’s ok, we all have that kind of weird preference, the key is just being honest with yourself.  If you’re drawn for example to the weird turbulator things on the ping, go try the ping.  It’s weird how our preferences affect our perception and actual results.

 

but I guess it would be nice if you could clearly state what it is you don’t like, for example:

 

Stuff like I’m losing distance, the ball is flying too high, I Slice it or hook it all the time.  Or is it simply I don’t like the way it looks?

 

It might help us understand and make better suggestions. 

 

 

I don’t like the shallower face and larger looking head (I know they are all 460cc).  Mostly 8 dnt like the results I’m getting which are kind of blah...

[clinkinfo]

Just now, jomatty said:

I don’t like the shallower face and larger looking head (I know they are all 460cc).  Mostly 8 dnt like the results I’m getting which are kind of blah...

 

so by blah do you mean poor distance, or erratic direction? Or even just flat out bad contact?  I also don’t like shallow driver faces, so I get that.   I really like the epic SZ, more than the maverik even.  Nice deep face, great ballspeed, and somehow compact looking on top (to me).  The only thing I don’t like is the sound, it’s definitely loud and tingy.  But I also tend to like callaway and taylormade driver shapes. Not all of them, but as a generalized statement.  

[Pepperturbo]

20 hours ago, jomatty said:

When I say squashed looking I’m not saying it’s a bad looking head. I like the way it looked well enough that I bought it. But the face is definitely shallower and larger looking then some other heads, even though they are the same size. For instance the TS3 is also 460 cc And appears taller and smaller overall. I know it’s a great driver it’s just not for me. My wife absolutely loves hers and it’s tacked 10 yards on from the old ping she was using

Years back when I had a lot more power, I played 905S with fully inserted Grafalloy Blue S, which was the TS3 equivalent.  I didn't buy the TS3 because these days I don't work the ball much with driver, and when I do, TS2 is enough.  But I understand we're all different.  But I reiterate, at 70 I can still get it out there 250 and some times even more with TS2 and Ventus, and dispersion is minimal.  Thank you technology.

[jomatty]

12 hours ago, clinkinfo said:

 

so by blah do you mean poor distance, or erratic direction? Or even just flat out bad contact?  I also don’t like shallow driver faces, so I get that.   I really like the epic SZ, more than the maverik even.  Nice deep face, great ballspeed, and somehow compact looking on top (to me).  The only thing I don’t like is the sound, it’s definitely loud and tingy.  But I also tend to like callaway and taylormade driver shapes. Not all of them, but as a generalized statement.  

Distance.  Like I said earlier it’s fairly straight.  I just found quite often that I would think I had really hit one well I’d get to my ball and be surprised at my position.  

[clinkinfo]

8 hours ago, jomatty said:

Distance.  Like I said earlier it’s fairly straight.  I just found quite often that I would think I had really hit one well I’d get to my ball and be surprised at my position.  

 

so if the flight looks like the right height (or a bit high) you MIGHT be spinning the ball too much with that driver shaft combo.  Which is why you are ending up shorter than you expected.  Hard to say without really watching the flight and knowing what you’re looking for if you don’t have a monitor.  You want to see if it’s climbing up a bit like an iron, instead of launching and Looking flat.  Of course the opposite could be true too, you might be launching low with too little spin.  Maybe watch closely and see if you can tell, but obviously, it’s far easier to diagnose this with numbers from a launch monitor.  

 

 

[SubaruWRX]

On 10/16/2020 at 4:55 AM, Chadwickog said:

You still have the st190? Why wouldn’t you just put that back in the bag?

FTW! Sell the Titleist driver now while it’s still worth something. 

 
Save your money now and get fit at the end of next year. You’ll have been playing all of 2021 and should have a nice repeatable swing for a good fitting! It’s less than a year away and you’ll end up with a bag that suits you and your swing. 
 
Or you could just guess at it again and end up right where you are now. 

[nsxguy]

I've heard of planning ahead but 1.5 YEARS ahead ?

 

You've got 2 full driver releases between now and Spring of '22. What good is any advice now ?

 

That said, you seem to be price sensitive - and who can blame you. $450-550 for a new driver is a big ask.

 

But I can tell you, while I totally understand that many of us are very concerned with the physical appearance of clubs, it's a bit concerning that tiny strip of color on the back edge of the Epic Flash bothers you. But everybody's different,,,,,,,,,

 

And maybe I missed it but I don't see any stats to go by. Are you a high speed or high spin player ? Swing speed ? Handicap ? Dispersion pattern ? You've been around here for a little while now. Surely you've seen others requesting the same information about drivers, no ?

 

All these thing matter. If you spin it too much you don't want a high spin driver. If you're very crooked you want a more forgiving driver, etc., etc. ,etc........

 

For posters to help you they need to know something about you, not that you just want "more distance". Who doesn't ?

[Rapidcat]

I've thought about this situation in relation to my drivers.

 

For me there's an enjoyment derived from hitting a driver that 'just does it for you' in regards to looks, feel, sound as well as performance (distance, dispersion, flight).

 

I gamed a Srixon F545 driver for awhile which was fine but just didn't inspire me - it was, frankly utilitarian, got the job done but with no great enjoyment (and yes, the head/shaft combo - a Miyazaki Kuala, was likely the key reason but did play the head with another shaft and still just 'meh'). I liken it to driving a motor vehicle that you really enjoy re looks, feeling, handling, maybe brand image vs something else that doesn't 'float your boat'. Pretty much no poor cars produced these days and they'll get you from A to B but what do you enjoy more to take you on that journey?

 

Golf has a tactile, feel, senses element to it and I like to play clubs that satisfy my desires on that level, not just deliver a good result. Ideally I want the best result with the best experience, like everyone else on here I expect.

 

Don't stress over it, move the TS2 on and have some fun with something new, after all, you are getting fitted in the not to distant future so this next driver won't be long-term.

[Lemonde]

Go get fit with a brand new Titleist TSi3 with a beautiful pear shaped look at address, nothing like the rounded ts3 and trade in your squished ts2 and your mizuno driver when you towards the purchase price of the TSi3.    

[SwooshLT]

4 hours ago, Lemonde said:

Go get fit with a brand new Titleist TSi3 with a beautiful pear shaped look at address, nothing like the rounded ts3 and trade in your squished ts2 and your mizuno driver when you towards the purchase price of the TSi3.    

 

 

THIS X a bazillion......the TS2 does have a weird toe despite the ease in which it works ......

[SwooshLT]

Just now, SwooshLT said:

X

times 

[jomatty]

9 hours ago, nsxguy said:

I've heard of planning ahead but 1.5 YEARS ahead ?

 

You've got 2 full driver releases between now and Spring of '22. What good is any advice now ?

 

That said, you seem to be price sensitive - and who can blame you. $450-550 for a new driver is a big ask.

 

But I can tell you, while I totally understand that many of us are very concerned with the physical appearance of clubs, it's a bit concerning that tiny strip of color on the back edge of the Epic Flash bothers you. But everybody's different,,,,,,,,,

 

And maybe I missed it but I don't see any stats to go by. Are you a high speed or high spin player ? Swing speed ? Handicap ? Dispersion pattern ? You've been around here for a little while now. Surely you've seen others requesting the same information about drivers, no ?

 

All these thing matter. If you spin it too much you don't want a high spin driver. If you're very crooked you want a more forgiving driver, etc., etc. ,etc........

 

For posters to help you they need to know something about you, not that you just want "more distance". Who doesn't ?

I’ll try to answer your questions.  6 hcp give or take (6.4 currently).  1.5 years for two reasons.  It’s quite a drive to get fitted by anyone decent.  I’d like to get a full bag fitting when I spend a day doing it.  My irons are new this year, as are my wedges.  Also because I don’t think I want to spend the money for new on something only one generation newer than what I currently have.  It’s just not worth it to me and I would rather wait.  I get it that for many that seems crazy, but if I can get something for $300 or less and use a shaft I have that works better for me (you are right that price is a factor). It’s not like I’ll be playing persimmon until then and I really don’t want to spend money on a new shaft when I have a few that work for me already.  

 

I’m a moderate speed swinger.  Slower than I’d like for sure at around 100mph.  Fairly straight with a controlled fade on most swings, miss is almost always right, but I’m sensitive to going left.  I can live with my right miss but on the rare occasions I am going left that is what gets me in big trouble. 
 

I don’t have launch number data but for the most part I’m happy with my spin/ball flight.  I balloon one every now and again, but usually, am happy with my spin.

 

 

Edited October 19, 2020 by jomatty

[jomatty]

Put a Mizuno adaptor back on a shaft for the st190 and took it out today.  Felt much better.  I know it isn’t “hotter” than TS2 but I get more distance with it.  Fairly certain I’m going to order an st200 head and be done with it.  Very slight upgrade from what I have, but I know I’ll be comforatable with the head shaft combo.  Thanks for all the advice.

 

[iNeedMoreGolf]

Ive had a few cally drivers since 2017 and ive hit or played with at least 6 or 7 others... nothing compares in my opinion to the callaways. Distance is top notch, feel, sound and looks with plenty of forgiveness on the standard models.