Drivers - Old vs New

[just_steveu]

You hear all of the marketing propaganda about the new drivers. No doubt the newer heads have better face design optimization for spin and forgiveness, but does anyone have any any actual monitor numbers directly comparing the old and new heads? Do the old ones launch higher and spin more? I'm particularly interested in the TM 5xx series vs anything 2017 and newer as the TM 5xx series were one of the first that were +400cc and maxed at .830 COR. 

[phizzy30]

No trackman numbers unfortunately old vs. new.  I've been on trackman with the newer offerings last year and eons ago when the older r11 and FT-9TA models were available.  When they all were hit on the sweet spot there wasn't much of a difference.  The biggest difference between old and new is dispersion and ball speed on mis hits.  I lose less ball speed on the newer drivers and the ball doesn't seem to go as far offline either. 

[just_steveu]

Thanks Phizzy, Looks like I'll probably just pick a head that I like, make a swag on a couple shafts and hit them head to head vs the 580XD....  I was taking a flyer and hoping that someone might have gone through the testing and saved the data.... 

[RogerinNewZealand]

Ping G5 and V1 Rapture are my go too..plus i buy a 910/913/915/917 every summer.Just sold an M1 430 and can safely say intoo wind thats 15+ yards ahead..but i couldnt hit 60% of fairways! Rapture is still great if im great.Just grabbed a 917d3 head need a tensei blue av65R...if that can beat the 909d2 i had 2 years ago in distance,will be happy...909 was sweet! The R11s were the start of the Low Spin Era...

[kmay__]

This might be something worth watching for you.... there's lots of these type of old vs new comparisons on youtube. 

 

 

[just_steveu]

KMAY, I remember watching that one now that you've reminded me. Thanks for bringing that one up. Interesting that the ball speeds are lower from a clubface that was supposed to be max COR....???

 

Most interesting quote, and why I was looking for the info  "You could probably pull it out of the cupboard... go play it... yep and think that that's OK. I'll go that the ball flights quite nice. You know go play your course without putting up against today's tech you're really not gonna know what's the biggest difference then are ye....."

 

And the search for the perfect shaft begins again.

Edited April 17, 2021 by just_steveu
added content

[NRJyzr]

16 hours ago, kmay__ said:

This might be something worth watching for you.... there's lots of these type of old vs new comparisons on youtube. 

 

 

 

I also like the "five years of <insert company name here> drivers" videos from Rick Shiels.  They're not perfect, but they give some idea of the comparative performance of recent (or recent-ish) sticks.  

[just_steveu]

- When I've tested drivers over the years I always seem to end up with a Taylormade. So, I'm gonna see if I can try some M1/M3/M5 heads - The Sim is just plain out of my price range. I like the M1/M3 tracks... looks like there are replacement or aftermarket weights available. 

- Tried a new Callaway Epic Speed and liked it - but not $500 worth of like.... maybe $250 worth of like if I had a fitted shaft too.... LOL. Might see if I can find some 2017 - 2020 Callaway heads to test.

- I've tried several different Ping offerings over the years..... other than putters, Ping and I just don't get along. I tried the G400/410/425, the looks and feel didn't work for me.

- Have not ruled out a Titleist head, but the last ones I tried were the 975 and 983 series about 15 years ago.....

 

- Most used heads are 9.5* or more loft.... I kinda want to try 8.5* to go with a positive AoA of 3.5* to 5* ... let's see what I can find.

 

 

 

 

[hammergolf]

There are many videos comparing drivers. The new drivers COR is not greater on cg strikes. However, they are faster over a larger area of the face. Now, what that means on the course? A few yards maybe.

 

 

[just_steveu]

Thanks.... I haven't started to review Titleist videos yet. I've concentrated on the TM/Ping/Cally/ videos til now. 

Edited April 17, 2021 by just_steveu
because I type as bad as I swing...

[nitram]

Like Phizzy said above, if you hit it in the sweet spot you're not going to see much difference. I'd still be bagging a FT9-TA if I could keep one together. I have a SLDR 430 JDM (2012) that is still the longest driver I've ever touched. It's that minuscule sweet spot that stops me from bagging it.

[phizzy30]

16 minutes ago, nitram said:

Like Phizzy said above, if you hit it in the sweet spot you're not going to see much difference. I'd still be bagging a FT9-TA if I could keep one together. I have a SLDR 430 JDM (2012) that is still the longest driver I've ever touched. It's that minuscule sweet spot that stops me from bagging it.

The FT-9TA also had a tiny sweet spot as well.  When my swing was off, I would be in for a long day.  Ball speeds were unbelievable though when it was crushed.  I touched 185 ball speed, my highest ever back in the day. 

[lvgolfer962]

In my testing with my launch monitor in my garage setup, I’m finding the same thing as phizzy said. When I hit it on the screws they are all the same, the miss hits are where the difference is with the new offerings. 
 

I’ve been hitting my titleist 983k, 905t and ts4 with the same ball speed on center hits. My old wood driver I mess around with is the only one that’s a bit slower on center hits(but that’s to be expected). 

 

[pup142]

Whatever works use it.

Edited April 19, 2021 by pup142