Driver fitting with unexpected result

[leeux]

Hey guys, had a driver fitting today, had 350€ (Germany) store credit and wanted to look at the newest main stream drivers (no where near the number of models as in the UK or US). I am currently gaming an old Cobra F6+ set to 9.5 Draw with stiff shaft and was looking for more forgiveness and a little bit more distance (hit it about 230 yds carry with around 100 mpg swingspeed).

 

Sim 2, Sim2 Max, Ping G425 Max, Cobra Radspeed, Tileist TSi3 and Cobra SZ all in 9 degrees and their stock stiff shafts in 60g. Hit 5-10 balls for each driver.

 

Guess which driver won? The longest drive I hit was with the Titleist (240 yds) but the best dispersion in terms of distance and accuracy was with my old driver. I was puzzled as was the fitter. He told me that I could spend 600€ (yep that expensive in Germany) for 2 yds more max distance or keep my old driver and look at something else in the store.

 

I looked at a Scotty Newport but did not want to rush, so I left with a a new trolley and box of new Titleist balls.

 

How many times has this happend to you guys? Wanting to spend a lot of money for a new driver but then the old one was still the best although it is 5-6 years old (fitter and I agreed that I fitted my driver to an optimum).

 

I am a bit disillusioned I must say.

 

 

[PJE]

Drivers have been maxed out as far as distance for about 10 years now. Some of the newer models are more forgiving than older models on off center strikes but since your current driver fits you well and as long as it fits your eye, stick with it!

 

 

[Go Horns!]

Sorry, but that was not a fitting. You just hit a bunch of clubs. 

[DangleGolf]

2 minutes ago, Go Horns! said:

Sorry, but that was not a fitting. You just hit a bunch of clubs. 

This^ A proper fitter would've worked with different shafts and settings to tighten your dispersion, maximized efficiency, etc. You just demo'd some clubs

[leeux]

Yes that is correct, more of a demo. We did switch a couple of shafts etc. BUT finding a proper fitter in Germany is hard, plus the good ones are really expensive and booked solid for months these days (Golf has also become really popular in Germany in the last year).

 

Guy at the store was very nice but less technical. I will save more money and book a proper fitter, OR I will do the golfwrx thing, buy more used drivers and tinker with them 😉 

[Jeff58]

1 hour ago, leeux said:

 

I looked at a Scotty Newport but did not want to rush, so I left with a a new trolley and box of new Titleist balls.

 

I am a bit disillusioned I must say.

The price of V1’s is definitely out of control 🙄

[BlueDragonKorea]

Hitting only stock shafts isn’t a fitting. The club fitter isn’t actually a fitter

[RogerinNewZealand]

Op mentioned 100mph swing, so not a lot too gain there with newer lower spin,eg 6 yards? Theres a great 2nd swing video with all the 910 to tsi on line,6 models... yes gain 6yards but dispersion was best with 910! Get a nice putter,or new wedges? Excellent that the Staff were helpful,yes its not a fitting,but for lower speed guys there is far less too gain.Im hitting 97mph this morning...looking for 100mph by October..917d3 is a well behaved  choice for me

[leeux]

In the end bought a used Mizuno ST 190 with a 60g Tensei Blue shaft, nice solid driver, not much longer than my old Cobra 6+, but it sounds and feels better, seems to be more forgiving as well, hit several drives today from the heel, toe and middle and the the results were quite good, all but one, pretty long and in play. Of course I goofed around with all lofts and ended up with 8 degrees.

 

I really need new wedges though…and a new putter and …. 

Edited June 12, 2021 by leeux

[rp4golf]

On 5/22/2021 at 12:02 PM, leeux said:

How many times has this happend to you guys? Wanting to spend a lot of money for a new driver but then the old one was still the best although it is 5-6 years old (fitter and I agreed that I fitted my driver to an optimum).

 

I am a bit disillusioned I must say.

Not sure why you're disillusioned, what I'm disillusioned about is how many 2021 drivers I see in people's bags. Frankly, I find it bizarre that so many are so easily dragged into having the latest and greatest in their bags - and/or if they were actually comparison fitted or not.

While it's often said that technology changes enough that drivers time out every five years or so, your results also make me wonder if it was your current shaft or not (and if you'd hit the heads you tried with your current shaft to make an accurate comparison) ... because oftentimes it's more about the shaft than it is about the actual head, and in a way why you see Tour pros (Rory McIllroy being the most recent example) go back to shafts they were hitting 5 years ago.

Personally, whenever I do a lot of club demo-ing - whether it's at one of a numerous manufacturer demo days at my club, or in my travels and visits to bigbox golf retailers, I'm always trying different stuff.
But I'm never disillusioned when my old stuff performs better or just as well as the new stuff - actually, I'm kinda happy about it. At the same time my driver and fairways don't match, they're different models and years, as I don't want anything in my bag that I don't hit the best whether it's this year's model or one 5 or 10 years old.

[phizzy30]

1 hour ago, rp4golf said:

Not sure why you're disillusioned, what I'm disillusioned about is how many 2021 drivers I see in people's bags. Frankly, I find it bizarre that so many are so easily dragged into having the latest and greatest in their bags - and/or if they were actually comparison fitted or not.

While it's often said that technology changes enough that drivers time out every five years or so, your results also make me wonder if it was your current shaft or not (and if you'd hit the heads you tried with your current shaft to make an accurate comparison) ... because oftentimes it's more about the shaft than it is about the actual head, and in a way why you see Tour pros (Rory McIllroy being the most recent example) go back to shafts they were hitting 5 years ago.

Personally, whenever I do a lot of club demo-ing - whether it's at one of a numerous manufacturer demo days at my club, or in my travels and visits to bigbox golf retailers, I'm always trying different stuff.
But I'm never disillusioned when my old stuff performs better or just as well as the new stuff - actually, I'm kinda happy about it. At the same time my driver and fairways don't match, they're different models and years, as I don't want anything in my bag that I don't hit the best whether it's this year's model or one 5 or 10 years old.

I'm a driver ho.  I must have the latest and greatest, lol.  Naw, I will keep my drivers for about 3 to 4 years once I'm settled on one.  However, I love to tinker with shafts so I may switch to something else every year.  We all have our vices.  The other clubs, I rarely change unless they have worn grooves or are miles better.  If you look at my sig, you will see that I still have an old hybrid and putter.  My irons and wedges were all about 10 years old in my old set up so I decided to switch them out recently.