Smaller head Drivers, 440 CC or 425 CC

[chriskilmer]

I hit my 3 wood fairly well off the tee but really struggle for some reason hitting any 460 CC Driver.  I feel I am giving up too much distance simply playing 3 wood the entire round and a buddy suggested I look for a smaller headed Driver, maybe a 425 or 440 size head.  Interested in opinions on some tried and true models anyone has played and had success with.

 

I figure it's worth a shot!  Thanks.

[Ghostwedge]

Get yourself a Ping G400 (not Max) problem solved.

[Fairway14]

28 minutes ago, chriskilmer said:

I hit my 3 wood fairly well off the tee but really struggle for some reason hitting any 460 CC Driver.  I feel I am giving up too much distance simply playing 3 wood the entire round and a buddy suggested I look for a smaller headed Driver, maybe a 425 or 440 size head.  Interested in opinions on some tried and true models anyone has played and had success with.

 

I figure it's worth a shot!  Thanks.

 

TM R7 425CC, KZG GF4 425CC, S-Yard T-388 (388 CC) all excellent. 

[Conrad1953]

50 minutes ago, Ghostwedge said:

Get yourself a Ping G400 (not Max) problem solved.

 

+1. I have one @ 445cc. Awesome driver!

[Valtiel]

1 hour ago, Ghostwedge said:

Get yourself a Ping G400 (not Max) problem solved.

Exactly what I was thinking as well. That or the LST. 

[RogerinNewZealand]

Back in time, 905T titleist,400cc or nike 420cc vr tour,2011! jdm ,Yonex Ezone 380 or 420cc 2011ish cool design🙂

Or Callaway mini driver?

[Mitchell]

Titleist 910d3 could be a good place to start.

[Titleist_PT23]

No need to go back in time too far.  TS4 or TSi4.

[Stuart_G]

13 hours ago, chriskilmer said:

I hit my 3 wood fairly well off the tee but really struggle for some reason hitting any 460 CC Driver. 

 

That's more likely due to the difference in playing length instead of head size.

 

But there are some people who do better with the smaller head so doesn't really hurt anything to give it a try.  Just realize a smaller volume doesn't always mean a smaller visual at address especially if it's only a 20-35 cc reduction in volume.   If you really want to get a noticeably smaller driver, look around for one of the various mini driver designs that are out there.

 

Edited June 1, 2021 by Stuart_G

[Texas Golfer]

If you can go down to 400cc, the TM 580 is a blaster.

[EaglesGolf99]

Boy that EZ One 380 was a heckuva stick! 

 

 

.... Dream Driver Alert! .... 

 

 

Callaway Epic Speed 390 Mini 10.5° @Callaway Golf Official

 

 

[SylvesterLundgren]

Honestly I’ve played both the Nike very tour and currently have a g400 rn. Lol would much rather take the g400 as the obvious upgrade, played the Nike for 8 years before moving into the ping(or anything newer). D3 heads may also be a idea for you. Bought my brother a 915 and he pokes his here and there all the time. 

[GatorNate11]

OP are you looking for something new and adjustable or are you ok with older and glued? I'm using a G400 and it's an absolute gem, I also played a 910D3 off and on for quite a while. Both can be had pretty cheap these days. Before those I used a few glued drivers that were sub 460, the Vr Tour being my favorite of all of them.

[courcy75]

Maybe a mini driver? I have one to mess around with and its a cannon. 

[cn34]

G400 (not max) is the most forgiving option. Had one, sold it, regret it. Maybe not as long, but very easy to hit 

 

G425 LST is 445 (I believe), fairly forgiving 

 

TSi4 as previously mentioned, haven't hit it, but have read it is not forgiving

[lefthack]

There is an SLDR mini on Facebook I'm trying to refuse until I can hit my M3:a little better. Might not happen.

[PEI_Golfer]

Shorter, heavier shaft and a modern head.  Simply getting a smaller head isn't going to cure anything...

[RobotDoctor]

My gamer is a Taylormade M3 9.5° 440cc driver.  I love the driver and size of it.  I feel confident shaping shots (normal ball flight is a slight draw).  I have never felt too comfortable with 460cc drivers.  My backup is a Titleist 905S 9.5° (400cc) which I really can hit well.

[golfjam]

I started with persimmon drivers when Big Bertha just being released. I'm used to smaller heads and prefer the looks of them. One of the best drivers of all time for me was 905S. Played G400 LST for a couple of years but I always go back to Titleist. Currently playing TS4 and happy with it.

Edited June 2, 2021 by golfjam

[puttingmatt]

You have choices, there are a few smaller cc drivers available, try them . I prefer less than 460cc size drivers, my set up gives me very consistent center strikes, and solid performance. Again, you have choices.

[Sparky14]

Wishon 519SHPR is around 410cc I think. Great head if you like the smaller ones.

[Kovey10]

2017 TM M1 440 was one of my all time favorite heads. 

[lefthack]

1 hour ago, Kovey10 said:

2017 TM M1 440 was one of my all time favorite heads. 

 

They either didn't make a lefty, or they are super rare because I've looked for one.

[grm24]

2 hours ago, lefthack said:

 

They either didn't make a lefty, or they are super rare because I've looked for one.

TM didn't make the 2017 440cc M1 or the 2016 430cc M1 driver in left hand at least at retail. Possible there could have been a few made for the tour. Sort of like the R15 430. Not available in left hand at retail but were a tour issue only release. 

[tsecor]

On 6/1/2021 at 6:01 AM, agolf1 said:

No need to go back in time too far.  TS4 or TSi4.

TSi4...the low spin monster......

[miles2go]

Wow. I play a G400 non max. Was thinking there must be something smaller i could try to increase swing speed.  Sounds like maybe not. Actually love the consistency of the club so guess I just keep it and work on my short game. 

[Valtiel]

2 hours ago, miles2go said:

Wow. I play a G400 non max. Was thinking there must be something smaller i could try to increase swing speed.  Sounds like maybe not. Actually love the consistency of the club so guess I just keep it and work on my short game. 

The only reason a smaller head would increase swing speed is if it gave you more confidence which resulted in a faster swing on your end. A smaller head won't increase speed unless it is also lighter otherwise, so your best bet for an equipment based speed increase would be experimenting with lighter weights in the head and/or increasing shaft length. 

[Jack Pearsall]

tm m5 tour

tm sldr tour

 

pretty different animals. 

[philleeeeep]

TM used to specific label their smaller cc drivers, like the 2016 M1 (430cc) and the 2017 M1 (440cc). Can't remember if they continued that with the M3/M4/M5/M6?

[jplroper]

   This should be pretty cheap to experiment with. Just get an old Titleist 983 or similar driver and see if you are more consistent with that size.