Looking for a Poor Man's TM 300 Mini Driver

[Jamie_Tee]

Definitely the Callaway 3deep.

[Double Dodger]

A little secret, listen closely. 983K Titleist in 11.5*. Less than $50. 

[Milfordlefty]

I am not discounting any of the older driver recommendations. There is another mini driver thread and a comment was made (by NRJyzr) that the old driver designs do not have the current low spin/high launch tech which is suppose to result in longer distance. My take on the comment means you may not see the same results from an older sub 400cc driver vs the recent mini driver offerings given the updated technology. Just a thought. At low ebay prices for oldy but goody sub 400cc drivers, not an expensive experiment.

[Mych]

Don't look past some of the more recent adjustable 2 hybrids, they are cannons. I played a Cobra Biocell 2-3H at 16* as my primary club off the tee for quite a while. 

 

Ping G400/410/425, Callaway Super Hybrid, and some others are able to be adjusted down to the 15-16 degree range, with the desired shorter shaft and heavier head weight.

 

They might seem to be too high lofted, but my hybrid ball position is a bit further back than a FW or driver so I still got a very penetrating ball flight.

Edited October 28, 2021 by Mych

[animalgolfs]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cleveland-Hi-Bore-XL-High-MOI-Driver-Super-Loft-16d-Fujikura-Fit-R-Flex-Graphite-/234193777903?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

Super Loft as well

[DaveGoodrich]

On 10/26/2021 at 12:26 PM, Bobbyjoegrooves said:

Cobra “Long Tom” 2 wood. Solid club for OP request.

 

Agree, if you can find one. 

[NRJyzr]

For those not interested in paying for an Original One or 300 Mini, I would recommend looking at the old blue Mizuno T-Zoid Forged driver.  It's 275cc, and when it came out, I found it was as long or longer than anything else I was testing.

 

In spite of owning an Original One, I still think about getting one.  🙂

 

[animalgolfs]

16 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

For those not interested in paying for an Original One or 300 Mini, I would recommend looking at the old blue Mizuno T-Zoid Forged driver.  It's 275cc, and when it came out, I found it was as long or longer than anything else I was testing.

 

In spite of owning an Original One, I still think about getting one.  🙂

 

That thing has a sweet spot that makes Miura baby blades envy

[capifico22]

Grabbed a used one off the classifieds, if it doesn't work out you'll lose like $20 in shipping when you resell

[NRJyzr]

4 minutes ago, animalgolfs said:

That thing has a sweet spot that makes Miura baby blades envy

 

I haven't played it, only hit it in demo mode, but I didn't think it was all that bad.  It's not like it was a 300S.  😉

 

[xkilgorextroutx]

Agree with the Bertha 1.5 comments as well as the Aeroburner Mini. I had tried the SLDR Mini as well as the Callaway 3 Deep and didn't get along with either. The 1.5 worked out pretty good for me, but a driver lesson helped me get the big dog back on track and relegated the 1.5 to the backup bag.

[animalgolfs]

16 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

 

I haven't played it, only hit it in demo mode, but I didn't think it was all that bad.  It's not like it was a 300S.  😉

 

Sorry I meant 300s as well...the VJ driver - I had one......blue threw me off

[NRJyzr]

2 minutes ago, animalgolfs said:

Sorry I meant 300s as well...the VJ driver - I had one......blue threw me off

 

That was a legendary club in its day.  In part for the reason you mention.  Some said persimmon was more forgiving 

 

[hogan234]

How about an old R7 HT? I believe they have shallower faces. Add heavier weights to get it up to proper SW for 43-44".

I used to have many R-Series (R7, R7 HT, R7 TP, R5 TP) that I would play at 44" with heavier weights. 

[Toybota]

X2 Hot 2Deep

[Cactus Jack]

Taylormade SIM TI Rocket. Equivalent distance than a mini driver, adjustable, more versatile off the deck, and under $300. 

[hammergolf]

On 9/1/2021 at 8:57 AM, RCGA said:

I like the idea of a mini driver (smaller head, shorter shaft, higher loft), but don't really want to spend $600+ Canadian on what could be a short lived experiment. I've never gotten along with 3-woods and I'm tried of spending money on them only to be disappointed. 

 

What are my other options? I'm considering buying something like a high lofted Titleist 975J and reshafting it. Although I'd prefer something newer than a driver from 2001! 

 

The specs I'm looking at are:

 

11-13*

42.5" 

Sub 310cc head 

 

Has anyone done something similar? 

Ping Rapture Ti I carried one for a year and it was awesome.

 

https://www.golfalot.com/equipment-news/is-the-ping-rapture-a-fairway-wood-or-a-driver-2692.aspx

[NicholasP]

On 10/29/2021 at 9:24 AM, NRJyzr said:

For those not interested in paying for an Original One or 300 Mini, I would recommend looking at the old blue Mizuno T-Zoid Forged driver.  It's 275cc, and when it came out, I found it was as long or longer than anything else I was testing.

 

In spite of owning an Original One, I still think about getting one.  🙂

 

I played this driver with a UST Laker shaft back in the day, top 2 best drivers I've ever owned

[Gsea]

On 10/28/2021 at 9:40 AM, Double Dodger said:

A little secret, listen closely. 983K Titleist in 11.5*. Less than $50. 

listen closer Titleist 975D 12*.

Your welcome

[DCCarpenter]

I just bought a Thomas 2 Wood, I have had good luck with their other fairways. You can specify shaft length, pretty reasonable price. I have had luck with their other woods, can't wait to try it out this week. Been doing well with my old Wilson 3 wood off the tee but maybe this give me a few more yards. This one is a 12 degree loft.

 

The driver and I switch days on which we get along and since I walk the course and usually just carry a Sunday bag it's been living in the truck for the last few months.

[cgallery]

I would say Original One from TaylorMade. I absolutely love mine and it has a lot of the same characteristics of the 300 but looks better IMO.

However, they are still not super cheap 

[DCCarpenter]

To bring this back from the dead I finally got around to giving the Thomas Golf 2 Wood a full round of play off the tee. It did very well , it is definitely longer than my 3 wood and was a true fairway finder. I only tried it off the deck once...which did not go well.

 

I ordered it in the same length shaft as my Wilson Deep Red 3 wood , which was -1" from their standard. I am going to put some lead tape on just to see if it does anything feel wise because I'm sure I lost swing weight from taking the inch off. 

 

For perspective per Arccos my driving average has been 233 yards at this course using my laminated Maple driver and occasionally 3 wood off the tee, today I was averaging more than 250 from the tee with the 2 wood and my accuracy was improved over my normal fairway hit percentage at this course.

 

I also ordered a Titleist 975D in 12 degree loft like this thread suggested, looking forward to it arriving. 

[Nard_S]

McHenry Metals Tour Pure. Big Ti long at 175 cc. 10* w/ stock "S" is plenty club. Used one till 2014, I was keeping up and even out gunning plenty of guys with it.

[dmeeksDC]

I built and tried out a TM 300 mini driver vs a “fairway driver,” the Titleist 913 FD 3 wood. Different design that has a larger and deeper head than most fairways but not driver size. Kind of a forgotten club but it works great as a backup driver. I got the 913FD for $75 with a Diamana shaft. 
 

The two clubs are even off the tee, but the Titleist is easier off the deck. They’re both outstanding, it depends on what you are looking for, but the 913FD was about 1/4 the price. 

[DCCarpenter]

What loft is that Titleist 913 ? Is it a 13.5 degree?

[dmeeksDC]

6 hours ago, DCCarpenter said:

What loft is that Titleist 913 ? Is it a 13.5 degree?

I got the 15 but they did make a 913FD head. And adjustable too. The head is 188cc, 30cc larger than the 913F head.

[chipa]

I bought a Callaway 14.5 deg. 3deep based on other's advice. For me at least it has proven to be much more accurate than my driver and quite long at only 43". It is a small head but has a deep face so as long as I made a decent swing it gave me good results.

 

I have ordered a 2deep to try out. It has a slightly larger head. I will keep the 3deep as well.

[me05501]

24 minutes ago, chipa said:

I bought a Callaway 14.5 deg. 3deep based on other's advice. For me at least it has proven to be much more accurate than my driver and quite long at only 43". It is a small head but has a deep face so as long as I made a decent swing it gave me good results.

 

I have ordered a 2deep to try out. It has a slightly larger head. I will keep the 3deep as well.

 

I got one of these and installed it on a HZRDUS Yellow in 6.0 to match my favorite driver shaft. I've hit a few solid shots with it but it seems more hit or miss than the SLDR Mini I carried for a season or two. 

 

 

[uglande]

A poor man's 300 Mini is just a used 300 Mini. Accept no substitutes. 

[hammergolf]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/255488519693?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110018%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.COMPLISTINGS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20210609144404%26meid%3D0dd491dd5bc24e7aaab5f685aa6a907f%26pid%3D101196%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D374013801967%26itm%3D255488519693%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DItemStripV101HighAdFeeWithCompV3Ranker%26brand%3DTaylorMade&_trksid=p2047675.c101196.m2219&amdata=cksum%3A2554885196930dd491dd5bc24e7aaab5f685aa6a907f|enc%3AAQAGAAABEMwaiCkD4Jz%2FAA1ytZhxVAzuCsqdmLW9ojO6k7lKEs76pHg3fhsBKmh4LR8PtE431HQ5N3zsxGhy3hV1RcHrJCzv%2FfQfmp6V3NuM44%2FgDuUM9d5X%2BXwFHqiiMOyXeiM1Shi%2F9%2BGPoNYhDvIZYUlF%2BoVYrAqRkIqI6SsUcA8Hg7RqoT8XLMcFhuMNAqSV5TotBbNHVuYYOH9NbSHfmNXdpHGJQNQPLcKawT4kJF6H3pZ77Z6VJi%2Fx7UmeB0Dpwp%2Bqp4XP4ZqolSBamHhUHg1XdDynMTdypnVjp5l8tfN3jZ8ruuLbGIDM3sGS%2FS0eRKdAYlEJS0mMPOwgWeXlpgSscu1RLQlibE5V%2FQe7brDoGgbU|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A2047675
 

https://www.golfalot.com/equipment-reviews/taylormade-aeroburner-mini-driver-review-3185.aspx