Older drivers vs Newer drivers

[DaveMc82]

The drivers today are no longer than the Ping G20 I still wheel out from time to time. I don’t even feel like anything newer is inherently more forgiving but, and it is a big but, it’s way easier to match a head to a shaft and get the overall makeup right. 
 

The way I look at drivers now is head shape, feel and sound. Whatever falls in this bracket I can then find the right shaft for. Providing its neutral to slightly fade bias it’s not getting hooked off the planet. I’ve recently gone down the light shaft route and coupled with a Mavrik SZ 9 degree head I’m happy. Funnily enough I picked up an ex demo IM10 50g shaft for peanuts and it’s money. Not having dropped below a 6.5 flex for years it’s been refreshing to feel lazy and hit some ridiculously long flat drives that just carry forever. 
 

I have zero interest in demoing the new models as there’ll be nothing to gain. Maybe come 2025 I’ll have another look. 

[GolfSW]

Put a Even Flow in a Cobra X speed pro D recently and pound it . New isn't always better IMO 

[AndersonGT]

Spin rates and forgiveness off center; being fit with new technology to maximize ideal numbers are the biggest difference. There are plenty of YT videos out there, old vs new that show minimal distance differences but maximum forgiveness. Low handicappers who can consistently find the center of the face won't see a groundbreaking difference in distance. It's the mid and high handicappers that benefit most from today's new drivers. 

 

I'm a high handicapper who has played a dozen different drivers or more over the past 10 years. Ironically I also loved the ZL Encore but Ping G410 LST is MUCH more forgiving and accurate but only about 5-10 yds longer on center hits, off center though G410 is  probably 20 yards longer. I've owned every Cobra Driver from Radspeed back to the S2. TM M6, Mizuno ST, Ping G, and others. 

 

I should note that I was fitted for the G410 LST with Tensei Orange Raw but never fitted for all of the other drivers I have owned. 

[Millhill88]

I literally just found an 11.5* TM R7 Quad 425 in a used bin at GG for $30.  Took it home and shafted it with a HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 shaft I had in the basement, set at 44.5".  My intent was to find something in between my driver and 3 wood off the tee.    Plus, I just love to mess around with different clubs.  This thing is a fairway finder and consistently 265 down the middle.  My real driver is only 275 on a good hit.  When I miss the center with my Callaway, I'm shorter than the 15 year old R7... and usually in the tree's!   While I will never use the R7 as my main driver, this will definitely be in the bag for courses with narrow fairways.  I generally hit 3 wood off the tee 90% of the time, not anymore!

[Davidv]

One of the bigger changes in the past several years is the shaft offerings this could make a big difference in  driver performance.

[Ghostwedge]

2 hours ago, Davidv said:

One of the bigger changes in the past several years is the shaft offerings this could make a big difference in  driver performance.

And there it is.... the guy who hits his G20 same as a G400 Max just isn't trying that hard to maximize fairways and distance. 

 

[JDennis]

The only thing I have noticed in Drivers since 2010 or so is the forgiveness.  I have had a few different drivers since my Ping G10 (16' M2, F9, SZ, Sim2, LTDX, PXG gen 4 and 5), and have tried the Stealth plus, Titleist and Callaway in the fitting bays.  Distance is about the same (with in 10 yds) and forgiveness seems to be the fluctuation. Also been through more shafts than I care to admit.

But pulling the old G10 out of the basement and giving it a whirl after not touching it for 5 or so years, can't complain, pro launch red shaft and all.... (green line, the other were a new 3w and wedge practice)

[Silveird]

I will go to the grave claiming that Rapture v1, Launcher Comp, and MP650 are just as long AND forgiving as anything since, with 983K about 5 yards behind and 975LFE just a few yards behind that.

[Mrgreen36]

Had to use my old srixon z765 driver last week.  I swear I was just destroying it with that thing.  It sounded horrible though. 

 

[Lloyd_Christmas29]

On a center strike a 10 year old driver will go the same distance as a new one if they are both fit properly. You might get a few extra mph of ball speed with a newer one. But no more than 5-10 yards. The difference is when you strike one on the heel or the toe. The newer driver will retain ball speed and keep the spin down better. So your bad strikes will go further and straighter. 

[iNeedMoreGolf]

Played a nike vrs driver this summer i bought in like new condition. It was just as long and accurate as anything today. Has to be from 2013 i think?