Wanting a wooden driver

[Saijin]

What is the best wooden driver out there?

 

I picked one up for free that has a wire wrap on the hosel and the leading edge actually is somewhat rounded so it sticks out which is a little weird.

 

I just thought it'd be fun to play with.

[raggal62]

Can you be more specific?

Are you looking for something more modern with a steel shaft? Or are you talking more in line with the  hickory era?

[Unplayablelies]

Well…….you can get a set of ping eye2 woods on eBay relatively inexpensively 

[30ffthetee]

"Best" is subjective it depends what you personally value out of your classic clubs. Do you value looks, collectability, playability, etc. If your just interested in getting into playing wooden woods I can second Unplayablelies' suggestion of ping eye 2s. Can be had for cheap and are a good first transition into the wooden woods from modern metal stuff. If you're interested in older hickory stuff I'm sure someone might have a better answer for ya. 

[Jiggered]

The one you have IS the best.

[Saijin]

19 hours ago, raggal62 said:

Can you be more specific?

Are you looking for something more modern with a steel shaft? Or are you talking more in line with the  hickory era?

 

So wooden head where I can insert something cheap n crappy like a Dynamic GOld shaft.

 

 

[Saijin]

19 hours ago, 30ffthetee said:

"Best" is subjective it depends what you personally value out of your classic clubs. Do you value looks, collectability, playability, etc. If your just interested in getting into playing wooden woods I can second Unplayablelies' suggestion of ping eye 2s. Can be had for cheap and are a good first transition into the wooden woods from modern metal stuff. If you're interested in older hickory stuff I'm sure someone might have a better answer for ya. 

 

Just for playing that has a look of a normal wood.

 

So just for funsies at the course off the tee.

[raggal62]

2 hours ago, Saijin said:

 

So wooden head where I can insert something cheap n crappy like a Dynamic GOld shaft.

 

 

Try eBay. Heads only can be found regularly. Just be aware that shafting a wood head has more work involved than just gluing on a modern steel or titanium head.

[SnowbirdTom]

Best entry wood is probably the one suggested twice now.  Ping Eye 2 will give you good service, takes a beating and is most assuredly cheap to get.  I use mine once or twice a month for an entire round, but it’s part of the whole set.

[Saijin]

5 hours ago, SnowbirdTom said:

Best entry wood is probably the one suggested twice now.  Ping Eye 2 will give you good service, takes a beating and is most assuredly cheap to get.  I use mine once or twice a month for an entire round, but it’s part of the whole set.

Ping eye 2, I'll take a look at that.

 

UPDATE:

 

just saw the photos on address, they look nice and don't have the screws on the face. So

 

1. How much do they usually cost?

2. how the heck do I reshaft them? I'm guessing those shafts are really really soft right?

[SnowbirdTom]

Paid $10 for mine at a local flea market.  Shafts are not noodle soft and frankly, I wouldn’t suggest you attempting to try swapping one.  I’m about 105 swing speed and the ZZ Lite shaft in mine is fine. Put a fresh grip on and don't expect 300 yards out of it.  

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

Golfers loving the feel,

Of hickory, persimmon and steel,

Eschew graphite and titanium,

As being off in the cranium,

And by doing so keep their golf real.

 

Stixman, from 'Esoterica from the Dog Days of Summer and other shaggy dog stories'.

Edited August 12, 2022 by The Aspidistra in the Hall

[NRJyzr]

9 hours ago, Saijin said:

guessing those shafts are really really soft right?

 

No, definitely not soft.  The Eye2 woods come with ZZLite, the Zings have KT-M.  Neither is a noodle.

 

[Saijin]

Got it... Pin eye 2 it is then.

 

Ugh... people on ebay want $20-$40 each and I just want a Driver for dirt cheap.

[SnowbirdTom]

For your visual enjoyment. 😉

 

[SnowbirdTom]

5 minutes ago, Saijin said:

Got it... Pin eye 2 it is then.

 

Ugh... people on ebay want $20-$40 each and I just want a Driver for dirt cheap.

That IS dirt cheap for a used club on eBay.  If you want a $5 club, hit the local thrift stores and pack a $10 bill.  They’re out there.  Flea markets too.  Garage sales, FB marketplace good sources.

[Saijin]

9 minutes ago, SnowbirdTom said:

For your visual enjoyment. 😉

 

 

 

Oh wow! Yours is in REALLY good condition...

 

 

[RobotDoctor]

On 8/10/2022 at 2:58 PM, Saijin said:

What is the best wooden driver out there?

 

I picked one up for free that has a wire wrap on the hosel and the leading edge actually is somewhat rounded so it sticks out which is a little weird.

 

I just thought it'd be fun to play with.

The "best" is such an ambiguous term regarding persimmon or laminated woods.  If you want to play with woods any number of woods would suffice and would be fairly inexpensive.  If you want the best then you're looking to collect which brings woods to a whole other pricing level.  Some of the collector pieces will cost upper hundreds to low thousands of dollars.  If you simply want the best I would focus on 1940/early 1950 MacGregor pro line woods, Wood Brothers, 1950/1960 PowerBilt pro line, just to name a handful of brands and eras.  If you want inexpensive, any laminated wood from the 1980s or lesser brands from the 1970s/1980s/1990s would suffice.  Ebay is full of inexpensive gamers, some being older, more sought after persimmon.  Best if luck in your search.

 

The following pictures are from my collection (office staff bag as posted several times before), my 1952 MacGregor M85TW driver, my 1955 MacGregor 945W driver (special EDO finish), one of my 1950 693 drivers, and one of my M43Ts.  It has taken me years of diligent searching and a bit of luck to find many of the woods in my collection. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 12, 2022 by RobotDoctor

[SnowbirdTom]

I’ll be in my bunk…

[cgasucks]

Even though I do have a early 80s era Titleist Tour model persimmon driver that I got at my local Value Village ($5 CAD) and use it to keep my ball striking in check every now and then, I would love to get a 1950s era Macgregor M85 as it was played by so many good players back in the day (Faldo, Couples, Crenshaw to name a few).

Edited August 15, 2022 by cgasucks

[Foozle]

43 minutes ago, RobotDoctor said:

The "best" is such an ambiguous term regarding persimmon or laminated woods.  If you want to play with woods any number of woods would suffice and would be fairly inexpensive.  If you want the best then you're looking to collect which brings woods to a whole other pricing level.  Some of the collector pieces will cost upper hundreds to low thousands of dollars.  If you simply want the best I would focus on 1940/early 1950 MacGregor pro line woods, Wood Brothers, 1950/1960 PowerBilt pro line, just to name a handful of brands and eras.  If you want inexpensive, any laminated wood from the 1980s or lesser brands from the 1970s/1980s/1990s would suffice.  Ebay is full of inexpensive gamers, some being older, more sought after persimmon.  Best if luck in your search.

 

The following pictures are from my collection (office staff bag as posted several times before), my 1952 MacGregor M85TW driver, my 1955 MacGregor 945W driver (special EDO finish), one of my 1950 693 drivers, and one of my M43Ts.  It has taken me years of diligent searching and a bit of luck to find many of the woods in my collection. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

😍 I wish you wouldn't post these pictures. They bring out emotions in me that I would prefer to pretend I don't have! 🤣 Absolutely glorious collection!

[Saijin]

2 hours ago, RobotDoctor said:

The "best" is such an ambiguous term regarding persimmon or laminated woods.  If you want to play with woods any number of woods would suffice and would be fairly inexpensive.  If you want the best then you're looking to collect which brings woods to a whole other pricing level.  Some of the collector pieces will cost upper hundreds to low thousands of dollars.  If you simply want the best I would focus on 1940/early 1950 MacGregor pro line woods, Wood Brothers, 1950/1960 PowerBilt pro line, just to name a handful of brands and eras.  If you want inexpensive, any laminated wood from the 1980s or lesser brands from the 1970s/1980s/1990s would suffice.  Ebay is full of inexpensive gamers, some being older, more sought after persimmon.  Best if luck in your search.

 

The following pictures are from my collection (office staff bag as posted several times before), my 1952 MacGregor M85TW driver, my 1955 MacGregor 945W driver (special EDO finish), one of my 1950 693 drivers, and one of my M43Ts.  It has taken me years of diligent searching and a bit of luck to find many of the woods in my collection. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay... we definitely have a real collector here... impressive

[Saijin]

After seeing that collection I don't think I wanna buy a wood wood anymore.

[SteelieD]

Spend the $20 and get a Ping. They are a riot to hit. 

[Saijin]

1 hour ago, SteelieD said:

Spend the $20 and get a Ping. They are a riot to hit. 

If it’s $10 or less I’ll do it. 

[RobotDoctor]

On 8/12/2022 at 11:06 PM, Saijin said:

After seeing that collection I don't think I wanna buy a wood wood anymore.

Please try a wooden wood.  They’re an experience that all golfers should know.  There’s nothing like hitting a low compression ball, preferably a balata ball, on the screws.   This was my M43T I posted a few posts ago last fall. 

 

Edited August 15, 2022 by RobotDoctor

[BIG STU]

On 8/12/2022 at 9:25 AM, cgasucks said:

Even though I do have a early 80s era Titleist Tour model persimmon driver that I got at my local Value Village ($5 CAD) and use it to keep my ball striking in check every now and then, I would love to get a 1950s era Magregor M85 as it was played by so many good players back in the day (Faldo, Couples, Crenshaw to name a few).

I basically do the same thing and I agree it does make a Toyota on a stick modern metal easier to hit. Now if you state that on some of the main threads you will get flack and arguement. Had a guy ask me one night if the sweet spot on the persimmon smaller than a modern driver? This same guy also said if I could hit the sweet spot on a modern then the persimmon was not that hard. I figured three things--- He was a total fruitcake or he was trolling me--- And I wondered if he had ever hit a persimmon driver---- I did not even apply to him and put him on block--- I also actually play vintage quite a lot now. I enjoy it and it helps not only with ball striking IMHO but course management as well

[BIG STU]

On 8/12/2022 at 11:25 AM, Saijin said:

 

 

Okay... we definitely have a real collector here... impressive

Oh trust me he has some nice collectable pristine stuff

[RobotDoctor]

12 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

Oh trust me he has some nice collectable pristine stuff

Several of my “pristine” stuff certainly didn’t start off that way.  More like the ugly duckling transformed into a swan.  All thanks to my club restoration maestro!

[Saijin]

Just wondering... can a decent golfer still score in single digits playing a wooden wood and irons from that era?

And would the sticks hold up from a very aggressive swing?