Why can’t I just be happy with my driver?

[ECgolf]

I play an original Callaway Rogue, 9* tuned down to 8, with a stiff shaft. For my ability level and swing speed, I hit it well. Driver SS about 92, typical carry about 220, and I hit it pretty straight despite hitting all over the face. It is forgiving. I rarely lose balls with it. And shotscope data says I gain strokes with driver compared to my handicap. And yet, I am constantly on a search for a new driver. Last fall, I went to a Callaway demo day and, they could not beat my Rogue with the new Rogue ST. Saturday, I tried the Ping G430. Same thing. Similar, but not better. Tried the Srixon ZX 5, loved the feel, but don’t think it actually performed better. I’ve been doing this same thing for like 3+ years. Trying driver after driver hoping to find something better, but not doing so. Why can’t I just be happy that I have a driver that outperforms my handicap for me? It’s like I am just dying to spend my money on something new and the data keeps getting in the way. 

[Bobb3rdown]

Fomo. (Fear of missing out) is a real thing. 

[NNJ]

Because there is a new one that goes further. Or straighter.
 

And there’s also probably a new one that allows you to swing as hard as you possibly can, and also adds 5 mph to your swing speed, and sends the ball 400 yards so long as you hit it somewhere on the face.

 

you just don’t have that club yet, but trust us it’s out there.

[KGrinols]

You can.  You'll always be happy with the next driver.

[Jeff58]

[Kingcat990]

So what happens when you try 11°+ loft? 

[JAMH03]

Checking your driver for max distance/forgiveness is the RIGHT place to START. It's everything after that that's so hard to do though.

Flexibility, lessons, SS training, shortgame etc.

Everything is right about maximizing your driver though just can't get the full benefits if you stop there is all.
 

[Greenie]

 I am happy when what I am playing is beating out the new stuff. 

 

I played the Cobra ZL Encore for many years. I would laugh and say nothing beating you out again this year and take the thought of something new out of my head.

 

The Cobra F9 finally knocked the ZL Encore out of my bag.

 

The F9 didn't last as long . The Exotics C721 knocked it out of the bag.

 

The C721 is performing so well I'm not even trying out the new stuff. 

 

Not every new driver is better than before. If it is it's probably not worth the upgrade.

[ECgolf]

1 hour ago, Kingcat990 said:

So what happens when you try 11°+ loft? 

It goes to the moon and spins too much. I hit the ball high. My driver before this one was 11*. It was shorter for me, which is atypical for my swing speed.  I had to tune my current one down to 8* to get the flight down a bit. At 9* I’d get almost no rollout. On windy days it was uselessly high. At 8* it is much better. 

[ECgolf]

10 minutes ago, Greenie said:

 I am happy when what I am playing is beating out the new stuff. 

 

I played the Cobra ZL Encore for many years. I would laugh and say nothing beating you out again this year and take the thought of something new out of my head.

 

The Cobra F9 finally knocked the ZL Encore out of my bag.

 

The F9 didn't last as long . The Exotics C721 knocked it out of the bag.

 

The C721 is performing so well I'm not even trying out the new stuff. 

 

Not every new driver is better than before. If it is it's probably not worth the upgrade.

This is where I should be mentally. I’ve tried enough drivers to know that if I’m not in the absolute best option for me, it’s pretty close. Demo day reps whose job it is to sell me something have not been able to beat what I have. And several have said, that to me point blank after I hit their new options. And yet, I remain on the hunt. It makes no sense. I need to find a way to channel the joy of having a 5 year old driver that is still beating the new stuff for me. 

[ECgolf]

1 hour ago, JAMH03 said:

Checking your driver for max distance/forgiveness is the RIGHT place to START. It's everything after that that's so hard to do though.

Flexibility, lessons, SS training, shortgame etc.

Everything is right about maximizing your driver though just can't get the full benefits if you stop there is all.
 

All good points. And all the evidence shows I’d gain more from any of those than a new driver right now. I’ve actually decided to dedicate some time and energy to my bunker game this spring. It is my biggest weakness by a country mile and think there are some real gains I could make by just getting that to decent. I’m a 9 handicap with a 25+ handicapper’s bunker game. My main bunker strategy right now is to avoid them like hot lava. Even when that works perfectly, it has a cost. 

[Avidswampthing66]

The infamous words said by every WXR'R club ho that's ever existed.

 

Edited May 2, 2023 by Avidswampthing66

[RogerinNewZealand]

Ec

Been there done that. Buy a 905T and be done with it or a Ping G5/G10/G20 or  913/917. Just be happy when you look at your bag. Simple. I got the 905T with ys6. Cool failsafe combo. Add 1 beer, stay calm😊 

[philly2kuk]

If there’s not a new driver there’s ALWAYS a new putter…..

[llewol007]

It is the crazy game we play that makes us search for something that can gain us an extra stroke, hitting it straighter or gaining us an extra 10 yards. That is the life of a golfer. It is not just you but affects everyone. I can count many a times when I’ve gotten rid of equipment only to circle back and to it. Nothing wrong with testing stuff against what you currently play. And good for you for sticking with what works. Who knows? One of these times, something will truly stick out and beat your current gamer. Until then, play what works.

[NNJ]

It’s because that 1 good shot is what makes you keep coming back. And sometimes that shot is an absolutely belted drive. And when it’s an absolutely belted drive to a place on the course you’ve never been before, it feels really good especially if no one in your group can make it there.

[Chungy]

Just got a tsr3 but now I want to paradym TD…

[the bishop]

"Why can't I just be happy with my driver?"

 

I mean, where's the fun in that?

[Poor Mans Ty Webb]

In the past month alone, I've done all of the following with my 3 wood:

• Bought a new shaft (the same day I hit it in a demo)
• Adjusted the loft down -1.5*, had an incredible range session
• Readjusted the loft to -1*, had an even better range session
• Thought about getting rid of my 3 wood/7 wood and opting for a 5 wood only
• Pulled out 3 older shafts (which I previously concluded weren't right for the club) to test again to see if I was actually wrong about them being wrong
• Almost bought another new shaft, less than a month after buying the last one.

 

Here's the best part.  I use my 3 wood maybe twice per round.  But the prospect of making eagle on a par 5 is a hell of a drug.

[Stonewalled]

9 hours ago, Kingcat990 said:

So what happens when you try 11°+ loft? 

This  could be Very Very Special. Works for Spinal Tap🤣

[Mw1991]

Because shiny new toys are always hard to pass up. I'm currently gaming a g410 plus. I really want to snag a g430 even though there's nothing wrong with my 410. 

[phizzy30]

Have you tried the Paradym?  I've tested almost every '23 driver and it edged out the other drivers plus gave me the best dispersion.  Higher end of average ball speed for me as well.  I find the Paradym to be more forgiving on mishits as well in the ball speed retention and consistent spin department compared to the OG Rogue.  Something to consider since you say you hit it all over the face. 

Edited May 2, 2023 by phizzy30

[ECgolf]

58 minutes ago, phizzy30 said:

Have you tried the Paradym?  I've tested almost every '23 driver and it edged out the other drivers plus gave me the best dispersion.  Higher end of average ball speed for me as well.  I find the Paradym to be more forgiving on mishits as well in the ball speed retention and consistent spin department compared to the OG Rogue.  Something to consider since you say you hit it all over the face. 

I haven’t yet, but know I will. Good to know you find it better in ball speed retention and spin consistency than the original rogue.

[Mob]

I buy 1-2 new drivers every year, and they are obviously no better performing than a driver released 12 months prior.  I bought the Paradym and the TSR2 within the past 4 months.  I had a Rogue ST Max and a Rogue ST Max LS for about 5 months before selling them.  Right now the TSR2 is in the bag and I am trying to not look anymore, but like you, I will continue to search for a driver that defies physics.

 

Now that I have settled on the TSR2 head, I have a Ventus Blue, Ventus TR Red, Ventus TR Blue, and LAGolf shaft that I am experimenting with.  Seems like a disease...

Edited May 2, 2023 by Mob

[Red4282]

Its because of marketing. You want to believe there is a better driver out there because thats what they sell you on. Id say you are in a healthy place to be honest. You are open to trying things but you stick to what works. Id focus my energy on improving your game elsewhere.

[Jeri6gt]

I sort of have done this but with shafts.

I have maybe 6 different shafts for my TSI2.

I finally got a TB for a song, cut it down an inch, and do not feel the need to swap shafts out again.

Now I am looking for a TSR2 head to replace my TSI2.

[Mp14forlife]

I'm doing everything I can to knock og sim max outta the bag. But it's still there. Tsr2 is knocking on the door tho. I am trying to see if I can squeeze more outta the sim with different shafts.

[boggyman]

People are very seldom satisfied with their equipment. Best thing one could do is relinquish their WRX card and go play golf🤣🤣

[boggyman]

9 minutes ago, Red4282 said:

It’s because of marketing. You want to believe there is a better driver out there because thats what they sell you on. Id say you are in a healthy place to be honest. You are open to trying things but you stick to what works. Id focus my energy on improving your game elsewhere.

Well said! Short game work game for me! 

[Long_Left]

2 hours ago, Poor Mans Ty Webb said:

In the past month alone, I've done all of the following with my 3 wood:

• Bought a new shaft (the same day I hit it in a demo)
• Adjusted the loft down -1.5*, had an incredible range session
• Readjusted the loft to -1*, had an even better range session
• Thought about getting rid of my 3 wood/7 wood and opting for a 5 wood only
• Pulled out 3 older shafts (which I previously concluded weren't right for the club) to test again to see if I was actually wrong about them being wrong
• Almost bought another new shaft, less than a month after buying the last one.

 

Here's the best part.  I use my 3 wood maybe twice per round.  But the prospect of making eagle on a par 5 is a hell of a drug.

I've had a grand total of 3 different 3 woods in my bag since the late 90s, PT15, TM r11 and currently on a TM Sim Max that I bought 2nd hand in early 2020 I think. It has served me incredibly well. Played a round two years ago against a buddy in another state who I've been hyper competitive with for 25+ years and I wore him out with it off the tee. I hit it 10ish times off the tee and didn't miss a single one. He went out and bought one less than a month later...

 

I've probably hit 15 different fairway models since then, always searching for a prettier unicorn. I always think "It's too long, I need a 4 wood instead." or "I want an adjustable head, I don't like the glued hosel" or some other BS reason to try out a newer, shinier, thing. Some days I want it to fail so I HAVE to buy a new one... Its an incredibly fun sickness 🙂