Drivers What driver stayed in the bag ‘23

[Is Golf Fun or Work]

Kept my Rogue ST Max from Callaway Customs.  I tried a Paradym for a few rounds, not all that much better (especially for $600) and honestly don't like the "TM Sim" look of Paradym crown.

[tipperi]

Back to TSI2.  Better Sound/Feel/Forgiveness for me than TSR and for whatever reason it sets up flatter and looks less left bias to my eye.

Paired it with Ventus TR Red about two months ago and its been a lightbulb moment after years of playing Whiteboard and other low/low profiles.

Enjoy pulling the headcover again.

[JustAPlusGuy]

On 6/22/2023 at 7:15 PM, JustAPlusGuy said:

Cracked the Ping G410 LST last year early, got sent a G425 and have been smashing that ever since. Just bought a G430 on here and can't wait to pop my hulk shaft in it and start smoking that another 10-15yds. 😎 

First tourney with the G430 and wow. That is a remarkable improvement over the 425. The dispersion is so incredibly good that I got confident to just point and shoot with it. Was murdering drives into tight fairways. Hit 2 drives over the course of 36 holes that were a good bit mistimed and off-center and even they were in play and resulted in a par and a birdie. Just got the Max 3w as well, can't wait to hit it tomorrow and see how it performs under pressure in the State Am in a few weeks. 

[scooterhd2]

G400MAX obviously. 

[blades_are_life]

10 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

Disagree.  I think the Rogue ST was an improvement.  Paradym even better IMO.   

I've seen enough people saying they like Paradym to believe there is a slight difference in forgiveness but it looked and felt terrible in comparison. Reminded me of how Microsoft started chasing Call of Duty with their Halo design decisions in Reach and beyond rather than staying true to themselves.

[phizzy30]

7 minutes ago, blades_are_life said:

I've seen enough people saying they like Paradym to believe there is a slight difference in forgiveness but it looked and felt terrible in comparison. Reminded me of how Microsoft started chasing Call of Duty with their Halo design decisions in Reach and beyond rather than staying true to themselves.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I like the way the Rogue ST and Paradym look.  The Mavrik, not so much.  Paradym TD feels really good off the sweet spot and doesn't feel too bad off the toe. 

[Radeon962]

Tried all of the new drivers and while they are nice decided to stick with my Callaway Rogue ST Max LS with A Fujikura Ventus VeloCore TR Blue.  I did switch from a 5s to a 6s but have a TR Red 6x and looking for a TR Blue 6x to try out.

 

Seems like drivers are past the point of big gains or significant difference in forgiveness if you are properly fit for your current driver.

 

 

 

 

[2Down]

Put a ping G430 MAX 10.5° set at 9.5° onto my red velocore shaft.   My experience with the new head vs the old stealth 10.5° is a win for me.   
Tipped the shaft a ¼ inch mostly for cosmetic ( change from Taylor to ping insertion depth change ). Slight tip Does help with the heavier head I think.  And added an eight gram butt weight to counter balance it a bit.  
 

so far my misses are better and the sweet ones are even.   Did like the sound of the stealth but the ping is growing on me quickly.   Also like seeing where I’ve struck it.  The stealth hid the strike the ping I can see it on the face.
 

this happened Monday, but it’s the same shaft.  So I’m counting it.  

[Roejye]

I liked my sim max d enough that I picked up a 9° head for a 2 driver bag/backup/travel driver. I haven't even tried anything from this year. I tried a lot when I got my fitting last year and the stealth and rogue worked well for me.

[lance1420]

Still gaming my TSI3. 
 

I don’t plan on changing this season. 

[DrizZzY22]

The Ping G425 LST stayed in my bag. I tinkered with the Srixon Zx5 Ls and stealth 2 plus. But the ping was much more consistent for me. Now I'd be lying if I said I wasn't eyeing the G430's. 

[blades_are_life]

6 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I like the way the Rogue ST and Paradym look.  The Mavrik, not so much.  Paradym TD feels really good off the sweet spot and doesn't feel too bad off the toe. 

I guess I need to try TD but I don't think I'm ever going to like that ugly TM knockoff two tone topline. It does have a nicer shape at address than regular Paradym.

[hoselrocket256]

I'm sticking the old tried and true Ping G425 Max 9* this year. May look into switching next season

[salmon1man]

G400 LST.  Went into a driver fitting the other week and the first things the fitter said "we are gonna have a hard time beating this".  The only comparable driver was the Cobra Aerojet LS.  He recommended getting a heavier shaft with less toque.  Ended up getting a HZRDUS smoke green 70g stuff and tipping it an inch.  It has added 10-15 yards any my spin has gone down few hundred RPM.  First time ever consistently hitting it (with roll) 300 yards.

[MyShortGameSucks]

Switched from TSR3 9 deg to Ping 430 LST 10.5 and it's probably the best equipment change I've ever made.  Forgiveness and dispersion is off the charts with the Ping and I have a ton of confidence off the tee with it.  It's not absolutely as long as a pure center strike with TSR3 but who cares - we are probably only talking 5 or so yards tops.

 

Currently have the Tour 2.0 65x with head in standard "0" position.  Sounds like a lot of folks like the Ventus Blue TR in this head?  May try one at some stage but for now am happy!
 

 

[Avidswampthing66]

On 6/29/2023 at 5:43 PM, blades_are_life said:

I've seen enough people saying they like Paradym to believe there is a slight difference in forgiveness but it looked and felt terrible in comparison. Reminded me of how Microsoft started chasing Call of Duty with their Halo design decisions in Reach and beyond rather than staying true to themselves.

Couldn't disagree more, but then again I'm playing the TD.  Feels firm, powerful and pure off the face.  

[SofaKingPure]

Started the season with my trusty g425max orange tensei shaft. Even though the top of the driver is fugly and it’s one of the worst sounding drivers you can play…the stability and forgiveness seemed worth it. Then I realized it wasn’t like I was hitting 💯 of my fairways with this set up. Felt I was giving a lot up distance wise for some added forgiveness. Finally made the switch back to a titleist driver…TSR2 w and Autoflex driver. My goodness, what a difference. TSR2 is a 🚀 and sounds and feels amazing. Autoflex is so fun and I’m hitting 💣….not switching anytime soon. 

[HappyGilmore22]

TSi3 could have stayed because it's so good but went with a TSR3. About identical on course but the R sounds better so worth it to me.

[urjc22]

Stealth 2+ has been great for me.

[Roejye]

Sim max d with my diamana pd 50. I liked the 10.5° model but felt sometimes that even lofted all the way down that my ball flight could be a little on the high side and I'd give up some roll distance. Luckily the club ho itch needed a little scratch and there has been talk of traveling. I actually found a 9° head that was cosmetically roughed up and got a decent price on it. Then I was able to get a project x riptide cb for cheap and had it built up. 

 

So now I have 2 Sim max d in the bag and I have the ability to have some travel clubs. 

[Therty]

8 degree OG Sim with 60g PX LZ 6.5. Ive tried to unseat it 3 times. Sldr 430 (an old favorite), TS3, Epic Max LS. The Epic Max LS might be a good fit but it didn’t even make it into a round. The Sim is just a rocket launcher. 

Edited July 3, 2023 by Therty

[pdaero]

I've been playing with my TSi3 for two years and still love it - the DI6 has been a wonderful fit for me.

[blades_are_life]

14 hours ago, Avidswampthing66 said:

Couldn't disagree more, but then again I'm playing the TD.  Feels firm, powerful and pure off the face.  

It sounds like I really need to try the TD. Maybe it is everything magical regular Paradym isn't.

[Avidswampthing66]

6 minutes ago, blades_are_life said:

It sounds like I really need to try the TD. Maybe it is everything magical regular Paradym isn't.

It's fun to hit.  Paradym standard is more forgiving, though not by much and the feel is slightly more hollow, IMO.   TD is long and spin /ball flight is low so I've had to loft up compared to prior heads.  

[blades_are_life]

16 minutes ago, Avidswampthing66 said:

It's fun to hit.  Paradym standard is more forgiving, though not by much and the feel is slightly more hollow, IMO.   TD is long and spin /ball flight is low so I've had to loft up compared to prior heads.  

Yeah it was really the hollowness that I hated about it along with the look. Not quite the cheap toy feeling of Stealth 2 but still really empty and unsatisfying. I will prioritize testing out TD the next time I am somewhere clubs are available to demo, keeping in mind what you said about the loft. I find it interesting 9° is "lofting up" for you 😋

Edited July 3, 2023 by blades_are_life

[Hookasaurus Rex]

Paradym TD.  Definitely the best sounding/feeling driver ever, imo…   It’s been in the bag all year. No plans to try anything else.

[blades_are_life]

1 hour ago, Hookasaurus Rex said:

Paradym TD.  Definitely the best sounding/feeling driver ever, imo…   It’s been in the bag all year. No plans to try anything else.

Okay I promise @phizzy30 @Avidswampthing66 I will report back the second I am able to try one.

[Tooeasy]

OG stealth replaced a Mavrik this year..

[sfleming]

I like my TSI2 and while I liked the TSR2 at a fitting this year I kept the previous model in the bag. Plenty long and forgiving 

[Judge440]

TSR w/ Ventus Blue.