New driver - which one?

[Toby]

J33, MP-001 or good old 580XD

I'm in a position where I can get a fair deal on a driver, something that is much needed in my bag. Current set-up is very uninspiring.
The candidates are:
Bridgestone J33R 460 10.5* w/ reg Grafalloy Comp NT, 44" long
Mizuno MP-001 460 10.5* w/ stiff Fujikura Tour Platform 26.3, 45" long
Taylor Made 580XD 10.5 w/ stiff Aldila NV 65, 45" long

All clubs are roughly priced the same. Do they differ in how they play/launch?

My SS is approx 105 mph with a "slightly quicker than standard" tempo.
Launch angle on Achiever LM is about 14* and spin just above 3000 rpm.
Standard crap swing results in a hook.

What do you think I should go for? Testing is not an option unfortunately.
Or do you think they're all poor fits and I should keep my money and look elsewhere. What for?

I'm expecting much from you all. Please advice!

/Toby

[Toby]

Someone please?

 

Maybe we could make the discussion somewhat more general:

 

Which head creates the highest launch angle and whcih makes the ball spin the most/least?

Which shaft has the highest launch and makes the ball spin the most/least?

 

/Toby

 

:golfer:

[lysaght68]

Hey Toby,

I can give you a little info on 2 of your options, I personally would love to hit that J33/Compt NT combo because I've been wanting to try both. I have owned a Launcher Comp 10.5 w/ Tour Platform 26.3 stiff and I recently purchased a used MP001 10.5 w/ NV stiff. My SS is in the 105 range (smooth swing, medium tempo), with my current 9.5 Comp my average drives carry 240-250 with total including roll around 260-265 (these are estimates but I know I'm close). The TP 26.3 shaft is very smooth with a softer tip than the NV or Comp NT (= higher trajectory than NV or Comp NT), I don't hit drivers really high but with the 10.5 Comp / 26.3 I was getting a very high trajectory with little roll - I like that shaft quite a bit but it wasn't ideal in the 10.5 because I wanted more roll. My 10.5 MP001 w/NV stiff plays longer and at a bit lower trajectory than my 9.5 Comp with stock stiff graphite. From my personal observations and from what I have read the MP001 460 plays at a lower trajectory than many other 10.5 460 cc drivers. My Comp is still my gamer right now because for me it's extremely accurate and I like to play a draw eliminating the right side (the MP001/NV is a bit harder for me to dial in a consistant draw so far) but I really like the feel of the MP001 and the NV shaft.

 

I am no fitter, just a golf enthusiast, but if you've got a pretty quick swing and left is a concern the TP 26.3 might be a little too soft for you. In addition, if you want to keep your flight lower the TP 26.3 might play a bit higher than you'd like (but I believe the MP001 head might offset that a little). From every thing I have read and my experience with the MP001 and Demo's with the 580XD, I believe that the J33 would be the lowest trajectory head, followed by the MP001 and 580XD in that order. The NV and Comp NT are both lower trajectory shafts than the 26.3. Another point to consider if you want help minimizing a hook, the J33 head is reportedly more square at setup than the other two, I don't know the actual face angles but to me both the MP001 and 580XD set up with a somewhat closed face angle at address.

 

Hope that helped you a bit. You've got a difficult choice to make (especially if you can't hit them first) but the good news IMO is that all 3 heads and shafts are generally highly regarded and receive favorable reviews. Good luck.

[slicer365]

Price, value, best out of the 3...............580XD with the Aldila NV 65 in stiff flex.

[Toby]

Much appreciate the useful comments!

Keep it coming.

 

If the Comp NT was stiff or the 580XD a tour version I believe the search would be over...

 

/Toby

[MrParr1Noid]

The only thing I'd add to your choices, the TM 580XD w/NV 65 can be had for less than $200, and the MP001 Mizuno for about the same price. I agree with the TM 580XD TP being the best of the 3, although I found that NV 65 to be a poor choice, at least for me a very mediocre shaft.

 

The J-33 460 is a very long and forgiving head, and the shaft you go with will make a very big difference in how that head will react. I find the J-33 very hard to turnover but if you can turn it over, it's 15 yards longer than many drivers out there, mine is fitted with a Fuji 693 TR for what it's worth.

 

I haven't ever hit the Mizuno MP001 for any comparison but I'd bet that it being Mizuno, that it would perform quite well. Just remember that the shaft is the engine. :)

[mr_divots]

The J33 460. Hands down. Square face angle. .335" hosel. Long. Excellent feel and sound. Heavier head weight than most everything on the market allows it to be shafted shorter than most heads. THe shaft will make the head. I couldn't hit it to save my life with the NV65 stiff in it. Had a UST V2 75 stiff put in at 44.5". Long and accurate. This club loves to go straight, but I can work it both ways if need be. Likes to hit a power fade more than draws. I have a Comp NT 85 in another driver. The Comp NT/ J33 Combo could be a good one. I could see it producing a mid-trajectory, flat, boring combo. Unless you hit moon balls normally or have a 115+ MPH swing, go with the 10.5º in the J33.

 

I was unimpressed by the feel of the MP-001 when I hit it on a few occasions. The 580XD is a good club, but the J33 460 really blows it away. More solid in it's feel, with a flatter flight and better forgiveness.

[HipCheck]

The J33 460 costs money, but the J33 IS money!

 

I love it for all the reasons stated above.

[Dyno]

J33R. Mo' poon, mo' pow. I must admit the 580 is excellent for the pennies they sell for. But the J33R will not let you hook badly....it's all aboot controlling your misses.

 

Comp NT is Graf's best shaft by 10 fold...everything else in their line is either 10 years old or feels like grey plastic conduit.

[katbird]

Now in 2nd place (or my middle reliever) is the MP-001/400 (with Exsar Reg)...in a week I've a 580xd (with TP26.3) coming to compare. The Mizu is an easy club for my swing, but is still not kicking my 510(not TP)tour out of the starting linup...I'll let you know how the XD works...

 

The 330cc 510tour with the 540xd shaft is so perfect, yet I keep looking for a larger version of perfection...madness, I know...

[Sam-Tee-Time]

.....................The J-33 460 is a very long and forgiving head, and the shaft you go with will make a very big difference in how that head will react. I find the J-33 very hard to turnover but if you can turn it over, it's 15 yards longer than many drivers out there, mine is fitted with a Fuji 693 TR for what it's worth.

...................

 

 

Noid is correct here. The J33 is by far the biggest CANNON in this group. However be warned........the J33 is VERY neutrally weighted, and it's NOT for slicers or hookers. It's for people with control of their swing. A good swing is rewarded with awesome results.

 

I play a J33R 420cc as a backup driver, and it's a hard beast to control. I had to place a ton of lead tape on the heel to tame that sucker down. If you have the swing for it - this is the club 4 U.