Current best sub-$100 driver: TE XLD, Wilson Spine, Other?

[joekelli]

+2 on the Nickent! I do not have the evolver but I have the 4dx tour spec and I just cant seem to find anything I like better. Love the classic pear shape and it does not look like its 460cc. The sound is a awesome as well. a very muted ting if you can even call it a ting!

[terparmy]

The Mizuno MP-600 i'm using now can probably be found for under $100. The fast-track weighting is pretty nifty.

[Johnny T]

Just wait for Callaway pre-owned to do another sale. I hooked up an FT-9 imix (avg head, very good shaft) for <$100 shipped.


Here are some of my favorite that can be had for close to $100 ....

FT-5, MX-700 (deceptively long), MX-560 (very loud), Diablo, 9015D, MP-600, 07 Burner.

[sixiron150]

Well, I stopped by a local Dick's today and demo'd a few drivers. Tried a Callaway Hyper X, Hibore XLS, and a Taylormade Burner 2007. Of the 3, the TM was my favorite. That being said, I played over the weekend and decided to pull out my old Adams Redline RPM (my driver over the last year or so has been a Tour Edge Geomax). In short, I forgot how much I love this driver! Hit several bombs with it. Also, I like the feel of it better than the TE and all of the drivers I hit today. So, for the time being, I'm reverting back to the Adams and saving my money. If I ever get the itch for a new driver again, the Burner will be at the top of list.

Thanks.

[sergtz]

[quote name='sixiron150' date='28 June 2010 - 09:30 PM' timestamp='1277771412' post='2543149']
Well, I stopped by a local Dick's today and demo'd a few drivers. Tried a Callaway Hyper X, Hibore XLS, and a Taylormade Burner 2007. Of the 3, the TM was my favorite. That being said, I played over the weekend and decided to pull out my old Adams Redline RPM (my driver over the last year or so has been a Tour Edge Geomax). In short, I forgot how much I love this driver! Hit several bombs with it. Also, I like the feel of it better than the TE and all of the drivers I hit today. So, for the time being, I'm reverting back to the Adams and saving my money. If I ever get the itch for a new driver again, the Burner will be at the top of list.

Thanks.
[/quote]

the 07 burner is another bomb striker... but the reax shafts (the TM stock one) plays a bit loosen for the specified flex, eg: I generally play regular shaft, but the reax stiff fits better for me... and some of my pals who tried or had it, some of them comment they've played it with the reax in X flex when they regularly plays stiff shafts.

[domer]

You mentioned the Wilson Spine, I highly recommend the Smooth instead. You can find it on ebay for <$100 brand new, I picked one up a couple of weeks ago for $55 shipped. It is one of the best-looking drivers out there IMO and performs very well.

[sixiron150]

[quote name='domer' date='29 June 2010 - 09:38 PM' timestamp='1277861886' post='2545787']
You mentioned the Wilson Spine, I highly recommend the Smooth instead. You can find it on ebay for <$100 brand new, I picked one up a couple of weeks ago for $55 shipped. It is one of the best-looking drivers out there IMO and performs very well.
[/quote]

Wow, you got a great deal. Most of them on ebay that I found are well over $100. Especially in the lower lofts. Not that many to choose from either.

Today, I decided to go to Golfsmith. Took my Adams Redline with me. I had a great time and about killed myself. Got to use a launch monitor for about an hour or so. Tried out the Callaway FT-5, Adams 9015D, TM 2007 Burner, and an Adams BUL. What I found again was that the TM Burner was best for me. Seemed to get the best launch angles with lower spin rates. It also felt the best. My Redline was next in line. However, back spin rates tended to run a little too high with it. I'm starting to see the TM in my bag in the near future.

[domer]

[quote name='sixiron150' date='29 June 2010 - 09:59 PM' timestamp='1277863184' post='2545830']
[quote name='domer' date='29 June 2010 - 09:38 PM' timestamp='1277861886' post='2545787']
You mentioned the Wilson Spine, I highly recommend the Smooth instead. You can find it on ebay for <$100 brand new, I picked one up a couple of weeks ago for $55 shipped. It is one of the best-looking drivers out there IMO and performs very well.
[/quote]

Wow, you got a great deal. Most of them on ebay that I found are well over $100. Especially in the lower lofts. Not that many to choose from either.

Today, I decided to go to Golfsmith. Took my Adams Redline with me. I had a great time and about killed myself. Got to use a launch monitor for about an hour or so. Tried out the Callaway FT-5, Adams 9015D, TM 2007 Burner, and an Adams BUL. What I found again was that the TM Burner was best for me. Seemed to get the best launch angles with lower spin rates. It also felt the best. My Redline was next in line. However, back spin rates tended to run a little too high with it. I'm starting to see the TM in my bag in the near future.
[/quote]

Maybe the Smooth is one club for which it pays to be a lefty, there are quite a few of them floating around out there for us. Regardless, glad you found something you like, the Burner is a sweet stick.

[Brettasaurus]

[quote name='joekelli' date='27 June 2010 - 08:16 PM' timestamp='1277687807' post='2540910']
+2 on the Nickent! I do not have the evolver but I have the 4dx tour spec and I just cant seem to find anything I like better. Love the classic pear shape and it does not look like its 460cc. The sound is a awesome as well. a very muted ting if you can even call it a ting!
[/quote]

Finally someone backing me up on this. I just picked up a 9 degree head to go with my 10.5 and I have 4 shafts to choose from depending on the course and conditions. I also like that it does not sound like Omaha in June.

[What's a slice?]

[quote name='domer' date='29 June 2010 - 07:38 PM' timestamp='1277861886' post='2545787']
You mentioned the Wilson Spine, I highly recommend the Smooth instead. You can find it on ebay for <$100 brand new, I picked one up a couple of weeks ago for $55 shipped. It is one of the best-looking drivers out there IMO and performs very well.
[/quote]

I previously had the Spine, having heard the plus (great distance and straight) and minus (the sound when mishit sounds like an aluminum baseball bat). That said, I've hit the longest drives of my life with the Spine, even though I moved on to the Smooth, which I love...but I've scoured Ebay and for my setup (9 degree with the Fujikura 360 shaft), you are looking at close to retail. The 10.5 degree can be had cheap, and if that works for you, great. I did a demo day and tried both side by side and needed the lower ball flight of the 9...The Smooth at address is a very attractive, shallower face driver. Very easy to hit. The Spine is good also, but had to swing smooth. Any attempt to muscle up got ugly.

[sixiron150]

Took the plunge and bought the TM 2007 Burner from 3Balls. Got it for around $87 (including shipping) with a $5 off coupon. I got the stiff stock shaft based on a Golfsmith's rep opinion. My SS averages about 95-97 mph with a smooth tempo. Does stiff sound like the right choice?

[DaveTrom]

Taylormade R9 460 is pretty good

[oregongolf]

This would clearly be the 9015D or FT-9 from Callaway Preowned.

[Golfdaddy44]

I just picked up a Bridgestone J33R 460 for $80 off the used rack. This thing is absolute money, best driver I have hit in a long time.

[pwrfade]

I might get slammed for this but here goes....I picked up a used TMade R7 CGB Max with a Harmon Design shaft in it at my local retailer for $99 - and I am LOVING it so far - even the candy apple red head - when matched with the blue and red scheme of the Harmon shaft and a Golfpride 2G White Grip - I am ready for the 4th of July with this thing....it may not be the longest driver I have hit - but man is this thing straight - picked up a Tmade TP weight set on the cheap and now looking forward to goofing around with the weights to see what she does

[jasonnj1978]

Not necessarily in this order but my top 3:

Mizuno MP-600
Bridgestone J33R 460
Adams 9015D

[Bilbo99]

I would consider several Adams Drivers as I think they make the best on the market. Here are some recent drivers that are on ebay at fantastic prices. The new stuff like the Speedline is awesome but I havent tried it.

Adams Redline RPM "dual can" (much like TM R5 but better) Adams 1st long driver. Graffaloy Blud Shaft. Cheap!
Adams Insight BUL with Adila 65g ($50-$70) Great head on this driver and its long.
Adams Insight BTY with Prolaunch Red ($75+, Similar to the BUL bit more of a players club, 2* open face)
Adams Insight XTD Pro with Adila NVS ($60 and up, more supply)
Adams InsightnTech A4 9015D - the number 1 recommended driver in this thread.

Good luck.

[Josh T]

Callaway FT-5. I got one with a whiteboard for 115 shipped.

[sergtz]

[quote name='Brettasaurus' date='30 June 2010 - 11:00 AM' timestamp='1277906418' post='2546574']
[quote name='joekelli' date='27 June 2010 - 08:16 PM' timestamp='1277687807' post='2540910']
+2 on the Nickent! I do not have the evolver but I have the 4dx tour spec and I just cant seem to find anything I like better. Love the classic pear shape and it does not look like its 460cc. The sound is a awesome as well. a very muted ting if you can even call it a ting!
[/quote]

Finally someone backing me up on this. I just picked up a 9 degree head to go with my 10.5 and I have 4 shafts to choose from depending on the course and conditions. I also like that it does not sound like Omaha in June.
[/quote]

look at my first post in this thread... i'm another nickent-striker... and it's HOOOOOOOOOOT!!! mine is with a Proforce V2 regular... a bomb launcher!!!