Choosing a Driver
There are so many different clubs to choose from,
and when you are just starting out it can all be a little bit overwhelming.
There are a lot of factors that have to be taken into consideration when
choosing the perfect driver to suit your needs. This article offers a basic
break down of the driver so you can fully understand the club in order to make a
professional decision as to which driver is the best for your style of play.
What is a Driver?
A driver club
can also be known as a 1 wood. It will always be the largest club that you have
in your bag and it’s the club used for the very first teeing off (your first
shot in a round of golf). This club will only ever be used when the ball is
placed on a tee.
Lofts
Each club will have a
loft. The loft is the term given to describe the backward slant on the head of
some golf clubs that is designed to drive the ball high in the air. The higher
the amount of loft specified on the club, the higher the ball will go when
struck. Loft is always displayed in degrees. The lower the loft angle then the
more run you will gain on the ball.
Shaft
The shaft describes the
handle of the club. Materials for the shaft are graphite or steel. Many go for
graphite as it is lighter, giving faster club speed transferring more energy to
the ball to give more distance. Steel shafts tend to be for players that hit the
ball quickly and need slowing down.
Flex
The flex simply means how
flexible the shaft of the club is. Depending on your physical strength and
stature depends on the flex you choose.
• Extra Stiff: For very strong
players who swing the club quickly
• Stiff: For strong men that hit the
ball well
• Regular: For the average player
• Senior: For men
who are not as strong as they used to be
• Ladies Flex: This is the most
flexible of the shafts.
Head Size
The largest head size
allowed in golf is 460cc. The larger the head the more power and distance
gained. You will find that nearly all professionals play with a larger club
head, to add power to their games. The larger the head size the more forgiveness
you will have when you swing. Some players tend to opt for smaller head to gain
more control in the game, and tend to be distracted by a larger head.
Head Shape
There are a few
different head shapes available, the most popular being rounded, triangular and
square. Round heads are the least complicated, they are simple and effective
with no frills. They are aesthetically pleasing to look at and easy to control.
A triangular head shape will make it
more
aero-dynamic, enabling faster speeds when swinging to increase ball distance.
Weights can be placed lower and further back in the head creating a higher MOI
(Moment of Inertia), which will in turn increase the speed and distance a player
can hit the ball. Square heads have been very popular for the last couple
of years, made famous by the Nike SQ Square range.
Moment of Inertia
This is a
golf term which describes the distribution of weight inside a club head which
prevents the head from twisting as the player makes the swing. The weights are
placed lower and further back in the head so that on impact with the ball, the
head stops moving. When choosing a driver, it is best to look for a club with a
higher MOI to increases consistency and accuracy.
Steel Head or
Titanium?
Steel
Steel heads are slightly
less expensive but heavier than the modern titanium drivers. They have a smaller
head than most, due to the weight of the steel the head sizes were decreased so
that the shafts could support the weight. You tend to find this on the more
tradition club styles. Steel heads are very durable, and provide a consistent
and effective play.
Titanium
The creation of the
titanium head for golf clubs was probably one of the most important developments
in golf technology. The titanium allows the club to be more lightweight so
manufacturers can make the head bigger, allowing a larger sweetspot for
increased accuracy.
The larger head will also increased the amount of
forgiveness a player will get from the shot. Being able to pull off a decent
shot from an off centre connection can save a lot of golfers games. The one
drawback of the titanium head is obviously the price. Titanium is a highly
expensive material, which you can see reflected in the price of the drivers. It
is well worth the money though for the added benefits it will bring to your
game.
Plugs/Weights
New technology
clubs allow the player to customise their club heads by adding weights or plugs.
Many clubs now come with removable weight that can be tailored to the needs of
the golfer. This was discovered in the late 90’s when tungsten inserts were
placed at the front of the head to increase the sweet spot. The further the
weight is away from the club face, the higher it will drive the ball. Golfing
rules state that weights cannot be changed whilst in a round of golf, but if set
up correctly they can highly improve a person’s game.
What is Offset?
Offset is the a
design that means simply that the neck/hosel of the club is positioned in front
of the clubhead. The neck of the shaft juts forward. The clubface will appear to
be set back a little from the neck.
When a club had more offset it means
that the farther the centre of gravity is from the back of the club. The further
back it is the higher the trajectory will be. This is an excellent feature for
those golfers than have a hard time getting the ball into the air.
The more
offset in the clubhead, the more time the golfer has to correct their swing,
altering the position of the clubhead to ensure a central hit. It allows them to
hit square to the target as the clubface will arrive a second later due to it
being offset back, making it less likely that the golfers slices or fades the
ball.
We stock a huge range of drivers for mens, ladies,
right and left hand. Click here to see our Full
Range
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