Friday, March 18, 2011
2011 Buyer's Guide Drivers
Absence of weight is the next big trend in drivers. Is it right for you?
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Tigershark
PowerPod II  Key Feature: The PowerPod II is Jim Flood’s latest masterpiece, this time in a unique, deep-faced design. It’s designed for max slice removal and distance, thanks to a huge clubface, internal weighting and a more upright lie angle.What We Like: The PowerPod II is definitely a different club to look at, but really, all you need to do is swing it to see and feel its power. In our trial, the club was insanely long and straight. Who It’s For: All types of players, especially those who struggle with slicing the ball. Specs: Comes in 10.5° loft, with a UST Proforce V2 graphite shaft (S, R). L-hand available. tigersharkgolf.com | $249 |
Titleist
910D2  Key Feature: A fuller, pear-shaped driver that has an adjustable hosel for a custom fit. Oh yeah, it has loads of internal weighting for an optimized high-launch/low-spin ballflight.What We Like: The 910D2 is the most accessible, easy-to-hit driver we’ve seen from Titleist. The ball flies high and far, just as we wanted. The SureFit tech ensures a precise fit. Nice. Who It’s For: Moderate to better players who want a consistent trajectory that doesn’t balloon. Specs: Available in three lofts, 8.5°, 9.5° and 10.5°, with a wide variety of graphite shafts to choose from. titleist.com | $399 |
Titleist
910D3  Key Feature: A fuller, pear-shaped driver that has an adjustable hosel for a custom fit. Oh yeah, it has loads of internal weighting for an optimized high-launch/low-spin ballflight.What We Like: The 910D2 is the most accessible, easy-to-hit driver we’ve seen from Titleist. The ball flies high and far, just as we wanted. The SureFit tech ensures a precise fit. Nice. Who It’s For: Moderate to better players who want a consistent trajectory that doesn’t balloon. Specs: Available in three lofts, 8.5°, 9.5° and 10.5°, with a wide variety of graphite shafts to choose from. titleist.com | $399 |
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Tour Edge
Exotics XCG-4  Key Feature: Thanks to a lightweight carbon crown and carbon inserts in the sole, this driver weighs in at just 276 grams (there’s also a 310g version), enabling golfers to ramp up their swing speed immediately.What We Like: We’ve always been fans of the Exotics line of woods, and the XCG-4 is our new favorite. It’s light, long and straight. Who It’s For: Players who want a light driver that’s a breeze to swing. Specs: Comes in three lofts, 9°, 10.5° and 12°, with GD Tour AD 45 or Fujikura Motore graphite shafts. L-hand also available. exoticsgolf.com | $329 |
Tour Edge
JMAX Gold  Key Feature: The ultimate game-improvement driver! It has an offset hosel, a closed face angle, a shorter 44.5-inch shaft, 15 degrees of loft and a deep CG and raised MOI to help slicers and short hitters maximize their distance.What We Like: It has a price that will appeal nicely to the newbie or beginner. We also like the added loft. It’s super-easy to hit. Who It’s For: Higher handicappers who want a simple, fun-to-use driver that won’t leave a hole in their wallets. Specs: Comes in 15°, with a JMAX Gold graphite shaft in a variety of flexes. L-hand also is available. touredge.com | $129 |
Williams
FW32 Key Feature: This driver borrows a handful of technologies from Formula One race cars to help make it more aerodynamic and increase the user’s swing speed. The diffuser in the backcontrols airflow, the winglets direct air around the sides, and Densimet weights help in adding a boost of perimeter weighting to the head. What We Like: The aesthetics of this driver are top-notch. The back actually looks like a race car. Who It’s For: Design aficionados and Formula One race fans. Specs: Available in four lofts, 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, with Fujikura graphite shafts in RL, R, S. williams-sports.co.uk | $499 |
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