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Drivers Buyer's Guide 2007

They’re huge, easy to hit, long and full of new technology. Check out today’s big dogs and get ready to drive it a mile.

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By Staff   

Movable Feast Movable Feast
When the original r7 quad was first introduced a few years ago, some of us thought the whole movable weight thing might be a gimmick. That cynical approach to a new technology proved to be a mistake, as anyone who actually experimented with movable weights quickly found that the design worked quite well. However, the original r7 barely cracked the 400cc barrier, which today might as well be a 3-wood. The challenge was to find a way to produce a 460cc clubhead with extremely thin titanium walls that could stand up to the threading necessary to accommodate movable weights. The new r7 Superquad is a prime example (and the only one) of ultimate on-the-spot customizable performance. Regardless of your particular shot-shaping, peak trajectory or launch angle needs, you can dial it in on the spur of the moment and swing away.

Carbon Dating
The original C4 driver from Callaway was made entirely of carbon-composite material, and the results weren’t exactly stellar. But while some golfers and club designers poked fun, engineers at Callaway Golf knew they were onto something good. After a few years of experimentation, they came out with the FT-3 driver and now the new FT-5. Featuring a lightweight composite body and titanium clubface, the FT-5 is a modern driver that allows designers to move about 25 grams of discretionary weight around the interior of the clubhead to customize CG location and performance. Players who struggle with a slice can purchase the club in a draw configuration, while others can opt for a neutral setup.

Understanding Our Charts
Features: The primary design elements that make the driver noteworthy.
Advantages: How the primary design elements are meant to elevate the club’s performance.
Benefits: A general recommendation as to which skill level or player type would best be served by the driver model in question.  
What We Like: We have our preferences, too. A quick description of what impressed us in our review.
Lineup: The other models available from the manufacturer, listed from largest to smallest.
Clubhead: The primary material from which the club is either forged or cast, usually a form of titanium
or beta-titanium (a stronger, lighter version of the metal).
Clubface: Indicates the material used for the strike area.
Volume: The size of the clubhead, listed in cubic centimeters. The USGA max volume has been set at 460cc.
Loft(s): Lists the lofts available in the line and whether or not the clubs are available for lefties.
Shaft(s): These are the stock graphite shaft offerings from the manufacturer. Almost all drivers are available with custom shaft options, however. See the manufacturers’ Websites for details.



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