|
Page 7 of 8
GT Tech Award Frontrunner
In past years, there was typically one standout technology that grabbed our attention and earned one particular driver the lead spot in the race for a GT Tech Award. This year, several technologies that have matured in recent years have been utilized to produce a number of standout drivers, all of which are worthy of note due to their innovative designs and first-rate performance.
Last year, the original HiBore from Cleveland Golf took our GT Tech Award Frontrunner honors due to its unique geometry and design. The newest iteration of the HiBore, the XL, represents a significant improvement over the original due to a more optimized CG location and overall shape. In addition, both the Nike SQ Sumo2 and Callaway FT-i have taken the extreme MOI design to heart, producing two of the most unusual-looking drivers to date. Don’t be put off by the square shape of either of these drivers—they’re designed for performance, not looks.
The use of carbon composite in driver clubheads isn’t new, but both Callaway (FT-5) and PING (Rapture) have taken the technology to a more sophisticated level. Any golfer looking for a lightweight, big stick with plenty of custom options should take a peek at these two.
Finally, TaylorMade has taken its unique movable-weight technology (MWT) and applied it to a 460cc clubhead to produce the Superquad. This club not only represents the ultimate in customizable CG options, but also shows that a 460cc clubhead can feature a traditional shape.
The bottom line: We’re in the golden age of driver design, and anyone who hasn’t tried one of the latest big dogs is missing out on a great thing.
PING Rapture
pinggolf.com
(800) 4-PING-FIT | $429
 PING’s most high-tech driver to date is an instant crowd-pleaser.
Features: The modern-looking Rapture has a carbon crown with a rearward (and visible) titanium grid structure to further enhance the driver’s COR and MOI properties. The titanium face launches the ball with tremendous velocity.
Advantages: The carbon crown enabled designers to utilize two weight pads on the sole of the club, both positioned low and away from the clubface. This helps reduce spin and promote a high-launch trajectory.
Benefits: Average to better players will love the great acoustics and enhanced feel that the Rapture has over several other composite-crown drivers.
What We Like: The overall shape is classic and easy on the eye.
Lineup: Rapture, G5 (Rapture fairway woods also available)
Clubhead: Titanium (cast), Carbon
Clubface: Titanium (milled)
Volume: 460cc
Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°, 13.5° (available LH)
Shafts: PING TFC graphite (X, S, R, A); Custom shafts available
| TaylorMade r7 Superquad
taylormadegolf.com
(800) 888-CLUB | $399
 The r7 is bigger than ever and looks to be stronger as well.
Features: Like its predecessor, the r7 Superquad is equipped with four movable weight ports. Only this time, it’s in a 460cc clubhead with revised aesthetics. The inverted crown technology behind the clubface delivers tremendous ball speed, and the low CG launches the ball beautifully.
Advantages: Of course, the custom tuning of the r7 Superquad is its biggest selling point. Only now, it’s blown out to a maximum 460cc’s.
Benefits: All players seeking big distance and a driver with an enhanced MOI. The r7 Superquad TP has already made a big impact (pun intended) on Tour.
What We Like: Great looks married perfectly with incredible performance.
Lineup: r7: Draw, 425 (TP), 460 (TP), Superquad (TP), r5 N/D (TP) Burner (TP)
Clubhead: Titanium (cast)
Clubface: Titanium (cold-rolled)
Volume: 460cc
Lofts: 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5° (9.5°, 10.5° LH)
Shafts: TaylorMade SuperFast RE*AX graphite (X, S, R, A)
| Perfect Club Perfect Driver
theperfectclub.com
(866) 843-0260 | $199
 The Perfect Club represents an unconventional approach to standard equipment. The Perfect Driver is 2.5 inches shorter than a standard-length driver to help golfers hit straighter tee shots and more fairways.
Features: The high-tensile, beta-titanium crown, titanium soleplate and variable face technology produce plenty of distance and forgiveness with a high trajectory. Golfers ought not be fooled into thinking a shorter shaft means less distance. It’s sneaky long.
Advantages: The stock shaft, which is the only option available, has a low 3.2-degree torque rating to minimize excessive twisting on off-center hits. A new Ladies version as well as Perfect Spoon and fairway woods are also available.
Benefits: Anyone who desires almost-automatic accuracy needs a Perfect Club.
Lineup: Perfect Driver, Perfect Ladies
Clubhead: Titanium (cast)
Clubface: Beta-titanium (cast)
Volume: 370cc
Lofts: 11.5° (available LH)
Shafts: Perfect Driver graphite (S, R)
| PING G5
pinggolf.com
(800) 4-PING-FIT | $299
 The G5 isn’t new this year, but that isn’t stopping it from being one of the best drivers.
Features: Eight grams of weight are repositioned low and away from the face to help promote a high-launch, low-spin ballflight.
Advantages: The thick/thin web pattern in the crown and internal weight pads solve the low-CG location problem. Add to that a thin, milled face that’s robotically plasma-welded to the body, and even more weight is saved and moved to the basement. It’s impressive stuff that works.
Benefits: The G5 covers the entire spectrum of skill levels. Higher-handicap golfers take note that most lofts are available in an offset version.
What We Like: The all-around great performance.
Lineup: G5 (G5 fairway woods also available)
Clubhead: Titanium (cast)
Clubface: Titanium (milled)
Volume: 460cc
Loft(s): 7.5°, 9°, 9° o/s, 10.5°, 10.5° o/s, 12°, 12° o/s, 13.5° (9°, 10.5°, 12°, 13.5° available LH)
Shafts: PING TFC100D, Aldila NV 65, Grafalloy ProLaunch 65 graphite (X, S, R)
|
|
