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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   

TaylorMade r7 Draw
taylormadegolf.com
(800) 888-CLUB | $299


TaylorMade r7 Draw Slice no more!
Features: The new r7 Draw is, well, draw biased, to encourage not only the proper closing of the clubhead through impact, but also to promote a higher launch and added spin—three elements needed for longer and straighter drives.
Advantages: Inverted Crown Face Technology effectively enlarges the hitting area across the clubface for minimal distance loss on off-center strikes. Also, the soft-tipped shaft is designed to help golfers close the clubface through impact, as well as promote a higher launch angle.
Benefits: Do we really need to tell you?
What We Like: No offset needed here! At last, a slice-correcting driver that doesn’t look like one.
Lineup: r7: Draw, 425 (TP), 460 (TP), Superquad (TP), r5 Dual N/D (TP), Burner (TP)
Clubhead: Titanium
Clubface: Same (cold rolled)
Volume: 460cc
Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 13.5° HT (9°, 10.5° available LH)
Shafts: TaylorMade RE*AX 55 graphite (S, R, A)
TaylorMade Burner
taylormadegolf.com
(800) 888-CLUB | $299


TaylorMade Burner The Burner is back and it’s hotter than ever.
Features: The revived and all-new Burner driver from TaylorMade is equipped with what TaylorMade calls “Super-Fast Technology,” designed to promote a faster swing speed for added distance.
Advantages: In addition to being 460cc, the Burner graphics also aid in clubhead alignment at address. Just know that the Burner has huge MOI and COR (translation: BIG distance)! Don’t miss the fairway woods, as they’re long, too.
Benefits: All players who want an aggressive driver that’s long and forgiving.
What We Like: The cosmetics are great, but one swing and it’s clear to see why TaylorMade is a top contender when it comes to drivers. Wow!
Lineup: r7 Draw, 425 (TP), 460 (TP), Superquad (TP), r5 N/D (TP), Burner (TP)
Clubhead: Titanium
Clubface: Titanium (rolled)
Volume: 460cc
Lofts: 9.5°, 10.5°, 13° (9.5°, 10.5° available LH)
Shafts: TaylorMade RE*AX graphite (X, S, R, A)
Titleist 907D1
titleist.com
(800) 225-8500 | $500


Titleist 907 D1 Arguably the most radically shaped driver ever from Titleist, the D1 uses not square, but triangular geometry to increase its MOI and forgiveness.
Features: The triangular design helps bolster the MOI, but its the multi-material use of an aluminum hosel and beta-ti face that really elevates the performance.
Advantages: The CG is deep and low, and the sculpted sides increase the stiffness of the sole for a greater energy transfer into the golf ball.
Benefits: Players of all skills will notice the effectiveness of the triangular shape, and better players will love the upgradable shaft options.
What We Like: While others tinker with square shapes, Titleist proves it will always be a leader, not a follower, by developing a completely different shape.
Lineup: 907D1, 907D2, 905R
Clubhead: Titanium (cast)
Clubface: Beta-titanium (forged)
Volume: 460cc
Lofts: 7.5°, 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5° (8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° available LH)
Shafts: Titleist Spec Grid 67 graphite (S, R); Custom shafts available
Titleist 907D2
titleist.com
(800) 225-8500 | $500


Titleist 907 D2 Looks like Titleist still has a few tricks up its sleeves, as shown by two new drivers for 2007. This one, dubbed the D2, is primed for a Tour pro.
Features: The D2 uses an aluminum hosel, a titanium body and a beta-ti face combined to form a traditionally shaped driver designed for the utmost in distance with workability.
Advantages: The increased MOI helps lessen the loss of distance on off-center hits, while still maintaining the shotmaking capabilities that better players prefer. The face insert is also tapered at the top for a higher-launch and lower-spin trajectory.
Benefits: “Serious players.”
What We Like: The refreshing shape is a throwback, but the technology is anything but old school.
Lineup: 907D1, 907D2, 905R 
Clubhead: Titanium (cast)
Clubface: Beta-titanium (forged)
Volume: 460cc
Lofts: 7.5°, 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 11.5° (8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° available LH)
Shafts: Titleist Spec Grid 67 graphite (S, R); Custom shafts available
Tour Edge Bazooka GEOMAX
touredge.com
(800) 515-3343 | $265

Tour Edge Bazooka GeoMax The Bazooka GEOMAX is armed and dangerous. Look out par-5s!
Features: The Bazooka GEOMAX was designed by pushing design boundaries to establish a remarkably low and deep CG. The effort worked, and thanks to a 20-gram tungsten plug, this driver has a high MOI and a hot face.
Advantages: The clubhead is stretched longer from front to back, making the head less susceptible to twisting on off-center hits. Also, the Grafalloy-designed shaft adds more speed for more yards.
Benefits: All players who subscribe to “bigger is better” will dig this new crusher from Tour Edge.
What We Like: Despite its large size, this driver sets up square, making it easy to hit straight.
Lineup: Bazooka GEOMAX, Exotics, V25, Bazooka Carbon, Bazooka JMAX QL
Clubhead: Titanium (cast)
Clubface: Titanium (forged)
Volume: 460cc
Lofts: 9°, 10.5°, 12°, 14°, 16° (10.5° available LH)
Shafts: Grafalloy GEOMAX graphite (X, S, R, A, L)
Tour Edge Exotics Fusion
touredge.com
(800) 515-3343 | $399

Tour Edge Exotics Still going strong, the Exotics driver (and new Tour Proto) are taking it deep.
Features: Three varieties of titanium are Combo-Brazed together (it’s a complicated process that fuses the different parts without the need for welds). Each driver comes equipped with two tungsten heel screws for better forgiveness and increased COR and MOI ratings.
Advantages: The dizzying array of construction and design elements make for astounding distance.
Benefits: The Exotics is a playable option for all skill levels. Better players will like the heavier, open-faced Tour Proto version.
What We Like: The feel—contact is solid with very little vibration. The Aldila VS Proto shaft rocks the Tour Proto version.
Lineup: Exotics, V25, Bazooka: GEOMAX, JMAX QL
Clubhead: Beta-titanium (cast)
Clubface: Beta-titanium (forged)
Volume: 460cc
Lofts: 8°, 9°, 10.5°, 12° (10.5° available LH)
Shaft(s): YS-Exotics by Graphite Design graphite (S, R, A, L)
Vulcan XP 470
vulcangolf.com
(800) 842-1836 | $249

Vulcan XP 470 A clean, traditional-looking driver from an up-and-coming manufacturer.
Features: The XP 470 has a classic shape and profile, not to mention a classy paint job that covers the crown and heel/toe sections,
Advantages: The beta-titanium face yields a 0.830 COR for the utmost in powerful distance. Also, the Tuning Fork sole design helps to increase the clubhead’s MOI for enhanced forgiveness. The real story? The XP 470 is just a few cc’s bigger than the 460cc limit, but is still allowed by the USGA. (There’s about 10cc of wiggle room for drivers.)
Benefits: Recreational players looking for a classic shape that’s not overwhelming to the eye. It’s also a refreshingly affordable option.
What We Like: The no-frills design and the willingness of Vulcan Golf to push the size boundary. Nice.
Lineup: XP 470 
Clubhead: Titanium (cast)
Clubface: Beta-titanium (forged)
Volume: 469cc
Lofts: 9.5°, 10.5°
Shafts: Vulcan V-Tech by Aldila (S, R)
 


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