One of the most important golf clubs in your bag is the driver. It’s the longest hitting club you use out on the golf course and it is also the most expensive club you carry.
For most golfers, hitting the driver and keeping the golf ball in the fairway can be quite challenging. It takes a lot of practice and control to achieve consistency. The driver can either be your best friend out on the golf course, or it can be your worst enemy at times. This is why it is important to purchase the right driver for your particular golf swing and skill level.
What should you look for in buying a new driver? The answer to that depends on your playing level. Are you a beginner, or do you have a low handicap? A driver that works well for a beginning golfer wouldn’t work well for the more accomplished golfer. Here are some tips to look for when buying a new driver.
Club Head
If you are just starting out playing golf you will want to look for aa a big head on the driver as possible. You want a large sweet spot that will help you on miss-hits. It gives you more of an opportunity to drive the golf ball down the fairway instead of popping it up, or topping it on the ground.
Golfers of all levels can gain more distance from titanium heads. Titanium is a lightweight and very strong material. Its lighter weight gives you increased clubhead speed, which results in being able to hit the golf ball farther. Titanium will also give the beginning golfer, or high handicapper increased control over a steelhead. One big benefit to buying a driver with a steelhead is the price. Steelheads are much cheaper than titanium.
Loft
The degree of loft in your driver is very important and often overlooked by most golfers. If you are a low handicap golfer, a driver with 9.0 – 9.5 – or 10.0 degrees of loft is what you’re looking for. Those golfers who are just beginning or higher handicap golfers should look for drivers with 10.5 or higher loft angles. The higher loft will make it much easier for you to hit the driver.
Shaft
Another important aspect of choosing the right driver for your game is the golf club shaft. It seems like there are every kind and color of the shaft out on the market today. To keep things simple for you the club pro would likely recommend either a steel shaft or graphite. Titanium shafts are very nice but are also very pricey.
If your golf swing is less than 100 MPH, or you’re a beginning golfer, you should look for a more flexible shaft. Golfers with a lower handicap will want to go with a stiff shaft in order to have more control.
Graphite shafts are much lighter in weight than their steel counterparts. This can be a real plus for the beginning golfer, or higher handicap golfer. The less weight, the greater clubhead speed you can produce. This adds up to more distance from the club. Keep in mind though that graphite shafts will cost more than steel.
Buying a new driver is an important decision for your golf game. By following some of these tips you can know more of what to look for before making a purchase. Buying the right driver can dramatically improve your golf game and have you driving the golf ball farther than you ever have.
by Michael Russell
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