| Let’s
face it! Golf is war. Specifically, the drivers are the opening
salvo off the first tee - the machismo and bravado are on display.
“Show me what you got” and “I can hit it further
than you can” are the insinuated subliminal emotions that
can be felt by whoever is within 20 feet of the tee box.
Each year we feature those drivers that are in
the greatest demand, perform exceptionally well, and are the “buzz’
of the American male golfer. Although it’s only May, over
27 new drivers have been introduced since the beginning of the
year. Many more are in the pipeline to be introduced this year.
The ten below are, in our opinion, the best so far this year.
To this end, this article will cover those drivers
that have made the biggest explosion in terms of actual performance
and hype. These are “powerful” tools compared to just
2-3 years ago. The most ubiquitous marketing themes seem to be
that each manufacturer is into comparison testing of their driver
versus those of the major manufacturers and stressing that their
particular driver’s MOI (moment of inertia) allows less
twisting, is longer, and the weighting systems designed into their
particular driver is nirvana.
As always, before purchasing any of these drivers,
take them out for a test flight. Find what works best for you.
Until now, perfect launch conditions have been
reserved for higher swing speed players and PGA Tour pros. Research
shows that these players produce the optimum launch angle (the
initial angle at which the shot leaves the clubface) of approximately
12-14 degrees, combined with a ball spin rate of 2800-3000 rpm
for maximum driving distance. However, today's drivers make it
a lot easier for slower swinging golfers to achieve those numbers.
We have identified the following ten drivers
as being the top performers and most sought after drivers so far
in 2005:
Bobby Jones Collection Driver
 Jesse
Ortiz, formerly of Orlimar fame, is now with the Bobby Jones Company
as their new designer. With Jesse’s skills, Bobby Jones
has introduced a new line for both men and women, that is both
good looking and easy to play. Most impressive are their new drivers-
the Jones Collection and the Jones Series. They are simply outstanding.
The Jones Collection’s target market is the older golfer
with a slower swing speed, while the Jones Series is for the golfer
with a faster swing, featuring smaller heads with deeper faces
and more loft choices.
Our testers just loved both the drivers, especially
since they averaged over 30 yards further in distance!
Both 420 cc drivers feature Russian BT-23 titanium
faces that are milled and graphite-composite crown for maximum
rear weighting. Two weighted screws provide neutral or draw bias
options for golfers.
Standard shafts are made by Graphite Design,
the leading shaft manufacturer on Tour. The driver’s sharp,
sophisticated looks and color scheme appealed to all of our testers.
The Jones Collection is right
handed only in a 10.75°
The Jones Series lofts are available
in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° and 11.5°
MSRP: $300.00
www.bobbyjonesshop.com
or at local green-grass shops.
Adams Golf Redline RPM 430Q Driver
 Adams
has made enormous inroads on the Champions Tour. Having the 2003
British Senior Open winner, Tom Watson, as their spokesperson,
has definitely catapulted Adams back into the forefront as one
of the leading golf manufacturers.
Following their Redline 460cc driver, and with
TaylorMade’s R7 influence and genius, the new Redline RPM
430Q, like the other Redline RPM woods, features state-of-the-art
RePositioned Mass ™ technology and xFace™ engineering.
The 430Q is a traditional shaped driver with 430cc head that features
adjustable weights for customized launch conditions a la the R7.
RePositioned Mass™ technology in the RPM
430Q provides 44 grams of discretionary weight. This weight is
relocated to deliver increased ball speed and improved launch
conditions and spin rates. Fifty five percent of the mass (two
10-gram screws and two 2-gram screws) is adjustable through four
weight ports, which can be positioned to six different configurations.
This customization allows golfers to optimize trajectory and ball
curvature. XFace™ engineering expands the COR zone across
the face for greater ball speed on both center and off-center
hits.
Adams offers a variety of high performance shafts,
though Aldila’s NVS graphite is standard.
Lofts are available in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°
Most models offer flexes in Senior, Regular,
Stiff, and X-Stiff
MSRP: $399.00
www.adamsgolf.com
TaylorMade r7 Quad HT
 What
more can one say about the hottest drivers in golf today?
To date, the r7 driver line has been responsible
for 36 tour wins worldwide since its introduction last year. Popular…you
bet it is. Retailers are selling them at an unbelievable pace,
so much so, that the r7 Series has broken all other retail sell-in
records in TaylorMade history – the most successful product
launch ever.
Following their initial successes, TaylorMade
introduced their new r7 Quad HT driver. Identical in size to the
r7, 400cc, the r7 Quad HT has a shallower and wider club face
designed to generate a higher trajectory and longer carry for
extra distance.
The HT similarly incorporates the same TaylorMade
Launch Control Technology, moveable weighting system, super thin
wall casting and proprietary shaft as the r7 Quad.
Another outstanding benefit of this driver, unlike
many other drivers…is the ability our testers had to hit
this off the deck with apparent ease!
Every one of our testers reported that this was
simply one of the best drivers they have hit in a long time. Penetrating
ball flight and solid feel being the two most voiced opinions.
Another oft mentioned quality of the r7 Quad HT was the great
sound on contact.
Multiple lofts and shaft options are available
in all models for right-handers (8.5 °, 9.5 °, 10.5°
& 11.5° while southpaws have 9.5 ° & 10.5°
lofts.
MSRP: $399.00
www.taylormadegolf.com
Callaway Big Bertha Titanium 454
 Callaway
is on a roll again! With so many new products brought to market
this year AND worldwide acceptance of these products, Callaway
is back to its old self. One of the main contributors to its successful
repertoire is the new 454 Titanium Big Bertha. This is the driver
that David Mobley used to win the 2004 RE/MAX World Long drive
Championship (377 yards).
With its huge effective hitting area on the club
face, this is an extremely easy driver to hit. With its subtly
designed curves and compact look, it sets up well, and with its
extra-large titanium club head, provides more stability for more
accuracy off the tee. Out testers were extremely pleased with
the 454’s performance, especially when coupled with the
Callaway HX Tour ball.
The new Big Bertha Titanium 454 Driver also incorporates
the patented core technologies that have made Callaway Golf the
leader in woods technology for more than a decade. An integral
element of S2H2(R) (Short Straight Hollow Hosel), a staple of
Callaway Golf woods for more than 15 years, is Tru-Bore(R) Technology,
which extends the shaft tip completely through the club head to
the sole for greater feel and superior control.
Lofts in both right handed and left handed models
are available starting at 8, 9, 10, 11 & 13. Many shaft options
and flexes are also offered.
MSRP: $299.00
Ben Hogan Big Ben C*S3
 This
new Big Ben™ C•S3™ Titanium driver also features
movable weight technology. The C•S3 (Custom Shot Shaping
System) utilizes 3 factory fixed weight cartridges which move
23 grams of discretionary weight(1-18 gram tungsten weight cartridge
and 2-2.5 gram aluminum weight cartridges) to optimize your individual
shot shape, maximizing distance, accuracy and forgiveness.
All our testers thoroughly enjoyed this driver.
Three models are available: Neutral bias to maximize
distance for those who hit straight shots; fade bias for those
who hook or draw the ball, and draw bias to help those who fade
or slice the ball.
The driver comes standard with the Aldila NV
shaft with Light, Regular, Stiff and X-Stiff shafts. Lofts:7.5°,
8.5 °, 9.5 °, 10.5° & 12° for right-handers,
while southpaws have 9.5 ° & 10.5° lofts.
MSRP: $299.00
www.benhogan.com
Titleist Pro Titanium 905S and 905T
 Following
up on their fabulous success with their 983Kand 983E Series drivers,
Titleist has introduced their new 905T and 905S Series drivers.
Both feature 400cc heads with similar aesthetics to the previous
versions. Additionally, both drivers feature a multi-material
design that includes a CNC milled 6061 T-6 aluminum hosel tube,
cast titanium body and a thin titanium face insert. According
to Titleist’s engineers, the club’s design allows
for unproductive mass to be repositioned from the hosel area to
internal weight pads that create an optimal center of gravity.
Also known as the “Ernie Els Driver”,
the 905T is a Tour-proven larger profile driver that provides
an optimal combination of ball speed, launch and spin for longer
tee shots with a penetrating downrange trajectory. Due to its
larger front-to-back profile and resulting increased dynamic loft,
the 905T is Titleist’s most versatile driver with high launch
and moderate to low spin characteristics. This version is specifically
designed for the better player who prefers its optimum ball flight,
while the aspiring player will benefit from the increased size
and playability of the club.
On the other hand, the 905S is also a Tour-proven
deep face driver that provides a flatter initial launch angle
and a much reduced spin rate. Due to 905S’s smaller front-to-back
size, the center of gravity is closer to the face to promote a
more boring trajectory. This deep face, combined with a low center
of gravity, provides reduced spin making and is ideal for that
player with higher cub head speed or the higher spin player who
needs more trajectory and shot control.
All our testers enjoyed, were enamored, and thrilled
with these drivers’ performance, sound and aesthetics.
Right-handed and left handed models are available
in 7.5°, 8.5°, 9.5°, and 10.5° lofts with multiple
shaft options.
MSRP: $399.00
www.titleist.com
Cleveland 460 Comp Driver
 AKA
“the Vijay Singh” driver, this is one of the best
of the Fusion drivers on the market. Golfers benefit from the
combination of lightweight carbon fiber composite with the strength
of beta titanium in this 460cc driver. The sum total of fusion
technology produces supposedly longer and straighter drives, as
well as lower spin rates.
The Launcher Comp driver is made with an ultra-lightweight
tri-ply carbon fiber composite crown. This feather light section
allows for the redistribution of 25 grams of weight to lower and
deeper locations around the club head perimeter.
This redistribution of mass reduces center of
gravity (CG) height and moves it further away from the face to
produce drives with high launch and low spin from a greater percentage
of the clubface. This phenomenon is known as the vertical gear
effect. This same mass redistribution also allows for additional
weighting to critical perimeter areas that dramatically increase
moment of inertia (MOI), or the resistance to twisting on off-center
hits.
Our testers absolutely “loved” this
driver’s good looks, feel and distance.
Lofts are available in right-handed models of
8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° & 11.5 °; Left-handed -
9.5° & 10.5°.
MSRP: $399.00
www.clevelandgolf.com
MacGregor Mactec NVG
 With
one of the biggest introductions at this year’s PGA Show
in Orlando and with the help of its latest endorser, Greg Norman,
MacGregor’s new driver has many converts.
According to the company, the Mactec features
the world's first Dual Beta titanium clubhead construction, which
shifts 7 grams of weight from the crown to the sole, resulting
in a lower center of gravity that produces less spin and additional
distance. MacGregor also claims that the TVC Beta titanium face
insert produces higher rebound characteristics across the entire
face for maximum forgiveness, a high launch angle, optimized distance
and accuracy. It definitely does produce a much different, yet
non-annoying sound upon impact.
The Tungsten weighting system features strategic
heel and toe weighting for stability and back weighting to promote
draw bias. The company’s exclusive Quadra-Action graphite
shaft claims to promote faster clubhead speed without swinging
harder, resulting in greater distance and core accuracy.
Many of our testers were favorably impressed
with the Mactec, yet others felt it to be somewhat light.
Lofts are available in right-handed models only
of 9.5° & 10.5°.
MSRP: $399.00
www.macgregorgolf.com
Two other drivers deserving
of attention are the:
The KZG Gemini 460
 Though
not as well known as the major brands, the Los Angeles based KZG
Golf continues to introduce extremely functional and playable
drivers. Their new Gemini 460, introduced late last year, is extremely
popular with the golf cognoscenti.
With it’s recently USGA approved patented
dual face technology, it is possibly the most accurate club on
the market. The Gemini Drivers have virtually no loss of accuracy
or distance on toe and heel hits! If you are looking for a club
that keeps the ball in play, look no further.
This innovative driver is designed with a patented
second plate behind the forged and heat-treated titanium face
to add greater stability and rigidity. The result: the entire
face reacts like a giant sweet spot.
The feel, sound and performance of the Gemini
460 are exceptional. When custom built with the shaft and specifications
ideal for your swing, this innovative driver is guaranteed to
out-perform many drivers on the market.
Loft availability: 9°, 10.5° & 12°
and s/l 14°; Left-handed - 10.5°. Multiple shaft options
are available. All are finished in a beautiful steel blue and
soon black.
MSRP: $399.00
www.kzggolf.com
Nickent 3DX 460cc
 Another
up and coming manufacturer is Nickent Golf. Carlsbad based, the
company is well known for its Hybrids on the Nationwide Tour.
As with many of the aforementioned drivers, the
3DX features weight ports strategically placed to provide internal
and exterior weighting that matches your swing.
The 3DX weight ports are constructed as internal
and exterior weights. They provide 20 grams of weight shift in
the drivers to the designated area in the club head.
Two versions of the 3DX Driver are available,
the Draw Spec and the Tour Spec. The D-Spec’s loft, lie,
CG, MOI and weight have all been configured to make the ball produce
the perfect draw. The T-Spec is engineered for players who prefer
a flatter trajectory and a more workable ball flight.
The drivers also incorporate SP700, a super plastic
version of titanium designed for the Space Shuttle and constructed
to resist and reduce fatigue. Plasma welding is used in the construction
of the 3DX driver, saving more than seven grams of weight for
even greater re-distribution of weight.
Draw Spec lofts: of 8°, 9°, 10°,
11° & 12°; Tour Spec lofts: 7°, 8°, 9°
and 10°
Standard Aldila NV shafts
MSRP: $349.00
www.nickentgolf.com
Take the drivers out for a test drive,
better yet, get custom fitted for a driver and
stay tuned for the many other new models due out in the next few
months.
Barry
Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers
Association of America. He is also a member of the Golf Writers
Association of America and the California Golf Writers Association
and a Mediator for the golf industry. He is a contributing writer
to numerous national magazines. He can be reached at drlotz@cbsgolf.net |
