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Let the Big Dog Eat - Drivers for Better Players Low handicap amateurs and professionals have the swings to really take advantage of the technological advances in driver materials, design and construction. ese better players generally look for one-woods without much offset, lots of adjustability and strong shafts to complement the clubhead for high ball speed and lots of control. In contrast to many recreational players, better players hardly ever put a new driver in by Ed Travis the bag without having it precisely fitted to their swings and then put it in play only after extensive testing to ensure it truly is the one that will maximize distance and allow them to produce the right drive at the right time. However, if you ask them, better players often will say one of the most important factors is how the driver looks at address. ey want a driver to inspire confidence so they can make an effective swing. Since a large portion of NEGM readers fall in the better player category, here are drivers we consider to be worth evaluating should it be time for a change and there’s one more very important point. Since it’s late in the golf year and anticipating the 2013 models being introduced, there are some very good prices on some very good drivers in both green grass shops and big box retailers. Unless you ‘gotta-have’ the latest and greatest of next season’s crop, these drivers are a good place to start your evaluation.
TaylorMade RocketBallz Tour e RocketBallz line (along with the TMaG R11S) has taken the metalwoods business by storm and a good example of why is the RocketBallz Tour driver. e white crowned clubhead was designed to appear smaller at address and succeeds and as with the non-Tour version there’s an adjustable hosel for plus or minus 1½° of loft and 3° of face angle closed or open. Players hitting it most often comment on the great launch characteristics of the Tour model with no sign of ballooning and that it produces long carrying distances. e two biggest pluses though may be this version gives the purchaser access to TMaG’s line up of high quality tour shafts and that with the stock Matrix X-Con 6 shaft the price is very competitive.
Cleveland Classic Tour A retro paint job mimicking a persimmon clubhead with brass sole plate along with a good looking pear-shape and extra deep face are very appealing as Cleveland Golf ’s entry into this category. Total weight when matched with the stock Miyazaki Kusala Black 61 oz. shaft is on the light side at 310 grams but Cleveland is known for producing balanced clubs even though they weight less than competitive drivers. eir mantra is a lighter, balanced club can achieve higher swing speeds and more distance. e Classic Tour may be used by a power player since the shaft/clubhead combination provides good golfers a chance to work the ball while producing a penetrating flight.
52 | Subscribe at myNEGM.com |September / October 2012