Tips for Buying Golf Drivers

Modern golf drivers have undergone many technological and design enhancements over the years. Overall, the driver is the biggest, longest, and the most expensive club in your bag. Drivers are most often used off the tee on par 4s and par 5s, although more advanced players may choose to use a driver off the fairway when extra distance is required. A drive will determine a positive or negative outlook for your pivotal second shot to the green. Would you like to hit off the fairway or the rough? No brainer! You might only hit the golf driver 14 times during a round of golf, but you will add unwanted strokes to your score card if your tee shots stray into the rough.

With the extensive marketing hype surrounding golf drivers, it is difficult for players to figure out which driver is best suited to them. Below, you will find helpful tips for choosing the correct golf driver to enhance your game.

Clubhead Material: Titanium vs.Steel

Titanium club heads are lighter and stronger than steel clubheads. The lighter weight allows for the design of much larger heads than steel heads of the same weight; therefore, creating a large sweet spot to minimize swing faults. High handicap players should look for a titanium club head driver because it is more forgiving from the tee.

Steel club heads are heavier and cheaper than their titanium counterparts. High quality steel heads offer the same distance as titanium heads when struck in the sweet spot. Low handicap players should choose a steel club head golf driver because it offers control from the tee.

Clubface:Loft

Generally, a club head loft is between 8-12 degrees. The lower the loft the lower the ball flight and vice versa. If struck correctly, a lower loft club face will produce more distance than a higher loft club face.

If you tend to slice from the tee, you should opt for a higher loft. Lower lofts tend to produce sidespin, which would turn your slice into a huge slice.

High handicap players need to choose a 10 degrees or higher loft driver while low handicap players need to select a 9 degrees or lower loft driver.

Shaft: Steel vs. Graphite

Steel shafts are heavier and cheaper than graphite shafts. Steel head golf drivers come in both steel and graphite shafts. If you have a fast swing speed, then you need to choose steel shafts, because they will give you control.

Graphite shafts are lighter and more expensive than steel shafts. Titanium golf drivers are only available in graphite shafts. If you have a slow swing speed, then you need to select graphite shafts, because they will give you more distance.

Shaft Flex

Flex refers to the amount of bend in a shaft. Your shaft flex needs to match the speed of your golf swing. Beginners and players with less powerful swings will benefit from a more flexible shaft. An average player has a swing speed of 65 to 95 mph, and should look for a regular shaft. Players with powerful swings in the 96 to 110 mph range should purchase a stiff or firm shaft. This will provide a stiffer club for more control. Many shafts are now available in a uniflex that will fit most any golfer's swing.

Swing Weight

The lighter the golf driver, the faster the swing speed and the longer the ball can be hit. Mid and high handicap player who do not have strong swings will benefit from a lighter golf driver. Low handicap golfers, or any golfer with a high swing speed, should choose a slightly heavier golf driver to provide slightly more control.

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Date	Tournament	2004 Winner
Oct 27-30	Chrysler Championship	Vijay Singh
Nov 3-6	The Tour Championship presented by Coca-Cola	Retief Goosen
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6	Sergio Garcia	ESP
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8	Adam Scott	AUS
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10	David Toms	USA

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