Long Drive Contest - TMaG R15 430cc vs Titleist 915 D3

[Aotearoa_Brad]

Rick Shiels posts some great videos on YouTube - if you haven't seen any of his work you might want to check them out. He's pretty objective and calls it how he sees it. This is a really interesting comparison between TMaG and Titleist's new flagship drivers - great to see some of the numbers as well.

 

 

 

[hckymeyer]

Pretty cool test, I enjoyed watching that.

 

Smash factor wasn't that great with either club though, I feel like he's probably leaving some yds on the table.

[mbrodeur86]

Agreed. He's hitting both clubs all over the face. Still impressive to get those numbers out of both clubs imo

[markb]

I particularly liked this comparison.  His tests use very little data of course, but he tries to be fair.  Shiels is a Ping staffer, but he was the first to point out that SS's didn't really rise for the average golfer with the turbulated G30.  I don't think he has any particular agenda in mind, although he manages to be chirpy and positive about most clubs.   Sometimes he gets REALLY giddy when he likes something.   He really likes the new Srixon clubs.   He really likes the 915d2 (or is it just the Rogue shaft) and it's good to see that club doing well.  I was hearing early buzz that it was short, just like the 913, but Shiels says no.   It may very well just be the Rogue that has made the 915 d3 so good for him.  He was getting phenomenal spin numbers with the shaft (2000 rpm average) in the d3 and even 2600 numbers in the dud 913.

 

Also of value are his Joe Blow tests with his buddy.   See the one where the Mizuno and Aeroburner did well.  

[markb]

Agreed. He's hitting both clubs all over the face. Still impressive to get those numbers out of both clubs imo

 

The GC2 with its face strike locating technology must exaggerate the location of off center strikes.   I have literally never seen a single shot in any Shiels video where he hits the center quadrant.  Not possible.   And if I hit my shots in the far off center places that his GC2 says he's hitting them, they'd go about a 100 yards with wicked curves.

[mbrodeur86]

I can believe that. The simulators we play on often tell me I'm in the heel of the club when I was clearly more towards the center (you can fit and hear the difference)

[markb]

I can believe that. The simulators we play on often tell me I'm in the heel of the club when I was clearly more towards the center (you can fit and hear the difference)

 

This is so easy to test and verify.   Put a little Dr. Scholl's powder on the clubface, lightly wipe the locator dots off again with a Q-tip and see if the gizmo and impact spots compare.

[silver & black]

I just watched Shiels test the 913 D3 against the 915 D3 using the Rogue Silver shaft with both heads. Interesting results.

 

[Tophand576]

RIck has great reviews but also check out Mark Crossfield. He does a lot of reviews and comparisons as well. I just posted a video of R15 460 vs 430.

 

Both guys do a great job of using explaining the numbers they get and why.

[silver & black]

Agreed. I like Crossfield. I watch his videos routinely.

[mbrodeur86]

Another vote for Crossfield. His videos are really good and usually has numbers to back him up.

[markb]

The Shiels reviews with the 13 capper are interesting.   Clubs that Shiels liked, the 13 capper didn't get much out of and vice versa.   The 13 capper gained a good 20 plus yards using a white headed (which he hated) a stock stiff, wrong loft glued Aeroburner over his fitted X2 Hot.   Made me realize that perhaps we shouldn't pay too close attention to the clubs that the higher SS lower handicap players like.  Our results will vary.

[RoverRick]

Interesting, the 915 looks like it is 3 or 4 year old Nike Technology. Pre Vapor, Pre-Covert 1.0 and 2.0 and pre-VRS, they had the VR Pro.  Wonder if they will come out with a 917D Covert.  Hehe.

 

But I like the Titleist much better.