After 11 years of faithful service, I'm upgrading my driver. My 913 D2 saw me through my high school and college days, and it's done well enough by me in the years since. However, I'm not getting the distance I feel I should, and I hit the ball so, so high. When I've had a chance to play on simulators I've seen backspin of anywhere from 4,000-6,000 rpm (yikes). I don't think I can blame the driver for that, but I'm a bit confused on what might be causing it. Initial thought is that I must be hitting down on the ball, but in recent sim sessions I see I'm hitting up on the ball at 4-5 degrees. So maybe the shaft? I've always had a Mitsubishi Diamana S+ Blue 62 in that club. I really don't know, but needless to say, I'm in the market for a low-spin setup.
That brought me to Darkspeed LS, Ai Smoke TD, Qi10 LS, G430 LST, etc. I went for a fitting at my local shop and was fit into extra stiff shafts for the most part (I tend to generate 112-115mph clubhead speed), and the two heads that I seem to hit best are the Darkspeed LS and the AI Smoke TD, both at 9 degrees. The Darkspeed LS was coupled with a UST Lin-Q M40X White 6, and the AI Smoke TD had a Project X Denali Black 70.
Both of these brought my backspin into a consistent 1,800-2,200 rpm range. I saw carry of 290-300 for both, and, for the first time in years, the ball rolled out a good 15-25 yards after landing (I'd gotten so used to seeing a divot in the fairway ahead of where my golf ball came to a stop). Both would be great choices, I'm sure. I think the Darkspeed LS is the best looking driver I've ever seen, but the Callaway looks great as well. The fitter seemed to think I hit the Callaway a little better on the sim.
I'm curious, for those who tested both of these and ultimately chose one or the other, why did you choose what you did? Did one manage misses better? Was one more forgiving off the face? Longer? Straighter?
