What do you think drivers will look like in 10 years?

[GolfSpy_X]

With all the USGA limitations on drivers what technologies do you think club makers will implement in drivers in the next 10 years to get around the current rulings?

[mcbush25]

This is a good question. I think we are getting past the era of the square club heads that were created a few years ago. Sure there are a few still lingering around, but a lot of companies seemed to have scrapped the idea. I really don't know if shape will be the main factor anymore. I can see OEM's starting to look at different materials to manufacture their club heads with. All in all, who knows what will happen, but it should be interesting to see how it all pans out.

[Pert1862]

Like the one Rodney Dangerfield used in Caddyshack. Just point and shoot.

[mcbush25]

Like the one Rodney Dangerfield used in Caddyshack. Just point and shoot.

 

You know the USGA and R & A won't let that happen...if they changed wedge rules they would absolutely flip out over a club like that.

[Moecat]

Remember the recent MyGolfSpy preview of the sketches of the Callaway C-shaped driver? That could be a good example of what may be in store for us down the road.

 

I gotta find that link at a later time, but if any of you know what I'm talking about, please post it here if you have the chance.

[mcbush25]

Here is the link to the article Morris...

 

http://www.mygolfspy.com/callaway-c-shaped-driver/

[mudfish]

I hope the shape doesn't change. I'm all for changes in technology, but lets keep some things the same, I mean golf is a sport of traditions, and it seems like the manufacturers are forgetting that and making it about the money...

[robbo32]

I am all for changes in material but I prefer a tradtional shape and design. This is probably why I tend to favor Titleist & Mizuno. I am all for the look of the Titleist drivers like the 907 and 909. I hope some brands keep the traditionl looks alive.

[Matt Saternus]

I would guess that in 10 years it will be somewhat similar to our current situation: there will be many traditional shaped drivers, and there will be a handful of drivers that are unusually shaped. I don't think we'll ever see the death of traditional shaped drivers, too many people are comfortable with that look and the companies will give us what we are willing to pay for.

[tofudc5]

I think rather than any major changes in the materials used, or a radical change or adoption of any particular shape, manufactures will look at physical changes. Like they are experimenting with aerodynamics (Adams Speed Fast 10, Nike Machspeed, TM Superfast) and physical compression like in the Nike VR driver with the red compression channel. I think more development will be done with how a golf ball reacts to not just the face of the driver (like Callaway's or Mizuno's driver face technology) but the entire club itself. How the physical characteristics of the driver can promote a straighter and more penetrating ball flight. And i'm not talking about geometric shapes, but more along the lines of what Nike has in mind for the VR drivers.

[ga_pike]

Looks wise, I think they will be very similar. Even though they are much larger than they were 15 years ago, the basic driver still looks the same. Yes, we have some in square or triangle, but you still see a classic, pear shape. I think most of the changes will be in materials, weight placement, etc.

[Moecat]

I think most of the changes will be in materials, weight placement, etc.

 

Along those lines, it'll probably be interesting to see how shaft technology progresses in the future; and what/how composites are used in driver's head to lighten the crown, reposition weight, etc.

[GolfSpy_X]

Materials will be big! I know of one that is being worked on right now that could change the way all drivers are made. Have to wait and see what comes of it.

 

Along those lines, it'll probably be interesting to see how shaft technology progresses in the future; and what/how composites are used in driver's head to lighten the crown, reposition weight, etc.

[Matt Saternus]

Materials will be big! I know of one that is being worked on right now that could change the way all drivers are made. Have to wait and see what comes of it.

 

 

 

Oh, come on! What kind of teaser is that? "Change the way ALL drivers are made"?!?! You've gotta give up something more than that!

 

 

...please?

[jamo]

Funky designs, an emphasis put on aerodynamics, 48 inch shafts (the USGA limit, you know someone will do it), and loads of adjustability.

[The Golf Hound]

I don't know where these guys are going with their designs. I am not sad I missed the whole square thing. Personally, I hope my r7 425 lasts another 10 years and I won't need to worry about it.

[The Golf Hound]

Ps. Good shout on the longer shafts. I think counter balancing may help with this one.

[GolfSpy Dave]

Internal changes mainly. There will be some new marketing item to make us want the new sexy stick.

Or maybe persimmon...

[golfer0012]

Longer shafts for sure, and I think we're going to start seeing some non-conforming drivers from the big companies.

 

Jamie

[mudfish]

you know what would be cool is normal heads airbrushed to look like the old woods... now steel, no script, just wood..

[GolfSpy Dave]

Funky designs, an emphasis put on aerodynamics, 48 inch shafts (the USGA limit, you know someone will do it), and loads of adjustability.

Do you think that there will be a short shaft option. At some point you may start to lose the casual players. If AK can win some majors, maybe shorter drivers will be the thing.

[Richie3Jack]

I think we'll see more and more MOI centric drivers. You'll probably see less peared shaped drivers as time goes by.

 

 

 

 

 

3JACK

[MmmmmmBuddy]

I think that this year you are starting to see some of the blowback from the 5x5 drivers, and geometric shapes we all had to deal with the late few years. More and more clubs are getting back to traditional looks and sounds, with modern day performance. I look for this trend to continue. Drivers in 10 years will be 380cc, but have the forgiveness of a 600cc clubhead.

[GolfSpy Dave]

I think that this year you are starting to see some of the blowback from the 5x5 drivers, and geometric shapes we all had to deal with the late few years. More and more clubs are getting back to traditional looks and sounds, with modern day performance. I look for this trend to continue. Drivers in 10 years will be 380cc, but have the forgiveness of a 600cc clubhead.

I think that the trend will also be away from graphics and toward interesting metallic finishes. Just thinking about putter finishes. If you could get an oil can or mystic pearl finish on a driver...

[joekelli]

Maybe something like this.........

 

 

 

 

from tis article

 

http://www.golf.com/golf/equipment/article/0,28136,1914393,00.html

[jamo]

Do you think that there will be a short shaft option. At some point you may start to lose the casual players. If AK can win some majors, maybe shorter drivers will be the thing.

 

I think it will split into 2 distict categories: the tour designed clubs, and the SGI clubs. The tour ones will have shorter shafts, traditional design, that stuff. All of the radical technology will go into the SGI clubs.

[GolfSpy Dave]

Maybe something like this.........

 

 

 

 

from tis article

 

http://www.golf.com/golf/equipment/article/0,28136,1914393,00.html

That is not for me...

But it did get me thinking of another potential option, mechanical elements. The Nike VR driver has the red compression groove or whatever. Supposed to give more of a trampoline action at impact, I think. Maybe something like this, but less overt. Hidden inside maybe.

[Addicted2Golf]

I think that the trend will also be away from graphics and toward interesting metallic finishes. Just thinking about putter finishes. If you could get an oil can or mystic pearl finish on a driver...

 

I agree with the premise that traditional shapes are on the way back. Adjustability, at least for the high end drivers, is here to stay. I'm not sure the interchangeable shaft thing is going to survive unless they can come up with a better cost model. Perhaps different materials?

[DJNiich]

If there's still a classic pear shape, I'm playing it.

[HoosierGolfer]

This is a good question. I think we are getting past the era of the square club heads that were created a few years ago. Sure there are a few still lingering around, but a lot of companies seemed to have scrapped the idea. I really don't know if shape will be the main factor anymore. I can see OEM's starting to look at different materials to manufacture their club heads with. All in all, who knows what will happen, but it should be interesting to see how it all pans out.

I agree. I think most OEM's learned a important lesson on what shape or style we want. Square didn't sell. I look for the shape or style to stay pretty much the same now with the big push in construction materials, which of course is already happening.