Mini Driver users?

[SteddyGolf]

Are there any mini Driver users out there? I picked a used one up today because absolutely needed it (not). For $49 in great condition it was to good to pass up especially after hitting it on the launch monitor and banging it straight as an arrow off the mat up to 250 yards. Mini Driver is a funny name especially when it's the same size as my first Mizuno T-Zoid Driver back in 1997.

 

Anyone else out there using a mini Driver or have had experience with a modern 253cc driver? Love to hear your experience, how you use it, advantages and or limitations.

 

 

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[Shankster]

No... but I need one.. I'll give you $51

[SteddyGolf]

No... but I need one.. I'll give you $51

I got to tell you on the launch monster it was pretty sweet. I bought it from Roger Dunn Golf. It is 14 degrees and has an M2 Fujikura Shaft. This might replace my beloved F7 3 wood.

 

I think where I benefit the most is the increased swing speed. While the 400cc drivers have increased forgiveness and a larger sweet spot, moving that beast through the air can be a chore. My driver swing speed is in the lower to mid 90s. I was swinging this thing just above 100. I felt 52 again lol (I'm 53).

 

 

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[djahubes]

Used to play a GBB mini. Absolutely loved that club. One of the only ones I wish I still had

 

 

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[HardcoreLooper]

Not a mini driver, but I have my F8 3 wood cranked down to 13.5* right now. It's worthless from the fairway, but it's great off a tee.

 

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[Shankster]

Need a 12° so you don't have to sell it to me. Perfect timing for this thread. Reminds me to put my G driver in the classifieds.

[BIG STU]

I have never tried one in metal but typical of me I do have my solution. Even after I switched to metal on certain courses I would pull my 3 wood at the time which was an old Steelhead Plus at 13* and put my Toney Penna Persimmon driver in which was roughly 10.5*. I can hit it off the deck too if need be. I also have another option in my bag of tricks. I have an older ( 1957 vintage) Macgregor 2 wood at 13* that I can do the combo thing with too as in tee and deck-- On the signature set if I do those options I will pull either my 4 iron or 7 wood. Most of the time on a tight course it will be the 4 iron but NEVER ever my 3 iron because I can hit too many shots with it. When the mini driver craze hit I did and still have a early GBB Ruger Titanium @ 12* with a RCH 90 shaft that I tried too. I remember when the mini driver craze hit I sold a lot of older earlier metal head drivers I had cheap like $10 $15. Like anything else it may work for you and not for others. 

[NiftyNiblick]

For me, the mini diver or strong lofted "tour spoon" did one specific thing .

 

It let me play the ball less forward and tee the ball low, which I liked to do.

You really can't do that with a 460.

[HardcoreLooper]

For me, the mini diver or strong lofted "tour spoon" did one specific thing .

 

It let me play the ball less forward and tee the ball low, which I liked to do.

You really can't do that with a 460.

 

Tour Spoon.  Now you're bringing back memories of high school for me.  So many of us had these things in our bags.

[Kor.A.Door]

Found one at play it again today.TM SLDR S 12°. LH . I've wanted to try one, so it works out.

[GolfSpy MPR]

Just bought a XHot Pro 3Deep 13° head off eBay. Hoping to get it shafted up and in play next week. Really hoping that this helps out what is a major weakness in my game right now.

[NiftyNiblick]

Just bought a XHot Pro 3Deep 13° head off eBay. Hoping to get it shafted up and in play next week. Really hoping that this helps out what is a major weakness in my game right now.

People who struggle with driver--beginning with me--aren't looking to minimize spin for more distance because more spin usually means that less of it is sidespin,  One reason to go with a driver substitute.

 

Also, that little extra touch of loft increases carry if your swing speed can't push the 10.5 or 11º club to optimum trajectory. 

 

Many who understand that they're not going to get majestic carry from a 17º 1-iron don't seem to see any correlation with a 9.5º driver.

 

In the end, though, you know how far downrange that you find your ball.  If that low spin, strong lofted driver is working for you, then you're obviously good enough to play it and will clearly profit from launch monitor analysis.

 

Subtle, controlled curves require skill, but big bananas in either direction are within anybody's skill set who hits a few on the range and cultivates the confidence to do it on the course. 

 

That's how I used the driver. 

If I tried to hit it straight,

I was just letting the ball decide which way to turn. 

I used it to turn corners that I could reach.

It was a specialty club that I'd carry if I had room for it and the probable opportunity to hit it.

 

My reliable tight little draw disappeared with driver.

I could get surprised with a dead push with any club, but that was a 50/50 proposition with driver.

 

Plus, I wasn't playing with club champions.

People weren't banging their drivers way past my fairway wood.

My butt ugly driving-iron line drives,

which I could hit straight for some inexplicable reason,

went as far as some of my friends' drivers.

 

I had a frightening multiple of shortcomings to list before strength became an issue.

I wasn't a huge banger by any means, but I could take the driver-substitute strong fairway wood for a decent ride, right up to the end.

[GWamtourguy]

When I got back to golf three years ago - I picked up a 12d GBB mini.  Loved it.    Took a look at some launch monitor numbers last fall.  I switched this year to a G400 LST with shortened shaft - lower ball spin and gain  a bit of length.  Accuracy has not suffered, and off center hits have improved.   I still have the mini and not ready to part with it yet.