Forgiving 2 year old Driver Tech - In search of new driver

[GT1885]

Driver swing speed is in mid 90's. I'm still a moderately strong swinger for being in my early 60's. Two years ago I went from a 910 D2 to the Callaway line. I bought an XR 16 that I still have and which I think I'll be comparing drivers to. I flirted with a regular Epic this time last year. Thinking I wanted to try a 917 D2, I bought a head and put my favorite shafts in two Titlesit adaptors. Here's the scoop...

I'm not all that sold on the 917. I started on the A1 setting and it took everything I had to control a significant fade. I've set it on A3 and it's somewhat better but it's still fades. The last time I had a driver fade like this was a Aeroburner TP.  I don't think I'm going to keep this.

The Cally Epic was OK but sold it after a month.

I think what I feel in the Epic and the 917 is improved face technology that isn't perhaps as forgiving as the XR16. I don't think either of the Epic or 917 is that much longer but they both definitely "feel different". Because the 917 is still fresh on my mind, I can really tell the differences between the XR16 and the 917. Maybe I just prefer a forgiving and higher spin head like the XR16, if that's what I'm feeling.

Now, the crux of my thread...is there a head out there that may have the feel (forgiveness and spin?) of the XR16 that is only 2-3 years old and yet be an upgrade to the XR and 910 (the two drivers that I've played the most in the past 7-8 years)?

[GB13]

I'd look at either the 2017 M2 or the PING G/G400 series. 

[romeopapazulu]

I'd look at either the 2017 M2 or the PING G/G400 series. 

This. I suggest reading through the G400 reviews in these forums. I haven't been on here forever, but the rate at which people adopted this line of clubs was pretty impressive and must be pretty high on the list. Now that the 410's are out, you can probably find a great deal on one of these.

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[bens197]

Before you talk yourself out of your driver, there are still plenty of professional long drivers who swear by that XR16.

If you’re looking for forgiveness try a G400 like the other guys said.


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[chemclub]

If you are looking to experiment a little, the Wishon 919THI is by far the most forgiving driver I have ever hit. There is a small but faithful following that swears by this head, and you can likely find a used model online for cheap. Don't let the small name of Wishon clubs fool you.

My fitter gave me a 919THI to try and I was skeptical. Ok buddy, I will give it a shot. Well, last year it slowly became my go to club. So reliable and solid all over the face. FWIW

[RickyBobby_PR]

Best driver in the last 3-4 years is the 2016 m2

[null]

1 hour ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Best driver in the last 3-4 years is the 2016 m2

Agreed. You're not going to find a better bang for your buck. 

[PAgolfer2017]

I think a lot of it depends on whether or not it fits your swing well. XR was a fantastic driver. I had that and the XR16 Pro. Both great drivers and not that far off from my current G400.


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[RickyBobby_PR]

42 minutes ago, jlukes said:

Agreed. You're not going to find a better bang for your buck. 

Nope and I catch myself pondering one pretty much weekly. Love my g400 but the 2016 m1/2 were so good not much today can beat them. 

[GT1885]

20 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Best driver in the last 3-4 years is the 2016 m2

Is this the original M2? Or is this the same as the 2017 model? I'm under the impression that the 2017 M2 was the second release of an M2.

[GB13]

1 hour ago, GT1885 said:

Is this the original M2? Or is this the same as the 2017 model? I'm under the impression that the 2017 M2 was the second release of an M2.

2017 was the second release of the M2. The 2016 has a sort of cult following

This is the 2016: https://www.2ndswing.com/taylormade/golf-drivers/2016-m2/#used

And this is the 2017:

https://www.2ndswing.com/taylormade/golf-drivers/m2/?facet=ManufacturerID:454#used

[RickyBobby_PR]

4 hours ago, GT1885 said:

Is this the original M2? Or is this the same as the 2017 model? I'm under the impression that the 2017 M2 was the second release of an M2.

Yeah 2017 was second release with some minor tweaks. Both are good really conmes down to price imo

[GolfSpy_BNG]

I can't add much more to what is already been said here.

My vote would be 2016 m2 or g400. Both can be had for very reasonable and won't be giving up much if anything to today's stuff.

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[Meanttodothat]

How do the M2's compensate for a slice? Im selling my Great Big Bertha which is very good for compensating for a slice and curious about this M2. Like the OP ill be buying a few year old tech.

[Will_Mac]

Different strokes for different golfers... as I thought the Epic was considerably more forgiving than the XR16.

That said, I found the Rogue SZ to be more forgiving than either and the G400 Max more forgiving still.

[revkev]

Here’s the issue - we all have different swings so any advice we give you will be irrelevant unless we know more about your swing.

Are you trying to find the best driver for you period or is cost a factor? If it’s the best driver I would strongly suggest you try Tru-fit. It will do a much better job of recommending a club for you than we will telling you about our favorites.

Good luck!


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[GT1885]

12 hours ago, revkev said:

Here’s the issue - we all have different swings so any advice we give you will be irrelevant unless we know more about your swing.

Are you trying to find the best driver for you period or is cost a factor? If it’s the best driver I would strongly suggest you try Tru-fit. It will do a much better job of recommending a club for you than we will telling you about our favorites.

Good luck!


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Cost is a factor but only in that I believe there isn't that much difference in the evolving technology that I can benefit by. I've hit enough drivers over the years that I've come to the believe that unless I can hit the true sweet spot more often than not, then these "higher tech" drivers won't benefit me. I first came to this conclusion with the first SLDR and the Fly Z with the weight up front. AT this point in my golfing life. I'm only looking for forgiveness which I guess comes with higher spin.

I'll look in to True fit. Thanks for the suggestion.

[RickyBobby_PR]

2 minutes ago, GT1885 said:

Cost is a factor but only in that I believe there isn't that much difference in the evolving technology that I can benefit by. I've hit enough drivers over the years that I've come to the believe that unless I can hit the true sweet spot more often than not, then these "higher tech" drivers won't benefit me. I first came to this conclusion with the first SLDR and the Fly Z with the weight up front. AT this point in my golfing life. I'm only looking for forgiveness which I guess comes with higher spin.

I'll look in to True fit. Thanks for the suggestion.

Anything properly fit in the last 2-3 years will perform about the same.

Imo forgiveness is a very vague term in golf and can mean something different to each person. Some will say more ball speed on mishits so that they don’t lose a lot of distance even though for some that will mean their miss becomes a bigger miss. Others will want better dispersion. Others looking for both. Others looking to get a higher ball flight..

[revkev]

Cost is a factor but only in that I believe there isn't that much difference in the evolving technology that I can benefit by. I've hit enough drivers over the years that I've come to the believe that unless I can hit the true sweet spot more often than not, then these "higher tech" drivers won't benefit me. I first came to this conclusion with the first SLDR and the Fly Z with the weight up front. AT this point in my golfing life. I'm only looking for forgiveness which I guess comes with higher spin.
I'll look in to True fit. Thanks for the suggestion.

I will be curious to see how that works. If it means anything you and I are in a similar boat - I’m in my early 60’s - 94 mph average driver SS and the Ping G400 LST works great for me. It was last year’s Most wanted driver - I often look back a season or 2 like you are. Since Ping has come out with the 410 line it’s had a price drop.

Please let us know where you end up and how it works out.


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[Sluggo42]

Very hard to beat the g400 pings, rogues, M2’s, F8’s etc. unless you want to dump $500+ for that additional 1.7 yards that the new tech brings...  although it might actually be closer to 5? If you hit the sweet spot every time anyways

[russtopherb]

G400 and F8 should fit the bill nicely. Both are extremely forgiving.