Persevering decides (at last) on a new driver

[perseveringgolfer]

Narrowed it down over the last few months based on looks and initial feel of a few shots when I could 'try' one.

Eliminated Ping G410 on looks, sound and feel.

Eliminated Callaway on looks, sound and feel.

Eliminated Titleist on inconsistent feel and results.

Demo'd the Taylormade M5 v's Cobra F9 v's Titleist 910D3 (current gamer) today using new Wilson balls and flightscope.

Overall;

TM and Cobra were similar lengths - averaging 225yd carry with some at 240yd carry. Titleist average 210yd carry.

TM spin avg 2500 - Cobra 2250 - Titleist 2900.

TM launch avg 12*-14* - Cobra launch avg 12*-15* - Titleist launch avg 10*-13*.

TM ball speed avg 140mph - Cobra ball speed avg 143mph - Titleist ball speed avg 138mph.

Swing speed avg with Titleist 98mph-100mph, TM 101-103mph - Cobra 101-104mph.

TM Tensei shaft was a full one inch longer than the Cobra Fujikura or the Titleist Diamana whiteboard 70. 

At address the Titleist and Cobra sat square, TM looked slightly open. All heads were at standard A1 setting (neutral). TM and Cobra heads were 10.5 while Titleist was 9.5 so not exactly like for like but it gave me a good idea.

Dispersion was large with Titleist, half as narrow with TM M5 and tighter still with the Cobra F9.

 

So after all that what am I going to go with? you guessed it....................sticking with the Titleist 910D3.

 

/joke

 

The Cobra F9 won overall plus when I stepped on a drive (you have to try that as well during a fitting as that's what you'll do on the course) the Titleist was poor, the TM was good and the Cobra was great, Swing speed went up to 104-105 with TM and Cobra on a crushed drive while it stayed nearer 102 with Titleist but the TM and Cobra retained dispersion.

Just have to have a quiet word with SWMBO to justify the outlay but I think she'll approve as it 'could' make me happier on the course, and we all like a happy ending

 

Sorry for the long post but thought it worth sharing as I haven't changed driver in a very long time.

[00sportsman]

Congratulations. It sounds to me like the Cobra was the clear winner. So that's a new driver and a new putter. What's next?

Sent from my XT1585 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[Shankster]

Really need to take your idea and put it to work. My modern classic bag thing went by the wayside.

Congrats on finally deciding! Maybe someday I’ll have that same feeling!

[perseveringgolfer]

10 minutes ago, 00sportsman said:

Congratulations. It sounds to me like the Cobra was the clear winner. So that's a new driver and a new putter. What's next?

Sent from my XT1585 using MyGolfSpy mobile app
 

better swing, lose 2 stone, hair transplant, 6 pack

[palvord]

29 minutes ago, perseveringgolfer said:

Narrowed it down over the last few months based on looks and initial feel of a few shots when I could 'try' one.

Eliminated Ping G410 on looks, sound and feel.

Eliminated Callaway on looks, sound and feel.

Eliminated Titleist on inconsistent feel and results.

Demo'd the Taylormade M5 v's Cobra F9 v's Titleist 910D3 (current gamer) today using new Wilson balls and flightscope.

Overall;

TM and Cobra were similar lengths - averaging 225yd carry with some at 240yd carry. Titleist average 210yd carry.

TM spin avg 2500 - Cobra 2250 - Titleist 2900.

TM launch avg 12*-14* - Cobra launch avg 12*-15* - Titleist launch avg 10*-13*.

TM ball speed avg 140mph - Cobra ball speed avg 143mph - Titleist ball speed avg 138mph.

Swing speed avg with Titleist 98mph-100mph, TM 101-103mph - Cobra 101-104mph.

TM Tensei shaft was a full one inch longer than the Cobra Fujikura or the Titleist Diamana whiteboard 70. 

At address the Titleist and Cobra sat square, TM looked slightly open. All heads were at standard A1 setting (neutral). TM and Cobra heads were 10.5 while Titleist was 9.5 so not exactly like for like but it gave me a good idea.

Dispersion was large with Titleist, half as narrow with TM M5 and tighter still with the Cobra F9.

 

So after all that what am I going to go with? you guessed it....................sticking with the Titleist 910D3.

 

/joke

 

The Cobra F9 won overall plus when I stepped on a drive (you have to try that as well during a fitting as that's what you'll do on the course) the Titleist was poor, the TM was good and the Cobra was great, Swing speed went up to 104-105 with TM and Cobra on a crushed drive while it stayed nearer 102 with Titleist but the TM and Cobra retained dispersion.

Just have to have a quiet word with SWMBO to justify the outlay but I think she'll approve as it 'could' make me happier on the course, and we all like a happy ending

 

Sorry for the long post but thought it worth sharing as I haven't changed driver in a very long time.

Love hearing that you decided on the Cobra F9!

It's a fantastic club. Can't wait to hear your results on the course.

[revkev]

Best of luck with it!


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[PlaidJacket]

On 6/11/2019 at 6:38 AM, perseveringgolfer said:

Sorry for the long post but thought it worth sharing as I haven't changed driver in a very long time.

Can't say I blame you. As many around here know; until about 2 months ago I'd been playing a 2014 SLDR. I just couldn't find any reason to ditch it. And I tried a couple of times. However, I'm now playing the new Exotics EXS and to date it's been a very good upgrade.

[russtopherb]

Cobra knows drivers. Good choice!!!


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[PING Apologist #9]

Congrats! Hit 'em well out there!!!

[revkev]

I did have to chuckle because this does show how different each of us is.

I could care less about looks, feel or sound in my driver.

I care about the ball flight that it produces -if the ball looks good coming off the club I will get used the the other stuff quickly


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[Sluggo42]

On 6/11/2019 at 5:04 AM, perseveringgolfer said:

better swing, lose 2 stone, hair transplant, 6 pack

How much is 2 stone?

[GB13]

1 minute ago, Sluggo42 said:

How much is 2 stone?

28lbs

[Sluggo42]

I’d like to drop a few stones myself...

[MDGolfHacker]

Glad to hear you found a driver that will work better for your swing!

 

MDGolfHacker

[mdumble21]

Congrats on the new driver! I had a similar fitting the other day at my local golf store. I recently won AU$350 in a year-long tipping comp (came 4th), and had some other vouchers so I took the opportunity.

I went into the fitting thinking I'd walk out with an Epic Flash Sub Zero being the Callaway fanboy I am. I was a bit disappointed with the Epic Flash when compared with the Cobra F9 and Taylormade M5.

In the end it came down to the M5 and F9, with the F9 beating the M5 on accuracy. Difference in distance was 1-2yd for the M5, so not much in it.

I eventually settled on the Cobra F9 with an Atmos Black X7 shaft, and I've been hitting a few more fairways than usual.

[golfertrb]

Congratulations on the upgrade! Last year I finally upgraded from the 430 SLDR to the G400 LST. I waited because I hit the SLDR so well and had no desire for anything new but the LST has been pretty special. I went to al old tried and true shaft for me (AD DI) and it has been so good. I'm hopeful your ending will be happy too :)


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[perseveringgolfer]

I hate this game 

I love this game 

The honeymoon period of the new 'fitted' driver lasted a very very short time. 

I think the shaft/head combo wasn't a fit for my swing, especially under pressure. Low flight and I didn't warm to the sound.

The thread about "are all drivers equal" is interesting and my experience affirms some of the findings overall.

So, the Cobra F9 is gone- Lost some serious $/£   I'm now driverless   I'm seriously considering looking at the last few years OEM offerings and buying either new or 2nd hand but only after trying them on the course with different shafts.

On my radar now are TM/Ping/Callaway/Titleist from 2016-present.

[JohnSmalls]

30 minutes ago, perseveringgolfer said:

I hate this game 

I love this game 

The honeymoon period of the new 'fitted' driver lasted a very very short time. 

I think the shaft/head combo wasn't a fit for my swing, especially under pressure. Low flight and I didn't warm to the sound.

The thread about "are all drivers equal" is interesting and my experience affirms some of the findings overall.

So, the Cobra F9 is gone- Lost some serious $/£   I'm now driverless   I'm seriously considering looking at the last few years OEM offerings and buying either new or 2nd hand but only after trying them on the course with different shafts.

On my radar now are TM/Ping/Callaway/Titleist from 2016-present.

I put a Ping G400 (not max)  in my bag a few months ago and it has been one of the best additions I have made.  I recently changed shaft from Alta 55 CB which for me was a high flying/high spin machine---to a ~44.25" Aldila RIP Alpha (billed as low launch/low spin). 

I am currently pitting it against the F9 and hit the G400 along with the F9  this morning on the range. I don't have enough experience the F9 to give you a thorough assessment but so far I have had higher launch and higher peak ball flight with the G400.  Both are 9* heads set at 9*, but I did have the F9 weights set with the heavier weight forward.  I think with all things equal, the G400 will still produce a higher flight, at least for me.

I have played the G400 in more stressful tournament situations and it has been very consistent there as well.  I highly recommend looking at it. 

 

[fixyurdivot]

Good job! I never tested the F9 but it certainly gets high marks and definitely has way more bling than the G410.  

[perseveringgolfer]

7 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

Good job! I never tested the F9 but it certainly gets high marks and definitely has way more bling than the G410.  

did you see post #17?