NPG Episode 88: Who plays a Mini Driver?

[GolfSpy MPR]

Duration: 00:20:17

In today's bite sized episode we talk Mini Drivers, overhyped tech, the 2021 Golf Ball Test, and what equipment we'd vote off the island forever.

0:00 Intro
0:45 Mini Drivers: Who are they for?
7:03 Survivor: Golf Equipment Edition
11:27 Mailbag! The Most Overhyped Tech?
15:20 Preview: The 2021 MGS Golf Ball Test

Nike Air Infinity Zoom: https://mygolfspy.com/hype-meter-nike-air-zoom-infinity-tour/

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Listen Here

[No3Jacks]

Driver is a Callaway Mavrik Max 3+.  Same thing right?

[HDTVMAN]

Tried a Callaway Bertha Mini for one season. Found better to use a driver cut down and re-weighted.

[Hacker Rod]

I don't think you can easily categorize the player who successfully bags a Mini Driver.  I'm a mid-capper, and I've carried one for years (three different models).  It's my go-to when the driver isn't behaving.  Or more accurately, when my driver swing isn't behaving.  Maybe it's not supposed to work for me, but it does.  In fact, the Original One works so well for me, I'm already pondering adding the new 300.  I'm quite certain it's just a matter of time.  

[aerospace_ray]

On 7/15/2021 at 12:18 PM, Hacker Rod said:

I don't think you can easily categorize the player who successfully bags a Mini Driver.  I'm a mid-capper, and I've carried one for years (three different models).  It's my go-to when the driver isn't behaving.  Or more accurately, when my driver swing isn't behaving.  Maybe it's not supposed to work for me, but it does.  In fact, the Original One works so well for me, I'm already pondering adding the new 300.  I'm quite certain it's just a matter of time.  

Your response is well stated. For me I guess its because I learned to play back when persimmon drivers were the standard as were 42.5 -43.5" total club length. I guess that is why I really have trouble hearing people say a mini-driver (whatever that is size wise - i..e. <200 cc, 260cc or 300ish cc, etc ?) cannot work for them. Yet they game a similar size modern 3 wood to tee off with.

I get 460cc allows a longer club and more face area to help with mishits/ball speed, etc but call me old school I still say one should swing the longest club they can hit in the screws (middle of face). For me its a 260cc Wishon FD. The size fits my eye, again just looks more traditional and the right size in address position (again influence from another era). I hit it reasonably straight and its predictable for me. Can turn it over for roll and/or hold off for fades and it has a hot face providing plenty of roll when fairways are conducive. Play it at 43.5".

Yes I can hit 45" 460cc modern size drivers but with less predictable results regarding height and direction. Both my sons being of modern 460cc era are polar opposite and can only hit the modern size drivers. Oh well each to their own. I appreciate any company bringing one of the modern "mini" models to market, doubt business model can sustain unless the club might could also double as 3 wood off the deck. Interesting TXG video where they test the TM mini and state the TM mini could fit some golfers as a three wood. All for options for the consumer. Hope TM succeeds and other companies bring out their versions.

[funkyjudge]

After my tournament round yesterday, I demo'd the new TM 300 Mini Drivers (both lofts, regular and stiff shafts).  This is DEFINITELY NOT a club made for me and my swing. I hit my Titleist TS2 4-wood much better and farther with lower spin, and hit my strong-lofted TE Exotics 5-iron just about as far as the mini driver, plus straighter and with similar backspin. There is no way that I would put the 300 Mini in my bag!

[funkyjudge]

When my driver isn't behaving (which is becoming pretty rare now that I have it dialed-in with a Ventus Blue Velocore 6S shaft at minus 1/2" length), I go with my TS2 4-wood or a hybrid off the tee.

[HardcoreLooper]

14 hours ago, aerospace_ray said:

For me I guess its because I learned to play back when persimmon drivers were the standard as were 42.5 -43.5" total club length. I guess that is why I really have trouble hearing people say a mini-driver (whatever that is size wise - i..e. <200 cc, 260cc or 300ish cc, etc ?) cannot work for them. Yet they game a similar size modern 3 wood to tee off with.

I grew up at the end of persimmon and still play it a few times a year.  It reminds me why I like 460 cc drivers .  It's just so much easier to get the ball airborne now.

I agree wholeheartedly that modern drivers are far too long for most mortals.  I'll choke halfway down the grip on a driver when I'm spraying it.  I don't hit the 3 wood any better; I just hit it shorter.  I'm surprised fitters don't try people in shorter shafts to get people more consistency and to hit the ball closer to the center of the face.

[funkyjudge]

1 hour ago, HardcoreLooper said:

I grew up at the end of persimmon and still play it a few times a year.  It reminds me why I like 460 cc drivers .  It's just so much easier to get the ball airborne now.

I agree wholeheartedly that modern drivers are far too long for most mortals.  I'll choke halfway down the grip on a driver when I'm spraying it.  I don't hit the 3 wood any better; I just hit it shorter.  I'm surprised fitters don't try people in shorter shafts to get people more consistency and to hit the ball closer to the center of the face.

This fitter does exactly that!  This year alone, I have fit players into 450-460cc drivers at every length from 44" to 45.5", with the vast majority falling between 44.5" - 44.75".

[TheProfessor]

Saw an interesting comment from the creator of DECADE on Twitter. He said his new setup is going to be a max length driver and then a mini driver he can turn over (no 3 wood). Seems similar to how Phil's bag was set up at the PGA. 

[heavygolffeels]

I have a Mini Bertha at 12 degrees that I occasionally game. Its not a driver replacement but rather a 3 wood replacement. I never hit my 3 wood off the deck, so as a tee club its nice to have a larger club head to look at. More confidence inspiring.