When do YOU upgrade?

[JubJub2020 1]

I'm looking around for a new driver and it got me thinking what type of distance gain do you personally have to have to justify the purchase?

Thanks!

[GolfSpy_APH 8,008]

12 minutes ago, JubJub2020 said:

I'm looking around for a new driver and it got me thinking what type of distance gain do you personally have to have to justify the purchase?

Thanks!

Honestly it isn't so much distance but consistency. I have found newer drivers are simply more consistent in providing my average numbers and better on poor strikes. As a whole that's what I look for vs pure distance. 

Also spin consistency. That is huge for me because I've noticed there are several that dramatically increase in spin in certain spots which kills my distance.

 

[tony@CIC 22,352]

1 hour ago, JubJub2020 said:

I'm looking around for a new driver and it got me thinking what type of distance gain do you personally have to have to justify the purchase?

Thanks!

I'm going through the same decision making process. Do I need a new driver, a different shaft for the 410, lessons or just plain speed training - or all four. The current drive dispersion is ok, but I am concerned about spin numbers since they're in the high 3,000's and is that taking away from distance. So I'm headed for a fitting in May with my well worn 410 SFT. If I get more distance with new drivers (based on trackman data) then lessons and speed training is just frosting on the cake. 

[Paul Hedrick 453]

5 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Honestly it isn't so much distance but consistency. I have found newer drivers are simply more consistent in providing my average numbers and better on poor strikes. As a whole that's what I look for vs pure distance. 

Also spin consistency. That is huge for me because I've noticed there are several that dramatically increase in spin in certain spots which kills my distance.

 

I must agree with you; for me consistency is of prime importance.

[coyote_jones 90]

I just purchased new irons, and my first brand new golf equipment in over 10 years. I've consistently purchased used mainly because I haven't been in a place financially to buy new. After last season I knew I wanted to get custom fit for irons so I saved throughout the year. So for me it was a money thing. I was pretty sure I could upgrade anything in my bag and see some sort of gain if I went with new custom fit, but if the money wasn't there I just didn't do it. That said I did gain about a club of distance throughout the set. So that was nice. 

[PBH3 101]

When I got my new driver last year the distance gains were nominal, but the consistency and dispersion were a a significant improvement over the 7 year old technology of my old driver.   

[Kenny B 33,500]

When do I upgrade?... when I feel like it.  

[CarlH 8,345]

I'm with @Kenny B ... I have no specific criteria.  It's more of a "I think it's time...." 

[RickyBobby_PR 9,660]

Whenever I have the itch for something new or something different.

It’s most just about distance but how is that distance being achieved. And it’s not total distance I look at because the varies too much from course to course and weather. I look at carry distance because that travels to every course.

Am I getting more launch and less spin. If so is the spin too low thus possibly being unplayable on The course or i mishit the ball. 
 

Is spin and launch causing the ball to fly lower and shorter but giving me more roll out. As mentioned above that’s going to be a no go.

Is it coming from more ball speed while spin, launch and other characteristics are remaining relatively the same. 
 

If I’m getting a couple miles more ball speed and not affecting launch characteristics and the driver both looks and sounds good then it’s an easy buy.

 

[LeftyMatt89 901]

For an upgrade, I’m not just looking at distance. For me the most important aspect is dispersion and helping me lower scores. The forgiveness on the current driver I. Playing, rogue triple diamond, was significantly more forgiving across the face than the original sim max driver I was playing prior. I have found more fairways or been right off the fairway and my strokes gained in arccos for driving has gone up. I think my max distance is very similar with my previous sim max but I am hitting consistently more good drives with this new head. Same shaft in both for me. 

[stuka44 421]

On 4/17/2022 at 9:29 AM, JubJub2020 said:

I'm looking around for a new driver and it got me thinking what type of distance gain do you personally have to have to justify the purchase?

Thanks!

I just replaced a 10 year old Nike VR Pro.  For me it was as many have stated "just time".  In 10 years the technology has improved.  I have gained some yards, and it has a better feel.  That being said I personally don't believe all the hype of driver "technology" year to year.  I will likely hit this one for another 7-10 years until I decide that perhaps the technology "really" may have improved, and at that time I will do what I did this time, purchase a 1-2 year old model for half the price of this years model.

[Double Mocha Man 15]

On 4/17/2022 at 6:29 AM, JubJub2020 said:

I'm looking around for a new driver and it got me thinking what type of distance gain do you personally have to have to justify the purchase?

Thanks!

For me: 20 yards, no change in dispersion.  I have a standing offer... when I try out a new driver at a demo day or otherwise I've always said, "If this driver out-distances my current driver by 20 yards, consistently, I'll buy it, no matter the cost."

Last year I bought 5 driver heads and 6 driver shafts... tried all the combos.  I did 3 demo days with 3 major brands.  Still nothing beats my 12 year old driver.  When I bought it for $400 it gave me an extra 25 yards.  First club I've ever bought that lived up to the hype.  It's still in the bag.

[Middler 3,594]

Like some others, I buy when I want a change, probably about 5-7 years. I’d like more consistency but it’s not the club that’s causing inconsistency. More distance wouldn’t push me to buy a new driver, and I’d think a 20 yard improvement isn’t in the cards for 90% of players. Only those with really old equipment/tech and/or somehow grossly misfit are going to see 20 yards. My current set is from 2017, and I’m waiting to see the next Gen of Titleist drivers this Fall - we’ll see. I haven’t liked my Rogue driver for quite a while, but I’m in no hurry. New clubs won’t make much if any difference in my scores.

[billybogey 28]

Driver & Woods Try for every 4 yrs. Irons every 5 yrs. Wedges every 3 yrs. , Putter lasts longer than Wife!!

Probably, should cut a year off each. Kind of got Mindset to keep around as long as Buddies whine!!

But, know requires a year to Warm-up, another to play Good & by 3rd year have stopped listening.!!

 

[revkev 25,448]

For some guys it's putters, others wedges, others irons - for me it's drivers - when I feel like it which is about twice a year.  

[higherplane 38]

One recent anecdote.  Went to fitting that compared 2017 GBB Epic to 2022 Rogue. Trackman Carry and Distance same, slight spin differences. Worse contact on 2022 gave nearly same carry and distance, not so for 2017.  Tough to justify personal error as only difference - in past would have purchased new club.                      

[Beakbryce 60]

I am also in to consistency. I have been golfing since 1981. I started with wood woods and tommy armour irons. I am 69 and still hit my clubs the same distance. I have never really had a distance gain but each new iteration that I try gets the ball out to about the same spot on the courses I have been playing the last 20 years. Just somewhat straighter each time. So I guess if I suddenly drop off 10 or 15 yards I am going to go get fit.

BTW, never really believed in the "20" yard gain as I have never seen it happen. However, I replaced my wife's senior shaft Ping 400 with a regular shaft Epic speed driver and bingo, easily 20 more yards. I was astounded. She is a happy camper. 

If I could just do that...

[Middler 3,594]

26 minutes ago, Beakbryce said:

BTW, never really believed in the "20" yard gain as I have never seen it happen. However, I replaced my wife's senior shaft Ping 400 with a regular shaft Epic speed driver and bingo, easily 20 more yards. I was astounded. She is a happy camper. 

+1. I’ve only seen a 20 yard driver gain once. Guy I play with regularly sold his 20-30 year old PING set and bought a full set of Mavriks. He definitely picked up 20 yards with his driver. He also gained distance with his Mavrik Max irons, but the lofts were 2-3 clubs stronger, so he probably didn’t really gain distance with his irons. He wasn’t fit for either set. And his scores haven’t improved at all…but he’s happier hitting longer drives. He kept his way old PING beryllium wedge, probably has no working grooves at all.

[DStar 1,438]

I have been a serial club changer since I started playing again last year, trying to find the best club for me. Some worked some didn't but as my game has improved I've been able to figure out what I actually want each club to do.

Most of my purchases have been off eBay as there isn't much available to try in LH local to me - my thinking was that if I buy used I could sell on for the same if it didn't work out. 

I found a good 15-20 yards (possibly close to 30-40 on a perfect hit) going from a Cobra F6 to a new RadSpeed.

Not necessarily due to the head performing better but the RS 'looks' better to my eye and that gives me more confidence over the ball so I feel like I swing it better. Had a driver lesson with our pro and tweaked the settings which also improved launch & spin numbers.

Edited April 21 by DStar

[Donn lost in San Diego 47]

With today's technology, look for tighter dispersion, from a better shaft, and not more yards on your perfect shots.