Driver Shootout - Finalized?

[GolfSpy_APH]

5 minutes ago, Javs said:

It could be the different shafts that give you different characteristics with the clubs

For sure. 

Shafts certainly play a part. Altho all have been tried 65 gram stiff shafts and I have made sure they are the same length. 

I did try the Otto Phlex setup... No dice. 

I have gone and tried heavier as well with the Callaway and that really didn't work. 

I settled at least with the Titleist with the Fujikura Speeder Pro 74. It is slightly counter balanced which was or and been recommended by TXG for me.

It is heavier than the 65 gram, but has performed well and led to better feel or balance. 

 

 

 

 

 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Just now, Javs said:

Have you ever experimented with the HZRDS Smoke Yellow counter balance shaft? I hit those in my Driver and 3 wood. Stiff for the driver and extra stiff for the 3 wood. I found them to be a very stable and predictable shaft. Of course your experience could be different. 

I had that in my Ping g400. Almost went the same way, but the the Fuji was a little lighter which I wanted to try. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Had the Max LS in the bag for the round and we'll the first 3 drivers were so bad (after a good range session) i nearly benched it for the 3 wood. However a bomb on 6, long and left on 7 (clearing the danger) i had some confidence back. 

11 is the next driver hole and it was a disaster drive, but made a solid par. 

13 was a high left bleeder that didn't cover trouble and the confidence was shook again.

Thankfully 15,16,17 are all driver holes and they were monsters. Helped make easy pars on all and finished off the round well. 

The thing is Jekyll and Hyde. 

I just don't know. When it's good the thing is making every hole easy but these 2 way missed and other misses are just round ending. 

Have another round tomorrow and want to leave it to you the community. What goes on the bag for tomorrow?

TSi?

Max LS?

0211?

[IndyBonzo]

8 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Had the Max LS in the bag for the round and we'll the first 3 drivers were so bad (after a good range session) i nearly benched it for the 3 wood. However a bomb on 6, long and left on 7 (clearing the danger) i had some confidence back. 

11 is the next driver hole and it was a disaster drive, but made a solid par. 

13 was a high left bleeder that didn't cover trouble and the confidence was shook again.

Thankfully 15,16,17 are all driver holes and they were monsters. Helped make easy pars on all and finished off the round well. 

The thing is Jekyll and Hyde. 

I just don't know. When it's good the thing is making every hole easy but these 2 way missed and other misses are just round ending. 

Have another round tomorrow and want to leave it to you the community. What goes on the bag for tomorrow?

TSi?

Max LS?

0211?

If you can, try the same head with a shorter shaft.  I had the exact same issues with the Rogue Max LS.  Once I got the swing weight right at 44.5", it is accurate and longer due to consistent center hits.

Edited March 20, 2023 by IndyBonzo

[cnosil]

13 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

 

Have another round tomorrow and want to leave it to you the community. What goes on the bag for tomorrow?

TSi?

Max LS?

0211?

I’d go Max LS again to verify results.  

[Merlin1313]

16 minutes ago, IndyBonzo said:

If you can, try the same head with a shorter shaft.  I had the exact same issues with the Rogue Max LS.  Once I got the swing weight right at 44.5", it is accurate and longer due to consistent center hits.

I had the exact same thing w my current driver. I shortened it to 44.5" and magically started find more fairways with a tad bit more distance because of more center hits. The average tour driver length is approximately 44.5" (DeChambeau et al are obviously the exceptions). 

[GolfSpy_APH]

Played both as the course was pretty slow. 

TSi is just better. I don't have as much of a two way miss and the feel sound and actual performance are better. It isn't that the Max LS is bad. Far from it, just that the TSi is better. So onto the BST the Max LS goes and well I may just look at adding a new one to the test... stay tuned!

[IndyBonzo]

Good deal!  Testing side by side is so valuable. I hope the TSi treats you well for a long time.  

[GolfSpy_APH]

Just now, IndyBonzo said:

Good deal!  Testing side by side is so valuable. I hope the TSi treats you well for a long time.  

I am going to try shortening the shaft on the other one I have for it. We will see if it can help improve the performance any. 

We will see how long it lasts. There are two amazing deals on both the Cobra LTDx and Ping G425 that are nearly too hard to pass up. However I do want to offload some other kit before adding more. 

[IndyBonzo]

11 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

I am going to try shortening the shaft on the other one I have for it. We will see if it can help improve the performance any. 

We will see how long it lasts. There are two amazing deals on both the Cobra LTDx and Ping G425 that are nearly too hard to pass up. However I do want to offload some other kit before adding more. 

I’m sure it’s not for everyone, but man I beat my head against the wall trying to dial in accuracy over two years of lessons, and improving everywhere else, but still spraying it with driver.  Going from 45.5” to 44.5” was a game changer (literally).  I still have mechanics issues no doubt, but they are much less magnified - and driver accuracy for me is greatly improved - with the shorter shaft.  I will be curious to hear whether you find the same.  Good luck!

[GolfSpy_APH]

10 minutes ago, IndyBonzo said:

I’m sure it’s not for everyone, but man I beat my head against the wall trying to dial in accuracy over two years of lessons, and improving everywhere else, but still spraying it with driver.  Going from 45.5” to 44.5” was a game changer (literally).  I still have mechanics issues no doubt, but they are much less magnified - and driver accuracy for me is greatly improved - with the shorter shaft.  I will be curious to hear whether you find the same.  Good luck!

I'll be sure to keep you posted. I'll cut it down tomorrow and likely give it a spin later in the day or Friday round.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Max LS is officially out. Sold and no longer in the running TSi3 is firmly entrenched in the bag. With the PXG being a firm backup.

[IndyBonzo]

10 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Max LS is officially out. Sold and no longer in the running TSi3 is firmly entrenched in the bag. With the PXG being a firm backup.

Curious - did you mess with shaft distance at all, and if so, what are your results?

Congrats on landing on a driver in which you have confidence!

[GolfSpy_APH]

5 minutes ago, IndyBonzo said:

Curious - did you mess with shaft distance at all, and if so, what are your results?

Congrats on landing on a driver in which you have confidence!

I did a little and 44.5 seemed to be the sweetspot for me. The PXG is actually 43.75... even tho they say 45 on the order sheet. 

I think a lot of it was between the ears, but I love the sound, fit and feel of the TSi and I do find when I really need to hit a certain shot shape I am able to. The more it's been gamed the better results I've had.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Ping G430 added to the competition against the TSi3. 

So far distance is similar, but the Ping is more forgiving without question and it is slightly more fade bias then I had thought which I do like. I only have one round and maybe 10 range balls with it, but so far promising!

[GolfSpy_KFT]

4 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Ping G430 added to the competition against the TSi3. 

So far distance is similar, but the Ping is more forgiving without question and it is slightly more fade bias then I had thought which I do like. I only have one round and maybe 10 range balls with it, but so far promising!

Going to be a cool comparison, Jamie! Looking forward to getting my Aerojet Max to see if it helps my game off the tee compared to my TSi3

[Fred Mitchell]

On 5/6/2023 at 3:09 AM, GolfSpy_APH said:

Ping G430 added to the competition against the TSi3. 

So far distance is similar, but the Ping is more forgiving without question and it is slightly more fade bias then I had thought which I do like. I only have one round and maybe 10 range balls with it, but so far promising!

Just my humble observations from a guy who has a mixed bag of Pings and Titlist. Hit low on the Ping and titlist irons My T300 irons are Champs hit toe on same irons and the stud becomes a dud lol. I have the 425 version of Ping in FW and hybrid but went for a new driver this year and the best hits with the TSR were 10-15 yards farther but I am constantly fighting toe hits and the Ping just didnt punish me nearly as bad the distance dispersion made me go with the G430 Max. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

This is going to be an interesting head to head with the Ping and Titleist. Both are fantastic and don think I will really be able to do wrong by either of them. 

That being said the Ping is easily more forgiving and has a far greater ability to consistently hit fairways. I also love the flat setting and feel as though it is much harder for me to turn over even on the more toe sided strikes. 

Last round I started with 2 straight center fairways. Third hole being a par 5 slightly pushed a drive left, but still in play and not in a terrible spot. 5th hole being another par 5 was another drive piped down the middle. 6 was a bit of a quacker, but user error and again still in a decent spot. 7 was a fade just left fairway. 11 was a ripped drive right side in the semi, but a preferred spot to be honest as the whole dog legs right and that is the shorter line. 12 was a bomb over some trees and left me all of 110 meters out vs the 150 plus meters if I had take a line straight down center or 3 wood. 13 did end up left penalty, but again I think that was more me vs the club... not I think. I know. 16 was a drive just left and kicked the wrong way into semi which was too bad. Finally 17 was a scorched drive leaving me under  100 meters in. 

Was truly a great driving round and one I am hoping to replicate tomrorow. 

Now if only the iron play could follow suit. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

The Ping was certainly one of the best drivers I have played in years and I will fully admit I will likely end up regretting selling it. However a good friend who plays more and will get more use in tournaments asked if I would sell it. 

He tried it against his SIM2 and well the results for him were stupid good. Drive a 314m (345 yard) green and just felt stupid confident with it. 

So off goes the Ping and I did try the TSi again, but put it up for sale as well. Simply the forgiveness is missing and I ended up getting a Cobra LTDX with a shaft I really wanted for stupid cheap. If it works great, if not so be it.

I have had a lot of success with Cobra drivers in the past and the FlyZ plus was one of my all time favorites. 

Should arrive tomorrow and will try to get s range Session in in the evening to see what it's like. 

I will also note I think end goal is still paradym TD. I loved that driver in testing, but price is still more than I want to pay right now.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

3 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

The Ping was certainly one of the best drivers I have played in years and I will fully admit I will likely end up regretting selling it. However a good friend who plays more and will get more use in tournaments asked if I would sell it. 

He tried it against his SIM2 and well the results for him were stupid good. Drive a 314m (345 yard) green and just felt stupid confident with it. 

So off goes the Ping and I did try the TSi again, but put it up for sale as well. Simply the forgiveness is missing and I ended up getting a Cobra LTDX with a shaft I really wanted for stupid cheap. If it works great, if not so be it.

I have had a lot of success with Cobra drivers in the past and the FlyZ plus was one of my all time favorites. 

Should arrive tomorrow and will try to get s range Session in in the evening to see what it's like. 

I will also note I think end goal is still paradym TD. I loved that driver in testing, but price is still more than I want to pay right now.

I have been gaming the Rogue ST TD LS the past year or so, and though I’ve dabbled with other drivers for various reasons, I keep coming back to it. It definitely requires me to center the ball, and when I do it goes for days. I imagine the Paradym would be similar, but like you, $600 is a bit too much for the budget currently. A buddy games the LTDx LS and loves it, so best of luck!

[billpierce]

I have ADD I think as this titleist to Ping to PXG conversation has me wanting to buy all three!

[Dooby]

On 7/24/2023 at 3:06 AM, GolfSpy_APH said:

The Ping was certainly one of the best drivers I have played in years and I will fully admit I will likely end up regretting selling it. However a good friend who plays more and will get more use in tournaments asked if I would sell it. 

He tried it against his SIM2 and well the results for him were stupid good. Drive a 314m (345 yard) green and just felt stupid confident with it. 

So off goes the Ping and I did try the TSi again, but put it up for sale as well. Simply the forgiveness is missing and I ended up getting a Cobra LTDX with a shaft I really wanted for stupid cheap. If it works great, if not so be it.

I have had a lot of success with Cobra drivers in the past and the FlyZ plus was one of my all time favorites. 

Should arrive tomorrow and will try to get s range Session in in the evening to see what it's like. 

I will also note I think end goal is still paradym TD. I loved that driver in testing, but price is still more than I want to pay right now.

Can't speak to the LTDX driver but I have a 3 wood and absolutely love it. But I am also a Cobra fanboy and think they have some of the best feeling and looking clubs. I'm even wondering if I should try out their wedges.

I think you'll end up enjoying the LTDX quite a bit.

[GolfSpy_APH]

1 hour ago, Dooby said:

Can't speak to the LTDX driver but I have a 3 wood and absolutely love it. But I am also a Cobra fanboy and think they have some of the best feeling and looking clubs. I'm even wondering if I should try out their wedges.

I think you'll end up enjoying the LTDX quite a bit.

Has been very underwhelming truthfully. I think on course I have only had one great drove with it.

Ping g425 is next on the list!

[Dead Solid Bogey]

1 hour ago, Dooby said:

Can't speak to the LTDX driver but I have a 3 wood and absolutely love it. But I am also a Cobra fanboy and think they have some of the best feeling and looking clubs. I'm even wondering if I should try out their wedges.

I think you'll end up enjoying the LTDX quite a bit.

I have been a Cobra fanboy for years until I couldn’t no longer hit them about six months ago. Left Cobra drivers ( couldn’t hit the LTDX to save my soul ), currently playing Ping G430SFT. I still play the Cobra Snakebite wedges; sans the 60 degree ( it recently succumbed while on the course). While I am not in love with the SnakeBites, they are functional. I am thinking of either giving the Indies or the Texas made Edison’s ago. 

[Dooby]

1 hour ago, Dead Solid Bogey said:

I have been a Cobra fanboy for years until I couldn’t no longer hit them about six months ago. Left Cobra drivers ( couldn’t hit the LTDX to save my soul ), currently playing Ping G430SFT. I still play the Cobra Snakebite wedges; sans the 60 degree ( it recently succumbed while on the course). While I am not in love with the SnakeBites, they are functional. I am thinking of either giving the Indies or the Texas made Edison’s ago. 

I’m following the Indi test thread on MGS and I’ve been interested since I saw Rick Schiels do a video on them. 
I haven’t heard great things about the SB wedges but I have heard the Cobra King wedges are pretty nice. 

[billpierce]

Indi or Edison seems to be the trend lately!  I am thinking Ping SFT I have the 4 wood and rip it well.

[GolfSpy_APH]

New contender coming in Tuesday to try to knock off the Ping G425 Max. 

Positive notes on the Max - Now that I have found a loft setup and shaft that is suitable the thing has been hitting its stride. I hit 8 fairways today, with all drives being in fairway or maybe semi, but nothing worse than the semi outside of one truly bad OB ball. That is on me and the follow up was piped down the middle. It is as if it knew I had another one coming. 

Negative is that it does spin a little much, just a little though which has meant a loss in distance compared to the G430 LST. The sound is also not my favorite as it is loud, but things could be worse. 

The contender is one I have been wanted to get my hands on for a while. That is the Callaway Paradym TD. I fell in love with this thing during a demo and am super excited to see what it is like. 

[Josh Parker]

2 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

New contender coming in Tuesday to try to knock off the Ping G425 Max. 

Positive notes on the Max - Now that I have found a loft setup and shaft that is suitable the thing has been hitting its stride. I hit 8 fairways today, with all drives being in fairway or maybe semi, but nothing worse than the semi outside of one truly bad OB ball. That is on me and the follow up was piped down the middle. It is as if it knew I had another one coming. 

Negative is that it does spin a little much, just a little though which has meant a loss in distance compared to the G430 LST. The sound is also not my favorite as it is loud, but things could be worse. 

The contender is one I have been wanted to get my hands on for a while. That is the Callaway Paradym TD. I fell in love with this thing during a demo and am super excited to see what it is like. 

Interested in hearing your thoughts on the Paradym TD.  

[BLD7]

Just read through this entire thread. Pretty cool read honestly. As a fellow lefty that has tried pretty much all of the drivers you have gone through here, it has been fun to compare my own notes. I was a bit surprised when I read you sold the TSi3 as up to that point it was the leader in the bag. But having the 425 Max and the 430 LST is a good comp - and I agree the 425 Max has noticable spin increase. Ping is much improved in the sound department with the 430LST. That is a great club, really. I haven't hit a Callaway driver in a long time so I'll be interested to see how that compares when you post about the Paradym TD. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

7 hours ago, BLD7 said:

Just read through this entire thread. Pretty cool read honestly. As a fellow lefty that has tried pretty much all of the drivers you have gone through here, it has been fun to compare my own notes. I was a bit surprised when I read you sold the TSi3 as up to that point it was the leader in the bag. But having the 425 Max and the 430 LST is a good comp - and I agree the 425 Max has noticable spin increase. Ping is much improved in the sound department with the 430LST. That is a great club, really. I haven't hit a Callaway driver in a long time so I'll be interested to see how that compares when you post about the Paradym TD. 

It is probably about time I update this. 

I still have both the Cobra King LTDx and Ping G425 Max. 

Not a big knock on the G425 Max as I had some great driving rounds with it and overall it is a solid performer. The Cobra King LTDx I wanted to like so badly. Really I did, but I really struggled with it. Couldn't find a consistent shot shape to play and didnt seem to get the distance I wanted. 

The Paradym Triple Diamond I think was purposely made for me. No joke. 

A little background, when the leaks came out and usga photos of the PTD I didnt like the shape. Something just looked a little funny to me about it. Then seeing it in person changed all that. My first demo of the club I was blown away. Sound, consistency, and how the ball just was in the air forever. 

I have two shafts right now for it and another adapter so likely have a 3rd just for kicks. My last two rounds with it have been at two different courses and while I have had a few bad swings the thing is a beast. The last round in particular I wasn't hitting it great. Solid but nothing special and I was still finding fairways and distances were on par which what I expected for time of year and so on. However when I found the full groove with it thats when it was game over. 

I am blown away at the forgiveness of the PTD. I know it is a smaller head and the lesser forgiving model, but I really think it is on par or just as good as the Ping G430 LST. The sound is this really muted and powerful sound that is fun to hear. I don't try to shape the ball too much, but there was a par 4 and playing short only about 330 meters on the card. It is a swoopy dog leg right and there are trees and bushed all up the left side of the fairway. The inside corner is marshland which is of course a no go zone. So I took aim over the corner and planned to play a draw to leave myself about 80 is meters in. Maybe 100, however it is was the play I felt most comfortable with and not pushing too much. Well I hit my shot of the day with this nice swoopy draw as planned, not crazy, but say 20 or so meters of movement and landed rolled a little. I walked up to my ball in the fairway and I only had 50 meters to the pin. 

The next driving hole called for the opposite shape and I will admit I did have to retee, but the first one my alignment was all off. I will blame a crap tee box that was not level at all and pointed in the wrong direction haha. Anyway the strike was brilliant. This hole is 440 meters or something? I dont actually remember. However I had only 140 meters in after the retee and seeing my first ball a little left in the biotop. 

I am going to tag @Jnoble89 just to put some salt in the wound, but I really am a huge fan of this driver. I have gotten along pretty well with Callaway drivers in the past and am very happy i have gone back.