The search for driver consistency

[KC Golf]

On 10/5/2023 at 11:16 AM, Ben Joest said:

A decent drive from each of the competitors:

 

 

 

 

Looking at your swings, it looks fairly smooth.  It looks fairly similar to mine, but you have more constancy since you are a lower index.  I would definitely try a GD Tour AD in a 6S as a starter.  They have others you should try as well, but I find the Tour AD has a stiff tip which may help with your consistency.  You will likely need to adjust loft with it.  Good luck with the search.  Its been a great following you through this.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Update from today’s round:

I played 18 at Majestic Springs today. I went into the round with the intention of using the Ping G425. During my last range session, I felt like I got into a decent groove with it. While it wasn’t the longest, it definitely was the consistent in terms of dispersion. Today my hope was to get an average total of 250-260 with the majority of my second shots being taken from the fairway. 
 

1st hole - I hit it fairly straight but right 250 yards to the rough.

4th hole - Weak slice to the right rough 230 yds.

6th hole - Even weaker sky ball to the right, 221 yds. 

It was at this point, I had had enough. As the twosome I was playing with were finishing their putts, I said I’ll meet you on the 7th tee. Back to the parking lot I went, the Ping was out of the bag and the TSr 3 was in. 
 

8th hole - A wave of pent up frustration came pouring out of this tee shot. 301 yds, in the right rough.

9th hole - A beauty of a draw, 271 yds.

10th hole - 255 yds right down the middle.

11th hole - My favorite of the day. 277 yds to the right side of the fairway with high fade that went at least 120 ft at its highest point.

12th hole - 280 yds, that I was worried it might have carried into the heather. When I found it left side of the fairway, it put a smile on my face.

13th hole - 277 yds into the right heather but it landed soft in an area that had recently been cut back, so it was easily found.

15th hole - Tight fairway, really focused on a straight drive with no turn in either direction. Got it, 266 yds.

16th hole - Love this hole, as I always seem to drive it well here. The hole just fits my eye. 282yds left side of the fairway came about 3 yds short of the fairway bunker.

18th hole - Had to hit a purposeful fade to get the ball around a massive sycamore that guards this relatively short par 4. Started the ball out over the water and watched come back towards the left fairway. Came up just short and played the second from the rough. 242 yds.

At this point, it’s fair to say the TSr 3 is staying in the bag. Now it’s time to work on tightening dispersion, perhaps a different shaft can help with that.

[snoopy79]

Update from today’s round:
I played 18 at Majestic Springs today. I went into the round with the intention of using the Ping G425. During my last range session, I felt like I got into a decent groove with it. While it wasn’t the longest, it definitely was the consistent in terms of dispersion. Today my hope was to get an average total of 250-260 with the majority of my second shots being taken from the fairway. 
 
1st hole - I hit it fairly straight but right 250 yards to the rough.


4th hole - Weak slice to the right rough 230 yds.

6th hole - Even weaker sky ball to the right, 221 yds. 

It was at this point, I had had enough. As the twosome I was playing with were finishing their putts, I said I’ll meet you on the 7th tee. Back to the parking lot I went, the Ping was out of the bag and the TSr 3 was in. 
 
8th hole - A wave of pent up frustration came pouring out of this tee shot. 301 yds, in the right rough.

9th hole - A beauty of a draw, 271 yds.

10th hole - 255 yds right down the middle.

11th hole - My favorite of the day. 277 yds to the right side of the fairway with high fade that went at least 120 ft at its highest point.

12th hole - 280 yds, that I was worried it might have carried into the heather. When I found it left side of the fairway, it put a smile on my face.

13th hole - 277 yds into the right heather but it landed soft in an area that had recently been cut back, so it was easily found.

15th hole - Tight fairway, really focused on a straight drive with no turn in either direction. Got it, 266 yds.

16th hole - Love this hole, as I always seem to drive it well here. The hole just fits my eye. 282yds left side of the fairway came about 3 yds short of the fairway bunker.
18th hole - Had to hit a purposeful fade to get the ball around a massive sycamore that guards this relatively short par 4. Started the ball out over the water and watched come back towards the left fairway. Came up just short and played the second from the rough. 242 yds.

At this point, it’s fair to say the TSr 3 is staying in the bag. Now it’s time to work on tightening dispersion, perhaps a different shaft can help with that.

Yeah I would say that is the deciding factor too! You obviously felt more comfortable with the TSR3

Nice job!


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[GolfSpy_BEN]

Providing the tracking info can be believed, tomorrow a new shaft for the TSr 3 should be arriving. 

I’m also going to try something different with the grip.

This version is the small and feels slightly bigger than a midsize grip. I’ve tried a large once before, but that was too big. Depending on how this goes I also have this in reserve, just in case 

I’ll be sure to post an update providing everything shows up on time. If not, it’ll be Thursday. Looking forward to the comparison.

[KC Golf]

4 hours ago, Ben Joest said:

Providing the tracking info can be believed, tomorrow a new shaft for the TSr 3 should be arriving. 

I’m also going to try something different with the grip.

This version is the small and feels slightly bigger than a midsize grip. I’ve tried a large once before, but that was too big. Depending on how this goes I also have this in reserve, just in case 

I’ll be sure to post an update providing everything shows up on time. If not, it’ll be Thursday. Looking forward to the comparison.

That looks awesome.  Really like how that will look with your driver  

Perfect for evening trick or treating as your favourite older too!

Edited October 11, 2023 by KC Golf

[Shrek74]

On 10/10/2023 at 9:14 PM, Ben Joest said:

I’m also going to try something different with the grip.

This version is the small and feels slightly bigger than a midsize grip. I’ve tried a large once before, but that was too big.

I'm really curious about these grips. I've heard mixed reactions to them but haven't really gotten any good user experience from anyone directly. Please post your experiences and thoughts around the grip. I may look at something similar for a new driver verses my gold old MCC+4 I use on everything else.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

2 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

I'm really curious about these grips. I've heard mixed reactions to them but haven't really gotten any good user experience from anyone directly. Please post your experiences and thoughts around the grip. I may look at something similar for a new driver verses my gold old MCC+4 I use on everything else.

Will do. I liked the feel of the first one I tried, but ultimately it was too big. This one being closer to a midsize should be a good fit, but we’ll see. 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

away we go

[snoopy79]

away we go

Love it.


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[Josh Parker]

1 hour ago, Ben Joest said:

away we go

Can't wait to hear how it performs. 

[billpierce]

Why were you unhappy after the PXG fitting?

[GolfSpy_BEN]

15 minutes ago, billpierce said:

Why were you unhappy after the PXG fitting?

I didn’t have a PXG fitting, did you mean the Titleist fitting?

[GolfSpy_APH]

@Ben Joest I know it's a smaller head but the paradym TD is stupid good. And surprisingly forgiving. With the added options of the callaway sleeve it's a really good option to check out. 

 

[Shrek74]

2 hours ago, Ben Joest said:

away we go

You do all the work cutting it, attaching the adapter, putting on the grip, etc?

[ZoonORama]

@Ben Joest Now the REAL test would be to find an old persimmon wood driver and compare that to your new fancy one. I would bet the distance would not be too far off between the two. Old vs. New. That would be an interesting test for sure. That is once you get this current dilemma worked out.

Curious how the new shaft will perform on the course as well. The best test will be to take it to the exact same holes on the exact same course.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

4 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

You do all the work cutting it, attaching the adapter, putting on the grip, etc?

I bought it with the Titleist adapter installed. I cut the standard grip that came with it off and installed the jumbo max 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

13 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

@Ben Joest I know it's a smaller head but the paradym TD is stupid good. And surprisingly forgiving. With the added options of the callaway sleeve it's a really good option to check out. 

 

On two separate occasions, I tried the Paradym TD. Both times hitting into a screen with a Trackman. Both times I ended up liking the opposite driver I was hitting against it. Not to say I wouldn’t like it out on the course, but I haven’t gotten along with it yet.

[Josh Parker]

1 hour ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

@Ben Joest I know it's a smaller head but the paradym TD is stupid good. And surprisingly forgiving. With the added options of the callaway sleeve it's a really good option to check out. 

 

I keep looking at them!  Someone will let a lefty go for a decent price before too long. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

8 minutes ago, jdparker said:

I keep looking at them!  Someone will let a lefty go for a decent price before too long. 

Got mine for 280!

[Josh Parker]

30 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Got mine for 280!

I would be a buyer at that price

[GolfSpy_BEN]

After the initial visit to the range to test out the new shaft/grip combo, I have some thoughts:

• need a bigger sample size, but I like the grip. It seems to quiet my hands in the swing.
• The shaft has a good feel to it. 
• I didn’t have one banana slice, but there were more hooks than usual. 

I am including video of a couple of the drives. I liked the shape of each of these drives.

 

   

 

 

 

 

Going to get a round in on Sunday at Majestic Springs with @Getoffmylawn, where I’ll be able to compare the last time out with the Tensei shaft to this time out with the Ventus shaft. 

[GolfSpy_KFT]

6 hours ago, Ben Joest said:

away we go

Looks INCREDIBLE! Cannot wait to hear how it performs. Eyeing this up or the TR Blue, just not sure if for the Aerojet Max or TSi3

[rkj427]

Just curious @Ben Joest if you hit this shaft or were fit to it prior to getting it? Reason I ask is the shaft profile is significantly different than the other shaft models you had prior. Also, wondered if you considered the TR Blue?

It launches lower than the TR Red with similar shaft profiles, and may eliminate the left miss that may occur with the TR Red.

I had ample opportunity to get fit into the Ventus shaft I use, played with a couple versions of the Titleist heads, TRS2 and TSR3, the 2 model was 9 degrees and because that head launches higher than the 3 model I used a Ventus Black 5S in it, and was fit into the TR Blue 6 in the TSR3 head at 10 degrees that I currently have in the bag. A friend of mine is a charter Fujikura dealer, and I played both of these drivers in 2022 before making the choice I currently have.

Edited October 13, 2023 by rkj427

[GolfSpy_BEN]

18 minutes ago, Jnoble89 said:

Looks INCREDIBLE! Cannot wait to hear how it performs. Eyeing this up or the TR Blue, just not sure if for the Aerojet Max or TSi3

My initial reaction is positive. The distances aren't dissimilar to the Tensei, but the range balls at the ranch aren't the greatest, so I am reserving judgement on distance until I can get to the course on Sunday. However, the shot shapes were very good, with no noticeable slices. Oddly, the big miss today was a hook, but that may be more attributable to a swing feel I am currently working through. Will keep y'all posted.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

14 minutes ago, rkj427 said:

Just curious @Ben Joest if you hit this shaft or were fit to it prior to getting it? Reason I ask is the shaft profile is significantly different than the other shaft models you had prior. Also, wondered if you considered the TR Blue?

It launches lower than the TR Red with similar shaft profiles, and may eliminate the left miss that may occur with the TR Red.

I had ample opportunity to get fit into the Ventus shaft I use, played with a couple versions of the Titleist heads, TRS2 and TSR3, the 2 model was 9 degrees and because that head launches higher than the 3 model I used a Ventus Black 5S in it, and was fit into the TR Blue 6 in the TSR3 head at 10 degrees that I currently have in the bag. A friend of mine is a charter Fujikura dealer, and I played both of these drivers in 2022 before making the choice I currently have.

In a roundabout way I was fitted into the red. I'll explain. At the end of my iron fitting with Titleist, I had time left. So I asked Mike to let me try the TRS 3 with a Ventus blue TR shaft. He obliged, and after a few swings he switched me to the red, as the shot shape I was getting with the blue was a little flat. I grooved a couple with the red and really liked the feel of it. However, I wasn't ready to commit the 900 or so dollars to that head/shaft combination on fitting day. Fast forward a week or so later, I had a set of irons that I wasn't going to be using, so I returned them and grabbed a used TSR 3 with the Tensei 1K black shaft, among other items with the store credit I had. Played the Tensei shaft until I found a Ventus Red shaft at a price I was willing to pay. So not officially fit into it, but my choices have been informed by an informal fitting, if that makes sense.

[GolfSpy_KFT]

2 hours ago, Ben Joest said:

My initial reaction is positive. The distances aren't dissimilar to the Tensei, but the range balls at the ranch aren't the greatest, so I am reserving judgement on distance until I can get to the course on Sunday. However, the shot shapes were very good, with no noticeable slices. Oddly, the big miss today was a hook, but that may be more attributable to a swing feel I am currently working through. Will keep y'all posted.

Definitely would not be surprised to see a gamer ball add some distance. Once the feel gets settled, too, I would think knowing how the shaft reacts in the swing will be advantageous. Going from the 1K black to the TR Red has to be a pretty big change in feel as if I am not mistaken the tip section of the black is a lot firmer?

[GolfSpy_BEN]

12 minutes ago, Jnoble89 said:

Definitely would not be surprised to see a gamer ball add some distance. Once the feel gets settled, too, I would think knowing how the shaft reacts in the swing will be advantageous. Going from the 1K black to the TR Red has to be a pretty big change in feel as if I am not mistaken the tip section of the black is a lot firmer?

Could be. The grip I’ve put on the Ventus is significantly different than the one that was on the Tensei. Jumbo Max - small vs Golf Pride Z cord - midsize. So that difference is prominent. As to the feel of the shaft, I’ll need more swings to dial in how it feels. For now, I can say that it feels good.

[Fred Mitchell]

On 10/4/2023 at 8:49 AM, Ben Joest said:

Randy, 

This gets to another piece of this equation. There are stock length shafts in all three drivers. I’ve been fit for irons a couple times, but I’ve never been fit in to any driver I’ve played. I can see a driver fitting in my future, probably not to buy, but at least to figure out if my specs match how im currently set-up.

Going 1 inch shorter shaft, especially on the Ping might make the 275, 275,275 repeat monster your looking for. Its hard to give up distance, thats how the golf industry takes our money year after year but if you back track your last 5 or 10 rounds and substitute that reliable but shorter drive that you have confidence in even when under pressure and I bet those final scores would be lower. Just 2 cents worth of opinion from a crippled up old golfer, good luck. 

[Josh Parker]

On 10/13/2023 at 4:18 PM, GolfSpy_APH said:

Got mine for 280!

Found just a Paradym but not a TD with a Hazardus Silver 50g for $200.  Not exactly what I'm looking for but half tempted just because of the price.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

For those keeping track, the Jumbo Max grip lasted exactly 2 range sessions and 1 full round. Although, if I could have swapped it out at the turn, I would have. On almost every swing today, it felt like I was having trouble squaring the club face through the swing and it lead to a number of weak drives off to the right. Rectified that mistake almost as soon as I got home this evening. The driver now has this on it:

long may we be happy together.