Three #Golf Drivers to Swing for in 2016

Every spring, I head over to the local big box golf superstore to check out the latest drivers, irons and wedges and, although I have a great set of golf clubs, it intrigues me to see if technology has improved since my last visit.

These are three of the golf drivers which I held and took a few swings with to see if I felt any difference between the 2016 models and my Callaway X2 Hot, which I LOVE.

What, in particular, was I searching for? Aerodynamics, brand name, light and comfortable to feel and to swing...a first look but not a purchasing expedition (I was getting my Vokey Spin Milled Wedge regripped and Barry's Ping Eye-2 * 7-iron head snapped off as he was taking a swing so it needed a new shaft, etc).

Golf Drivers First Look 2016

1. Callaway XR16 Driver: Boeing had a hand in the design and shape of this golf club, creating a more forgiving shape and reducing air resistance.

Looks are pretty much the same as its predecessor but it has gotten a rehaul from the inside. According to Golf Tribune, Henrik Stenson raves about the Callway XR16 driver. In my opinion, from beginner to mid level amateur should be comfortable swinging this club.




2. Ping G Drivers: When I originally got my Ping Karsten irons I was also considering matching up the set with a Ping Driver. The Callaway X2 Hot fit the bill for me personally but, in the past, I have tried the Ping drivers out at Demo Days and loved them.

The Ping G Series is extremely lightweight, looks extremely forgiving from the get-go with that humongous head and floats like a dragonfly. Why pick a dragonfly? "PING engineers analyzed the dragonfly’s intricate wing pattern to design ultra-thin crown sections for extreme CG and maximized MOI."



3.  Cobra King F6 Driver: I am not a fan of too much technology as I believe in allowing the golfer to swing the club and let the club fall into position and do its job. I must admit, however, that the weight system tuning of this Cobra King has intrigued me.

Golfers can turn the dial to a heavier weight - either for more roll or for higher ball flight with more forgiveness. I believe that, once the dial is set, however, you won't use this feature too often unless you take lessons and improve your swing.


What is the best way to decide on a new golf driver? Visit a professional instructor, let him/her see your swing and make suggestions - do you hit the ball high, do you need more forgiveness, distance?

From that point forward, do your online homework; select a few golf drivers that seem to suit your swing, visit a local store and talk to the fitters. Select three clubs, go into a hitting booth and try each golf driver for feel - before you buy make sure you can return and purchase another club just in case this driver doesn't feel the same out on the course.



Suggestions for a new driver? Let us know on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and below in the comments section of our golf blog.


photos: CallawayGolf.com, PingGolf.com, CobraGolf.com

Tips for a Correct Golf Driver Fitting Experience

Ready to purchase a new driver and don't know where to begin? Too many choices, brands and terminology making your head reel? Are you planning to test a few drivers to determine which one will replace the one already in your golf bag?

After reading a Golfwrx.com article which attempted to predict the hottest drivers in 2016 by using PGA Tour players as a barometer, I realized that most players are amateurs and not likely to swing at nearly the same speeds, or with the same tempo, as a low-handicapper. At Golf for Beginners we believe that there is nothing more important than heading over to your local golf store, employing the services of one of the custom fitters on duty and getting properly measured for the correct club.

From your physical size to your swing speed, a custom-fit driver and golf clubs made to your specific measurements and ability will definitely improve your game. Here are a few tips for building your custom fit driver:

- Know Your Swing Speed. A Golf Digest article mentioned that driver-distance potential is approximately 2.5 times your swing speed so, if your speed is tested at 75 mph, the ball should travel about 185 yards.

- Driver Loft and Launch Angle, basically how high the ball flies after connecting with the driver head. What is the correct loft for you? Depends on your swing speed writes Golfsmith. "Players with extremely slow swing speeds (below 70 mph) seem to benefit from lofts of 18 or 19 degrees--roughly the same as a 5-wood."  Tip - A club with more loft may carry the ball farther but with less roll.

- The Shaft is probably as important as the head in selecting a driver. In a Golflink article, several shafts are reviewed based on clubhead speed and "ensuing ball trajectory, distance and control of the drive."

Fujikura Golf, a leader in shaft technology, goes even deeper into the complexities of how to choose the correct shaft for your swing but, for this article, suffice it to say that "you will need a launch monitor and analysis by a seasoned club-fitting professional. That is the only way to understand why the golf ball is doing what it is doing off your clubs."

When I went for my custom fitting experience at PGA Tour Superstore, the fitter analyzed my swing and, based on the data, pulled out several stock drivers, from the latest version of my Titleist driver to a new Callaway X2 Hot.

After swinging each of the clubs several times, the data was compared and, with some shaft and size modifications, it was determined that the X2 Hot was the best performing driver for my swing. Since playing golf with this driver, I have gained about 30 yards in distance and, simply put, love my new club! The X2 Hot, along with my other fitted Ping Karsten Irons, have really made me feel more comfortable stepping up to each shot.

Fitting a golf driver or any club to your swing greatly improves your enjoyment of the game because there is nothing more satisfying than when you connect with the ball and send it flying safely to its target!

Let's talk golf drivers on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and comment on your experiences below!

Also read, "How to Select the Best Golf Clubs for Women"


photos: Golf for Beginners, www.nextgolf.it