I fancy a new driver, or at least one with a nicer shaft.

I currently have an Integra SoooLong Graph-Ti 10.5' with Integra regular shaft.  I generally hit it OK, pretty high flight (which is fine for me) but it can be a bit wayward at times (probably me as much as anything!!!).

I had considered putting a better shaft in it, but then, as we all do, I started to think about something new altogether!!

Been having a look around and it seems that the Geek DCT, SMT 455DB and Wishon 919 THI are all quite well regarded.

Are any of these clubs well suited to an average joe golfer?  I'm a high handicapper, not sure on swing speed (never been measured, but would consider it to be medium) tend to hit quite a high drive (tee the ball with equator level with top of driver), often straight, sometimes with a bit of fade.  When really bad it's a big duck hook, I don't tend to hit many big slices anymore.

My worry with some of the popular component heads in the US, being designed for long drive comps, and so maybe not as forgiving as some.

Can anyone comment on which heads may be worth a look?  Also, shafts, I have little experience with what 'suits' me as I've always tended to play OEM shafts in regular.  I recently bought an MD EQL that is fitted with a Proforce 65 Tip Active.  I hit this club much better than the last hybrid I carried (RAM with stock shaft) but how much of that is to do with head or shaft I don't know!

I'm happy to buy from the states, and either build up or try my luck at finding something that suits 2nd hand.

Damn, both of those companies look like the produce some nice gear, but maybe a little more expensive than I'd hoped!!

How about suggestions based around similar price brackets to the SMT's, Geek's, etc

Topslicehookpullsh**k wrote (see)

Hallsy, not sure whats expensive - 3 of the Nakashima drivers on the first page are under £200. You'll pay more than that for most premium off the shelf drivers.

Oh, I realise that, but then I rarely buy golf stuff brand new, and definately not when it first comes out at premium prices.

I thought that things like the Geek DCT I had mentioned could be had for around $150-200 all in from the US, even less 2nd hand?  They can be had in the UK for around £150 iirc.

Ben - never heard of them, but will take a look

Certain manufacturers such as Nakashima, Wishon, KZG bar their dealers from selling components-only, I.e. you have to buy assembled clubs. So if you want heads-only, you'll be looking secondhand on the USA forums.

The Wishon 919 driver is THE must-have head at the moment. Launches and spins a little higher than average, which makes it a few yards shorter than average, but this and an enormous face with huge sweet spot is giving it a reputation for being the most forgiving head of all time.

Nakashima is long, but not really forgiving, small-ish sweet spot, you need to be a better player. I built a driver and 3-wood for a chum - he won't play anything else now. I couldn't hit the driver very consistently, but that 3w was the longest club I've ever hit.

The PowerPlay Caiman (odd looking beast) is cheapie from Hireko but has a huge following on the component forums (check the fGI forum), very long and forgiving.

I have a few component heads, Wishon etc for sale, drop me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send you pics and details.

Thanks Regulator, I'll drop you a PM.

I think at the moment I am between the Geek DCT (had considered the FS3 but my mishit is usually on the toe, where the DCT is supposedly still pretty forgiving) and the Wishon 919.  I reckon on 11' loft.  SMT 455DB was in the running, but I'm not a lover of it's colour, and also hear conflicting reviews.

I had looked at the Caiman, but not to keen on the looks tbh.

I'm still a little clueless with the shafts though, and it's going to be difficult for me to demo some with the heads I'm interested in.

Hallsy,

Try and contact Stickman on here, he has a garage full of all the drivers you want to try!! and is a top guy as well!!

Thanks for that wormburner, I know it is difficult to suggest components to people without seeing their game/swing, etc, but I suppose I was just looking for some general ideas.

I think as far as head choices go, any of the ones I have in mind will be good performers, ultimately it will be shaft choice that will make or break them for me.  My driving is usually reasonably consistant (in comparison to the rest of my inconsistant game!!), but when it goes downhill, it's hard to get up again!!

Wormburner and Hallsey

I reckon that I have had MANY fine drivers right from the time when Harry Busson at Walton Heath-probably the greatest maker of persimmon drivers and fairway woods, produced drivers to my personal preferences regarding bulge and roll, loft, 1 degree toed out and depth of head, colour and insert material!  In those far-off days however graphite was not even on the horizon.

However, I can truthfully say that of all the graphite-shafted drivers I have had my Geek DCT has been the very best for looks, ease of use,length, straight hitting and consistent height. My only regret is that I bought it when I was still producing a reasonably quick swing speed for my age and now I still drive well with it but I'm losing length and at 72 I need ALL the length I can obtain with a softer, lighter shaft with more torque.

I have found that the Grafalloy Prologic 75 gramme Tour regular shaft is extremely stable and in the hands of a younger man who wants a GREAT driver it would be a real find. I could try a softer shaft but I really feel that it might never work as well again as it does now and,quite apart from money I really would hope that someone else will take the opportunity of getting the same-or greater pleasure out of it as I have. I have kept the head, face and shaft  like new, only the sole shows a little wear. 

Wormburner, you must be very big and strong with a swing speed in excess of 110 mph or thereabouts to use SUCH a heavy shaft!! I alwys reckoned that mine was heavy. I have never heard of ANYONE using a shaft as heavy as yours!