Group Review: Golf's top-of-the-range drivers
If money's no object, here's some we've tried...
Posted: 5 June 2009
by Richard Green
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King Cobra L5V comes complete with wrench for clubface and shaft adjustment
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If money's no object and you're prepared to pay top dollar for the best - here's some we tried earlier...
And, as with the budget drivers and the mid-priced drivers we nominated earlier, we recommend if you're considering top of the range drivers, you get yourself custom-fitted at a reputable facility, information on which can be obtained from the respective websites.
By all means have a waggle or a swish in a high street or discount store to find a driver that 'fits your eye' and with which you feel comfortable and confident at address but make sure they have a professional fitter on hand to help with shaft and head combinations to suit your golf swing.
Here's a handful we've tried and recommend with prices suggested by the manufacturers:
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Callaway FTiQ driver
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Callaway FTiQ (£379)
Lofts: 9, 10, 11, 13
Contact: www.callawaygolf.com
Cutting edge in every sense of the word, this is Callaway’s latest square-headed offering and is their best yet. Modelled on the Lamborghini Reventon and the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, it's visually remarkable, with curves (and straight edges) in all the right places. And that carbon-fibre shell hides all manner of technical wizardry to help produce more stable, lower-spinning and higher launching tee shots. Performance is excellent, even if the sound is a little muted. it's virtually impossible to slice, so if you want to stand out, it’s the weapon of choice.
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Ping V2 Rapture (£310)
Lofts: 9, 10.5, 12, 13.5
Contact: www.pinggolf.com
In recent years, Ping drivers have been among the most popular out there – and with good reason. The G2, G5 and G10 were all outstanding clubs, and now the V2 Rapture has joined that highly commended group. Features multi-material technology (tungsten heel/toe weights, variable thickness titanium face) but it's the performance that makes this club so impressive, effortless and hugely consistent. It hits the ball straight and long. Green decals might not be to everyone’s taste but the club really works.
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Srixon XX10 driver
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Srixon XX10 (£299)
Lofts: 10.5, 11.5
Contact: www.srixon.com
This latest generation model from Srixon is certainly hot and if it’s pure distance you’re after, this must be on anyshortlist. Phenomenally long – a ball-crunching combination of extra-long shaft, explosive face and low spin – but unlike previous models where a ball-spotter might have been a handy addition, the face and weighting of the new XX10 have been tweaked to help straighten up those erratic missiles. Blue finish might not suit most but monster drives certainly will.
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TaylorMade R9 driver
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TaylorMade r9 (£349)
Lofts: 9.5, 10.5
Contact: www.taylormadegolf.eu
Club adjustability has come a long way recently and where once moveable weights were the only trick in town, golfers in 2009 are now able to also adjust the lie and face angle to suit their swing, the course or the weather conditions. TaylorMade’s r9 claims to give 24 different ball flight options, allowing tinkerers to find their perfect set-up by moving weights or using the wrench to select one of eight face settings. And it works! Closing and opening the face to suit is a brilliantly effective way of straightening out wayward shots and is simple to achieve. The r9 is a great driver whether you tinker not.
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Nike SQ Dymo driver
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Nike SQ Dymo (£250)
Lofts:9.5, 10.5, 11.5, 13
Contact: www.nikegolfeurope.com
First it was Sasquatch, then came the Sumo, now we have another energetically titled driver from Nike. As with previous incarnations, this driver range backs up what we all know to be true – straight beats long any day. So it’s all about Moment of Inertia and increasing stability and forgiveness, particularly in the square-headed version (that doesn’t really look square, by the way). Its looks are a vast improvement on previous yellow models, but it's the performance that's most impressive. Remarkably straight and tolerant of mishits manages to deliver without taking distance in exchange. A superb all-rounder.
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Titleist 909 DComp driver
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Titleist 909D Comp (£335)
Lofts: 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5
Contact: www.titleist.co.uk
One of three members of Titleist’s 909 family, the D Comp is the most technologically advanced, taking advantage of a composite crown to save weight and allow for a larger face and deeper frame than the D2 and D3. The DComp also has the deepest centre of gravity of the trio to help players achieve low spin, high launch driver. Titleist might have made a few concessions for the average player, but this still looks very much like a Titleist, even if it's a little fatter than the other two models. Performance-wise it’s a triumph and the ball really does soar, with a lovely high ball flight. Traditionalists looking for a bit of help will love it. |
Cobra L5V driver
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Cobra L5V (£349)
Lofts: 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5
Contact: www.cobragolf.com
Packed full of game-improving technology, Cobra’s L5V is a marked improvement on its predecessor the ear-blasting L4V. With weight-saving carbon composite in the sole and crown, the L5V feels light and breezy, and very easy to swing. At impact you really feel the power with a lower ball flight and positive feedback. You can also toe in the clubhead in by one degree using a special wrench so if you suddenly start to slice, this could be the answer. An imposing beast – front to back it’s probably the longest out there – but it’s not cumbersome and the overall impression is simply one of confidence.
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