Read this whole post before entering
A couple of weeks ago, we had Jason Finley on THP Live talking about a new THP Experience coming this year called the Grandmama. A spin off of the Grandaddy of em All and we are super excited for what some members of this forum will get to experience.
It is an all expenses paid trip of a lifetime.
What’s Included
Airfare
Hotels
Club Fitting at ECPC
Full bag of clubs
Tour Callaway
Meet R&D
Play Golf with members of the team there
And so much more
This will take place in early December
At the Grandaddy each year, 12 lucky THPers experience something special, but it comes with a job of reviewing their equipment to the masses through the THP Forum once it is released. This year, there are only 4, but they will be doing the job of 12, so we are looking for the committed. The person that loves to talk about this game, the equipment and share his honest assessment of everything they learn through content and reviews.
Qualifying
You must be a 2020 Albatross Club Member to enter. The club is open to anybody and helps benefit a wonderful charity. All of the details and benefits are here.
The Contest
Drivers are always a hot topic on the THP Forum and we look forward to you the forum member to provide tons of feedback on what you are playing. Reviews and thoughts come in all shapes and sizes and there are not only no two alike, but there is not a right and wrong. For this contest, take the driver in your bag currently, or one you have tried this year and review it in this thread.
How to Enter
Tell us in 100 words or less, about your driver, in a way that would bring conversation, thoughts and questions from other THPers.
Good luck everybody. This contest will remain open for about a week.
I’ve chased speed, lusted for distance, and dreamed of finding fairways. And I haven’t been able to find all three; until now.
My driver sounds like a refined Howitzer, blasting golf balls into the fairway. It is consistently among the top in reviews, both because of performance and it’s incredible price.
I’ve combined this tee box weapon with a custom 1-of-1 shaft and I think I may have found Driver Nirvana.
My driver comes stock in two colour-ways, and I’ve selected the more muted white version; even James Bond knows to wear black and white for special occasions.
Yes, it’s that good.
I am currently playing the regular SIM driver with helium shaft. I had to loft up to get my spin rate up, however it is very point and shoot for me. No wild shots lost left or right. Forgiving for my miss , which is high toe. Sound is very nice, muffled and not loud. Has a great look from the top and easy to align. Honestly the best driver I’ve played and I do think there is something to the twist face that helps keeps drives more on line.
Thanks for the opportunity, always trying to get a Callaway driver in the bag.
OFFICIAL::
Early morning sun rays,
Fresh dew drops stick on the ground,
Shape In Motion ball soars,
Have I tried newer models and other brands? Yes.
Have I made this made this decision based on comparative data? Of Course Not.
I base it on non-comparative random testing on sketchy retail simulators.
Do I want to take that journey, learn about that data and the tech, and see how much new Callaway product could benefit my game? 100% Yes.
Coming from that guy with a new "toy" in my bag several times a year. Being a “club hoe”, I liked researching/testing clubs. For years, I have tried at least 20 drivers. I played the F9 from Club Champion. Awesome driver (the best… I thought). Enter the THP forum review of the new Callaway Mavrik drivers. I was intrigued. Soooo many reviews. I messaged some members (Snickerdog, tomcat, NoShanks, McLovin, and HarryPotter) and asked more detail about their drivers. I now own the Mavrik Max with the Ventus and absolutely KNOW it is the best driver I have EVER played.
In terms of driver age in this era, the Cobra King LTD is probably already receiving AARP junk mail. Don’t let that lead you to believe it’s not still relevant, though, as it’s tech heavy but eye pleasing design still keeps up with the new and shiny models on the shelves today. The shadowed carbon fiber pattern on the crown perfectly represents this driver – it may look simple from a distance but upon closer inspection you realize there’s a lot hidden underneath. The blend of distance and forgiveness is as timeless as the shape, and I’m sure it will be a staple in my bag for the next few seasons.
Unless, you know…..
The 785 has been a mainstay in the bag since first hitting it. Fairways fairways and more fairways. Love everything about it.
Checks every box for me
Then I lowballed a maverick on the ebay while sipping on a cocktail.
All of a sudden I’m 20 yards further, ballin out off the tee (for me)
Both look, sound, and feel amazing don’t get me wrong.
But the Maverick is currently WITB because it just isn’t the Tito’s creating more club head speed.
If I’m going to be completely honest with myself I can’t write a glowing review for the driver I’m currently using. I’ve enjoyed spurts of excellence followed by pure misery. Dammit now that I’m reflecting on my driving performance so far this year I know I need a new driver. I thought I loved you ping g410 lst…but I just can’t trust you like I did your older brother the g400 lst. I have tried to be patient, even bought you 3 new shafts to see if that would help to no avail. When you get back from the repair shop there will be someone new sitting in your spot in the bag.
You know the next shiny object syndrome? I used to have that until I found my one perfect driver. Been with her for about a year now and I really think this is the one. No relationship is perfect and the odd curve comes up but you learn the tendencies and what buttons to push (and not). Epic Flash is her name and she brings the best out of me…off the tee anyway. Sometimes she looks at me while on the fairway but I know she’s teasing. She’s no help around the greens though. Alas, no one is perfect.
My current driver is the TS2 with a stiff shaft. I just recently started playing golf and splurged on this. Recently I made some changes to my seeing that I like to think had given me effortless power. Going in to get fitted would be a great opportunity to see how much I’ve improved and if I should really be playing extra stiff or stiff shafts. I think it’d just be a valuable learning experience in how my game works.
Official entry >
I was fit into the Standard Mavrik 10.5 at the 2019 Grandaddy. It is the perfect combination of sound, feel, forgiveness, and distance. From the very first strike I have been in love with this driver. Did that keep me from trying the Max? Nope. I tried that one and did not like the sound and did not find it to be any more forgiving than the standard. I am waiting for a Sub Zero to arrive and see if the fade bias and reduced spin can improve upon the standard.
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Yesterday’s best shot
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My best measured drive so far.
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The Tour Edge Exotics EXS driver is packed with loads of the latest driver tech, Variable Thickness Face, RollFace Tech, Carbon Fiber Crown and Toe, Dual Adjustable Sole weights, an Adjustable Hosel, and a real-deal Tensei CK Blue shaft. All this for way less $$$ than most other comparable drivers on the market. But this is a review, not a sales pitch, so what does all that mean? For me it has been confidence, with more fairways hit, good distance, great feel and sound. This is a driver that will be staying in my bag for quite some time.
My current driver is a red-headed stepchild, in every sense. The Wilson C300 has a handsome deep red crown and is a low spinner with plenty of adjustability. But Wilson woods tend to lag the competition and this one is no different. It has a great shape and well designed hosel, but it just doesn’t produce the ball speeds competing drivers can attain. For me it’s a good, but certainly not the best, fit. I should probably fix my swing, but I’m lazy so I’ll try finding a low spinner with more speed ?
The Mav SZ has been an absolute difference maker in my bag in 2020. according to Arccos, driving is the best part of my game (Which hasn’t been the case in years past) and my best round was last week and the stats said I was a +5.4 in driving. Averaging 294 yards with 357 the longest This thing is a beast!
With a dime sized sweet spot, Titleist TS4 is not for the thin skinned. This driver is one of the longest, straightest drivers I’ve hit. Shaping and flight control are fantastically easy; The *THWACK!* from the 430cc head is unrivaled.
At address TS4 provides no distraction. Subtlety its greatest feature.
Miss the dime and immediately lose 20+ yards, but it won’t cost you a FIR. Somehow, Titleist has made the most unforgiving driver forgiving. You’ll be reminded that you aren’t as good as you think you are, but TS4 won’t take you out of competition. What a concept!
Control, meet distance and speed. That is the way I think of the Mavrik driver. I know my swing, and I know my results. The Mavrik, 10.5, compared to my F9, 8.0 is unexpectedly longer and as expected, has better dispersion. How can a club with higher loft get better distance, even with the same launch and swing speed? Jailbreak baby. The Mavrik may be ugly, but it performs. Back to back, swing to swing, on a monitor. Taking it to the course only confirms the testing. Bombs away, right down the pipe.
Tired Of the worm burner or that errant shot that has you yelling fore from the tee box? Yes we’ve all been there, however there are less of these since putting the TaylorMade M6 driver into the bag. Paired with the UST Mamiya LINQ Purple shaft, I’m finding myself standing in the short grass on most second shots. Dramatically sexy with both looks & sound, this piece of equipment will leave you smiling after a single look. The ball flies high and long with the roll out of a greyhound. Unlike the tranquil sounds of Kenny G your buddies will know you came to play once they here the ball come off the face. And for those off center strikes the Twist Face will reduce loss of ball speed & spin. If you don’t leave the tee box feeling confident I’ll buy you your driver of choice.
Official entry….
"My current driver is the Callaway GBB Epic 9.0*. After constantly missing the dime sized sweet spot of the SLDR, I searched for a new weapon. I hit a friends Epic and instantly fell in love. The sweet spot was so large, I felt I couldn’t miss it if I tried. The Jailbreak technology makes the face one of the fastest I’ve ever hit. The Triaxial Carbon crown results in lighter head weight and faster head speeds which leads to longer drives. Add the 17g of sliding sole weight and accuracy is easily fine-tuned. Get it, hit it, enjoy!"
I’ve managed to influence many players at my club to buy one just by pounding it by them without mercy, and their tee games have improved since.
Right now i am rocking a TaylorMade M6 9.0 driver with a Fujikara ATMOS Orange Graphite stiff shaft. I have only had it for a few weeks and have only use it for 2 rounds plus 1 session on the range. I think i got it down now and was hitting it pretty solid the other day. I am keeping the ball in the fairway and hitting it dam far. I am a mid to high teen golfer and this seems to be the driver for guys like me. I would highly recommend giving this driver a shot.
I’m "that" golfer that usually games drivers that are 1 or 2 generations behind. I have never found a driver that played lights out, they have all played the same distance for me, and accuracy was based on user. (me) I decided to pick up a Cobra F9 speedback, and its the first driver that gave me the face. For the first time ever I looked at bunkers 220 out to clear and actually had the confidence to do it. Mishits are less painful. Honestly I feel like this is a match combo of a great head, an amazing shaft (tensie blue) and playing the proper ball. (TM TP5)
I have used the same driver for the past 6 season. In that time I’ve tried a Titleist 917D, a Wilson D300 and a Tour Edge Exotics Xj1. None could knock out my Alpha C830.2. Here’s why. The Alpha is a fairway finder for me, that’s important. It is 10.5 loft, matched with a Kuro Kage 60 gram "R" flex at 44.5 with a d-3 swingweight. The pear shaped, deep faced (59 mm) head contributes to its accuracy. This head shaft combo gives me a mid-high launch with good roll out.
Driver is the Taylormade SIM paired with a PX Evenflow Riptide CB. Before settling on this driver, I put it, the Speedzone and the Mavrik through the ringer on a simulator. Coming down to the Mavrik and the SIM, I couldn’t beat the feel, distance and dispersion of the SIM and that’s why it’s in my bag. Speaking on tech, the Inertia Generator truly helped me gain noticeable CHS. Speed Injected Twist Face does its job keeping me on line without much distance loss on mishits. The SIM is a rocket with one of the most beautiful crowns I’ve seen!
With all of the advances in driver technology, how can one driver stand out amongst the field of worthy competitors in 2020? Every new driver offers speed and forgiveness, so what sets a driver apart from the rest of the pack? I play the Callaway MAVRIK because it offers me the true advantage of the tee box, CONFIDENCE! Every hole starts on a tee box, and there is no substitute for being the most confident player on the tee! First Class Looks, Feel and Sound of my Callaway MAVRIK are what inspires my CONFIDENCE, and CONFIDENCE = VICTORY!
Looks and feel/sound: Beautiful pear shaped head with a glossy black finish and simple alignment aid. IRegarding sound, if you like dull thud of many heads with carbon fiber incorporated, look elsewhere. If you want to hear a solid crack at impact, read on.
Playability: While likely not as forgiving as other OEM Max drivers, this head is not lacking in forgiveness on off-center hits. Dispersion is amongst the best I have played and distance loss on heal and toe strikes is not overly penal.
Dstance: Yes, it generates plenty!
Official entry.
The big dog in my bag is a few years older, it’s the Cobra F-max offset at 10.5 with reg flex stock shaft. Is she pretty, nope. Do other guys drool & want hit her, nope. Does she cure my slice, no but she has helped me tame it a lot. Does she send balls farther then the old dog I retired, as the Kool-aid man said "oh yeah!" Will I replace her, eventually, but for a hacker & slicer like me that’s on a budget the Cobra F-max offset has a place in the bag for now….
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The Look of this head with the Bronze Pearl finish and Black Matte Carbon the build exudes a premium appearance.
The Sound produced from the Mavrik is so pleasant. It’s just a smooth Thwack.
However, Performance is where the Max distinguishes itself from other drivers. After adjusting the weights, I am reaching areas with which I have not in the past.
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With the Mavrik Max, I have been able to go more toward the bend to shorten the hole giving me a chance to use a short iron to the green.
Pure Exhilaration!
I love the turbulators on the head, to me it’s easy to frame the face down the fairway. Let’s face it, hitting a rocket down the fairway is one of the greatest feelings in golf, and the Ping G400 Max delivers.
Official entry:
If you are like me you probably wonder, “will upgrading to newer equipment actually improve my game?”. Maybe you think that newer equipment is reserved for the low handicappers.
I purchased the Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero this year and I couldn’t have been more wrong. I could talk about the flash face technology, the aerodynamic head made for higher swing speed, or the sleek look.
My main takeaway is this club provides a consistent ball flight for every swing and distance that will make you feel like you’re on tour. So yes. It is worth it to upgrade.
Better opportunities to score equates to lower scores. Which then equates to more birdies and birdies are a lot of fun! You should definitely try my driver!
The look of the bottom of the club doesn’t matter. The green and yellow is hideous. Don’t buy a driver based on color scheme.
The drive – At all costs, a drive must give you a chance to get to the green in regulation. That’s it. Distance-sure. Dispersion-tight please.
The Epic Flash is plenty forgiving, and plenty long. Adjustability and shaft choices allow players of all types to construct the perfect combination to suit their needs.
There is a sh!t-ton of tech in this club. It works. It’s worth the $. Get fit. Peace.
Official entry in honor of baseball being back:
The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the back nine that day:
If the front was any indication, there was more trouble on the way.
And when my first drive was a slice, and my second one the same,
An empty feeling came over me, I’d lost confidence in my game.
I teed it up once more,
And swung my Epic Flash.
The air was shattered by the force of my mighty smash.
Somewhere folks are joyful, and somewhere children laugh.
But there is no joy for me—for I drove it in the water, and have renamed my driver “Epic Splash!”