2011 - Year of the Driver?

[GrantD]

I think with all of the different shafts available on the market. It would be smart of the companies to offer more demo days with tour vans at them. I know they offer some now, but there are hardly any that I have noticed. Then a golfer could go there and get a custom fit from a company specialist. You could then walk away from the event with a driver and shaft you know will work, just like the pros do.

 

[Kmac]

So far Ive seen nothing that can even come close to what we can do at the THP outing in terms of shafts and drivers. Ive been to some pretty big demo days but theyre just not the same. And since Ive lived out east, Ive been to zero demo days and I never even hear of any. The one problem I have with buying and trying to get fit at Golf Galaxy is I cant get comfortable with the little hitting area they have for the launch monitor. You almost hit the wall behind you its so small. It just doesnt work like hitting outside, at least for me.

 

[Hanks]

I think some OEM's are starting to see the shift towards fitting, customization, etc and realized that if they can offer better products right off the bat they may be able to better compete for those consumer dollars than they would if they didn't acknowledge that trend. Example, Taylormade drivers are easily customizable (different tips, etc) where say Nike isn't as customizable. So what does Nike do? Start offering a higher end shaft in it's stock offerings hoping to capitalize on the 'customization' trend and but also to appeal more to the person that does not want to take the time to get fit but still wants to play premium stuff. Golf equipment can breed insane loyalty across a consumer base and if a company can creat a smah hit with it's gear it may be able to lock in a whole generation to it's gear no matter what they put out (i.e Titleist and their balls) The technology for creating better equipment is becoming more available and that is being passed down to the consumer both in lower cost and greater avaialbility which is a win for all parties involved. I think 2011 is more about greater and cheaper availability of some high tech stuff and that in turn means co's will turn out less 'junk' and more great clubs, etc.

Is it that better shafts are making all the difference in the world and some companies are including them in standard offerings? yes
Are the made for shafts getting better? yes
Is it because there is so much competition out there for the consumer dollar? yes
What do you think is the reason for the incredible things we are seeing for 2011? see above
And frankly do you agree that 2011 is better than previous years across the board? yes

 

[9-Iron Man]

i believe fitting is something that will always be talked about, and i would expect a medium like golf digest to "talk" about it. static fittings have certainly become easier with the internet and with companies like bstone stepping up like they do, but i also think that other companies are genius at marketing "fitting", like titleist. is that form of fitting "stepping up their game", or is it just a way to keep those customers who think that there's nothing out there as good? i don't know.

i'm just glad that someone like cleveland began this trend of putting out an incredible "stock" shaft.

That's what I was trying to get across and you nailed it. I too am glad Cleveland and Srixon are putting out "stock" shafts like these, but there are different companies out there for a reason. It's the same reason we have different brands of cars to choose from. Sure all have an engine and four wheels, but the types vary based on what the consumer wants and needs. The same is true of golf OEMs. The Clevelands are a lighter series. Not everyone can play those. The Srixon is adjustable, not everyone wants those either. So if those do not work for you where do you look? The other OEMs. I guess what I'm going at here is that there is still business here and that drives a lot of what goes on.

 

[lcsmrtn]

So far Ive seen nothing that can even come close to what we can do at the THP outing in terms of shafts and drivers. Ive been to some pretty big demo days but theyre just not the same. And since Ive lived out east, Ive been to zero demo days and I never even hear of any. The one problem I have with buying and trying to get fit at Golf Galaxy is I cant get comfortable with the little hitting area they have for the launch monitor. You almost hit the wall behind you its so small. It just doesnt work like hitting outside, at least for me.

Same for me and add in the fact that I don't have many places to even try or touch most golf clubs within a 2 hour drive. I need to rely on info I can gather on the internet.

 

[9-Iron Man]

I think some OEM's are starting to see the shift towards fitting, customization, etc and realized that if they can offer better products right off the bat they may be able to better compete for those consumer dollars than they would if they didn't acknowledge that trend. Example, Taylormade drivers are easily customizable (different tips, etc) where say Nike isn't as customizable. So what does Nike do? Start offering a higher end shaft in it's stock offerings hoping to capitalize on the 'customization' trend and but also to appeal more to the person that does not want to take the time to get fit but still wants to play premium stuff. Golf equipment can breed insane loyalty across a consumer base and if a company can creat a smah hit with it's gear it may be able to lock in a whole generation to it's gear no matter what they put out (i.e Titleist and their balls) The technology for creating better equipment is becoming more available and that is being passed down to the consumer both in lower cost and greater avaialbility which is a win for all parties involved. I think 2011 is more about greater and cheaper availability of some high tech stuff and that in turn means co's will turn out less 'junk' and more great clubs, etc.

Great points in here.

 

[Puttin4Bird]

Yeah I believe we can definitely consider 2011 as the Year of the Driver, I cannot every remember a year with more amazing driver offerings all out at one time than this year. There's nothing new about someone stepping it up, but to have seemingly every major OEM stepping it up at the same time is just insane. The shaft offerings now are so good that it should completely eliminate the need for anyone to ever consider changing shafts in a driver that they had decided on, I don't know if the driver manufacturers noticed something a year or so back that made them realize that they simply cannot keep on sticking us with "made for" shafts and just decided a change was needed. I'm sure shaft manufacturers like Miyazaki and PX among others are delighted by this trend.

There truly has never been a better time to be in the market for a new driver than right now, seems like I've said that before but comparing the offerings the last time I said that to now is a night and day difference!

 

[TC]

So far Ive seen nothing that can even come close to what we can do at the THP outing in terms of shafts and drivers. Ive been to some pretty big demo days but theyre just not the same. And since Ive lived out east, Ive been to zero demo days and I never even hear of any. The one problem I have with buying and trying to get fit at Golf Galaxy is I cant get comfortable with the little hitting area they have for the launch monitor. You almost hit the wall behind you its so small. It just doesnt work like hitting outside, at least for me.

nailed it! i've been to plenty of demo days as well and nothing is like the THP event. the #1 difference for me.....no reps! i'm not being sold anything. i can conduct my own thoughts and come up with my own conclusions. super valuable.

That's what I was trying to get across and you nailed it. I too am glad Cleveland and Srixon are putting out "stock" shafts like these, but there are different companies out there for a reason. It's the same reason we have different brands of cars to choose from. Sure all have an engine and four wheels, but the types vary based on what the consumer wants and needs. The same is true of golf OEMs. The Clevelands are a lighter series. Not everyone can play those. The Srixon is adjustable, not everyone wants those either. So if those do not work for you where do you look? The other OEMs. I guess what I'm going at here is that there is still business here and that drives a lot of what goes on.

agreed on those points, i just still am not sold that the OEM's main focus is on "fitting". sure, they recommend it, but as others are pointing out (dmb), it's almost damn near impossible to do if you are geologically handicapped, like many of us are.

 

[Hawk]

It is definitely starting to look like it. I would say that social media and internet forums have come a LONG way towards educating the consumer. There is so much competition out there, especially on social media sites. The OEM's have to stay on top of their game or they risk losing out big time. I personally love it. I think there are so many great products out there and (in many cases) it's a matter of finding what fits your swing and abilities.

 

[biggsy]

It looks like it's going to be a great year for drivers. A win for consumers everywhere!

 

[GrantD]

I just would like to be fitted for a shaft and driver that will take my crappy swing and let me bust 300 yard drives out of it!

 

[9-Iron Man]

nailed it! i've been to plenty of demo days as well and nothing is like the THP event. the #1 difference for me.....no reps! i'm not being sold anything. i can conduct my own thoughts and come up with my own conclusions. super valuable.



agreed on those points, i just still am not sold that the OEM's main focus is on "fitting". sure, they recommend it, but as others are pointing out (dmb), it's almost damn near impossible to do if you are geologically handicapped, like many of us are.

"Fitting" may not be the ultimate goal, but I think they do realize now, to compete, the have to step their game up, which they obviously have. It's defintiely exciting times for golf, that's for sure.

It is definitely starting to look like it. I would say that social media and internet forums have come a LONG way towards educating the consumer. There is so much competition out there, especially on social media sites. The OEM's have to stay on top of their game or they risk losing out big time. I personally love it. I think there are so many great products out there and (in many cases) it's a matter of finding what fits your swing and abilities.

Well said. Couldn't agree more.

 

[9-Iron Man]

I just would like to be fitted for a shaft and driver that will take my crappy swing and let me bust 300 yard drives out of it!

That's the dream! And shafts do help tremendously.

 

[TC]

the one thing that is a constant is that we are the beneficiaries of this trend. i have to be honest, i completely believe that the miyazaki shaft is suited well for me. i know this b/c i have been fortunate enough to spend ample amount of time with my driver and a plethora of shaft offerings from many different manufacturers. not only did the kusala give me great #'s but i loved what i saw from it when i was able to hit tons of balls, on a driving range. i'm sure many of us have found "that" shaft for us and our games so when an OEM puts that manufacturers shaft into a driver, it certainly steers me in the direction of that driver. the fact that my shaft is tipped for the R9 certainly can be a deciding factor that i may lean heavily towards something like the R11, but there's a part of me that wants to lean towards cleveland and the marrying they've done with miyazaki.

 

[White Rhino]

the one thing that is a constant is that we are the beneficiaries of this trend. i have to be honest, i completely believe that the miyazaki shaft is suited well for me. i know this b/c i have been fortunate enough to spend ample amount of time with my driver and a plethora of shaft offerings from many different manufacturers. not only did the kusala give me great #'s but i loved what i saw from it when i was able to hit tons of balls, on a driving range. i'm sure many of us have found "that" shaft for us and our games so when an OEM puts that manufacturers shaft into a driver, it certainly steers me in the direction of that driver. the fact that my shaft is tipped for the R9 certainly can be a deciding factor that i may lean heavily towards something like the R11, but there's a part of me that wants to lean towards cleveland and the marrying they've done with miyazaki.

What about the K15? Didn't you have awesome numbers with it also?

Posted from my BlackBerry using BerryBlab

 

[GrantD]

JB, If you were at the store and had to go home with one of these drivers. Which one would it be?

 

[TC]

What about the K15? Didn't you have awesome numbers with it also?

Posted from my BlackBerry using BerryBlab

never hit it on a launch monitor. but i know from hitting it stock on the range and in two rounds of golf, the stock shaft just won't get it done for me. so there you are in that position of having a $300 driver, and needing to put a $200 shaft in it. i'd rather buy something that already has both bundled in together.

i think that PING could learn a lot from the other OEM's and their driver offerings in 2011, b/c imo, they are completely missing the boat.

 

[JB]

JB, If you were at the store and had to go home with one of these drivers. Which one would it be?

I think my signature answers that one right? :act-up:

 

[GrantD]

I think my signature answers that one right? :act-up:

I figured that, but just wanted to make sure.

 

[JB]

I figured that, but just wanted to make sure.

I guess for me, it would come down to budget, and ball flight. I have ALWAYS (since THP started) chosen my driver based on numbers and only numbers. I am fortunate to get to try out most of the stuff (and now others can too at THP demo day) with a launch monitor, outside. I have always said that I never cared what it says as long as the numbers were right.

 

[9-Iron Man]

I think my signature answers that one right? :act-up:

None of the new TM offerings tempting you yet? Or at least posting similar numbers for you?

 

[Hanks]

I think I said that same thing in my review. it's a shame because it would be such an awesome driver if the shaft was even remotely better

never hit it on a launch monitor. but i know from hitting it stock on the range and in two rounds of golf, the stock shaft just won't get it done for me. so there you are in that position of having a $300 driver, and needing to put a $200 shaft in it. i'd rather buy something that already has both bundled in together.

i think that PING could learn a lot from the other OEM's and their driver offerings in 2011, b/c imo, they are completely missing the boat.

 

[JB]

None of the new TM offerings tempting you yet? Or at least posting similar numbers for you?

Sure. They are all tempting. But I am not a guy that changes drivers very often. I think in 3 years I have had 3 drivers (a 4th only because one was lost). That is what is great about this thread. Its about how great this years drivers have been and how great it is for the consumer this year. I believe it is because of many reasons, but in the end, its so good for consumers coming up this spring.

 

[9-Iron Man]

Sure. They are all tempting. But I am not a guy that changes drivers very often. I think in 3 years I have had 3 drivers (a 4th only because one was lost). That is what is great about this thread. Its about how great this years drivers have been and how great it is for the consumer this year. I believe it is because of many reasons, but in the end, its so good for consumers coming up this spring.

No argument there. It's an exciting time, especially for those of us who get to attend the demo day at the Outing.

So the Z-Star is firmly planted in your bag then? Cool. It's always a good feeling to have a club that works.

 

[ddec]

I really like the shaft offerings this year. Nike with a Fubuki on the Machspeed Black, Cleveland and Srixon with the Miyazaki's, Callaway with a Project X, I think these companies are really going after it with their offerings this year.