This doesn't really make sense to me.
The COR is limited, so no one spot on the face can exceed that. And a 460cc club should have a larger area that is near/at the limit compared to a smaller club.
Equipment Question, Smaller Driver Heads
- Thread starter Tball88
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This doesn't really make sense to me.
The COR is limited, so no one spot on the face can exceed that. And a 460cc club should have a larger area that is near/at the limit compared to a smaller club.
Jim Kobylinski
Super Moderator
You are correct; the newer drivers are "more forgiving" on mishits meaning that you will lose less ball speed on a mishit than with some of the older technology. However the sweet spot doesn't get any "bigger."
birdie_man
New
OH ok I get it now...cause THE Sweet Spot is dead center.
1. Because golfers love new toys
2. Because most of the golfing public needs the forgiveness more than the option to hit driver off the deck.
The downside is that better players who prefer (and can play) the older stuff have to look a little harder to find it.
I think if NIke releases the 380 to the public and takes the shaft down about an inch,they will have a huge seller. Everyone will be talking about how it's easier to swing and their hitting so many more fairways. Tom Wishon has a good article about how the lengths of new drivers is the huge issue for most players.
I believe their is a good market for the the smaller drive with your single handicaps that doesn't want to swing a frying pan.
I believe their is a good market for the the smaller drive with your single handicaps that doesn't want to swing a frying pan.
Jim Kobylinski
Super Moderator
Usually it is not; in most cases the sweetspot is favored towards the heel of the club.
Jim Kobylinski
Super Moderator
As much as i would like to believe you, it isn't going to happen. The single digit handicaps is an extremely small % of the overall golfing population.
If you wanted to "mass market" a driver that was shorter in length and head size which effectively make it harder to hit and go shorter due to less clubhead speed it would fail. The reality is that golf companies make money based on how far they can get the average joe to hit it; so small increases in driver length coupled with just the right amount of loft/spin and shaft types is the key to winning over the public.
I think you nailed it Jim.
It is all marketing though. Tom Wishon's testing has all shown that the average joe hits a 43.5 inch driver further than the 45-46 inch drivers.
While if each was struck perfectly the longer drivers do give a few more yards, how many of your average weekend golfer actually hits the ball perfectly very often.
While if each was struck perfectly the longer drivers do give a few more yards, how many of your average weekend golfer actually hits the ball perfectly very often.
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