Drivers

2018 Most Wanted – The Best Driver For Low Swing Speeds (75 – 90 MPH)

BY MyGolfSpy
Apr 13th 2018
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245

Hours
Researched

25

Products
Considered

10,071

Shots
Hit

20.4m

Readers

What makes one driver better for one golfer over another? What key metrics in a golfer’s swing influence the way equipment performs?

The desire to capture more data is why we expanded our test pool to 35 golfers and collected more than 10,000 shots. The more we know about the performance of each of the 25 drivers in our test, the better we can help narrow your choices. Whether you’re an off-the-rack buyer, a guy who’s constantly tweaking your gear, or someone who is going to take the time to get fitted by a knowledgeable professional, we’re here to help you.

As we’ve done in the past, for 2018, we’re again segmenting our data to provide more meaningful information to the individual golfer. We’ve broken down our driver test results into three different swing speed categories. In the final segment of our three-part series, we’re showing data specific to low swing speeds (75 – 90 mph).

ADVANCED GOLF ANALYTICS

Data matters. And when it comes to finding the right equipment, it’s critical. We help solve this by applying the largest connected set of head-to-head data to tackle one of golf’s biggest challenges.

All testing was conducted inside our fully independent test facility located in Virginia. All testers used Bridgestone Tour B-RX golf balls for consistency and to reduce test variables. All ball and head data were collected using Foresight Sports GCQuad Launch Monitors. This comprehensive dataset was then run through our proprietary Most Wanted Rankings methodology. What we have developed is the most comprehensive test to determine the leaders in the driver category.

For more information, check out our How We Test page.

HOW WE CONSIDER PERFORMANCE

Each year we work hard to improve our testing methodologies from the previous test. In 2018, we’ve added yet another building block – statistical significance. Our Most Wanted winner is the club that finished in the statistically significant top group (based on Strokes Gained Driving) for the highest percentage of our testers. To simplify things a bit, we call the final order TRUERank; a metric that includes the order of finish (rank), along with the percentage of golfers for whom each club was shown to be in the top group.

For those interested in breaking out the individual components that make up total performance, we still provide you with club speed, distance (total yards and carry), and accuracy (offline/yards from center).

Be sure to check out the sortable tables to find the best driver that fits YOU.

RESULTS:

TRUERank: Swing Speeds (<89 mph)

Club	Ball Speed	Launch	Spin	Carry	Total	Offline	Shot Area	TRUERank
PING G400 LST	119.15	14.13	2,048	181.18	197.64	14.46	4,268	1 (73%)
Wilson Staff D300	116.32	15.29	1,652	174.19	191.79	14.44	4,228	2 (64%)
PING G400 SFT	116.69	14.88	2,269	177.31	191.99	14.73	3,343	3 (55%)
VEGA RAD-04	115.73	14.53	2,240	173.11	189.5	15.1	3,528	4 (45%)
Cleveland Launcher HB	119.11	14.31	2,258	182.4	197.37	16.01	4,329	4 (45%)
Callaway Rogue	115.85	15.24	2,067	174.3	189.95	14.41	3,942	4 (45%)
PING G400 Max	117.42	14.56	2,242	178.67	193.39	17.17	3,465	4 (45%)
Titleist 917 D3	117.06	14.24	2,097	175.07	191.33	15.57	3,730	8 (36%)
PING G400	117.23	14.66	2,222	176.48	190.51	16.6	3,962	8 (36%)
Titleist 917 D2	116.63	15	2,149	177.91	192.65	16.32	4,150	8 (36%)
Cobra KING F8	118.43	14.32	2,111	177.87	192.83	17.91	3,904	8 (36%)
Bridgeston Tour B XD-5	116.63	14.69	2,249	175.65	191.38	14.75	5,047	8 (36%)
Wilson Staff C300	116.17	13.55	1,949	169.84	187.37	15.1	3,886	8 (36%)
Tommy Armour TA1	116.17	14.18	2,163	174.65	189.68	14.52	3,854	14 (27%)
Cobra KING F8+	117.62	14.35	2,220	176.58	193.43	14.66	3,954	14 (27%)
Mizuno ST180	117.13	15.29	2,150	179.13	193.95	15.91	4,568	14 (27%)
TaylorMade M3 440	115.3	15.05	2,090	171.66	187.75	15.7	3,204	14 (27%)
TaylorMade M4	116.85	14.76	2,383	174.45	189.82	14.58	3,180	14 (27%)
Mizuno GT180	117.67	13.81	2,113	176.16	190.83	17.3	3,546	14 (27%)
XXIO X	117.07	15.29	2,314	178.69	191.7	17.73	4,344	14 (27%)
TaylorMade M3	116.59	15	2,407	175.6	189.68	15.92	3,076	21 (18%)
Cobra F Max	117.91	15.44	2,575	181.39	192.94	16.89	4,004	21 (18%)
Vertical Groove Driver	116.02	16.07	2,325	177.62	190.04	20.28	4,727	21 (18%)
Tour Edge HL3	115.12	14.41	2,005	169.2	184.59	19.58	3,006	24 (9%)
Callaway Rogue Sub Zero	116.17	14.37	2,024	172.5	189.13	15.41	4,062	25 (0%)

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comments

Join The Discussion

Doug Fisher

5 years ago

I have not always been a “Booster” for your website, however, I just turned 75 and my driver has become a most important club because it sets the yardages for the rest of the clubs in my bag. Based on your test results, I ordered and just received a Wilson D300. Cost $175 Cdn from Golftown. Because it is hard to assess distance with a foot of snow and I am not close to modern test equipment, I will have to wait a month or so. However, the club has a very light head weight, and a bit longer shaft than any of my other drivers. The most flexible shaft available was “Regular”. I have Callaway irons and hybrids and I am happy with these clubs. I am looking forward to field testing. Thank you. ps the fitter at Callaway assessed my clubs for about 7 years after my purchase. I am still using their FT iq driver. The fitter suggested that any change would not give me very much joy. This Callaway fitting centre is now closed. The fitter there was an honest man, Richard Sweeting. When he could have sold me clubs with only marginal improvement to my game, he said “Stick with what you have.”

There are good guys everywhere.

Dr Tee

6 years ago

The shaft is the engine of the swing–it’s all about the shaft and correct fitting.

Gene

I don’t know if I missed it or not but in your testing of the drivers it would be interesting to know what shafts were used in the 75-90 test. I presume they were regular shafts?

Angus

Could you explain to me what you mean by strokes gained.

Deadeye

I really appreciate all the effort that went into gathering this data and it has high value. I would just urge caution in how it is used. It would be a mistake to pick the top performers and buy one thinking it’s the best for you. I would urge watching TXG, Tour Golf Experiance to gain an appreciation for how important individual fittings are with every club in the bag. It’s an eye opener.

John Rogers

In my younger days I was a very good player, won a few Am events and played a few tour events inc. a couple of Majors as a Pro. Now at 79 and a stroke victim my game is hack and slash,, but I have been on the Wilson Staff for several years and as retired PGA member am happy to see Wilson get the recognition they deserve. I play the C300 series and am very satisfied with the distance and control they give me. Thank you for confirming my thoughts. And the Fuji Pro shafts are great. The combo of the C300 and the Duo Ball gives me what I need.

John Strathman

Hi John,
Wilson – Wilson staff has made great strides in golf the past 10 years, I am on my 3rd set of wilson Irons since 2008 . I will probably give that D300 driver a look.

Take care…John

gary sheppard

I’m recovering from a stoke also, any advice that has helped you,please let me know. I’m 3 yrs plus trying to recover.
THANKS,and good luck in your recovery.
Gary Sheppard.

Aurelio

Me too… I’m also recovering from a stroke I had 6 months ago, and my golf worsened immediately by 10 shots on average per game. However, there’s hope as I’m improving all the time.
I changed to the latest golf driver technology a lot… I tried Taylormade, Callaway, Srixon and I’m now with Cobra. I’ve struggled with all of them and only had limited success, despite having pro coaching regularly. I’m still searching for the El Dorado of golf drivers.

BR

Great information as always. Appreciate the research. Would like to share how I apply knowledge gained to my choosing a new club or two.. I have began taking this data (review data) and calling ahead to a facility in which I can demo/test (both indoor/monitor and outdoor/flight). This data helps me reduce my testing time and ultimately better find my desired fit. The fitting personnel also seem to like me calling ahead and telling them what I want to test. Its ready for me when I arrive.

GolfCodeWeekly *WIN FREE GOLF

I am really surprised by how low the spin rates are, to me a lot of them seem to be too low (Under 2000 is ludicrous!)

Seems like there is a gap in the market for a company to produce a higher launching, higher spinning club for low swingers
(Ignore that company that makes the daft 2 wood thing as junk)

But a well built club to achieve high launch and high spin for slow speeds

Unless optimal spin rates have changed with modern golf balls?

ole gray

Heading to Club Champion today to see which one of these drivers works the best for me. I’m thinking my swing speed has dropped to the mid 80 to low 90 range. I normally play my driver set at 12 degree loft for more spin so it will be interesting to see how this shakes out. I’m gaming a regular flex shaft so that maybe a shaft change might be in the equation.

Dennis

Looking for a tester? My season has not started yet. Winter won’t give it up, and its mid April. My swing speed on average 75-80. Had it tested a few years ago, and I have not done anything different to speed up. I am 61, and if anything, I might be a couple of mph slower. Anyway, if you are looking for a tester, I would like to test the Wilson D300, regular flex. I shoot around 95-100 consistently. Could be better. Currently using Callaway Diablo Octane, regular flex, cut to 42″. Cut it down from 46″ last season and had pretty good results. A lot more drives in the fairway. Let me know. I know I would have to give a report.

doug lewis

I have actually gone to a LLL shaft, think shakespeare ugly stick.
But the shaft loads itself. But honestly i think you benefit from playing the softest shaft you can tolerate. You simply have to pause at the top, easier said then done, let the club do the work. I am 57 and until 7 years ago played a regular shaft. I am 6 foot tall 86 mph swing speed. 45 1/2 inch shaft 181 cycles per minute.
Find a club fitter the put a shaft in your driver that is rated at a certain cycles per minute (CPMs). If you practice with the orange whip wedge you will learn to slow your movement, but down club speed and accuracy up. Manufactuer Ratings of X, S, R, A,. and L are simply meaningless. Club manufactuers are too lazy to test the CPMs of each shaft. 12 degrees of loft should reduce your spin. You may want to find a pro that teaches stack and tilt golf. It is an odd technique but you will learn to make better contact.

Mhb

Hi Dennis. Interesting to see you’ve cut your shaft to 42 inches. Like you I am more interested in accuracy than distance. How much distance did you lose and did it reduce your dispersion. Did you check your swing speed before and after. I know this is a little after you wrote your note but am preparing the ground work before the new review from MGS. THANKS. Mike

Thomas

Wow…so..I’m shocked by the results for the lower swing speed. From a fitting standpoint I always thought the rule of thumb was that slower swing speed players would benefit from slightly higher spin rates to help them keep the ball in the air longer. I’m frankly stunned to see that the best numbers were from lower spin drivers. I would be interested to see the carry numbers compared to the overall distance numbers.

Clay

Carry and total distance are both present in the chart.

Lynyrd

Questions:
1. why wasn’t the Callaway Rogue Draw and TaylorMade M4 Draw included as this would seem to fit exactly the Swing Speed tested.
2. Please offer opinions on how the LST driver geared towards higher swing speeds did so well for this swing speed.
3. Were all shafts Regular Flex or was it varied?
4. For Drivers with adjustable weights, were those optimized for each Tester.

Requests:
1. Please add in to the chart the shaft used. Brand, If Stock, Flex, and Length. Swing weight wouldn’t be a bad idea either.
2. Add in tests with Cally and TM Draw versions, as you tested the Ping SFT, it is borderline unethical not include.

As much as I appreciate MGS, these tests, and info, they are only as good as the Data input. I hate to say it, but information provided or recorded as well as model selection is very incomplete. C’mon Man, get it together . . . we need this sort of independent testing so you have a level of responsibility to get it right.

Tony Covey

C’mon man. At least take a minute to read the how we test and rank clubs page linked in the article. That details our process including the selection of shafts, movable weights and adjustability in general.

Both Callaway and TaylorMade declined to provide clubs for these tests. Given the expense to purchase product for all tests, we had to leave a few things out – in this case the draw versions of those models.

don

But all it says is “Within the constraints of the options at our disposal, we make every reasonable effort to optimize each club for each tester.” Not even a in general this swing speed used??? and a “For each shot, we calculate the strokes gained value before calculating the strokes gained average for every tester with each club.” but how did you come by that number. Categories such as launch and spin are just things that need to be optimized to make the ball carry vs roll out, and go straight enough to find it. They obviously can not be part of strokes gained as they just allow you to tune in the driver. You spent a ton of time getting the data which is why we love you, we just want to know why we can’t have it at least in a very in general way.

Could you answer Question 2? An opinion on why the PING LST version did so well in a category it isn’t geared towards.

scott

I think you drank to much coffee or loves to type but C’mon Man, get it together is a little over the top if you don’t like the test start your own website . I read the stats for the fun of it but I don’t believe the numbers mean much because shaft type used and not every body attacks the ball from the same angle used in the test of the drivers . One size doesn’t fit all so get off your butt and go to a golf center and try them all for yourself . and say your sorry

Martin Siegen

No matter what your results say I have an XXIO Prime driver that is giving me more yardage than I have had in years. I know you didn’t review the XXIO Prime, you reviewed the XXIO 10, I wish you had, its an amazing driver for folks like me with a slower swing speed

Col Walker

Ok i have now caught up with all three test data (but one cover email I got was very confusing… so just relied on twitter)

Tony, I know you moved from 2 speed categories to 3 a while back, but I’m suggesting that that’s not enough and IMO the data would suggest that.

In the SLOW category the longest is 197 but in moderate category it is 241. That’s a big difference and IMO too big a difference.

The average (moderate) is 235 and the average(slow) is 193(both approx). So the moderate category is hitting it 42 yards further(average) or importantly 22% further than the slow category. Would you agree that’s too big a difference for the potential consumer to try and make a decision on?

Not only that but I read that a great percentage of players will be on the cusp of SLOW /MODERATE. So, the 42 yard differential just leaves you(me!) wondering what to do!

Which surely after all this sterling testing of yours is not the desired outcome! Surely the ideal outcome should be very conclusive to the consumer.

In short I wonder if four speed categories of sub 85, 85-95, 95-105 and 105 plus would give a clearer conclusion? Maybe the speed categories should be determined by what gives a difference of around 10 to 15 yards?
Any thoughts?

Thanks for all the great work you do!

Loopy

Col Walker you’ve made some great points. I’ve gotten to where I almost laugh at this years charts.

What is the swing speed averages for each club?

What shafts are in each testers club?

What are the lengths of each club?

With such a spread in carry, one would think there is a lot of swing speed difference. How much deviation percentage wise is necessary to get a shot thrown out?

A 20% variable in swing speed is just way to much. I think it should be swing speed categories of 10% deferential max. and preferably 5%.

Tony, what is the chance of a database/spreadsheet on here where we could choose which testes numbers to work with via the average swing speed of that tester?

Thanks Loopy, i can see why ‘on paper’ MGS picked those 3 speed categories. But the data proves beyond doubt that those speed groups produce wildly different distances, well SLOW v MODERATE certainly does!

Your suggestion on picking out a tester with a speed(and possibly handicap too…hmmmm, debatable??) is a good one and i seemed to think they had that before a few years ago???
Im keen to hear Tony’s thoughts…..

We’re getting ready to launch TrueGolfFit, which will allow you to input more data to find a more customized match for your swing.

As a rule, I’m uncomfortable segmenting out results such that any single group (low, mid, high) contains less than 10 testers. The consequence of that is that our low swing speed group is largely on the low end of average range. I’d love to push the driver test to 50 testers, but we’d need to expand our test facility first. As it stands now, with two GCQuads running all day long, it still takes nearly 2 months to complete the test.

Very interesting that the lower swing speed has and increase of 20%, middle swing speed has an increase of 17%, and fastest swing speed has an increase of only 14% from low to high end of each segment. Why wouldn’t you set all the swing speeds categories at the same or within 1% of the same spread?

NEF

I enjoy your “definitive” tests. They make for good reading. But that’s all it is. The results are actually meaningless for virtually all readers unless you are speaking to the highest swing speeds with the lowest handicaps. What statistical breakdown would require is impossible to accomplish. The same flaw exits in all “best of” comparisons in golf equipment. You eliminate advertising and supposed popularity (i.e. efficiency of advertising) that’s to the good.

However, within each of the three segments you break down what is truly applicable are:
Swing speed – measured
Handicap breakdown – not segregated meaningfully with such a small pool of testers
Flexibility – again, an unmeasured imponderable that can’t be included by its very nature but is probably the most significant aspect of any driver selection.
Age and fitness – Can’t be meaningfully measured, tested or grouped
Shaft combinations – produces different results for each golfer
Loft combinations with shaft and head combinations
Weight – and especially how distributed
Statistically large sample group for each categorization of most of the foregoing determinants

As stated, I enjoy the reading and appreciate the effort, but in the end it is no more relevant to club selection than simply listing an equal grouping of “we recommend you test these drivers for yourself” without any of the “rankings” that at the end of the day are still purely arbitrary.

Keep it up, it makes for enjoyable articles.

SandLover9000

Would be cool to see the winner of the present year also compared to the past years winners. Or even a running list of the best performers in each category no matter what year. That way, years from now, I could look at the running list and buy the 2018 Ping LST because it tests better than the new 2035 Ping model haha…but for real

It’s time to roll out the new models it’s testing time for the latest and greatest new driver that are coming to market. if your driver isn’t the number one on the list, the test is flawed or wrong. I enjoy reading the results and comments people post.I do believe drivers from five years ago travel just about the same as the new ones with in 2 to 3 yards. I traded my FTiz Callaway in for a XR Callaway which was 2 years ago , The XR is adjustable giving more options, feel and forgiveness but distance not the 10 to 20 yards farther people like to say. if you like your brand chances are you’ll buy another one just a few years newer and $500 more.

I glad your happy with your Ping but your numbers are hard to believe a 240 carry even with a 93 mph swing it defy the law of physics it’s kind of like them old fishing story’s each time they tell the story the fish kept getting bigger

JOEL GOODMAN

I AM 82 AND PLAY TO 8.0 INDEX USGA. I DRIVE 190 +/- AND FIND GOING TO THE GYM REGULARLY BEATS A NEW $500 DRIVER. GYM COSTS $26 /MONTH AND CAN USE IT AS MUCH AS I WANT DAY NIGHT HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS, EVEN WHEN IT RAINS.

WayneN

And it helps in more ways than just driving the ball. Wife and I workout every MWF. 30 minutes brisk walking on treadmill focusing on sensory receptors in feet to aid in spatial recognition (balance). 60 minutes on stretching (psoas, glutes, hamstrings, deltoids, hips, etc.) then some resistance (push ups, prison squats, and modified pull ups). Core activation throwing medicine ball.

alex

Just out of curiosity, did you guys test the Rogue Draw? Just went to a Callaway/Ping fitting at a local golf store, and testing 400Max and LST, while testing the Rogue and Rogue draw. 90mph swing speed– and highest carry and ball speed was with the Rogue draw (and the dispersion about the same as 400Max).

Birddieputt

As much as I appreciate what MyGolfSpy tries to accomplish, there is a LOT more information we need to draw an unbiased conclusion. For example:
1) What degree loft was used in each driver ?
2) What shaft was used ?
3) What was the swing speed ?
Without this minimal data points, it’s really hard to draw any meaningful conclusions.
I’ve done fittings for almost 10 years and without knowing at least the three items above, the results are meaningless.

Have you read the how we test and rank page linked in the post? Loft, shaft, etc., all vary from tester to tester.

Do you change how much weight you put into each category to get your true rank. The offline total for lower swing speeds is far less a problem than their carry yards. A 120mph swing needs to find it after they hit it so accuracy becomes far more important to them.

Jose

You are spot on Don.

As detailed in our how we test and rank, TrueRank is derived from Stroke Gained on an individual basis. As that metric considers both distance and lie condition (fairway vs. rough), there’s really no need to change it for longer hitters.

The entire question revolves around how you test Stroke Gained on an individual basis. That is the entire point of getting fitted is that different swing speed player have different needs as I pointed out already in my original question. The article you always refer to on how we test just says you figure out the Stroke Gained on an individual basis and use that to do the rest.
We all seem to be asking the same question. How do you get that number? What loft, flex, weight configuration and offset is used on average for each group. If your taking the time to fit every golfer that must be a massive undertaking.

Dave

Each year that I read this article, I want to ask the same question: how does the new club compare to last year‘s version? For example how does the new rogue compare to last year‘s epic? With rogues selling for $500 and Epic’s on sale for for $420, any differences matter

Will

I agree with the comment that shaft flex & weight should be provided. I have played the G400 & 917 D2, both with stock shafts, senior flex, approx. 50gm weight. The G400 was set to 10deg & the 917 D2 was set to 10.25deg. Weather, course conditions & wind were all equal. Over a few rounds, I found that the 917 D2 was consistently 10yds longer & as high as 15-18yds longer at times for me. The G400 is a fine driver, but for me tends to draw a lot more than the 917 D2. Longer & consistently straight for me is a winner, that’s why the D2 is in my bag…

DaveyD

It appears that, across the swing speed board, Titleist is entrenched primarily as an irons company. Their offerings are in the mid to lower range of the pack. It would be interesting to see how many Titleist tour players would move to other drivers, given the opportunity.

Flemming Lerbaek

I have just bought a Cleveland Launcher. Wonderful driver. Goes longer than with my Ping C30. Swing speed is about 87-92 mph. Beats more precisely from the toe and from the heel of the driver. And the price: Absolutely wonderful.

Bradley Smith

sorting using Truerank doesn’t work correctly

Jerry Noble

Last two years I hit the g30 LST. I decided to compare it to the M1, and the Epic. I had the exact same shaft in each. The g30 LST was consistently 5 to 10 yards longer on the course. So when the g400 LST came out I order one without testing. I can’t believe how good this driver is for me. Easier to swing than anything out there and it is 10 yards longer than the g30 LST. Then they came out with the g max. I hit the g400 LST farther than the g max. At least for me it can’t be beat. My swing speed is 90-93 mph. I carry it 240 and even there is roll out it goes 260 or better. I am 67 years old and have never swung out of my shoes. You don’t have to with this club.

Did you use stock shaft? Flex?

Does the adapter work if you have the older G25 driver?

Thanks!

mackdaddy

Great list. What about those of us between 90-105 swing speeds?

Steve S

I like the testing. Any chance you’ll release the individuals data? 75-90mph is a pretty wide spread. I know at my slightly higher than 90mph swing I’m getting more than 180 yards carry. This time of year most of my drives are “plugging” so it’s easy to measure via my gps.

Ron

Too bad you did not include the Ping gmax. I am 74 years old with a swing speed of 86 mph. I tested all the new drivers and personally found the gmax perfect for me. It launches high with a mild draw bias. The carry distance was better than the new Rogue and M series with much better forgiveness.

It’s listed as the Ping G400 Max. Tied for 4th.

Jerry

I suspect I’m as confused as anyone in this forum. That is, I tend to think that a driver that tests as #1 for a high swing speed should test the same as swing speeds diminish. If this were not true I would assume that if I tested on my own and slow my swing down I would see a crossover with the same clubs in your test. Right? The variable(s) would be shafts. If a high swing speed with the M4 or Cally or Mizuno test longer for a high swing speed why wouldn’t they test longer at a slower speed assuming shaft changes similar to the Wilson or Ping? Can MGS get into some deeper tech speak on face rebound dynamics or launch angle or reasons for distance decline (spin increase?) that explains these results? I think we all enjoy these tests but hate coming away baffled.

Jay Gerlich

Were all the shafts the same length, flex and swing weight? Differences in shafts will make a significant difference in distance and accuracy.

Joeg Voll

4 years ago

You in must work at a shaft making place cause you is lying! Shafts don’t make no differences! I swings my Spoon 238 mph so I just in done had a 47 inch piece of rebar fitted with a Ping fit’n stick thingy and I put some jb weld in da club hole and then stuck da rebar into da club hole thing on the ping fit’n stick and now I can drive my gutta percha 705 yards! And all it costed me was $8.19 at HomeDepot. So you need to quit in filln these peoples noggins with dem lies about your ritzy pretty city boy shaft ‘n nonsense. Truth is you can take any kind of an apparatus like a broom stick, an oar, a butter churnin stick, a flag pole, a shower curtain rod and you can use em fer shaff ‘n up your golf sticks. I used Ma’s broom stick on my Cleek and that sum of a gun gets those balls a movin! Faster than old Amish Larry moves after he’s had a couple swigs of white lightning and he hears the Preachin man pull up! So quit lying to the good Spying folks! Any thing’ll do for shaft’n up the golf sticks.

are the covering e mails mixed up? The cover e mail for this one refers the final part of the series but this is second one i had, not third! Also more importantly the e mail says “do you hit it 200-250?” and then the attached test leading driver hits it 197yards ?!?! Must be a mix up somewhere ???

stevegp

Thank you for your continued efforts to provide us with helpful data and another breakdown based on swing speed. I can relate to this category much better.

KM

Are the lofts all the same on each driver?

Also ball speed vs clubhead speed would be nice info as well.

Two of my questions also. Third would be, what are the shafts? Are they all the same within the same head? I’m sure the different manufacturer’s heads have different shafts. But with in a manufacturer, are they the same shaft.

If I read “How We Test” properly, those who partook in this test were allowed to pick and choose the appropriate shaft to accommodate their own idiosyncrasies. I presume that this would be the only “variable” in the equation. With that variable being a “constant” that allowed adjustments for participant to optimize results. Hence, accepting those conditions I guess you could determine what driver was the best driver “to customize to the needs of the participants(?)”.

Are all the stated lofts the same on each driver?

STEPHANE MORENCY

Hi,
read the How we test page. Answers are there.

Bob

Before you invest in any new driver I suggest that you take your current driver to your local Dick’s Sporting Goods store and do a comparison to see if you will gain anything. The golf associates are mostly Certified Fitters that can help.

Aldo

How does the G400 LS work the best for slow swingers?
Always been told hard hitters use LS for more distance
Slow swingers need more spin to get and keep the ball
in the air. Slower swingers also gain yards on the ground
after ball landing . Which one does that best

First – the LST, while the lowest spinning of the PING models tested, is not really a low spin driver. I’d describe the CG as mid/back, which is a location that works really well for a wide range of golfers.

We’ve also found in years of testing that low spin can work really well for low swing speed players provided you can get adequate loft. The ball flight is a bit lower than one might be accustomed to, but you get more roll, and because lower swing speed golfers tend to hit more fairways, you end up closer to the pin with a fairway lie.

Exactly, always found myself wishing the SLDR came in 15-16 degree lofts as that would have been the bomb for my slower swing players. That being said I had enough trouble even getting them to try a 14loft and usually purchased 12 degrees even after proving to them 14 is better for them due to the very low spin.

Harry

How do you access the sortable tables ?

I don’t think you can. I tried to copy and paste to Word and Excel but it wouldn’t let me.

Charlie

If you click on the column heading in the web page table, it will sort the table by that column…first click lowest first, click again to swap the order.

Try this. It let’s me sort by category in my browser. http://mygolfspy.com/2018-most-wanted-driver/

Jonny Mercado

I too would like to see more information with regards to shaft weight and flex. Having a slower swing speed, (age catches up with us all eventually), I tested several of the clubs on the list trying different shafts. Fitted with the correct shaft the Callaway Rogue outperformed the other Drivers in most categories.

Jody Mullin

I was going to add a comment about the callaway. I went to a demo day with a callaway rep today and tried the rogue and after a few adjustments I’ve never hit a driver so well. During the same fitting I tried a ping g400 max and sft and had them adjusted and the callaway out distanced them by 25 yards and the the grouping for the callaway was way tighter than the others. Very impressed

Richard

Not understanding why the Cleveland Launcher is not ranked either 2 or 3 ? It has very similar numbers to the Ping G400.

Read the how we test and rank clubs linked in the article.

It would be valuable info. If the shaft flex and wet was included
Examples: xxio x reg is 50 grams
Cleveland senior flex is 46g 50g
Rogue is 40g 48g

Regis

Only thing I can say is that shaft flex is relative to a particular line of shafts. For me,Misubishi always play soft (I can go with an R) By contrast Oban plays firm (I need an A flex for my swing where available) But the XXIO doesn’t come with an A flex option but the R (for my swing) is just perfect. These testers were all optimized so the flex printed on the shaft they used doesn’t necessarily translate to another’s game. I became a fitting disciple a while ago for that reason

Shaft flex is meaningless. Within the CoolClubs S3 database for example, the range of shafts designated as stiff my their manufacturers range from 241 CPM to 271 CPM. That’s essentially 3 actually flexes…all suppsedly stiff.

So you just gave the perfect reason to start giving the CPM of the shafts as you use them in tests.

As discussed in the how we test and rank page, we test with stock, off-the-rack components. Each tester is fit for the stock shaft that provides the best results in any given head. Our goal is a test that reflects how the majority consumer buys. If you can make a case that the typical consumer compares the actual CPMs of the various shafts in the drivers he’s considering, by all means, let’s hear it.

Great analysis. Two longest Cleveland Launcher and Ping LST have similar close data points. Some of my Golfing Buddies have been using the Cleveland Launcher and have really picked a few more yards. I have always been the longest at 230 yards, now they are closing in and in some cases even longer. Plus it’s not a $500 driver. Myself I don’t quite like the looks/shape. Im using T D2

Hmm..actually you have the carry numbers there…even more stunned that the LST was near the top in carry with barely over 2000 rpm in spin. Rogue Sub Zero performed as I would have expected all the low spin drivers to perform

The only metric we consider in our rankings is strokes gained. How close was the drive to the flag, and what was the lie condition? The club that is long and in the fairway most often (based on the methodologies detailed in the how we test and rank page), is ranked highest.

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Driver Ping G30	Hybrids PXG 0317
3/4 IRON PXG 0311XF	5-GW Srixon Z 565
SW PXG 0317	LW PXG 0311
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