Or other maybe? I am going to buy a used model that is a year old. The big Bertha "felt" a little better in my hand, but I won't have a chance to hit them before buying. What do you suggest? And which loft should I get? 9 or 10.5?
OT: Big Bertha alpha or taylormade sldr?
- Thread starter AlSwearengen
- Start date
I got the Ping G30 SFtech, and I hit 50% more in the fairway than with my TaylorMade R1. It has a slight draw built in, but there's also a straight model and a slight fade one. Golf Digest just named it best driver last month, and I can't argue. I am not a guy who always has the newest stuff, but this one makes a difference. It's the straightest and longest driver I've ever hit. The loft is adjustable from 9-10.5 I think, but that's the only adjustment you can make, which is fine with me. I'd look for a used one on Ebay if they have any. My goal is straight more than long as I hit it pretty far already, but this is the most forgiving driver on the market.
http://www.golfdigest.com/hot-list/2015/drivers this has some good info.
http://www.golfdigest.com/hot-list/2015/drivers this has some good info.
Both are good, solid heads. All the big boys are putting out nice stuff these days so its hard to go wrong. You can probably find a better deal on the SLDR right now with pretty good shaft options at Globalgolf.com. As for the loft, only you know the answer to that. If you aren't a high ball hitter or struggle with the driver a 10.5 loft will probably help you find the fairway a bit more.
I would think about hitting several drivers and getting fitted, if you don't have a set preference. If you are a serious golfer at all, you are doing yourself a huge disservice by not getting fitted. I have been experimenting with making a driver change myself. It is amazing what differnce there is between different shaft combinations. I am not just talking about stiff vs regular flex. It is worth the extra money. I think I have settled on one of the new 915 Titleist drivers. Right now I am waiting on the money and demo day when I can hit several combinations on the range. There is way too much technology out there to not take advantage of it when it comes to drivers.
I also have an R1 and I'm a fan. That said I would have gotten the SLDR last year if it wasn't so new and expensive. Waiting a year or two on clubs seems to be the way to go unless you just have to have it.
And the loft likely varies by club and spin rates. Some clubs you'll hit better with a lower loft, others with a higher, it's getting complicated. I learned that I don't like to be able to screw with the settings, as they start well, then I compensate and can't hit it the last 8 holes. Loft is fine, but messing with the other stuff is just too much for me.
The problem with the g30 is that it is new and costs twice as much as what I am looking at. Otherwise, that is probably what I would get.
I am a beginner and right now I am trying to buy decent stuff that I can get at a discount. I bought some burner 2.0 irons that were new, but because they are an old discontinued model, they were about $300. I want to make sure that I stick with it before I jump all the way in and buy the latest stuff and get fitted.
I am a beginner and right now I am trying to buy decent stuff that I can get at a discount. I bought some burner 2.0 irons that were new, but because they are an old discontinued model, they were about $300. I want to make sure that I stick with it before I jump all the way in and buy the latest stuff and get fitted.
You can get a used one for $250-280 on ebay, or last year's G25 is also good. I get a lot of clubs used, it's not like they wear out quickly, with the exception of good irons.
Not sure of your handicap. If over an 80 consider the big six by Dominick golf. Bought one and just kill it. It has a 13 degree loft but a big head. Divnickgolf.com
You really should try to hit them....honestly I think the shafts are really the biggest difference in the newer clubs. The Callaway shafts tend to fit my swing a little better, but I have some good luck with Taylormade as well. If you are thinking Callaway, you might also consider the X2Hot. I play X2Hot woods and hybrids, and the Big Bertha driver. I'm really thinking of picking up a used X2hot Driver in the near future.
The Ping guys are right. I just got a g30 and the face is the hottest thing out there. Sold my G25 on eBay for about $150 btw.
You might also look at a brand called Tour Edge. Their Exotics line of drivers and fairway woods are ridiculously hot. They don't do a lot of marketing, and they don't pay tour pros to play their gear, but you still see a lot of their 3-woods in the pro's bags. That should tell you something.
You might also look at a brand called Tour Edge. Their Exotics line of drivers and fairway woods are ridiculously hot. They don't do a lot of marketing, and they don't pay tour pros to play their gear, but you still see a lot of their 3-woods in the pro's bags. That should tell you something.
If your handicap is over 80 you should take the next two weeks off, then quit the game for good.
I heard my pro on the phone with his Callaway rep the other day
Last Friday actually, and he was telling him he wouldn't carry his woods right now because they lose value too fast. I hadn't heard that.
Last Friday actually, and he was telling him he wouldn't carry his woods right now because they lose value too fast. I hadn't heard that.
Both solid drivers. I opted for the SLDR with Oban Devotion 6 shaft. Beast
One thing you must definitely consider if you go the way of the SLDR is to loft up. I normally play a 10.5* opened 2* which brings the loft down to the ball park of a 9*. With that said, I for the life of me could not get a good launch angle with that set up. Way too low. Most golfers are having to go up in loft on the SLDR to get descent launch angle to the degree of 1.5-2* above what they normally play. So if you normally hit a 10.5, I'd suggest you consider a 12*. Unless you like a closed faced driver. I personally hate it due to my miss being a low left hook. The BBA is indeed a solid driver as well but I got much better numbers and spin rates with the SLDR. The new BBA 815 is hands down a better driver than the original Bertha. TaylorMade still suited me better. Good luck.
One thing you must definitely consider if you go the way of the SLDR is to loft up. I normally play a 10.5* opened 2* which brings the loft down to the ball park of a 9*. With that said, I for the life of me could not get a good launch angle with that set up. Way too low. Most golfers are having to go up in loft on the SLDR to get descent launch angle to the degree of 1.5-2* above what they normally play. So if you normally hit a 10.5, I'd suggest you consider a 12*. Unless you like a closed faced driver. I personally hate it due to my miss being a low left hook. The BBA is indeed a solid driver as well but I got much better numbers and spin rates with the SLDR. The new BBA 815 is hands down a better driver than the original Bertha. TaylorMade still suited me better. Good luck.
80 handicap....yeah that did not come out right. Meant if he shoots over an 80.....i do like the big stix though.
Update: I bought a Ping I25 like new off of eBay for $140. I decided that having too many adjustment options might not be a good thing for me at this stage. I watched several YouTube comparisons between different clubs and the I25 sounded like the best compromise of price and performance.
^^^ Obviously sandbagging for the spring scramble tour.
Speaking of shooting in the 150's, I have a friend who shot a 156 one time (we estimated on a few holes) during a wedding party weekend, and that included a HOLE IN ONE. He got our names in the paper, and it said "So-and-so scored a hole in one on #7, 120 yards, with a 3-wood"
If I hadn't been there, I wouldn't have believed it. Ball never got more than a foot off the ground, was screaming across the green toward the water, but hit the flag and dropped in. Some of the shittiest golf I've ever witnessed, but a fun time was had by all.
Speaking of shooting in the 150's, I have a friend who shot a 156 one time (we estimated on a few holes) during a wedding party weekend, and that included a HOLE IN ONE. He got our names in the paper, and it said "So-and-so scored a hole in one on #7, 120 yards, with a 3-wood"
If I hadn't been there, I wouldn't have believed it. Ball never got more than a foot off the ground, was screaming across the green toward the water, but hit the flag and dropped in. Some of the shittiest golf I've ever witnessed, but a fun time was had by all.
Playing with a guy once and saw one just like that on #3 at Deerfield in Canton. Never got more than 4 or 5 feet hight. Hit the lip of the front bunker. Popped up, took 2 bounces, stung the flag and dropped. Several people outside on their decks watching, all of us in complete disbelief. Nobody clapped or cheered. Just shook our heads while he ran around the tee box like a fool.
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