The driver is a very important club in the bag. If you are playing with driver technology that is over 5 years old you may be giving up some accuracy of overall distance, especially on off centered hits. There are many options on the market today and a new driver can bring some extra energy to your game and positive thoughts on the tee box.
In the market for a new driver?
Do you often debate if spending the money on a new driver will help improve your golf game?
We have all been there. Debating on what areas to upgrade with our current setup of clubs.
Are you better off upgrading some of your long irons to hybrids? Or maybe you should spend some money on a new putter because you struggle on the greens?
There are so many options it can be complicated, but we are here to help.
Below, I will break down when expensive drivers are worth it and when you might be better off spending the little extra money you may have on other clubs in the bag.
Golf at the end of the day is about shooting the lowest score.
Fortunately, there is some great technology to help us improve our games and get better.
The information has never been more available and there are plenty of ways to improve outside of buying a new club, but there are times that the new driver or irons can make a difference as well!
Are Expensive Drivers Worth It?
- Is your drive more than 5 years old?
- Is your driver improperly fitted for you?
- Are you currently struggling with your driver, but hit other clubs fine?
If you answer yes to any of the 3 questions above, it might be time for a new driver!
Below, I will dive into the following topics:
- When is a new driver worth it?
- When to stick with your current driver?
- How to measure your game and your current driver?
- What stats should you analyze with your driver?
- How to gain more distance with your driver?
- Other potential upgrades?
When Is A New Driver Worth It?
A new driver is worth it if your driver is more than 5 years old and it is not one of your favorite clubs in the bag. The technology on new drivers continues to improve.
While you may not see the big jump in distance that you may have experienced with your first titanium driver, there is enough advancement with face technology and fitting of the right driver for you that you might find a better fit for your game.
Here is a checklist of times when a new driver might be a good investment for your game:
- Your driver is 5 years or older.
- You struggle with your current driver and may benefit from a fitting.
- You could benefit from the adjustable elements now found in drivers. These include loft adjustments and draw and fade bias.
- You might have a shaft that is too stiff or too loose for your swing speed or a shaft that is too light or too heavy.
Overall, all of these reasons above could lead to a new driver for golfers. Keep in mind that the right technique and improving your swing will always help you improve your driver.
I would recommend not only the new driver if you qualify based on any of the reasons above, but also checking out reviews on some of the best online instructors in today’s golf world.
These golfer instructors are all of high quality and can help improve your game!
Here is a list of golf instructors that I have reviewed:
When To Stick With Your Current Driver
The reality is that golf technology has come a long way. If your driver is relatively newer, you may need simple adjustments such as a new shaft or changing some of the adjustable features on many of the newer drivers.
The great thing about most drivers sold in the last 5 years is the adjustability of the loft and the draw and fade biases. This gives the golfer different options to test out and see what is best for their game.
You may also consider taking an inch or so off of your current shaft as the driver length keeps creeping up. I did this with an older model driver of mine and had quite a bit of success still hitting similar distances and finding the fairway more often.
I shot plenty of rounds around par with a driver that was shortened?
Check out that post here – Should I Shorten My Driver?
How To Measure Your Game and Your Current Driver
We live in a great time to be a golfer, especially one that loves data and trying to get better. The amount of information at our fingertips is truly impressive. I would highly recommend that golfers consider buying their own personal launch monitor.
Having key data at your fingertips such as ball speed, club speed, launch angle, start direction, spin rate and other key information will not only help you improve your swing, but to compare clubs in your bag.
If you want to reach your full potential as your golfer, tracking this key information over time will help you improve your ball striking. If you visit any professional golf tournament you will see the professionals with personal launch monitors.
While many of us can’t afford a $16,000 Trackman or other high end device, there are options at the amateur level that make sense and actually provide a pretty accurate reading considering the price difference between the high end models and the lowest priced models.
Here are three recommendations (The SkyTrak is Impressive!):
I personally purchased the SkyTrak Launch Monitor and use it both indoors and outdoors. I have a golf simulator setup in my garage and play golf over 300 days a year and have access to my personal driving range and courses like Augusta, Pebble Beach, Whistling Straits and other high end courses.
The ability to play golf when I want and not have the rain, snow or cold weather stop me from enjoying and improving at the game I love has been a game changer.
I am shooting the best scores of my life (68-74 range) on the majority of my rounds. My ball striking has improved immensely and the overall satisfaction in getting to play golf frequently is a life improver!
What Stats Should You Analyze With Your Driver
From an on the course perspective, over your next 20 rounds, track the following items:
- Driver distance
- Fairways hit
- Drivers in play
- Drivers where you don’t have a clear 2nd shot and have to punch out or take a penalty stroke.
If you go ahead and buy a launch monitor, go ahead and monitor the following data over 20 sessions:
- Ball speed
- Clubhead speed
- Spin rate
- Side spin axis
- Launch angle
You will quickly note the importance of spin rate and how too high of a spin rate can destroy any distance you might be getting from your ball speed. This is where the shaft and the club come into play and while it might be worth upgrading and getting a fitting session to select the right driver!
How To Gain More Distance With Your Driver
I would highly recommend overspeed training. Over the past year I have spent time working with SuperSpeed Training system. Their their club system where the golfer follows protocols is a game changer. There are different speed training systems on the market.
Check out the price on Amazon below:
Another option if this won’t fit into your game is Swing Man Golf (see link below)
Gain 30-40 yards in 30 Days – Swing Man Golf
Ultimately to swing faster you have to train by swinging faster. Push the limits and see if you can increase 1 mile per hour with every training session. Hainv the launch monitor by your side is a great measuring stick and can provide accurate data for your sessions.
The secret is out of the bag and distance is king in the game of golf right now. An extra 30-40 yards is a major game changer regardless of your current ability level.
When you are hitting more wedges and short irons into greens, you are naturally going to score better than mid to long irons with your approach shots!
Other Potential Upgrades
If you are junior, senior or lady golfer have you considered swapping out your long and mid irons for some hybrids.
These clubs are simply impressive for those with slower swing speeds and can help you hit those approach shots a bit higher and further to help you hold more greens and hit more greens in regulation. This is a game changer for many and it is worth explore.
Check out our many posts on hybrids and if they are right for your game:
Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better
What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:
1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor. Here are some options:
Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:
2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed. Here are some options:
Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:
3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier. Here is a series on breaking through:
We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.
4 – Practice Frequently
Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system? It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:
- Is a Golf Simulator Worth It?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator?
- What is the Best Golf Simulator?
- Golf Simulator Accessories?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for under $7000
- Top 11 Reasons to Buy a SkyTrak
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for Under $1000
- Why Build A Golf Simulator?
- What Space is Needed?
- Can A Golf Simulator Improve My Game?
- How Much Does A Golf Simulator Cost?
- Don’t Forget to Check out our 15 best golf swings of all time.
