Equipment

Top 5 modern glued-hosel drivers

Published

4 years ago

Feb 26, 2020

Modern adjustable drivers are a marvel of engineering and something we now take for granted—considering every OEM utilizes some type of adjustable system to assist with fitting and dialing in launch conditions.

However, as every WRXer knows, before we had these tools to our disposal, we had to rely on the good old-fashion glued-in shaft drivers.

These five models are among the best from the recent past.

TaylorMade Burner SuperFast TP

Released in the fall of 2010, the Burner SuperFast TP was the undisputed king of ball speed for a very long time. Many will default to thinking the R510 TP was one of TaylorMade’s best, but for both the average golfer and for tour pros, this 460cc driver offered a lot more forgiveness than the R510 thanks to its size and aerodynamics. For those who had one, it stayed in the bag for a long time if you got the shaft right.

Adams Insight Tech a4 Prototype 9015D

Adams. Really?

It was a question a lot of people asked when these started showing up in golfer’s bags.

The 9015D was the brother to the original Adams 9016D, which was specifically built for the long drive circuit when Adams Golf was the official sponsor. It had a high toe profile and sat open at address—something that was often hard to come by in the glued hosel era of driver design.

One fun thing to consider when looking back at this driver is the protruding mass towards the back of the head to lower the center of gravity—vaguely similar to the TaylorMade SIM’s Inertia Generator and Cobra’s SpeedBack—minus the multi-material construction. Those Adams engineers were onto something!

Titleist 905R

Titleist’s very first 460cc driver was introduced not long after the 400cc 905S and the 905T (made famous by the notorious old-club using Steve Stricker) hit the scene.

The 905R stayed in some player’s bag for an extended period of time, including the bag of Adam Scott, who didn’t switch until the 910 came along. Many golfers referred to the 905R as a big version of the famous 975J, and from address it’s hard to argue.

Callaway FT Tour

One of Callaway’s first “tour” style drivers. The original version of the FT Tour was called the FT-9 Tour Authentic and was Callaway’s attempt to compete with the popular Tour Preferred line from TaylorMade. The price tag was high but so was the performance.

The FT Tour was a workable low spin driver and the grandchild of the FT-5 TH—a tour only driver that offered Callaway’s very first traditional-style hosel and got them away from the S2H2 designs that built the brand in the 90s. At 460cc’s, it still looks small by today’s standards, but if you can find one give it a hit.

Bridgestone J33R 460

The J33R 460 will go down as one of the all-time best drivers of its era. Its popularity even made trying to find one more difficult than it should have been at the time because Bridgestone struggled to find brick and mortar stores to carry their hard goods (beyond golf balls) at a time when big-box was the king of golf retail. The J33R was the third generation of the J33 driver line that included the J33P (375cc) and the original J33R (420cc).

Stuart Appleby famously hit a 426-yard tee shot at the 2006 Mercedes Championships (Tournament of Champions in Hawaii) that nearly went over the green of the par-4 12th hole with the J33P—now imagine the punch of the 460 version!

What do you think of these selections, WRXers? Any drivers you’d add?

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Ryan Barath

Ryan Barath is a club-fitter & master club builder with more than 17 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. He is the former Build Shop Manager & Social Media Coordinator for Modern Golf. He now works independently from his home shop and is a member of advisory panels to a select number of golf equipment manufacturers. You can find Ryan on Twitter and Instagram where he's always willing to chat golf, and share his passion for club building, course architecture and wedge grinding.

39 Comments

Project X

Jun 5, 2020 at 11:02 am

The Ping G15 was a really good driver that made it into a lot of bags as well.

Reply Report comment
LoPro

Feb 28, 2020 at 8:09 pm

Cobra S91 Pro D, best sounding, longest and original Carbon headed driver!!!
Pity I had to replace every 3-6 months due to the cracked top of the heads near the heel……

Reply Report comment
Dave

Feb 28, 2020 at 3:35 pm

Ping Rapture V2 with the Diamana Blue was a game changer for me

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90TforME

Feb 28, 2020 at 2:09 pm

I would’ve said 905T, not R. And the T was much closer in shape to the 975J or the 983K. I’m not sure what the author is smoking.

Reply Report comment
Ryebread

Feb 28, 2020 at 1:19 pm

It is hard to believe the Cleveland Hibores didn’t make the list. I still see them in a lot of bags (more than anything on this list outside of possibly the TM). My testing suggests that nothing new is actually better. A certain high profile TV personality seemingly agrees as a Hibore is still their gamer.

Reply Report comment
Brandon

Feb 28, 2020 at 11:24 am

Great reminder on what I had in my bag back then – almost all of them at one time.
Great suggestions from the other comments as well. I’ll throw in some I liked a lot around that time that produced good results for me. Nickent 3DX and 4DX (before the revolver) and the Dot-Com-This from Geek Golf. Thoughts?

Reply Report comment
Funkaholic

Feb 28, 2020 at 9:54 am

This is a stupid list. If you are gaming a driver more than 5 years old, you are losing distance and accuracy.

Reply Report comment
- Philippe Longpre
  
  Feb 28, 2020 at 10:03 am
  
  Then why did you click on the link? The list is awesome and all 5 drivers would gladly find a home in my shop.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Michaele
  
  Feb 28, 2020 at 11:15 am
  
  Not too sure about the level of your reading comprehension skills. T/he artile makes it very clear on multiple occasions that it’s about equipment from a past era.
  
  Your comment is far more stupid than the list. Next time you feel the urge to comment, do us all a favor and don’t.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Golfiswayfun
    
    Feb 28, 2020 at 2:08 pm
    
    Well said, Michaele!
    
    Reply Report comment
- Jack Randalls
  
  Feb 28, 2020 at 6:59 pm
  
  How long into the “modern driver era” did Snedeker use the Burner? Guess he was stupid too. Some of his best years.
  
  Reply Report comment
Frederick

Feb 27, 2020 at 9:44 am

I’m surprised no one has mentioned the Nike VR Tour. The first successful implementation of the compression channel still alive and well in drivers today. At 420cc it was still forgiving and very long for it’s time.

Reply Report comment
- Joe
  
  Feb 28, 2020 at 4:54 pm
  
  I still game the VR tour. I cant find anyhting that looks better from the top, and its super long.
  
  Reply Report comment
Bobarino

Feb 27, 2020 at 8:06 am

Current model Srixon Z585. Excellent driver.

Reply Report comment
Biblegolfer

Feb 26, 2020 at 7:02 pm

Definitely 905R even today and Adams was ahead of the curve. Those drivers were awesome. Thanks for that article.

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Michael Rohmann

Feb 26, 2020 at 4:43 pm

I think I would add the Taylormade SuperQuad to this list. Especially the 282 version. They were awesome and very popilar on tour for many years

Reply Report comment
Shallowface

Feb 26, 2020 at 4:09 pm

Ping G10. I’m still using mine, and I know it took Ping a long time to get Lee Westwood to switch from his.

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Terry

Feb 26, 2020 at 4:02 pm

905R is the only 460cc that I have used and it was the best driver I ever played.

Reply Report comment
Charlie Waffles

Feb 26, 2020 at 1:37 pm

I really wonder how many people actually fiddle with an adjustable driver after it’s set?

Reply Report comment
- LoPro
  
  Feb 28, 2020 at 8:13 pm
  
  Ummmm, 95%
  
  Reply Report comment
2putttom

Feb 26, 2020 at 1:22 pm

Honorable mention, Cleveland Classic 290.

Reply Report comment
Curt

Feb 26, 2020 at 1:04 pm

Had every one of these drivers except the 905R, and they truly are the best from the past. The 9015D being my all time favorite which is why I still own it. Don’t play it but still own it.

Reply Report comment
Jason

Feb 26, 2020 at 1:04 pm

Taylormade Burner 07 driver. Still use it. In my opinion, the sound and feel is the best.

Reply Report comment
Mike

Feb 26, 2020 at 12:58 pm

Bagged the Bridgestone J33R 460 for several years,first 460 driver I could play, hid the size well and still to me one of the best feeling of all the modern drivers. Also had the Burner SuperFast TP for a couple of years, it was a beast.

Reply Report comment
martin

Feb 26, 2020 at 12:51 pm

I think the FT Tour was 440cc. I games the FT9 tour, best driver Ive ever had. It cracked on my in the end and Cally gave me a Razr fit instead, hated that driver. haha

Reply Report comment
Ryan

Feb 26, 2020 at 12:39 pm

Nike VR Pro and Ping G20 are up there too.

Reply Report comment
- Chris
  
  Feb 26, 2020 at 1:33 pm
  
  2nd the Ping G20
  
  Reply Report comment
  - DH
    
    Feb 27, 2020 at 11:49 am
    
    G20 was probably one of the greatest drivers ever made!!
    
    Reply Report comment
- LoPro
  
  Feb 28, 2020 at 8:16 pm
  
  Very forgiving but way to much spin for the stronger player
  
  Reply Report comment
Robert

Feb 26, 2020 at 11:40 am

Callaway FT5 -very good distance but harsh sound.

Reply Report comment
Tony Wright

Feb 26, 2020 at 11:38 am

Thanks for the article Ryan. You should consider adding the Wishon 919 THI driver. Fully customizable for loft lie and face angle and has a face that is as hot as another other available driver.

Reply Report comment
TacklingDummy

Feb 26, 2020 at 11:32 am

I’m waiting for irons with removable shafts. Not necessarily for adjustment, but the ability to swap out shafts easily. Then you can change if wanting or needing different flex, flight pattern, or weight.

Reply Report comment
- Mike
  
  Feb 26, 2020 at 11:37 am
  
  Cobra has the adjustable hosels on their urility irons; I really don’t understand why it wouldn’t be more readily available on all irons.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Nate
    
    Feb 27, 2020 at 2:15 pm
    
    Most likely because it increases the weight of the iron head and changes the swing weight. It typically increases by 2 swing weights. So if the glued head is a D2, then removable head is a D4.
    
    Reply Report comment
- gwelfgulfer
  
  Feb 28, 2020 at 3:46 pm
  
  Then set it up yourself, because the OEM’s will never do it… Or, learn to reshaft irons yourself… It’s easy…
  
  Reply Report comment
Peter Sarro

Feb 26, 2020 at 10:59 am

Have been looking for the Bridgestone driver for years, but I haven’t ever seen one, wish some golf shops would carry more Bridgestone equipment

Reply Report comment
- Joe
  
  Feb 28, 2020 at 12:00 pm
  
  Dude there’s a bunch of them on eBay right now.
  
  Reply Report comment
Yotrepo

Feb 26, 2020 at 10:26 am

Would love to see the years these are produced. Anyone have that info?

Reply Report comment
Marty

Feb 26, 2020 at 10:14 am

Wishon 919THI needs to be on this list. Glued bendable hosel allows for adjustment up to 4* in any direction. Design hasn’t changed in years and still sells today.

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

5 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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