Connect with us

Driver Reviews

TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Driver: Editor Review

Published

on

Pros: The RBZ Stage 2 drivers have larger faces and different center of gravity positions than TaylorMade’s pricer, more adjustable R1 driver. For some testers, this meant that one or both of the Stage 2 drivers performed better than the R1.

Cons: Some will not care for the graphics, and the sound isn’t as muted on the non-Tour model as some others we tested.

Bottom Line: Both of the Stage 2 drivers are on the short list for “Driver of the Year” and the 2013 GolfWRX Editor’s Choice award. They’re currently priced at $249 and $299 (Tour), which makes them a lot of driver for the money.

Overview

Like the R1, TaylorMade’s RocketBallz Stage 2 drivers have bold-looking graphics on their white crowns. TaylorMade continues to refine its manufacturing processes to allow a more optimal weight management.

In the new Stage 2 drivers, TaylorMade was able to move the center of gravity in the head lower and forward than last year’s models, which the company says promotes faster ball speeds and reduced spin.

EditorsChoice_13

During our testing we were surprised by performance of the Stage 2, which was a fit better for many than the TaylorMade R1 Driver that dominates the tours. Some testers also preferred the more subtle graphics over the bold stripes found on the R1, and others said the looks of the heads, which have larger faces than the R1, gave them more confidence to go after the ball a little harder.

Using the Stage 2’s three-degree adjustable loft sleeve, one of our testers was able to lower his spin from 2800 to 2100 on average, increasing carry distance more than 10 yards.

It was a difference that he could not discern with his eye alone, which is why we cannot stress enough the importance of getting properly fit by a qualified custom fitter on a launch monitor.

Click here to see the full article on the RBZ Stage 2 lineup, as well as more photos.

857ba3120b8f707b9f10d55a2c3d82392Y9G1685
23b26d6031d8e0c0e285b10adf6a99d78f095c8a29dca393148d2adefe7606cd

 

The RBZ Stage 2 drivers are available in a standard version with lofts of 9.5, 10.5 and 11.5 with a Fujikura RocketFuel 50 graphite shaft in X, S, R and M flexes in a standard length of 46 inches and a swing weight of D6 for $249.

The Tour Version ($299) comes in 9- and 10.5-degree lofts with Matrix’s 6Q3 or 7Q3 “Red Tie” shaft. Its standard length is 45.5 inches with a D4 swing weight.

Both drivers feature TaylorMade’s 3-degree loft sleeve, which adjusts loft and face angle simultaneously.

rbz driver

Black clubface, non-glare white crown and new crown decal all promote easy alignment.

 

Performance

The RBZ Stage 2 Tour driver uses the same head shape as the non-Tour model, but changes in TaylorMade’s tooling allowed engineers to move the CG lower and more forward. This lowers spin, giving higher-speed players the flatter trajectory they need to maximize carry and roll.

Screen Shot 2013-04-19 at 3.45.39 PM

There’s a reason that it’s cheaper than the R1, however.

Its adjustable hosel lags 1 degree behind the R1, which can be adjusted in 0.5-degree increments in a 4-degree range. With the Stage 2, golfers only have a 3-degree range, and no face angle adjuster. That means that when loft is reduced, the face opens, and when the loft is increased, the face is closed.

[youtube id=”9m5WSc9zB9M” width=”600″ height=”350″]

The Stage 2 also lacks the removable weights that give golfers the ability to tune their shot shape and swing weight without lead tape or hot melt/rat glue.

 

Sound/Feel

Excerpt of a review from GolfWRX member golfpromt

“Some may consider the Stage 2 a secondary line solely to the price point compared to the R1 or competitors. I will tell you right now, you would be making a MAJOR mistake. This head FLAT OUT PERFORMS!!!!  I was concerned that this head would be a loud, tin sounding, spinning head. Wow, was I completely and totally wrong.

While the sound off the head does not have a muted sound the “pang” you hear does ring higher than many we tested. Tolerable for sure and while some might not like it there are others that are just the opposite. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

stage 2 driver

Thick-Thin crown provides lower and more-forward CG location promoting faster ball speed, high launch and low spin

 

The head has a muted solid sound that delivers excellent feedback but remains forgiving. All this while pumping it out farther than you would expect. I am confident saying that any other competitor would be ecstatic to launch this line as their only offering for the year . . .

 

Screen Shot 2013-04-19 at 3.46.00 PM

As far as the graphics go, when I saw the pre-release images I was a skeptic, to say the least. I thought they looked nice but did not think they should be there. On my first swing with the Stage 2, I thought to myself about the graphics but NEVER again did I even notice them.

rbz driver

Expansive 4,100 square-millimeter clubface gives the golfer substantially more face area

 

For lack of a better term, I consider them similar to “background noise” you here on the golf course. Yes, birds are chirping and there may be sound of a golf cart in the distance but once you are over the ball you tend to block those things out and never notice them. Same thing here. I have not noticed them since the first look.”

rocketballz stage 2 driver review

 

After a few rounds of play we learned to enjoy the graphics and they served more and more as functional alignment aids to us. This driver required us to suspend the head about the turf and line up the face to the target line. The graphics on the crown helped with that.

stage 2

TaylorMade Loft-Sleeve technology which offers 7 standard and 5 upright loft options to add ±1.5° to each of the available standard lofts: 9.5 (which can be adjusted up to 11° or down to 8°) 10.5° (which can be adjusted up to 12° or down to 9°) and HL 13° (which can be adjusted up to 14.5° or down to 11.5°)

 

Having confidence over the ball on the tee is priceless. The RBZ Stage 2 helped give confidence that we were going to hit it straight and far. Cant argue with that.

We suggest you give this driver a seat at the table when you get fitted. The Stage 2 will stand up to its peers.

Check out our additional images of the Stage 2 drivers below:

Your Reaction?
  • 163
  • LEGIT34
  • WOW32
  • LOL17
  • IDHT12
  • FLOP51
  • OB7
  • SHANK28

GolfWRX is the world's largest and best online golf community. Expert editorial reviews, breaking golf tour and industry news, what to play, how to play and where to play. GolfWRX surrounds consumers throughout the buying, learning and enrichment process from original photographic and video content, to peer to peer advice and camaraderie, to technical how-tos, and more. As the largest online golf community we continue to protect the purity of our members opinions and the platform to voice them. We want to protect the interests of golfers by providing an unbiased platform to feel proud to contribute to for years to come. You can follow GolfWRX on Twitter @GolfWRX and on Facebook.

30 Comments

30 Comments

  1. Geoff Oke

    Jan 10, 2015 at 6:35 pm

    Hi guys just got the rbz two love it I’m an average golfer but am hitting ball straight as a die and have picked up at least fifty meters with my drives i am seventy next month and this is the best driver i have ever owned. i would suggest the golfers having trouble with r2 club should have some lessons with their pro and see where their problem lies. Regards Geoff.

  2. Kelvin

    May 5, 2014 at 3:08 am

    I brought this driver a fewday ago on a advice from co-worker to upgrade my R5 Driver. At the drving range comparing hit between the two clubs. I didn’t gain any further distance using the RBZ. I was hitting better shot with the Taylor Made R5 Driver. I was somewhat slicing more with RBZ on the factory setting. So newer isn’t always better. I got a good sales price for the RBZ, going us it as a backup driver for now. Going use the R5 more unless I figure out adjustable setting on RBZ.

    • Mark

      Sep 23, 2014 at 11:51 am

      I found your comments interesting as I too used the R5 driver and used to hit it dead straight. I thought the newer RBZ stage 2 would give me more distance but like you i found that i couldn’t hit it without the dreaded fade from left to right usually ending up in the trees!I have gone back to my trusty R5 and find that distance wise it is very similar to a straight hit with the RBZ 2. I play off a 4 Handicap too so feel a little qualified to compare the two drivers.

  3. Zac

    Mar 9, 2014 at 12:43 pm

    I’m looking to purchase the driver, but I have a Pro force V2 shaft and I want to use that instead of the stock shaft. Is it possible to change the shaft? I just want to make sure before any impulse buys.

  4. Adjustable Dumbbell Set

    Jan 3, 2014 at 10:40 am

    Hi, Tidy submit. Likely to downside to your web site throughout website adventurer, would probably examine the following? IE still is the market director and also a massive component of folks will miss out on your own excellent creating as a result issue.

  5. Danny

    Aug 31, 2013 at 9:20 pm

    Any experience from comparing SLDR with RBZ Stage 2?

  6. Steve

    Aug 23, 2013 at 9:18 am

    Just picked up this driver in 9.5 with regular shaft. 5’10”, 210 56 yrs
    Transitioned from Sumo (square) 10.5. Spin on Sumo over 3K with 212 avg carry at 88-92 mph. Rocketballs stge 2 was low 2k spin with 230+ carry and 250+ total at above speeds. On range, carry was more like 220 with 240-250 total. Toe hits resulted in high slight draw. Only could make a fade with late wrists. Lighter shaft will let you close head too quickly if you over rotate hands. Tried the 10.5 but spin rate over 3K again. Lower and forward CG does allow lower tee hight, but found you have to hover the club at address to avoid low trajectory, tending to hit high on face if not paying attention. Have not experimented with settings, all above at standard. After 50 or so shots, adjusted to club, very pleased with results. Easier swings produced better flight. Hope this helps.

  7. Terry Bell

    Jul 20, 2013 at 11:19 am

    I loved my original Rocketballz driver, truly loved it! I went for more hype on the Stage 2, and sold my original and purchased the Stage 2, what a mistake! This club is made for those who can swing it over 100mph, not for the average golfer, such as I. It makes a thunk kind of sound off the club, not the ‘crack’ from the original. I took it back to PGA in Denver and the guy took the club into the hitting area and being a solid golfer with a 100mph+ swing, he hit it and ‘crack’ was the sound. He asked, is that the sound you want? I said sure, he said although the face is thinner on the stage 2, it’s also much harder metal, and with my swing speed of around 85mph I’m never going to get the crack sound I was used too hearing. This club is designed for above average swing speed, over 100mph, if you swing it that fast, good for you, most of unfortunately, do not. Not for me. Looking to buy another original Rocketballz, shame on Taylormade.

    • Jim Feil

      Sep 25, 2013 at 2:01 pm

      I’ve played the TM RBZ Stage 2 10.5 drive for 3 weeks now with a matrix ozik xcon 5.5 R flex shaft at 45.25 inches with a 90 mph SS and this driver is as long as anything on the market. A little bit of a learning curve getting use to the 317 gram weight compared to other drivers. Our golf director gave a TM RBZ Stage 2 driver to his 82 year old father and he is has increased his driving distance by at least 10 to 15 yards. Your lack of success with the Stage 2 probably has more to do with poor shaft choice or swing flaws then the driver head.

    • Eric Neff

      Dec 2, 2014 at 10:08 am

      Why is that shame on Taylormade ? I had the original but had enough sense to try out the stage 2 before I got rid of my original. I loved the stage 2 and eventually sold my original. Worked out perfect. THANK YOU Taylormade.

  8. jordan shoes store

    Jul 11, 2013 at 9:30 am

    It’s actually a cool and helpful piece of info. I’m happy that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  9. Phillip

    Jul 8, 2013 at 9:24 pm

    Here’s a review from an average golfer who bought the 9.5 regular flex driver and 3 wood. Tried it out at golftown but really didn’t get the true feel until I brought it out to the range and worked out some issues. Let me start by saying I’m 5’8, 145 lbs with bad shoulders and half a backswing…. My club head speed is ~102 mph… Handicap=12. Now on to the driver… Let me start by saying I love it… Have left it tuned at the standard loft. I am hitting this club anywhere from 20-50 yards further. Averaging about 260 and have recorder a few up to 285. ( thanks Skycaddie). The 3 wood performs equally as well. Distance up 20-40 yards…
    I also had the same experience when using the R1. My brother-in-law plays one…Don’t hit it near as far..

    Hope this helps…

  10. Barry

    Jul 8, 2013 at 6:21 am

    Sorry peeps love my TM RBZ Stage2 4wood but really didnt get driver, just couldnt nake friends with, a low flight iff to the right with no carry, always felt shaft was perhaps a little light, have heard similar comments on other forums, still love fairway version

  11. T ony

    Jul 1, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    I am on my 2nd TM 1st been the Rbz now stage 2.
    Both have had head rattles., TM say its loose glue and repair not replace, now its happend again.
    Not happy.

  12. clive

    Jun 11, 2013 at 12:24 pm

    Is it better than the stage 1 and in what way please

  13. Trent

    May 5, 2013 at 12:04 am

    Also did a fitting. Head speed, 112-115mph, ball speed, 165-170mph, smash 1.47. I had the TP shaft in it (60g Rocketfuel) as well as the Matrix 60g, hit both about the same. Carry was 275-285y with spin right around 2200-2500rpm and launch 11*-15*. All setup with 9.5*

    I’m not the most consistent, but my mishits showed less dispersion than other drivers I tried (R1, Covert, G25, Amp Cell Tour). Now I just need to decide if I should buy another “toy”.

    • John C

      Jun 6, 2013 at 6:08 pm

      Scott, I had the same experience 1 week ago when I went to buy a new driver as my Calloway had broken. I liked it fine BTW . I tried 6 different clubs. The RBZ tour with the tour shaft was the clear winner for my swing. I’ve hit balls every day and played with it twice. For me, this club is the best driver I’ve ever owned. 270-290, fairly forgiving and the smoothest feel ever.

  14. nick

    Apr 24, 2013 at 3:21 pm

    i like reading all the reviews from all the different sources, that said.
    it is almost completely immaterial to almost everyone…
    you can try clubs in sims and at demo days but unless you know the sim is legit and buy the exact club you hit, you have nothing.
    with the tolerances the clubs are manufactured to, unless you have them fitted and assembled by a custom fitter capable of building to specific swing weights and cpm’s, it’s a educated crap shoot.

    • Scott Robinson

      Apr 25, 2013 at 10:09 pm

      Did track an fitting today and swing speed consistent 106-107mph. Ball speed around 150, smash factor around 1.50… I was very surprised that this was the driver which yielded the best results. Compared to R1 and other new competitive drivers…the R1 delivered great numbers but lacked distance…the Rbz stage 2 was getting me 10-15 more yards with the same swing speed numbers…ordered one on the spot and can’t wait to put it in the bag.

      • Stefan

        May 2, 2014 at 7:57 am

        I got similar figures in fitting for a driver and the RBZ Stage 2 delivered the best results of consistent 220-230 yard shots. I managed to reach pretty amazing ~115mph swing speeds with the Ping G25 which felt extremely light and effortless to swing, but the RBZ simply provided superior feel on impact and delivered better distances.

  15. Dan

    Apr 22, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    Not sure what the point of this “Review” was.

    Quote: This head FLAT OUT PERFORMS!!!! ………………. A little ambiguous, no?

    What does it do? What shaft, what is the reviewer’s game, SS, miss?

  16. brian Melville

    Apr 20, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    Is there anyone out there who can put actual figures (trackman or the like) to this review? Reviews are all very well but if the reviewer is one of the muscle-men who swing it at 120mph then the review / performance figures for that individual reviewer mean nothing to us mere mortals. Would it be possible for a “normal handicap golfer” or a panel of differing handicappers who swing the driver at speeds between 85/100 mph to hit this club with a variety of stock shafts and let us 90+% of worldwide players known if the club / stock shafts would be suitable for us? I look forwards to replies.

    • Jack

      Apr 21, 2013 at 9:44 pm

      I agree. It’s a conundrum for me as someone who likes to buy stuff off the internet. If you are a shopper who goes to like a golf smith or golf galaxy or one of those big store, you really don’t need the reviews as much since you can test it at least on an indoor launch monitor (which isn’t perfect but still better than trying to understand a club and shaft from someone else’s swing and opinion). For a retailer to setup a location for club testing basically would eliminate the internet advantage. So really what the internet stores need is to setup their own testing crew and review the equipment themselves. Although I’m pretty sure that the manufacturers have something in the contract that forbids them to do so. Maybe setup a separate company to do the comprehensive reviews. It probably hasn’t been done simply because there’s not enough money in it. Most websites are limited to reviews by a single person’s short term experiences.

    • Dnels

      Jul 28, 2013 at 11:02 pm

      I have a swing right around 100mph with the driver. Use to swing a Taylormade R-7 Superquad: carry around 230-240, very little roll out.
      Switched to Stage 2 driver: carry 250-260 roll out 265-280 consistently, this club is unreal. Stock shaft by the way. The one big difference is this club will still send it out there on a bad drive, however playability is compromised in this process. A big draw is more like a 5 yard draw and a big fade very similar.

  17. MJY

    Apr 20, 2013 at 1:06 am

    The original Rocketballz divers never had a slot. Take a look at some pics.

    The slot is a feature on the fairway woods and hybrids only. It is still present in all the Stage 2 fairways and hybrids.

    • JL

      Apr 20, 2013 at 11:01 am

      I realized that. My fault! I was thinking about the FW woods. I demo’ed this and it is really awesome.

  18. Jack

    Apr 19, 2013 at 9:28 pm

    Anybody know why they got rid of the slot on the sole near the face? They keep changing stuff up, I’m not sure if one design really is better than the other. I guess equipment manufacturers wouldn’t really allow it, but if we could get test numbers across manufacturers and down their product lines and yearly changes, we can get a better idea of whether they truly have been improving anything. Need some kind of standardized testing with robots with adjustable swing profiles and swing speeds.

    • Jonny8

      Apr 22, 2013 at 3:53 pm

      There was never a slot in the driver. In the fairway woods, yes, but not in the driver.

    • Mike B

      May 15, 2013 at 8:41 pm

      Your wish has been granted….by the Germans. Check out this website:

      http://www.robogolf.com/de/komfortsuche/index.php?lang=de&page=komfortsuche

      It’s mostly German but a good amount of English, and well worth the struggle. Google Translate helps. Every year they test all the new drivers (and irons, etc.) against each other using a robot hitting machine. Carry, roll heal, toe, slice, hook, they test it all. It’s awesome. By the way, the RBZ 2 was not this year’s winner.

    • Indi

      Jun 9, 2013 at 9:15 am

      I was fitted last week and came away with one of these – it’s fantastic. Love it. As far as the slot in the sole, I also got the 3 Wood and the Rescue club in this series, and they still have the slot. Upon inquiry, the salesperson told me that they have been made illegal in drivers, though still allowed in fairway woods. I haven’t been able to find confirmation of this, and there appear to be other brands still offering the slotted driver. The plot thickens.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Driver Reviews

GolfWRX Spotlight: Tour Edge Exotics C721 driver

Published

on

Tour Edge’s Exotics line of high-end golf clubs has been known for excellent fairway wood and hybrid performance over the years. The Chicago-based company has been consistently putting out high-quality products, and golfers are really taking notice. The new line of C721 drivers, fairway woods, and hybrids take yet another big leap forward from last year’s EXS line. 

The new C721 driver takes a lot of technology from the 2020 EXS line and further refines and expands on it. I know it is a little cliche when companies say every model is their best ever, but Tour Edge is 100 percent right this time.

When unboxing the C721 the first thing I noticed was the much-improved looks and shape over the previous Tour Edge drivers. The biggest change to my eye is the added bulge, giving a more rounded and softened topline.

The overall shape of the C721 is slightly stretched from front to back, giving it just a hint of a triangular look. The Ridgeback is a titanium spine flanked by two carbon fiber wings that add stability and forgiveness to the head, but they can also work together and an additional aiming device to ensure you are lined up down the center of the fairway. 

Getting the C721 out on the course is where you really start to appreciate all the technology that went into this driver. Well-struck shots are very long, very boring, and will hang with anything out on the market today. Center contact is rewarded with a long and very low spin shot that is just fun to hit.

The sound and feel are very solid, you can really feel the ball compress on the face as it leaves at high speed. The sound is more of a muted crack and much quieter than I anticipated. If you practice on an enclosed range your ears will thank you for your choice in drivers. Shots hit away from the center of the face retain a lot of ball speed and stay online really well.

My miss is low on the heel and those misses stayed in the air fairly well and went a good ways. Shots hit down on the heel or higher on the toe side still stay online really well due to the Ridgeback spine and rear weight. The C721 is just slightly higher than mid-launch for me, but the low spinning head never allowed my shots to balloon or rise even into the wind. I do wish the face was just a touch deeper as I had to play with my tee height in order to find the optimal setup. The better players will enjoy the neutral weighting and there seems to be very minimal draw built into the driver.

Overall, the Tour Edge Exotics C721 driver is a great club that will probably be overlooked by too many golfers. If you are looking for added distance, a lot of forgiveness and want to keep some money in your pocket, then you should seriously take a look at Tour Edge.

Your Reaction?
  • 103
  • LEGIT12
  • WOW6
  • LOL2
  • IDHT1
  • FLOP1
  • OB2
  • SHANK5

Continue Reading

Driver Reviews

Review: Ping’s G400 and G400 LST Drivers

Published

on

I still remember the first time I hit Ping’s G30 driver. It was July 2014, and I was at Ping’s HQ in Phoenix. Super low-spin drivers were all the rage at the time. With their forward center of gravity, they were helping golfers optimize their launch conditions beyond their wildest dreams: crazy high launch, ridiculously low spin. Many in the business, including myself, had one of these drivers and spent many launch monitor sessions trying to figure out how to get more distance from these high knuckleballs. The bad news was that forward-CG drivers, by nature, were really unforgiving. Bad shots were really short and crooked.

Before I knew the G30 was a big deal, Marty Jertson, Ping’s Director of Product Development, explained to me his vision for the perfect driver inside a conference room at Ping Headquarters. In his eyes, the perfect driver didn’t have the low, forward center of gravity (CG) that was being touted at the time. Its CG was located as low and as rearward in the driver head as possible, which he said would offer the best of both worlds: optimized launch conditions on good shots, as well as the best possible forgiveness on bad shots.

Building the perfect driver was a long way off (and still is), but Jertson was excited where Ping had landed with the G30. When it was released, the driver was a powerful testament to his vision. Its rear-CG design created great distance on good and bad shots, and it was also a very straight driver. The G30 sold incredibly well and, as a result, the industry mostly shifted away from forward-CG drivers.

It’s been nearly three years since the release of the G30, and Ping has just made another counterintuitive driver release. The company shrunk the size of its new G400 drivers in a climate where full-size drivers have become the norm. Granted, it’s only 15 cubic centimeters smaller, but it’s noticeable at address. Compared to the Ping G drivers they replace (which replaced the G30), the G400’s look like they cut carbs.

Despite their slimmer frames, however, the G400 drivers are actually more forgiving than the G drivers (which were even more forgiving than the G30). That’s why Ping representatives say smaller is actually better in the G400’s case. The drivers have the lowest, most rearward CG of any Ping drivers ever, and their smaller size is said to improve their aerodynamics so golfers can swing them fractionally faster. The other big change is a new face material made of T9S+ titanium, which is thinner and more flexible to help golfers generate more ball speed.

Ping_G400_LST_2

For this review, I wanted to put the G400 and G400 LST to the test against the G and the G LST drivers that they replace, so I took them to the Launch Pad at Carl’s Golfland in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. I hit five shots with each driver on Trackman IV, and to ensure as much of an apples-to-apples comparison as possible, I tested each driver head with the same shaft. Each driver head was adjusted to the same loft, or as close as possible.

Note: The G, G LST, and G400 drivers I tested were 10.5-degree heads adjusted to 9.5 degrees. The G400 LST had a loft of 10 degrees, and it was adjusted to 9.4 degrees.

The Test

PingG400_2017

In my personal driver tests, I don’t usually see a huge uptick in distance or accuracy when comparing the latest drivers to the most recent models from the same manufacturer. Improvements generally come in the form of improved head shaping, a better feel, or enhanced adjustability. That’s why I was surprised to see such a big change in my launch conditions and dispersion with the G400 drivers.

G400 Test Results: With the G400, I launched my drives an average of 1.6-degrees higher than I did with the G while dropping spin an average of 416 rpm. That led to a significant improvement in distance. With my swing speed and ball speed staying about the same, I added an average of 7.2 yards more carry distance and 8.7 yards more total distance.

G400 LST Test Results: First, a note about the G400 LST. It has a CG that’s slightly lower and more forward than the standard G400 driver to help golfers reduce spin. Like the G30 LST and G LST, it’s still very much a rear-CG driver, but its design helps high-speed golfers who can consistently find the center of the club face maximize distance without highjacking forgiveness. When I test Ping drivers, the LST is generally the model that creates the best performance, and the G400 LST was no exception. I saw an average of a 1.2-degree higher launch angle with all other things staying about the same when I compared it to the G LST. The result was an average of 6.6 yards more carry distance and 3.1 yards more total distance. It was the longest and straightest driver I hit in the test.

Note: Ping also sells a G400 SFT (Straight Flight Technology) driver, which has added draw bias. To learn more about it, click through to tech story on the G400, G400 LST and G400 SFT drivers. 

Dispersion

G400_Dispertion

One way to explain the improved launch conditions is that I hit the G400 drivers more consistently. As you can see in the Trackman dispersion chart, I hit the G400 and G400 LST drivers straighter on average than the G and G LST. Is that its slightly enhanced forgiveness shining through? Maybe, maybe not.

To me, the changes Ping made to the look and feel of the driver were just as important as the performance difference I saw on Trackman. I’ve always preferred smaller driver heads, or at least 460-cubic-centimeter drivers that appear smaller than their size. For that reason, I felt more confident with the G400 drivers in my hands. I didn’t mind that I didn’t see any added swing speed or ball speed from the smaller driver head. I was sold on the looks alone.

I also preferred the sound of the G400 drivers to the G drivers. There was definitely much more of a “thwack” than a “ping” at impact, which made the G400’s feel more powerful. Looks and feel are subjective, of course, but to me the improvement was night and day. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that my fondness for the looks and feel of the G400 was at least a contributing factor to my improved performance in the test, if not the most important factor. When I like the way a club look at address, I tend to hit it better, and I know I’m not alone.

I do want readers to keep in mind that this was a one-person test and I hit a limited amount of balls. Yes, it’s a great indication that the G400 driver can be measurably better than a G driver, but it’s not a guarantee.

I also want to address the weaknesses of the G400 drivers. While they’re few, they could push golfers into another driver model in a fitting. Unlike Callaway’s GBB EpicTaylorMade’s M1 or Titleist’s 917 drivers, the G400’s don’t have CG adjustability. That means there’s no way to fine tune ball flight outside of a shaft or loft adjustment. A bigger deal for some golfers might be the G400 crowns. Despite their smaller size, there’s still a lot to look at address, as was the case with the G drivers.

Ping_G400_LST_4

Aerodynamic features on the front of the crowns, “Turbulators,” have been thickened for the G400 release. There’s also Ping’s “DragonFly Technology,” a geometry on the back of the driver crowns that helps push CG lower and more rearward in the driver heads. I personally think the G400 crowns give the drivers an old-school, muscle car-like look, but there’s no question they won’t fly with all golfers.

Whatever your thoughts about what’s on top of the G400 drivers, there’s no question that what’s under the hood can offer something the G and G30 drivers did not. Maybe you’ll like the smaller head. Maybe you’ll prefer the quieter sound. Maybe the improved forgiveness will show up on a launch monitor or on the course. Or maybe you’ll just flat out rip a G400 farther and straighter down the middle like I did.

If that last bit happens, try not to second-guess it.

Your Reaction?
  • 676
  • LEGIT83
  • WOW48
  • LOL18
  • IDHT12
  • FLOP22
  • OB15
  • SHANK59

Continue Reading

Driver Reviews

Members Choice: The Best Driver of 2017

Published

on

What determines the best driver on the market; is it the opinion of professional club fitters, professional golfers or testing results from a group of amateurs?

At GolfWRX, we believe all three sources can lead golfers to an answer. Being a website founded by passionate golfers with a mission to serve passionate golfers, though, we place a special emphasis on the opinions of our GolfWRX Members — the most knowledgeable group of golfers on the planet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively as GolfWRX Members. So who better to poll to get an initial indication of the best performing drivers so far in 2017?

So we asked them, “What’s the best driver of 2017?” They voted for the three drivers they felt most worthy of the title and provided feedback about their selections in our special forum thread. You can see the results below (as of the first three weeks of voting), as well as quotes we pulled from GolfWRX Members about the drivers from our forum.

Remember that our polls will remain open for voting throughout the year, and we’re going to keep an eye on the percentages as more and more golfers have an opportunity to test these drivers. We’re also working on another Best Driver list, which will evaluate clubs in another important way. Stay tuned!

Keep in mind that there’s no single driver on the market that is the absolute best option for every golfer: that’s why nearly every manufacturer makes at least two different models. As this list indicates, however, some drivers are working better than others this year. Happy Testing!

Note: Forum posts were minimally edited for grammar, style, spelling and clarity.

Cobra King LTD Black (3.00 percent of votes)

3f7f45629f386b15ed7bbbaa529e0826

  • The General: All-black LTD is really clean looking. I’m about to cover up the orange on my LTD with lead tape. Orange is played out
  • mh7vwLove my LTD, but wish the black finish (or even this gray) didn’t have that subtle checkering you see in some like. Prefer plain black.
  • dbleagI am a fan of the black/orange combo. The performance and sound of the LTD is very appealing to me. I also like that the standard length is 45 inches. For me, that helps it be super-accurate. With the low-spin design, I hit it longest of the current offerings and can’t remember the last time I missed a fairway. Straight, solid, low spin and nice.
Further Reading

Mizuno JPX-900 (3.20 percent)

Mizuno_JPX_900_Driver

  • johnnythundersJPX goes straight. Best real-deal shaft and is long and very adjustable.
  • KT35That blue head looks awesome sitting on the ground. I hit balls off the toe and heel and didn’t see the big drop off in distance like the previous models.
  • nmortonThe JPX-900 is definitely more forgiving compared to the JPX-850, and sounds much better. Though they did sacrifice a bit by going with a little larger profile, but it’s easy to get used to. The graphics are so so, but this driver performs. I’m really digging the Evo II (shaft).
  • jay65I can see that Mizuno is really making a decent effort with its drivers/fairways in terms of tech and aesthetics, and they compliment the new JPX-900 line of irons really well, but if they’re going to make any inroads they really have to address this issue of their custom shafts options. It’s rubbish.
  • bok006The JPX-900, after being properly adjusted by the fitter, gave me an extra 20 yards just like that. My swing speed suggested I was borderline S to X (flex), but the fitter said unless I was fighting a hook I should stick with the S.
  • bubbagump: …the JPX-900, when properly fit, is just as long on a consistent basis than all the new models I tried in real life situations. It looks great, sounds solid and just knows the way to keep the ball in play.  
  • ChazbI’m 69 years old, have a swing speed of 91 mph and played nine with the JPX-900 this morning. It was in the 40s with a brisk wind hit it around 220 to 230 yards. It was a fairway finder, has great feel and is one of the easiest to control drivers I have ever hit. I can’t wait ’til it is warmer and can dial it in more. So far I have the two weights all the way forward for a lower flight and the other set with a draw bias with 10.5 degrees of loft. This driver is the real deal; it may not be the longest or the shortest, but it is a fairway finder which IMO makes it a winner.
Further Reading

Ping G (3.80 percent)

7adaa1412b79ca8c7cc5a0b788f55058

  • Wesquire: Ping G is the most forgiving so it wins.
  • bopper53: Ping G hands down. Great distance and the most forgiving.
  • Dannydubbbs: The Ping G series is just too forgiving. The distance is comparable between most models, but Ping always seems to win out with forgiveness.
  • Bruin BearThe Ping G is going to be overlooked because it’s looked at as “game improvement,” but this driver is a beast. I liked the LS, but it requires a faster swing to get results and in the cold outdoors I just don’t have that all the time. I think the G is the perfect blend of performance and forgiveness.
  • cmrl1986Only reason I switched from the Ping G25 was that the G felt less harsh off the face. Same distance just about.
Further Reading

Cobra King F7+ (3.90 percent)

cec33621c8ab9450c778e79b3b280da1

  • EntourageLife: Ball really flies off face. Driver head controls spin well. Not one drive “ballooned” and trajectory was high and best of all… very easy to work ball right to left for a confident draw.
  • GollieThe F7+ is another great offering from Cobra… I didn’t get the “MAN, this is gonna take my LTD out of the bag” feeling, but it has very good sound, feel and performance.
  • J13F7+ is a great offering from Cobra and IMO is in the top-3 drivers this year. Epic is the standout for me numbers wise, then M series and F7+ are right behind it. Love the Agera (shaft) in there!!! Such a great shaft; I can’t seem to get mine out of the bag.
  • Golfer from MOHit both Cobras lefty and as a lefty the LTD is the shizzle. Last year it was the LTD and Big Bertha down to the absolute wire… the F7+ is more workable than the LTD, but not longer and a little worse on mishits.
  • BoognishI took a few swings with the F7+ at Golf Galaxy yesterday. 9.5 degrees with heaviest weight forward. The stock shaft is actually the same model I play in my GBB (albeit in smoked black instead of yellow). Ball flight and distance were similar to my GBB with good consistent sub-3000 backspin. Sound was OK, feel was harder than the GBB.
  • thechief16Just from the range (no LM), I didn’t see a noticeable performance improvement with the F7+ over the original King LTD. And I like the look and sound/feel of the LTD better.
Further Reading

Ping G LS Tec (4.90 percent)

463210496f8e1487a5ff2fdcf38109a1

  • drvrwdgeI played the G LS with the Ping Tour 65X (shaft) tipped an inch for about a year. Just put the HZRDUS Yellow 75 6.5 tipped an inch and never thought it was possible, but it’s longer and straighter. Best driver shaft combo I’ve ever hit. You can feel that HZRDUS throughout the entire swing. Really gives you a solid connected feel.
  • Mtngolfer1: I am not sure that I would consider this a 2017 Driver, but my vote went to the Ping G LS Tec. The fact that my G is still holding its own against the latest 2017 releases has me very excited to see what Ping will release later this year.
  • 3woodvt: Fairway finder and plenty long.
  • pitchinwedgeI’ve found the LS to be nearly as fade biased as the M family. I get pretty good results with the LS by making a conscious effort to make more of an in-to-out swing. Any lapse in concentration and everything goes right. The M’s require even more effort, which is the reason I stayed with the LS instead.
  • 3 Jack ParAfter an up and down year with the G LS, I’ve actually recently gone back to my G30 LS head. I only have a couple of rounds as a sample so far, so I can’t really draw a conclusion about whether one or the other is better, but with the same shaft it seems like my G30 head might be a little longer. Honestly, the performance differences are pretty minimal if you really compare the two generations.
Further Reading

Titleist 917D3 (5.30 percent)

f5830abf21efeb00cab7cbe4329a9972

  • GavaThe 917D3 is in my bag now, and I’ve found it incredibly long with a recently purchased Graphite Design Tour AD MJ 7TX shaft. Feel and accuracy has been a real improvement as well.
  • Togatown22I find my 917D3 to be just as forgiving as my 915D2 was, and man do I prefer looking down at the head shape and color versus the 915. Very confidence inspiring.
  • NIxhex524I would definitely give the D3 a whirl. I feel like Titleist has made great strides at making the smaller head way more hittable for us ams.
  • KPH808So in conclusion, I was hitting the ball about 9 yards further on average and 3-4 mph faster ball speeds with the 917D3 vs. the 915 D4. The biggest thing for me was the forgiveness between the two; the 917D3 was more forgiving on mishits.
  • brushieThe 917D3 head feels soft like the 910 and sounds great. I never had an issue with the 915 sound; it wasn’t great, but it didn’t bother me too much. This is much better, though. The 917D3 head shape is perfect to my eye as well. The area where the 917 shines is forgiveness. 

Further Reading

TaylorMade M1 440 (5.35 percent)

TaylorMade_M1_440_Feat

  • Tigermatt31: The M1 440 is best driver I’ve had ever.
  • TollBros: The M1 440 is definitely lower spin than the M1 460 or M2 from last year. Launch angle isn’t really any lower, but spin is lower for sure.
  • specimania: This year’s 440 is more forgiving.
  • MCozYes, this 440 is more forgiving, and yet it also appears to be more workable than both of the previous M1 and M2s.
  • nitramTo save you a bunch of reading and crunching numbers, I quickly concluded there was a little more forgiveness and exactly +0.4 mph ball speed with the 440. By forgiveness I simply mean this: A 1.48 smash 440 will give you the same ball speed and distance as a 1.49/1.50 430. But if you get a 1.50 from both there is no measurable gain. Side-to-side dispersion was better by 4.7 feet with the 440. Workability was a wash between them, although the 430 seems a bit more fade biased whereas I’ll describe the 440 as a scosche more neutral.
  • tj24: I hit the M1 440 with my Aldila RIP at an 80-gram X-flex. For me, the spin numbers were around 1700 rpm which is probably to low for my swing. I did, however, like the shape of the head and I felt like I could easily work the ball both ways.
  • halfsumoI really think they nailed it with the shape of this 440 head. Nice pear shape, no weird bulges or ridges that you have to get used to.
Further Reading

Titleist 917D2 (6.65 percent)

4edf1bce10b81caa57e8ccc4079bd3fd

  • tsletten: Love the sound of the 917D2.
  • bladehunter: No doubt the 917D2 is an accurate, forgiving driver that doesn’t look as big as it is and sounds fantastic.
  • JStangMaybe it’s just me, but I find the face to be more shallow (top to bottom) with the 917D2 than other drivers that I’ve tried lately.
  • LuckyLowbrowI was actually spinning it too low with the D4. Going up to the D2 normalized my spin rate, but led to such an improvement in consistency across the face.

Further Reading

TaylorMade M1 460 2017 (11.81 percent)

TaylorMade_M1_460-Feat

  • Ereim: I ended up going with the M1 460. It gave me a slightly tighter dispersion, and I liked looking down at it slightly more.
  • jdenham15: The 2017 TaylorMade M1 is a great driver, but I tend to miss wide right and struggled to turn it over.
  • ZBigStick: The M1 460 gave me the best results. Was able to increase launch without much added spin with the (T-Track) weight. Feel is good and felt forgiving; dispersion results backing that up.
  • BillMurrayGolfingThe face is hot, receptive, thin and makes a nice sound. I like that.
  • JStangSound and feel were both fantastic. I couldn’t ask for much more in the sound and feel department than what this club offers. Plenty of feedback was provided based on impact as I would expect. I could easily tell where I missed based on feel.
  • tnordJust as another tester found, moving the weight back and forward absolutely does impact how the club sounds. I’m much more a fan of the weight back.
  • chickenpotpieMoving the slider to the draw position made the feel of the driver a little harsher. Feel was much much smoother with that weight in the middle. I didn’t see any such changes with the front/rear slider.
Further Reading

TaylorMade M2 2017 (11.86 percent)

M2_Speed_Pocket

  • ZBigStickI liked the feel of the new M2 but seemed to get better results and numbers with the new M1. Could be the extra 5 grams of head weight?
    It was dynamite with the GD TP-6 (shaft)!
  • erock9174On Trackman it didn’t put up the most ball speed, but counting all shots the M2 had the longest average distance.
  • gripandripThe M2 seems to have a little bit of a fade bias for me. And the head is HUGE. Maybe it’s a mental thing to be able to turnover a head that large.
  • Bomber_11M2 has very big shoes to fill, as the 2016 M2 was arguably one of the best drivers of the last 3-4 years.
  • LONG&STR8It’s hard to ignore the sound of the new M2. That may be TaylorMade’s biggest fail with that driver, as the sound and feel was one of the best things about the first version that I’ll have in the bag until something better comes along.
  • Z1ggy16The new M2 was terrible for me, not sure why. Unsure if it was the shaft I used but it spun up like a monster and ball speeds weren’t any better than previous M2.
  • Peanut191I don’t really think that the new M2 was much of a step backward, probably more that it doesn’t seem like a big step forward compared to last year’s model. I was hitting my 2016 M2 against a 2017 M2 indoors (which usually amplifies the louder, more obnoxious sound) and I didn’t notice that much of a difference in sound. It could have been that I might have just happened to get a hold of a head that was more muted than normal with the new one, but I just didn’t notice much difference. Performance wise, I could tell that the 2017 was slightly more forgiving than the 2016 model, but I was basically getting the same ball speed and spin numbers, so I didn’t see the need to upgrade.
  • gioguy21: Played 54 holes this weekend. The M2 was as reliable as it could get. I hit 11/12 fairways Friday, 10/12 Saturday and 5/9 or so yesterday (windy). Controllable, just wants to go straight. The sound no longer bothers me. I think it’s when hitting indoors or in range bays that it gets unbearably loud. Makes a different sound when hit on the screws I’ve found, similar to last years M2/M1 with less high-pitched ring. The forgiveness is very obvious, as I hit a couple that were close to center of the face but either high or little out toward the toe that flew similar trajectory and distance to how a well struck shot would react. I think where this driver really shines is the ability to either tee it high and hit it with higher trajectory or the ability to hit it lower with a low tee (3/4 of the ball under the crown) and hit laser beams that don’t move left or right.
  • G-BoneFrom what I’ve seen on Trackman, 2017 M1 was a big jump from 2016; however, 2016 M2 was so good, 2017 is a minor jump.
Further Reading

Callaway GBB Epic (14.91 percent)

GBB_Epic_Hero

  • HDTVMAN: I hit both the Callaway Big Bertha Fusion and Epic with a 44.5-inch UST Recoil F3 shaft and the results were very close. From customer testing, it appears the Epic is longer for those with higher (95+) swing speeds. I have also seen that 44.25-44.5-inch lengths promote tighter dispersion with customers, no loss of distance and better over-all drives.
  • mbbrewer: Tried them all and for me Epic was the one. Fastest ball speed, lowest spin and tightest dispersion.
  • Ereim: Epic felt great, looked great and the numbers were basically 99.9 percent optimized for my swing.
  • johnnylongballz72There is Epic and there is the M series… then there is everyone else. The votes here show it, the PGA Tour use shows it and launch monitors everywhere show it.
  • misplacedtexan83: GBB Epic/Sub Zero pushed the envelop in design and materials to produce increased ball speed and gains. For once a driver did what a company said it would do.
Further Reading

Callaway GBB Epic Sub Zero (16.91 percent)

GBB_Epic_Sub_Zero_Hero

  • jdenham15: I tested the Epic Sub Zero and Epic against my 2016 TaylorMade M1 and the ball speed was 5 mph higher on average, which gave me about 10 yards more carry disstance. That was great, but the part that sold me was the forgiveness. I love my Epic Sub Zero. I feel like it’s easier to turn over and I can work it both ways.
  • Z1ggy16Sub Zero was hands down the best, including my gaming M1 (yeah, not even top-3) due to the combination of lower spin, good forgiveness and feel and looks.
  • jimhaire: I had a 2016 M2 and went with the Epic Sub Zero. The look at address suited my eye and the feel off the face was better for me. And the club went straight.
  • Sef: I have tested a lot of these drivers and for me the Epic Sub Zero was so much better than everything else. I wish I could just apply all three votes to it.
Further Reading

Members Choice 2017

Your Reaction?
  • 652
  • LEGIT92
  • WOW45
  • LOL39
  • IDHT16
  • FLOP39
  • OB34
  • SHANK255

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending