We sampled an 18.5 Rescue that had a very long, boring flight. The sole has a slot and a very thin wall that allows the engineers to move the center of gravity low and forward for increased ball speed. It has a good sound and is just super long.

The Tour Driver series has a slightly heavier/stiffer shaft and smaller head said to promote faster speeds for faster swingers. They have the now well-known white crown and black face.

We can’t wait until these clubs are generally available to try the whole series. Here is a preview of the lineup. Golfsmith is our proline supplier for TaylorMade products

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For those of us who don’t want to fiddle with adjustments, but are happy with long, straight, and forgiving this new driver from the Ping engineers is worth the premium price. The G20 optimizes the center of gravity position to generate high launch and low spin. It’s 460cc club head is made from a low density high strength titanium alloy. The high strength-to-weight ratio allows for additional weight to be strategically placed for increasing the MOI on both the vertical and horizontal axes. The G20’s large, variable-thickness face generates faster ball speeds and increases MOI for maximum forgiveness.

We tried the 8.5° driver with a stock 45.75 stiff shaft. The head weight is 204 grams with a swing weight of D3. It is long and forgiving. It is now in the bag.

Driver lofts available include 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, and 12.0°. There are many custom options available, but the standard, out-of-the-box, driver fit our requirements for long, forgiving tee shots. There is a fair amount of discounting going on, so please check several of our affiliates for the best price. Golfsmith is always one of the leading retailers that we turn to for prompt, in-stock service and we always check eBay for bargains.

Japan’s leading shaft manufacturer, Graphite Design, has created a responsive, Super Light 45 gram shaft, which coupled with Winn’s new 25 gram ‘lite’ grip, reduces the total weight of the driver by 45 grams. We then make the shaft length 47 inches to increase club-head speed by nearly 7 mph and distance by 15 yards for most players. The light weight allows for greater control, even though the shaft is over standard length.

It is available in 9, 10.5, and 13 degree lofts in standard and super light shafts. We recommend the super light for all but the highest swing speeds. The manufacturer will customize the shaft length for an additional $10 fee. We tried the standard 47 inch shaft with a 9 degree loft on the range and for an 18 hole round. It was long and workable. The only small thing we found was the sound. It was kind of thud and not the louder sound of many over sized titanium clubheads.

We compared it on the range to our standard 43.5 inch driver and believe it’s as controllable because of the head design and lighter weight.  The MSRP of $299.99 has been discounted at most shops by $50-100 and we’ve seen several on eBay for a bit less.

The LAUNCHER Ultralite Series consists of 3 weights – 310g, 290g, and 270g – each model engineered for unique performance and feel. Across the series our testers have said there is a WOW Factor for effortless distance.

Each ultralite model comes with an ultra-premium Miyazaki Tour/Aftermarket C. Kua shaft. The Miyazaki C.Kua series shaft pushes speed and distance to a new level. The shaft reduces the total weight of the driver while preserving the swingweight and flex profile, providing an increase in head speed without a loss of feel or playability. The result is the effortless distance that our staff testers experienced.

Callaway uses hyperbolic shaping and a unique chemical reduction process to remove excess material from areas of the titanium face and achieve precision thickness control. This produces consistently high ball speeds for long distance, even on off-center hits and on shots hit across all areas of the face. There are two models. The Diablo Octane is available with a square face or 1 degree closed with a 460cc head, 46 inch shaft, and a D4 swing weight. The Tour Driver is designed for more accomplished golfers with features that provide greater versatility to attack the course with precision shot-shaping and trajectory control. The 450cc head incorporates a deep face with a smaller footprint and an open face angle with less face progression.

The Project X Shaft from Grafalloy is a longer, high-performance shaft designed with feedback and input from tour pros to maximize performance.

It is a rocket launcher with minimal shot dispersion. If you want distance, try one at the range or your local demo center first. The longer shaft may not be for everyone, especially if your home course has narrow fairways.

The i15 is designed for players with higher swing speeds. The club face has more curvature for a higher energy transfer on center hits. Drives should have a lower trajectory and less spin for a penetrating flight. The club weighting encourages a slight fade for heavy hitters.

Some Ping staffers will be trying out the new drivers at the British Open.

The new Titleist 909 Driver Series, available at retail outlets in November 2008, is a tour proven traditional pear shaped titanium and composite family of drivers. The 909 Series includes the 909DCOMP, 909D2, and 909D3.

The Titleist 909DComp is a high performance driver with a  full pear profile 460cc clubhead delivering high launch with low to mid spin. It features a 6-4 titanium body, 6-4 titanium face insert, 1K composite crown. The composite crown creates a low and deep CG for reduced spin, higher launch and MOI, and longer, straighter drives. The 909DCOMP has a tuned sole and an internal rib to reduce vibration a deliver a very solid sound and feel.

The composite crown and tuned sole of the 909DComp, which includes optimized pockets and an internal rib for reduced vibration, deliver a tour validated sound and feel. Stock shafts include Titleist Matrix Ozik XCON-5 and Titleist Matrix Ozik XCON-6 with a MSRP $550.

The Titleist 909D2 has a 460cc clubhead with a full pear profile with 6-4 titanium body and 6-4 titanium face insert. It is a high performance driver delivering mid launch with low to mid spin. The tuned sole of the 909D2 includes optimized pockets and an internal rib for reduced vibration, providing solid feel and better sound.

The design utilizes an integrated titanium blind bore hosel to save weight, provide solid feel, and allow for more shaft options. The factory installed SureFit Swingweight Screw helps to position the CG deep while also providing a precise head to shaft match. Stock shafts are the Titleist Diamana Blue 65 and the Aldila VooDoo.  The standard length is 45″ with +2″/ -2″  available. MSRP $450
The Titleist 909D3 has a classic pear profile, deep face, and 440cc titanium clubhead construction. The 909D3 features modern profile that creates a low and deep CG for reduced spin, higher MOI, and longer, straighter drives. The classic pear shape with a smaller, deeper face enhances workability for shot and trajectory control.

The 909D3 shares the design features of optimized pockets and an internal rib for reduced vibration, providing solid feel and better sound. The same standard stock shafts  and lengths as the D2. MSRP $450

Our staff has wide ranging opinions on the 909’s. Our pros and and long hitting low handicappers really like the playability of the 909DCOMP. Our 12 handicapper struggled with it and hit the 909D2 better. The D3 appears to be more workable for those who consistently shape their shots.

Space age technology from the laboratory at Callaway. Made of 4 different materials this ultra new square driver looks different, feels different, and really is easier to hit. The Callaway carbon composite technology moves weight to areas of the club head to increase forgiveness. The IQ as it’s known will be available at retail in November 2008. It has a very low center of gravity and that allows almost any hit anywhere on the club face to get airborne.  The research engineers have made the titanium face thicker in the middle to reduce backspin. A lower spin for most swings will produce a longer drive. Now, the bad news. We understand that MSRP will be $499. Of course, we expect that will be discounted pretty quickly, but it will be pricey.

Several hours of range time with a borrowed IQ confirms it forgiveness. Hit it anywhere on the face the ball gets up. It has a large sweet spot. The Callaway engineers have created increased club head stability at impact on off-center hits. The appearance at set up is radically different than conventional club heads. If you have been playing an FT-I or a similar square driver, then it will not be a major transition. We do believe that set up image is an important factor, especially for lower handicap golfers.

Sound is another factor that is quite important in golf.  Callaway drivers do have a different sound. Some of our guys did not like the sound, set up, and flight path. Our 12 handicap tester loved it. He played a casual match with the IQ and shot a career best that he attributed to driving accuracy. He did hit 12 fairways.

Clearly, the game of golf gets easier when we find the fairway off the tee. While the ball seemed to travel a long way in the air, we experienced a high trajectory that didn’t roll all that much. Comparing the IQ to the Ping G10, we think overall distance was a bit more with the G10, but accuracy is more controlled in the air. If you want increased driving accuracy with a very forgiving driver, then check out the new Callaway FT-IQ. Our marketing affiliate, Austad’s will have it available in November 2008.

U.S. Golf Association regulations theoretically level the playing field. However, if you can generate enough club head speed, a driver face that generates a very low spinning shot can provide a distance advantage. Cobra claims their new L5V scheduled to be available October 1st with an estimated $480 MSRP is “insanely long and straight”.

This is Cobra’s successor to the popular L4V and represents a major step into the future of club design. The face height is deeper with a lower center of gravity. This new design the effective hitting area and provides a significant improvement in forgiveness for off center hits. Depending on individual swing factors the spin rate is down 10-15% and moment of inertia is up. The trademark dimples are shallower and the sound, a very important factor for feedback, is more metallic than the L4V.

The most revolutionary feature is the adjustable face angle which Cobra refers to as adjustable ball flight. Shafts are interchangeable with a torque wrench and a simple rotation of the shaft after insertion will alter face angle from a draw bias to open.

The L5V comes withe your choice of three Diamana shafts plus several optional custom shafts. The Diamana shafts come in X, F,and M for extra-fast, fast, and moderate swing speeds. Tinkering with the adjustments can provide hours of range entertainment. The big question for Cobra is will golfers seriously test and evaluate all the options to optimize their individual setting?

Here’s the bottom line. Most of us golfers want more distance and most of us can achieve it by getting a lower spin rate off a driver face that provides for more roll. A driver face with a draw bias and a shaft appropriate for our swing characterics can greatly improve our shot trajectory and roll out. Since most of us don’t have a tour van available to alter and tweak our equipment, Cobra is providing us the next best thing and we can tweak away.

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The Ping engineers claim they used a Cray supercomputer, one of largest and fastest computers this side of Star Wars, to simulate and optimize the G10™ driver’s crown, sole, and face structure for maximum energy transfer, and read distance. They have produced a thinner crown, allowing some of the club head weight to be shifted to produce a higher moment of inertia.

In short, they claim more forgiveness on off center hits and optimal distance: two things that we golfers, cherish. We went to the range, and then played the G10™ at Dragon Ridge Country Club in Henderson, Nevada, a beautiful venue that hosted the Senior Open Qualifier earlier this year.

First let’s explore the company specs on the G10. The clubs have no offset and can be ordered with lofts of 7.5°, 9.0°, 10.5°, 12.0°, and 13.5°. There is a draw bias available. The standard shaft is 45.75″. Lie is 58.0° and head weight is 199g with a swing weight of D3.
• These are design specifications that may vary due to manufacturing tolerances
• Standard swing weights for Soft R and Regular shafts are 1 point lighter than shown
• The G10 Driver is available in both RH and LH models.

Note that while the length is three quarters of an inch longer than the old standard for drivers, it is a good half inch shorter than several current competitors. It is a light driver which should slightly increase swing speed.

We really liked this driver on the range. We had the square faced (rather than draw) version and started hitting nice high little draws with the 9.0° head right from the get go. When we tried to hit a fade, it reacted accordingly with cut shots. Toe hits traveled remarkably well. It is more forgiving, if possible, than the G5 that we fell in love with in 2005.

The only negative appeared on really ugly heel pulls that squibbed dead left. No surprise.

The course is always the ultimate test. It is a gamer. It is in the bag (replacing the most played driver on the PGA Tour). It is a bit longer than the G5. Since I’ve been hitting a driver than comes with a 46.25” shaft, I’m thinking of re-shafting this one to that length as an experiment to see just how long this club can be.

Our marketing affiliate, Austad’s, carries Ping Golf products.