mini driver vs big driver

RobotDoctor · June 29, 2019

I purchased a SLDR mini driver back in 2014. I believe it was a 14 degree. I had some success with it but went back to my Titleist 905T which was about 10-15 yards longer and almost as accurate. My recent attempts to go to a bigger headed driver (430cc or larger) from the Titleist 915 D3 to Taylormade M1 (430cc) to Taylormade M3 (440cc) have not produced the results I wanted. All three wants to hit the ball straight and working the ball is much more difficult for me. Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of trying every shaft combination under the sun so these three drivers have been retired (the M1 has been sold and the other two are headed for sale). I have put in a Titleist 905S with Graphite Design Tour AD DI 6S shaft (full bore) and am hitting the ball better than I have since the great driver experiment starting back in 2014. While the 905S and 905T are not mini drivers, they are both at 400cc and are big enough to offer some forgiveness but small enough for me to be able to work the ball.

hoselrocker · July 1, 2019

I bought a used SLDR mini 1-12 on Friday. I'd been researching going to a smaller driver or a decent 3 wood for a bit, but it was this thread that pushed me to try one and I'm glad I did! I've never felt more confident standing on the tee. I hit maybe 15 balls with it on the range and then took it on the course. I didn't have even one of my typical drives where I have to play out sideways or even backwards to the short grass. I can't wait to put more time into this thing! I'm not crazy long off the tee to begin with but the mini still got me far enough out there where I was thinking about scoring rather than trying to hang on for a double. Love it so far!

bjh1 · September 8, 2019

OP with an update... Been doing a lot of practice and side by side testing. Have made some improvements with the 'big' driver. Think I'm going to be tailoring my setup based on the course. Got a SLDR mini at 12*, which i am very consistent with. Get it out there within 10 yards of my driver. On my home course, that is sufficient and won't make a difference, so I'll leave the driver at home. Still have the occasional big miss with the big driver, so I'll pick my spots with it and probably only use when maximum distance is absolutely needed.

staysober for golf · September 9, 2019

My best driving years where due to a 44.5" 905R with some lead tape.

Straight and long. Not sure why i got rid of it but im always looking for similar combo. im 5'-7" and the 56* degree lie angle of the drivers work better for me when shorten, NO TOE "UP" AT ADDRESS.

im playing an 8.25*, 56.5* M3 440 @ 44.75" but the tensi pro white didn't call for added lead tape, so im playing it as is and not seeing any lost yardage from those days.

shokosugi · March 9, 2020

Hey guys, resurrecting this thread. I just built a nice little mini driver and took it out today and it worked exactly as i envisioned. Taylormade 320ti tour, 8.5 deg, old grafalloy pro m66 105g shaft, 43.5", 3 grams cotton balls and 10g lead tape, 212 grams of muted, soft feeling magic! I teed it pretty low and hit low bullet fades all day long with it. I suck with 3 wood off the tee so i built a giant 3 wood essentially. I've tried 460cc drivers at 43" but can't get used to the size on a short shaft. Best part is outdriving your buddies with a piece of shit, ugly homemade mini driver lol.

Myherobobhope · March 9, 2020

Ha, I got an adams speedline 13 degree 3w built out with a short aldila alpha shaft cut to 43. I had the components in the garage, finally put them all together...

im pretty confident with it on the range, but haven’t gotten a real round in yet to make sure it works for what I want.

setter02 · March 9, 2020

I picked up a 13.5* TM OO this winter to go up against my G400. I like having options as my best scores have been on courses in the 6-6.3k range (short I know, but its the course) where I rarely if ever hit driver, and most tee shots are 3wd, DI or 4i. As always, if it keeps you in play, who cares what it is as long as you have the ability to try and score or score well vs. scramble. For some reason, they keep saying that this is a mental game, and fairway seems to be better for your mental side than in the rough or worse.

uglande · March 9, 2020

If you stay with the mini-driver approach, I strongly recommend the TaylorMade Original One (either 11.5 or 13.5 loft). I have the 13.5 and am using it as a strong 3-wood. It has a 275cc head and a 43.75 inch shaft. It has the loft of a strong three wood but with more forgiveness, faster ball speeds, and MUCH lower spin. I think it's a better option than cutting down a driver, because then you have to deal with all of the swing weight issues, and frankly a 460cc head on a 44 inch (for example) shaft just looks goofy, IMO.