New to Long Drive

[gatorman2k6]

need help finding equipment

Hi all,

First let me tell you a little about myself. I am 19 yrs old, have been playing golf for about 5 yrs now and have gotten pretty good (best score is 75 with average score around 80). I am 5'11" and weigh 165. While in college, I have started lifting weights to get stronger and help me in my quest for hitting the long ball. Since May I have increased my bench(I know it isn't most important to golf) by 30lbs. Well, now that the offseason is near, I am wanting to get a long driver to mess around with and see how I like it. My current set-up is a Cobra F/Speed 9* w/ Vista Tour Stiff(tipped 2") playing to a D3.5 at 44". I average about 270-280 with this and the last time my clubhead speed was clocked(in May) was 107 on average(slow for long drivers).

So now to my question. I can get a PM702 S or X for free and was wondering which flex to choose if I am going to play it at 48"(USGA). Then I was wondering whether I should put it into my F/Speed head to see how I like it or if I should look for a 8.5 X or XX/Speed head. I would prefer to stick to Cobra because I love the feel of them eventhough they are more expensive than most. Also was wondering how a Adams BUL 5000 8.5* would work.

If anybody could answer these questions or give me some help, I would greatly appreciate it.Thanks.

Rob

[PurePursuit]

PM iDrive400yds (not sure if thats his exact handle but search)...He's pretty knowledgeable when it comes to this topic.

[MB1981]

SMT, GEEK Golf, Integra still make good heads.

 

Accuflex makes a good Long Drive shaft also.

[idrive400yards]

gatorman,

 

with all do respect, building yourself a longdrive club, isn't gonna really help you. What you first need to do is get your clubhead speed/ball speed to I would say the minimum 130ss/190bs, then think about building yourself a driver. Having one built right now would only hurt your golf game but if becoming a longdriver is what you really want, then you have to dedicate yourself to it. Cobra's are a great head, along with SMT, GEEK, ALPHA, MOI, (forget about BANG, they won't warranty anything anymore), KRANK, Pat Dempsey's Killer Bee(Golfsmith). Shafts to look at are UST V2 LD(Horsepowergolf.com has the best pricing), Accuflex, Graman, just to name a few. The 48in USGA length is about 49-50in LDA length, which puts you in the ball park. Ebay has some of the XX Speeds you are looking for, but if you can get your hands on a 7.5*, you would be better off. Then practice, practice, practice.

 

Mike

[gatorman2k6]

idrive400yards,

 

Thanks for the advice. I know I dont swing nearly that speed but like I said it was just to experiment with especially because I can get the PM702 shaft for free. I will look for a 7.5 or 8.5 degree head to stick it in but I might also try the BUL 5000 in 8.5 because it is only $149 right now. Since I am going to experiment with this, do you recommend the stiff or x felx PM702 because I have heard you go up a flex in that long of a shaft. Thanks again for the help.

 

Rob

[KingKong]

In my experience, the best shaft I have tried is the SK Fiber Pure Adrenaline BB. The BEST one!! The kick it gives is amazing and I tried it in an XX Speed head! I want one for myself. Then I might make it to Nevada next year! I was one yard short this year!!

 

Mike

[idrive400yards]

idrive400yards,

 

Thanks for the advice. I know I dont swing nearly that speed but like I said it was just to experiment with especially because I can get the PM702 shaft for free. I will look for a 7.5 or 8.5 degree head to stick it in but I might also try the BUL 5000 in 8.5 because it is only $149 right now. Since I am going to experiment with this, do you recommend the stiff or x felx PM702 because I have heard you go up a flex in that long of a shaft. Thanks again for the help.

 

Rob

 

 

IMO go with the X flex, then when you build up speed, you can tip it to make it a tad stiffer.

[gatorman2k6]

thanks for the advice. i am either going to pull the trigger on the 8.5 BUL 5000 or I will wait until February when the golf show comes to my home town and I can look at some discounted Cobra stuff.

[gatorman2k6]

Well I am going to make my club with a Adams BUL 5000 8.5* because they are $149 and you get a free FW that I will sell to make back some of the cost. What I was wondering was whether I should put a PM702 in it or if I should order a Graman UL440,540, or 640? BTW, if I go with a Graman, I have heard they play stiffer than most shafts, is this true? So if I swing 107-110 with a 44" shaft, what flex should I get if it is going to play 48"? Thanks for all the help and sorry for all the questions.

 

Rob

[idrive400yards]

I personally didn't like the Graman, I also didn't feel that they played stiffer. Start with the x-flex and work your way up. But one thing to remember, one companies x is anothers 2x so be careful. If you go with the Graman, call Neil at Phoenixgolfworks.com, He has the best prices and can really help you out with the Gramans. Mention that I talked to you and refered you.

 

Mike

idrive400yards

[gatorman2k6]

idrive,

 

thanks for all the help and if I decide to experiment with the graman I will be sure to check that store out and mention that you helped me. thanks again and i will let you know how it goes.

 

OT, what driving range do you usually go to because I am in the raleigh area from august-may for school?

 

Rob

[tina]

what ever happened to penley ?? are they still around?

[idrive400yards]

idrive,

 

thanks for all the help and if I decide to experiment with the graman I will be sure to check that store out and mention that you helped me. thanks again and i will let you know how it goes.

 

OT, what driving range do you usually go to because I am in the raleigh area from august-may for school?

 

Rob

 

 

Rob,

 

I usually go to Knights Play, it's off of Ten-Ten road, in Apex. I'm there 4-6 days a week, but not until 8:30-9ish, need to get the kids to sleep, and I'm there until they close which is anywhere between 11-12

 

if you want to get together, pm me with your # and I'll give you a call.

 

Mike

[idrive400yards]

what ever happened to penley ?? are they still around?

 

 

Penley is done from what I hear. Too bad, it was a very good shaft, broke alot, but had a good warranty until they took it away.

 

Mike

[extremeld]

GET A LONGDRIVE CLUB MADE- TODAY, YESTERDAY IF YOU CAN THEY ARE GREAT FUN TO HIT AND IF YOU SWING OVER 105 MPH YOU ALREADY SWING WAY HARDER THAN AVERAGE, GET ONE BUILT - YOU MAY FIND THE LONGER SHAFT SUITS YOU!!!

 

JUST COS I DRIVE 400 SAYS IT DOESNT ALWAYS MAKE IT A FACT! HE PLAYS OF 20!!

[gatorman2k6]

extremeled,

 

I dont want to blow this out of proportion but seeing as how I asked for suggestions, all Idrive did was give me his honest opinion on what I should do. I was wanting a lot of suggestions but seeing as how he was 1 of maybe 3 people that gave me suggestions, and seeing as how he is a long driver, I am going to take his advice in the long drive department. It doesn't matter that he plays to a 20, if I was asking for general golf advice, I would not ask a long driver because that is not what the specialize in, but seeing as how I asked for long drive advice I will listen to what he has to say because he is obviously better than I am in that department.

 

Bottomline is, you gave your opinion and he has not come out bashing you. I thank you for the suggestion but seeing as how I asked about equipment if you have some information for me I would appreciate it. Rant over.

 

Rob

[idrive400yards]

Rob,

 

extreme is right, go ahead and build yourself a driver, yes they are fun, but if you can't hit it, waste of money. But then you can sell it to extremeld, he tends to break alot of equiptment, heads, shafts etc. He gets called out alot on our other forum by fellow European longdrivers, but he knows what he's talking about. If we get a chance to meet up on Thursday, if I see that you hit decently, I'll let you try out some stuff, I've done it before so it's no big deal. Just so you can get a guage on how to hit a longer shafted driver with lower lofts. I know my drivers are not built for your specs, but you may never know unless you try. I just don't understand why everyone brings up the fact that I play off a 20 handicapp? Why does that make any difference? I do not know a whole lot about the swing, but I tend to know more about equiptment and fittings, seeing I spend alot of time with my clubbuilder, so I can get as much information about the equiptment that I have so if something doesn't feel right or ball flight is different, I can explain to him, which before I didn't know the difference or couldn't tell the difference between a great feeling driver and a poorly feeling driver. But what I think I need to do is play more golf so I can actually see what my handicap is instead of saying I'm a 20 handicap(this was quite a few years ago, and don't know what I shoot now) Nah, I don't need to do that, I don't care if people think I'm a hack, so what I'm a hack who carries big sticks and can fly it WAY past them, cause it's length that really matters, just ask the ladies.

 

Mike

[gatorman2k6]

Mike and Scott,

 

Thanks for your suggestions that will actually HELP me towards building a long driver to have some fun with. Hopefully I can try some stuff out before I buy it but even if I can't, I have saved up enough money working at a golf store over the summer that I will experiment with some stuff to see how I like it. Thanks again, and keep the HELPFUL suggestions coming.

 

Rob

[idrive400yards]

Scott,

 

The next time I'll be in GA is for the Metter event. But there might be a friendly competition between my LD team and the deepsouth LD team(www.deepsouthlongdrivers.com) Hopefully we can get this thing together, so I can make the trip.

 

Mike

[extremeld]

this is a test as not 100% on how to send private message

[idrive400yards]

So Rob(gatorman2k6) and I met up at the range last night and even though he is a skinny little fella, he can sure hit it. After watching him hit his driver(F Speed Cobra) I threw mine into his hands to test out. Let me tell ya, he really surprised me. He has a nice little golf swing, not fast or quick, but if he just developed 10-15 mph more SS, I think he could be competitive, 20-25 mph look out! I hope he sticks with the Cobra/UST combo, cause he hits it well.

 

Mike

[gatorman2k6]

Mike,

 

Thanks again for meeting up and letting me hit your drivers. Without that experience I never would have been able to test out some real long drive clubs. I also appreciate the compliments, but that 4.5* Pro D was a little too much club for me. I was just as impressed with your driving and your trick shots even though the guy at the range was ruining our time. BTW i PMed the guy about the Cobra heads and am just waiting to hear back from him. As for right now, I will definitely stick with the Cobra/UST combo because I saw first hand that it worked and felt so smooth. Once again thanks for meeting up and I can't wait to hit with you some more.

 

Rob

[LD Thailand]

Great story guys.

 

I wish I had someone to hit with in Thailand here, but longdriving is an anti-culture in Thailand. Here the motto is "patience", and long drivers seem to aggresive and cavalier for Thais.

 

The other thing that hurts here locally is that everyone is 5'5" and 130 pounds so the nets are set at 200-250 yards max. Kinda hard to judge your carry and roll characteristics when you can fly the net with a 3 iron.

 

PS: What was the thing with the guy at the range (ruining your outing)? Sounded like an intersting story that didnt make the last series of posts.

[idrive400yards]

LD Thailand,

 

That guy at the range is one of the club pro's that works there. A while back during one of my hitting sessions, he was watching me hit and told me I couldn't hit there anymore because of my length. We got into somewhat of a discussion, and I was relieved of my practice facility for a while. I went back, worked out our differences and was able to hit there again. I try not to go there while he is working, because he would always look to see if I was there. He is the only "pro" that has a problem with me hitting there, all others including the owner appreciate the business and enjoy watching me hit especially when I practice my trick shots, because most of the time it draws a crowd, and gets the other customers talking about it in the clubhouse. Always wanting to come back to watch, hit balls, play the par 3 courses. It's their way of having a marketing tool without having to pay gratuities, so to speak. Most of their customers inquire if they(the range) sponsor me, but they don't(I do get to hit for free most of the time) so in a way they kind of do, and if I ever win the Remax, I will be sure to mention them. It's a great facility and VERY close to my house, and stays open late(most days until 12am) which helps me out, because it fits my schedule.

 

Mike

[LD Thailand]

You would think that a "pro" would understand the opportunity cost that is lost by NOT having you tee em up. The cost of a lost range ball (if it is actually unretrievable) is far cheaper than not drawing crowds.

 

Talk about short sided. More people watching means more people wanting to LEARN how to hit em far too. For a "pro" your like a gold mine.

 

I am nowhere near 400 yards obviously, but on most "driver" days will still empty several trays of range balls about 300 yards into the woods over the 250 nets. The owner absolutely loves it becasue he has customers that will actually call in advance and ask if I am hitting that day so they can come watch. He gives me free balls and beverages for the "publicity" too.

 

Sounds like maybe you have a "pro" that is a little jealous eh?

[idrive400yards]

I don't think i would necessarily say jealous, maybe a little, but I think he is looking out more for the patrons who play the par 3 courses, because a couple of holes run right behind the driving range and he doesn't want to see them get hurt by a flying ball that I hit(looking out for both our best interests I guess). But the funny thing is, when they(the range) have the tees moved all the way up, anybody with a decent swing can get it back there, but he always comes and looks out for me? That is why I try not to go hit when he is working, we're both better off that way.

 

Mike