2024 Driver Choice

[Golfinfloridaafter40]

On 1/12/2024 at 10:40 PM, Pens #1 fan said:

Got fit for TSR3 at CC with TB diamana, still have yet to order it. Going to CC Monday to hit all the drivers. I really liked the shaft so I’m probably just going to hit that shaft in a bunch of heads and whatever is best I’ll get. I should have got TSR when it came out. I don’t like knowing if I ordered it today by the time I get it and the weather breaks in Pittsburgh a new one will be out in less than 6 months. But on the other hand I’m a junkie I will own a few new ones I’m sure 

TSR3 is soooooooooooooo good!

 

Titleist doesn't release in January like everyone else.  Every other year and usually close to October

[getitdaily]

On 1/15/2024 at 10:37 AM, KingKong said:

I have less than zero desire to try any driver that's coming out...and that's really off-brand for me. I usually buy, try, then sell. I'm at a place now with my 430 Max that I truly don't think anything can be better to the point of making sense to make a change. 

Same boat for me, except my hard to beat is the standard paradym. 

[Boricua Golf]

Hard decision right?, maybe?, who knows?, I have the TD and if and only if the new one gives me more distance (10-15 yds) and accuracy I might consider it, the current shaft combination is simply working great...

[Pens #1 fan]

1 hour ago, Golfinfloridaafter40 said:

TSR3 is soooooooooooooo good!

 

Titleist doesn't release in January like everyone else.  Every other year and usually close to October

I know I have to pull trigger this weekend to get it here by Mid February for my trip. 

[Volinky]

It is all about proper fitting and shaft.  I hit the new Qi10 & Ai Smoke drivers vs a Srixon 545.  All of them were within 1-3 yards of each other on the trackman.  Now with that said will a properly fit 2024 driver go further than my 545. Yes, I'm sure it would but for $500-$700 its just not worth a few yards to me. 

[ShowMe]

Last year I played at various times the TSR2, TSR3, Paradym, Paradym TD, G430 MAX, G430 LST, and Stealth 2 Plus.  I had the best results with the Paradym TD and the G430 LST.  The G430 had better left/right dispersion performance for me, so that's what is currently in the bag.

 

For this year, I'm looking forward to trying the Paradym Ai Smoke series, the G430 MAX 10k, and the Stealth Qi10 series.

[Eesh]

TSR2.  Maybe not the longest....... but long,  super consistent, fairway finder.

 

If it's not broken don't fix it.

[dirtyrug33]

On 1/12/2024 at 10:04 AM, dirtyrug33 said:

Going in for a fitting on Thursday, want to see if the Smoke max can knock the Rogue ST Max out of the bag. Didn't see enough out of the Paradym last year to pull the trigger. I plan to give the new 10ks a look as well, but would be surprised if I don't end up back in the Rogue or in the Smoke max.  

 

Well, nothing was an improvement over the Rogue ST Max, so it stays in the bag. We went into a different shaft, UST V2 Proforce 7F4, and it was better than ever. The new Callaway head didn't give any increase in either distance or dispersion. I didn't get along with the Ping 10k, but I never have gotten along with Ping drivers. Also tried out a TSR2, but it wasn't as consistent as the Rogue. Pretty surprised nothing beat it out this year. I will probably give up on searching for a new driver for a few years, or at least that's what I'm telling myself today. 

[Pens #1 fan]

Hit Reg Qi10 and Cobra Darkspeed LS today. LS is not for me I will have to try other DS. The TM was good, for just a few swings no bad things to say. Still don’t think it beats out TSR3 but still shopping. 

[metaldog]

Edit sensitive info

Edited January 19, 2024 by metaldog

[Golfinfloridaafter40]

19 hours ago, Pens #1 fan said:

I know I have to pull trigger this weekend to get it here by Mid February for my trip. 

Plenty of brand new or like new heads in circulation already. 

[Golfinfloridaafter40]

11 hours ago, dirtyrug33 said:

 

Well, nothing was an improvement over the Rogue ST Max, so it stays in the bag. We went into a different shaft, UST V2 Proforce 7F4, and it was better than ever. The new Callaway head didn't give any increase in either distance or dispersion. I didn't get along with the Ping 10k, but I never have gotten along with Ping drivers. Also tried out a TSR2, but it wasn't as consistent as the Rogue. Pretty surprised nothing beat it out this year. I will probably give up on searching for a new driver for a few years, or at least that's what I'm telling myself today. 

Hopefully people figure out that drivers are maxed out already and stop paying $600-1000 every year so the prices will come back to reality or product cycles will slow down until there is an actual reason to release one.  Thanks for sharing your experience!

[rainkingjr]

I finished last year with an ancient driver by Golfwrx standards. Epic Max LS. It'll be in the bag to start the year. The only plans I have right now is to grab a Cleveland Launcher XL2 as a high MOI experiment.

[Michael Shanker]

Looks like it'll all be on the clearance rack at the end of the year.  Nobody's buying. Everyone's a seller.

[dennisdaniels99]

On 1/12/2024 at 10:33 AM, MattM97 said:

After seeing what has been released and what's out there I'm excited to test, it's gonna be a low spin fest for me:

 

- AI Smoke TD

- AI Smoke Max

- Darkspeed LS

- G430 LST

- TSR4

- Qi10 LS

- Black Ops 

 

Almost everything is in play, will have to see what wins in testing. 

You should add the Mizuno Stg 440 to your list!  You won’t be disappointed!!

[getitdaily]

I'm sticking with standard paradym. 10.5 set to -1 N.

 

Confirmed over and over that it's longer than stealth2+ by 7-10 yards. And straighter. 

[Pens #1 fan]

ST Max drops 2/8, might have to give that one a try. 

[DGA3]

I've got a Callaway Rogue ST Max with a stock R shaft (I did a "fitting" at Golf Galaxy two years ago and ended up with it). 

 

If I'm to keep it (and save a lot of $$$), I'm wondering if there is a better shaft choice for me, because with age, my swing speed is down to 85 mph.

 

Thoughts?

 

Regardless, I am going to demo a few of the new drivers to see if any can beat the Rogue. I would pay for 5-10 more yards, which is probably possible with a proper fitting (not the generic kind they do at GG).

[MattM97]

7 hours ago, dennisdaniels99 said:

You should add the Mizuno Stg 440 to your list!  You won’t be disappointed!!

 

If the fitter thinks it a good fit I wouldn't say no to testing it. 

[cdnavalanche9312]

Don't sleep on the Mizuno drivers, for myself, it outperformed the Ping, Titleist and Cobra.  Plus it's $100 cheaper than the others in Canada

[nzio]

On reviews the AI smoke Max looks like a winner for us non-pros. Definitely, one I need to try..  

[dennisdaniels99]

On 1/12/2024 at 4:06 PM, woods991 said:

The mizzy line is hard not to mention in the conversation 

I really love my STG 440 with Ventus Blue, but I am anxious to try the ST Max with the new face!!! 

[EBE-GOLFIN]

On 1/19/2024 at 8:47 AM, getitdaily said:

I'm sticking with standard paradym. 10.5 set to -1 N.

 

Confirmed over and over that it's longer than stealth2+ by 7-10 yards. And straighter. 

My Paradym Driver is staying home and on the Robert Trent Jones courses for 2024!!!

[manima1]

The TSR3 is really good.  I actually hit it better and find it more forgiving than the TSR2.  Really odd

[VA_Astra]

G430lst in the bag now. 

TSR4 on its way now.

 

 

Trying some new shafts as well.

AD TP and Ventus Red 7s. 

 

I put the Reds in my FWs and Hybrids...love them. Tried the Blue, but I must be one of the only ones that can't get along with the Blue.

[Rbsiedsc]

https://www.todays-golfer.com/equipment/best/most-forgiving-driver/

[Rbsiedsc]

1 hour ago, Rbsiedsc said:

https://www.todays-golfer.com/equipment/best/most-forgiving-driver/

Has me leaning towards the AI max

[dmeeksDC]

2 hours ago, Rbsiedsc said:

https://www.todays-golfer.com/equipment/best/most-forgiving-driver/

This is good. Thanks for posting. One thing to note in reading it is they did not actually test the PXG Black Ops driver. They put it on the list based on impressive initial testing but their test pro who produced this data did not hit it yet. 
 

I say that because the early returns on that driver are very strong. It is among my 3 to test next week (AI Smoke, Qi10, Black Ops) and if I am not worn out will likely hit the Ping and Cobra too. Incumbent is Paradym Triple D 10.5. 
 

 

[Red4282]

6 hours ago, Rbsiedsc said:

https://www.todays-golfer.com/equipment/best/most-forgiving-driver/

Sheesh that site is terrible. Redirects/reloads galore. Seemed like a “hot list” type deal, everyone gets a prize! Also had callaway ads everywhere. 

[PunkGolfWRX]

My AI Smoke TD is due any day and I plan to also keep the Paradym TD in the bag and set them up for low bullets and high bombs. It gets pretty windy at my home course and as a high ball hitter often feel screwed when into. Many may think 2 drivers in the bag is a waste of a slot, but I rarely hit my 4i so I think it’s worth finally doing after years of thinking about it.