Mini Driver Players - Check in!!

[MizfanboyMP18]

Been gaming the 11.5 Elyte mini turned up to 13.5 it has replaced my ping g430 lst 3 wood that was turned down to 13. Where I play I was hitting 3 wood off of 2 of my par 4s that are a little tighter and ob to the right. This makes it easy and gives me a little more distance. Driver is at 9 degrees and honestly I could get around this course with mini all day. I have a Sunday walking bag that I put the mini in and it is surprisingly easy to hit off the deck if needed. Could not recommend this club enough. Driver normally goes 285-300 mini goes around 260- 275 depending on shot shape. I've played it turned down to 10.5 and at 11.5 I got the occasional bomber, but feels better at 13.5

[vandyfan]

Just played 9 holes today which is my 6th outing with the PXG Secret Weapon and I like it so much I don't even bring my driver out to the course currently. Literally leave it at home (and I only have 12 clubs in the bag so it is not because there isn't room). I just don't even want the "what if" to pop in my head. The PXG is just boring little piss missiles out there at 260 all day. Where has this thing been all my life? Currently the best club in my bag and it isn't close. 

[eddiebigeddie]

I’m right there with you @vandyfan…except I like my driver still. But the Secret Weapon has become my new reliable “not driver” club. Easy to hit down the middle and know what to expect. 

[hitnfades]

Late to the party, but checking in. Just received my Elyte Mini 13.5* and pairing it this weekend with Tour AD DI 6x. I was able to hit a few range balls today and it was solid. I am normally do not like the DI, but in X and tipped it felt pretty solid. The settings are N/S and the back weight set at neutral. I bought some extra weight screws once I spend some more time with this set up. So far so good though. But, I have Tour AD XC 6s arriving tomorrow to test out as well. I generally play XC or HD in my driver. I am just looking for a 2nd option off the tee if the driver swing is acting up. Driver is a Smoke TD Max 10.5*.  

[GoldenEagle69]

My game is really solid right now and even with mini driver, I struggle to maintain consistency. Just like with driver, I play the ball forward, tilt the spine with the mini in attempt to hit up on the ball. 

 

Unsatisfied with inconsistency off the tee with my Ai Smoke 340 Ti 11.5*, I cut it down to 43" and added 2* of loft.

 

I've decided to play the mini as I do every other club in setup and hit slightly down or level and ball closer to center in my stance. Looking good after first range session, will see how it holds up during the $$ game.

[Cstobaugh]

Thinking of trying a 12° Ping head as my mini/2wood. Have a GT2 turned down to 9° for my driver. Anyone tried something like this? Only hitting it off a tee. Why not go for the full 460cc and just shorten the shaft?

[vandyfan]

14 hours ago, Cstobaugh said:

Thinking of trying a 12° Ping head as my mini/2wood. Have a GT2 turned down to 9° for my driver. Anyone tried something like this? Only hitting it off a tee. Why not go for the full 460cc and just shorten the shaft?

 

It is worth a shot. I tried that for a while. But for me, the mini driver did a few things better:

 

- The head weight was setup for a shorter shaft (yes you can lead tape or hot melt or buy a heavier back weight but I have the PXG which allows me to neatly dial in head weight)
- The minis I have tested launch a little lower so while mine is 13* it launches like a 11* driver, for whatever that is worth
- The smaller head was easier to turn over and felt "faster" since there feels like significantly less drag on the head (that could be entirely in my mind)

 

I don't use it off the turf at all, it is a tee only club. I had mine built at 43" with a Graphite Design AD VF 7X and I absolutely love it. It spins about 3000 rpm and launches in a great window and I probably only lose about 10 yds of carry vs my driver BUT it is so much easier to hit it out of the center. I don't even bring my driver to the course right now because there is no point (for me). 

[MizfanboyMP18]

18 hours ago, Cstobaugh said:

Thinking of trying a 12° Ping head as my mini/2wood. Have a GT2 turned down to 9° for my driver. Anyone tried something like this? Only hitting it off a tee. Why not go for the full 460cc and just shorten the shaft?

Did this for A a tournament took my old g410 10.5 lofted it up to 12 and had a great day with it. I used a heavier 3 wood shaft and a couple of pieces of lead tape. It turned over pretty easy so you just have to make sure your not trying to kill the ball or over swing. Give it a shot. I like the mini for the reason if I need it I can hit it off the deck with no problem. I was not sure I could do the same with the g410.

Edited June 24 by MizfanboyMP18

[vietnameeh]

Im giving up on my Elyte Mini

 

I think I need the 11.5. I love the head its just really spinny for me. I can get the spin down below 4k. tried different shafts, strong cog, bought new weights lol

 

will put my Tmag OG back in (it just goes left on me a little too much) or try an R7 

[GoldenEagle69]

I bought two 8g weights for my Ai Smoke mini and upped the loft to 13.5 & cut to 43" The shorter length and higher loft created a neutral instead of fade bias it had on standard setting at 11.5 degrees. I'm hitting the same launch window with a lot less spin. I've gained a bit of extra rollout. Probably 5-10yards.

 

I also noticed that it's easier to work the ball either way in this configuration while retaining some forgiveness. I've got this thing dialed in. Even hit one off the deck last round but forgot to slightly open the face and it went left. That's the dod trick. Open the face to add a bit of loft. Easier to launch and lands softer.

[provx]

Do you mini driver players have the club setup to draw and use your main driver to cut the ball?

 

if so which of these minis would be draw biased?

[SlickT73]

Demoed an Elyte Mini today at 11.5 turned down 1.  Confirmed my suspicions that I’d prefer an 8 degree mini as my driver over the traditional offerings now.

 

Anyone figured out if there’s a route to this? A tour head that has a lower actual loft? An option I’m missing?

[Fiddlesticks]

1 hour ago, SlickT73 said:

Demoed an Elyte Mini today at 11.5 turned down 1.  Confirmed my suspicions that I’d prefer an 8 degree mini as my driver over the traditional offerings now.

 

Anyone figured out if there’s a route to this? A tour head that has a lower actual loft? An option I’m missing?

If you like the Callaway, you could go with the strong cog and get down to 9.5* ... a little closer to your goal

[dcmidnight]

I've had the Elyte Mini in the bag the last couple weekends and so far I definitely like it a little better then the PXG off the tee. It could be size related since its significantly bigger but I also like how the face sits on the tee. I ordered it like the PXG, down one inch, so its just easier for me to hit the center. I dont need to hit it from the fairway usually ever but its still not that difficult to elevate.

[GoldenEagle69]

10 hours ago, provx said:

Do you mini driver players have the club setup to draw and use your main driver to cut the ball?

 

if so which of these minis would be draw biased?

Taylor Made are left machines for me.

 

The r7 Quad is easy to change the weights to dial in the draw, if needed

[ALX]

Been gaming the TM300 mini and it's really starting to come around for me.

What's the deal with the R7? I see them pop up for sale almost every day. They not living up to the crazy amount of influencer "reviews" that came out?

[Rosco1216]

10 hours ago, SlickT73 said:

Demoed an Elyte Mini today at 11.5 turned down 1.  Confirmed my suspicions that I’d prefer an 8 degree mini as my driver over the traditional offerings now.

 

Anyone figured out if there’s a route to this? A tour head that has a lower actual loft? An option I’m missing?

Get a tour green cog and turn it down to 9.5* would be your closest bet.

[NRJyzr]

13 minutes ago, ALX said:

What's the deal with the R7? I see them pop up for sale almost every day. They not living up to the crazy amount of influencer "reviews" that came out?

 

Like every new buzzing new toy that comes out, a lot of folks try it, even if it's not a fit for them.  And then they move it.

 

[vietnameeh]

ended up ordering a krank mini LOL

[SnowbirdTom]

5 hours ago, ALX said:

Been gaming the TM300 mini and it's really starting to come around for me.

What's the deal with the R7? I see them pop up for sale almost every day. They not living up to the crazy amount of influencer "reviews" that came out?

 

Not everyone can play everything.  I love mine at 11.5*. Played it today and was outdriving everyone by 15-20 yards.

[boycer]

Im finding I use my r7 a lot, but at only one course. Otherwise I dont hit it very often. Wondering if it is worth it for a course I play league at for 9 holes on every week. I do hit it on 4 of the 9 holes though. 

 

Im usually pretty accurate with the driver though. 

[ALX]

Has anyone played both the 300 Mini and R7? I'm really liking the 300, but don't love the feel off the face (totally subjective). Was wondering if the R7 feels any different/softer?

[vietnameeh]

Just got the Krank Mini Driver. This might be the best mini driver I have used (might be a honeymoon too).

 

not overly hot faced or low spin, consistent spin, straight and doesnt want to go left. every mini driver I have used just loves going left. this was favoring the right for me and gave me more confidence to swing free (have a left miss)

 

looks good behind the ball ... I think its a better shape than the Krank Fire LD i had and its much more muted 

[SwingBlade]

Spent a year with the nice 13.5 Smoke Mini but got tired of having the 5W as the only easily reliable off the deck FW.  Switched to G440 4W to replace both the Mini and the 5W.  Slightly shorter off the tee but much more consistent fairway finder and unquestionably much easier off the deck.  The G440 MAX driver forgiveness also pretty much eliminated the need for a 2nd driver or Mini as a driver backup.  

[1puttTUT]

7 hours ago, ALX said:

Has anyone played both the 300 Mini and R7? I'm really liking the 300, but don't love the feel off the face (totally subjective). Was wondering if the R7 feels any different/softer?

 

I've played both. The feel of the R7 is waaaaay better.

[ALX]

5 minutes ago, 1puttTUT said:

 

I've played both. The feel of the R7 is waaaaay better.

Did you notice any differences in terms of performance? I've always heard the 300 is the longest out of the TM bunch.

[1puttTUT]

2 hours ago, ALX said:

Did you notice any differences in terms of performance? I've always heard the 300 is the longest out of the TM bunch.

 

No I haven't really. Maybe the R7 spins more? Distance-wise I seem to end up in the same places as before. I also went about a season in between, and my swing is always evolving so it's tough to say.

[Anton Lennartsson]

Lets see if the R7 kicks out Burner 23 out of the bag that has been really good for me! 

[GolfnMax]

When I see something tight, something I can’t afford a miss or something that I don’t feel comfortable with, my Titleist Gt280 is my go to. Oddly sometimes goes farther than my big stick. 
 

I love having a fairway finder. If I can’t get off the tee, my round is destroyed and I’m tired of those days. 
 

 

 

Edited July 13 by GolfnMax
Downsized photos.

[horgo99]

On 6/24/2025 at 12:09 PM, Cstobaugh said:

Thinking of trying a 12° Ping head as my mini/2wood. Have a GT2 turned down to 9° for my driver. Anyone tried something like this? Only hitting it off a tee. Why not go for the full 460cc and just shorten the shaft?

@Cstobaugh I play something really similar. Currently have a Stealth Plus 8° turned to 6° as my driver and had been playing a stealth plus 3w turned 13.5°, but have replaced that head with a Sim Max 10.5° driver which I am just playing at natural loft in the 3w shaft. Play it is my mini driver/thriver. Perfectly happy to hit off tee or deck. Launches higher and spins a bit more then regular driver off the tee (good for gapping) but launches lower and spins less then my 3W (good for off the deck at my windy course). 
 

will it be my most used club? Absolutely not - but neither was my 3W. It fills a niche gap, and if I play a short set it’s either my longest club or it’s dropped. But if I’m playing 14 clubs it’s got a comfortable spot in the bag 👍