my 983K's best days are behind it...

[Marrrk]

i need a new driver and don't know where to begin

I've had my 983K since early 2003, which was also the last time i had a club fitting (outdoors, done by a Titleist rep). Needless to say, a lot has changed since then, especially with drivers. For starters, though i love how it looks and feels, the 983K is only 365cc. That's never bothered me before, in fact, it still seems big enough to me. But lately, i do feel i've been losing some distance and forgiveness compared to the guys I play with and their 460cc monstrosities.

I'll be heading over to New York Golf Center for a fitting sometime this week. It's indoors and that bothers me a bit, but I also have no idea what I want, I feel like all i've ever known is my 983K. Plus, ebay has me spoiled with great deals, and i've never been afraid of buying used, so I'm a little wary of what this will cost me, all together.

Anyway, I'm not really sure what i'm asking, i'm just a little overwhelmed. Any advice, pointers, guidance, thoughts?

[BigHeavy]

My natural reaction would be to suggest one of the newer Titleist drivers, maybe the 905 S, T, or R. All can be had cheap and are great drivers. Granted, theya are not the newest but have a classic look. I always seem to play older models any way.

[ForeRL]

I have the 983K also, along with the 975D, 905R and currently being shipped the 909D2

 

If you want to save some money, I highly suggest the 905R, but if you want to splurge the 909D2 is a little better.

 

Its really with a good shaft fitting that will make a difference. I have a ys-6 in the 983K and 905R. At the demo day I asked to try out the 909D2 with shafts similar to the ys-6 so I tried the YSQ, Titleist Diamana blue, Matrix xCon5.

 

But the one that worked best for me was the Titleist Voodoo hands down.

The Voodoo felts solid and much better feel. With the Titleist Diamana, it felt tinny.

 

Best advice is find a demo day at an outdoor range or get a 905R with the same shaft you have with your 983K, at least you know the shaft works.

[skinny99]

Adams A4/9015d long,workable,not overly loud and can be bought right. IMO Todd

[HarboursideTC]

My natural reaction would be to suggest one of the newer Titleist drivers, maybe the 905 S, T, or R. All can be had cheap and are great drivers. Granted, theya are not the newest but have a classic look. I always seem to play older models any way.

 

That sounds about right to me. You also might consider a Taylormade 425 or 425TP, which can be bought really cheaply right now. The slightly smaller head size of the 905S, 905T or the 425 might be a little more pleasing to your eye (coming from a 365 head).

[wwhitehead]

I moved straight from the 983K to the 905R. 905Rs are all over the place in pretty much any shaft you can imagine at a great price.

 

I never found much difference with the 907s. I've heard good things about the 909, but can't really imagine things getting much better than the 905R.

 

Hope this helps.

 

WW

[Marrrk]

thanks, guys! i was actually thinking about the 905R from hearing how similar-ish it is to the 983K. i can definitely find some good deals on it, i just need to work out the shaft situation. I was using the Titleist 4560 stiff, and while i got decent control, i felt it was too low launching. i do need a stiff shaft, and i want to be able to feel the weight of the club head, so dont want anything too heavy.

 

any reccommendations for a mid-high launching, stiff, mid-weight shaft for this club?

 

I'm also going up to 10.5 from 9.5, so i may not necessarily need a high launching shaft. or, i could stay at 9.5 and go with a higher launching shaft. hmmm....

[kylemacca01]

Go for the J33r 460. It can be picked up pretty cheap atm and is a GREAT driver. Much hotter off the face and lower spin than any titleist driver i have ever hit. It looks, feels and sounds great and is super long. It also hides its size really well for a 460cc driver and im sure it wont look TOO big.

[jaskanski]

The stock GD YS6 shaft is a good place to start - it's also fitted as standard to the 905T which could be even cheaper. The V2 is usually a good combo for the 905R but some find it a bit "boardy" in 76g. The Aldila NV is still pretty good. Or maybe the good old Speeder is a nice shaft with the 905R.

Just don't get rid of the 983K on a permanent basis - I've still got one in the garage.

[Marrrk]

The stock GD YS6 shaft is a good place to start - it's also fitted as standard to the 905T which could be even cheaper. The V2 is usually a good combo for the 905R but some find it a bit "boardy" in 76g. The Aldila NV is still pretty good. Or maybe the good old Speeder is a nice shaft with the 905R.

Just don't get rid of the 983K on a permanent basis - I've still got one in the garage.

 

oh, dont worry, i never sell anything anyway but the club has a permanent spot in my nostalgia bag.

[suavemilagro]

Go for the J33r 460. It can be picked up pretty cheap atm and is a GREAT driver. Much hotter off the face and lower spin than any titleist driver i have ever hit. It looks, feels and sounds great and is super long. It also hides its size really well for a 460cc driver and im sure it wont look TOO big.

 

+1 on the bridgestone, I can't think of another driver i would trade my K in on.

I also have a Bobby Jones players series, its 440, and what a monster it is even with the stock JS7/YS7 graphite design shaft, anytime i want a biggie, i take that one to the course. Ive been seeing them in used bins for about a hundred bucks even. Also the J33R is going for about 100$ second hand.

[skinny99]

Pretty close!

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=245615

[jfzhorseman]

I would stay away from the Bridgestone 460 if you want to hit it a little higher. Economy club- look at the Ping G2 with Prolaunch blue stiff-you will hit it high for the loft, a little more workable is the 905 R with the Prolaunch blue and it will go a little lower.

[raw10628]

I just went from the 983K to a 907 D2 and love it. I've hit the 909 D2, D3, and the 905R as well and felt for the value the 907 was the best fit for me. I think it felt better than the 905R and almost as good as the 909 D3. They can be found on eBay for a little more than a $100.

[daheels]

I used the 983K for the past two seasons and loved it. I picked up a 909D3 over the winter and am liking the added forgiveness of the larger size. The main problem I have had so far is trying to work the ball with the 909. Both are great clubs though. IMO

[GRT]

Just this year I put my 983K in the closet as well. I replaced it with a 905R in same loft and shaft plus had it built to the same specs as well.

 

Now I have my old gamer 983K 10.5 for sale with it's identical brother which has never been hit. You just can't beat that beautiful pear shape Titleist builds.

[Marrrk]

I just went from the 983K to a 907 D2 and love it. I've hit the 909 D2, D3, and the 905R as well and felt for the value the 907 was the best fit for me. I think it felt better than the 905R and almost as good as the 909 D3. They can be found on eBay for a little more than a $100.

 

i'm liking the 907 D2 right now, especially with the Diamana. i'm also loving how many of them are on ebay right now. getting warmer.

[Marrrk]

thanks for the help guys. i pulled the trigger, check the signature. went with the diamana.

[kevin1826]

I just went from the 983K to a 907 D2 and love it. I've hit the 909 D2, D3, and the 905R as well and felt for the value the 907 was the best fit for me. I think it felt better than the 905R and almost as good as the 909 D3. They can be found on eBay for a little more than a $100.

 

I tried the 907 D2 but didn't care for the sound (very tinny) But I love the shape of it even more so than the 909 D3. I wonder if I needed to try a different shaft to make the head really work. It seems to have gotten a bad rap though maybe I should just look into a 909 D3

[SMAKCruiser]

I went from 983 last year to Cleveland HiBore XL Tour. Best driving decision I've made!

[hardten]

FWIW Might want to try a 907D2 Titleist's 07/08 model that you can get close to or new for around $100.00 with pretty decent stock shafts. I just got one and it's stock Diamana CPMed out in 260s which is not wimpy . I have recently owned 975d,983k,905r,TM burner TP 07/08 ,G10., 5900 with code 6 ,and now 907 D2. I am an ironoholic but got sick of seeing $400-500 divers being sold the next year for $140-$150 new. There are tons of top of the line $400.00 drivers from last year being sold everywhere for $150.00 in stores and less in forums ie my 907 D2. Just a suggestion or buy this year model if you can see a $300.00 difference????

[Marrrk]

FWIW Might want to try a 907D2 Titleist's 07/08 model that you can get close to or new for around $100.00 with pretty decent stock shafts. I just got one and it's stock Diamana CPMed out in 260s which is not wimpy . I have recently owned 975d,983k,905r,TM burner TP 07/08 ,G10., 5900 with code 6 ,and now 907 D2. I am an ironoholic but got sick of seeing $400-500 divers being sold the next year for $140-$150 new. There are tons of top of the line $400.00 drivers from last year being sold everywhere for $150.00 in stores and less in forums ie my 907 D2. Just a suggestion or buy this year model if you can see a $300.00 difference????

 

i did just what you suggested last night, 907 d2 with the stock Diamana.

[Rockfish]

For someone that was "overwhelmed" you sure pulled the trigger pretty fast !!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

I had a 983K myself with a Matrix Apache shaft and I loved it. Haven't liked another Titleist driver since (although this year's offerings are pretty decent (with the Voodoo shafts)).

 

I'm hitting last year's Tour burner TP with the Diamana Whiteboard. And LOVING it. Easily the longest and straightest driver I've ever hit.

[Buzzkill]

You should have stuck with the 983K - you're not losing any distance with repect to the new drivers, just giving up a little forgiveness which isn't that much. I don't think there's any other drivers out there right now that sound as good as the 983.

[Marrrk]

For someone that was "overwhelmed" you sure pulled the trigger pretty fast !!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

I had a 983K myself with a Matrix Apache shaft and I loved it. Haven't liked another Titleist driver since (although this year's offerings are pretty decent (with the Voodoo shafts)).

 

I'm hitting last year's Tour burner TP with the Diamana Whiteboard. And LOVING it. Easily the longest and straightest driver I've ever hit.

 

 

yeah, i'm actually shocked how quickly i moved. but i got swayed and i didnt want to d*ck around too much. what can i say, i'm an impulse shopper. and i got a good deal.

 

You should have stuck with the 983K - you're not losing any distance with repect to the new drivers, just giving up a little forgiveness which isn't that much. I don't think there's any other drivers out there right now that sound as good as the 983.

 

oh, its not going anywhere, im hanging on to it forever. and i agree, i doubt i'll ever find anything with the feel, response, and sound of the 983k. but as far as the distance, i dont know, i have to give something new a try. i really do feel like ive been losing a lot lately compared to the guys i play with, even on my best drives. i've had the club for almost 7 years, time for a change.

[daydreamer]

I may have a different POV than the rest since I missed the whole 905 series, but I'd recommend the following. If in the market coming off of a 983K, I'd go straight for the 909 D3.

 

History: I went 983K and loved it, then I went to the darkside (Taylormade interchangeable weighted drivers: R7, R425 etc.), then back to Titleist when the 907 D2 came out, I then went to the 909D3. I loved the 983K, then I admit the 907 D2 was just 'ok', but when the 909 D3 heads came out it gave me the feeling of the "983K on steriods"....meaning, hotter face, same sound and feel - bore thru, all the new technology bells and whistles (440cc head), wrapped in an attractive looking head. Great distance and overall their best driver since the 983K, of course IMHO.

[Marrrk]

thanks for all the input guys, im actually surprised how much good advice i got. just another reason why this forum is a lifesaver.

 

i'll keep you posted on my thoughts regarding the 907d2 versus the 983k. i got the exact loft and shaft i wanted at a pretty unbeatable price, and it'll be delivered in time for the weekend (which greatly added to my impulsiveness). worse comes to worse i sell it and try the the 905 or the 909 or just go in for the fitting and try a new brand. New York Golf Center has a decent deal where a full one hour fitting is $100, and that money goes towards your purchase. not bad at all.

 

thanks again!

[hogan234]

My natural reaction would be to suggest one of the newer Titleist drivers, maybe the 905 S, T, or R. All can be had cheap and are great drivers. Granted, theya are not the newest but have a classic look. I always seem to play older models any way.

 

That sounds about right to me. You also might consider a Taylormade 425 or 425TP, which can be bought really cheaply right now. The slightly smaller head size of the 905S, 905T or the 425 might be a little more pleasing to your eye (coming from a 365 head).

 

I agree that something smaller might be a good transition. I played a 905T 2 years ago and loved it. You can get those for nothing used these days. The R7 425 is another great choice if you don't mind TaylorMades. This is my current club and I can't seem to let it go for anything newer.

[cristphoto]

Like you I previously had the 983K driver and loved it. Then a few years back I went to a Titleist demo day and loved the 905T. Bought one on the spot. Had it for less than a year and then the 905R came out. Loved it even more. Bought one. I still have the T and the R. I think they are both classics and will keep them for many years. I love the R so much I bought another one (same loft and shaft) on Ebay last year for $100 just to have a spare in case something happens to my other R. If you're used to the look, feel, and playability of the K (like I was) sticking with the Titleist seems logical. I tried the 907 Titleist and didn't like it. The 909 driver series is getting good reviews but will cost a lot more. Plus unless you like the Voodoo or Diamana shaft you will have to pay an additional fee. The earlier Titleists were pretty liberal on shaft options with no up-charges.

[suavemilagro]

Stick with the K, .83 COR is .83, the size of the club does not change the spring effect off the face. The distance with another head, cannot be longer since the K is at the max legal limit. With all the low spin balls on the market the K matches up very well adding the extra spin most need to get the ball up nicely. If anything maybe get a second one and reshaft with some modern tech.... That being said, i still havent found a driver (and i try all the time) to knock the 983K Prolite out of the bag. Its like driving with a sniper rifle, just aim and shoot. Im sure that some High dollar combo's are worth 5-7 yards over this old gem, but for the money, and the chance of spraying shots from time to time, its just not worth it to me.

 

983K forever. Got 2 they will be with me for a long time. The other drivers are hanging with the dust bunnies, and my putter addiction in the closet.