14 expert tips for a better driver purchase

1. How well do you hit a driver?

Do you typically miss your target? Does the ball always go off in the same direction or are you one of the few who always hit the fairway? Do a mini-analysis of your game off the tee and be honest with yourself. The better your awareness of your own game, the greater chance we have of helping you.

2. What are your preferences in terms of feel  and appearance?

Everyone likes different things. An important part of finding the right driver is that you should like the way it looks. It instils confidence before you line up your shot and will probably encourage you to swing the club more freely and naturally. Feel is also subjective, but which feel do you want in a driver?

3. Would you like to test the club in real conditions?

At Dormy, most drivers are available as demo clubs. This means you can take them out for a round to try them out. How does the club feel under a bit of pressure when you’re trying to hit a narrow fairway, or going for maximum distance on a long par 5? Borrow a driver for 48 hours so you have a better idea of its capabilities before you buy!

4. What do you want out of a new driver?

Many people say they want to hit longer and straighter. But to do this, the fact is you probably also need to put some practice time in. On the other hand, a driver can really help eliminate unwanted spin or create the right feel – which in turn can lead to better distance and precision. Think about whether there’s something specific you want to achieve.

5. What sound do you like?

What exactly is “feel” in a driver? Often it’s actually about the sound, which is the confirmation of contact. This is where many manufacturers really differ. What do you want to hear? A duller sound or a higher pitched one with more ping?

6. What’s your budget?

A driver can cost anywhere from SEK 3,000 to SEK 7,000, depending on the model, brand and version. You may think a driver is just a driver, but there are differences and this shows up in various ways. The best way to find the perfect driver for you is to look at the newer models, where we have full testing options and can change everything from the shaft to the grip to suit you. With older models, the customisation options are fewer, but of course there are still many good clubs available, even if they don’t have the very latest technology.

7. Are you trying to  improve your swing or playing ability?

Some people try hard to improve their golf game. Others lose some ability with age. There are so many parameters that affect what type of driver suits you best, and the more honest you are with yourself the better. Perhaps you’re working towards a specific goal with your coach or perhaps your physique has changed since you bought your last driver.

8. Where do you aspire to be  compared to where you are now?

Never be shy about telling the person who’s helping you choose exactly what you want. If you’re looking for a driver that hits 20% more fairways without needing to practice for three hours a week, say so. If you want a driver that goes as far as possible, say so, even if it will take a few buckets at the range to learn to control the dispersion. Be honest about your wishes and how much time you’re prepared to put in to achieve your goal – this will really help the selection process.

9. Is the new driver better?

If you borrow a club to try out on the course, you’ll be able to compare it to your old one. But we also ask you to bring along your current driver when you come for a fitting with us, to see what the actual differences will be. At our test centre, Trackman displays the data in “black & white” to make it as fair as possible. In some cases, we actually recommend you keep your old driver because it performs better, as disappointing as that may sound!

10. Are you willing to drop the macho act?

Many people need a lighter and more forgiving shaft than the one they’re currently using. Some people think that if you’re hitting a fade or a slice the shaft is too soft, because your friends say you have a fast swing. That’s not necessarily the case – and it’s often related to the swing technique. Golfers with lower handicaps sometimes play with shafts which don’t actually help them but playing with a Stiff or X-stiff shaft looks a bit more macho on the course. And it’s true that this may improve some mis-hits when the connection is off-centre, but your pursuit of optimal distance will suffer and you’ll soon be looking for a new driver again. A good general tip is to drop the macho act and choose a softer shaft.

11. Do you need to adjust  the settings?

Most of us have a basic setting on the driver and use that all of the time. But some people like to experiment with the settings a little. There’s nothing wrong with this as long as you know how it changes the trajectory. Most drivers today are adjustable, but to different degrees. How important is it for you?

12. How do you want the ball to get to its destination?

These days manufacturers have to follow rules that restrict the properties of a club and this makes it difficult to develop revolutionary new items. However, the latest models often still go a little longer than their predecessors. This is due to optimising the ball’s flight using height and spin. Loft is therefore very important. Many golfers today say the shots go too high and the ball doesn’t roll as far as a result. So the question is whether you’re looking for carry or total distance. What do you want your trajectory to look like and what do you want the final result to be?

13. How do you want the shaft to feel?

This may be overkill for some people, who just want the shaft to feel “good”. But by adjusting different settings you can make a few changes to both safety from the tee and the feel at impact. Can you put what you’re looking for into words? A feeling that you can swing the club easily or maybe that when you do miss, the club doesn’t twist in your hands. These are factors that come into play when choosing a shaft.

14. Can you afford to buy the wrong club?

The price is usually between SEK 3,000 and SEK 7,000 and whether you find this cheap or expensive is totally subjective. But one thing we can all agree on is: It’s expensive to make the wrong purchase! So make sure you fully utilise the wide range of knowledge that our staff have. And they’re always fully up-to-date on what the latest models can do for your golf.