Equipment
Forum Thread of the Day: “Mini driver vs. Big driver”
Today’s Forum Thread of the Day comes from bjh1 who has been having success with the 2014 SLDR mini driver (14 degrees). However, bjh1 “wants to hit a ‘real’ driver”, and after explaining how his results haven’t been as good with ‘big’ drivers, our members give their advice on steps bjh1 could take.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- DaveGoodrich: “If you actually hit the “mini” better (i.e. more consistent center face contact), then the general recommendation has been to try a normal driver with a shorter shaft and/or more loft.”
- MillHill88: “Keep Swing Weight in mind. Every inch you cut off a club, you will reduce the swing weight by a few points. Example: your D2 swing weight could become C9. If you cut the shaft down, put a heavier grip on to help eliminate too much SW loss.”
- Valtiel: “For many people, it is a length thing, modern drivers are just too dang long most of the time. For others, it’s a head size thing. Remember, it’s just a piece of metal on a stick; everything else is in your head. Figure out what makes your head work and you’re golden. Try shortening your driver first and don’t be afraid to take a lot off. Maybe try with a cheap shaft first just to experiment.”
- MBBG: “Just go with what works. It’s that simple. The Original One has been a life saver for me as I’ve struggled through some major driver issues this spring. Been playing driver roulette all season and think I now have something that is going to work, but I’m keeping it in the bag.”
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.
“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.
From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms
Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80
Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105
Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4 5-wood: Ping G440...
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Wyndham Clark’s winning WITB: 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
Dan
Jun 30, 2019 at 3:40 am
Ok, here is the real answer people. First MillHill88 has it the closest, but he’s wrong about the heavier grip helping, it actually does the opposite, it lightens swing weight more. Every inch cut is 5 swing weight points. The reason mini drivers work is the shorter length and heavier head weight. The shorter the club the heavier the head gets to balance the same. Driver is the lightest, wedges the heaviest. Solution- most drivers are too long for most to control, so get a 12 deg driver( use a bigger head with a bigger sweet spot and moi) cut it down to 44” ( old 1980’s std length) add weight to the head with lead tape to match the swing weight from before the cut. Pack of lead tape $6, new grip $5-10. Mabye no new club, just adjust current driver to max loft, take a lesson or two, and go have fun. You’re welcome.
Rich
Jun 28, 2019 at 10:09 pm
I use the Mini Driver as a replacement for my fairway wood. I played the original SLDR club, and I’ve since put the new one in the bag. I love it! When I need to get it into the fairway with some distance, it’s the best choice for me. I lose about 30 yards in distance, but the accuracy is amazing.
Tim
Jun 28, 2019 at 9:23 am
I think if someone has an issue with driver, but not the shorter clubs, its most often due to rhythm and sequence. So many golfers have poor rhythm. Everyone chops at the ball with their upper body, hoping desperately to catch it just right. That may work for short irons, but the driver requires a true golf-swing:
Turn your right pocket back and then the left pocket back. Let the club head follow freely, dragging lagging like a fish tail. Do this around a steady rotating sternum. Without a ball, swing back and forth slowly at first then let it pick up speed, making a louder and louder swish. Feel your weight pressure your right heel then your left toe.
Now put a ball in the way. Keep that sternum behind the ball and swish it past you through the ball.
JP
Jun 27, 2019 at 10:57 pm
If you can’t hit a real driver, GO GET LESSONS. It’s only the most important shot on the course.
Jay
Jun 28, 2019 at 8:59 pm
Most important shot? You might pull a driver out 14 times but that number comes down with some course management skills. A great putter might use the putter 30 times and a shitty am will hit 45-50 putts cut down on those shoot better scores. Vast majority of people would be better off hitting less club, its probably the least important shot of each hole.