the difference between a standard driver and a long drive driver?

Hello,
I am looking to get into the sport of long drive and am considering purchasing a new 50" driver for open division. My friend recently imported a Geek dot com this 7.5deg with a HOF hd prototype XX shaft which i used to test out, it felt like hitting a ball with a old hammer, there was no spring and the ball was going about 80-100m shorter than my standard burner driver that feels like im hitting a rubber ball with a spring. my club speed is around 120mph and even middling the ball it went no where. Is this feeling normal with long drive drivers? or is something wrong with the club?

p.s. My friend can use the club either but i'm not surprised because he has a slower club speed.

Hi Rover,
There are so many variables to answer your question. Most competitors have tested and tested and tested different shafts, heads and lenghts. Where abouts do you live and I can direct you to someone in the area you are. Regards
The Skipper

I live in Melbourne, in the north west suburbs.

cheers

Hi Rover

The trick is to be able to handle the swing weight and or positioning through impact of a 50 inch club. (I really struggle with this)

If you want to hit full length find a way to build to it, grip down a little untill you can find a way to get into the correct position at impact.

I have heard people say "I swing a standard driver at 120mph so I should be able to swing a LD club at 130mph", but more often than not it will be the same or less until you find a way to handle the swing weight.

But when you do it is worth it. The club will react and kick and put that ball out there.

Shaft weight is also a factor.

One of the best Australian LDers is in VIC and he does not hit a full lenght driver.

Also be wary that you may kill a standard drivers face because they are more reactive and thinner faced. (they will also likely hit the ball with too much spin when you get going)

Anthony Donovan

The best person to contact down your way is Animal (Craig Grigson) I am sure he will help you out.
Regards
The Skipper

Hi Rover,

I'm not the most technical guy around but wanted to offer my help as I'm the only guy in Australia using 100% Geek and 100% House of Forged shafts.

In 4 years of competing I have only broke 4 Geek DCT heads, the reason for this is that they are well made.
Geek are one of the very few LD club makers still offering a lifetime warranty.

Over the past few years I have had a swing speed of between 140 and 145 mph, recently got between 150 and 154 when I tested my speed with Snake (Simon Abbott) and his swing speed device in Dubbo.
I have had some very good results with Geek over the last few years and when my results have been less than perfect it was my lack of commitment to training that were to blame
I can't say that the Geek head has ever felt anything other than solid for me, I can only asume that your swing speed of 120 isn't fast enough to get the results with the setup you've currently got in that club.

Last years Tour Champion Kennedy uses 1x and 2x shafts and swings it alot faster than 120.
So try and 1x shaft, maybe even a lighter shaft might better suit your swing. It's all about getting the club to kick at the right point generating as much speed as possible. Swing weight, kick point, shaft weight, how you load the shaft before impact all make a big difference on if it works for you or not.

I'm sure for one thing that the CPM (cycles per minute) of your stock shaft compared to the HOF shaft will be lower.
Don't hold me to this stat, but I would assume a swing speed of up to 120mph should require about 240 ish cpm shaft (1x)
Please feel free to correct me guys if I've got this wrong.
You most likely love your stock driver cause it's lighter and softer shaft means it kicks well for you and the thin face of the club springs well too. It doesn't take too much more club head speed before you would start to cave the face on off the shelf drivers like what you have. just ask around and there are many stories in the paddock about this.

The best thing in my opinion would be to come to Bendigo for the next round of the championships and borrow some clubs from the tour director (LEA). Jason has a few clubs made up for people to try and compete with. If you like what your hitting, either buy that club or get him to build one just the way you like it and then go practicing.
The LEA are the distributors for all the major brands so have a chat to them.

Time competing on the grid is priceless when trying to get the right feedback. You might want to start out in the amature division if your new to the sport and ease into what is often a great weekend away.

Hope this info helps, don't reply on me for info as I'm not often on the forum but would happily chat to you if you turn up at Bendigo.

Regards,

Breno

Breno,
Sorry Mate,
But the LEA are distributors of most leading brands, not all .

Sorry for my incorrect information guys, Mark is right.

Must have been the Headcold clogging up your thoughts !

Rover,

Make sure you get yourself to round 7 at Neangar park in Bendigo and come and have a chat to myself. I always bring enough demo clubs in different combos for any new guys to try!

Brands we have are listed on our website, so don't hesitate to call us anytime with questions you may have.

Cheers Jason Jason is a nice bloke
LEA.