GigaGolf GXZ Driver

The GigaGolf GXz is a 460cc titanium driver for just $99. From the advertising blurb:

The GXz is the next step in our pursuit of the perfect forged driver. Equipped with a newly designed cup face the GXz is a standout among new drivers being brought to the golf equipment market this year. If performance is the goal, the GXz shreds drivers costing several times more. The 460cc is shaped to provide maximum MOI, or resistance to twist at impact making even off center impact straighter and longer. Nail it on the screws and be prepared to hear gasps from your buddies.

My personal experience with the several GigaGolf clubs I have taken for a test drive is that GigaGolf makes a quality product. It looks even better when you consider the price.

Tour Edge Max-D45 Golf Driver, Right Hand, Graphite, Stiff, 9-Degree

Tour Edge is the little company that could. Although they eschew the traditional “staff pro” advertising method, Tour Edge clubs can nonetheless be found in the bags of pros. They also offer first rate clubs often at half the price of competitors.

Here’s an example: The Bazooka D45. It has a 460cc titanium head with a sloped crown and aerodynamic shape to improve airflow and thus, swing speed. At impact, the deep face and variable thickness delivers power even on off-center hits. Two internal weight cavities in the rear sole increase forgiveness and moment of inertia. Its just $149 at Amazon. There’s a bargain.

Press release follows:

TaylorMade RocketBallz Stage 2 Driver

GolfSmith has dropped the price on its RocketBallz drivers by $100. As of this writing, they’re just $199.

TaylorMade is taking heat in some circles for the racing stripe graphics, but I think they’re fine. They might even grow on you. It is certainly not as much a shock as the white clubheads were when they first arrived.

Here’s the sales pitch on the club:

TaylorMade RocketBallz Stage 2 Driver

To commemorate the second Major of 2013, Cobra offers a limited edition Red, White and Blue Amp Cell Pro driver. They’re really good looking, although I think the Green Masters’ edition still was my favorite.

I wonder what colors they’ll use for the Open Championship. The Union Jack is of course also red, white and blue.

Callaway X Hot Driver

I stopped by my local Dicks Sporting Goods the other day to browse the club selection and the golf clerk asked if I wanted to tray a few on their simulator (I didn’t know that location had a simulator.) Over the next forty minutes, I tried the Cobra Amp Cel, Nike Covert, Callaway RAZR Fit and the Callaway X Hot. They did not have a TaylorMade R1 for testing.

The result surprised me. The club with the lowest average spin rate and longest average distance was the Callaway X-Hot, regular shaft. On the simulator, it was fully fifteen yards longer than what I know I get with my current stick. But that’s the simulator. I’ve always had the suspicion that those things are set up to produce better results to move clubs (not just at Dick’s—at all of them).

The simulator also made me realize (again) that a great deal of my problem is that I’m hitting down on the ball with the driver. Good for irons. Not so good for the driver.

I’ll wait another week and then go for another testing session before making a move. And I’d really like to get some numbers on the TaylorMade.

Cobra Men’s Amp Cell Pro Driver

I’m seriously thinking about getting a new driver, and the Cobra Amp Cell pro is high on my list. It’s gotten great reviews, and boasts a low spin rate—one thing I’m convinced that I need. I also like the fact that the adjustable hosel has a setting for a fade. When I miss badly with a driver, it is most often with a hook. A fade setting could work to bring it back to the fairway.

At this point, I’m trying to clear a space in my too-full schedule to find the time to get to a place where I can test one to see what it does to my spin rate.

Acer XS Titanium Driver

Acer’s XS Titanium driver has an interesting design with a shorter heel to toe width intended to allow the head to rotate more rapidly around the shaft, thus making it easier to square at impact. From the press materials:

Lightweight Crown For Improved Weight Distribution
Each year Hireko Golf strives to create the finest titanium golf drivers so you end up a product that will provide you or your customer with more performance. The Acer XS Driver series (short for excess) is no exception as it goes a step beyond Hireko’s popular Acer XF drivers offered for the past two years.

Here’s how we did it. First, we maintained the 460cc titanium driver volume but made the crown a little taller and the breadth a little wider to give it more of a full-bodied look. What makes up difference in size comes in is the shorter heel-to-toe dimension allowing the head to rotate more rapidly around the hosel or shaft so it will be easier to square up at impact.

You might think that a taller crown would normally raise the center of gravity of the golf clubhead, and you would be right. But we took a page from the Acer XF Leggera and shed all the weight possible from the crown to actually Acer XS Titanium Driver Crownlower the center of gravity. This is the secret to help optimize launch and spin for even greater distance. We even altered the face construction to attain a high ball velocity over a wider area of the face too.

The standard version of the Acer XS driver series is geared to fit as wide array of players as well as complementing the various Acer XS irons. For example, the lowest lofted (9.5º) version is made with a 1º open face to guard against hooking the ball – that same player would most likely select the Acer XS Forged Iron or Acer XS Pro Iron. The meat and potatoes of the group are the 10.5º and 12º lofts; each having a unique set of specifications to match the standard Acer XS Iron or Acer XS HT Irons (high trajectory) respectively. This is just part of the comprehensive Acer XS line that we will address in the coming weeks ahead.

What really make these shine are the sensory elements – or those you can see and hear. The color really stands out. Its traditional shape will appeal to the most discerning eye, but maybe more importantly will be the muted sound. All in all, the standard version of the Acer XS Titanium Driver is a well-rounded and affordable driver series that can be custom made and perform just as well as the more expensive brand name drivers.

Comes with Free Acer headcover!

I like the copper color. It’s different, but attractive.