Golfblogger

I get an ad from callawaypreowned.com in my inbox today, and if you buy any i-Mix driver head, you get the shaft for free.  So I get an FT-iq for $90 - and the $70 shaft is free.  So my only defense against being completely nuts for buying another driver is that Callaway is insane for these prices.

So I won a driver from Golfsmith when Phil won the masters - I don’t have it yet, should be coming any time now—but I just ordered a new (preowned) driver.  I must be insane.  I like having a number of drivers in case one need to go to timeout, but the fact is that usually I get onto one and into the groove with that driver and I rarely change up.  I will go to a driver of a different setup to see if that will solve a current issue - so I have 9 degrees, 10 degrees, draws and neutrals, - the new FT-iq and the FT-ix coming from Golfsmith are both 11 degree, because I am hitting too flat lately - one of them will be draw and one will be neutral.

I think I got a deal (well a deal anyone can get) - but I keep wondering why are people buying new drivers?

The FT-iq was released in mid-2008.  The complete driver (not interchangable parts) sold for $500 new.  The i-Mix head was $400, and the shafts were $100+.  Now, 2 years later, you can buy BRAND NEW FT-iq drivers for $199 from Golfsmith - yes the setups may be difficult to find in the way you want, but you can get used for $160.  Then in a sale like this, get it for $90.

I watch these guys that I play with pick up the new drivers for $300-400 and have to wonder, what is that getting them?

I could make an argument on new irons.  Those drop by about $25-30% over two years.  Even used, the cost for Taylormade or Callaway is going to probably be 40% at least of the original retail.  Further, irons get beat into the ground, they get dirt and sand embedded into them, the grooves wear down, the face gets tarnished.  I will buy new irons - but no longer a current model new driver.

My 2-year old FT-i driver has been used for 120 rounds, it was slightly used before then.  Lets say it has 1500 drives on it. - If you look at the face of it, it still looks new - except for the occasional red line transferred from sharpie to ball to driver.  It just doesn’t seem like a driver which is used second to the putter ages very much with use.

Do you buy new drivers (out-of-season models or current) or used?  Why?

As you do, I purchase older models or used.  My current iron set (Callaway X-18) was purchased after the X-22 was introduced.  They were new, just several model years old.  My driver (Callaway Big Bertha 454) was also new but “old” technology when acquired several years ago.

It is hard to justify the $400 to $500 makers ask for their latest drivers.  However, I fully support the many golfers that need the latest and greatest, as long as they recycle their discarded equipment so people like me can find bargains.

I also do not believe that a club or even a set of clubs can change my game significantly.  Once I have a decent set in hand, it becomes a factor of my ability, not the stick I am holding.

I’m still very much tempted by the 2009 Burner Driver, now selling for $149 just about everywhere.

You should probably look at the FT-9s from callawaypreowned.com, For the i-Mix head, it is $100 or so, and the shaft is free. 

But the Burners are pretty great.  I would be tempted to let my 07 Burner Draw go, except for what I would ask for it, I would rather keep it.  It is really long, but I just can’t hit it right these days. 

One guy in my group plays with a Burner (I think it is 07, but he might have an 09 now).  It is a 8.5 degree, which he hits higher than I do, for a consistant 280 (from the tees behind mine, he usually drives farther than me)—but the amazing thing is on a par 5, it isn’t uncommon for him to his the driver from the fairway, with the ball played down, and he can still hit it higher than I hit my 3-wood. and he can get it out there 260.  P**ses me off every time.  (he is a 5 right now)

Ok Blogger- here is your chance.  I can’t see all the details yet, but Golfsmith is running another driver promo in connection with the US Open.  I got this at the bottom of my receipt today:

US Open Pick a Pro contest -
(they say) buy a driver (Taylormade R9 SuperTri, Burner Superfast, or R9 460)
then pick Sergio, Goosen, or Sean O’Hair.  if the pro you picked wins the US Open, you get the driver free.

Same thing should apply here- buying the driver would constitute a raffle in many states that should allow for a no purchase option-  there is no mention of No Purchase on the receipt, but it says for further details go to : http://www.golfsmith.com/pickapro

That dates for the promo say it is 5/27 to 6/16- BUT the site is not active yet.  Same thing sort of happened with the Callaway/Masters thing - they started promoing it and the website and the associates in the store are behind the curve. 

Anyhow it might be worth a stamp if the details do come together.

I’m all over that one. I think O’Hair has the best chance of the bunch.

I just went to the site: http://www.golfsmith.com/ps/display/?page=promo/pick_a_pro

It is up now, and there is a No Purchase Option.  This one has a limit on the number of drivers awarded, so dont wait to enter.

Just in the local Golfsmith, and they now have it set up to enter on their kiosk in the store. 

No purchase necessary.  If Sean O’Hair wins the US Open, I win a Burner Superfast.