Walter Hagen AWS Driver
Grade: A
There is an awful lot to like about the Walter Hagen AWS Titanium Driver from Dick’s Sporting Goods. It’s a well-balanced, sweet feeling club that gets good distance. And it has the added benefit of a movable weight system.
But it’s a club that I’d guess that most of the golfing world is unaware of.
When an executive from Dick’s Sporting Goods contacted me about trying out the club, I really didn’t’ know what to expect. I had not heard fo the Walter Hagen line, and actually hadn’t been in a Dick’s in years. But I was willing to give it a shot and drive to pick up a trial club at the Westland, Michigan store. I found the personnel at that store to be extremely knowledgeable about the clubs and about golf in general (in some ways more so than at one of the local golf pro shops that I visit.). The hard goods manager answered all sorts of questions and was able to discuss the features of the entire Hagen line and compare them to other, more well-known manufacturers that Dick’s carries. It turns out that “Walter Hagen” is the house golf brand for Dick’s Sporting Goods and is manufactured by Nicklaus Golf.
In addition to the driver I tested, they’ve got fairway woods, rescue clubs, irons and a couple of striking looking blue putters. There also is a line of clothing and bags. They hybrids look especially nice. The Hagen model that I’ve been taking on a test drive is a nine degree with a regular flex Aldila NV shaft. It’s a very sharp looking club, with its dark grey head and the green Aldila shaft. The head has an “ultra thin” plasma weld face, and also is available with the Graffaloy Pro Launch and UST Harmon HTD CB-65-S shafts.
After playing half a dozen rounds with the Hagen, I find that I am impressed with it. The first thing I noticed was the excellent balance / swingweight. A smooth swing with this club absolutely whips the club head through the strike zone. Ball flight off the club has been moderately high, with the soft fade that I like to hit. Of course, part of that is the fact that I have the movable weight system set to a fade. I simply can’t hit a draw, but my guess is that, in the hands of another golfer, it would produce a lower, hotter, drawing shot. The weighting system consists of three weights: one heavy and two light.
To set if for the desired ball flight, you simply put the heavier weight in the proper slot. The club includes a cute little wrench in a nice little velvet bag. On a good shot, my distance with the club compares favorably with my Snake Eyes Compressor and my TaylorMade R5 TP. It’s longer than my Adams GT and the older model Big Bertha I recently acquired. (As a side not, one of the advantages to playing at the same club several times a week is that it makes it easy to compare the landing zones on different clubs).
Accuracy with the Hagen has been pretty good for me. I hit enough fairways to keep me in the game, but I often found the fade making a big loop that rolled off the right side of the fairway. I wonder if that problem would solve itself with a different set of weights. That’s a good reason for Dick’s to offer some optional weights as a separate package.
Hand in hand with accuracy is forgiveness. The most forgiving club I’ve played recently is the TaylorMade R5. But the Hagen is not too far off. The couple of really bad shots I hit turned out pretty badly. But the rest had enough accuracy and consistent distance to make me think that the Hagen was compensating somewhat for my off center swings.
The fit and finish and workmanship on the club is top notch. The ferrule fits smoothly, the head is smooth and free from flaws. The weight ports and screws seem as though they will last a good long time. It also has a nice headcover with a magnetic closure.
If there’s a downside to the Hagen driver, it’s the price. Dick’s lists the price as $299. That’s a good price for a quality club—and I think that the Hagen is a top quality club—but it’s also about the same price as other, bigger name clubs. The R5 Dual, for example now sells for as low as $239 on some major golf websites. The new Ping G5 sells for $299 also. For Dick’s to make headway with their Hagen line, I think they’re going to have to offer more aggressive pricing. My guess is that most players will go with a bigger name if the prices are similar. And that’s too bad, for the Hagen AWS is a worthy contender and a good buy for what you are getting.
If you’re in the market for a new driver, the Walter Hagen AWS is one you should try. Head on over to your local Dick’s Sporting Goods and give it a few swings. Walter Hagen AWS Driver
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Bought this driver at Dicks for 159.99 and can say it is possibly the best driver I have ever swung. This is the first driver I can actually remeber hitting in the fairway 70-80&#xof; the time and the club like stated is easy to swing. The club is really forgiving I usually place drives anywhere between 280-315yds but with the Hagen dirves are consistentaly 290+ and because of the forgiving club face miss hits usually go 250+. I would recommend this club to anyone looking for a great club for a good price.
I recently purchased the WH AWS 10 degree titanium driver with a stiff adilla shaft at Dick’s Sporting Goods for $149.00. After trying the R7 and Cleveland Launcher, The AWS felt better on impact with a more solid connection. I have played about 1/2 dozen rounds with this club and was very satisfied with the results. My drives were 270+ and even the mishits were of decent distances. I adjusted the weights for a draw but I am not sure if that has any effect. I am of the opinion that it is swing plane and wrist roll that causes a ball to draw. I usually do draw the ball and with this club the ball screams off the face on a mid trajectory and carry of about 250 – 270 with a good 25 yard roll. If I only hit my other clubs as well.
I recently came back from a golf trip in the states, and stopped by a Dick’s(not heard of in Canada) and I tried out many drivers..and when i hit the HAGEN(a brand that i had not heard of before) AWS the ball just flew off the club..so i got it at $149.00 and what a steal. I used to avg. 260yrs when hitting my Callaway..and now i’m hitting the ball in 280+…. i mean its ridiculous. It definitely corrects some of my miss hit shots, but when i play to much of a fade…it really takes off and fades too much. Playing a draw with this club is tough and i haven’t used the weights yet. But overall..i picked up the driver and a set of Adams Ovation irons(clearance) for $175. I spent under $350 for an entire set and now a bad game is about 78-79..ha ha ha get the club!
i just bought the walter hagen aws at dick’s sporting goods on 12/27 for $99. It’s 9* with a stiff shft. I played with it today and shot 88…my best score of the year. I have to say that it is possibly the best driver I have ever hit. I hit 10 fairways today and in-play on all the others. I had two drives in the 290 range. My previous, an Adams Ovation, had a regular flex shaft that I had to slow down my swing to hit. It didn’t feel natural. The AWS is a monster! Get one before they’re all gone.
ihave the utility clubs——how do you adjust the the clubs with the screws?
thanks
sal manfre
Purchased a AWS driver on e-bay for 39.00, came with headcover and weights. Question is how and where do the weights go for what type bias desired.
There should be three weights, total. The heavier weight goes into the hole in the heel for a draw bias, in the center for neutral (no) bias and in the toe hole for a fade bias. The other two weights go into the other two holes as you move the heavy weight around. It seems to work okay, too, althought I normally would like a more draw bias (because I tend to fade the ball) but I find my best shots are with the heavy weight in the center hole. I played yesterday and absolutely crushed the driver all day. Good luck and enjoy.
I tried out the WH AWS 9* (99$) at Dick’s Sporting Goods operated “The Golf Shop” in Sterling, VA yesterday (beautiful store with everything; just read it’s closing on Aug. 26) I used the virtual range and compared it to the TM 9* R7 460 quad and draw, and my current TM R580 9* and I just plain hit this club about 15-20 yds. longer. I hit a fade; and hit the TM draw a little straighter, but the AWS was set to neutral. I took it out today to a course I know with it weighted at neutral and got the same results I usually get with my 580 only higher and longer. I had my 580 with me just in case, but the AWS worked so well and had such a nice balanced feel I never took it out of the bag. I’m impressed and plan to check out their other woods as well.
Where is the Walter Hagan golf club home page?
They’re exclusive to Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Thought this was funny…I have a set of Walter Hagen Lady clubs that were my grandmother’s, thus they predate the Dick’s chain by at least a couple generations. (They’re wooden woods, to give you an idea…)
I would like to purchase a Walter Hagen AWS in 15 degrees, if they make it, and in left handed. Second choice is 3 wood or driver. Is there any place besides Dick’s that has LH clubs in stock? Dick’s has very few LH Hagen clubs…..odd since it’s a house brand.
Uh, sorry…….would like a Walter Hagen AWS hybrid. Do they make a 1 Hybrid 15* ? I have a 3 Hybrid 21* already. Would use it to replace my 3 wood.
Bought my first one two years ago. it had a 10.5 loft lasted one month and the face caved in. After argueing with Dicks they finally warrantied it although I recieved a 9.5 stiff shaft. Which with my luck turned into a better fit for me. After adjusting to new club 290+. Altough last time out I Got to for under Ball and cracked the composite head. Still drives straight as long as it is hit in the sweet spot.
Haven’t decided whether to stay with the clu or find one that can actually last.
I’m looking at the Hagen M2 or T3 set (19 pieces for $199) as a starter set for my son. Based on measurements he should be using a -0.75, senior flex club. I assume these club are all standard length, but I can’t find any details on length or stiffness on the net. Anyone have any additional information for me? thx.
I got mine at goodwill for $4.99 but no adjusting thingy.
I like it very much as I am getting an easy 320 yards right down the middle and I am 76 years old.