What To Do!?!

[PxExG]

This is a 2 part post, first off is a review on my new driver.

Head - R7 TP 9.5* square face

Shaft - Accuflex Evolution NanoTech Stiff

Length - 44" and D5 with weights installed 10 - 4 - 6 - 8 heel to toe (low fade I think)

This is a really nice driver. Beside the 300 Tour its the only TM driver I have liked at address. It is not the classic a J340 would be but it does sit well behind the ball. I must say I find the deep face inspires confidence at address.

I have played my last 6-8 drivers at 44" - it just works for me, no distance loss and feel so much more in control. I really like the fact with the TLC weights I had no problem getting a reasonable swing weight at this short length. Now onto a proper review of the club:

Feel: This R7 has been to Chip Usher and recieved his patented "Custom Cotton" treatment. I have heard numerous reviews of Chip's work and he sure does live up to his reputation. I have also owned "solid" drivers, 983s, MARUs, etc and this R7 is actually just as solid feeling/sounding as any (provided the heavy weights are closer the face) Big plus for me, having a TM driver that looks/feels good. For a reference, it actually sounds more muted than my E but a little more explosive than my old MARU.

Length: Although most modern drivers should have distance maxed out at this stage, I was hoping to pick up 5 - 10 yards due to the adjustability of this club. However while it is equally as long as my E, it is simply not longer. Downwind I find I fly it a couple yards further but into the wind the E is actually a little longer. This was a bit of balls to say the least....

Performance: With the club set up like this, I find that I can draw the ball without any fears of missing way left. I like that. It is not an idiot stick, but the weights do work! The hardest thing to get right was the trajectory and I finally settle on a high-ish flight, but quite flat so that is fine :cool: Workability is one negative about this club, I find I can hit a lot of really straight, solid drives but cant really work it on call. I have to struggle to shape the ball, I guess it goes against the premise of the weights - alas we cannot have everything!

I feel I have delayed too long in mentioning this shaft, Accuflex Evolution. Now I have been lucky enough to try pretty much all top range Fujis/protos and this Evo is the best, most stable shaft I have ever used. It performs the same on every shot, is pretty much impossible to over power and fits my preferences perfectly ( 3* torque, 70grams, mid high kick)

All in all, this driver is certainly as good as pretty much everythign I have tried BUT now we come to the 2nd part of my post.....

I got fitted on a Launch Monitor for tha NV and I have a NV 65-X at 44" D4 in my 983. This driver has seen me through thick and thin & I always end up coming back to it! I hit it long, am able to hit a lot of fades/draws & alter trajectories on a whim. It perhaps is not as forgiving as the R7 but that is just about the only way the R7 outperforms it. What should I do?

If I keep the R7, there is pretty much no point selling the E (would only get maybe $150 for it if that) and if I keep the E I can easy trade the R7 for a Rescue Mid TP and a 3 wood for my Dad.

Opinions please!! :o

[thsgolfer61]

pick which ever you hit the best most of the time if you hit the r7 really good but not more than the E then sell the r7.

drew

[Penguins66]

All I can say is that I really love my E.

[Mike]

Patrick , get rid of the R7 . Pick up a a Rescue Mid TP for yourself and a 3 wood for your Dad .

I am sure he would love you for it :cool:

[PutterPing]

Sell the R7 TP since the 983E won't have as good a resale value. The Titleist 983E is the sort of club worth hanging on to in the long run especially since you keep on coming back to it. I had the 983K for over a year but always wanted the 983E because of the deep face. Good luck.