Tourstage X-drive GR driver

[mkb3245]

Now that it's been out for a little while, I was hoping to get a little more feedback on this driver. I know it's supposed to be *higher* launching (at least compared to the TS 460), but how are spin rates -- is this considered low, mid or high spin? I'm thinking about dumping my Titleist D2 and picking up one of these, but I'd kinda like to know what this head would compare to (preferably US drivers).......Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[gocchin]

Now that it's been out for a little while, I was hoping to get a little more feedback on this driver. I know it's supposed to be *higher* launching (at least compared to the TS 460), but how are spin rates -- is this considered low, mid or high spin? I'm thinking about dumping my Titleist D2 and picking up one of these, but I'd kinda like to know what this head would compare to (preferably US drivers).......Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Amazing driver... lost to the winner in the semis in the D-1 Shootout here: http://forum.tourspecgolf.com/index.php?showtopic=26208

Low spin and very long. It is longer than the normal X-Drive series and far easier to hit! The head is more classic shaped, not high moi style. More shallow face than the deep X-Drives. A really awesome looking and performing driver.

[mkb3245]

Thanks!!! Do you know if any shafts fit particularly nicely with this head? I know it will largely depend on the player and the swing, but sometimes some shafts seem to fit nicely with particular heads.....

[K2_2]

As T said, this is a very nice driver. It is definitely easier to hit and launches higher than the X-Drive 460. I have seen more than a few shafted withthe Rombax 6x07, and while I have heard that this is a good combo, I haven't tried it myself. The stock shaft is actually quite nice as well.

[xxio]

As T said, this is a very nice driver. It is definitely easier to hit and launches higher than the X-Drive 460. I have seen more than a few shafted withthe Rombax 6x07, and while I have heard that this is a good combo, I haven't tried it myself. The stock shaft is actually quite nice as well.

K,

I still have the deep face around here somewhere.

[K2_2]

K,

I still have the deep face around here somewhere.

Nice club isn't it BTW, have you ever had anyone else do more of a comparison between the X-Drive GR and the 460?

[Backspin9]

Amazing driver... lost to the winner in the semis in the D-1 Shootout here: http://forum.tourspecgolf.com/index.php?showtopic=26208

Low spin and very long. It is longer than the normal X-Drive series and far easier to hit! The head is more classic shaped, not high moi style. More shallow face than the deep X-Drives. A really awesome looking and performing driver.

When you say that the GR is longer and far easier to hit than the X-drive 460 does that apply to all levels of players? I play an X-drive 460 with an XCON 5 shaft and as a 4 handicap have no problems with it. My swing speed is right around 105 or so and the distance I get is very good at 265 yds. carry on average. Some are even further and it blows me a way seeing how far this thing hits. I can't imagine getting much more distance out of a GR. If I could, maybe I should try one out!!

[Bat]

When you say that the GR is longer and far easier to hit than the X-drive 460 does that apply to all levels of players? I play an X-drive 460 with an XCON 5 shaft and as a 4 handicap have no problems with it. My swing speed is right around 105 or so and the distance I get is very good at 265 yds. carry on average. Some are even further and it blows me a way seeing how far this thing hits. I can't imagine getting much more distance out of a GR. If I could, maybe I should try one out!!

The GR launches much higher than the 460 (only because the 460 launches VERY low). If you're already getting 265 yards carry with the 460, you're not going to get much distance gain from the GR. The GR, however, is much more forgiving on off center hits. IMO it's the most forgiving square faced, traditionally shaped driver.

Bat

[Duffer19]

When you say that the GR is longer and far easier to hit than the X-drive 460 does that apply to all levels of players? I play an X-drive 460 with an XCON 5 shaft and as a 4 handicap have no problems with it. My swing speed is right around 105 or so and the distance I get is very good at 265 yds. carry on average. Some are even further and it blows me a way seeing how far this thing hits. I can't imagine getting much more distance out of a GR. If I could, maybe I should try one out!!

You point being that you do not need a forgiving driver or no driver (regardless of makes) is longer than the current x460/combo? I am sure a lot of players including JPGA pros could handle the X460 but the GR are also being used on the J tour also (GDO).

[xxio]

Nice club isn't it BTW, have you ever had anyone else do more of a comparison between the X-Drive GR and the 460?

I posted a pretty in depth review on another site.

[Backspin9]

You point being that you do not need a forgiving driver or no driver (regardless of makes) is longer than the current x460/combo? I am sure a lot of players including JPGA pros could handle the X460 but the GR are also being used on the J tour also (GDO).

Actually my point was more of a question. If the X-drive 460 is working well (and it is) what advantage would you get from going to a GR? The answer = forgiveness. I think anyone could always use more of that. I hit 10-12 fairways per round on average with most of my misses still being very playable so what is the extra forgiveness going to get me? Another 1 or 2 fairways per round? I would consider it more of a neccesity if I was spraying it all over the yard, but I'm not. As a practical matter, I'm not sure investing in a GR would be worth it considering how much I have in my X-drive. As you know, this stuff ain't cheap.

As for distance, I have been very impressed with how far the X-drive 460 hits. I didn't say it was the longest driver on the planet. Would I like to drive it further? Sure, who wouldn't. But (and correct me if I'm wrong) at any given swing speed you will eventually maximize your distance providing you are using equipment that is properly fitted. I feel like I have that in the X-drive. Is there something out there I could hit further? Probably. Again, though, as a practical matter, is it worth spending another $1000 (or whatever) to find out if maybe I can squeeze out a few additional yards?

My initial comments were not meant to be confrontational. I just wondered what the advantages of the GR would be if you already have a driver that is working extremely well. That's it. We all like to try new stuff but unless you are independently wealthy it can be difficult to do from a financial standpoint. If I could go to my local Golf Galaxy and try a GR I'd be there tomorrow. It would, however, have to be one damn good driver to beat out what's already in the bag.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

I hit it and liked it a lot, it was not able to kick the 460ZR out of my bag but it sure was a world more user friendly than the previous X-Drive. I need all the help i can get with a driver so a high launch, lower spin and more forgiving club is always welcome.

Thing is there are so many great drivers and not enough time on the course and for many folks not enough money in the wallet to test them. I sure do wish great JDM drivers were a lot more affordable.

[K2_2]

Ditto what has been said about not enough time and $ to properly test all of the great drivers out there right now.

Backspin, I understand what you are saying, and I tend to fall in the same school of thought. Once you find the set up that works for you (length, flex, high/low launch head, high/low spin, and loft) I don't think there will be that much variation from one GOOD driver to the next for YOUR swing. Now, if you need a high launch driver with a bit of spin, and you switch from the X-Drive 460 to something new, sure, you will hit the ball further.

However, if you have a good combination for your swing, going to a higher launch/spin head might cost you distance. While a club might be more forgiving in terms of MOI/direction, if you start to manipulate your swing to bring the ball-flight down, or are fighting a high shot in the wind, that extra 'forgiveness' will vanish.

[mkb3245]

Interesting takes.....I think the GR's high launch (compared to the X-Drive) probably means it's a better fit for "more" players......Are the spin rates comparable, or will the GR spin more (a little or alot?)?

[Duffer19]

Interesting takes.....I think the GR's high launch (compared to the X-Drive) probably means it's a better fit for "more" players......Are the spin rates comparable, or will the GR spin more (a little or alot?)?

You should think in terms of higer launch (then the Xdrive 460) rather then high launch since it is still a X Drive. IMO, if you are a low/mid teen hdcp, you should consider the GR but if you are a low signle or +, no difference.

[mkb3245]

You should think in terms of higer launch (then the Xdrive 460) rather then high launch since it is still a X Drive. IMO, if you are a low/mid teen hdcp, you should consider the GR but if you are a low signle or +, no difference.

Well, I'm currently a 5.1 GHIN (up from 2ish last year -- had a baby), but the driver is the club that gets me in trouble. My ss ranges from 103 - 109ish. My ballflight is typically middle range in terms of launch (not too low, but certainly not too high). I was thinking of going 10.5 degree in the GR head and maybe a lower spinning shaft.

I've never hit any of the Tourstage drivers which is why I'm asking so many questions. I really don't know just how low they launch. The drivers I've used lately include: Titleist D2 with Ozik F7M2, Callaway FT-i with XCon 6, Callaway FT-5 with Epic, and SuperQuad with Ozik Altus.......LOL -- too many drivers, I know.

[Bat]

Well, I'm currently a 5.1 GHIN (up from 2ish last year -- had a baby), but the driver is the club that gets me in trouble. My ss ranges from 103 - 109ish. My ballflight is typically middle range in terms of launch (not too low, but certainly not too high). I was thinking of going 10.5 degree in the GR head and maybe a lower spinning shaft.

I've never hit any of the Tourstage drivers which is why I'm asking so many questions. I really don't know just how low they launch. The drivers I've used lately include: Titleist D2 with Ozik F7M2, Callaway FT-i with XCon 6, Callaway FT-5 with Epic, and SuperQuad with Ozik Altus.......LOL -- too many drivers, I know.

I average around 47 m/s (around 105mph) for driver swing speed and my normal ball contact is high on the club face launching it higher than most. My usual miss (at the moment) is towards the heel with a pull/slice.

Comparing the following drivers:

J33R 460 w/ Speeder 555

X-Drive GR w/ Rombax 6x07

X-Drive 460 w/ Quattro Tech 65

Epon 460 w/ Machline ??

907 D2 & Rapture w/ VS Proto 65

SuperQuad w/ Rombax 5x07

FT-5 w/ stock Fuji ??

For me personally...

Launch Angle (from highest to lowest)

SuperQuad

907 D2

X-Drive GR

Epon 460

FT-5

Rapture

J33R 460

X-Drive 460

Spin (from highest to lowest)

907 D2

SuperQuad

Rapture

Epon 460

X-Drive GR

FT-5

J33R 460

X-Drive 460

Forgiveness (from most to least)

X-Drive GR

907 D2

Epon 460

SuperQuad

FT-5

J33R 460

X-Drive 460

Rapture

Feel/Sound (my personal preference)

J33R 460

Epon 460

SuperQuad

X-Drive GR

X-Drive 460

Rapture

907 D2

FT-5

Please note that this is just from my memory of multiple range sessions. I have absolutely no data to back up the above rankings. Hope this helps.

Bat

[gocchin]

Bat that is some amazing information... thanks for posting that!

[mkb3245]

I agree, gocchin - that was some great suff, Bat. Thanks!!!

I think I'm going to give the X-Drive GR a try. Now I just have to figure out which shaft I want -- kinda leaning towards the Diamana Whiteboard......Any thoughts?

Edited November 13, 2007 by mkb3245

[gocchin]

I'm amazed that the GR launches higher than the Epon and keeps spin that low... no wonder it is such a lethal head.

mkb3245, the whiteboard wouldn't be a bad fit. is the high trajectory something you are looking for? The whiteboard will probably bring spin down even more!

[mkb3245]

I'm amazed that the GR launches higher than the Epon and keeps spin that low... no wonder it is such a lethal head.

mkb3245, the whiteboard wouldn't be a bad fit. is the high trajectory something you are looking for? The whiteboard will probably bring spin down even more!

Yeah, I need high-ish launch which is why I went with the 10.5* head (that and it's a little more forgiving). I like the thought of the whiteboard to help reduce the spin from the added loft while giving/maintaining a high/flat trajectory. I might also consider the Ozik F7m2.....but definitely a lower spinning shaft.

Just to be difficult, however, I'm also considering high-launch, low spin shafts such as the Ozik Altus.....I guess if the spin is low enough, the extra launch angle wouldn't hurt......

Any thoughts or recommendations?

[gocchin]

You can also consider the X-Con 5, a very long shaft which matched with a good head produces some exceptional ball speeds. It's not quite a low spin shaft, more like mid but the results could be very good.

[mkb3245]

You can also consider the X-Con 5, a very long shaft which matched with a good head produces some exceptional ball speeds. It's not quite a low spin shaft, more like mid but the results could be very good.

Do you mean "long" in length of shaft - meaning 45.5" - 46" or long as in produced long drives? The reason I ask is that I'm probably going to play my driver at 44.5" - 44.75" in order to try to gain more control (and maybe even more distance due to hitting the sweet spot more often).....Having never tried that shaft, my concern is the weight might be too light for me because I have a fairly quick tempo and transition.....I'm afraid this might make that even worse. I will definitely give it some consideration, however. Thanks for the suggestion.

[gocchin]

Do you mean "long" in length of shaft - meaning 45.5" - 46" or long as in produced long drives? The reason I ask is that I'm probably going to play my driver at 44.5" - 44.75" in order to try to gain more control (and maybe even more distance due to hitting the sweet spot more often).....Having never tried that shaft, my concern is the weight might be too light for me because I have a fairly quick tempo and transition.....I'm afraid this might make that even worse. I will definitely give it some consideration, however. Thanks for the suggestion.

Actually I meant long as in distance. You can of course install it at any length you want (^_^).

The X-Con possesses a stiff tip which is actually better for players with quicker tempo/transition. It will help prevent hooking the ball, like a softer active tip would. If you're worried about the shaft being too light, then move up to an X-con 6.

[Bat]

I'm amazed that the GR launches higher than the Epon and keeps spin that low... no wonder it is such a lethal head.

With the shorter hosel and relatively shallow face, the GR launches much higher than my old J33R. However, it's only slightly higher than the Epon for me. As a matter of fact, the GR and Epon also seem to have very comparable spin. Coming from the J33R, I prefer the softer feel of the Epon to the GR. The GR, however, has a straighter top line (less bulge) that I'm familiar with in the J33R.

Bat