Jump to content

Alba New Model Retail Driver Test


gocchin

Recommended Posts

I just posted this on Inpakuto but will also post it here for those who don't go there. (^_^)

albadrivertest.jpg

The most recent Alba Magazine has a test of 26 of the newest drivers in the Japanese market. The test was not unlike what many tests have done in the past, which is pretty much gauge true measurements of retail drivers right off the shelf. This included MOI (left - right and neck), CG depth in head, CG distance from hosel/shaft line, Face Angle, Real Loft. This is always a good gauge of how close each manufacturer's specs are. It seems most are getting better. (please forgive the picture above, I don't have a scanner yet in Japan).

Actual specs can help show how a real driver performs in real life, not just on paper as many of us have to rely on especially when it comes to JDM gear. For example, the CG placement coupled with the Real Loft can help you determine a drivers trajectory... ie very deep CG placement coupled with high Real Loft can equal ballooning shots if you're battling a high ball already, in other words don't get the Burner Plus if you want a lower launch!

Also remember that these are just examples and it does not mean your head will have these specs. These were randomly pulled off the shelf to give an idea of manufacturing variances. Here are some notable models:

Bridgestone/Tourstage 2009 X-Drive 701

Listed Loft: 9.5* Actual Loft: 10.3*

MOI L-R: 4192gcm2 Neck: 7023gcm2

Face Angle: Open 0.3*

CG Depth: 35.3mm CG from hosel/shaft: 40.8mm

Bridgestone/Tourstage 2009 X-Drive GR

Listed Loft: 9.5* Actual Loft: 10.5*

MOI L-R: 4351gcm2 Neck: 7379gcm2

Face Angle: Closed 1.0*

CG Depth: 36.3mm CG from hosel/shaft: 40.0mm

Srixon ZR-800

Listed Loft: 9.5* Actual Loft: 10.6*

MOI L-R: 4226gcm2 Neck: 6794gcm2

Face Angle: Square 0.0*

CG Depth: 34.3mm CG from hosel/shaft: 40.0mm

Srixon ZR-30

Listed Loft: 9.5* Actual Loft: 10.5*

MOI L-R: 3870gcm2 Neck: 6206gcm2

Face Angle: Open 0.5*

CG Depth: 32.2mm CG from hosel/shaft: 38.4mm

Mizuno 2009 MP Craft T1

Listed Loft: 9.5* Actual Loft: 9.4*

MOI L-R: 4241gcm2 Neck: 6959gcm2

Face Angle: Open 0.5*

CG Depth: 34.1mm CG from hosel/shaft: 39.4mm

Mizuno 2009 MP Craft R1

Listed Loft: 9.5* Actual Loft: 10.1*

MOI L-R: 4527gcm2 Neck: 7389gcm2

Face Angle: Square 0.0*

CG Depth: 38.2mm CG from hosel/shaft: 38.9mm

Titleist 909D2

Listed Loft: 9.5* Actual Loft: 8.7*

MOI L-R: 4779gcm2 Neck: 8058gcm2

Face Angle: Open 1.0*

CG Depth: 39.1mm CG from hosel/shaft: 40.4mm

Titleist 909D3

Listed Loft: 9.5* Actual Loft: 9.8*

MOI L-R: 4500gcm2 Neck: 7453gcm2

Face Angle: Open 0.5*

CG Depth: 36.3.1mm CG from hosel/shaft: 40.4mm

Taylormade Japan 2009 Burner Plus

Listed Loft: 10.5* Actual Loft: 11.5*

MOI L-R: 5146gcm2 Neck: 8479gcm2

Face Angle: Closed 1.5*

CG Depth: 42.0mm CG from hosel/shaft: 40.7mm

Taylormade Tour Burner

Listed Loft: 9.5* Actual Loft: 10.0*

MOI L-R: 4821gcm2 Neck: 8010gcm2

Face Angle: Open 1.0*

CG Depth: 40.0mm CG from hosel/shaft: 40.3mm

Callaway Legacy

Listed Loft: 9.5* Actual Loft: 9.2*

MOI L-R: 4204gcm2 Neck: 7157gcm2

Face Angle: Open 1.0*

CG Depth: 40.5mm CG from hosel/shaft: 36.8mm

Callaway Hyper X

Listed Loft: 10.0* Actual Loft: 11.3*

MOI L-R: 4519gcm2 Neck: 6751gcm2

Face Angle: Square 0.0*

CG Depth: 38.9mm CG from hosel/shaft: 35.5mm

Yamaha Inpres X 4.6D

Listed Loft: 10.0* Actual Loft: 12.0*

MOI L-R: 4339gcm2 Neck: 6472gcm2

Face Angle: Closed 1.0*

CG Depth: 34.6.5mm CG from hosel/shaft: 34.9mm

Nike Sasquatch Sumo2 5900

Listed Loft: 10.5* Actual Loft: 11.7*

MOI L-R: 5867gcm2 Neck: 9799gcm2

Face Angle: Closed 1.2*

CG Depth: 47.0mm CG from hosel/shaft: 42.2mm

Ping Rapture V2

Listed Loft: 10.5* Actual Loft: 12.5*

MOI L-R: 4478gcm2 Neck: 7921gcm2

Face Angle: Closed 1.0*

CG Depth: 38.0mm CG from hosel/shaft: 44.1mm

Cobra L5V

Listed Loft: 10.5* Actual Loft: 14.0*

MOI L-R: 4875gcm2 Neck: 7857gcm2

Face Angle: Closed 2.0*

CG Depth: 38.4mm CG from hosel/shaft: 43.2mm

Cleveland Launcher

Listed Loft: 10.5* Actual Loft: 12.3*

MOI L-R: 44670gcm2 Neck: 7968gcm2

Face Angle: Closed 1.5*

CG Depth: 37.9mm CG from hosel/shaft: 43.0mm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

they should have thrown in Epon just for a comparison.

I expected much better from Tourstage given the prices they charge

Epon does not get much coverage from big name publications and that is at the request of Epon.

As for TS, this is only two examples and they did surprise me a bit as they are usually very close to true loft. It could have been these two they happened to grab. At least they are not like the Cobra!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

T,

What would the tolerance that you expect from Epon in terms of loft? Would it be higher or lower to stated?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did they test 2 909 D2 or was one supposed to be a 909 D3?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

T,

What would the tolerance that you expect from Epon in terms of loft? Would it be higher or lower to stated?

Epon has been very good, we've seen a lot of heads and Epon can actually let us know true loft of the head we get. I've seen 9.5's around 9.2 or 9.3* in real loft and 10.5's at around 10.7*.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Callaway Legacy

Listed Loft: 9.5* Actual Loft: 9.2*

MOI L-R: 4204gcm2 Neck: 7157gcm2

Face Angle: Open 1.0*

CG Depth: 40.5mm CG from hosel/shaft: 36.8mm

Ping Rapture V2

Listed Loft: 10.5* Actual Loft: 12.5*MOI L-R: 4478gcm2 Neck: 7921gcm2

Face Angle: Closed 1.0*

CG Depth: 38.0mm CG from hosel/shaft: 44.1mm

Cobra L5V

Listed Loft: 10.5* Actual Loft: 14.0*

MOI L-R: 4875gcm2 Neck: 7857gcm2

Face Angle: Closed 2.0*

CG Depth: 38.4mm CG from hosel/shaft: 43.2mm

Thank you for posting the review T! As you mentioned, I am surprised about Tourstage, and the Srixon's being a bit off on their lofts as well.

I am surprised to see the Ping Rapture being off by 2*, and I do not think that I need to comment on the 3.5* discrepency, for another driver, that speaks for itself.

Kudos to Callaway for the nice work on the Legacy though :tsg_smiley_putter2: .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for posting the review T! As you mentioned, I am surprised about Tourstage, and the Srixon's being a bit off on their lofts as well.

I am surprised to see the Ping Rapture being off by 2*, and I do not think that I need to comment on the 3.5* discrepency, for another driver, that speaks for itself.

Kudos to Callaway for the nice work on the Legacy though :tsg_smiley_putter2: .

You mean kudos to the big "E" who makes the Legacy for Callaway. (^_^)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes the Hyper ERC was E as well... great driver. As for the driver you PM'ed me about, I know they forge their irons but would have to check on driver.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...