Mob Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 I know this topic has come up in various forms over the past few months, but I had a recent experience that I thought may be worth resurrecting. I bought a Crazy 435 driver in the fall with a Crazy CB 80 LS Noir 7.4 shaft. I found, at the time that I could hit some monster drives, but I was fairly inconsistent with it. I had elbow surgery in December, and just started swinging the club again 2 weeks ago. I just got out on the course today, and started hitting it again. The driver started out with the same harsh feel that I remembered from the fall. I made a small adjustment, and started lining up with the ball nearer the toe at address, as I felt like I was hitting the heel, and I finally found the sweet spot. It must be a small sweet spot, but it seemed far less harsh. I hit several drives dead center, and it felt much better. Also, I was rewarded with a long penetrating drive with a baby draw, which I love. It was 58 degrees here today, and while I had to play two irons stronger due to conditions, my drives were ending up in the same spot as they do in the summer. I am still waiting on my RFX driver to arrive sometime in the next few weeks, but this is going to be more of a competition for the starting spot in the bag than I originally thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiromikey Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 once you "discover" the potential of 435 it's going to be hard for anything to beat it. it may take several range sessions or course outings to find that magic but there are big rewards waiting for those that can figure out the 435... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoon Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Well i guess i will never know:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiromikey Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 it's not for everyone. you'll do just fine with a yami! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandee11 Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Never try the original 435, but currently playing 435ll with crazy cb46. Forgiving( well not super forgiving) and long, crazy long!seriously how is this head legal?on miss hit, still long compare to other..... I was at the range Saturday, miss hit - slice, still carry 235 M ( using range finder). Crazy 460 is another very long driver head. Never compare head to head between 435ll and 460. 460 will be a lot more forgiving that's for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoon Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Never try the original 435, but currently playing 435ll with crazy cb46. Forgiving( well not super forgiving) and long, crazy long!seriously how is this head legal?on miss hit, still long compare to other..... I was at the range Saturday, miss hit - slice, still carry 235 M ( using range finder). Crazy 460 is another very long driver head. Never compare head to head between 435ll and 460. 460 will be a lot more forgiving that's for sure. was that my 435II? me and petethepilot could not launch that sucker! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 The 435 continues to rock I tellya! If you can handle her, she rewards you very well and that is not to say she is hard to handle to begin with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mob Posted April 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 I am going to practice with it for the next few weeks and see if my swing can do it justice. I will probably end up needing something more forgiving, but we will see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian-500 Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Mob - what is you SS? I'll have the chance to hit the 435 with the same shaft later this month. My SS is about 105. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mob Posted April 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Mob - what is you SS? I'll have the chance to hit the 435 with the same shaft later this month. My SS is about 105. My swing speed ranges from 103 - 106 mph. I have a relatively smooth swing, with a backswing that goes past parallel (working on this). I tend to fall between stiff and x flex depending on the shaft. I fell between the 7.7 and 7.4 for the LS Noir shaft, and went with the 7.4. I think it is the right shaft for me, but could probably play the 7.7 as well. It is just hard to know without hitting both side by side with the same head on a launch monitor, which would be close to impossible here in Indy. I have a Diamana X 70 stiff shaft waiting on the RFX driver. I heard this plays alittle stiffer, so went with the higher weighted shaft in the stiff flex. I always struggle to know whether to go with more weight, or stiffer flex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian-500 Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Great info, thanks. I've gamed an FW80 and ute n 'S', and could make them go left a little too much for my liking, so I'm kinda thinking a Crazy in '7.7' might be the way to go. I've been playing a Kai'li 60 in 'X' and loved it. I reckon a Crazy in '7.7' should be a good match for a Diamana in 'X'. Regarding weight vs stiffness, I THINK my preference is lighter weight and extra stiff shaft, purely so that I can keep my swing speed up whilst keeping some modicum of ball control with the stiffer shaft. Can't wait to try the 435 to see if all the hype is justified. It may not be for me though as I like a soft feeling face. We'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandee11 Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 was that my 435II? me and petethepilot could not launch that sucker! Yes Carlo, I'm still gaming that driver! Can't launch? Are u kidding? I'm hitting high bomb with it! For some reason this head/shaft combination keep the ball in the air for really long time....even I slice the ball, still carry 235m..... How's that possible? Not sure if is legal!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mob Posted April 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Great info, thanks. I've gamed an FW80 and ute n 'S', and could make them go left a little too much for my liking, so I'm kinda thinking a Crazy in '7.7' might be the way to go. I've been playing a Kai'li 60 in 'X' and loved it. I reckon a Crazy in '7.7' should be a good match for a Diamana in 'X'. Regarding weight vs stiffness, I THINK my preference is lighter weight and extra stiff shaft, purely so that I can keep my swing speed up whilst keeping some modicum of ball control with the stiffer shaft. Can't wait to try the 435 to see if all the hype is justified. It may not be for me though as I like a soft feeling face. We'll see. I am hesitant to mention this, but if you like a soft feeling face, you will not like the feel of the 435; it is the exact opposite. The face feels hard. In fact, that was my initial thought yesterday when hitting them. If you like a "soft feeling face" and are used to one, this is going to feel quite different. Just trying to prepare you. I used to think that I would trade feel and forgiveness for added length; now I have revised that sentiment. I would really want a driver that is the best blend of these 3 characteristics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian-500 Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Yes I've heard about the harsh feeling face. Maybe there's a shaft out there that can soften that face, possibly a Royal Deco. I've tried a jBEAM HG445 with a Crazy TJ46 6.9 and that was also harsh feeling. It had a great sound though. Is there a Crazy/jBEAM with a soft face? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mob Posted April 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Yes I've heard about the harsh feeling face. Maybe there's a shaft out there that can soften that face, possibly a Royal Deco. I've tried a jBEAM HG445 with a Crazy TJ46 6.9 and that was also harsh feeling. It had a great sound though. Is there a Crazy/jBEAM with a soft face? I can't comment on any other Crazy/jBeam driver. I am attracted to this driver. It is a beautifully shaped classic driver with a deep face but overall medium sized footprint. Clearly a player's club. I will have to improve my consistency to game this. It gives me incentive to shorten my backswing, which, I believe is where most of my inconsistency comes from. Now if the Diamana X with the RFX can deliver similar performance with more forgiveness and better feel, then the 435 will get benched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIduffer Posted April 1, 2013 Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Having played various Crazy shafts at 8.2 and 7.7 I think the Diamana X 70 S is more in line with the 8.2. At least in regards to feel through the swing. The Diamana is definitely a lower launcher than the Crazy shafts I have tried but believe that to be a design choice rather than my inability to load the shaft properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mob Posted April 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2013 Having played various Crazy shafts at 8.2 and 7.7 I think the Diamana X 70 S is more in line with the 8.2. At least in regards to feel through the swing. The Diamana is definitely a lower launcher than the Crazy shafts I have tried but believe that to be a design choice rather than my inability to load the shaft properly. Oh boy, that is not what I wanted to hear. If it plays like an 8.2 from a stiffness standpoint, then it is clearly to stiff for me. I will give it a try, but will likely end up having to sell it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian-500 Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 Just come back from a short range session hitting the Crazy 435 with Crazy LS 80II in 7.4 flex. From what I have read from other peoples reviews/thoughts on this driver, I was expecting a harsh feeling but beautiful, low launching, unforgiving, noisy but long son of a b**ch. Well, I got the long bit, I got the unforgiving bit, I got the noisy bit (I really liked the sound by the way) and I got the low launching bit, but for feel I actually thought it was soft. Soft like my Yamaha. Not Kamui Works Ray soft but very nearly! My only real problem was I could pull it left too often. I'll admit that i never warmed up at all, which is not the right thing to do but I liked the head and shaft. Ideally I'd have the shaft in a 7.7 flex. To straighten out the pulls, would it make much difference if I shortened the shaft at the butt or better to cut the tip by an inch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmclarenf1 Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 Just come back from a short range session hitting the Crazy 435 with Crazy LS 80II in 7.4 flex. From what I have read from other peoples reviews/thoughts on this driver, I was expecting a harsh feeling but beautiful, low launching, unforgiving, noisy but long son of a b**ch. Well, I got the long bit, I got the unforgiving bit, I got the noisy bit (I really liked the sound by the way) and I got the low launching bit, but for feel I actually thought it was soft. Soft like my Yamaha. Not Kamui Works Ray soft but very nearly! My only real problem was I could pull it left too often. I'll admit that i never warmed up at all, which is not the right thing to do but I liked the head and shaft. Ideally I'd have the shaft in a 7.7 flex. To straighten out the pulls, would it make much difference if I shortened the shaft at the butt or better to cut the tip by an inch? Good to hear you found the "long" part. I still can find that on mine. Its unforgiving but also not that unforgiving. Compared to D1, yes. Butt or tip shortening, tipping the shaft will have a more profound effect in terms of spin and launch. If you are already launching low, would suggest try butt trim. If after that you still want to tip it, you can and then butt extend. You can;t tip extend. Will it help with left, I think, assuming its all down to the shaft, tipping will aid this cause better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian-500 Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 Great info f1. I will try choking down on the grip and go from there. Club cost is in negotiation as I type......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mob Posted May 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 I am starting to shake the rust off. I was struggling off the tee, then I took a lesson, and the pro immediately recognized what I was doing and fixed it. I took the Crazy 435 with 80 LS Noir 7.4 shaft back out, and boy did things go better. I started making center contact, and the harsh feel improved dramatically. It is still a "hard feeling" face, but not harsh anymore. I still contend that it is a small sweet spot compared to a lot of modern drivers, but center contact is rewarded nicely. I started hitting a draw, which I like, and on about 6 tee shots, I hit 275-280 yards and in the fairway on 5 of 6 tee shots. I now have to choose between this and the Callaway RFX which is also a very good looking driver with impressive performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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