DO NOT LET GOLF CON YOU why you NEED A NEW DRIVER 

Problem is..finding these people that actually want to help you find the best club vs someone who just wants to sell you what they have on the rack. I've found that most people who work in retail golf shops really aren't "fitters"...they are just retail salesman. Disappointing if I'm being honest.

Still using the 9 degree Ping G-10 Driver here, nothing in 2022 has been able to kick it out of my bag ! Love your videos Mark..... Thanks

All great points Mark. I think for me the whole “fun” thing is the only reason I would consider it at this point. My driver is modern enough where the differences won’t be too bad, but new toys are great fun.

The entire G10 line remains relevant and entirely playable

Last 5 drivers; G30, XR16, M5, G410 and right now I’m gaming a Maverik. I feel it’s the best fairway finder I’ve had, not the longest but best feeling driver I’ve ever had.

Biggest difference I noticed when getting fit for a new driver was shaft stiffness and weight. Used handed down clubs for years so never tailored to me or my swing, until recently and now hitting it straighter and longer without changing the swing thanks to a stiffer shaft that matches my swing speed.

I can hit my old Ping G10 virtually as far as my current Sim 2 Max but it is nowhere near as forgiving on off centre shots. You are so right Mark.

Thank you for not shaming people for buying new drivers and "wasting" their money. It's very true that new clubs do get people excited to play golf and practice more.

I've been using an old(ish) Taylormade M2 driver for a while now and I noticed a big difference between that and the Callaway Big Bertha II I upgraded from (that was an old club). However, I've just started using a Taylormade Sim 2 driver and I can't really tell it apart from my M2. I agree the more modern clubs are definitely superior over the very old clubs but you definitely don't have to go out and get the newest club available. I think the best bang for your buck today comes from the clubs released in the last 3-6 years personally (unless you want to get fitted of course!). Good video as always Mark 👍👍

Apart from my putter my entire bag is made up of clubs from 13-16 years ago. Returned to playing back in April after an 18 month injury break. Took 6 months but I'm finding a bit of consistency and putting some decent scores in so think its time to treat myself to some shiny new bats in the new year when I get my annual bonus!

Thanks for your video. I'm a senior golfer and just upgrading my bag to senior flex clubs. That said, I never buy new clubs. Too many good deals out there without paying the premium prices.

I just got a 'new' Cobra 400SZ that I'm going to send to a club refinisher to get a custom paint color and general refurbishment done. It'll be one of a kind, and all-in less than 1/3 of a new driver.

I'm always amazed by how many seniors play 'old' drivers. Like 15 years old with 70g+ shafts. I think they think that because they're swinging driver at 85 mph that technology can't make a difference. My playing partner is 74 and I convinced him to buy a TSi1 with a 40g shaft. He's now easily 20 yards longer and carries ditches and gets to fairways that his previous driver wouldn't, I mean he's literally got 4/5 years back in terms of distance.

Heck, it’s all marketing to sell new gear to keep manufacturers in the black….yes, even PXG. I still have my G10. I have a G400 too. Both are great

I bought a draw driver and it has helped me lose fewer in the trees 🌲 Guy Canada 🇨🇦

Went to lighter shafts years ago due to back issues, this year tried Ping, XXIO and Cleveland drivers, Still go back to old faithful TM Burner Superfast 2.0 , have yet to find a more reliable driver. 45g stiff shaft still out driving the younger guys I play with at 65 y/o. Will be testing the new Srixons and Cobras next year.

It may be more fun hitting a new driver, but not as much fun as playing better. Which is what they seem to be sold to us as doing, if you were to spend the £500 on lessons and range balls you will play better. I've played since being a junior in the mid 90s and I'm guessing the tech has moved us on around 1 yard a year on average. Taylormade, Titleist, Ping etc don't need your money they just want it. Golf clubs, local golf professionals and ranges need your money to survive. Personally if I fancy a change it's a 5 year old 2nd hand club for £100, which leaves me £400 to play some really nice courses or a wknd away golfing. Do get fitted for irons though!

Last April (2021) i bought a “used” 2016 M2 on eBay w a stock senior flex shaft for $170. I said used because the head was in mint condition and what bargain ! Last year I got custom fit for two counter, balanced shafts. The first was a Hzdrs Smoke Yellow 5.5 and the 2nd and my current shaft is an Evenflow Riptide CB 6.0 Small Batch. I averaged 1.49 smash factor indoors on Trackman This combo is amazing. Feel/Sound of this 2016 M2 is unparalleled. I might be losing a few yards on center hits and maybe a little forgiveness on off-center hits but I’m happy with this driver at least for one more year. Maybe next next fall 2023 I’ll compare it to TSR or Callaway ROUGE ST LS and see how they compare!

Swing change,,,,,, osteoarthritis has forced upon me massive swing changes, hip rotation gone, swing speed gone (down from mid 90’s to high 70’s). So a significant change in strategy has helped. An A flex lofted up 14 degree driver, 16.5 degree 3 wood, 7, 9 & 11 wood (yes, 11 wood) all of which have helped restore some of my lost yardage. Sometimes swing changes are not by design but are forced upon us.

Fully enjoying my 1974 Tommy Armour persimmon, ta v much. Though sometimes I do switch to steel...

I was told long ago that it's the Indian, not the arrow. If you're good you can hit almost anything. I finally realized to stick with what works which is my twenty year old clubs. I'm a very good bowler and can almost do as well with a house ball as my own expensive fitted ball so that confirms my theory for me.

I got some shiny new p770s about a year ago. Fitting with a mobile Taylormade guy who visited our club. A few weeks before bad shot was left so at the time I was hitting a sort of hold off fade. He suggested 2 degrees upright which worked well at the time. A year later my swing has evolved quite a bit (aided by a Skytrak purchase) but again recently a left miss is my bad shot with mid to short irons. Considered going to a fitter to change /flatten the lie angle (a good guy in Basingstoke apparently) but at the same a little tweak weakening my left hand a fraction and reducing the wrist roll during impact and problem solved. My point being we evolve, we learn, we adapt and we get older and possibly wiser! Shiny new things certainly add to the interest but it’s experience that probably leads to the biggest improvements. All good fun…Most of the time!

My old driver is a Callaway BBB from 20+ years ago. I saved a bit of money to get fitted and got fit for a Cobra Radspeed XB. So much more forgiving, but not much in the way of distance.

Ping i25. Still performs really well.

My good buddy plays my old fti-q “loaf” driver. Smacks it 330. Had the caddies at sand valley giving him his own lines. Center face, good fundamentals and hard swing, you can hit a Spaulding bought at sportmart for $85 a long way.

Very honest information Mark. Thanks you.

When you said why fitters build around a swing, as someone who works for a fitting company, the thought process is the majority of golfers don't have the time to put in for practice or lessons. So building something for them that fits where they are currently at is more often than not, the best option. Now a good fitter will ask and want to know what the customer is going through currently as far as possible swing changes or lessons that may be happening to assist the fitting process, but the majority aren't or don't have the money to spend on both clubs and lessons, and that is why fittings are built around the current swing.

had my tsr2 for a couple months now , really pleased with performance .

i Still have that Callaway Big Bertha from like 04' in the Old Bag. Haven't Hit it in probably 11-12yrs but i did Hit My Longest Drive with that Driver about 330 on a Par 5/530yds. Got on in 2, Birdie!

Fit and built clubs for 12 years. People would always ask, "how much will your clubs help me?" "They amount I can help someone depends on how bad the clubs you have are in relation to what you need."

Play with Ping G driver. Had a driver fitting session. Hit my driver about 270 at best. Hit the Titleist TSR2 up to about 290, but can't justify the price tag. Anything else not $599 that might get me that extra 20 yards? Swing speed about 101, ball speed 144-145.

-3 tough golfers. I won’t play under +15c. If I can’t play in shorts I don’t play. Brisbane Australia

When my driver used to go a bit wayward (generally heel strikes and low in the face) I had a drill where I’d put my driver right up and feel like I was hitting stingers… go to the point where I thought.. I swing so much better with my driver and throughout the bag when I have more loft on my driver so I now use 10.5 degree loft with swing speed at 115-120.. loft isn’t MORE SPEED=LESS LOFT

My longest driver was the callaway i started with in 2010,unfortunately on the hosel in tiny writing it said illegal from 2008!

I got a new driver bc of the #5 tip lol actually getting lessons and having changes with a changeable driver is lovely

Another potential reason to change drivers/clubs is injury/age. For me, injures and just getting older have changed how I react to weight in a club. I went from 130 gram dynamic gold steel to 65 gram graphite shafts and it has really helped my back out. I never really paid attention to driver shaft weight, but I now play a 50 gram shaft that is great. Even tested the XXIO drivers recently and did see some gains and felt great in the weight.

I’ve been gaming all summer an $89 Nike Covert 2.0 in Excellent condition, plus getting one of my favorite shafts, playing great

I went for a new driver. Got a swing lesson because no driver would fit severe out to in. That guy will fit me one after I fix a couple downswing movements

I am a club fitter and I fit the right way. If there's no improvement then I encourage the Customer to walk away. Not all fitters are the same.....

One thing missing that ties into everything: club not performing the way you want it too. Found that to be the case for me was delivering the club the way I wanted but wouldn't perform. Made the change and changed my game for the better (5 handicap down to scratch and driving a big reason why). Obviously, that ties into swing change, custom fit, tech etc, but that's a big reason to for some imo

Just updated my driver to a 425 Max from a 2002 G2. Feels heavier but it’s growing on me.

Just treated myself to a Cobra Speedzone, an upgrade from my 2013 Taylormade R1. Lighter, quicker, more forgiving, bigger sweetspot......definitely an upgrade. Bring on single figures in 2023 with my new weapon 💣💥ball!

If ever in Arizona, see Todd at Alll About Golf, one of the most honest men you will ever meet or deal with. Small mom and pop's shop, people who really care about our game. Call Ping factory in Pheonix. He will be the first club fitter they reccomend. That's how i found out about him. Sure glad I did.

Just got fitted and bought a new Stealth driver. Promotion for it meant I won a years worth of beer, I just won thw Pro-Am at my club and Im in a draw at end of the year for $50k. Buying a new driver is fun. 😁

I Took my big bag of spare clubs (Im sure you all know what i mean) - Down to a Simulator and used the range to test. The winner for consistency and length for me was a ~2012 Ping Anser. Thats not to say that it is definitely the BEST driver i have, but for my swing RIGHT NOW, it beat out newer clubs

Great advice as always, Mark. As I've said many times before, this is where you really shine above all others. Keep it up, and I love these types of videos, One major problem, and that is finding a person that knows about coaching, biomechanics of the swing and club fitting all-in-one. Oh, and, has your best interest at heart and not his pocket. That's the proverbial needle in a haystack. I haven't found that person yet, and I'm in the market for new clubs. My swing has changed quite a bit as I've improved my game. if you, or anyone else, knows such a person in Arizona, USA, please let me know. Cheers.

I've bought a few drivers over the years hoping to get a few more yards, ya a few more yards deeper in the rough, only to leave it in the garage and take my Taylor Made R5 back to the middle of the fairway

The Callaway did look nice

Shoutout to the guys at @moderngolfchannel in toronto (modern golf). I hate the feel of my hard stepped project x 5.5 shafts and wanted to go back to dynamic gold. I told the guy prior to hitting any shots i had no intention of making a purchase and i wanted to use the session to simply determine some other options so i could simply re-shaft a 6 iron and practice with it over the winter. Dude treated me with class, and was genuinely helping me. I cant even count how many variations of shafts i tested that day. He said he would save the recommended specs in their system, and i walked away with ZERO pressure to purchase. When im ready to re-build, im definitely having them do it.

I play an Offset Cobra S-2 Driver. I buy my Golf Equipment at Golf Discount Warehouse. They have Fitters and a Swing Monitor. I literally hit Every New Model Driver available along with my S-2. Absolutely zero difference. Did the same with my Irons (Srixon ZX4) and still no difference from the new equipment. Granted my current Sticks have been fitted to my Swing since I bought them new, but I figured they would have made some noticeable breakthroughs since I bought them. I play to a 4 Handicap, so I can get around the Course pretty well, therefore I don't think it's my lack of ability making the new equipment look like there's no improvement. So Guys (and Gals) be sure to Test any new equipment against your current stuff before you make Monster purchases.

I’m off work for two weeks over Xmas, just need to find a semi trustworthy fitter in the north east (England) TSR2 looks shiny enough for my needs.

As a 28 handicapper, no improvement in technology will help me much right now. Sporting a TM R5 dual draw bias 12 degree (yeah I know) that I picked up for $80, I find the fairways about 65 percent of the time - about 220-240 carry.... Yeah not far but it is reliable for a hacker such as me. Point of diminishing returns I guess.

I love buying new equipment but only if it will improve my game. To many players think new clubs will make them better players, in truth having lessons from someone who understands your game and hard work on the practice ground is the only way to really improve. Newer clubs will help as you progress but they are never miracle cures.

I’m upgrading from an early 200s Ping G2 this Christmas. It’s been good to me since I bought it a few years back as a beginner but it’s gotten to a point where I give it everything I have (107 club head speed) and it’s carrying in the 230s. It’s unbelievable spiny. I’m going to have my new Radspeed fitted and I cant wait to see the difference

LoL I played golf for the first time in 20 years last week. I was worried that my "Jumbo Head" Wilsondriver might be illegal. Only to find out its not that much bigger than a hybrid And on seeing the modern driversthey reminded me of the comicly oversized plastic clubs that parents bought to play on the beach when you was a kid. Yeah I need a newer driver as Mine is from the 1990s

i love new clubs....lol... currently i have a PXG GEN 5 10.5 driver...lookin at getting either the TITLEIST TSR2 Driver or the PING G430 ...... both look amazing and i can't wait to try them....cheers from Canada........great video by the way

I'd love to be in a position to test new clubs as often as you do Mark to really get to the point of understanding if clubs make a difference to my golf. The reality is that the average golfer can't do this more than once every few years as the cost of a fitting is getting close to half the cost of a new club. Nevertheless, I agree with everything to said. My club is about to get a new swing studio so I'll be in there as often as I can to see what I can get from the clubs I have before engaging my club professional to fix my gaps.

Got fitted for the ltdx at £240. Not bad if you can wait for hype to die down

Still playing my 712 AP2s and I love them, don't see myself ever replacing them. They might be due for a refurbishment soon though

Great content as always, Mark. BTW. The most important reason to replace your driver is when you get too embarrassed by all the "idiot marks" that are on the crown of the driver... my miss tends to be really high on the face... like so high on the face there isn't any face there.

The best performing driver I ever had was the Titleist 975D with a close second being a ping G10. Currently gaming a TSI3 and I switched to an X-stiff shaft last year and I've got much better performance out of it, hitting the ball longer than I've ever hit it. I had a few Taylor Made drivers over the years and they were fine but the dispersion between good strikes and poor strikes was huge.

I use a TaylorMade M1, haven’t found anything that can beat it

I've just changed my Ping G sftec driver as the shaft broke, got a great deal on a brand new G410 plus for £236, played with it 1st time on Sunday and hit it well

I bought a new TSR3 simply because I kept cracking used Ping heads and wanted a good warranty. Titleist also claims I’ll have a harder time cracking their heads. Time will tell.

I’ve been using an eBay bought G20 and I hit it really well. My shot shape has changed from a draw to a fade for some reason as I’ve improved. It’s probably the most reliable club in the bag. But I’m still trying to convince myself to get a new driver in case I can get 20 yards further down that stroke index 1!

I rushed to Edwin Watts to try the 1st Gen Sim and 1st gen Maverick, both 2020, because they are finally affordable. My Titleist 917 beat both of them.

As always, I agree with everything Mark said. As much as I am golf gear head, I am a music gear head. What are those guitars hanging on the wall? One looks like a Fender Starcaster and another looks like a Jazzmaster. I would be interested in knowing about Mark’s guitar collection. 😊 🎸

Great video. I use a ping g20 driver and keep thinking I should upgrade.....the issue is that I don't beleive I am getting all I can from the g20 and going to a newer driver will not improve my game very much.

I just wish I could find someone as knowledgeable as you to fit me. I just don't trust anyone selling clubs around me and would rather get a lesson to sort me out then risk it.

Great content Mark. I'm looking for a driver with MAX forgiveness, speed/distance is not an issue for me. When I'm hitting my driver well, I hit a small pull/fade. When I miss it, I'm hitting a cut/slice with an occasional dead straight pull. Mitigating my misses is what I'm always looking to do.

I have a 15 yr old driver. been dying to get a new one.... think in 2023 i will treat myself.

Still using my G15 and my OG Rinkydink.

So glad I found your videos on RU-vid So many awesome tips Keep the videos coming Thanks Canada 🇨🇦

What I have noticed is that technology is allowing amateurs to play closer to the pros. John Daly was the guy to hit hit 300 yds before it was common. Now you can hit 300 yds because the forgiveness and adjustability of the modern equipment. Tiger even mentioned he hits it further now than years back because of the technology.

Great Video as always. I got custom fitted by an independent club fitting business back in 2009, R9 Supertri, I played the club for over 10 years. Swing has changed and as you say, just wanted something new and did a complete bag overhaul. So got fitted for a G410 end of 2019 and see no reason to change for the foreseeable future. Irons will be the next to Change and certainly think there are some gains to be had with the i230 vs current Blades!

The Ping IsI titanium will always haunt my golfing life . Such a great driver

Do you know Mark , I bought a new driver unfortunately damaged it and had to replace, bought a second hand driver admittedly only 2 years old and goes longer than my old one, maybe luck etc etc but best decision I made, I know keep up with my mate who still plays his G20 on its second shaft after breaking the first !! :)

I still use a King Cobra 440 SZ unlimited. I bought it way back in 2004. I never use it because I can't hit it consistently. I can consistently hit my 3 wood straight so just tee off with that. 2004 is old when we are talking about old right?

Except reason 1 the new shining toys all the other reasons can also be with last years model , or two year old models for a fraction of the price of the latest model

been using the same driver for 10+ years. Tested some newer models but cant find anything better than my cobra zl encore

...love the format of these videos. It's very like Paul whitehouse brilliant kid sketch....it's brilliant!

I am sick of hearing the recommendation to get “fit!” My experience is that you are more likely to make a hole-in-one than get fit in a way that truly helps your game. Perhaps if I could get fit by you it would be different. For the past 50 years, I have been “fit” at least 25 times - not once Have I been able to replicate on the course the, for example, increased distance with a new driver (or whatever) that the fitter was able to demonstrate on “his” trackman! For the most part I think “fitting” is a total waste of money. I believe most golfers that have some experience would be better served by having a range stocked with 15 driver heads in the golfers shaft flex so he could hit range balls and then choose one yourself! My opinion.

It is not the tool, it is the mechanic. I am pretty sure this is one of the reasons why people that swap gear all the time don't develop consistency.

I have a 10.5 Ping G-10.

Very solid advice!

Had a taylormade burner driver for years but these new drivers are so much better if you don't square it up all the time. Looking to upgrade for next season

Been using a Nike Vapor TW bonded driver and nothing new comes close. Golf is a marketing capitalist con to rip the average golfer off. Jesus even take the old Titleist 975d with x100 steel shaft out for a whirl and still shoot 75!

It's called "the ground" when it's outside. - Ron Swanson

How much for a fitting pls mark

Another great video thanks. Really liked the advice about being fit by “a coach” as opposed to “a salesman” but where do you find this person? Where I live there are very few golf pros, even less golf coaches with good reputations and no swing/simulation studios for miles. I have bought a GC3 and am trying to build a sim in my garage to help me practice and understand what I am doing but it’s not easy to understand the data without the support of a coach.

would love to see the club speed when you compare the drivers ;) Great video! :D

My theory is I can spend $2-3,000 on new clubs and not afford to play or I can play a bunch. I dropped 20 strokes by semi regular play. I play Slazenger Royal Panthers from late 80's and Nike Ignite driver from early 2000's.

I think you buy a club because you believe it will be better than what you have. Golf being a game with huge mental dependency- using a club that you believe is better than your old club will often give the confidence that allows a better hit. (I hit my Callaway Epic more consistently than my G10 - is it a better club or is it mental?)

Mark , im 60 self taught off 2.2 , spinal opp and cant push off my right leg properly , no fitting can help or maybe you know better !! Iwould love you to see if you can help an old man lmao !!! Please let me know as i am local in plymouth , cheers , phil

Enjoyed the vid Mark...funny, I'm a 5 index drawer of the ball, yet play the "draw" bias Callaway B21 based on your review actually...only driver I can cut!!

I think living in england much be much different than living here in the states! I live in missouri about 1.5 hours from st. Louis and their is only 3 places to get fit and 2 of the 3 are golf galaxy. How are we supposed to find these dream fitters?!

I got a new driver when I got new irons just because

So your saying its time to update the TM R5Dual driver? Circa 2004. Or should I go new wedge and retire the PGA R21 circa 1960's aka older than the user by about 20 years!

So, you're telling me that my 2010 Titleist 910 D3 might be a bit long in tooth?

Hi Mark, how were the Nike drivers not made well, do you have any evidence they were no good or is it based on your opinion? From my recollection you gamed Nike drivers previously.