Need Driver Advice for my Dad..please help!

[JEBS]

I am thinking of getting my dad a new driver for father's day. He currently is using the TM R5 Draw bias with I think a regular stock shaft.

He is not getting the distance he used to (he is not as flexible as he once was) He is only in his late fifties so he still has alot of strength. He hits the ball consistently straight with a slight draw (R5 D) and he has a pretty high ball flight. His swing speed is probably in the low 90's (at best) He is about 5'4" 135lbs.

He needs more distance an extra 15-20+ yards would really help his game.(his average is about 200.. max 225)

I feel that he needs a more boring ball flight (better shaft?) and a hotter club head. He is also working with an instructor to help him get through the ball more.

Any suggestions?? I know the best option would to get him fit.. but I want to supprise him.

Thanks!!

[Twisted]

Taylormade R7 - 460 with a NV 55 shaft.

[simar]

get him fitted on his club.

[xander.uk]

maybe the instructor could fit him covertly?
ie. say to him can you try this club or shaft for me?

if you buy him a driver he isnt fitted for its not going to help him!

if he is hitting the ball straight but not so far thats better imo than hitting it 30 yards further into the trees :D

[hogannut]

I agree with simar. Instead of getting him a shaft, go and get a gift certificate from a club fitter to be set up on a launch monitor. A whippier shaft is probably all he needs, and you could probably re-shaft his current driver and get better results for half the price when comparing it buying a new dirver for $500-600.

For me anyway I reshafted my dad's clubs as a retirement gift for him and he definetly got some distance back. When you hit your late 50's it's time to go to the senior shafts. The good news is these days the shafts are so good and so specific to the player your dad could play without noticing much difference for the next 20 years.

When I saw Arnold Palmer in the 2004 Masters he was hitting 240-250 and he was in his 70's. I know it's Arnold Palmer, but no 70+ year old man could do that with the same shafts he used when he was in his 40's-50's.

[Big Shooter]

also get him some Zero Friction tees, my Dad LOVES them since I hooked him up with a few!!! ;)

[guitarman]

I am thinking of getting my dad a new driver for father's day. He currently is using the TM R5 Draw bias with I think a regular stock shaft.

He is not getting the distance he used to (he is not as flexible as he once was) He is only in his late fifties so he still has alot of strength. He hits the ball consistently straight with a slight draw (R5 D) and he has a pretty high ball flight. His swing speed is probably in the low 90's (at best) He is about 5'4" 135lbs.

He needs more distance an extra 15-20+ yards would really help his game.(his average is about 200.. max 225)

I feel that he needs a more boring ball flight (better shaft?) and a hotter club head. He is also working with an instructor to help him get through the ball more.

Any suggestions?? I know the best option would to get him fit.. but I want to supprise him.

Thanks!!

I have a swing speed in the low 80s and I average 200 to 220. this weekend I got off a good one that went 245. I do that about 1 in 10. If your dad is swinging low 90s you think he'd get farther than 200

[JEBS]

I have a swing speed in the low 80s and I average 200 to 220. this weekend I got off a good one that went 245. I do that about 1 in 10. If your dad is swinging low 90s you think he'd get farther than 200

Hi Terry,

When he swings through the ball he can get it out there in 225+ range but like I said before I feel he is losing distance with his ball flight it seems too high for the distance he carries. I am just hoping that he can get some kind of solution (both lesson and Driver) to help him get it out there a little better. He just got fit on his irons and thank God he put a couple hybrids in the bag!! I think his gap is in his Driver and 3 wood (I had him try the TE Exotics 3W at GT...wow!!) I just thought someone on the forum knew a few drivers that were pretty long..

BTW Thanks for all your info I will probably get him hooked up with a driver fitting !!! and the Zero Friction Tees

[Snipes5150]

You might want to take a look at one of the Nike SUMO's or last year's Sasquatch...with the size of those things I don't see how they could NOT be insanely forgiving and unbelievably long. Other than that, Cobra LD, Ping Rapture, those type of clubs come to mind. Something with a big deep face, and a lunchbox of a clubhead. But it is vital to get the right shaft. Before I had my 905R fitted for the right shaft, not only was I not hitting it that far, I was pushing it out to the right, now (last round) I hit 13 fairways, hit 1 of them 293, and averaged about 265 all day. Make sure you've got the right shaft

[simar]

the R5-D is a good clubhead, getting it fitted after a few lessons would probably help him more than a new club.