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WHERE NEXT WITH DRIVERS? 2008-03-18
So where is golf technology going to take us in 2008, and what are the opportunities the manufacturers are going to present us with?
We have seen the big, glamorous Driver hog the headlines over the last 10 years and I can see no reason why that won’t continue to be the case.
I have seen some reports suggesting that now that there is so much regulation around this club, we will see less hype. Not a chance.
Shaft length could well be the next area that will capture marketers’ attention. The message will be: “now that your Driver has a bigger sweet spot and the head automatically returns square at impact you can afford to lengthen your shaft to 47 inches”.
We have already seen TaylorMade increase the shaft length on the Burner to 46". The Mizuno MX 560 has a 45½" shaft.
The year started with Nike and Callaway introducing square headed Drivers that were guaranteed to go straight. But everybody else headed in another direction – “Bullet heads” – and guess what? They also guaranteed straighter driving.
If anybody thought that TaylorMade’s innovation using Moveable Weight Technology (MWT) was a one-off, then Mizuno with the new MP 600 and ‘Fast Track’ have added their endorsement to weight placement being in the hands of the golfer. Expect to see followers.
Ping, with the G10, also have a longer shaft on their Driver (45¾") but that wasn’t the shock of 2007 with this brand.
Ping has gone funky. The G10 range is really quite startling to look at when compared to their previous, very conservative, product line.
I think this probably indicates that we are going to see further emphasis placed on just who has the best looking Driver at Tee-Off.
Along with looks, one or two manufacturers (Nike being one) have realized that ‘sound’ is another important aesthetic. So I think we have heard the last of that terrible ‘hollow tin can’ sound.
I think that 2008 is going to see a continuation of the focus on weight movement. This isn’t just about changing MOI ratings and the size of the ‘sweet spot’.
There is still an opportunity to influence launch angles and spin rates off the Driver face and therefore the chance to add precious yards to your Tee Shot. And that search is going to run for ever.
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