Drivers:
The essential guide

Joe Whitley spoke to Tom Hughes - PGA professional and equipment and custom-fitting expert at The Belfry - to find out everything there is to know about drivers, from custom fitting to head shapes, and shafts to lofts

What size should the average player go for?
This depends on the style of player but, generally speaking, someone struggling to hit the ball straight and long consistently should opt for 460cc clubheads.
These heads are usually the most forgiving because there is more room for the engineers to move the weight around to make the clubs easier to use.
A 460cc head will suit the average player because of the high forgiveness levels, but it depends on which course the player plays because a links golfer would need to keep the ball down as much as possible and this can be difficult with a typical 460cc head.

Why is titanium the most popular material?
Titanium is one of the strongest and lightest metals on the market. It allows engineers to make the clubheads thinner and lighter and this in turn lets them position the bulk of the weight where they want to affect how the club will play.
It also allows the user to swing the ball faster due to the weight and repels the ball off the face much faster than other metals. Materials used in the past such as steel and wood served a purpose but would be much heavier when scaled up to the sizes of modern-day titanium drivers and this would impact swing speed and lose distance.

There are models on the market in all shapes and sizes. What affect performance?
Different shaped drivers serve different purposes, and usually the squarer, larger ones will suit the higher handicapper because they are more forgiving and easier to align correctly. Conversely, the more compact traditional heads will be ideal for a better player, although it is all down to personal taste.

How important is the sound a driver makes?
Sound is vital for feel and feedback. If a club is too loud it may, to some, be off-putting or disheartening, while to others it could be a real confidence boost. At the end of the day it is all about preference so you should always test a club before you buy to make sure you like how it feels and sounds.

Is it true that higher handicappers need more loft than better players?
Typically yes. This is because your average better player will have a fast swing speed, which allows him to launch the ball further and with more spin to keep the ball in the air.
This means that he can use less loft to get even more distance out of his swing. On the other hand, an average player hits the ball with a slower swing and this means that he will struggle to keep the ball in the air with a low loft.
Therefore a weaker loft will keep the ball higher for longer and get more distance.

What is COR and why is it important?
Coefficient of restitution is the measurement of a clubface's ability to rebound the ball back at impact. In basic terms, it is a measurement of the face's ability to add ball speed. The higher the number, the greater the distance, but the R&A have set a limit to 0.89, and most, if not all, models currently on the market are at this.

What is MOI?
Moment of inertia is a basic measurement of the forgiveness of a club. When a strike comes out of the heel or toe the club twists, but MOI tries to prevent this. However, a higher MOI sacrifices workability so you have to find the right balance.

How does an offset driver affect shots?
Offset is very similar to having a closed face - it gives you more time to square the club at impact. It helps straighten out a fade, too, but might not be best for someone who is improving a lot because they may outgrow it.

What is centre of gravity (CG)?
In basic terms, this is the point where the majority of the weight of the clubhead is and it is very important. Manufacturers use it to affect how a club plays - for example, if it is low and back, it will promote a high flight, while the opposite will be achieved if it is pushed forward. It can also be used to give draw or fade biases.

Manufacturers bring out new drivers all the time. Are there actual improvements?
Yes. The manufacturers would not bring out a new club if it was not an improvement on the last so you are bound to see an improvement. They are limited to what they can change by the game's rules but they always find ways to get you more yards.

How vital to performance is the shaft?
This is open to opinion. Some people think it is more important than anything, while others think the clubhead is of greater importance. Personally, I think they are equally important because neither can work properly without the other. The way to get the most out of a club is to correctly match the head with the shaft and without this you cannot get the best results. For example, you could find the perfect shaft for you but if you do not match it with the right clubhead for both your game and the shaft, you will not use the club to your potential.

How long are driver shafts and why?
The longer the shaft is, the longer the arc of your swing is and therefore the faster your clubhead speed will be. This makes you hit it further but you will sacrifice control and accuracy as a result. The average shaft length of an amateur is about 45 inches, but on tour it is 44. Tiger Woods famously uses a driver with a shaft of around 43.75 inches - this is because he already has the distance and requires more control.

What is the kickpoint of a shaft?
The kickpoint is where the shaft bends through impact - the higher the point, the lower the flight. Better players tend to have higher kickpoints, while beginners have lower ones to get the ball in the air easier.

What is torque?
This is how much the shaft twists through impact - a shaft with more flex will have more torque to help you get the clubhead through quicker, while a stiffer shaft will have less, meaning the player must generate the speed.

What is flex?
Flex is the ability of a shaft to bend as force is applied during the swing. Having a flex that doesn't match the needs of your swing will result in the clubface being misaligned at impact, causing your shots to go off-target. Generally speaking, too stiff will leak to the right (for a right-hander) and fall shorter and lower. Too flexible will draw and go very high.

Can you give an overview of swing speeds and how they relate to flex?
Under 70 miles per hour: senior (a) or ladies (l) flex. From 70-80 miles per hour: between 'a' and regular (r). From 80-90 miles per hour: between 'r' and stiff (s). From 90-105 miles per hour: between 's' and extra stiff (x). Over 105 miles per hour: 'x'

Does grip thickness have an impact on performance?
It really doesn't. Unless your fingers are digging into your palm you wouldn't notice a difference because the changes are so minimal you would not see them. It is all about feel and nothing else.

What about the type of grip?
The same applies - it is all down to how you feel and what you like. Some prefer the full cord grips, which are better in the wet but can hurt your hands, while others like the softer ones, which feel more pleasant but can struggle in rain.

How important is custom fitting?
In my eyes it is vital. With it you can find a club that is made just for your swing and therefore offers maximum performance. Selecting the right shaft and clubhead combination for your swing will increase accuracy, distance, control and consistency and is of utmost importance.

So you think it is worth the investment?
Absolutely, and what is more, a lot of places refund your fitting fee when you purchase a club, so you are basically getting a club tailored to your game for free.

Which brand offers the best all-round driver fitting system, and why?
Ping are the most impressive - especially for the better player. They offer a great amount of different shaft and loft options that are all tailored to each clubhead, which gives the best all-round service. I also think Nike offer a great service for the higher handicapper.

First and foremost, get fitted. You can try a variety of different clubhead and shaft combinations until you find the right one for you and can save yourself so much money in the long run. There is no point forking out on an expensive driver if it is not right for you.