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LA Golf have teamed up with Bryson DeChambeau to create their first driver. It certainly looks the part, but how does it perform? Jack Backhouse took it out on the golf course to find out.
LA Golf has officially stepped into the driver market with a bold statement: cutting-edge design, custom fit technology, and a rebellious spirit that challenges the norms of traditional golf equipment. Partnering with Bryson DeChambeau, a man synonymous with high-speed ball striking and pushing the boundary of driver performance, LA Golf has introduced its first-ever driver. But can it compete with the likes of TaylorMade, Titleist, and Callaway? We took it for a spin at Rudding Park in order to conduct our full LA Golf driver review….
A bold entry into the driver market, the LA Golf driver brings cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and custom-fit precision that I believe genuinely competes with the best in the game. Ideal for high-speed players, its unique bulge and roll technology ensures straighter ball flights and enhanced control on off-center strikes. While the lack of physical fitting locations might be a drawback for some, the online fitting system does a solid job of personalizing the experience.
The first thing that catches your eye with the LA Golf driver is its stunning, minimalist design. The matte black head is sleek and unadorned, with only subtle LA Golf branding on the sole—so subtle, in fact, that it’s only visible in certain light. It’s a departure from the loud and flashy designs of its competitors, leaning instead towards a cool, understated aesthetic that screams confidence.
The driver features just one weight, positioned slightly towards the heel, and a distinctive face technology that stands out in the crowded driver market. This isn’t just a driver; it’s a statement.
NCG Verdict
Unique technology
At the heart of LA Golf’s debut driver lies its unique face technology. This is a direct response to DeChambeau’s battles with traditional driver designs. Most drivers come equipped with a standard bulge and roll profile that compensates for off-center hits. However, when you swing at Bryson’s speed, which is well over 130 mph, the typical adjustments are simply not enough. Balls struck on the toe or heel would veer dramatically offline, a problem that LA Golf have set out to solve.
Online custom fitting tool
Rather than producing multiple head shapes, LA Golf designed five different faces tailored to specific swing speeds and shot patterns. This custom fitting approach is deployed using an online questionnaire that assesses your swing characteristics, recommending the optimal face for your game. It’s a fresh take on custom fitting, prioritizing face dynamics over traditional head design. And it works, as long as you leave your ego to the side!
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Helping with those mishits
When I was testing the driver hitting into Rudding Park’s notoriously tight fairways, it became clear that the unique face technology genuinely made a difference. My shots struck off the toe and heel but still maintained a tighter dispersion than what I expected. I also experienced a lot less dramatic hooks and slices. This is a direct testament to LA Golf’s innovations and roll adjustments, designed specifically for high-speed swings.
The test model, the 1010 driver, I used came with 9.5 degrees of loft and felt perfectly balanced behind the ball. The LA Golf shaft, included as standard, is known for its stiffness and stability. This helps to generate more and increased ball speeds as well as low spin rates. Even my mishits managed to produce solid carry distances and straighter ball flights, a testament to the technology’s effectiveness.
I recorded ball speeds consistently around 160 mph with carry distances pushing past 275 yards on well-struck shots. My spin rates hovered around the 2000 RPM mark, which I found optimal for both distance and control.
Lovely feel and sound
Striking the LA Golf driver is a satisfying experience. The club feels weighty and powerful without crossing into cumbersome. Each shot is accompanied by a muted, solid sound which I though was more reminiscent of classic titanium drivers rather than the hollow, metallic pop found in many modern designs. There’s a distinct sense of power and precision that is rare for a first-generation driver.
Superb shaft
The inclusion of LA Golf’s premium shaft technology only enhances the experience, in my opinion. Known for its exceptional stability, the shaft ensures minimal lag and provides a true feeling of control through impact. This again is evident even on off-center hits.
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Final Verdict
A disruptor in a crowded golf driver market
Overall, the LA Golf driver is not just another standard driver. I think it’s a genuine disruptor. It has technology that I think could very well influence the broader industry. For high-speed players seeking tighter dispersion and optimized distance, it’s absolutely worth a look. While its custom fit process may be a barrier for some, particularly with the lack of in-store fittings, the results speak for themselves.
If you’re ready to step away from the mainstream and into something a bit more rebellious, the LA Golf driver might just be your new favourite weapon off the tee.
In a market where the biggest names have been dominant, LA Golf has announced itself as a true competitor. That is not just in relation to its looks, but in performance where it really matters.
