golf driver head travel

How to Hit Further with Driver Ball Speed to Distance Charts

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Until two years ago, I struggled to compress the golf ball at impact, reducing my smash factor and ball speed and increasing spin. In this post, I’ll teach you the relationship between driver ball speed to distance and how you can increase yardage from the tee box .

After walking away from this post, you will learn whether your average ball speed is fast, medium, or slow. I also reveal what ball speeds pros on the PGA Tour Champions and PGA Tour conjure up.

Driver Ball Speed to Distance Overview

Driver golf ball speed and distance are impacted by factors including spin rate, attack angle, smash factor, and launch angle. Keep reading to understand how these metrics impact your distance and what you can do to boost your yardage.

What is Ball Speed in Golf?

Ball speed refers to the velocity your golf ball leaves the clubface at. It is regarded as a key factor impacting your distance, along with the spin rate, attack angle, launch angle, humidity, and wind. Your club head pace is transferred to the golf ball at contact, boosting acceleration for a powerful launch.

The faster your club speed is, the more ball speed you are likely to generate. However, striking the ball in the heel or the toe reduces your smash factor, energy transfer, and ball velocity, leading to a loss of distance.

How Do You Convert Ball Speed to Distance?

Converting golf ball speed to distance requires a strong smash factor, moderate launch angle, and favorable wind and precipitation conditions. When your clubface reaches impact, it transfers clubhead speed to the golf ball. 

If you strike the ball out of the sweet spot, you should generate optimal velocity and a lower spin rate to elevate your ball into the air and produce a satisfactory carry distance. However, if you hit the ball excessively high in dry and windy conditions, you stand to lose length in the air.

Mishiting the ball lowers your speed and increases your spin rate producing a weak launch and a loss of distance. Therefore, a low launch angle and low spin will travel shorter than a higher launch angle with moderate spin, despite producing the same ball speed.

Ball Speed to Distance Cha rt

The below chart gives you a rough idea of carry distance relative to ball speed. The figures will vary depending on your smash factor, attack angle, spin rate, and launch angle. Using the example provided by Ping, we notice varying distances for a 167 mph ball speed.

When a player launches the ball between 7.5 to 8 degrees and produces 1600 rpm backspin, the golf ball flies 240 yards. Conversely, if the ball launches at 17 degrees with 2400 rpm spin, it delivers an average carry distance of 296 yards.

Read Next: Best Golf Drivers for Seniors + Buyers Guide

Driver Swing Speed Chart To Ball Speed

Take a look at the chart below to see how club head speed translates to ball speed. These metrics consider ideal conditions where you strike the ball cleanly, launch it optimally, and enjoy clear weather.

⛳️ Read Next: How to Use Golf Club Lead Tape

Average PGA Tour Player Ball Speed

The ball speed chart below highlights the average PGA Tour player and their LPGA counterpart’s ball speed. Cameron Champ beats the average by approximately 17 mph, while Brian Stuard is behind the mark with an average of 157 mph.

Although little radar data is available on the PGA Tour Champions, I was impressed to see Padraig Harrington’s ball speed average. The Irishman generates 180 mph ball speed regularly.  As a YouTube Channel instructor , he shares some of his favorite tips for increasing speed in the golf swing.

Miguel Angel Jimenez produces less ball speed than the PGA Tour average, notching up 165 mph. Impressive from the 60-year-old Spaniard.

Individual statistics on ball speed are few and far between for LPGA Tour pros. However, it is interesting to note that Nelly Korda conjures up 154 mph ball speed, 14 mph more than the LPGA Tour average.

⛳️ Read More: Golf Club Distance Chart For Seniors

Club Head Speed vs Ball Speed: How Does it Affect Distance?

Accelerated clubhead speed is vital for optimizing energy transfer at contact to impart rapid pace onto the golf ball. The faster your ball speed is, the less spin you create and the better your chances are of an optimal launch angle and maximum carry distance. 

Faster clubhead speeds typically hit further than slower swingers because they are able to deliver greater force at impact. However, if you mishit the ball and produce a weak smash factor, you lose ball speed and ultimately, distance.

Comparing my average metrics to Cameron Champ puts the club head speed and ball speed distance relationship into perspective. Champ averages 126 mph clubhead speed and 191 mph ball speed, prompting an average driving distance of 316 yards.

My driver clubhead speed averages 85 mph, ball speed 131 mph, and distance 273 yards. I lose 40 mph on Champ during the downswing, and even with consistent contact, my ball speed is over 60 mph slower than his. My total distance average is 43 yards shy of Champ’s average.

6 Expert Tips on How to Increase Ball Speed

1. Use a Lightweight Driver

If your ball speed loss stems from slower clubhead speed, I suggest altering the components of your driver. Employ a lighter, flexible shaft to drop the swing weight and help you accelerate the club on the downswing.

Alternatively, seek a new driver with a lighter, flexible shaft and a lower swing weight. 

The lighter construction will give you an added boost on the downswing and spring the clubface into the ball at contact. This boosts rebound off the clubface for reduced spin rates and explosive speed.

I recommend senior golfers consider the luxury of flexibility and high torque in a senior or ladies flex shaft . I also find drivers with lower swing weights around the D0 mark easier to unload for slow clubhead speeds.

⛳️ Read Next: Can’t Hit Your Driver? How to Hit a Driver Further Today

2. Shoulder Turn On The Backswing

Increasing clubhead speed is vital to generating rapid ball velocity. The faster you swing, the faster your potential ball speed is. The first part of conjuring pace in your swing is optimizing the rotation of your shoulders on the backswing.

As Rick Shiels explains, you want to boost your range of motion to get the clubhead as far away from the strike zone as possible. The farther your clubhead is from the ball at the top of the swing, the more distance you have to cover on the way down, setting the scene for explosive pace into impact.

This positions you to impart rapid zip onto the golf ball for a powerful launch and impressive carry distance.

3. Hip Rotation

Sticking with building up clubhead speed, I tend to rotate my hips as far as possible, away from the target on my backswing. It creates a coil and builds up ample energy for me to unleash on the downswing, generating an accelerated ball pace.

If I only turn my shoulders on the backswing and rely on my arms, I lose power and speed on the way down, prompting a weak strike. However, optimizing my hip rotation on the backswing helps me build up energy, which I can release from the top and accelerate into impact. 

4. Smooth Transition

Once your clubhead reaches the top of your backswing, you should transition smoothly to your downswing to avoid losing power and speed. Often, amateurs rush the transition from the top, causing them to unload the club early and lose power.

By the time the clubface reaches the ball, it is slow and has minimal energy to transfer to the golf ball. I suggest working with a swing training aid like the Orange Whip to help improve your tempo for a fluid motion from takeaway through impact.

5. Wrist Flexion Prior To Impact

For most of my career, I lost ball speed at contact because of excessive wrist extension prior to impact. This caused me to open the clubface, weaken the loft and launch the ball high and to the right.

I started working with the HackMotion wrist training aid a couple years back, and it has done wonders for my ball speed. By training myself to flex my wrists on the downswing, I started shallowing the shaft and delofting the clubface to increase compression, ball speed, and accuracy.

6. Shallow Shaft

I was guilty of swinging steeply for two decades, which cost me clubhead speed on the downswing. It also led to the odd chunk and inconsistent strike, hampering my smash factor, ball speed, and launch.

Under the guidance of the HackMotion wrist sensor , I have managed to consistently shallow my club’s shaft, leading into impact. I bring my golf shaft parallel to the ground prior to contact, creating lag, delofting the club, and marginally closing the clubface.

My rotation and momentum whip the club from the parallel position into the golf ball, maximizing energy transfer, compression, and ball speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my swing speed if my ball speed is 150.

Your golf swing speed is approximately 103 mph if you produce 150 mph of ball speed with an enhanced smash factor and launch angle. Your golf ball speed could also reach 150 mph with a 110 mph swing speed and a weak smash factor. 

How fast does your ball speed need to be to hit 300 yards?

On average, your golf ball speed will reach over 170 mph if you are to hit your driver 300 yards. However, these driver distance metrics are based on clear days with limited wind or humidity.

How far should a 70 year old man hit a driver?

On average, I find 70-year-old men hitting a driver between 180 to 200 yards in perfect conditions. 

Final Thoughts

After reviewing the connection between driver ball speed to distance, it is clear that multiple factors impact these metrics. Ball speed is determined by clubhead speed, angle of attack, smash factor, and spin rate. However, a rapid ball speed does not necessarily translate to optimal distance.

You require a medium to high launch angle, no wind, and some humidity to enjoy the perfect conditions for increasing yards off the tee. Just because your ball speed is explosive does not mean your ball will fly long. 

The perfect tee shot requires rapid swing speed, a reduced spin rate, mid-to-high ball flight, and limited headwinds.

Related Golf Articles to Read Next

9 Best Used Drivers to Buy in 2023 + [Expert Guide]

11 ABSOLUTE Best Drivers for Seniors in 2023 + Buyers Guide

Ultimate Golf Club Distance Chart for Seniors [All Skill Levels]

The PGA TOUR Champions 2023 Ultimate Guide

How Much Do Fitted Golf Clubs Cost? 7 Tips + Ways to Save 💰

Matt Callcott-Stevens has lived and breathed golf since he was four. As a junior, he played competitively, until he discovered his talents were better suited to writing about the game. Matt holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing through the Johan Cruyff Institute in Barcelona and has provided golf game improvement tips to seniors and the average golfer for seven years.

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Taking a removable driver head as a carry on while flying

By xabia March 5, 2013 in Equipment

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March 5, 2013

Yep. Just did it last month. No worries at all. You just can't adjust it mid-flight.

[quote name='lovingolf90' timestamp='1362680456' post='6565021'] why not avoid all of this and get one of those hard travel cases? [url="http://www.golfsmith.com/product/30083473/tour-trek-guardian-deluxe"]http://www.golfsmith...guardian-deluxe[/url] [/quote] Hard cases are a B'tch with rental cars.

[quote name='lovingolf90' timestamp='1362680456' post='6565021'] why not avoid all of this and get one of those hard travel cases? [url="http://www.golfsmith.com/product/30083473/tour-trek-guardian-deluxe"]http://www.golfsmith...guardian-deluxe[/url] [/quote] They weigh more so you can't take as much stuff, plus they take up more space, the hard sides make it a tougher fit in rental cars.

Ping G430 LST 9* (set to 7.5*), 45", Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6x Ping G430 LST 14.5* (set to 13*) Fujikura Ventus Black 7x Ping G430 Max 18* (set to 17*) Fujikura Ventus Black 8x or  Tour Edge CBX Iron-Wood 17* (Black Pearl) Fujikura Ventus HB Blue 9x Epon AF-306 4i + Epon AF-Tour CB2 5-PW, Nippon Modus 125X Corey Paul 52*, Nippon Modus 125/Titleist Vokey SM8 58* K-Grind & 62* M-Grind DG S200 Byron Morgan long pipe neck B-17, Brushed Mystic finish, 34" or Byron Morgan long pipe neck beached 007x

Hard case and Fedex to your destination is the only way to go.

PING G425 LST 10.5* HAZRDUS RDX BLUE PING G425 MAX  3 5 9 woods Alta Slate 65 PING I525 5 thru 7 UST RECOIL PING I59  8 thru PW UST RECOIL PING TOUR 50* 54* 58* UST RECOIL GUERIN Tour Spec GR3 TaylorMade TP5

[quote name='nyjets1' timestamp='1362690062' post='6565985'] Hard case and Fedex to your destination is the only way to go. [/quote] Out of curiosity, how much does this cost? I've thought about the same thing. A guy that sits next to me at work did this when he went to Arizona a few weeks back and I think he said it was about $70 each way. That seems pretty hefty to me, and then assuming you'd want to get insurance on $5,000 worth of stuff might make it a little cost prohibitive for some people.

Ping G400 Max UST Proforce V2 TM M5 15* UST Proforce V2 Callaway Apex UW 19* PX HZRDUS Smoke Black Srixon ZX5 - 4&5 MMT 105

Srixon ZX7 - 6-PW MMT 105 Edel SMS 50V/54V/58T Nippon 125 Odyssey MXM #1W

[quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1362690582' post='6566033'] [quote name='nyjets1' timestamp='1362690062' post='6565985'] Hard case and Fedex to your destination is the only way to go. [/quote] Out of curiosity, how much does this cost? I've thought about the same thing. A guy that sits next to me at work did this when he went to Arizona a few weeks back and I think he said it was about $70 each way. That seems pretty hefty to me, and then assuming you'd want to get insurance on $5,000 worth of stuff might make it a little cost prohibitive for some people. [/quote]From upstate ny to flordia about $60 each way but to me its worth every penny.

Very informative thread. Thanks to all that have contributed. Flying to Kauai with clubs in early June. Now equipped with multiple effective strategies.

[quote name='nyjets1' timestamp='1362692481' post='6566201'] [quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1362690582' post='6566033'] [quote name='nyjets1' timestamp='1362690062' post='6565985'] Hard case and Fedex to your destination is the only way to go. [/quote] Out of curiosity, how much does this cost? I've thought about the same thing. A guy that sits next to me at work did this when he went to Arizona a few weeks back and I think he said it was about $70 each way. That seems pretty hefty to me, and then assuming you'd want to get insurance on $5,000 worth of stuff might make it a little cost prohibitive for some people. [/quote]From upstate ny to flordia about $60 each way but to me its worth every penny. [/quote] Got ya. I guess they're going on a plane either way you slice it, maybe FedEx is a little kinder with clubs than some of the baggage handlers. I've flown with my clubs quite a bit and never had an issue. If people worry about getting their bags rummaged through, they could get one of those TSA locks or whatever. I haven't looked into it too much but at least that way if anything is missing, it's the TSA guys, not the guys handling the bags.

I do have the TSA locks on my bags. On both trips to San Diego last month the golf bag was opened and inspected by TSA. On one of the trips the clubs were actually neatly rearranged (properly I should add) as I was originally packing at 100 am for a 430 pickup so I wasn't as picky about the clubs being in order. Figured I would re organize anyway back home. I must have had a very OCD TSA guy who is a golfer. At first I was a bit freaked out but then I found it funny. There's probably a commercial to be made there somehow.

[quote name='Carolina Golfer 2' timestamp='1362700769' post='6567133'] I do have the TSA locks on my bags. On both trips to San Diego last month the golf bag was opened and inspected by TSA. On one of the trips the clubs were actually cery neatly rearranged (properly I should add) as I was originally packing at 100 am for a 430 pickup so I wasn't as picky about the clubs being in order. Figured I would re organize anyway back home. I must have had a very OCD TSA guy who is a golfer. At first I was a bit freaked out but then I found it funny. There's probably a commercial to be made there somehow. [/quote] I've often found that the TSA guys have rearranged clubs in the bag after trips. It's pretty rare that I don't find one of the TSA flyers inside the bag indicating that they've opened it.

I_HATE_SNOW

I always put my irons, head first in the bag, puts the weight over the wheels and gets the heads away from the wood shafts. Last trip, the TSA turned them all back right side up.

• 6 months later...

Has anyone gotten any flack from the screeners when you take a driver head as a carry on/in your backpack? I just dont want them flipping out when I go through the screening and think that it's some "weird" object.

Testing: Sim2 8*, Rogue ST TD 9* 

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Ping iCrossover - 3 iron

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Mizuno T22 50* Blue Ion Modus 115x

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[quote name='Jim Clark' timestamp='1362594356' post='6558673'] Just get the best travel bag: [url="http://www.clubglove.com/CG/ViewProdcss3XTRS.asp?ProductID=13"]http://www.clubglove...sp?ProductID=13[/url] And add one of these: [url="http://www.clubglove.com/CG/ViewProdSC.asp?ProductID=18"]http://www.clubglove...sp?ProductID=18[/url] No worries. [/quote] I do this, but still remove my driver 3w & 4w heads. WILL NOT take any chances. FWs go inside my shoes and driver head is wrapped in my rain gear. I also have extra padding for my putter since it is IRREPLACEABLE. BT

Dr#1 Cobra Speedzone 10.5 – HZRDUS Yellow HC 65 TX @ 46” Dr#2 Mizuno STZ 220 9.5 (10.5) - HZRDUS Smoke IM10 65 Low TX @ 46"

Mizuno ST190 15 - HZRDUS Smoke Yellow 70 TS @ 43" Mizuno STZ 220 18- HZRDUS Smoke Yellow 70 TS @ 42" Mizuno MP15 4-PW - Aldila RIP Tour 115 R Cobra MIM Wedges 52, 56 & 60 – stock KBS Hi-Rev @ 35.5”

Odyssey V-Line Stroke Lab 33.5" Grips - Grip Master Classic Wrap Midsize

"Of all the hazards, fear is the worst" - Sam Snead WITB: PXG 0311 ~ Ping Anser 4w @16.5 ~ Cobra F6 Baffler @18.5 ~ Titleist T300 4-P ~ Titleist Vokey 48, 54, 58 ~ Cleveland HB 8

BrooklynGolfer

I take my driver head with me on all flights. Never had any issues.

Yep. Never had an issue taking the heads in my carryon. Also, my last trip a few weeks ago when I got home and unwrapped everything, half of the clubs had been removed and flipped over with the heads up. At least they wrapped them back up with the bubble wrap like I had them. --kC

Ping 430Max 10k / Callaway UW 17 & 21 / Srixon ZX5 Irons (5-AW) / Vokey SM8 56* & 60*, Callaway, 64*

Has anyone flown international with a club head in carry on? Never know with TSA, some are a bit serious. Don't want to check in my large bag to be told at security the head can't fly.

Is it possible to get your checked baggage screened by TSA and re-pack it yourself in front of them? Travelling with some shafts and have packed it the way I'd like. Pretty sure they will check it and worried they will re-pack it badly

[quote name='hayzooos' timestamp='1362690582' post='6566033'] [quote name='nyjets1' timestamp='1362690062' post='6565985'] Hard case and Fedex to your destination is the only way to go. [/quote] Out of curiosity, how much does this cost? I've thought about the same thing. A guy that sits next to me at work did this when he went to Arizona a few weeks back and I think he said it was about $70 each way. That seems pretty hefty to me, and then assuming you'd want to get insurance on $5,000 worth of stuff might make it a little cost prohibitive for some people. [/quote] I shipped mine from Dallas to RI and it was around $100 one-way. It will vary depending on the weight and how far it's going. Since I travel weekly, shipping would get expensive real quick. I typically fly SW and there's no extra charge for the golf bag. But if it's a one time trip, it is well worth the cost and trouble of lugging the case through the airport, cab, shuttle bus, etc... BT

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How to Adjust Your Driver

More in equipment & fitting:.

The Most Frequently Asked Question

If you read through the thousands of comments that have been posted on PluggedInGolf.com, you’ll notice a few themes – people thanking us for our informative reviews, people telling us our reviews are crap, and people asking for recommendations – but the most frequently asked question is, “How do I adjust my driver?”  With that in mind, I thought I’d write a full length explanation of how adjustable drivers work and how you can get the most out of them.

This Lesson Is For You If:

You have an adjustable driver

You aren’t sure how to adjust it

Hosel Adjustments – Loft, Lie, and Face Angle

Loft and Face Angle

When TaylorMade launched the R9 family of drivers, they talked about hosel adjustments in terms of left and right, i.e. closing or opening the club face.  Six years later, the conversation has changed to adjusting loft.  Here’s what you need to understand: adjusting the loft means changing the face angle and vice versa .

Here’s the simple version of the loft/face angle relationship:

When you add loft, you are closing the face.  When you remove loft, you are opening the face

This is counterintuitive, but if you experiment with your own adjustable driver you’ll see that it’s correct.  Set the driver to the highest loft and you’ll see a closed face.  Set it to the lowest loft and the face will be open.

For those interested in the “why,” here it is: the driver you bought only has one loft.  If it’s a 10 degree driver, it will always be 10 degrees, no matter how you twist it.  By twisting it (changing the face angle), however, you are taking what was a 10 degree driver with a square face and making it a 10 degree driver that is, for example, 2 degrees closed.  Now, to get that face square at impact, you need to open that 10 degree driver a couple degrees, thus adding loft.

The adjustment that most manufacturers have, but few talk about, is lie angle.  Instead of calling it a lie angle adjustment, most manufacturers talk about fade, neutral, or draw settings.  This is code for making the lie angle flatter, neutral, or more upright, respectively.

Ping’s G30 adapter is fairly straightforward: there’s a circle which indicates that the club face is square and has the stated loft.  Then there are big and small plus and minus signs indicating that you can add or subtract 0.6° or 1.0° of loft.  Remember, when you add loft, the face closes; when you subtract loft, the face opens.

True to their “golf should be fun” ethos, Cobra has the simplest, best-labeled adapter on the market.  Each loft is clearly labeled, and the one you select shows up in a window on the hosel.  The “Draw” settings indicated a more upright lie angle.

Titleist has used the same adapter since they got into the adjustable driver game (yay!), but it requires a reference card to use it (boo!).  It’s a two-ring adapter with four positions on each ring – 1,2,3,4 and A,B,C,D – allowing for a total of 16 settings.  The loft adjustments range from subtracting 0.75° to adding 1.5°.  The lie angle adjustments follow the same pattern.

No one has created more different adapters over the years than TaylorMade.  Their current generation of drivers strive for simplicity with their “Higher” and “Lower” labels.  This sleeve allows you to add or subtract 2° of loft.

Callaway, like TaylorMade, has run through a number of different adapters over the last few years, but they seem to have settled on the Opti-Fit+.  This is a two-ring adapter, much like Titleist’s, but using it is much simpler.  You can use the two rings to select a Neutral (N) or Draw (D) lie angle, and subtract 1° of loft or add 1° or 2°.

Nike is second only to Cobra in making hosel adjustments easy to understand.  Their STR8-FIT adapter has two rings: one for selecting loft, the other for selecting face angle (left, right, or straight).  The loft is adjustable across five degrees.

Adjustable Weights

When it comes to adjustable weights, there are essentially two types of systems: sliding weights and removable weights.  Both of these systems are governed by the same rules, so I’ll focus on the types of movements/adjustments you can make and the effects they will have.  If you have a good grasp of Gear Effect , all of this will be very simple.  Also keep in mind that any of these changes can also affect the way the club feels during the swing.

Moving Weight Towards the Toe or Heel

This is the easiest adjustment to understand: the ball will go towards the weight.  If you move the weight toward the toe, the ball will be more inclined to fade or slice.  If you move the weight toward the heel, the ball will be more likely to draw or hook.

Also realize that when you move a significant amount of weight toward the toe or heel, you will move the sweet spot.  If you consistently hit the heel or toe of the driver, you might adjust the weight to move the sweet spot towards your normal contact point.

Moving Weight Forward or Backward

This is the hot   adjustment of 2015 – Cobra’s FlipZone and Nike’s FlexFlight are both good examples of it.  According to the manufacturers, when the weight moves back, the driver becomes higher launching and lower spinning, and with the weight forward, the ball flight is lower with more spin.  I also think that moving the weight forward and back has the biggest impact on feel.  Finally, realize that with the weight further back, there’s more gear effect.

Moving Weight to the Perimeter or Centering It

When you move weight toward the perimeter, the MOI increases and the driver becomes more forgiving.  When you center the weight, the MOI shrinks and it becomes less forgiving.

Moving Weight Up and Down

When you move weight up, you make the club lower launching and higher spinning.  Conversely, when you move weight down, you make the club higher launching and lower spinning.

Just as when you move the weight toward the toe or heel, you’re also moving the sweet spot.  If you tend to hit the ball low on the face, moving weight down might make sense so you can have a more “pure” strike.

Hopefully with this information you’ll feel empowered to take full advantage of your adjustable driver.  It is important to keep in mind that while adjustability is a great tool, it’s one that you should use sparingly.  Set up your driver to fit your overall tendencies, then practice with it.  If every missed fairway has you reaching for your wrench, you’re setting yourself up for trouble.

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73 Comments

Great Article on Driver adjustments!!! as far as other people calling your articles crap..they themselves are full of it. Thanks & keep up the great reviews!

I have a Taylormade R-15. I hit all over the face. where do I place the weights? do i put one on the heel and one on the toe? just double checking. sincerely, paul

Yes, splitting the weights should provide the most forgiveness.

Just purchased a Cleveland Classic XL… Does anyone know how to adjust it?

I just bought the nike vapor with flex loft and want to adjust to the left. It appears that both rings are supposed to be moving to make an adjustment but only the one sleeve for loft rotates….does the other one rotate with the shaft?

Have a Callaway XR driver with adjustment ,also have a bad fade . What way should weights be set to help ,to fade or draw setting ? Thanks.

As it says above, putting more weight in the heel will promote a draw.

But the XR does not have a weight option to adjust ???

No, it does not.

Silly question, but you say moving the weight moves the sweet spot. Which way does the sweet spot move relative to moving the weight? I have the M1.

It moves with the weight.

I have a Nike Vapor Pro driver with flex loft. If The neutral face angle is 1degree open. How much does the face open or close with the right or left settings. If it is only 1-2 degrees, I don’t mind using it but if is more than that I’d rather just change my swing. Right now my swing gives a pretty straight ball and I’d like a little draw spin for added distance but when I try to hit a draw I usually start to lose control and hook the ball. Closing the face a little and keeping my swing the same seems to be the better option!

I don’t know exactly, but I would be very surprised if it’s more than 2 degrees.

I am look for a driver I can use in the fairway with a higher loft, I am over 70 and on longer par 4s I need some more distance. thank you

Great information! Exactly what I needed. Thanks.

On the M2, how many degrees of loft is each hash mark?

I don’t have an M2 in hand right now, but there is +/- 2 degrees, so I would guess each mark is 0.5*.

With 12 hash marks you get 2 degrees, 1 lower and 1 higher. So, 1 degree divided by 6 equals 0.33333333. Six x 0.33333333 = 1.99999998.

I have an R 15 to stop a slice should I increase loft and close the face all the way down? Also where should the weight be set

Yes, close the face and put the weight in the heel.

I hit my r9 driver great for ego purposes bought a M2 , can not hit nearly as good, can u explain, do not like the M2, thinking of trading for the R16

Sounds like the M2 is a bad fit. I would suggest going back to the R9 or getting a fitting for something new.

I have the Adams XTD. Do I rotate the dial clockwise or counter-clockwise to adjust the weight toward the heel?

Are you talking about this driver ?

Hi Matt, I have an RBZ Tour 9 degree driver with 4 settings : N NU R L. I want to fade the ball so what setting should I use . Thanks, Adrian

The R (Right) setting on a right handed club is the fade setting.

I’m confused about your comment on moving the weights forward or back. Doesn’t moving the weight forward create lower launch with less spin and more run out and moving back creates higher launch with more spin with less run out?

Here is your comment: Moving Weight Forward or Backward

This is the hot adjustment of 2015 – Cobra’s FlipZone and Nike’s FlexFlight are both good examples of it. According to the manufacturers, when the weight moves back, the driver becomes higher launching and lower spinning, and with the weight forward, the ball flight is lower with more spin. I also think that moving the weight forward and back has the biggest impact on feel. Finally, realize that with the weight further back, there’s more gear effect.

It’s correct as written. Look at my explanation of gear effect to understand this further.

I am left handed. Someone told me I have to do the opposite as right handed golfers (aka if i adjust it -1 it would really be +1). I have the callaway xr 16. That seems a little silly with all the technology today and if they make left handed clubs wouldn’t they just make the adjustability to fit them? Can you please confirm this is not true. Thank you

I don’t know the answer to your question, but my inclination is that it may vary by manufacturer. I recall that some of the old TMAG adapters were labeled RH or LH, so in that case you would just follow the directions as normal. I’m not sure which manufacturers make LH adapters (or more correctly, adapters labeled for LH), and which just use RH universally.

The way to check would be to look at what happens to the face angle when you turn the adapter to maximum increased loft. If the face ends up very shut (for you, the LH player), then it’s labelled for LH. If increasing loft opens the face, you will need to reverse it.

Thanks for the info Matt! I recently bought the M2 because I had the R11s with aldila rip’d 65 3.2toque x-stiff and I felt it was time for an upgrade. I asked our pro to order the M2 with the same shaft specs as my r11s. I now have the M2 aldila rogue 110 msi 70-2.8-x. My r11s is 9 degees set to standard loft i have the heavy 10 gram weight in the toe 1 g in the heel and have it set to open. To get my M2 tuned so far I have gone 4 clicks lower to get the ball flying the best. So far with the m2 I’m not super impressed for the $400 i spent. Matt knowing what you know from my r11s what would you have put me in for a shaft in the m2, i love my r11?…Thank you for time Matt!

We don’t give any shaft recommendations here because there’s no accurate way to do so. I would recommend taking your M2 to a qualified fitter like Club Champion and letting them help you.

I forgot to give you my loft “lack of f____ing talent to you for my m2, it is a 9.5. I also hit midsized grips if it makes a difference, i know they inhibit your release a bit.

I have a Great Big Bertha 2015. I cut about 3/4 of an inch off shaft. The head has a center screw weight. I was thinking of buying online a 15 gram weight to screw in to make up for the lose of weight after cutting. Will this make a big difference in the spin and launch of the driver or sweet spot? Callaway does not speak of changing this screw weight in any of their spec sheets.

“Big” is a relative term, but I do think that there will be a noticeable difference in the way the club feels (heavier towards the back) and this could increase launch and lower spin.

Taylor Made Rocket Balls driver has 5 adjustments; standard, with 2 higher and 2 lower. How much is each adjustment worth? My “standard” is 9.5 if that makes a difference.

Each is one degree, I believe.

Which ajustable driver can fix my hook. I cannot drive over 100 yards. I am looking for a driver with an open angle, thanks Claude

Any driver with an adjustable hosel should be able to reach an open position. If you find one with moveable weights also, put more weight in the toe to combat the hook.

Can I use a shaft out of a right handed XR16 in a left handed XR16 head?

Yes, you can use it, but I believe all the settings will be reversed. To test this, set the head to the most closed setting (per the markings) and then the most open setting. If my guess is right, the results will be the opposite of what the markings indicate.

I am trying out an Adams XTD 9 degree driver. With my old driver, I hit the ball so high that I was losing a lot of distance. I bought the driver from a friend and have no instructions about how to adjust the club to get the lowest possible trajectory. I also have a natural fade to my swing. The instruction that I found online seem to contradict what I thought was the correct way to adjust the club. Any help would be appreciated.

I’m not familiar with the XTD off hand. What settings do you see?

Hi. I have the Callaway epic flash 10.5*, I slice the ball a lot so put the weight to The heel and find it has helped but still there. Am I right in thinking that for extra help I increase the loft to 12.5* and put it in D also add loft and put in D for my epic flash 3wood.

Yes, exactly correct.

Left handed 12degree Taylormade R15 Driver … interesting … when I adjust and reduce loft i need to move the ball position inward (toward center line of body). At 12 degrees i square the face with the ball at the ball of my lead foot, at 10 degrees the face squares up just inside my lead heal. Does this make sense?

When you turn the loft down, the face should be more open. Anything beyond that I can’t comment on without seeing your set up.

Stupid question but I am new to adjustable drivers, everything I’ve had to date was just set to neutral and I would play it as is. I just got an M2 and I changed the loft up (closing the face). If I do this should I square the face at address or try to keep it closed at address?

Not a stupid question at all. If you want the “lofting up” to be effective, let the club sit naturally on the ground. If you twist it back to square, you’ve undone the adjustment.

What would happen to the spin numbers if I set it to draw setting in the driver? Will a draw setting spin less than a fade setting?

Are you referring to a hosel adjustment (changing face angle) or sliding a weight?

I have a Nike v r with the wrench to adjust,but my problem is there is a red arrow on one side of hosel and a white arrow on the other side,which is the neutral setting. Does white line up with white arrow and red line up with red arrow ,is that neutral.

That sounds correct, but I’m not 100% certain about that model.

I have a vapor fly driver and need some help on the adjustment to neutral

I can’t recall the settings on the Vapor Fly. What markings do you see?

what would be the adjustment on a Left hand Ping G driver if I put in a shaft out of a right hand ping driver

I believe the settings are reversed.

Hi Matt. A few years down the road and this is still a great article. Is there any chance at all that we can see an updated article with the same content for newer drivers, and adjustment systems?

Thank you. Unless I’m mistaken, with the exception a slight modification from PING, all the OEMs are using the same systems now that they were when this article was published.

Hello Matt, good info. I bought a used 2010 Nike VR str8-fit driver. Thought it might be fun to go back in time, unfortunately Nike is out of the golf business and it did not come with a manual and I cannot find one online. I know I could just trial and error it, but…. Any thoughts?

If you’re looking for a manual, you might try asking in a forum like GolfWRX.

Hey Matt. I have a Mizuno JPX 850. To fight my slice tendencies I have one weight in heel and the other weight should I put it towards face of driver (speed setting 3) or rear of driver (speed setting 1)? Also would I be better benefited at 11.5 or 12.5 loft or 10.5 upright setting? I have a swing speed of about 90/95..

If you want maximum draw bias, I would suggest both weights in the heel and the highest available loft.

what will adding weight to my Ping G30 do? looking to keep the ball straighter off of the tee

Where are you adding weight?

Thank you Matt! As others said, this article is timeless, and a great help. Still learning and looking to break 100 in 2021. Just made some adjustments to an Epic Flash Sub Zero. Hopefully it helps eliminate my strong fade. I have a slight out to in swing style. 10 year casual beginner. No lessons. Too much ego. Ordering a weight set for this demo club now also.

I’ve ordeted a woman’s Callaway Pre-Owned Epic Max Star. My drives usually tend to go to the right, or fade. Will I adjust my driver towards the “Draw” to help with this?

Yes, adjusting your driver to a draw setting should help limit the fade.

As an 80 year old Senior my swing speed is reducing by the year (!) Is there a specific mph at which point I need to consider changing from a Regular shaft to a Soft/Senior shaft. I hit the ball fairly straight and occasionally one o’clock direction- never any draw.

There’s not a set number because there are no standards for flex and different profiles will feel very different in the same flex. Ultimately, the answer is always to work with a high quality fitter to find the best shaft for your swing.

I have a lynx parallax driver.

It has 10.5- & 10.5+ settings?

Don’t know how it affects lie/ open or shut face??

Can you elaborate?

I don’t know the Lynx driver but I would guess the + is a more upright lie angle, the – a flatter lie angle.

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Golf Travel: Driver/Fairway/Hybrid Heads on or off?

• Latest Posts
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• Travel and the Traveling Golfer

Driver/Fairway/Hybrid Heads on or off?

Other - please explain below.

• Total voters 50

Well-known member

• Jan 13, 2020

For a while I used a stiff arm and traveled with the heads on and everything was fine. Read a lot about people taking the heads off and packing them in the travel bag or carry-on. Ran into some issues with TSA on one of my last trips where I tried to bring the heads through security in my carry-on. Went back to packing them in the travel case with the stiff arm Please take the poll above. What does everyone do when traveling? TSA What Can I Bring? You'll notice the asterisk at the bottom. LAME  

Let's have fun here.

Driver is off. Fairway and hybrids can stay on. Use Stiff Arm.  

You can't pack heads in carry on anymore? Weird. I always take them off put back in headcovers and place inside the bag  

• Thread starter

jdtox said: You can't pack heads in carry on anymore? Weird. I always take them off put back in headcovers and place inside the bag Click to expand...

links_slayer

on w/ stiff arm - no issues to date *knock on wood*  

Former Big Deal

I leave the heads on and use a Stiff Arm. No issues so far.  

BlueHen2006

Remove heads when possible, did store them in my carry on bag, but that was mainly due to embargo dates and comfort. Maybe from now on I would store in headcover and place in a pocket in golf bag if there is an issue moving forward.  

I do not play well with others

I take the heads off and such, just because it's one less thing I have to worry about.  

I take the heads off if they come off. Put them in the head covers and put them in the bag somewhere. Then I take the shafts and turn them upside down so the butt end is up. Then I take all the clubs and shafts and put them in the center holes of the bag that way if the bag takes a side hit the shafts have some sort of cushion. I also put my shoes up top towards to help cushion a blow.  

Team THP 2019 Grandaddy Alumni

I will take off what can be removed and put those in their headcovers and tuck in travel bag. The ones that can't be removed i wrap towels around.  

Down to the banana republics . . .

If the heads can be removed, I remove them, put them in the headcover and put them in the pockets of the golf bag. I still use a stiff arm and towels for everything else.  

2021 Grandaddy Alum / 2022 Grandaddy AssCap

I don't use stiff arm because I've had issues in the past with soft bags even with reinforcing structure like a stiff arm. I went hard case and leave everything on. Only thing I do is add iron head covers along with the driver/fairway head covers to avoid shaft damage/iron head damage. I also wrap a towl in between the shafts to absorb shock.  

Drummin' for golf

I take the heads off, put them in their covers and stash them in the bag pockets.  

Thrillbilly Jim

Raised on hose water and neglect.

In my hard case, I leave them on. Soft case, take them off.  

Golf Course Miscreant

I always remove the heads and put them in my carry on. The bag gets inspected because they look odd on X-ray, but never an issue after they open my bag up and see its just heads.  

Here for the Conversation

On. I don’t care that much anymore, sheer laziness.  

2015 Grandaddy | 2019 Grandaddy AssCap

I take mine off and pack them in the side pocket of my golf bag. I rarely have them with me on my carry on or backpack.  

Team Hackers 4Life

I haven't traveled with golf clubs in about 15 years. I never had any issues before, but I appreciate reading everyone's opinions and experiences with traveling with clubs. I'm going to have to get a padded travel cover and a stiff arm device apparently.  

#TeamEvolve

Driver head comes off and goes in my carry on back pack. Fairways stay on because they're fixed but I use a Stiff Arm as well.  

Jeff Spicoli

Grandaddy x.

I use a hardcase but will stay take off the driver head. My FWs are non adjustable.  

MattyD-MPLS

My “soft” travel cover is for staff bags and has great protection on top. I will still remove the driver head and put it in the headcover in the big pocket of my bag. The 3 wood is glued and I am not too worried about my hybrid.  

Heads off and stored in headcover and placed in the golf bag. There will be no club snapping while traveling.  

#LunaticFringe / "Hips Don't Lie" - Shakira

I take them all off, wrap each individually with bubble wrap, then wrap them in my 2 golf towels and pack them with the bag. I always take the shafts and put them adapter down in the bag. I've never had an issue. (and iron covers on the irons..)  

Grandaddy X!

I am yet to fly with golf clubs. When I do, then off with their heads!  

TransplantHacker

If i'm vertical then it's a great day, ty donor.

I wrap my heads in towels but also remove my driver head, so far worked for me. I use a Srixon Travel Bag Soft Sided  

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Best Golf Headcovers 2024 (Our Top 11 Picks Reviewed)

Every golf needs head covers for their drivers, woods, and irons. The best golf headcovers offer incredible protection with high-quality leather construction that repels moisture and secures the clubs during travel.

One of the best golf accessories for any level of golfer, head covers are made to wrap the head safely and securely inside the golf bag while they play the course.

On our list of the best golf head covers, we take an in-depth look at 11 of the first-rate headcovers made with expertise and care to keep your golf clubs looking as great as when they were new.

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Table of Contents

TaylorMade Driver Headcover

Callaway iron cover, pins & aces head cover, team golf ncaa, daphne’s headcovers, craftsman golf iron head covers, scott edward knit, sword & shield mesh, pgm 4-count headcovers, andux 5-pack long neck, buying guide: how to choose golf club covers, best golf headcovers 2024.

Here are our top picks for golf club covers:

Best All-Around Driver Golf Headcover

• High-quality headcover for driver
• Great color combination with a stylish appearance
• Cushioned and protective for travel
• Ideal for Stealth 2 driver, but works with other clubs
• Doesn’t provide a snug fit for smaller drivers

The latest TaylorMade driver headcover nicely complements the bold Stealth lineup with its slick black and red color scheme that pops both on the course and in the bag.

Structured yet lightweight padding hugs the distinctive Stealth shape to prevent damage while allowing quick club access. 

Durable outer fabric and plush interior provide all-around protection even on rough rides in a travel case.

Eye-catching TaylorMade branding finishes this fashion-forward, functional cover that protects the innovative Stealth 2 with style for years of peak performance. 

Golfers will keep their technology-packed driver safe while turning heads at address with this standout TaylorMade cover.

Best Iron Headcovers for Protection

• Breathable construction keeps clubs dry
• Versatile fit for any iron size
• Excellent protection against damage while traveling
• Lacks stylish appearance

Callaway’s premium iron covers offer strong club protection from dings and debris in a sophisticated, sleek package. The rich yet minimal single-tone design features branded covers with subtle logos for a clean, upscale look in your bag. 

The durable nylon outer shell resists tears while the soft inner lining cradles clubheads securely. Easy-pull covers from the company make club access simple after your shot without compromising coverage during transport. 

For golfers seeking iron covers that provide reliable protection that works well with other clubs from the company, these Callaway covers deliver solid performance.

Best Alternative Driver Golf Headcover

• Fun novelty design with a boxing glove
• Multiple colors ranging from black, red, and white
• Handmade craftsmanship shines through
• Big and bulky size makes travel more difficult
• Not ideal for non-boxing fans

This jumbo padded boxing glove driver cover from Pins & Aces offers a fun, eye-catching style unlike any other headcover. Its oversized form makes a statement while keeping your driver protected. 

Plush padding surrounds the clubhead fully while the interior maintains the glove’s shape and enables easy access on the course. You can choose a red, white, or black glove cover with vibrant embroidery and a customizable number wheel for identification. 

The smooth leather exterior and fleece-lined interior prevent dings and scratches during transport and storage. With its blend of safety, durability, and standout design, this glove cover will be the talk of the course and a conversation starter on the first tee.

Best Golf Head Cover Overall

• Velcro enclosure secures the club for secure travel
• Three-pack fits driver, fairway wood , and hybrid
• Exceptional designs with dozens of NCAA schools to celebrate school spirit
• Not ideal for golfers without college interest
• Has a glossy, inexpensive look

From Team Golf comes a triple pack of NCAA emblazoned headcovers. Golf club head covers in the collection offer velour-lined protection, contoured shape for a perfect fit, and first-rate fabric that wears well over time.

Golfers can get these golf headcovers with their favorite college logos for a stylish looking ensemble in their golf bag . A wonderfully designed headcover, the Team Golf NCAA is a winner.

Most Creative Golf Headcover

• Playfully designed with large plush dog heads to protect the club
• Fits up to 460cc driver with incredible padding for excellent protection
• Great for golfers that love dogs and want to celebrate them on the course
• Easy to get dirty due to larger size

For those animal lovers that like to celebrate that passion on the golf course comes Daphne’s Headcovers.

Offering premium protection for drivers up to 460cc, Daphne’s products come in several different dog breeds , including Yellow and Black Lab and Golden Retriever, and other animal heads like tiger and alligator.

The company boasts a roster of over 300 professional golfers who use Daphne’s golf headcovers on Tour.

Best Luxury Iron Covers

• 12-pack of iron covers made with padded cushioning for maximum security
• Oversized waterproof material offered in several colors
• Velcro closure keeps the cover locked onto the golf iron head
• Not breathable, so you need to make sure the irons are dry
• Snug fit makes getting cover on and off harder

Craftsman, known for their terrific covers for golf drivers and fairway woods, add another well-made protective unit with their iron head covers. 

A 12-pack of head covers made for your iron set , the Craftsman collection offers premium construction, top-notch material available in several colors, and a nice velcro closure at the base to lock around the club head.

Best Plaid Knit Head Cover

• Four-pack of golf headcovers offer stylish look for all fairway woods and hybrids
• Fits well in your golf bag with eye-catching appearance
• Double knitted construction offers durability with scratch protection
• Doesn’t protect the clubs
• Offers style over protection

From the good folks at Scott Edward comes the top knit option on our list, their four-pack knitted headcovers. Offering a stylish plaid appearance, these golf accessories are easy on the eyes and a favorite on the course .

These knitted golf headcovers offer superb design, an excellent fit on the golf clubs , and a classic look that harkens back to the early days of the great game.

Most Breathable Iron Cover

• Mesh exterior keeps the clubs dry and well protection
• 10-piece set offers full coverage for your iron set
• Stitched with large numbers for identification
• Cheaper quality cover lacks durability over time

The Sword & Shield Mesh Iron Headcovers offer a top-quality 10-piece set of headcovers that allows golfers to easily locate their intended club. These covers slide easily onto the club head securely and snugly.

Large stitched numbers are present on all of these covers to allow clear identification once you are close to the golf bag . Each cover in this Sword & Shield set is made with the help of top-notch designs that shine through when they’re placed on each club.

Top Zippered Headcover

• Zipper keeps product secure to the club head and shaft
• Padded exterior prevents scratching and scuffs to extend long-lasting shine of driver
• 3-pack with large white sewn numbers for clear visibility
• Plain design, best for budget seekers
• Looks cheap in the golf bag, best for casual, infrequent golfers

The best zippered golf head cover option on our list is from PGC, as their 3-pack offers outstanding security during travel and enough padding to keep away scratches and dings. 

The zipper is the standout feature here as it fastens the neoprene sleeve of the covers to your clubhead and upper shaft of the club. Featuring excellent designs, the PGC head covers are a great option for any golfer.

Top Polyurethane Headcover

• Highly durable with easy accessibility to remove the head covering
• Simple to clean to maintain sleek look and appearance
• Made from flexible lightweight polyurethane 
• No style with rubber construction
• Protects club heads but lacks cushioning

From PGM comes an innovative 4-pack of headcovers that slide onto the club with ease.

Great for golf in humid areas because the material does not become saturated, the PGM headcovers utilize polyurethane that is quick to clean so your covers will never smell or become dingy.

These golf headcovers will not slip or fall from the club head to maintain maximum security.

Best Option for Big Club Sets

• Designed for quick accessibility with snag-free fabrics
• All five headcovers have numbered tag for clear visibility
• Protects clubs from damage during travel with padded exterior
• Number clips look outdated
• Good protection but lacks style

Andux’s Long Neck 5-pack delivers the goods with maximum security and fit, so your fairway woods don’t collect scuffs and dings during your travel or on the golf course.

Offered in several colored options and designs, the Andux is a straightforward head cover that is fantastic for a junior golf team that needs color coordination.

For big club sets , the Andux 5-pack is an unmatched quality product.

Most golf headcovers are made with a leather exterior that can repel moisture and keep the club dry during the round. The interior is typically plush, made with soft fabrics that cushion the head to maintain its new look longer .

Even if it is knit, the material needs to be high-quality to be considered a great head cover.

The head cover interior will securely lock the club into place, so there’s little chance of the head picking up dings or scratches.

Some golf club head covers use elastic to form a tight seal around the club head for a better fit to protect the club.

The interior of the headcover molds itself around the club head.

Simultaneously, the exterior, usually made from leather, is strong enough to resist tearing and reduce the punishment created by drops and other potential damage caused by any accidental impact away from the golf bag.

After reviewing a wide selection of golf headcovers this year, the TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver cover stands atop the options due to its style and durability.

With a cushioned design to hold the driver shape with thick insulating fabric, it keeps your biggest investment safe while looking sharp. 

For protecting your irons, the Callaway iron covers offer the perfect blend of protection and flexibility to access clubs easily while showing off appealing designs. 

Both deliver outstanding club protection that stays secured in the bag. With vibrant colors and patterns fit for the course, the TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver cover and Callaway iron covers will have your clubs looking better than ever while keeping them scratch-free all season.

Distribution

• The final golf driver is packaged and prepared for distribution to retailers and golfers worldwide.

Testing and Performance Validation

R&d testing:.

• Throughout the manufacturing process, driver head prototypes are subjected to extensive research and development (R&D) testing.
• These tests evaluate factors such as the driver’s aerodynamics, moment of inertia (MOI), and the impact on ball speed and launch angle.

Robot Testing:

• Some manufacturers use robotic testing equipment to simulate golfer swings and gather data on clubhead performance.
• These tests help refine the design and identify any performance improvements needed.

Custom Fitting

Custom fitting centers:.

• Golfers can visit custom fitting centers to have their driver heads tailored to their unique swing characteristics and preferences.
• Custom fitting involves adjusting loft, lie angle, and weight distribution to optimize performance.

Environmental Considerations

Sustainability:.

• Many manufacturers are increasingly focusing on sustainable practices, using eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and minimizing their carbon footprint in the production of golf driver heads.

Innovation and Technology

Ongoing research:.

• The golf industry is continuously innovating, with ongoing research into new materials, designs, and manufacturing techniques to improve driver head performance.

Materials Used in Golf Driver Heads

Golf driver head manufacturing process, golf driver head design considerations, golf driver head manufacturing costs, golf driver head quality control parameters.

The creation of golf driver heads is a meticulous process that combines cutting-edge design, materials science, and precision manufacturing. From the initial concept to the final assembly, each step is crucial in delivering a product that caters to the diverse needs and preferences of golfers while optimizing distance and accuracy off the tee. With ongoing research and development, golf driver technology continues to evolve, pushing the boundaries of performance in the sport.

Grace Kaufman, our Creative Director and a Golf Course Design Specialist, brings a touch of creativity and visual flair to The Golf Mine. With a keen eye for design and a deep understanding of course layout, she ensures that our content not only informs but also engages and inspires. Grace's innovative approach, combined with her specialization in golf course design, enhances the overall experience for our readers, making our blog more than just words on a screen.

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5 Best Small Head Drivers In 2024 (Our Expert Picks)

The current regulations from the USGA recommend that a golf driver cannot be more than 460cc. If something is larger than 460cc, it is going to end up being illegal for tournament golf.

There are some advantages to playing with a driver with a smaller head. Many lower handicapped players feel as though they get a better feel and can work the ball with the small golf heads.

As a PGA Professional, I can tell you that there are certainly some advantages to these smaller drivers.

If you are looking for something unique to add to your bag, take a look at some of these small head drivers we have gathered.

At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Small Head Drivers On The Market In 2024

• Best Small Head Driver: Callaway Mavrik Subzero Driver

Runner Up 1: Titleist TSi4 Driver

• Runner Up 2: Honma Golf- TR20 440 Driver
• Best Value: 14° GX-7 “X-Metal” Driver Distance
• Best Premium Driver: TaylorMade Golf M5 Tour Driver

Best Small Head Golf Driver: Callaway Mavrik Subzero Driver

• Slightly smaller head size
• Built for better players seeking more control
• Adjustable head driver
• Very fast ball speeds
• Club head size is not the smallest on the list 

It may be hard to believe that Callaway would not take advantage of all 460cc that they have to work with when creating a driver.

However, when building the new Callaway Mavrik Subzero , they found that the performance was increased when the driver was made at 450cc.

Although this difference is going to be minimal, better players are going to see the difference when looking down at this club. 

The great thing about the Subzero is that in addition to the added benefits for the better player, there are also some great distance and forgiveness attributes to this club.

Inside the club head, you will find the Jailbreak bars that have been helping golfers get a lot more distance in the last few years. The effect is almost like a trampoline when the ball makes contact with the face. 

Callaway used A rtificial I ntelligence to create the Mavrik Subzero. The center of gravity is perfectly positioned , and the lightweight carbon crown helps players get plenty of speed.

This is also an adjustable driver , allowing players to feel as though they are getting a custom fit each time they swing the club. If you are tired of the large 460cc club heads, this one could help your golf game quite a bit. 

• Brand new technology 
• Very low spin
• Plenty of distance
• Small driver head size
• Brand new release priced a bit higher

Titleist does not always come out with new clubs each year. When they release an option, many people are excited to get their hands on it.

As we have seen with Titleist in the last few years, the options keep getting more and more diverse. If you have wanted to play a with a Titleist club for years but have not been able to find a good option for your game, the new lineup will certainly help. 

Out of all the golf drivers in the new Titleist lineup, the Titleist TSi4 has the smallest head. This is a 435 cc driver club head built for the best players.

The compact shape has a low and forward center of gravity . This center of gravity placement in the driver’s head will result in a lower spin and a straighter trajectory. 

Typically those with higher swing speeds can struggle with spin rates that are a bit too high. These high rates can cause a driver to go too high in the air and lose some potential distance.

The new TSi4 makes it easier for golfers to hit straight and long drives, even with their high swing speeds. 

Runner Up 2: Honma Golf TR20 440 Driver

• Adjustable weights
• Low spin 
• Aligned golf shaft
• Premium materials 
• Honma golf drivers are very expensive 

Honma Golf is a Japanese club manufacturer that is starting to gain a good sized market share across the world. The Honma TR20 440 driver is available in both the 440 and 460cc profiles. For those interested in a smaller frame golf driver, the 440 would be the best choice. 

One of the things that will set the Honma apart from other golf drivers on the market is the feel . Honma works very hard to make sure that the feel of the clubs they produce is among the best on the market. 

In addition, to feel, the Honma golf clubs also have quite a bit of ball speed. The TiCarbon fast frame makes for a very lightweight club head .

Golf drivers with a lighter head and premium shaft are a bit easier to swing faster. For those struggling with a lack of club head speed, the Honma is a very good choice to consider. 

Although the Honma driver is adjustable, the non-rotating hosel makes sure that your driver’s spine is perfectly aligned regardless of the loft lie setting.

There are some benefits to make sure that the Honma is aligned the way that it should be at impact. Shaft alignment is starting to become a crucial concept for players looking for maximum distance and forgiveness. 

Best Value Small Head driver: 14° GX-7 “X-Metal” Distance Driver

• It comes with a one year warranty 
• Five shaft options
• Great mini driver for a higher handicap player 
• Legal for golf tournament play 
• 14 degrees of loft is not ideal for long-distance

Many of the small head drivers on the market are priced higher than the larger drivers. This is partly due to the fact that the small head drivers are built for the golfers that have lower handicaps and need more control.

However, the GX-7 Driver is an excellent choice for those that have a limited budget as well. Although this club looks a bit like a mix between a fairway wood and a driver, it is a great choice to consider. 

One of the things that really sets the GX 7 apart is the fact that the club length is shorter than some other drivers on the market. The shorter shaft length certainly helps golfers to control their shots quite a bit more. The longer a club is, the harder it is to control the golf ball. 

For those that struggle to keep the driver in the fairway, the GX 7 is a great choice to consider. This is one of the best small head drivers for those that are mid to high handicappers in need of some more forgiveness in their golf swing. 

The GX7 is offered in five different flexes , making it an excellent choice for a wide range of players. If your budget is short, but you have some money for a new driver this year, the GX 7 is a choice that you will likely end up being very happy about. 

Best Premium Small Head Driver: TaylorMade Golf M5 Tour Driver

• Speed injected twist face
• Highly adjustable 
• Hammerhead 2.0 technology 
• The large sweet spot for players driver
• Not the latest TaylorMade release

The TaylorMade Golf M5 Tour is an excellent choice for a small head version of the M6 driver . This is the lower handicapper version of the M6, and it is a 435 cc club head.

With the M5 Tour, you will get lots of distance and forgiveness offered in the traditional size driver heads, but the driver has much more control.

The TaylorMade M5 is a speed-injected club head which means that it is as fast as the USGA will allow. Each club head is thoroughly tested before leaving the warehouse to make sure that it is as close as possible to the legal limit. 

Another great feature of the TaylorMade Golf M5 Tour is the adjustability .

TaylorMade installed a T Track on the club head that allows two 10g weights to be moved around . The movement of these weights will greatly impact the spin and trajectory of the shots that you can hit. 

With the revolutionary Twist Face Technology , tons of ball speed, and a slightly smaller head, this is one of the best golf drivers for the lower handicap golfers. 

Small Head Drivers Buying Guide

Now that you have a better idea as to which small head drivers are the best on the market, it’s time to think about which one could be good for your game. If you are a player looking for a small head golf driver, you will have to be prepared with the idea that the selection is going to be a bit more narrow than it is with other types of drivers. However, there are a few important things to keep in mind when doing your shopping. 

Small Head vs. Large Head

The biggest part of this decision is deciding whether or not a small head or a large head driver is the best choice for a player. The large head is typically 460cc, and it has a very large sweet spot and plenty of forgiveness and launch. 

The larger head drivers or big head drivers are more about distance than they are precision, and they are maximized when it comes to distance performance. The small head driver is based more on accuracy and placing the driver where you want it. 

Try to consider what type of player you are and the areas of your game that can use the most work. The small head golf driver and the large head golf driver (or the big head driver) both have benefits that can help a golfer; you simply need to narrow down which is the best for your game.  

In the end, most golfers find that the large head 460cc drivers are the better choice because of those few extra yards of distance and the increased forgiveness. 

The shaft that you choose in your driver will have a significant impact on overall performance. Golfers that go with a stiffer golf shaft will need to have the swing speed to accommodate it. 

Players that are looking for more accuracy from their golf driver should be very careful that the weight and the flex of the golf shaft are the right fit for their needs. Most times, the golf shaft will need to be mid weight and mid flex to feel as though you can place it around the golf course. 

The shaft options on some small head golf drivers are limited simply because of the inventory selection of these drivers. 

Driver Length 

Some drivers are slightly shorter than others. The shorter length helps to increase the overall accuracy that you can get with a driver. Try to think about how much easier it is to hit a pitching wedge straight than it is to hit a driver straight. This has quite a bit to do with the length of the golf driver. 

When you have a longer golf driver, it takes more work to time the shot correctly and hit the fairway. When the club is slightly shortened, you will have more accuracy. The standard length driver is 45, but you may see some newer models coming out in the 44.5 or even 44 inch length . 

The driver length is a specification that many golfers looking for small head technology will begin to experiment with. The driver length can have an impact on overall distance, so that should be considered when making your final decision. It should, however, be just a few yards of distance loss. 

The driver loft that works for most amateur golfers is between 9.5 and 10.5 degrees. If you are purchasing a small head golf driver, this same range should apply. However, many of the small head drivers are not adjustable. When the head is not adjustable, it can be difficult for players to make that final decision about the proper yardage. 

When you look at the loft of your golf driver, you must decide on whether or not it makes sense to look for distance or forgiveness. The lower lofted golf drivers can help high swing speed golfers hit the ball further, but they are considerably less forgiving. 

The drivers slower swing speeds are going to have more success with a slightly higher lofted golf driver because of the ability of the ball to launch and the increased distance a player can get. 

Pricing 

The pricing of a golf driver will vary between $400 and $600 for most new models. However, some of the smaller head drivers can be under that $400 mark. Some of this comes down to the fact that these clubs are going to use slightly fewer materials. 

In addition, this type of club is not nearly as popular as the standard large head drivers, and companies will lower the pricing to try and get the attention of some golfers . 

Some small head drivers are considered players models and are built for extreme precision, and this is important for golfers to remember and will sometimes increase the pricing of the driver by a bit. 

Small Head Drivers Frequently Asked Questions

Hopefully, you now feel like you know a bit more about the best small head drivers on the market. Although there are not that many choices to consider, the choices are all good ones.

Here are a few questions that you need to consider when purchasing a small head driver for your game. 

Should High Handicappers Use A Smaller Driver? 

Some high handicappers find that a small driver can help them control their shots much easier. The best thing about a small driver is that it can make a player focus a bit more on hitting the center or the sweet spot.

High handicappers looking to switch to a small driver should consider using something that is also a bit shorter than a standard length driver. 

What Are The Benefits of A Smaller Driver Head? 

The biggest benefit of a small head driver is the control that it offers players. The smaller head typically offers a bit less spin and some lower trajectory as well.

One of the small head driver benefits is that the golfers with high swing speeds that want to be able to place their drivers or control the flight will enjoy the small head drivers.

When it comes to distance, most of the time, you won’t notice that the small head drivers give up any distance for a golfer. 

Are Smaller Golf Drivers Adjustable? 

Just because a golf driver’s head is smaller does not mean that it won’t be adjustable. If adjustability matters to you in a club head, there are smaller driver heads that can still be adjusted.

Even though you will see companies mostly choose to make a larger head golf club, they are trying to appeal to the largest target audience. 

Golf manufacturers with a large product offering try to make options that work for golfers of any swing speed or handicap. Luckily there are some excellent options this year when it comes to a small head golf driver.

Is A 3 Wood Better Than A Small Head Driver? 

Should golfers consider a 3 wood instead of a small head driver? There are times that it can make sense for golfers to use a 3 wood instead of a small head driver. With the 3 wood, players can get plenty of control and many of the same benefits of the small head driver. 

The decision here will sometimes come down to the size of the golf driver head that you purchase. For those looking for a really small driver head, the 3 wood may be a better replacement. If you are looking for something that is just 440cc as opposed to 460cc then it really won’t make much sense to go with the 3 wood. 

If you are looking for a smaller driver head because you need more precision in your game, consider putting a 3 wood in the bag as it could make a big difference.

The only thing left to do is put your new small head driver in your bag. The best small head golf driver on the market is the Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero .

This club has a ton of high ball speed, forgiveness, and impressive control. If you are a lower handicap player looking to control your driver the way you do your irons, the Mavrik Sub Zero is a perfect choice.

Henry Foster

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How To Clean a Driver Head

Making sure that all your golfing equipment is clean and in good working order might not be the most exciting aspect of golf, but if you want to keep those expensive clubs up to scratch, it takes a little elbow grease. 

Your driver is one of the most essential items in your bag and can easily be the difference between an eagle and a double bogey. The perfect swing can take years of practice, but it's the small steps we take weekly and monthly - like cleaning out the grooves on drivers - that can transform our game. 

Why Should You Clean Driver Heads?

Cleaning clubs of any kind   make a lot of sense, especially considering how much they usually cost. Would you buy a Porsche and then never wash it? We doubt it.   Expensive clubs   are precisely the same, and it would be foolish to allow them to rust and slowly disintegrate. 

We should be cleaning all our clubs, but drivers are particularly critical because of the speed and power used. A successful drive from the tee involves a well-practiced movement and precisely the right connection that makes that tremendous ding noise. A small amount of dirt or a ball mark may appear tiny and trivial, but they can hinder distance and affect performance.

Importance of Cleaning Grooves

Those groove markings are not just there for decoration. Their role, usually going horizontal across the club, is to help with backspin and give the golfer better control over their shots. There's even a   vertically grooved driver , which ensures a straighter tee shot and lowers the chances of sidespin.

The grooves on your drivers are a little like the tire tread on wheels. When they're gleaming, they grip an object cleanly (or, in this case, hit an object cleanly) without any interference. A clean set of grooves will also make it easier to “ bite ” into the ball, which is the action of adding a backspin.

The grooves are important, but after hacking through grass, mud, and who knows what else, they can quickly become encrusted with dirt and grime. We recommend cleaning your clubs after each round. If you don't, you could add additional shots to your game   simply   because you're playing with inferior equipment. Experts agree that dirty drivers with encrusted grooves can add at least 4 or 5 shots to a round, while beginners would likely suffer even more.

What You Will Need To Clean Your Golf Clubs

Cleaning your golf clubs is quick and straightforward. You'll need the following five things: 

• Soap detergent
• A toothbrush (or bigger brush)

Cleaning Driver Heads Step-by-Step

Washing the head

• Place a good amount of warm, but not boiling, water in a bucket, along with some of the detergent. Mix everything up nicely and gather the drivers that you're going to clean. 
• Dip the driver into the water to completely submerge the club, then remove it. 
• Use the toothbrush or a bigger brush to clean the driver's head, remembering to give special attention to the grooves. 
•  Use the rag to clean off the excess dirt, and then place it back in the water for 10-15 seconds. 
• Remove the driver and clean carefully with a towel. 
• Inspect the driver; if it looks spotless already, then fantastic. If not, go back to the start and repeat. It may take 4 or 5 attempts to get them gleaming and sparkling.

Washing the shaft and grip

• Dip a small towel into soapy water and carefully rub down the grip and shaft, focusing on any specifically dirty areas. 
• Towel down the whole club, making sure everything is relatively dry.
• Leave the club outside of   your golf bag   for the final drying period.

Want to Keep Your Driver Protected? Shop Stitch Golf’s Headcovers!

Golf clubs are an investment, and like anything we place our hard-earned money into, it pays to take care of that investment. To maintain the highest quality, we recommend washing your clubs after each round and ensuring you have good-quality headcovers on them when making your way around the course. 

Stitch Golf offers   a wide variety of headcovers   for every taste and budget - so why leave your clubs unprotected? Treat those clubs with the care and attention they deserve - and who knows, they might even reciprocate and help you step up that game.

further reading...

Slice vs. Hook in Golf

Mar 07, 2024

What Is Par in Golf?

Mar 06, 2024

What Is a Shotgun Start in Golf?

Mar 05, 2024

Heavier Vs Lighter Driver Head In Golf – What’s Better And How To Add Weight

When it comes to our driver the average golfer aims to rip it as far as humanly possible. To do this we look for ways to increase our ball speed and lower our spin off the tee.

A common legend that is thrown around golfing circles is that adding more weight to your driver head will help you to increase ball speed, and gain longer carry and total distance.

In this post, we will assess whether the legend is true by looking at the features and benefits of heavier vs lighter driver heads.

Intro To Driver Head Weight And Overview How It Affects Performance?

Like golf shafts, driver head weight is often overshadowed by the performance features of the club itself. However, a driver with a weight not suited to your swing can result in a loss of carry and total distance and excessive spin to name a few.

Golf coach James Robinson , conducted a test of the performance of the Taylormade M5 driver, with no weights, standard weights, and enhanced weighting.

The differences are remarkable. Of course, the results will differ from golfer to golfer, but it gives you an idea of the impact drive head weight has on your shots.

How Important Is Driver Head Weight In A Driver?

The driver head weight is as important as the shaft and the club features.

If you are playing with a driver head that is too light or heavy for your swing, you will not enjoy the full capabilities of the club.

How Does It Effect Performance?

The weight of your driver head will impact you differently, depending on your swing.

If you are a player with a fast tempo swing, you will find that you gain excessive spin and clubhead speed with a light clubhead. But, you are likely to lose 5 – 10 yards in total distance.

Conversely, players with moderate or slower tempo swings may struggle to get the ball airborne with a heavier driver head and lose eyewatering distance.

During tests conducted by Mackenzie et al (2015). They found that players with an increased driver head mass tended to produce more fade spin on their shots.

Will A Heavier Driver Hit The Ball Further?

Not necessarily. Moderate to slow swingers may struggle to generate sufficient ball speed with a heavier driver to get it airborne and will lose distance.

However, the fast-swinging golfers among us may be able to hit a heavier driver further than a standard or lighter head.

What Are The Advantages Of A Heavier Driver Head?

• Increased Moment of Inertia (MOI) for fast tempo swings
• Players with faster swings may enjoy enhanced ball speed
• Increased distance for fast swingers
• Lower spin and launch angle

What Are The Disadvantages Of A Heavier Driver Head?

• A heavier head may further slow down the swing speed of moderate to slow tempo swingers
• Moderate and slow swinging players will struggle to get the ball airborne
• Loss of carry and total distance for slower swingers
• Susceptible to pushing shots

Advantages Of Lighter Driver Heads

• Help slower swingers to get the ball airborne off the tee
• Promotes faster swing speeds
• Longer carry for moderate to slow swinging players

Disadvantages Of Lighter Driver Heads

• Golfers with faster tempos may gain excessive height off the tee
• Players are more likely to pull shots with lighter drivers

Perfect Driver Head Weight Vs Swing Speed

In tests conducted by Mackenzie, et al (2015), they found that the best performing driver head weight is 174 grams for golfers across the board.

During their study, various low handicap golfers tested drivers with head weights of 174 g, 190 g, and 200 g.

The 174-gram head weight provided the lowest spin rpm off the tee, as well as longer carry and total distance.

Who Should Be Adding Weight To Their Driver Head?

If you feel that you are launching at a high angle and have little control over your driver, you may want to add weight to the head.

This is a problem that faster swingers are likely to experience over slow swingers.

If your shots are consistently ending left off the tee, it may be due to a light driver head that you are twisting on your backswing.

Adding weight to your clubhead will help to stabilize it for a squarer impact. Don’t add too much weight, because then your shots will start going right.

How To Add Weight Effectively

Weight Packs

You can purchase weight packs for your driver head, and add and remove them to your preference.

Adding weight will shift the CG of the driver, and impact your launch angle, spin levels, and MOI.

Slide the weights into your preferred slots, tighten them with a wrench, and you are good to start gripping and ripping.

Adjustable Drivers

Most drivers on the market today, offer adjustable features.

These drivers enable you to manipulate the weighting in line with your preference. Simply loosen the weight and slide it into position, or remove it.

Adding Lead Tape

By applying an inch of lead tape to your driver you can add up to 2 grams of weight to the club.

Adding too much tape will impact the weight balance of your club, and will affect your long game.

Where To Add Weight For What Performance Tweak?

Higher Launch

To achieve a higher launch you will want to place weights at the rear of the clubhead, to focus the CG in this area.

Low Launch and Low Spin

If you are getting too much height and spin rpm off the tee, you will want to manipulate the weights to place the CG in the front part of the sole of the driver.

While this will solve the problem of high spin and launch, it eradicates forgiveness and requires precision ball striking.

For those golfers who are tired of unwanted slices, it is recommended you add weight to the heel of your driver.

That will weigh the heel down which closes the head to reduce the risk of the face opening at impact.

If you want to hit a fade in the league of Tiger Woods, you may want to set your driver head in a fade bias position.

To do this, add weight to the toe of the driver. That will help to keep the face open at impact, reducing duck hooks and helping you hit a more natural fade.

Does The Head Weight Vary Among Drivers By Much?

In the study conducted by Mackenzie et al (2015), three-driver weights were used 174 g, 190 g, and 200g.

Tour pros tend to use head weights which are north of 200 g. Of course, as James Robinson demonstrated, adjustable drivers give you the power to significantly manipulate the weight of the head.

How Important Is Driver Head Weight Vs Shaft Weight?

TPT Golf Fitters have found that players who are looking for more weight in their driver head perform best with a lighter golf shaft.

It allows for more weight to be added to the clubhead, without impacting the total weight of the club.

If you are swinging a heavy driver clubhead with a heavier shaft, the club may be difficult to gather sufficient swing speed to generate the necessary ball speed for lift-off.

Therefore both driver head weight and shaft weight are equally as important.

How Important Is Driver Head Weight Vs Shaft Flex

The weight of your driver head vs shaft flex is often not considered by the average golfer. However, without the correct balance, you will not see the desired results.

For example, if your head weight is on the heavy side, and you are swinging with a stiff shaft, you better be able to connect the ball like Bryson DeChambeau .

Moderate to slow swingers who use a heavy driver head, may want a regular or senior flex shaft. This will give them additional whip on their downswing to help generate more ball speed. Otherwise, it will be a challenge to get the ball airborne.

Other Factors To Consider With Your Driver Composition

Clubhead size.

The average size of a driver head is between 440 cubic centimeters (CC) and 460 cc. The smaller driver head allows for better workability off the tee. While the larger head offers the average golfer a more forgiving option in your long game.

Golf Shaft Flex and Weight

The faster swinging players among us may opt for a stiffer flex shaft, while moderate swingers are better suited to a regular flex option. Ladies and senior flex shafts were designed for the slow swinging golfers among us, to help them generate more clubhead and ball speed.

If you decide on a driver with a head around the 174 g mark, it is advisable to fit it with a heavier shaft. Otherwise, the club may be too light overall and could see you sky drives, and gain an excessive spin on tee shots. Heavier driver heads are better suited to lighter shafts, so as not to overweight the club.

Centre of Gravity (CG)

The CG is also known as the balance point of the club, and can be placed low, high, or on the heel or toe of the driver.

Drivers that have the CG placed low and at the back of the head, are crafted to launch higher and accelerate spin. Clubs with a forward CG, offer accelerated ball speeds, lower spin, and less forgiveness.

Golfers that have no problem in getting the ball in the air, may not want a weakened loft, to minimize the chance of skying drives and losing distance.

Slower swinging golfers that struggle with consistent carry and total distance, may prefer a weaker loft to help them with launch.

On average, the lofts of drivers range from 8 degrees to 11 degrees.

Swing Weight Vs Head Weight

Swing weight determines the heaviness of your club when you swing it. While head weight determines the load of the driver head.

The swing weight scale ranges from A0 to G10. A0 is the lightest swing weight, while G10 is the heaviest on the scale.

On average, men’s clubs will register a swing weight of D0 – D2, and ladies C5 – C7. To put it into context, a swing weight of D0 on average translates to 4 grams less of clubhead weight than D2.

What Happens If Your Swing Weight Is Too Light

You will realize that your swing weight is too light if you are unable to achieve a consistent swing tempo, or gain any control of the club.

As a result, you are likely to find yourself topping the ball or hitting it in the teeth more often than not.

Finally, a light swing weight can cause players to over-exert themselves on the downswing, due to a lack of feel, causing the ball to fly in all directions.

What Happens If Your Swing Weight Is Too Heavy

Your swing weight may be too heavy for your game if you find yourself consistently pushing shots off the tee.

The additional swing weight prevents you from being able to swing through the ball, resulting in an open clubface at impact.

Those of you playing with heavy shafts will notice a reduction in your clubhead speed, which may prevent you from generating accelerated ball speeds.

Conclusion of Heavier vs Lighter Driver Heads In Golf

Our review on heavier vs lighter driver heads has demonstrated the importance of acquiring a driver head with the correct weight for your swing.

It is clear that a heavier driver head can help you to achieve longer distances, however you need to be able to generate sufficient clubhead and ball speed.

Lighter driver heads can help you to get the ball airborne and provide consistent carry.

However, they may generate excessive spin and reduce distance for faster swinging golfers. Let us know which driver you play with, and the weight you have enjoyed the most success with?

Hi, I am Matthew, a mid handicap golfer who likes to play as much as possible. I love trying out new gear and this blog is where you can find all the gear I have tested over the years!

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• Material: High quality Synthetic Leather,it is degradable, more friendly to the environment.
• Engineered Double Elastic Bands. Driver headcover Won't fall off unintentionally. Resist water, stains, and UV rays.
• Thick & Soft Plush Inner Lining. Golf driver head covers Keep your clubs stay safe from scratches and dents.
• Perfect Fit Most Golf Driver. Tested with most modern 460CC Drivers.
• Prefect Gift:Such a fun gift for the golf-lover in your life.

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Golf headcovers - funny golf club covers - tour grade pu leather.

Stay cool and eye-catching for your golf games, nice golf accessories for one to have. Material: High quality Synthetic Leather,it is degradable, more friendly to the environment. Engineered Double Elastic Bands. Driver headcover Won't fall off unintentionally. Resist water, stains, and UV rays. Thick & Soft Plush Inner Lining. Golf driver head covers Keep your clubs stay safe from scratches and dents. Perfect Fit Most Golf Driver. Tested with most modern 460CC Drivers.

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HHI firemen, town staff run Heritage's most popular food joint. How much is fundraised?

A pr. 17—At the RBC Heritage, Hilton Head firefighters are dealing with a different kind of heat: the Nashville-style spicy fried chicken sandwich.

It's the specialty item at the town's concession stand, one of the most popular and profitable food joints at the annual RBC Heritage golf tournament. Since 2004, the stand has run on a volunteer base of town hall staff, firefighters and paramedics — with a healthy sprinkling of hospitality students from the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB).

All proceeds from food sales will go to the Hilton Head Firefighters' Association nonprofit, which will disperse funds to other 501(c)(3) organizations in the area. Thanks to its prime location near both the start and middle of the Harbour Town Golf Links course, the stand raises anywhere from $40,000 to $60,000 every year, said Kyle Ramsey, a senior firefighter and board member at the nonprofit.

"We're all in this for fun, to raise money for organizations, but we do get the most traffic," said Ramsey.

With a historic lineup of some of the world's greatest golfers, the 2024 Heritage is poised to be one of the largest in the tournament's 55-year history. The event is expected to bring up to 120,000 spectators to Harbour Town, so charitable concessionaires are hoping for a strong week of fundraising.

Since 2020, all the tournament's food has been provided by the SERG Restaurant Group of Hilton Head, which offers some menu staples from the group's 15 local restaurants.

This year's tournament marked deputy town manager Josh Gruber's sixth straight year under the tent. His favorite parts of the volunteer work, he said, were "connecting with folks" and marveling at how far some attendees will travel for the PGA Tour event. He's met fans hailing from Connecticut to Canada — as well as a family who left their home in Edisto Beach at 4 a.m. Wednesday morning to arrive in time for the pro-am rounds.

"I just like people," said Robin Swift, the town's cultural affairs coordinator. "It's fun to talk to them, hear why they're here. They'll come up with autographed hats. One lady said she's been following (a golfer) for 16 years."

A share of the concession stand's profits will be used to pay SERG for providing the food, while some goes into a benevolent fund for Hilton Head firefighters in times of need. Everything else is awarded to local organizations through grants: installing AED kits in public buildings and churches, for instance, or supporting the Second Helpings food rescue charity, which "rescues" food that would have been thrown away at grocery stores and delivers it to food pantries across the Lowcountry.

A half-dozen younger volunteers under the tent were especially in their element: They're representing USCB's hospitality management program, housed in the newly built campus on the island.

Rebecca Pollard, a senior, said volunteering at the Heritage was a "passion project" for the students. Some of them are studying to organize and cater corporate events, not dissimilar to the tournament's vast network of food service.

As crowds of tartan grew larger Wednesday morning, the volunteers slipped back into the event's familiar electricity.

"The folks that are out here are out here enjoying themselves," Gruber said. "Everybody's in a good mood. That makes it fun."

Pro-am tee-offs began Wednesday morning after Tuesday's opening ceremony. The tournament kicks off at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

This story was originally published April 17, 2024, 3:49 PM.

(c)2024 The Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Head-on collision between SUV, NIU bus near…

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Elgin Courier-News

Head-on collision between suv, niu bus near elburn critically injures st. charles woman.

Multiple people were sent to the hospital, including one with serious injuries, after a head-on collision between a bus and an SUV outside of Elburn on Sunday night, law enforcement officials said.

The bus, which held 22 passengers and one driver, was a part of the Northern Illinois University Huskie Bus Line, according to a news release from the Kane County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials said the SUV’s driver, a 25-year-old woman from St. Charles, was in critical condition with multiple traumatic injuries after the collision. She was taken to Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva but was later flown by helicopter to Loyola Hospital in Maywood for further care, according to the release.

The woman was the only person in the SUV, which was a blue 2021 Hyundai Venue, officials said.

The bus driver, a 66-year-old man from Carpentersville, and multiple passengers of the bus were transported to area hospitals for minor injuries, the release said.

Kane County sheriff’s officials said the preliminary investigation indicates the bus was traveling west on Route 38 and the SUV was driving north on Francis Road.

The SUV came to a complete stop at the Route 38 intersection, then made too wide of a right turn onto Route 38, taking the vehicle into the oncoming westbound lane in front of the bus, officials said in the release. Officials said the bus was unable to avoid colliding with the SUV, which resulted in severe front-end damage to the SUV and minor front-end damage to the bus.

Kane County Sheriff’s Office detectives are continuing to investigate the crash, the release said.

Northern Illinois University did not respond to a request for comment.

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Athlete of the Week: Gavin Gerch

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - 10/11′s Athlete of the Week is Gavin Gerch of Lincoln Southeast Golf. Gerch posted a 73 in the HAC Tournament to win the individual title for the second straight year on Monday, April 8, 2024. Gerch also helped Lincoln Southeast capture their 3rd straight team title.

“I mean it felt great because when I first played that tournament (HAC) as a freshman I think I shot like 90 something... so to go and win it back to back years my junior and senior year, was kind of a testament to the hard work that I put in over the past couple of years,” Gavin Gerch said.

Gavin Gerch is a senior for the Knights and has committed to play college golf at Creighton. He is also the son of former Nebraska Baseball standout Andy Gerch.

“We just have such a great group of guys, on a team led by some great coaches,” Gerch said.

Gerch hopes to win the boys individual state title at the upcoming NSAA Class A State golf tournament.

💥The Knights win 🏆 the HAC and @GavinGerch goes back to back 💥 Let’s keep it rolling! 🥇Gavin Gerch 🏅5th Thomas Bryson 🏅6th Miles Elgert Team 308 ⚔️⛳️💪 #GGBack2Back #3Peat #CompleteTheMission pic.twitter.com/voX17Rzp6T — LSE Boys Golf (@LSEBoysGolf) April 8, 2024

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