Question:
A good question. I have found (via our magazines testing) that well made metal head clubs go farther than persimmion heads, BUT this is only true in selected metal clubs where the head is constructed to produce a big trampoline effect
Yes, it is true. It has been demonstrated through repeated observation at the driving range that Callaway Big Bertha heads do fly farther than persimmon heads when the shaft breaks. Maybe it’s the trampoline effect helping the clubhead bounce along the grass. — Don Porter Newspaper Reporter & Webmaster Web Page: http://www.datacruz.com/~dporter
Response:
Are metal woods really better then persimmion, or have we been duped by mfg’ers looking for more profits?
A good question. I have found (via our magazines testing) that well made metal head clubs go farther than persimmion heads, BUT this is only true in selected metal clubs where the head is constructed to produce a big trampoline effect (outlawed by usga but still a reality), such as those with maranging steel faces which allow for thinner faceplates (due to added strength) thus more trampoline effect. Let me also say I have only seen this in under 10.5 loft drivers. In 3-woods, I have a 30 year old First Flight WOOD wood that will out distance any metal 3 wood (even the orlimars my magazine reviews so highly). BUT, on the other hand, where metal heads really standout over wood heads is in control. That is why 30 years ago most golfers were happy to get a long drive, and did not even think about pushing the ball left or right the way you can today with a quality metal head wood. Then there is the effect of the shaft (especially graphite!), but that is a whole other subject! — RSG ROLL CALL http://www.mobile.gulf.net/~rmartin/rsg.htm — Click on it today, the oldest free internet golf magazine on the web! Gulf Coast Golf – The Internet Magazine! http://www.gulfcoastgolf.com
Response:
Their specifications can be more accurately repeated on assembly line. Also the harder faces allow for more transfer of energy to the ball–so more distance. And strong yet lightweight materials allow for weight to be taken out of the center and put at the perimeter of the face for more accuracy on off center hits. But I miss the crack of the wood. Jeff
Response:
As I understand it, the only reason why Ti drivers can result in more length is that, having a better strength-to-weight ratio, you can have a longer driver with a reasonable swingweight. Longer drivers can yield faster swing speeds. You can also have a thinner clubface giving you more "trampoline" effect (the ball springing off the clubface). A recent Golfsmith clubbuilder magazine (I think) measured ball speed coming off different clubfaces (swung at the same club speed) and determined that "maraging steel" offered the best ball speed. They hypothesized that this was due to trampoline effect (given USGA grumblings, they didn’t call it that). As I recall, stainless steel did better than Titanim. The Orlimar clubs use maragine steel, by the way. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My golf partners with their ti drivers don’t hit any further on avg Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.
Response:
Alas, the main reason metal is better than persimmon is a matter of pure economics and practicality. The fact is metal is everywhere, and persimmon is very hard to come by. (Btw, are Ping drivers actually persimmon? I thought they were some type of plastic laminate.) — "Nothing great was ever achieved without passion"–Emerson
Response:
Are metal woods really better then persimmion, or have we been duped by mfg’ers looking for more profits? Please give your thoughts I currently use a Ping eye 2 driver I hit 6 out of 10 fairways i drive for an avg of 230yds. My golf partners with their ti drivers don’t hit any further on avg
With a half-million first prize money each week on TOUR, you can bet that SOMEBODY would be using persimmon if they thought it was better, but not a single pro is hitting persimmon anymore. Endorsement contracts don’t explain it, either, since most companies’ endorsement deals only require a player to carry 8 or 9 clubs. BTW, your Ping Eye 2 driver isn’t persimmon either. It’s maple. Randy
Response:
I really don’t think they are better. They are more durable, probably. I have yet to find a 5 or 7 wood that can hold a candle to my Ping Eye Twos in terms of distance and consistency. I do carry a metal 3-wood, though. Chris – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Are metal woods really better then persimmion, or have we been duped by mfg’ers looking for more profits? Please give your thoughts I currently use a Ping eye 2 driver I hit 6 out of 10 fairways i drive for an avg of 230yds. My golf partners with their ti drivers don’t hit any further on avg Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.
Response:
I believe they are laminated maple. — http://home.midsouth.rr.com/joecartpath RSG Roll Call: http://u1.netgate.net/~kirby34/rsg/reedj.htm
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Alas, the main reason metal is better than persimmon is a matter of pure economics and practicality. The fact is metal is everywhere, and persimmon is very hard to come by. (Btw, are Ping drivers actually persimmon? I thought they were some type of plastic laminate.) — "Nothing great was ever achieved without passion"–Emerson
Response:
No, Ping Eye2 drivers are made from MAPLE, Regardless it is real wood. Alas, the main reason metal is better than persimmon is a matter of pure economics and practicality. The fact is metal is everywhere, and persimmon is very hard to come by. (Btw, are Ping drivers actually persimmon? I thought they were some type of plastic laminate.) — "Nothing great was ever achieved without passion"–Emerson
Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.
Response:
All i can say to that is DUH. Its still wood isn’t it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Are metal woods really better then persimmion, or have we been duped by mfg’ers looking for more profits? Please give your thoughts I currently use a Ping eye 2 driver I hit 6 out of 10 fairways i drive for an avg of 230yds. My golf partners with their ti drivers don’t hit any further on avg With a half-million first prize money each week on TOUR, you can bet that SOMEBODY would be using persimmon if they thought it was better, but not a single pro is hitting persimmon anymore. Endorsement contracts don’t explain it, either, since most companies’ endorsement deals only require a player to carry 8 or 9 clubs. BTW, your Ping Eye 2 driver isn’t persimmon either. It’s maple. Randy
Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.
Response:
Are metal woods really better then persimmion, or have we been duped by mfg’ers looking for more profits? Please give your thoughts I currently use a Ping eye 2 driver I hit 6 out of 10 fairways i drive for an avg of 230yds. My golf partners with their ti drivers don’t hit any further on avg Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.
Response:
I currently use a Ping eye 2 driver I hit 6 out of 10 fairways i drive for an avg of 230yds.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Response:
Are metal woods really better then persimmion? <snip My golf partners with their ti drivers don’t hit any further on avg
….and they won’t. On a square hit ti drivers don’t carry any further than persimmon. The big advantage to ti is on off center hits, ti will compensate more for a toe or heel shot. A recent article in Golf Digest compared Justin Leonard and Davis Love III, two of the last player to switch from wood to metal. In comparing their last full season with wood to their first full season with metal, the stats where almost identical. Jim