TITLEIST TSR

RRP: $899; $1,199 (premium shaft).

www.titleist.com.au

Low single-figure handicap

The height and shape of the clubface really appealed to me and I got the sense I could hit different shots with this, as opposed to some of the other drivers that I felt I was restricted to one shot shape. A low draw as well as a higher flighted fade were more easily achieved with this driver. This driver was really impressive.

Single-figure handicap

The TSR carries the classic Titleist driver shape, which is really appealing and looked great at address. It didn’t feel hard at impact, if anything the feeling was quite soft for me. This was probably my favourite of all the drivers tested – ball flight was consistently good, was easy to control and, for me, it generated the most ball speed, consistently, ahead of any of the other drivers.

Mid-handicap

I wanted to like this one and I did. It is easily the best looking clubhead of the bunch in my opinion. There is technology in there that made a difference but it is hidden and without some of the bells and whistles of some of the other drivers we tested. That said, the TSR2 still looks a little big for my taste, but the TSR3 and definitely the TSR4 had less of that issue.

High-handicap

Couldn’t help like everything about the look and feel. It appeared smaller at address than some of the other drivers, which surprisingly didn’t deter me from swinging freely even though I tend to seek out more forgiving looking driver. Pretty simply, I liked it. It was much easier to hit than I thought it was going to be and probably the most forgiving Titleist driver I have ever hit and it didn’t give up anything when it came to distance.

PHOTO: Adrian Logue.

TOUR EDGE EXOTICS E722

RRP: $699

www.drummondgolf.com.au

Low single-figure handicap

This driver performed much better than I thought it would. It feels like there is a lot of mass directly behind the ball that almost just extends off the clubface. Didn’t actually hit it further than other drivers but felt like it was taking off at impact. I kind of like this club, for the price it is a really solid performer.

Single-figure handicap

This driver is surprisingly good and liked it even more when I found out it was $400 cheaper than some of the other drivers tested and performed just as well. It had a better ball flight than some of the bigger-named models. It was really forgiving, a little loud, but overall it impressed.

Mid-handicap

 

This driver felt heavy in the head and sat a little closed at address. The ball came out a bit higher off the clubface and I could sense a lot more spin that was confirmed by the launch monitor. Not the kind of thing I would typically look at for myself, but there was enough to like about this at the price.

High-handicap

For the price point it performed fairly well. After falling in love with one of the other models this was my next point of call. It was a tough act to follow but still an impressive all-round driver.

WILSON DYNAPOWER CARBON

RRP: $499

www.wilson.com

Low single-figure handicap

I quite liked the look of this driver at address. Shots don’t feel like they’re taking off at impact but drives still performed admirably in terms of distance and carry compared with other drivers.

Single-figure handicap

Right in the middle of the road performance wise and feel for me. Slightly harder feel to the others off the clubface, and while not a standout performer, this was a good honest club. It’s a club you would let date your daughter!

Mid-handicap

The Wilson driver was perhaps not quite as forgiving as others in the test, with some of my off-centre strikes really dropping in distance and accuracy. But my good strikes held up though, and it looks quite good … a nice, simple driver.

High-handicap

The Wilson Staff driver was a nice solid option. The ball flew strongly on the good strikes, but it was not as forgiving as some of the other bigger name drivers. I liked how it looked at address and wouldn’t have an issue putting it in play although it wouldn’t be my first choice of all the drivers we tested.