Should Recreational Golfers Carry a Driver?
November 18, 2022
Yes, but not just any driver.
If you are leaving your driver in the garage when you head to the golf course, there’s a good chance you are a higher handicap golfer and someone who could benefit from a custom-built driver that matches your unique swing characteristics.
Most recreational golfers, who only carry a 3 wood or hybrid, have convinced themselves that those clubs will improve their chances of posting a lower score. Truth is, even a beginner should use a driver to get as much distance as possible.
“Golf starts off the tee box not from the green, so don’t ruin your round,” says Lance Reader, the founder and president of Krank Golf.
Because of the impact that a drive can have on the remaining shots to the green, hitting a 3-wood or hybrid off the tee automatically means you adding 20 yards here and 50 yards there. It doesn't take a degree in mathematics to understand that the lost yardage has to be made up with other shots on course.
So, divorcing your driver is not going to lower your score and may negatively impact how long it takes for you to improve your score.
Needs of Most Golfers Differ Greatly
No one doubts that the needs of a low handicapper are quite different than those of a beginner, or that the driver may be among the most difficult clubs to hit. But, rarely does anyone take the time to explain why.
It is often the thickness of the face of the clubheads being manufactured today. Typically, these clubs are built to meet the standards for play under the strictest regulations. However, it is a very small percentage of golfers who will ever be able to generate a clubhead speed of 115 mph or faster, which is what is needed to produce the optimal distance off the tee.
Most beginners and high-handicap golfers actually benefit more from buying a driver that has been custom crafted for them than will the scratch golfer. That is due in part to the fact that the United States Golf Association (USGA), who is the final authority on everything having to do with the game, doesn’t seem to care about club heads being too stiff and inflexible for the rest of us.
Before this year’s U.S. Open, USGA CEO Mike Whan told a discussion group that one way to reduce the current distance professional golfers are achieving off the tee is to reduce how much spring effect is on the face of their driver.
That’s why most off-the-shelf drivers are already too stiff for the average golfer; as well as the reason why millions of golfers, who just want to enjoy a round of golf with friends, end up leaving the “big stick” at home. All because the clubface and shaft are ill-fitted for a recreational golfer’s swing dynamics.
Don’t Just Buy What’s Hot; Build a Driver for Your Swing
The team at Krank Golf has been matching driver features like a lower center of gravity, optimal face flex, and increased club head speed to help golfers just like you hit the ball longer and straighter off the tee box. According to Reader, “Swinging hard and out of control does not mean distance. Hitting a driver with maximum-energy-transfer means you can hit it longer and straighter.”
Listed below are the Formula Fire Krank Drivers and Fujikura Speeder X Shafts from which a broad range of today’s recreational golfers can choose to build his or her custom-fitted driver:
Formula Fire X HIGH-COR – The Formula FIRE X HIGH-COR/HIGH CT driver is 100% handmade, cupped faced forged and is rated for swing speeds between 105 and 85mph or an average driving distance of 260 to 200 yards. We do not cast heads and Krank Golf is the only golf manufacturer that makes 3 different driver-face thicknesses. The Fire X HIGH-COR driver has a middle face thickness.
Formula Fire XX Super HIGH-COR – The New Formula FIRE XX SUPER HIGH-COR/HIGH CT driver is handcrafted with a cupped faced forged and is rated for swing speeds of 80mph and lower (or average driving distance of 200 yards or less). Our metal is significantly harder than virtually any other driver on the planet and we use only the finest beta titanium. Enjoy next evolution of distance with a Krank driver.
Fujikura Speeder X Light Tour Shaft – For golfers (Seniors, Ladies or Juniors) that have an average driving distance of less than 250 yards, the X Light Tour shaft is constructed using extremely fast graphite for lower swing speeds. Fujikura combines the latest science and technology to deliver well engineered designs like their patented high inertia tip that releases more energy just before impact.
Adjustable Driver Adapter – The Krank Tri-Sleeve Adapter allows for maximum adjustment without the fuss of turning the shaft in the hosel. For those golfers who prefer to spine or “pure” their shafts, this is a big advantage to other adapters that require turning the shaft to adjust loft. Krank’s adjustable adapter allows you to fine tune your driver on-course to improve any round of play.
There are many reasons why you may not be hitting the ball off the tee as well as you would like. When you book a custom fitting with one of our driving professionals, we will ask specific questions about your swing and the results you’ve been experiencing. Most often, a poor tee box performance is due to swinging the wrong golf club.
Since your driver is the club that has the least amount of loft and the longest shaft, it is most important that it matches your swing. Krank drivers increase face trampoline effect, which is especially important for the middle and slower swing speeds. To schedule a custom fitting and start designing the driver that is right for your swing, click here now and stop giving away distance off the tee.
