Gorilla Golf Recommends The Best Christmas Buys for a Golfer in 2013: Part One : Drivers

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat and your golfing fan is probably getting twitchy at being stuck inside far more than they would like.

So why not brighten up their Christmas by picking them a gift that will really brighten up their 2014 season?

Gorilla Golf has been scanning what is available for the golfer in your life, at a range of prices to suit all budgets. This week, we’re looking at three Drivers to suit all budgets

Driver – Top of the Range (Over £200)

Taylor Made JetSpeed Driver (Price unconfirmed £200 – £300 estimated)

Few drivers have been as eagerly anticipated than the Taylor Made JetSpeed Driver, which is released for sale just in time for Christmas on December 13^th.

The big selling point for the JetSpeed Driver is its Speed Pocket technology, which takes a driver, which is already at the legal speed limit of .822, and instead of increasing the speed head beyond legal limits, focuses on reducing spin on the ball.

In addition, the design of the club is such, with its flatter, aerodynamic profile, that mis-hits out of the lower part of the face will not be as severely punished, a particular benefit for the mid to lower handicapper who doesn’t always strike the ball out of the sweet spot with the big stick.

The key to this seems to be the position of the clubs centre of gravity, which is lower and more forward in the club compared to most modern drivers, which allows the club to generate faster ball speeds and lower spin.

One word of advice though, because of the lower centre of gravity, this promotes lower ball flight, so players may wish to increase the loft of the club by an inch or so (so if your driver is currently 9.5, try a 10.5) to help promote a ball-flight more in keeping with your current swing.

The JetSpeed Driver is a striking club and comes with a Matrix Velox T49 shaft, although you can get a Tour Pro version with a Matrix Velox 60 shaft.

Driver – Mid Price Value (£100 – £200)

Taylor Made R1 Driver (£199 at selected retailers, down from £329)

Few clubs have made such an impression on golfers in recent years as the R1. Even golfers who aren’t familiar with the make or design of the club will recognise this as “the driver with the white head”.

In truth, there is much more to this driver than simply a paler coloured paint job.  The biggest selling point of the R1 is its adjustability. Drivers can alter the loft of the club between 8 degrees and 12 degrees to ensure that they are hitting the ball at the optimal loft for their swing.

In addition, they can adjust the centre of gravity within the club head by 5mm which allows the club to cancel out a tendency to draw or slice the ball, as well as to move the centre of gravity further forward or back, allowing greater distance and power in the shot, or greater loft.

Lastly, golfers can then adjust the sole plate of the club to help golfers get into the correct address position for the type of golf shot they want to play.

Fitted with a superb Aldila RIP Phenom 55 Graphite Shaft, the R1 may be a couple of years old, but it is still one of the finest golf drivers you can buy today and at under £200, it is a top quality and great value buy for players of all abilities.

Driver – Budget Belter (Under £100)

Cobra Long Tom (£79.99 at selected retailers, reduced from £289)

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a cheaper club necessarily means that it is a better club for a high handicap player. The Cobra Long Tom, named after a cannon in the Second World War, may be the cheaper driver on the list but it is a beast that requires precision.

The good news is, mid to low handicappers can find that this club will add significant yards to their game, especially if upgrading from a basic set. Some golfers in reviews have estimated that the club gives them an extra 30 yards in the air, plus 20 yards of roll.

That said, this is not a particularly forgiving club, so if you are seeking a good driver for a beginner player, you are better looking elsewhere (the John Letters Range is a good place to start at under £100 for a large number of decent, forgiving Drivers for the beginner).

With its sleek dark looks, the Cobra Long Tom is a lovely club to look at and wielded by those with the skill, it can add yards to your tee shots.

Images taken from Taylor Made & Cobra websites