New Clubs for 2014 – Part One – Drivers & Fairway Woods

The first of a three part series looking at the newest clubs to hit the shelves of golf stores and websites in 2014, we begin by looking at the long sticks in the bag, the Driver and fairway woods

Outlined below are some of the most eagerly anticipated new drivers and fairway woods of 2014, which, if any, of these will you be trying out at a pro day at your local range with a view to adding to your bag?

1. TaylorMade JetSpeed Driver & Fairway Woods

The successor to the highly popular RBZ Stage 2 Driver, the JetSpeed driver has seen the introduction of TaylorMade’s Speed Pocket technology, which aims to produce increased ball speed and distance off the club face, particularly when the ball is hit lower down on the club face.

Indeed, so low is the centre of gravity of the new JetSpeed range of drivers that TaylorMade are suggesting that decent quality players may be able to use the driver off the turf, as they would a fairway wood.

Dustin Johnson, who is already a prodigious hitter from the tee, is believed to have earmarked the JetSpeed Driver for his bag in 2014, no doubt if the results are good many more will follow his lead.

The TaylorMade Jet Speed Driver will sell at around the $399 mark.

2. Adams XTD Driver & Fairway Woods

I’ve played Adams clubs myself for a couple of years now and I am very impressed with them and I was delighted to see them sign up Ernie Els for the 2014 season and even more interested to read about the new range of Adams clubs for 2014, in particular the XTD Driver & Fairway Woods

What I personally like about Adams drivers is that they are great clubs to improve your game on. Top quality pros may opt for clubs with more control, but for amateurs right down to low handicappers, the distance and feel of Adams are heard to beat.

The new XTD Driver in its gunmetal grey and red livery is very striking and a worthy successor to the Speedline driver. If you are an improver golfer, I’d seriously recommend following Ernie’s lead and at least give these clubs a try on the range this year.

The Adams XTD Driver will retail for around $399.

3. Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 2014 Driver & Fairway Woods

Phil Mickelson has been singing the praises of his new Callaway Big Bertha Alpha Driver recently and it is fair to say that after the stellar 2013 season he enjoyed, his endorsement alone will be enough to shift a few of these to the myriad of golfers who hang on Lefty’s every word.

That said, the Callaway Club is a rather delightful one to look at with its striking blue livery and the famous Big Bertha name making a very welcome comeback.

What is remarkable though is that Mickelson’s successes in 2013 often came without a driver in the bag, however the Arizona-born magician plans to change that.

“This year we have the best driver I’ve ever hit” Mickelson stated “that lowers my spin rate just like my 3-wood

“I drive it longer and straighter with my driver than I did with my 3-wood. It’s a whole different weapon in my arsenal now.

“If I drive the ball well like I have been in practice… this 2014 could be the best year of my career for that simple reason.”

Asking price for a new Callaway Big Bertha Alpha driver is said to be around $399, with the standard version $100 cheaper.

4. Nike VRS Covert Driver 2.0 & Fairway Woods

These are the clubs that both Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods are purportedly going to have in their bag  this year and from the picture above, they do look rather classy. Rory McIlroy, who had well documented problems with his driver in early 2013 was certainly impressed with the 2014 VRS Covert 2.0 Driver.

“The larger face has given me more forgiveness on misses, which is great for me” stated McIlroy.

“If you look at my tee marks, they’re not all in the middle – there’s a few on the toe and a few on the heel… I know that if I hit one off centre it’s not going to get away from me.”

The Tour Version of the Covert 2.0 Driver will retail for around £399, with the standard version around $299.

Next week we’ll take a look at some of the most eagerly anticipated Irons and Wedges that will hit the shelves in 2014 and after that, we’ll look at the best of the 2014 range of putters.

Images Courtesy of Callaway, Adams, Nike, & Taylor Made Golf