The Nineteenth Hole

Can drivers loose their zing?

I'm a casual golf player who may play a little more in the future. I've been using the same set of clubs for the past 12 years and am fairly happy with them. But, recently I realized that I could upgrade my driver to one of the drivers that was popular several years ago (Calloway HawkEye/Big Birtha) for very cheap. I usually use my 2 iron to drive because I can hit it about 275 and straight and my current driver gives me an extra 20 yards or so but with more chance of error. Would it be worth it to get one of these old drivers? I've heard they could loose their power when they get old...is this true? No opinions or anecdotes on this one please...just looking for objective information about the degradation of titanium drivers.
Thanks!

Dear Nilo, Drivers made with titanium of a 90-6-4 chemistry do to factors such as fatigue, welding breaks and improper assembly can lose the property of ductility. This property defines the ability of a metal to change shape but return to its original state. You may recall the hoop-la over spring like or trampoline faces on drivers where with all the right conditions being met, the face would change during impact then launch the ball because of the return to the original shape. Drivers such as the two you mentioned are made of several components. The face, sole, crown and body. These components can be two piece, three or four. During the welding minute breaks in the weld can cause distortion to the point where energy is absorbed by the driver head with the consequence of less distance all other elements being equal. Very high swing speeds such as you see on the professional long drive level have failures of the heads on a regular basis. With the new limits on the spring effect permitted and measured by the U.S.G.A. delineates those drivers which are on the Conforming Driver List. This is a newer list the Conforming Ball List being the precursor to the driver list. Be mindful that diminishing performance may be caused by shaft failure as a wrapped shaft can de-laminate and filament wound shafts can have breakage and stretching of the filaments. During assembly the epoxy tensile strength can be compromised due to improper mixing of the two parts, curing time, improper preparation of the hosel and/or shaft tip.

If you can hit a 275 yard 2 iron which is 12 years old and doesn't have the new lower loft you are in a very select class of monster hitters of the ball. You should easily hit 325 yard drives and all you need to do is be fit properly with the right loft and XX-stiff shaft using computer aided fitting. Good luck and your buddies must love you in a scramble!

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