Equipment
Forum Thread of the Day: “Are there any old-school drivers that can keep up with today’s models?”
Today’s Forum Thread of the Day comes from theothertwo, who asks fellow GolfWRX members if they feel that there is an old-school driver that can keep up with today’s models. Our members have been giving their views on the subject, with many believing that there are plenty of older models that can still enhance your game.
Here are a few posts from the thread but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- DixieD: “510tp, J33r, FT Tour. Have all these in my collection, and they still make it into my bag and don’t lose any distance to my 917. I’d say the J33r may be slightly shorter, but we are talking 5 yards on good hits with my 105 swing speed. The feel of them is unmatched by today’s offerings.”
- seleezyt: “Ping g15. I’m sure you could go back even more to g10 and rapture, but the g15 was just as long in a recent test for me. Hit against ts2 and g400 and m3.”
- agolf1: “Titleist 983E if your strike is very good. Titleist 910D2 if you want something that resembles today’s forgiveness. I played with an old 983E once this year. It is great when you catch it right but absolutely horrible if you miss at all (both loss of ball speed and direction).”
- RobS14526: “Ping G2/5/10 are still fantastic. I still think the longest combo I’ve ever had was an Orlimar HipTi 420 with an early Taylormade Mitsubishi Tour shaft. Russian titanium baby!”
Entire Thread: “Are there any old-school drivers that can keep up with today’s models?”
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
Sam
Jan 16, 2019 at 4:27 pm
We have to keep in mind as well that club fitting has really changed things. I have been fitting people for 15 years and seen how drastic of a change the right shaft and head combo can make. If you require a custom club, I could put pretty much any driver in your hands and it would wouldn’t change much. new drivers would be more forgiving and probably 5+ yards longer. The biggest I’ve seen though is reducing the spin and optimizing ball flight. I used to love the 983k and erc fusion heads for their shape and overall playability. I compared my 983k from over 10 years ago to my Custom Fit Epic Subzero and its on average about 34 yards of difference. Still, straightest driver I’ve hit to this day is the Callaway C4 haha. sounded like a marshmallow and the distance was terrible but man it the ball only flew straight.
Tom
Jan 8, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Yes, as long as they don’t suffer metal fatigue, older models are the same as what is being touted as “better” designs of today. The USGA rules mandate that clubs CANNOT exceed defined performance standards, thus, performance cannot be improved….
These performance standards set by the USGA have been in place for the past several years… if not longer.
Michael
Dec 21, 2018 at 5:23 pm
Still using the TM Burner Superfast TP. Haven’t found anything better.
Art Williams
Dec 22, 2018 at 2:37 pm
Was playing my 2013 Callaway Razr Fit Extreme for a few years with mixed results. Went back this past fall to my 2008 Hyper X. Was just as long but it felt better and sounded better. Will stick to it for now. Don’t remember why I left it. Couldn’t resist the marketing I guess.
Steve Cantwell
Dec 21, 2018 at 3:14 pm
It’s the Christmas season. New clubs sure would look nice under the tree. However, as good as that sounds, I sure love my R7 TP irons as well as my Burner driver and 3 woid. While my clubs are more than 10 years old, and I have tinkered with newer products over the years, I always find myself coming back to this trusted set up. New clubs? No thank you! Maybe next year…
TONEY P
Dec 21, 2018 at 3:09 pm
The 983K was one of the best drivers made for a good golfer. The R 7 superquad is one of the straightest drivers ever built.
Robert
Dec 21, 2018 at 1:47 pm
Is Fred Couples still using a Taylormade Sldr? I remember something on TV this past year where he did not want to bother with another driver fitting. Believe Sei Young Kim set the LPGA scoring record this past year in Wisconsin using a Sldr and Mizuno MP18-SC irons.
Dennis
Dec 20, 2018 at 11:37 am
Played yesterday with my 07 Burner TP and my new TS3 and virtually no difference in distance.I actually like the feel of the Burner better.
Vince
Dec 21, 2018 at 11:27 am
I played the last 2 years with a Callaway Hawkeye v f t titanium
9 degree and it is great
It is just 10-15yards shorter than new models but
I can hit it straight as a arrow and it is light
Richard Douglas
Dec 20, 2018 at 2:20 am
I haven’t played a 3-wood since I put the TM SLDR Mini-Driver in the bag. It functions like a second, slightly shorter driver that can still be hit off the deck. I use it for all tight drives; it’s probably 20 yards longer than my old 3-wood.
ogo
Dec 19, 2018 at 6:33 pm
The design of the driver clubhead represents ~10% of the driver’s performance. 90% is the shaft… without doubt…. and anybody who thinks differently is just a gullible gearhead !
Brad
Dec 19, 2018 at 9:10 pm
This is easily the silliest thing I’ve read in recent memory.
Gunter Eisenberg
Dec 19, 2018 at 10:43 pm
I totally agree. I stuck a $500 exotic shaft into my 1983 Titleist Tour Model Persimmon Driver and I outdrove a buddy of mine with his M4 with similar swing speed.
Tom
Dec 19, 2018 at 2:03 pm
Of course, all this stuff is the same over the last 6-8 years, just repackaged and marketed as something better, USGA rules dictate the level of potential product innovation, not manufacturers….Sellers be Sellin!
Upgrade your graphite wood shafts and re-grip, that’s all you need to spend money on..
David Sims
Dec 19, 2018 at 12:21 pm
Titleist 905R, still as straight and long as anything out there. Much straighter and right there with all my buddies M1,M4’s and Callys.
TONEY P
Dec 21, 2018 at 3:02 pm
That 905R is great driver.
Brian S.
Jan 8, 2019 at 4:20 pm
Yep, still have mine too with the Proforce Shaft. Put a 910D3 in play this past year (yes, i know that is still old school, LOL), but it was an upgrade to the 905. I can honestly say, i havent seen much difference. The old girl is still standing by and might end up back in the bag this year.. We’ll see!
Kyle R
Dec 19, 2018 at 12:14 pm
Taylormade r7 Superquad for me is the club I have fell in love with. I have tried numerous drivers to upgrade over the years, However the fairway finding ability of the R7 Superquad can not be matched for me. I even picked up a backup one to keep on hand. Distance wise I may leave 10 or so yards on the table, however I still average 280-290 with the R7 at 110-115mph Driver speed, plenty long.
chad
Dec 19, 2018 at 12:20 pm
i second the r7 superquad. best driver ever made. Bought a like new head off ebay and i put an oban kiyoshi white stiff shaft in. The thing cant miss a fairway. i dont care if i give up 10 yards when you’re 40 yards right in the weeds and im in the fairway
Regis
Dec 21, 2018 at 12:57 pm
Yeh I’ve kept mine as well. Also the R9 Super Tri. I never spent the time to experiment by fitting them with different high end shafts but I will some day. Maybe this weekend
Dan Malloy
Dec 21, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Last I saw Tom Lehman was still using an R-7 superquad