Suggestions for TM R540 replacement

[huwg]

Well 2008 is finally upon us and for my golfing buddies it brings much mirth as my 'off the shelf' Taylor Made R540 Driver (9.5, stiff shaft) is on the banned list.

I know I can use it for day to day rounds, but at some point I'm going to have to bite the bullet and choose a new 'weapon'.

I cannot afford to buy a current model (£200+) so will be looking at the sub £150 bracket of older (but still conforming) clubs.

I like the feel of the Taylor Made, but am not totally convinced by the adjustable weight system they use in their more recent ranges. I think I would be too tempted to tinker and completely cock up my game.

Can anyone recommend a new driver?
Callaway, Ping, Taylor Made, Cleeveland.....?
I'm not too keen on the look of the square headed clubs.

I could be tempted to go second hand provided it has not had too much changed in a custom fitting.

Due to my unwillingness to part with serious cash, a specialised fitting is probably not an option.

I play off around 15 and hit the ball fairly straight, often with a slight draw.

Any recommendations?
cheers.

[DJT75]

Originally Posted by huwg

Well 2008 is finally upon us and for my golfing buddies it brings much mirth as my 'off the shelf' Taylor Made R540 Driver (9.5, stiff shaft) is on the banned list.

I know I can use it for day to day rounds, but at some point I'm going to have to bite the bullet and choose a new 'weapon'.

I cannot afford to buy a current model (£200+) so will be looking at the sub £150 bracket of older (but still conforming) clubs.

I like the feel of the Taylor Made, but am not totally convinced by the adjustable weight system they use in their more recent ranges. I think I would be too tempted to tinker and completely cock up my game.

Can anyone recommend a new driver?
Callaway, Ping, Taylor Made, Cleeveland.....?
I'm not too keen on the look of the square headed clubs.

I could be tempted to go second hand provided it has not had too much changed in a custom fitting.

Due to my unwillingness to part with serious cash, a specialised fitting is probably not an option.

I play off around 15 and hit the ball fairly straight, often with a slight draw.

Any recommendations?
cheers.

When did the 540 make it to the banned list? I bought a 540 with the knowledge that it was the 580 that was banned - but then again that was over 4 years ago & in the states.

Paid $200 (£130 at the time), they were near on £400 over here

[booyaka]

i believe there was two or three version of the 500 series, some were Hi-cor versions and other were not. the high cor ones are the banned ones as they are in excess of COR limit of 0.83.

If looking for some 2nd hand drivers that are legal and good i would suggest the G2/G5 range from ping - now that the G10 models are out the G2/G5 range are at some bargin prices - i know my local pro has the g5 brand new from £129. Great drivers - worth looking at.

[huwg]

Originally Posted by DJT75

When did the 540 make it to the banned list? I bought a 540 with the knowledge that it was the 580 that was banned - but then again that was over 4 years ago & in the states.

Paid $200 (£130 at the time), they were near on £400 over here

The conforming version has score lines across the centre of the face, the banned one does not

This site has a photo which shows the differences
http://www.randa.org/index.cfm?actio...nonconfdrivers

[huwg]

Originally Posted by booyaka

i believe there was two or three version of the 500 series, some were Hi-cor versions and other were not. the high cor ones are the banned ones as they are in excess of COR limit of 0.83.

If looking for some 2nd hand drivers that are legal and good i would suggest the G2/G5 range from ping - now that the G10 models are out the G2/G5 range are at some bargin prices - i know my local pro has the g5 brand new from £129. Great drivers - worth looking at.

I don't know the differences/history of the G2/G5 clubs, but at that price I would be tempted.

[DJT75]

Originally Posted by huwg

The conforming version has score lines across the centre of the face, the banned one does not

This site has a photo which shows the differences
http://www.randa.org/index.cfm?actio...nonconfdrivers

Great, thanks

[booyaka]

Originally Posted by huwg

I don't know the differences/history of the G2/G5 clubs, but at that price I would be tempted.

fantastic drivers and lots of various shafts etc to try that don't cost any extra as they are already fitted. I have a stiff graphalloy blue shaft on my G2 driver a couple of years ago.

not sure about the below website but worth a look anyway to see what you can get.

http://www.usedping.co.uk/used_ping_drivers.htm

[huwg]

Thanks,
I will have a go with a G5 and see how it goes.

You tend to know if the club is right just by the way it sits behind the ball.

[DJT75]

Just back from Florida where I hired clubs rather than taking my own as I only played 2 rounds. Like you I have the nonconforming R540 (although 10.5, reg shaft), & suffer from a slight draw.

First set I hired we Taylor Made R7s. The driver was beautiful, R7 460 "Draw" - hit it like a dream with no draw at all. So impressed I spent the rest of the trip trying to buy one but didn't find any. Next round I hired Calloways & found the driver terrible..

Since seen a few R7 Draws on ebay, cheapest brand new has been £119 but generally they're nearer £150. Seen a few Used ones too for under £90..

Highly recommend trying one out if you can, the 2007 models are now available pretty cheap with newer models out already...

ps. Mate bought Ping G10s in Edwin Watts, got a very good deal - half the price of over here, he only got $15 per club for trading in his G2 3 & 5 Woods..I imagine the R540 wouldn't get much more than $40 trade in over there - probably less now in fact...

[huwg]

Ping G5 purchased today (second hand £70)
I also tried clubs from Callaway and the Ping Rapture.

The G5 felt closer to the R540 than the Callaway X (which felt like I was hitting stones), and as such did not take much to get used to.

Cheers guys