Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Golf Drivers

Buying a driver doesn't mean driving to the bank, too.

Buying a driver is an important part of improving your game, but with the right education and smart decision making, you'll hit the fairways with the right club for you at the right price for you.

Considerations

Drug companies do all the research and development to come out with the newest and best drugs, and then generic versions follow soon after. Golf clubs are the same: Generics are made the same way, but at best you're buying older equipment. That doesn't mean they're bad, though--last year they were the greatest available.

Places to Buy

Snooty golfers will tell you that you have to get fitted by a pro to really figure out what the best club is for you. That's true; that's the best way to figure out what the best club is for you, but there's no reason you have to buy the club from that pro. Plan out a budget on what you want to spend on your driver ahead of time and stick to it. If they don't have something in your price range, it's time to move to another shop, and if you end up buying something at a big box retailer, don't worry--the player makes the ball go straight and far, not the club.

Size and Strength

Once you work with a professional to figure out what kind of club is best for you, maintaining your budget is the most important thing. It's important to maintain a brand name if you want your purchase to last a long time, but if you're looking for a starter club, a "knock-off" is fine. It might even last you years, but you might want to upgrade, too.

Don't Forget the Tape

The most important thing, cost or no cost, is to make sure you hit your new driver. If they don't let you hit the exact same model in the store and you buy it, tape the face with masking tape and take it to a driving range. If you don't like it, take the tape off and return it for a full refund. Golfing on a budget means staying within your budget and getting the equipment you deserve.

Tiger Headcovers Now on Sale

Maintenance of your club is very important. Whether you walk or ride, your clubs will bang together, and when you play a collision sport like golf (the clubs, not you) there tends to be nicks and chips and wear and tear that get taken out of the clubface as time goes by. It's important to buy a headcover if your new driver doesn't come with one, so you can maximize the life of your new club--assuming it doesn't get broken over your knee or wrapped around a tree.

References

• Golf Magazine