New 'slice-proof' driver might put a 'draw' in your game

By Tim McDonald,
Contributor

Golf may be the only sport with manufacturers falling all over themselves trying to correct its practitioners' flaws.

So many bad swings, so many clubs to correct them - it's a cottage industry. Since the vast majority of golfers slice - or "fade" for those of us who try to cover up our weaknesses with golf lingo - there are many manufacturers advertising clubs they swear will fix the slice.

Tour Golf Products Inc., of Columbus, Ohio, has its new, TS-1350-0 offset driver with adjustable weights. It's designed specifically for slicers. The idea is that the offset helps to square the face at impact, thus eliminating the spin that sends the ball spiraling two fairways to the right.

The weights in the heel help to close the face at impact. The theory is the weights "move the club's center of gravity away from the face and toward the heel to provide a higher launch angle and a substantial slice-correcting effect," according to the company.

It's advertised as the "only offset driver in golf today with double adjustable weight placement positions in the heel."

I tested the club, with a 10.5-degree launch angle and an ultralight 2000 Tour Series filament-wound shaft, with an "R" flex. After a series of rounds and on the practice range, I absolutely hated it at first. I had just about corrected my slice before testing the club, but found myself back to my old ways. Either that, or I'd hit a banana hook. It seemed to do the opposite of what it was intended for.

The club felt flimsy, and even with solid contact, it didn't feel solid. The club seemed to vibrate and I was even losing distance. I didn't like the sound of it or the feel of it. In fact, I was on the verge of giving up on it completely, champing at the bit to write a terrible review in revenge for all my wayward shots.

But, slowly, it started to come around. I tinkered with my stance, adjusting to the offset. The bad shots were countered with a few nice draws, landing pretty much where I aimed it. The final test was on the practice range once again, where I hit about 70 percent draws right where I wanted them.

Then, I reeled off 12 consecutive, near-perfect draws, shaping them around an oak tree to an imaginary landing area, a short-iron away from the imaginary green where birdie putts and thunderous applause awaited.

"We have done extensive hit testing with this driver and just about everybody who hits it wants to buy it on the spot," said Jeff Jackson, director of marketing for Tour Golf.

I don't know about that; I was ready to throw it in the scrap heap, I was so disgusted with it. But, with a little patience and some tinkering with my stance, the driver ended up doing what the company promises it will.

I'm still not sure it will correct a slice - I've yet to be convinced any club will do that - since mine had pretty much disappeared anyway. But, it's the first driver I've used that enabled me to hit a long draw pretty much were I aimed it. I'd recommend this club to those who have long wanted to hit that shot. Just be patient with it.

The club has a head forged from beta titanium and features a "high-strength SP700 clubface to provide maximum energy transfer at impact."

September 29, 2005

Veteran golf writer Tim McDonald keeps one eye on the PGA Tour and another watching golf vacation hotspots and letting travelers in on the best place to vacation.