GOLF INSTRUCTION

Golf tip: When it comes to drivers, bigger isn't always better

By Chuck Evans,
Special to WorldGolf.com

In the past few years we have seen driver head sizes increasing dramatically. The "theory" is that if the clubhead is bigger then the club will be easier to hit. Great theory - alas, there's only one problem with it. Anytime you increase the size of something, in this case a clubhead, whenever you miss the sweetspot then there is twisting - and any twisting cuts down on distance and control of the golf ball.

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If you have a clubhead size that is four inches on either side of the middle, then you will have up to four inches of twisting. But if you have two inches on either side of the sweet spot, then there can only be up to two inches of twisting! This reduces the amount of twisting and tightens up the shot dispersion - and that means more distance and ball control.

Golf club manufacturers are finally realizing this and most are offering smaller heads now.

I personally believe that in the next couple of years we will see driver heads under the 400 cc size. In fact, Katsuhiro Miura, designer and owner of Muira Golf, has done extensive testing and has found that any head size larger than 400 cc actually produces shorter distances.

Miura, long known for his craftsmenship and quality, makes clubs for several PGA Tour players under the brand name of their equipment sponsor and rumor has it that there is a top-10 player in the world rankings that is one of those.

Before you jump out and buy the next "greatest" and biggest driver available on the market today, step back and take a look at what else is being offered. Do yourself a favor and get a smaller head for better control.

June 8, 2007

Chuck Evans is one of only 31 teachers worldwide designated to hold a "Doctorate in Golf Stroke Engineering." He is executive director of instruction for the Medicus Golf Institute and has served as director of schools for the PGA Tour Golf Academy and the director of instruction for the United States Golf Institute. He can be reached at cevans@medicusgolfinstitute.com

This material has been provided by Golf Publisher Syndications. The opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of management.