On 2003-12-01, Gordon Ezekiel rated this Integra Sooolong 450R a 5...(2578)
Purchase: I just purchased the 45.5" 7.5* non-conforming driver from Taylor Golf Supply complete with an Xstiff Isopro shaft for $65. Being non-conforming is not an issue for me since I only play for fun with my buddies who, by the way, use such clubs as chippers and driving irons! I did a lot of research on ultra thin, rebounding faced drivers. I wanted to find a club with the newest technology that gave me great distance without losing control and finally settled on the Integra figuring this is not a lot to drop on a club if I ultimately did not like it.
Pros: Having never been to the driving range with this new club, I rolled it out for the first time on hole #1 of our local course, a 340 yd par 4. It was about 40 degrees with a slight breeze behind and I was nervous about what would happen since I've never hit it and might be laughed off the course (my buddies can be brutal.) I stood over my ball with surprising confidence and boom, an absolute missle that ended up on the front fringe. I have been playing golf for about fifteen years and have never experienced such obscene yardage. I swing hard, real hard but used to average only 250-260 yds - occasionally 300 yds with my old Liquid metal driver, but my mishits were way OB. This technique works great with this club since I was off center by as much as an inch and was still reaching 280 yds and straight. My on-center hits were always over 300 yds regardless of wind with my best at 360 yds. I missed two fairways all day and that was only because of awful mishits. Once my buddies picked their jaws up off the ground they asked me where I got it and two of the three are buying it this week.
Cons: There is not much to report here, I am on such a high! But, I would have to say the black and red Isopro shaft does not look to good with the beautiful blue finish of the head. I've read that others have matched the Graffaloy Blue shaft which would make this club stunning to the eye. I love this Xstiff shaft though, so I will just deal with it. I would not suggest anything less than Xstiff for hard swingers otherwise the club will lag behind causing a lot of pushes, I know. I will also say that I'm not crazy about the non-conforming 7.5*, but not beating myself up about it either. All other lofts of this head ARE conforming and don't know why this loft is not. I only got this loft because I am a high ball hitter.
Quality: The head is large, but not too large. Integra did an excellent job redesigning this club with much feedback that some of their heads were too big. I've read that they have spent considerable time improving the construction and durability of the head keeping in mind the propensity of thin faced heads to crack over time. This is a major challenge that long driver companies are faced with (no pun) when combining the thin face technology and head size. And it looks like Integra has taken giant steps toward making it work. I've read reviews of many long drive clubs having a tin can clanging sound or crackeling bang. This club has a sweet ping sound with no vibration at all. However, lack of vibration is probably aided by the shaft configuration.
Review Summary: This club has brought a totally new experience to my game that I never knew existed. The distance is ridiculous, but the forgiveness has to be the most surprising. I can now confidently swing my hardest knowing it's going straight and sooolong! Shaft configuration is so important. I think I lucked out getting the 45.5" and Xstiff shaft, it fits me perfectly. I will close by saying that when I ordered this club, I bet my buddy that when I got my new club he could not hit a full wedge between where his drive ends up and where mine ends up. I didn't really think so, but I was so excited to get it and he was firing me up saying that I wouldn't be able to keep it straight. Well, I am pleased to announce that today I am a wealthier man!
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