After much searching, reviewing, and testing, I have a new member to my golf bag. Bought the Taylor Made Tour Burner 10.5 loft with stiff graphite shaft yesterday. Purchased it at Dick's. I looked at the Nike's, but they didn't work for me. Have only hit it at the driving range, but I really like it so far. Will definitely get to test it out on the course next week with the Mancation crew, but may try to sneak out this coming weekend, weather permitting. Chris, you and Klun can give it a whirl then. I will send you guys a few links to some links so we can pick a course and get a tee time.

I previously played a older King Cobra Gravity Back 9.5. Really loved that driver, too.

Nice Pete.

I may have a new driver for my bag as well. It is a Callaway 460cc. Can't remember exactly which one, as it is used and currently at my dad's. (which means that I get it for free!)

I just hope that I don't have the problems with hitting a driver next week like I did last week or it will be back to the Big Bertha 1 iron.

Nice!! Will have to give it a try, too. Don't worry if you play bad, you can make up for it at the 19th hole. Mine wasn't free, but I did buy it with my Super Bowl winning money, so it was paid for with "found" money, which means Val had no objections (not that she really would have anyway.)

Enjoy the new (or new to you) toys, boys.

That's awesome Pete, can't wait to check it ahht. I know the whole "found" money drill all too well. Yesterday I went and hit a bucket of balls after cashing in a winning Derby ticket at the Meadows. The win was only $12, but I still got that charge, haha..

Speaking of, we need to settle on a course..

Chris, nice win to you too. I take it you didn't pick Mine that bird as a long shot huh!

I will put a couple links out here of some I checked out. One is called Diamond Back. Didn't look too bad.

cool...

Oh, plus it's good that you will do it out here, as I am off and enjoying a rainy day at home!

It is so hard to tell when you are working and when you are not since you are usually on the internet.

I got a few new toys myself on Saturday. Kind of a belated birthday present from the wife. I really didn't know what I wanted on my birthday, so we decieded just wait until I found something I wanted. Saturday I found it.

Ok, I have not checked in for awhile, so maybe you've posted elsewhere ... Don, we're waiting to hear about your new toys. Just because you have more toys than many of us doesn't mean that they are not just as meaningful.

Keep us posted on how it plays, Pete.

Thanks for caring Laney. I am heading to another DEMO day later this morning, and will be taking the Cobra irons, SnakeEyes 3 W, and the 11.5* Hi-Bore XL. I plan to hit the irons to get loose, then try the 3 W and driver, then Demo as much stuff as I can. Will report back after I get home. Lynn is supposed to meet me at the Demo so she can hit the XL, as the shaft is more suited to her than it is to me.

Don, I really need to get you a nice Logo shirt or something for when you go to all these DEMO days!! Maybe we can have GolfGearReview.com on one sleeve and ESPN on the other (MikeD gotcher ears on?).. LOL

Well Chris, that could work out. I could wear a golf shirt with the site logo on it. I give out GolfGearReview.com business cards to all the tech reps I talk to now. so a LOGO golf shirt would fit in fine. Or a GGR golf hat might work. I should send you a copy of the business cards I made up on the computer using PrintMaster. I also give them out to other golfers I meet at the course or range when I practice. Never hurts to get the word out I say.

Laney: I hit the TaylorMade CGB driver, and it was much better than I expected it would be. Hit some really nice drives with it. I hit it side by side with the new 2009 Burner, and I couldn't see any difference. The CGB has a 45 gram shaft, and the new Burner has a 49 gram shaft, so they are pretty close.
Didnt hit the HiBore XL at all well. The A flex 55 gram yellow shaft is just way too weak for my swing. Measured my swing speed with 3 drivers. The 55 gram shaft XL, the 45 gram shaft CGB, and my 76 gram shaft Comp 460. Average for the XL and CGB was 106 for each, and the 460 Comp averaged 111MPH. Highest single swing was 117 with the 460 Comp, and NO, I didn't use that 117 for my average with the Comp. So much for getting a higher swing speed with the lighter shafts in todays drivers. Just doesn't work that way for me in my test sessions. Been measuring my swing for over 2 years. and I still can't measure any difference with the lighter shaft. Bottom line for the SGB and Burner 2009 is neither one is going to push my 460 Comp out of my bag any time soon. After hitting both the R9 and the 2009 Burner side by side, I'd have to say it would be foolish to pay the higher price for the R9, when the Burner is just as good a driver, just doesn't have an adjustable shaft do hickey.

i like that hat idea.....

The business card idea is good. I'm always handing out cards to exchange phone numbers. Chris, can we put up a link to Don's business card file?

Don, very interesting results from your shaft weight/swing speed test. Thanks for sharing that.

Laney: Chris doesn't have a copy of my business card file. I make my cards using Printmaster. and I don't know if anyone could use the file to print their own cards without having Printmaster on their computer. I don't even know if Printmaster is still available in the store. Will have to see if I can copy the file and print it using Word or some other program. It would be pretty easy to set up a business card for all the site moderators if Chris would want.

As for my swing speed testing, I've been doing it for about 2 years now. Ever since I had a driver fitting and they recommended I go to a 75 grams shaft. First thing I throught of was I would lose some club head speed with the heavier shaft. So I did a test with 3 drivers. One 55 grams shaft, one 65 grams shat, and the 75 grams shaft the shop set up for me to try. Turns out my swing speed was exactly the same with all three weights of shaft. Can't say about anyone else, but for my swing, I don't lose or gain a thing with lighter shafts. All the new drivers come with lighter shafts, but I don't get it. Most of the new 45 to 55 grams shaft driver just don'w work for me. I was really quite surprized at how well I was hitting the R 7 CGB I just picked up. All the other ultra light shaft drivers I've demoed have been terrible in my hands. Even as well as I did hit this 45 grams shaft driver, I stlll didn't swing it as fast as my 75 grams driver. I'm sure the 45 grams shafts will help some golfer obtain a higher clubhead speed, but it sure doesn't do a think for me in terms of extra speed. And I have better control and consistancy with the 75 grams shafts.
While I was testing a few Cleveland clubs, I had the Cleveland rep try my 76 gram Graman shaft Comp 460. He had never tried the shaft, and was quite impressed with my driver. He said he'd love to sell me a new driver, but could come up with anything in his line that was any better than my 460 Comp with the GRaman 780 shaft. I had to agree with him.

Don, did the lighter shafts have the same stiffness? I didn't like the ladies drivers I tried, but they may have been too flexible as well as too light. It makes sense to me, though, that it would be hard to feel the club if the shaft is too light, even if it's a long one like a driver.

Laney; When I first did the test with 55,65 and 75 grams shafts, all the driver were 45", Stiff flex, so yes, they were the same. Since then I've measured my ss with different length drivers, and it doesn't really make much difference. An extra 1/2 inch or even an inch isn't going to make enough difference that you will notice it. My 3 wood is 42", and I've measured my ss with it and have gotten it up to 105MPH. Since my driver average is 105 -108MPH, giving up 3 inchs or more with my 3W, didn't make much difference. Bottom line of course is that every golfer is different, and what I get my not be what you get.
If I remember correctly, your ss is in the 70's or low 80's, so I can see where an L flex ladies driver would be too soft for you. Most L flex shafts have a ratings limit of 65, maybe 70MPH at most.

good post