“Clash Of The Adjustable Drivers!” – USER’S CHOICE AWARDS!/My Golf Spy

Today is Day 2 of our 3-Day Series the “Clash Of The Adjustable Drivers!”. Where we put all the major adjustable drivers on the market to the ultimate head-to-head test…to see who would come out on top. And find out which adjustable driver can honestly call themselves “The #1 Adjustable Driver For 2010″.
Today you will find out who the user’s chose as their winner…in the “User’s Choice Awards!”

How the “User’s Choice Awards” Were Calculated

In addition to hitting our 7 adjustable drivers, users were provided with the OEM supplied tools necessary to make hosel adjustments, and asked to play with each adjustability system. Finally, each and every tester, regardless of whether or not they participated in the detailed performance testing was asked to complete a follow up survey. The survey required our golfers to rate each of the clubs (on a scale of 1-10) for Looks, Sound, Feel, Value, and Ease of Adjustability. Finally, our testers were asked to list the clubs in order of their personal preference.
The results of each question were tallied up. Because so many of our testers over the last several months have indicated that they don’t care about sound and feel in a driver, the sum total of those categories was reduced by half. Finally, because we believe that the question that asks testers to rank the clubs in order of preference provides the best indicator of what each golfer would most likely purchase, points amassed in that category count double.
Total points for all drivers are tallied and as you probably expected, the clubs finishing with the highest 3 point totals were awarded first, second, and third place for the user ranking section of our review.

1st Place – Cobra S2

How It Scored

To say that the Cobra S2 driver scored well with MyGolfSpy’s testers would be an understatement.  It was a runaway winner.  The S2 received more 10s (the highest possible score) than all of the other drivers we tested – combined.  The S2 finished either 1st, or tied for 1st in our Looks, Feel, Ease of Adjustability, and Value categories. It also finished tied for 1st when we basically asked, “Which driver would you most like to walk out of the door with?”.
In fact, the Cobra S2 is such a crowd pleaser that along with finishing first in 5 of 6 subjective categories, it’s worst score in any subjective category was still good enough to finish a strong second to Callaway’s FT-9 in the Sound category.

• Looks ……………………………………….. 1st Place
  

• Sound ……………………………………….. 2nd Place

• Feel ……………………………………….. 1st Place
  

• Adjustability …………………………….. 1st Place (Tie)

• Value …………………………………… 1st Place
  

• Tester’s Choice ………………………….. 1st Place (Tie)

The Cobra adjustibility system was far and away the most popular with our testers. Although only Callaway’s I-MIX design has fewer options, almost all of our testers gave their highest ratings to Cobra’s simple O (Open), C (Closed), N (Neutral) system. Many of our golfers commented that 3 options was plenty, and that for many, anything more is overkill.

What Our Testers Had To Say

“With the Cobra S2 every ball I hit was a screamer, it absolutely felt great”.
- Blake, 11.6 Handicap

2nd Place – Cobra ZL

How It Scored

A solid performer all around, the Cobra ZL no doubt lost some points to the more popular S2. The ZL finished a distance 4th for looks, but was in the top 3 for sound, feel, and value (just a few points below the S2, despite the higher price tag). While it didn’t rack up the 10s like the S2, the ZL received a substantial amount of 8s and 9s.  What’s somewhat curious to us; despite the high average scores, the ZL finished 5th when we asked with club our users would most like to take home with them. The best explanation we have is that most Cobra fans prefer the S2, and the rest of our testers have other favorites.

• Looks ……………………………………….. 4th Place
  

• Sound ……………………………………….. 3rd Place (Tie)

• Feel ……………………………………….. 3rd Place
  

• Adjustability …………………………….. 1st Place (Tie)

• Value …………………………………… 2nd Place
  

• Tester’s Choice ………………………….. 5th Place
  

Testers commented that they like the fact that it’s possible to adjust the Cobra shaft without completely detaching it, something that’s not possible with the other clubs we tested.  It should shock no one that the Cobra ZL finished with exactly the same adjustability score as Cobra’s S2. Our testers were apparently paying enough attention to figure out that the systems are absolutely identical. Love one, love them both…and our testers love the Cobra system.

From the Testers

Wow! This thing is just perfect.
-Greg, 23 Handicap

3rd Place – Callaway FT-9

How it Scored

While not quite as popular with our testers as the pair of Cobras, the Callaway FT-9 Tour more than held its own.  The FT-9 received 3 10s, and more 9s than I care to count.  With the exception of overall value, where it finished near the bottom, the FT-9 had no trouble keeping up with the S2. For looks and feel it finished a barely significant 2 total points behind the S2. The FT-9 won the sound category outright (by roughly the same margin it lost Looks and Feel). Most importantly, when price was taken out of the equation, the Callaway FT-9 Tour received more first place votes than any other club, and enough total points to finish in a 1st place tie as the driver our testers would most like to put in their bag.

• Looks ……………………………………….. 2nd Place
  

• Sound ……………………………………….. 1st Place

• Feel ……………………………………….. 2nd Place
  

• Adjustability …………………………….. 3rd Place (Tie)

• Value …………………………………… 6th Place
  

• Tester’s Choice ………………………….. 1st Place (Tie)

With respect to adjustability, the Callaway system is not as advanced as its competitors. That said, our lower handicap testers told us they actually prefer the I-MIX’s “swap the entire shaft” system to other manufacturer’s face adjustment technology. They told us they place premium is on control and would much rather choose the right shaft for the conditions, and rely on their own ability to manipulate face angles when the situation calls for it.

From the Testers

The Callaway FT-9 felt a little smoother during the swing, and more solid at impact.
-Mark, 14 Handicap

TaylorMade R9 SuperTri

How It Scored

No driver we received had more golfers anxious to take a few swings than TaylorMade R9 SuperTri. Our golfers rated the R9 3rd overall for looks (several 9s), although a couple of testers said they’d prefer a more traditionally shaped head. A few testers also noticed that the SuperTri’s face is more visible at address than it is on any of the other clubs. The SuperTri finished fourth overall for feel, and 5th for sound. Our testers also felt that at $399 (regular) and $499 (tour), the R9 SuperTri simply doesn’t offer the same bang for the buck as the other drivers tested. As a result, the SuperTri finished with the lowest value score of the 7 drivers we tested. Despite finishing middle of the pack in many individual categories, the TaylorMade R9 SuperTri still managed the 3rd highest score when our testers were asked to choose which club they’d most like to take home with them.

• Looks ……………………………………….. 3rd Place
  

• Sound ……………………………………….. 5th Place

• Feel ……………………………………….. 4th Place
  

• Adjustability …………………………….. 2nd Place
  

• Value …………………………………… 7th Place
  

• Tester’s Choice ………………………….. 3rd Place
  

For this review we chose to focus exclusively on hosel adjustability, but we’d be remiss not pay passing mention to the additional adjustability options that comes from TaylorMade’s Moveable Weight Technology. With the weights out of the equation, however, our testers gave the 2nd highest score (tie) to TaylorMade’s shaft adjustments system (Flight Control Technology). Our users like TaylorMade’s system almost as much as Cobra’s (it’s virtually identical), however; some commented that with 8 different shaft positions, TaylorMade R9 SuperTri offers 5 more positions than they need and, for some, adds complexity they don’t want.

From the Testers

TaylorMade has absolutely mastered adjustability.
-Eric, 13 Handicap

Nike Victory Red STR8-FIT

How It Scored

The Nike Victory Red STR8-Fit finished in a tie for third in our Sound category; receiving numerous 8s and 9s. It also scored very well in our looks category (several 9s) . Unfortunately, the VR didn’t rank nearly as well in our feel, and overall value categories. Most telling perhaps is that the Victory Red finished near the bottom when our testers (without the benefit of seeing their performance data) were asked to rank all 7 drivers we tested top to bottom, though it’s worth mentioning that 2 of our testers listed the Nike Victory Red STR8-Fit as their favorite adjustable driver.

• Looks ……………………………………….. 4th Place
  

• Sound ……………………………………….. 3rd Place (Tie)

• Feel ……………………………………….. 6th Place
  

• Adjustability …………………………….. 7th Place
  

• Value …………………………………… 4th Place
  

• Tester’s Choice ………………………….. 6th Place (Tie)

With 32 different settings, the Victory Red is by far the most adjustable of the drivers we tested, but the results of our surveys indicate that when it comes to adjustability, having just a few positions might be better. While a single tester rated the Nike Victory Red STR8-Fit system a 9, most found the 32 different settings overwhelming, and as a result scored it in the 4-6 range, with a couple of testers rating it as low as a 2.  Testers also commented that the Nike wrench tended to slip a bit more than the others.  The evidence we have supports as much as our test club now has a slightly marred ferrule and a couple of scratch on the shaft.

From the Testers

A number of folks just gave up on it [Victory Red] with it’s bazilion options. If you can grok it, it’s great, I’m sure, but it took a fair bit to match up the shaft with what I wanted to accomplish.
-Ben, 10 Handicap

Callaway FT-IZ

How It Scored

It’s likely a surprise to no one that Callaway’s triangular FT-IZ wasn’t a hit with our traditional-leaning testers. Most of the golfers we spoke with prefer a traditional pear (or at least modern interpretation of pear) shaped heads, and the Callaway FT-IZ Tour definitely isn’t that. For what it’s worth, the FT-iZ’s 6th overall ranking for looks, was still well ahead of Nike’s Machspeed. The FT-iZ also finished 6th four sound, as well as overall value. Despite otherwise mediocre ratings, the FT-iZ actually finished behind only the S2 and the FT-9 when our users were asked which driver they’d like to take home with them.  What we think this means is that while the FT-iZ isn’t for everyone, those who love it, really love it.

• Looks ……………………………………….. 6th Place
  

• Sound ……………………………………….. 6th Place

• Feel ……………………………………….. 5th Place
  

• Adjustability …………………………….. 3rd Place (Tie)

• Value …………………………………… 6th Place
  

• Tester’s Choice ………………………….. 2nd Place
  

As with Cobra, the Callaway heads we tested received identical scores for ease of adjustability.  Our testers found it relatively easy to swap out Callaway shafts, although some didn’t immediately grasp the alignment markers.  As with the Nike system, one needs to be reasonably careful when using the tool.  If you slip, or don’t completely secure the wrench it’s very easy to scratch the shaft or damage the ferrule.

From the Testers

The Callaway FT-iZ was far and away the best for me, it seemed as though solidly hit balls effortlessly flew off of the face.
-Dan, 6 Handicap

Nike Machspeed STR8-Fit

How It Scored

If a triangular shaped driver is a tough sell, Nike’s very square SQ Machspeed is the golfer’s metaphorical equivalent of trying to sell ice to Eskimos…in January. The Nike Machspeed STR8-Fit ranked dead last in 5 of the 7 subjective categories we track. Most of our testers don’t care for the square shape, and many questioned why Nike is still holding on to the design, when most every other OEM has abandoned it. Most of our testers don’t like the aluminum bat like sound the Machspeed makes on impact (although 2 golfers rated it the best sounding driver). And since sound and feel are closely related, the Machspeed also scored relatively low for feel as well. Priced below some of the other drivers on the list, our testers thought the Machspeed offered decent value; ranking it 3rd overall in the category. One tester told us the Machspeed was his favorite of bunch, and another rated it a very close 2nd. For the rest of our testers, however, the Machspeed consistently rated at the bottom of the list.

• Looks ……………………………………….. 7th Place
  

• Sound ……………………………………….. 7th Place

• Feel ……………………………………….. 7th Place
  

• Adjustability …………………………….. 6th Place (Tie)

• Value …………………………………… 3rd Place
  

• Tester’s Choice ………………………….. 7th Place (Tie)

Only its Nike sibling, the Victory Red, finished worse in our ease of adjustability survey.  Oddly enough, the Machspeed actually benefited from having fewer configuration options.  Our testers generally felt that Nike’s time would have been better spent simplifying the adjustability, and improving the way the tool connects to the club than on unnecessary bells and whistles (like a wrench that lights up and beeps when the shaft is properly seated).
The biggest issue we discovered with the Nike system is that alignment markers are visible only the grip and the ferule (nothing on the connector/hosel itself).  Over the course of our tests we noticed that indicators were already starting to wear off of the grip.  Enough scratches and the ferrule could becomes near useless as well – at which point you’re basically relying on shaft graphics and your own judgement to align the face where you want it.  The ferrule indicator design also makes it next to impossible to have reshafting done anywhere but at the factory, which is not something we or our testers particularly like.  By every measure Nike is lagging far behind both Cobra and TaylorMade (and soon Titleist too), and their last place finish in this category is well deserved.

From the Testers

The only driver that stood out as far as sound was the Nike Machspeed. It gives me fond memories of my little league days.
-Tom, 14 Handicap