Let’s face it! Golf is war. Specifically, the drivers are the opening salvo off the first tee - the machismo and bravado are on display. “Show me what you got” and “I can hit it further than you can” are the insinuated subliminal emotions that can be felt by whoever is within 20 feet of the tee box.

Each year we feature those drivers that are in the greatest demand, perform exceptionally well, and are the “buzz’ of the American male golfer. Although it’s only May, over 27 new drivers have been introduced since the beginning of the year. Many more are in the pipeline to be introduced this year. The ten below are, in our opinion, the best so far this year.

To this end, this article will cover those drivers that have made the biggest explosion in terms of actual performance and hype. These are “powerful” tools compared to just 2-3 years ago. The most ubiquitous marketing themes seem to be that each manufacturer is into comparison testing of their driver versus those of the major manufacturers and stressing that their particular driver’s MOI (moment of inertia) allows less twisting, is longer, and the weighting systems designed into their particular driver is nirvana.

As always, before purchasing any of these drivers, take them out for a test flight. Find what works best for you.

Until now, perfect launch conditions have been reserved for higher swing speed players and PGA Tour pros. Research shows that these players produce the optimum launch angle (the initial angle at which the shot leaves the clubface) of approximately 12-14 degrees, combined with a ball spin rate of 2800-3000 rpm for maximum driving distance. However, today's drivers make it a lot easier for slower swinging golfers to achieve those numbers.

We have identified the following ten drivers as being the top performers and most sought after drivers so far in 2005:

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Bobby Jones Collection Driver

Jesse Ortiz, formerly of Orlimar fame, is now with the Bobby Jones Company as their new designer. With Jesse’s skills, Bobby Jones has introduced a new line for both men and women, that is both good looking and easy to play. Most impressive are their new drivers- the Jones Collection and the Jones Series. They are simply outstanding. The Jones Collection’s target market is the older golfer with a slower swing speed, while the Jones Series is for the golfer with a faster swing, featuring smaller heads with deeper faces and more loft choices.

Our testers just loved both the drivers, especially since they averaged over 30 yards further in distance!

Both 420 cc drivers feature Russian BT-23 titanium faces that are milled and graphite-composite crown for maximum rear weighting. Two weighted screws provide neutral or draw bias options for golfers.

Standard shafts are made by Graphite Design, the leading shaft manufacturer on Tour. The driver’s sharp, sophisticated looks and color scheme appealed to all of our testers.

The Jones Collection is right handed only in a 10.75°

The Jones Series lofts are available in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° and 11.5°

MSRP: $300.00

www.bobbyjonesshop.com or at local green-grass shops.

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Adams Golf Redline RPM 430Q Driver

Adams has made enormous inroads on the Champions Tour. Having the 2003 British Senior Open winner, Tom Watson, as their spokesperson, has definitely catapulted Adams back into the forefront as one of the leading golf manufacturers.

Following their Redline 460cc driver, and with TaylorMade’s R7 influence and genius, the new Redline RPM 430Q, like the other Redline RPM woods, features state-of-the-art RePositioned Mass ™ technology and xFace™ engineering. The 430Q is a traditional shaped driver with 430cc head that features adjustable weights for customized launch conditions a la the R7.

RePositioned Mass™ technology in the RPM 430Q provides 44 grams of discretionary weight. This weight is relocated to deliver increased ball speed and improved launch conditions and spin rates. Fifty five percent of the mass (two 10-gram screws and two 2-gram screws) is adjustable through four weight ports, which can be positioned to six different configurations. This customization allows golfers to optimize trajectory and ball curvature. XFace™ engineering expands the COR zone across the face for greater ball speed on both center and off-center hits.

Adams offers a variety of high performance shafts, though Aldila’s NVS graphite is standard.

Lofts are available in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°

Most models offer flexes in Senior, Regular, Stiff, and X-Stiff

MSRP: $399.00

www.adamsgolf.com

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TaylorMade r7 Quad HT

What more can one say about the hottest drivers in golf today?

To date, the r7 driver line has been responsible for 36 tour wins worldwide since its introduction last year. Popular…you bet it is. Retailers are selling them at an unbelievable pace, so much so, that the r7 Series has broken all other retail sell-in records in TaylorMade history – the most successful product launch ever.

Following their initial successes, TaylorMade introduced their new r7 Quad HT driver. Identical in size to the r7, 400cc, the r7 Quad HT has a shallower and wider club face designed to generate a higher trajectory and longer carry for extra distance.

The HT similarly incorporates the same TaylorMade Launch Control Technology, moveable weighting system, super thin wall casting and proprietary shaft as the r7 Quad.

Another outstanding benefit of this driver, unlike many other drivers…is the ability our testers had to hit this off the deck with apparent ease!

Every one of our testers reported that this was simply one of the best drivers they have hit in a long time. Penetrating ball flight and solid feel being the two most voiced opinions. Another oft mentioned quality of the r7 Quad HT was the great sound on contact.

Multiple lofts and shaft options are available in all models for right-handers (8.5 °, 9.5 °, 10.5° & 11.5° while southpaws have 9.5 ° & 10.5° lofts.

MSRP: $399.00

www.taylormadegolf.com

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Callaway Big Bertha Titanium 454

Callaway is on a roll again! With so many new products brought to market this year AND worldwide acceptance of these products, Callaway is back to its old self. One of the main contributors to its successful repertoire is the new 454 Titanium Big Bertha. This is the driver that David Mobley used to win the 2004 RE/MAX World Long drive Championship (377 yards).

With its huge effective hitting area on the club face, this is an extremely easy driver to hit. With its subtly designed curves and compact look, it sets up well, and with its extra-large titanium club head, provides more stability for more accuracy off the tee. Out testers were extremely pleased with the 454’s performance, especially when coupled with the Callaway HX Tour ball.

The new Big Bertha Titanium 454 Driver also incorporates the patented core technologies that have made Callaway Golf the leader in woods technology for more than a decade. An integral element of S2H2(R) (Short Straight Hollow Hosel), a staple of Callaway Golf woods for more than 15 years, is Tru-Bore(R) Technology, which extends the shaft tip completely through the club head to the sole for greater feel and superior control.

Lofts in both right handed and left handed models are available starting at 8, 9, 10, 11 & 13. Many shaft options and flexes are also offered.

MSRP: $299.00

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Ben Hogan Big Ben C*S3

This new Big Ben™ C•S3™ Titanium driver also features movable weight technology. The C•S3 (Custom Shot Shaping System) utilizes 3 factory fixed weight cartridges which move 23 grams of discretionary weight(1-18 gram tungsten weight cartridge and 2-2.5 gram aluminum weight cartridges) to optimize your individual shot shape, maximizing distance, accuracy and forgiveness.

All our testers thoroughly enjoyed this driver.

Three models are available: Neutral bias to maximize distance for those who hit straight shots; fade bias for those who hook or draw the ball, and draw bias to help those who fade or slice the ball.

The driver comes standard with the Aldila NV shaft with Light, Regular, Stiff and X-Stiff shafts. Lofts:7.5°, 8.5 °, 9.5 °, 10.5° & 12° for right-handers, while southpaws have 9.5 ° & 10.5° lofts.

MSRP: $299.00

www.benhogan.com

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Titleist Pro Titanium 905S and 905T

Following up on their fabulous success with their 983Kand 983E Series drivers, Titleist has introduced their new 905T and 905S Series drivers. Both feature 400cc heads with similar aesthetics to the previous versions. Additionally, both drivers feature a multi-material design that includes a CNC milled 6061 T-6 aluminum hosel tube, cast titanium body and a thin titanium face insert. According to Titleist’s engineers, the club’s design allows for unproductive mass to be repositioned from the hosel area to internal weight pads that create an optimal center of gravity.

Also known as the “Ernie Els Driver”, the 905T is a Tour-proven larger profile driver that provides an optimal combination of ball speed, launch and spin for longer tee shots with a penetrating downrange trajectory. Due to its larger front-to-back profile and resulting increased dynamic loft, the 905T is Titleist’s most versatile driver with high launch and moderate to low spin characteristics. This version is specifically designed for the better player who prefers its optimum ball flight, while the aspiring player will benefit from the increased size and playability of the club.

On the other hand, the 905S is also a Tour-proven deep face driver that provides a flatter initial launch angle and a much reduced spin rate. Due to 905S’s smaller front-to-back size, the center of gravity is closer to the face to promote a more boring trajectory. This deep face, combined with a low center of gravity, provides reduced spin making and is ideal for that player with higher cub head speed or the higher spin player who needs more trajectory and shot control.

All our testers enjoyed, were enamored, and thrilled with these drivers’ performance, sound and aesthetics.

Right-handed and left handed models are available in 7.5°, 8.5°, 9.5°, and 10.5° lofts with multiple shaft options.

MSRP: $399.00

www.titleist.com

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Cleveland 460 Comp Driver

AKA “the Vijay Singh” driver, this is one of the best of the Fusion drivers on the market. Golfers benefit from the combination of lightweight carbon fiber composite with the strength of beta titanium in this 460cc driver. The sum total of fusion technology produces supposedly longer and straighter drives, as well as lower spin rates.

The Launcher Comp driver is made with an ultra-lightweight tri-ply carbon fiber composite crown. This feather light section allows for the redistribution of 25 grams of weight to lower and deeper locations around the club head perimeter.

This redistribution of mass reduces center of gravity (CG) height and moves it further away from the face to produce drives with high launch and low spin from a greater percentage of the clubface. This phenomenon is known as the vertical gear effect. This same mass redistribution also allows for additional weighting to critical perimeter areas that dramatically increase moment of inertia (MOI), or the resistance to twisting on off-center hits.

Our testers absolutely “loved” this driver’s good looks, feel and distance.

Lofts are available in right-handed models of 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° & 11.5 °; Left-handed - 9.5° & 10.5°.

MSRP: $399.00

www.clevelandgolf.com

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MacGregor Mactec NVG

With one of the biggest introductions at this year’s PGA Show in Orlando and with the help of its latest endorser, Greg Norman, MacGregor’s new driver has many converts.

According to the company, the Mactec features the world's first Dual Beta titanium clubhead construction, which shifts 7 grams of weight from the crown to the sole, resulting in a lower center of gravity that produces less spin and additional distance. MacGregor also claims that the TVC Beta titanium face insert produces higher rebound characteristics across the entire face for maximum forgiveness, a high launch angle, optimized distance and accuracy. It definitely does produce a much different, yet non-annoying sound upon impact.

The Tungsten weighting system features strategic heel and toe weighting for stability and back weighting to promote draw bias. The company’s exclusive Quadra-Action graphite shaft claims to promote faster clubhead speed without swinging harder, resulting in greater distance and core accuracy.

Many of our testers were favorably impressed with the Mactec, yet others felt it to be somewhat light.

Lofts are available in right-handed models only of 9.5° & 10.5°.

MSRP: $399.00

www.macgregorgolf.com

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Two other drivers deserving of attention are the:

The KZG Gemini 460

Though not as well known as the major brands, the Los Angeles based KZG Golf continues to introduce extremely functional and playable drivers. Their new Gemini 460, introduced late last year, is extremely popular with the golf cognoscenti.

With it’s recently USGA approved patented dual face technology, it is possibly the most accurate club on the market. The Gemini Drivers have virtually no loss of accuracy or distance on toe and heel hits! If you are looking for a club that keeps the ball in play, look no further.

This innovative driver is designed with a patented second plate behind the forged and heat-treated titanium face to add greater stability and rigidity. The result: the entire face reacts like a giant sweet spot.

The feel, sound and performance of the Gemini 460 are exceptional. When custom built with the shaft and specifications ideal for your swing, this innovative driver is guaranteed to out-perform many drivers on the market.

Loft availability: 9°, 10.5° & 12° and s/l 14°; Left-handed - 10.5°. Multiple shaft options are available. All are finished in a beautiful steel blue and soon black.

MSRP: $399.00

www.kzggolf.com

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Nickent 3DX 460cc

Another up and coming manufacturer is Nickent Golf. Carlsbad based, the company is well known for its Hybrids on the Nationwide Tour.

As with many of the aforementioned drivers, the 3DX features weight ports strategically placed to provide internal and exterior weighting that matches your swing.

The 3DX weight ports are constructed as internal and exterior weights. They provide 20 grams of weight shift in the drivers to the designated area in the club head.

Two versions of the 3DX Driver are available, the Draw Spec and the Tour Spec. The D-Spec’s loft, lie, CG, MOI and weight have all been configured to make the ball produce the perfect draw. The T-Spec is engineered for players who prefer a flatter trajectory and a more workable ball flight.

The drivers also incorporate SP700, a super plastic version of titanium designed for the Space Shuttle and constructed to resist and reduce fatigue. Plasma welding is used in the construction of the 3DX driver, saving more than seven grams of weight for even greater re-distribution of weight.

Draw Spec lofts: of 8°, 9°, 10°, 11° & 12°; Tour Spec lofts: 7°, 8°, 9° and 10°

Standard Aldila NV shafts

MSRP: $349.00

www.nickentgolf.com

Take the drivers out for a test drive, better yet, get custom fitted for a driver and
stay tuned for the many other new models due out in the next few months.