2011 Drivers For Us Mid-Cappers

The Wilson DXi Driver is yet one more baby-step forward in Wilson Staff's attempts to shed the odiferous reputation they picked up by spending the late 90's peddling trash through Walmart and other discount houses under the Wilson Name. Now that people are finally realizing that the "Wilson Staff" name is one that needs to be taken seriously in The Irons Department, they are striving desperately to earn back that same respect in the Fairway Metal and Driver department. The Fybrids have earned them a lot of respect on the fringe of that equation, and their woods get better every year. This year just might be their year.
    I loved the PD5 and played one up until 6 months ago. The Smooth was also a very good driver, and when they went on sale for $90 I almost pulled the trigge last year's  Smooth. It has all the forgiveness of the Dd5, which I can personally testify to as very forgiving. It has all the class and sleek looks of The Smooth, which is to say, a Player's Driver (Padraig Harrington helped design it) with a dash of forgiveness. This new DXi also tosses in a healthier dose of distance and a touch more balance as well. A nice club that the critics will snub, as it does everything correctly, but lacks the gaudy "Wow Factors" so popular this year such as a white or steel blue finish, an ultra light head and or shaft, or some sort of spaceship geometry.If you just want a very good no B.S. Driver, this is a very good place to start.
   The TaylorMade Burner continues to evolve into weirder and more curious formats. I play a 2009 Burner, and I love it. The 2010 Superfast was a bit much for me with it's funky geometric headshape, and louvred sole plate. This year's 2011 with white crown and sides and PVD Black Face and Sole Plate is definitely a bit too much for my old- fashioned tastes. Still, I've played lots of the younger crowd who are eating this thing up. It doesn't hurt that it packs more more "Pop"  than a bowl of "Rice Crispies", or that its even longer shaft provides the potential for outrageous club head speed. Those who are playing it seem to be ecstatic with its performance, and I haven't seen a one hit the used bins around town which I constantly frequent while taking copious notes.
Adams F11-- Adams just continues to amaze me year after year. They always have clubs making their way in and out of my bag, as dollar for dollar, they are the only clubmaker out there who offer as much bang for the buck as Wilson Staff. Coming from me, that's a heck of a compliment. For a long time I was one of the only guys on the internet who was giving Nickent Golf their fair due, while most reviewers hadn't even heard of them. But that's an entirely different story. Let's just say that with Adams, your $249-299 buys you as much technology as most companies drivers costing $399-499.
   It's no secret that a bevy of TaylorMade's designers jumped ship to go to Adams several years ago. Pretty soon Adams was on ALL the tours, and no longer just an also ran biding its time on The Seniors/Champions tour.The F11 is one of the most technologically advanced drivers anywhere. It was designed by a guy who designed speed boat racing hulls. He took this thing into the wind tunnel, and tested and re-tested. It doesn't matter what any of the other fo0lks claim--this IS the most aerodynamic driver head in the group. Find one with the right shaft and loft for you--and let her rip. Sure it says Adams on it----but you simply won't believe it--but in a side by side--I'd bet money that you will pick up at least 3MPH Vs. your driver featuring the same shaft and loft specifications.
Cleveland Launcher XL270 Launchers will always have a soft place in my heart. When they first hit the scene featuring that gold Fuji Shaft and that polished almost chrome like head, I got the bug bad. I had to wait for a couple of years until they started busting 400CC's on the head and sported a Dark Battleship Grey Head. Eventually they started sporting a rather handsome jet black head, but eventually, Cleveland dropped the ball and came out with The Hi-Bore. They soon lost out their dominant market share amongst us 40+ Weekend Warriors who enjoyed a great club for the money, and watched ViJay Singh knock heck out of the golf ball with one of these on his road to becoming number one in The World.
   Finally, after lots of missteps, I think Cleveland has finally gotten back to the Driver that turned them into so much more than just a great wedge company. This XL 270 is better than last year's model which was no slouch itself. This thing is not just an absolute monster, it does something that Cleveland Clubs used to do back in the day--it BALANCES. That's quite a feat when you sport a head this light, on a shaft that is uber light at 43 grams. If you really want to pick up some club head speed, this one is not getting the on again off again distance gain/loss reviews of last year's model. This baby brings back the glory days of the old 300 CC Models---It is a real Rocket Launcher.