460cc Drivers vs Standard Drivers

Get a big head - the 460cc driver versus the standard driver Mega-size drivers are all the rage on the golf course these days. The popular 460cc driver is fast displacing the standard driver off the tee for amateurs and experienced golfers alike.

If you have not already made the switch, here are a few things you should know about how the 460cc driver stacks up against the traditional sized driver.

First, size does matter, at least for those all-important tee shots. The fact is, the larger head can help your game – if you understand how it differs from the standard head. The 460cc driver has a much larger sweet spot, making it easier to contact the ball on the sweet spot. Even more important, it is a bit more forgiving if you make a slight mishit. The mega-size driver has a longer shaft and improved moment of inertia (MOI), which makes it possible to hit longer, straighter tee shots.

With the standard driver, the ball is normally teed so that about a half of its hemisphere is above the top of the club head. With the 460cc driver, in order to get adequate launch angle and avoid too much spin, the ball needs to be about two-thirds above the top of the club head. With the ball positioned a bit more forward in your stance that with the standard driver, it becomes easier to hit it on the upswing. With the standard driver, placing the ball too far forward is almost guaranteed to produce a wicked banana slice. With the mega-size club, you have to be careful not to play the ball too far back; say off the left heel or even closer to equidistant between your feet, as this will often result in hitting the ball on the downswing, creating a nice furrow in the tee box just in front of the tee, and a ball that never really gets off the ground.

The 460cc driver has a somewhat longer shaft than the standard driver, thus, your address position needs to be an inch or two farther away from the ball. Depending on the flex of the shaft, there can be more vibration in the longer shaft than with the standard driver, causing the club head to be off plane at contact. This is especially the case if you’re a strong hitter, in which case, you should opt for a stiff flex shaft. The saving grace is that most of the mega-size drivers are constructed in such a way as to minimize vibration, and with the larger sweet spots, are a bit more forgiving of mishits.

The 460cc driver is here to stay. There are a number of different designs and configurations to chose from, depending upon your level of playing skill and preferences. A few minor adjustments to your style of play off the tee, however, and you’ll find that your game will be elevated to a whole new level.