What are a few of the most important factors when choosing a driver? Cost? Length? Degree? Materials??

Answer 1

When choosing a driver or any clubs, please try it out to see if it suits you and if you need to change your swing totally just to suit the club. If not, you will be changing club soon.

Cost = To most, this is an important factor if you are restricted by it. If not, this should be the lowest priority

Length = The length of the shaft is important because it will affect your address. As in how you stand when setting up to hit the ball. But take note that you can change the shaft length. This factor is of low priority because if it's too long for you, you can always hold the club closer.

Degree = The loft is important. Because the higher the loft (10.5 for gentlemen and 15 for ladies) it is easier to hit and launch the ball. But the lower the loft (9 or even 8.5 for gentlemen and 11 or 13.5 for ladies) it is more difficult to hit and launch. It depends on your swing. Having a high loft will launch the ball higher at the expense of distance. Which one is more important for you? Forgiveness or distance? Loft is a very important factor in choosing the driver. So think about it. Try your friends' drivers that are lower loft, does it suit it? Take note that as you practise, you will most likely improve and swing faster and might need to change club. But get 1 now that you can hit. Else you might not be motivated enough to carry on practising.

Materials = Quite Important too.
Club head material. Example wood (ancient), Titanium (yesterday), Composite (recent). The difference is the weight. The weight of the club head will affect your swing. You can swing faster (and perhaps smoothly) with a light club head and this will improve your distance (generally). The strongest I know if Titanium SP700. Composite head has the club face Titanium but the back of the club head using light material to decrease the weight.

Shaft material is also very important. The shalf flex and their characteristic will affect your swing which is fundamentally what would depend the flight of your ball. So choose a shaft that is good (if you can afford it). It does makes a difference.

Brand name is not important. Just ensure the quality is there and the club suits you.

Head cover should not be important. It's just looks. For gentlemen, I noticed that they go for functionality so head cover isn't important. However, I noticed that for the ladies, have a cute head cover will make their day and make them feel happier on the course. (I doubt that will affect their play but they seemed to think so)

Answer 2

If you are starting out get a standard driver. They are usually Regular Flex, 10.5 degrees of loft and about 44 inches. Once you start getting better you may want to try out at the pro shop. Go to demo days and you will have the opportunity to try out various drivers. Take some lessons because the driver is not going to help if you don't have a swing.

Answer 3

Those factor are important, the best way to find the best driver is to hit as many has you can. Find out when there will be demo days in your area. Have them fit you and write it down. You will know when you find the right driver. I highly suggest hitting them before you buy. I have links to a lot of the manufactures websites on my blog roll. The websites can give you demo day information.