I used a Grafaloy Prolite 3.5 Stiff with a Zeider 7deg 165gram "classic"
size Titanium head. Using the Winn slip-on grips the total weight was about 265 grams !
I also used a Reg Prolite 3.5 with a 195gram 9deg head, slightly larger
than the "classic", with the Winn slip-on grips again. It's total weight
was about 295 grams. In both cases I didn't trim any so length was at 46"
Don't have a swingweight scale and haven't taken time to find one but both have good feel of the head.
These heads are like no others I have tryed !
I normally use a GBB 7.5 and will get about 230-240 carry, but sometimeswith a slight fade.
With either of the Zeider's I was getting about 240-260 carry straight !
I was totally amazed at the sound and feel at impact. It was more like a
persimmon driver than Titanium !! Very solid without the clanging of some.
I let a teaching pro friend try both out and it was amazing to see how
when using either how much straighter and further his drives went !!
I really thought that the 7deg would be tough to hit, but was AMAZED again at how easy it was.
I put both to the acid test, my 10year old "John Daly"...
While small in frame, he has a beautiful swing and has been known to
outdrive old dad more than once !!
Anyway heres a 10year kid about 50" tall swinging a 46" driver... it
brought many stares !!
I am happy to report, as expected, that he was able to also better his
length... Normally using a Warbird 11deg std length, he will generally
carry about 180-190 yards... With either Zeider he was out about
200-220. Needless to say I think I just opened a can of worms !!
I got to hit my first few balls today with the Zeider/Harrison Driver. The
head is 9 degree loft, 53 degree lie, 1 degree closed face angle at 202
grams. The Harrison shaft is the 2.5 XTRA at full 55". The finished club
measures at 56 1/4".
I had a bit of a problem at the range because it is mats only with concrete
stalls. The mats are too small to stand on and the concrete walls come close
to my club. Also, the tees are too low for such a club as this.
However, the balls I hit solidly absolutely vaporized! There is no real way
to determine the exact distance at this range, but they jumped off the face
hotter than anything I have tried to date. The yardage is unquestionably
beyond 320 with no wind assist but with semi-firm turf.
I am very eager to get to a grass range so I can use jumbo tees and have all
the room I need. This is truly an exciting club.
Thanks for your help. Further updates as they arise.
Obie Anderson
John, Just wanted to tell you how pleased I am with my Zieder clubhead
with Grafalloy shaft. I am getting at least 15 extra yards per drive
over my old Taylor titanium club. Even on slight mishits I'm getting out
where I used to be with the Taylor Made. The club is very easy to
control and feels solid as a rock. Hope you are having the same kind
of good fortune with your new Zeider. Sincerely,Scott R. Atkins
Salem,Va.
John, update on the Zeider mystique
Story 1
One course has a driving range that I use on occasion. The end of the range
has a net that protects the second green and the third tee. The net is 230
yards from the teeing area of the range and is 30 feet high. One of the
days I was there the tees were 10 yards back ie 240 the the net. In the
past I had difficulty getting to the net but you know what I am going to
say. I hit about six balls over the net into a bit of a head wind from a
large bucket. These were not just flopping over the net, they were still
rising in a very boring type trajectory. I have stopped going to this range
in case I hit somebody behind the net!
Story 2
A new course in the area has built a very nice driving range with laser
marked flags. The furthest out is 258 yards. With a cross/tail wind
yesterday I hit approximately 10 balls that landed near the flag and rolled
out of sight at the end of the range. I am guessing that would be 290 plus.
There are some downsides of course.
I hit it so well when it first arrived that I started to try and kill it
every time. This took about 50 yards off every shot and it has taken a long
time to get back to trying to hit it smoothly.
There has also been considerable experimenting with ball placement and grip
compared to my old club and all this is compounded by the 8 degree face.
But when contact is made it's liftoff Houston.
Rob