RANKMARK - Providing Golf Data Worldwide

TEST RESULT: DRIVERS - November 2005

In our latest Rankmark test, we started with over 44 different models of drivers (click here for the list of manufacturers). We used over 300 golfers of various skill levels to test each club.

While we measure both distance and dispersion then rank the clubs accordingly, our testers simply select which he or she likes best and in what order.

Once we count all the votes, we award the following top vote getters plus ties (within 5%) with the Rankmark "Best of the Best" award for excellence.

Click to View Results:
» Best for 0 - 9 HC
» Best for 10 - 20 HC
» Best for 21+ HC

Best for 0 - 9 Handicappers

The results were as follows and each club listed received: Rankmark’s "Best of the Best" Award

For additional information, click on the manufacturer's logo to access their website.

The Cleveland Launcher 460 features a thin Beta Titanium face that provides an explosive transfer of energy at impact and a higher strength-to-weight ratio than steel or cast titanium. The internal weight system allows the ball to travel farther while reducing spin.

Launcher 460

The Nicklaus AIRMAX ML still perform exceptionally well for players with higher swingspeeds, while delivering added performance benefits to those with lower swingspeeds.

Airmax ML

The Ping G5 460cc titanium head features a new internal weighting distribution that repositions the center of gravity for lower spin rates and greater distance. The new face geometry ensures high ball speed for maximum distance. The confidence-inspiring head provides fairway-finding forgiveness and includes a thinner moon-graphic alignment aid.

The TaylorMade R7 quad features a completely new technology called TaylorMade Launch Control (TLC). TLC gives players the freedom to change the driver's launch conditions by redistributing 24 grams of discretionary weight in a variety of ways.

r7 Quad

The Titleist 905S is a tour-proven deep face driver that provides a flatter initial launch angle and reduced spin. Due to its smaller front-to-back size, the CG is closer to the face to promote a more boring trajectory. The deep face combined with a low CG provide reduced spin making the 905S ideal for the higher speed or higher spin player who needs more trajectory and shot control.

905S

The Tommy Armour Ayrtime titanium driver is engineered to maximize distance by delivering the correct trajectory and ball flight pattern to match the conditions of the day and your swing. Each Ayrtime driver is designed with the weight low and back in the club head to hit the ball higher, and a movable 25-gram weight to pre-determine the ball flight curvature you want, without altering your swing.

Ayrtime

The weight in each and every Big Bertha Fusion FT-3 Driver is precisely positioned within its 460cc clubhead to maximize stability, create an optimal launch angle, and generate corrective-spin characteristics.

Fusion FT-3

The Infiniti ProPulsion 460 is a high performance driver with the largest effective hitting area. The high strength, light weight of the graphite crown, make this driver extremely easy to get the ball airborne. The result is a high power instrument that produces consistent, long, and straight distance with very minimum effort required to swing it.

ProPulsion 460

The KZG Gemini 460 are innovative drivers 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.

Gemini 460

The new Mizuno MX-500 delivers a high launch trajectory, optimum spin rates, and maximum ball speed for explosive distance. A new, innovative graphite toe insert and graphite top crown allow the ideal amount of weight redistribution around the club head, thus positioning the CG lower and deeper for a high, straight ball flight. The new Perimeter weight slot distributes weight deep and toward the perimeter for increased forgiveness and an easy, high launch.

MX-500

The Mondeo Novaris comes equipped with 3 custom weight ports strategically located around the perimeter allowing 7 different true customization of ball flight options. The impressive deep face features thin face technology and is forged from high-grade SP-700 Alpha-Beta Titanium, known for high-strength and elasticity. Multi-cavity sole plate adds a professional touch to this exciting driver head. Light-weight top plate promotes a low center of gravity.

Novaris

The Nickent Genex 3DX features 3DX weight ports strategically placed to provide internal and exterior weighting that matches your swing. This is 3 dimensional weighting that brings a new dimension to custom fitting, with no screws attached. The 3DX comes with the hottest shaft on the PGA Tour and in the consumer market place, the ultra-popular Aldila NV shaft.

Genex 3DX

The Nike SasQuatch 460 designed by club wizard Tom Stites has the ideal ratio between the width of the clubface and the depth of the club head. The geometry pushes the breadth-to-face length ratio up, resulting in a larger, more forgiving sweet spot. The geometry and the Max Back Center of Gravity (CG) technology, add up to a higher launch angle, low spin and longer distance.

SasQuatch 460

The Cyberstar CT features a 460cc carbon graphite and titanium head resulting in a very forgiving driver. The weight saving carbon graphite crown allows for more mass to be positioned lower and deeper within the club, launching the ball faster, higher and with a reduced spin rate for greater distance and forgiveness. A strategically placed tungsten weight in the sole to further lower and deepen the center of gravity and help square the club face at impact.

Cyberstar CT

NOTE: All test results contain a 5% margin of error which could affect the final positioning of clubs.

TOP

Best for 10 - 20 Handicappers

The results were as follows and each club listed received: Rankmark’s "Best of the Best" Award

For additional information, click on the manufacturer's logo to access their website.

Fusion FT-3

Launcher 460

The Cobra 460 SZ (Sweet Zone) features a milled rhombus oval face insert, a thin titanium perimeter and a dual weighting system. Which add up to an unbelievably responsive clubface, Hotter 9 Points across the clubface, and drives that fly far and straight. You want a big Sweet Zone. You got it.

Cobra 460 SZ

The Ben Hogan Big Ben C·S3 Titanium driver features movable weight technology. The C·S3 (Custom Shot Shaping System) utilizes 3 factory fixed weight cartridges which move 23 grams of discretionary weight to optimize your individual shot shape, maximizing distance and accuracy.

Big Ben C-S3

Ayrtime

The CfD Driver is the latest addition to Innovex Golf's line of award-winning clubs. Utilizing a cup-face design, thin beta-titanium face, and a forged titanium body, the 460cc CfD driver delivers an optimum launch angle, solid feel, and maximized distance on hits from all areas of the face. Its classic shape and color scheme, even at 460cc, appeals to golfers of all abilities.

CfD

The MacGregor MacTec NVG incorporates Dual Beta Titanium clubhead construction. An ultra-thin 15-3-3-3 Beta Titanium crown combined with a 6-4 Titanium body shifts weight from the crown to the sole for lower center of gravity, less spin and more distance.

MacTec NVG

MX-500

The Nicklaus AIRMAX ML still perform exceptionally well for players with higher swingspeeds, while delivering added performance benefits to those with lower swingspeeds.

Airmax ML