Golf clubs are expensive and if you’re a golfer, you know that it is important to take care of your investment so that they last as long as possible. This article discusses how long a golf club driver lasts. Let’s start with the basic question of does a golf driver wear out?
A golf driver has a limited life span and will wear out. The first signs of it deteriorating will be on the clubhead where small hairline cracks will start to appear. After this, you may start to notice a reduction in yardage distances for your drives, this is when your driver will need replacing.
Golfers tend to have good instincts when it comes to their equipment – are you worried that your driver is losing its “pop” or feel “dead” when striking the ball?
Even modern drivers that have titanium plates are not immune to old father time.
If you notice that you are losing distance on your tee shots or for some sudden reason find your shots are hooking or slicing more than usual then it may be time to buy a new one.
Is there anything I can do to prolong the life of my golf driver club?
You can extend the life of all golf clubs in general by carrying our regular maintenance.
Although it tends to be the pitching or sand wedges that wear our first because they have deep grooves that wear down, all clubs eventually wear out over time.
Let’s focus on following a weekly driver maintenance plan that can help prolong the life of all clubs by months if not years.
Maintenance Tips to Prolong the Life of a Golf Club Driver
Talk to any experienced golfer and they will tell you that having the right clubs in your bag can take years of trial and error on the golf course.
Beginners to golf should always appreciate the value in looking after their clubs and a good routine should include:
1. Clean your golf driver after every use.
2. Keep the clubhead clean and dry to avoid rusting.
3. Store your golf clubs in a cool, dry place (not near a window or heater).
4. Use a damp cloth to wipe off any dirt from the grip before you put it away.
5. Replace worn-out grips with new ones for better performance on the course.
6. Check the shaft of your club regularly for cracks or damage that could affect its performance.
How Do I Know When to Replace My Golf Driver?
So you have arrived at the point where you feel your driver is letting you down and it feels dead or something else that you can’t quite put your finger on…
A good place to start is with your performance on the course.
Are you hitting the ball for less distance with your drives? Secondly, check visible wear on the clubhead but check the grip first.
A new golf driver grip can work miracles and save you money so don’t be afraid to make the switch if you need a new one. Our simple guide for signs of a damaged driver grip includes:
- Check the grip’s color – if it’s faded, cracked, or peeling off of the club.
- Feel for any rough spots on the grip that might cause blisters.
- Look for a change in feel when you swing your club with a new grip vs an old one.
- Take note of how much wear is happening to your golf glove and see if it needs replacing too.
- If you’re not sure what kind of grips are available, head over to GolfGripz to learn more about them!
- Make sure that you always have fresh grips on hand so that they can be replaced as soon as needed!
If there are no visible signs of damage to the clubhead then it’s time to get your club checked out by an expert for any potential problems that might exist.
We recommend getting in touch with someone who specializes in golf clubs such as your local golf shop pro or a local store like Golf Galaxy, Pro Feel, or Club Champion.
At the end of the day sometimes it’s just a good thing to do to replace the driver anyway after 2 years to avoid the pop or dead issues discussed earlier.
New technology evolves every year and with leading brands such as TaylorMade, Titleist, and Callaway Golf investing millions of dollars in research and development whose to say that a new driver won’t add a further 10 yards to your drives?
This brings on nicely to our next topic…new clubs and distance improvements!
How Much Distance Will a New Driver Add?
Can a new driver really add distance to my tee shots? The answer to this question is, “it depends.” If you’re just starting out and your current basic driver is worn out, then a new driver will likely give you more distance.
On the other hand, if your old club was in great shape but no longer provides enough distance for you on par-fives or long drive competitions, then it’s more likely that other reasons are the cause such as getting older where the body is less supple, and underlying injury or a technique issue.
If none of the above apply and you are already paying with last year’s driver then upgrading to a new club will only maybe add another 2-3 yards to your drive’s maximum.
But maybe you are asking “but what about the pros they always change their gear every year?”
It’s true, the PGA pros change clubs nearly every season and this is because they are sponsored by the big brands and get paid to promote the latest range of drivers.
For amateurs or beginners to the game, it’s far more important to find a driver that is trusted on the fairways.
Look after it so it doesn’t wear out before its sell-by date and you will have a good friend for many years!
Should I Stick or Twist with My Driver?
Golf clubs can last a long time if you take care of them. If your golf club driver has seen better days or been sitting in your garage for years without use, it may be time to get a new one.
The tips covered in this article give you a good understanding of if and how your golf driver will wear out and the possible solutions to combat this issue.
Still unsure? You can always go to the driving range and try out the latest drivers with a few practice balls without having to spend hundreds of dollars on a new club!