Any specific drivers to look into that can be bought used for $250 or so?
15 HCP hit about 220 carry, never draw the ball. Looking at

Srixon ZX5 LS MK II
2025 Wilson DynaPwr LS
Cobra Darkspeed LS
Srixon ZX7 MK II

There are a lot of Mizuno ST Max 230 on 2nd swing makes me wonder how good they are.

I just got a TSR3 Titleist for 229 on sale. Don't skip trying that one

I like the Cobra Darkspeed 3 wood. I have to imagine the driver is just as hot.

Cobra is always underrated. That would be a good pickup.

Got to find the right shaft, though, if you really want to make it work for you.

TJH_16 said:

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Any specific drivers to look into that can be bought used for $250 or so?
15 HCP hit about 220 carry, never draw the ball. Looking at

Srixon ZX5 LS MK II
2025 Wilson DynaPwr LS
Cobra Darkspeed LS
Srixon ZX7 MK II

There are a lot of Mizuno ST Max 230 on 2nd swing makes me wonder how good they are.

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Unless I'm mistaken, I think the ST Max is draw biased. If you don't need the extra help to correct a slice, it might not be a great fit for your swing. It's supposed to be a very good driver for the money, though.

I'd look for used Ping G400/G410. Recent Cobra designs are also worth trying out, too. Cobra is quite underrated IMO.

Last year's tour edge tour exotic c/e725 should be around $250 if you can find one. They aren't a big tour name, but they are good woods and hybrids. Plus it's a new stick vs used

Just saw this on Facebook.

If you can bump that budget up to around $350, you should be able to find a mint Ping G430 Max 10K. Top-to-bottom ranks the most forgiving driver ever produced.
I'm an old guy with ball speed around 145 (250 carry) and I can't get this club out of my bag.
Highly reccomend.

I'm known for being one of the worst drivers of the golf ball in the history of the game for a 2 handicap. Have tried a dozen drivers and the Ping G430 10K is the best driver I've ever hit and the only one I can consistently keep in play.

I've been playing a Rogue ST LS Triple Diamond (I don't know what the Triple Diamond means) for about 2 years now. It's a really solid driver made in 2022. They can be found on 2ndswing for $250.

In my opinion, the right shaft for your swing is the most important thing. I didn't get fit for this driver, but the shaft is perfect for my swing. I track my stats when playing and I'm typically hitting 75% of the fairways and when I miss I'm not missing by much.

I just got a Mizuno ST-Z 230 a few months ago on Carl's Golfland for $219, brand new. I took a flyer on this one because it was cheap and it was 10.5 degree loft but can be adjusted to 12.5, I was looking more loft and was almost ready to get a mini driver for that reason but they are all expensive. I have loved this driver, hot face and hitting it straighter than I have in a long time. This came on my radar after Steven Fisk won the Sanderson Farms Championship last year with this driver, only pro to win in 2025 using a Mizuno driver.

DargelSkout said:

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I've been playing a Rogue ST LS Triple Diamond (I don't know what the Triple Diamond means) for about 2 years now. It's a really solid driver made in 2022. They can be found on 2ndswing for $250.

In my opinion, the right shaft for your swing is the most important thing. I didn't get fit for this driver, but the shaft is perfect for my swing. I track my stats when playing and I'm typically hitting 75% of the fairways and when I miss I'm not missing by much.

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The diamonds mean that when you hit it in the sweet spot (probably the size of a nickel) the ball is going to go a mile with little spin. When you don't...then quack quack. I have a Big Bertha Alpha 816 DBD...that I never use.

Your point about the shaft is true. If you can hit the ball square most of the time, your biggest gains come with having the correct shaft to maximize club head speed and loft.

khaos288 said:

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I just got a TSR3 Titleist for 229 on sale. Don't skip trying that one

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I'll look into it, I live an hour and half away from any place I could try hitting stuff and experimenting with shafts and what not so I'll just do some online research.

Ghost of Pedro Flores said:

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If you can bump that budget up to around $350, you should be able to find a mint Ping G430 Max 10K. Top-to-bottom ranks the most forgiving driver ever produced.
I'm an old guy with ball speed around 145 (250 carry) and I can't get this club out of my bag.
Highly reccomend.

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Yeah I haven't looked into stuff much more expensive but will next time. It's funny on 2nd swing there are not many ping drivers rated above average or mint. I'm guessing they show some wear and tear quicker or people use them longer. I'm hesitant on ordering clubs that are showing to be average condition on resell sites. Maybe I'm worrying too much

Get fitted. It's worth the money. Having the right clubs for you will save you in the long run

TJH_16 said:

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Ghost of Pedro Flores said:

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If you can bump that budget up to around $350, you should be able to find a mint Ping G430 Max 10K. Top-to-bottom ranks the most forgiving driver ever produced.
I'm an old guy with ball speed around 145 (250 carry) and I can't get this club out of my bag.
Highly reccomend.

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Yeah I haven't looked into stuff much more expensive but will next time. It's funny on 2nd swing there are not many ping drivers rated above average or mint. I'm guessing they show some wear and tear quicker or people use them longer. I'm hesitant on ordering clubs that are showing to be average condition on resell sites. Maybe I'm worrying too much

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I got a near mint ping g425 max I can let go of. $200 shipped if interested.

BigHitterDaLama said:

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TJH_16 said:

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Ghost of Pedro Flores said:

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If you can bump that budget up to around $350, you should be able to find a mint Ping G430 Max 10K. Top-to-bottom ranks the most forgiving driver ever produced.
I'm an old guy with ball speed around 145 (250 carry) and I can't get this club out of my bag.
Highly reccomend.

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Yeah I haven't looked into stuff much more expensive but will next time. It's funny on 2nd swing there are not many ping drivers rated above average or mint. I'm guessing they show some wear and tear quicker or people use them longer. I'm hesitant on ordering clubs that are showing to be average condition on resell sites. Maybe I'm worrying too much

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I got a near mint ping g425 max I can let go of. $200 shipped if interested.

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Let me do a little more research when my kids go to sleep, what shaft does it have?

I have 2 for it......both PING OEM alta 55 reg and 55 stiff.

I have a titleist trs2 with Tour ad stiff shaft I'll sell you for $200 plus freight or meet in Lubbock this week or south Fort Worth next couple weeks. I'll get some pics up next couple of days.

Whichever one you hit "somewhat" straight, buy.

BigHitterDaLama said:

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TJH_16 said:

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Ghost of Pedro Flores said:

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If you can bump that budget up to around $350, you should be able to find a mint Ping G430 Max 10K. Top-to-bottom ranks the most forgiving driver ever produced.
I'm an old guy with ball speed around 145 (250 carry) and I can't get this club out of my bag.
Highly reccomend.

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Yeah I haven't looked into stuff much more expensive but will next time. It's funny on 2nd swing there are not many ping drivers rated above average or mint. I'm guessing they show some wear and tear quicker or people use them longer. I'm hesitant on ordering clubs that are showing to be average condition on resell sites. Maybe I'm worrying too much

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I got a near mint ping g425 max I can let go of. $200 shipped if interested.

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I'd be happy to buy this if your deal fall through.

Absolutely. If TJH passes, it's yours. I can send some pics in the meantime so email me please:

red23raider@gmail.com

Another Ping G430 Max10 fan boy here. Went to Golf Galaxy to hit potential new drivers after much research and that Ping was a clear winner. Absolutely love the club and what a difference when you're on the tee box and fully confident you're going to smoke your drive.

I have the same diver. It's basically point and shoot for fairways

BigHitterDaLama said:

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Absolutely. If TJH passes, it's yours. I can send some pics in the meantime so email me please:

red23raider@gmail.com

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I'm interested I'll email you in a few hours for Pics

Email sent if you want to take it down