Collin Morikawa’s Driver Choice
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Quick Answer
- Collin Morikawa is most often seen gaming a TaylorMade SIM2 Max driver.
- He’s a TaylorMade guy through and through, but sometimes tinkers with other models in their lineup.
- His driver choice is all about consistency and hitting fairways, not just bombing it.
Who This Driver Choice Is For
- Amateur golfers looking for inspiration from tour professionals and their equipment choices.
- Players interested in the performance characteristics and technologies found in TaylorMade drivers, particularly those focused on accuracy and control.
If you’re an amateur golfer looking for inspiration and are particularly interested in drivers that prioritize accuracy and control, you might want to explore options like a golf driver for accuracy.
- Anti-Glare Matte Finish: This matte black golf driver undergoes a special anti-glare treatment process, reducing the impact of reflections on your game, providing you with perfect focus and precision.
- Loft angle: The loft angle of 10.5 degrees on this driver allows for a higher launch and longer distance, making it suitable for players who want to hit the ball with maximum power and accuracy
- Graphite shaft: The graphite shaft of this driver provides a lightweight and flexible design, allowing for greater swing speed and improved accuracy. It also enhances the feel of the club, reducing vibration and providing a more comfortable playing experience
- VFT Club Face: Equipped with a Variable Face Thickness (VFT) club face, this golf driver for men minimizes deformation upon impact, generating higher ball speed while improving forgiveness and achieving ideal ball striking effects.
- Anti-Slip Rubber Grip: The WENGH golf driver for men right-handed comes with a high-quality anti-slip rubber grip, ensuring a firm and comfortable hold for a consistent swing.
What Driver Specs to Check First
- Loft: Gotta match it to your swing speed and how high you want the ball to fly. Too much or too little is a killer. A standard 9-degree loft is common, but many pros, Morikawa included, will opt for a slightly lower loft (like 8 degrees) to keep launch down and spin low, especially when paired with a stronger shaft.
- Shaft Flex: This is huge. If it’s too stiff or too soft, you’re asking for trouble. For a player like Morikawa, who has a controlled, powerful swing, a stiff (S) or extra-stiff (X) flex is typical.
- Club Length: Make sure it’s not too long or too short. You need to feel comfortable and in control. Most pros play standard length or slightly shorter, which aids in control.
- Head Model: While Morikawa uses the SIM2 Max, understanding the different head options (like the SIM2 or SIM2 Tour) can help you identify what suits your game. The Max generally offers more forgiveness.
For players with a controlled, powerful swing like Morikawa’s, a stiff flex golf shaft is typically essential for optimal performance.
- Lightweight Graphite Performance: Acer Velocity graphite shafts are engineered to help increase swing speed while delivering solid feel, improved distance, and dependable control for golfers of many skill levels.
- Multiple Tip Sizes for Fitting: Driver and fairway wood shafts feature a .335 tip diameter, while hybrid and iron models use a .370 parallel tip for versatile club repair and custom builds. Does not include adapter or grip.
- Complete Shaft Options Available: Offered for drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, and irons so you can upgrade a single club or build a consistent performance set throughout the bag. Iron Specs: 69 grams, 40-inches, High Launch, Combo Regular/Stiff Flex
- Economical Value Choice: Designed for golfers seeking quality performance at an affordable price, Acer Velocity shafts provide dependable playability without the premium cost.
- Great For Repair or Custom Builds: Ideal for replacing worn shafts, restoring favorite clubs, or assembling new custom clubs with reliable graphite performance. Combo flexes reduce inventory.
Understanding Collin Morikawa’s Driver Setup
Step-by-Step Plan: Choosing a Driver Like Morikawa
1. Research Current TaylorMade Drivers: Hit up TaylorMade’s official website or a reputable golf equipment retailer. Look for their latest SIM or Stealth series drivers. Mistake: Assuming he’s still using the same model he played two years ago. These guys switch things up to stay ahead.
2. Grasp Morikawa’s Game: Read up on his interviews or golf articles. He’s all about accuracy, control, and a consistent, repeatable ball flight. Mistake: Just looking at how far guys hit it. Morikawa finds the short grass, which is how he wins.
3. Identify Key Driver Tech: Check out what makes the SIM2 Max or similar drivers special, like their Speed Injected Twist Face or forged aluminum construction. Mistake: Ignoring the adjustability features. That’s how you dial in launch angle, spin, and ball flight to suit your swing.
4. Consider Your Own Swing Dynamics: Think about your swing speed, tempo, and typical miss pattern. Are you a slicer? A hooker? Do you struggle with high spin? Mistake: Copying a pro’s driver without looking in the mirror. What works for them might not work for you.
5. Test, Test, Test: Get to a driving range or simulator and hit different drivers. Pay attention to how each one feels and performs. Mistake: Buying online without trying it first. You wouldn’t buy boots without trying them on, right? This is even more important for a driver.
6. Get Fitted: Seriously, get a professional club fitting. They’ll help you nail down the right loft, shaft flex, weight, and even grip size. Mistake: Thinking you know best. A good fitter can save you a lot of headaches and money by ensuring you get the optimal club for your swing.
7. Analyze Your Miss Patterns: Morikawa is known for hitting fairways. If your driver is consistently sending the ball into the trees, it’s not the right driver for you, no matter what the pros use. Mistake: Focusing only on the center hits. Understand how the driver reacts to your off-center strikes.
What Driver Does Collin Morikawa Use? Key Takeaways
Common Mistakes in Driver Selection
- Buying Based Solely on Brand Loyalty — Why it matters: You might miss out on a driver that performs way better for your specific swing and miss patterns from a different brand. — Fix: Hit everything you can. Don’t be afraid to try Callaway, Titleist, PING, Cobra, etc. Keep an open mind.
- Ignoring Shaft Flex and Weight — Why it matters: The wrong flex or weight will mess up your ball flight, reduce clubhead speed, and make you lose control. It’s arguably the most crucial component after the head itself. — Fix: Get fitted. They’ll figure out if you need an X-stiff, stiff, regular, or even a senior flex, and the optimal weight for your swing.
- Not Considering Loft and Its Impact — Why it matters: The wrong loft can lead to shots that are either ballooning way too high and losing distance, or staying too low and failing to get up in the air effectively. — Fix: Understand how loft affects trajectory and spin, and test different lofts (e.g., 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°) on the course or simulator to see what gives you the best combination of launch and distance.
- Chasing Distance Over Everything Else — Why it matters: A 300-yard drive into the woods or out of bounds isn’t helping anyone. Accuracy and keeping the ball in play wins tournaments and lowers scores. — Fix: Prioritize hitting fairways and greens. Distance is a bonus, not the main event. Find a driver that gives you confidence off the tee.
- Using an Outdated Model Without Reason — Why it matters: Driver technology moves at a breakneck pace. You could be missing out on significant gains in forgiveness, speed, and adjustability by sticking with a model that’s several years old. — Fix: Check what the latest models are and if they offer demonstrable improvements over your current stick. Sometimes an older model is still great, but it’s worth investigating.
- Not Matching the Driver to Your Typical Miss — Why it matters: If you consistently slice, a driver that promotes a draw might be beneficial. If you hook, a more neutral or fade-biased head could be the ticket. — Fix: Identify your primary miss and look for driver features or adjustability settings that help mitigate it. A fitting is invaluable here.
- Overlooking the Importance of Feel — Why it matters: If a driver feels awkward, heavy, or unstable, you’re less likely to swing it freely and confidently. — Fix: Pay attention to how the club feels during your practice swings and impact. Confidence at address is key.
FAQ
- What TaylorMade driver does Collin Morikawa currently use?
Collin Morikawa is most frequently seen using the TaylorMade SIM2 Max driver. He’s known for his loyalty to the TaylorMade brand and this model has been a staple in his bag for a significant period.
- Has Collin Morikawa always used TaylorMade drivers?
While he’s been a long-time TaylorMade staffer, professional golfers sometimes experiment with different equipment, especially during practice or specific tournaments. However, TaylorMade has been his primary and most consistent driver brand for many years.
- What are the key benefits of the SIM2 Max driver?
The TaylorMade SIM2 Max driver is celebrated for its excellent blend of forgiveness, high ball speeds, and a consistent, mid-to-high launch trajectory with manageable spin. This combination is ideal for players seeking both distance and control, fitting Morikawa’s precise style.
- How important is shaft fit for a driver, especially for a pro like Morikawa?
It’s absolutely critical. The right shaft flex, weight, and bend profile are precisely matched to a golfer’s swing tempo, speed, and attack angle. For a player of Morikawa’s caliber, a perfectly fitted shaft ensures optimal energy transfer, consistent launch conditions, and tight dispersion patterns, minimizing unwanted side spin.
- Should I get a driver fitting like the pros do?
Absolutely. A professional club fitting is one of the best investments a golfer can make. It helps you find the perfect combination of driver head, loft, shaft, and weight that complements your unique swing, ultimately leading to straighter drives, more distance, and lower scores. I did one last year and it was a game-changer for my driving.
- Does Morikawa’s driver choice suggest I should use a SIM2 Max?
While the SIM2 Max is a fantastic driver, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Morikawa‘s choice highlights the performance benefits he seeks – accuracy and consistency. You should aim to find a driver that offers similar benefits for your game, which might be a SIM2 Max, or a different model from TaylorMade or another manufacturer. A fitting is the best way to determine this.
- What is the typical loft and shaft setup for a professional golfer like Collin Morikawa?
While specific specs can change, professionals often opt for lower lofts (e.g., 8.5° or 9°) to keep launch angles down and spin rates low, especially when paired with stronger shafts (Stiff or Extra-Stiff). Morikawa’s setup is finely tuned for his powerful and precise swing, emphasizing control and minimizing unwanted spin.