By Frank Thomas May 21, 2008

Our equipment guru, Golf Digest Technical Advisor Frank Thomas, has the answers to your questions. Click here to submit a question for possible use in this column and you could receive a signed copy of Frank's latest book, "Just Hit It: Our Equipment and Our Game." For more from Frank you can visit his site franklygolf.com. [Note: Each week submitted questions will be reviewed and the best one will receive a signed copy of Frank's book, "Just Hit It."]

IS NEWER REALLY BETTER?

I own a Taylor Made R580 driver. It was introduced in 2002. It has a 400cc head. I have had a new 44.75 inch shaft put in and I hit it fairly well. You stated in your book that if I own a driver that is five years old it should be as good as any new one. Does the R580 fit into this statement? Does it have a competitive MOI and COR?

--RJ

Dear RJ,

If you are hitting this driver well, then I would be very cautious before you decide to take advantage of a newer model. The driver I personally use is almost the same age as yours; it has as high a COR as is allowed, as is the case with your driver. However, the MOI is not at the limit, but I don't feel that there is any particular advantage for me in going to this particular limit.

I would suggest that you look at some of the most recent models, not because of the higher MOI, but because of the more efficient COR faces, meaning this most efficient hitting zone is spread over a wider area of the face.

Unfortunately, because relatively few significant technical changes have been made over the last few years manufacturers are increasing the length of their drivers. This is not doing most golfers any favors with regard to staying in the fairway, in spite of the higher MOI.

If you are launching the ball with your present club close to the optimum launch conditions then I would not lose too much sleep over worrying about a new driver. Rather, spend your money on a hybrid, a wedge, and most importantly, a good putter. You'll have more change leftover in your pocket than purchasing a new driver on its own.

Frank

DAMAGING SHAFT DINGS

Frank, I have a question about my driver's graphite shaft. When I play, I take off the head cover for the entire round. Others take it off and put it back on after each shot with the driver or other fairway woods. I've been told that perhaps the banging of the iron heads in the bag against the shaft of the driver 3 to 4 inches above the head will weaken the shaft. Should that really be a concern? It seems that the shaft survives a great deal of stress and shock through normal use anyway.

Thanks,

--Burke

Burke,

If you play most of your golf in a cart and you remove the head covers, unfortunately, there will be some contact between the iron heads and the graphite shafts of your woods. Unless there is some visible damage you should not be too concerned. However, I do recommend that you leave one or two head covers on your woods and hybrids which will generally cushion any potential damaging blows.

If you are going to carry your bag then make sure that the clubs are in the designated "compartments" in which case iron heads will be away from any contact with the graphite shafts. If you have removed the head covers you will start sounding very much like wind chimes on your way down the fairway due to the synchronized contact between your wood heads and the cadence of your stride.

I do recommend you walk whenever you can, and keep one or two head covers on your woods to avoid undue noise pollution on the course.

Frank

ALCOHOL AND YOUR GRIP

Frank, if anyone can answer this question, you can.

Florida probably isn't the best state for me to live in because I sweat profusely, including my hands. My glove is usually pretty well saturated at the end of a summer round here.

Would I do any harm to my grips (or would be breaking any rules) by wiping them down with alcohol during the course of a round? It's just a thought I had as I scrubbed them down the traditional way last night.

Thanks for your expert opinion,

--JJ

JJ,

First let me thank you for your confidence...I'll try to do it justice.

I agree that Florida is not the best place to live in the summer. Second, I suggest that if you are going to insist on playing golf throughtout the summer, then you should carry several gloves with you. Third, cleaning your grips with alcohol during a round would not be a violation of the rules since the playing characteristics are not being changed.

Frank