Will Golf Clubs Wear Out? The Driver

By February 4, 2019Tips & Tutorials
signs the driver is worn out

The golf clubs you use are vital in your play and if they are not performing at their best, your performance level is also likely to drop.  As with any item of golf equipment, golf clubs can wear out but how do you know when they are worn out?

There are several signs you can look out for and some are specific to certain clubs but if you are struggling to prevent any of the clubs you are using from twisting in your hands when playing a normal shot, this could be a sign the grip has worn out.

Check the grip on the club which you are having difficulty with and compare it to the grip of a club you perhaps do not use very often.  You will soon notice the difference but thankfully this does not mean you need to invest in a new club, simply have the grip replaced and carry on using the club.

Now on to specific signs of club wear and starting with the driver, an inconsistent ball flight could be a sign the club is getting worn.  If the ball is regularly travelling off line or is dropping short of where you usually leave it then it may be time to look at your driver closely.

Check the face to see if there is any signs of wear or stress on the driver.  Some driver faces have been known to crack so look carefully to see if you can see anything.  Any damage to the face of the driver will result in a loss of distance and consistency.

How often do you practice at the range with your driver?  If you are using your driver regularly, both on the course and at the range then it could be starting to go dead.  The mats used at many driving ranges are not always ideal and if you have been using the driver regularly on these mats it can eventually dampen the effect of the driver.

You may not see any signs of wear on the face of the driver but you are no longer hitting the ball the same distance.  Nothing has changed in terms of your swing or the other equipment you are using so it could be the driver is losing its power.

Finally, take a look at the shaft of the driver.  The more you use the driver the more strain is being placed on the shaft and this can cause it to bend.  It may be tough to see this using the naked eye but if you take the driver to a professional golf fitter, they will be able to look it over and let you know.

The shaft of the driver can be replaced if the rest of the club is in good condition and you should only need to buy a new driver if there is an issue with the head, such as a crack or loss of power.