919FD FAIRWAY DRIVER
A Superb Fitting Option for More Control on Tight Holes
The 919F/D Fairway Drivers are the answer for players looking for a high COR “mini-driver” or for a tee shot club for use on tight par-4 and par-5 holes for greater control without losing any distance normally achieved with a conventional high COR titanium driver. Wishon’s proprietary bendable hosel allows an extremely wide range in custom fitting specs for loft, lie and face angle.
Features:
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Designed for the golfer who needs more control off the tee or wishes a much smaller size driver head
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Thin, variable thickness, high strength steel face for high 0.830 COR for maximum distance
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Bendable hosel for a wide range of fitting options for lie and face angle, +/-4° from spec
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Can also be played off the fairway by more skilled players who want every bit of second shot distance on long holes
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Available in RH in 14°, cosmetically designed to complement the appearance of the 919THI Drivers
© COPYRIGHT 2019 WISHON GOLF
Tom, I’m wondering how a fairway driver might contribute to my emerging game. Let me explain. I got two single length woods last week from Ed Ellis, a 4 and 7 at 41.” They have surprised me in their good utility. Previously my 41″ clubs have been hybrids and I haven’t carried woods. The new woods are quickly becoming a go-to thing. Some of this is undoubtedly due to Ed’s custom fitting work. But I’m wondering if the clubhead isn’t part of it. I’d originally planned on settling the new woods into my bag then working with Ed on a… Read more »
Steve: There were two main reasons I designed the 919F/D fairway driver head. 1) for players who detested the larger size driver heads that have dominated the industry since the mid 00s; 2) for players who wanted a shorter length driver (42-44″) to hit on tight 4- and 5-par holes for control. It does have the same COR as any of my larger size titanium drivers, so the ball speed can be every bit of what it would be with a normal Ti driver head. But because it is much smaller, it cannot be as forgiving for off center hits… Read more »
Thanks Tom. I’ll consider your thoughts. I got in a little short pitching practice tonight on my home course but warmed up hitting a few balls with single length 5 hybrid, the new single length 7 wood & 4 wood and my existing driver. The new woods are simply fun to hit. There is something about those woods that is unique to my bag. They are absolutely effortless to swing. And unlike my driver and even occasionally my single length irons/hybrids, the woods ball flight is absolutely straight and generally pretty close to the target line. It’s the woods ease… Read more »
Tom, I continue to really enjoy my new single length woods. I wish I could broaden these swings to adjacent club gaps. Although my single length irons are working very well, I have wished for improvement with driver. That’s partly why I’m planning on working with Ed Ellis on driver soon. I’m looking for better location than for distance. I hadn’t considered mounting a conventional 460 cc driver head on a 43″ shaft until you mentioned above. You’re right that shorter is better, at least for me. Since you posted that idea, I’ve experimented off the tee. I’ll hit driver… Read more »
Hi Tom, I am just getting back into golf after a several year hiatus and I have been taking some lessons to improve my swing. I have noticed that I am improving with everything except my driver which I have very little consistency with. I get a lot of mishits and straight slices with the driver and overall have zero confidence with it. I have the 739CCG with the black weight in it at 44in length. I have been hitting great shots with the 950HC 4 wood at 41in and 775HS 3 hybrid to the extent that I would rather… Read more »
Thank you for the email, it’s good to hear you are enjoying most of your Wishon clubs. The driver is of course the hardest club to be consistent with, plenty of golfers do struggle with the driver as it’s the longest club in the bag with the lowest loft. You have already mentioned most things you can try, the first and easiest would be to try some lead tape, which will give you more head feel. If that doesn’t help, my thoughts would be that the driver may be too long and you may also need more loft. The 919… Read more »
Hi Doug,
Thanks for the quick reply.
One other thing I was curious about is how much more forgiveness and or distance I might get out of the 919 THI vs the 739 CCG? Right now I have the 11 degree 739 CCG.
Thanks,
Nick
The 919 is the best driver head Tom has designed, it’s great for off centre hits, with its high MOI design. So in terms of forgiveness it’s a great option. The 919 should outperform the 739 but distance will be more down to the whole club set up, club length and club loft being two key fitting parameters.
Thanks,
Doug
Tom, this must be a dumb question from someone who’s been playing 50 years, but given today’s driver technology, why does a smaller clubhead make for a more accurate shot? I understand using a 3-wood for distance control, but isn’t the idea of the large clubhead to reign in more off-center hits? I usually feel more confident teeing off with a 460 cc driver than my 3 wood. The exception is when I absolutely must not miss right; on the other hand, I hook too many 3-wood tee shots. I don’t disbelieve the concept that a 3-wood or the 919… Read more »
Hi Alan,
Club length is the key here, a driver playing at 46” needs the larger clubhead to help with off centre hit forgiveness. The smaller head is then generally more accurate as its played at shorter club lenghts.
Club length is a major contributor in helping consistency and accuracy. The longer a club becomes the harder it is to control for the majority of golfers.
I hope this helps.
Best Wishes,
Doug
Tom, new golfer here. Im 6’2 and have had my EQ1 irons fit at 37.5 with 105g steel shafts. I have a 4 and 5 eq hybrids, also at 37.5 but with black s2s at 95g. Im getting 185-190 yds with the 4 hybrid. i dont use a driver as i cant yet hit one. But i have been trying to use a 43” 3-wood choked an inch with bery low consistency to the point i completely gave up the 3wood and i have been teeing off with the 4hybrid…..when i get the 3 wood right (only 25% of time)… Read more »
Hi Rod, Thank you for the email, lets see if we can give you a good option to try off the tee. I would suggest looking at the EQI 3 or 4 wood, these heads have been specially designed to take extra weight to enable Golfers to play them at 40”. This way you also get a little more loft, which makes the ball easier to get away. If the 3 0r 4 works well you could then look at adding a 5 or 7 wood at the same length. I’m sure you will see the benefit in the shorter… Read more »
Hi Tom, Just made myself one of these with a white S2S shaft at 43″. I have a 86-90mph swing speed and own 4 titanium drivers, all 410-460cc, 11.5 or 12* at 43.5″. I had my F/D hand picked at 13* and this thing gives me significantly more distance and has doubled my FIR’s (4 rounds so far). My dad, (former single digit HC, now 79y/o) hit it on the range and I have another 13 on the way for him! This thing is a wolf in sheep’s clothing: the smaller size and the understated impact sound causes people to… Read more »
Hi Tom have had your clubs since 2015 fitted by Mark kohut in palm springs area no longer fitting clubs does the company keep records of fitting or just him..Also have had the 919F/D since then and recently discoved how great it is. now on narrow desert course so started to use it..I am getting within 10 yds of driver distance all plus or minus so averaging the same..never used it much as the lack of ball flight by slower swing. Now at near 80 I have discovered the easiest driver of the T I have ever had. with roll… Read more »
DON
All of the clubmakers are independent businesses so we have no records or any type of association whereby we would have access to any of their information. And for whatever reason that I could never understand, in all the years since starting Wishon Golf there just have never been any good independent clubmakers in the Las Vegas area. Never could understand that because that’s a really strong golf town that could afford some decent business to a good clubmaker. Is there something I could help you with?
TOM
I’ve worked with a few clients in the Las Vegas area. Being in SLC keeps shipping time and cost to a minimum. If you are open working with me I may be able to help.
Tom
Unfortunately Diamond Golf UK directs me to this site, Wishon Golf.
If you are not a clubmaker, Diamond Golf will direct you to this site so you can access the FIND A CLUBFITTER search tool (link at the top of the home page) so that you can search to see if there is a clubmaker anywhere near to you that you could contact to work with to be fit into the club you have in mind. Diamond Golf only sells the heads, shafts, grips directly to custom clubmakers who do the fitting and custom building to sell the clubs to the end user golfers. They are a wholesaler of the models… Read more »
Tom
The 919FD adjustable hosel mni driver is appealing to me.
Can I simply purchase the head?
Thanks
Gregory We only sell our clubhead, shaft and grip designs to certified custom clubmakers because we want to have the assurance that the models will be properly fit and assembled so they can perform properly for each player. If you are a custom clubmaker with good experience you can contact Diamond Golf directly to set up an account to purchase any of our products. A word about our adjustable hosel driver, wood and hybrid heads – these are designed with a BENDABLE hosel and they are not anything like the many heads made with adjustable hosel sleeves that are adjusted… Read more »
G’day Tom, I’m wondering whether it make sense to weakening the loft of this F/D to match the same of the 929 #3 or #4 fairway woods. Understand with a low CoG hitting of the deck would similiar or, because of the face height would struggle even more ??
ALVARO Sorry to say this but you cannot change the loft of the 919F/D. I assume you believe that if you can bend the hosel of an iron to change loft that you can do the same for a wood like the F/D. It does not work that way with woods. With irons, we are always taught to PLACE the clubhead behind the ball with the face square to the target line. With woods 99% of us REST THE HEAD ON THE GROUND ON ITS SOLE as we prepare to hit the shot. That means if you were able to… Read more »
Hi Tom, Many thanks for such detailed answer. Actually I was not thinking to bend the hosel by myself but understood from the club specs above that a +/-1° in loft could be an option like a 13° loft for the 919 THI. Btw Im currently hitting the 11° 919 and im amazed with it. cheers!
Alvaro Bending the hosel of our bendable hosel woods, hybrids and drivers is NOT done to change loft. It is done to change LIE and FACE ANGLE. This is a very confusing matter I agree because irons are bent for a loft or lie change. The difference is because with an iron, every golfer is taught to PLACE the ironhead square behind the ball when you ready to hit a shot. With drivers/woods/hybrids, 98% of golfers sole the clubhead to rest on its sole in the address position. Because of that, if you were to bend the hosel of a… Read more »
Crystal clear now Tom, my bad I misunderstood the concept. I’ll keep reading, learning and asking if you allow me to. Tks again. Alvaro
How does the distance of the 919F/D compare with a Driver? I know we all have different HC’s. I just want to see the performance of this club. My swing is 105 mph and my average drive is 255ish. I have the Black 85 s shaft in my present driver . I am looking for more control without sacrificing too much in distance. Any help would be appreciated.
Wes At the same length with the same shaft and with the same launch angle as the 919 driver or any other driver head, the 919F/D will hit the ball the same distance because its COR is the same as that of the 919 driver head or any other high quality driver head. The only thing that you have to watch for is the fact that the F/D has a lower center of gravity than any other normal size driver because the F/D has a much shorter face and head height. So that lower CG with the same loft will… Read more »
My biggest concern is I have the EQ1 3 wood with 85s Black shaft at 41 inches and I hit that 210-240 . (Average is 220). I am hoping the F/D will give me 240 or more at a length 42-43.5 . I am thinking of maybe 12*. I just don’t want the F/D driver to have the same distance as my EQ1 3 wood. I will be working with Roy Nix on this . The EQ1 3 wood is simply great. I just want a little more from the F/D. I honestly want it to replace my driver .… Read more »
Wes I doubt very seriously that the F/D could end up around the same distance as the EQ1 3w at 41″. Just the fact you are talking about going at or over 42+ inches on the F/D means you gain clubhead speed from the effect of the longer length. If you plan to ever use the F/D off the fairway the F/D hand selected to 12* would be more of a challenge to get the ball well up to fly than would the higher loft that it comes in. If you try to hit this off the deck, the 12*… Read more »
Hi Tom,
i have seen below your recommendation for tip trimming:
”We’ve always advocated a 0″ tip trim for the F/D,even if it is to be built to 42 or 43″ playing length. It’s been that way ever since we intro’d the model and never had anyone say a negative comment about the shaft installation being done that way.”
Is this still the case? Is this club treated more as a driver than a fairway?
Many thanks
Rob
ROB Yes, I still see the F/D as being far more of a tee shot club to replace the driver on tight par-4 and par-5 holes than as a fairway wood. Only if the player were a very good fwy wood player and VERY used to a particular shaft feel in his fwy woods that incorporated a usual fwy wood tip trim would I say to change that 0 tip trim we have advocated. Now if the player chose to use the F/D at say, 44″, then it would be beneficial to tip the shaft say an inch to prevent… Read more »
Tom, I’ve been devouring your Youtube videos having finished reading your book The New Search for the Perfect Golf Club. My college friend and I are working locally with Ed of Ed’s Custom Golf to modify our bag makeup. As I understand club technology and my game I’m planning on changing the mix of my clubs to more reliance on hybrids for my longer irons. That’s the first project for me with Ed. I’ll look at my driver solution next and likely take advantage of your insights on driver clubhead loft and the other fitting criteria you recommend. That leaves… Read more »
STEVE: For sure, do rely on Ed’s advice because there is nothing better than working with a good fitter who actually can see you hit the ball to know your game. I can just comment in generalities, which I am happy to do to try to help anyway I can. So much of what clubs you carry in between the driver and your longest hybrid/iron depends on the course(s) you play as well as how well you can control the driver. If you hit the driver occasionally crooked to the point of being a little problem, you need a “second… Read more »
Tom, Thanks much for your response. It will help me when I begin working with Ed at Ed’s Custom Golf. Yesterday, my college bud just got his driver with Ed’s help after previously getting several Wishon hybrids. My turn now. My swing speed is in the 80’s and I have found benefit from choking down an inch or so on my driver shaft so I believe your advice about shaft lengths. I’m reading another of your books right now (The Search for the Perfect Golf Club) and finding it filled with “ah-ha” moments. Excellent reading and very helpful in improving… Read more »
Tom, I just got two single length fairway woods a 4 and 7 this week with Ed Ellis’ help. They are 41″ length and D2 swing weight with mid-size grips for my arthritic hands. I used them yesterday for on a local course. I’m in love. I hit off tee with the 4 wood on a couple really tricky holes where control is paramount. On these holes, I teed up with driver also for comparison. I was stunned on a couple holes to realize my 4 wood total carry was very close to my 45″ TaylorMade Burner driver. This had… Read more »
Steve That’s great that you noticed the difference in performance with the shorter length woods right away. Over the past few years I really have become a big fan of shorter length fwy woods because they are much easier to hit consistently, and typically without much of any loss of distance over normal lengths which today ru in the area of 43-43.5 for a 3wood. That’s just too long for many, MANY players. You could take one of our driver heads which are made to a weight spec of 202g with a 9g weight bore in the hosel and get… Read more »
How long is the stock shaft for this club…
And would you recommend putting a different shaft in than the one supplied?
I will be going to see Kevin at Custom Golf Stix who put a great shaft intoy taylormade m6 driver but I prefer hittingy 3 wood.
Hemce wanting to use the shaft in this 919FD. I think it’s prob 44 or 44.5 as had it shortened
Mr Mahil All of my designs at Wishon Golf are sold only as heads only to custom clubmakers who make the decisions for how long, what shaft, what weighting, etc., that they will build the custom clubs to be for each different golfer. So there really is no such thing as a stock, standard length for any of my designs. Now for sure there is a limit for the range in length any of my designs can be built to be because each head has a limit for how much weight could be added to finalize the swingweight for each… Read more »
Superb Tom and thank you for such a swift and detailed response. Will only be using this off the tee as a Driver replacement for Long Par 4’s so thank you.
Will await seeing Kevin or Damian as both seem to be very very busy atm!
Hi Tom, To optimize flight and distance with F/D off a tee, is it best to strike on upswing as with regular drivers or swing as a fairway wood? Thank you
ALAN
If you are using the F/D as a tee shot club with the ball on a peg, you address the ball and swing exactly the same as you would if you are using a longer length bigger head driver. No need whatsoever to change anything just because the head size is smaller and the length shorter than a driver. If you play the F/D off the deck as a long fwy wood, then you duplicate the same ball position and swing that you would use when hitting your normal 3 wood.
TOM
Thanks Tom. Was bit frustrated with lower ball flight, wanting to get more carry. Think just experimenting teeing it up a bit more should solve it. Visually want same mid high flight I get with my 12degree driver.
Appreciate all you do, Alan
ALAN One of the most common things that causes a lower ball flight with a wood or driver is the fact that many golfers can have a downward angle of attack with the driver or wood and not really be aware of it. This is very common with people who can tend to slice or chronically fade the ball where an “over the top outside in move at the ball” makes the clubhead come into impact on a more downward angle instead of level to slightly upward. So watch your ball position carefully to make sure it is no further… Read more »
Hi Tom,
Crazy that I found this site after doing some research. I’ve found that I struggle with large faced drivers and prefer the smaller face woods to drive off the tee. I’m currently hitting a Taylormade Burner 3W 15 degree. I can hit as far or close to a driver. Curious to know why I prefer a smaller club face over a larger face. I have more confidence and I think my clubhead speed improves….
Jason Very glad to hear that you found our site so that you can have the chance to get answers to ANY of your questions about golf equipment and fitting technology. I’ve been trying to help with good information for many years now so it’s nice that you found us since I am well into the back nine in my life and career!! HA! There are a couple of primary reasons that many golfers hit a 3w as far or father than their driver. 1) virtually every driver sold off the rack in pro shops or golf retail stores is… Read more »
Thank you for the poignant response. I think you hit the nail on the head with the shaft length and loft. That’s the real reason and not the size of the head. I love your Finding the Perfect Driver book which sums up the difference beautifully. My club head speed is better than 95 mph but I still get better results with a shorter shaft length and more loft. I am going to get fitted properly for clubs and I know the difference will be monumental.
Has anyone had success adapting this club for single length play? I was thinking about cutting it down to 37.5″ to match my single length set and adjusting the lie angle to 60* … bad idea or worth a shot? I have a launch monitor to experiment with and was thrilled at my hybrid single length numbers. Would be neat to complete the set. Thanks!
DAVID The 919F/D was designed to be a “thriver” club – a club to be made much shorter (42-43″) than a driver to be used off the tee on tight holes on which a driver was a risky play, but to be able to generate enough distance that would still get the ball out there close to a driver distance. Additionally if a player was a REALLY GOOD fairway wood player, he could also use the F/D off the deck for long 2nd shots. But this off the deck use is by far the lesser of the reasons for the… Read more »
Wow thanks for the reply, Tom. That saves me from a failed experiment. I’ll stick to my day job! I’ll try the new EQ1-NX fairway woods at the 40″-41″ length. Appreciate all that you do for the game. I just got your new bladed single length wedges and am excited to try them out this weekend.
That’s why I am still here (!) to help you with info so you can make the best decisions for your game and for your wallet!!!
TOM
I’ve just managed to pick up an F/D to compliment my 929HS 7 wood (and hopefully a 5w soon to sit between them), it’s 43/5 inches and looking to remove half inch, where in the UK can I purchase the little weights that sit in the sole port?
Hi Paul,
Your best bet for the weight plus required is to use our Find a Clubfitter tool to find your nearest Wishon stockist/fitter in the UK.
Otherwise, if you’re a clubfitter yourself, you can apply for a Wishon account here.
Best Wishes,
Ash
Hi Tom Hope you do not mind me injecting at this point? I have had your ‘919FD 14deg’ made up for me by Nathan at St. Andrews Golf Company (Scotland) And I have to say it is superb, great design, ideal head size, hot face! Playing Lvene Links it gets used a lot on the tight links fairways where accuracy is at a premium. Nathan made it up to 43″ (3 wood length?) with a Modulus S80 Stiff Shaft (their own brand) but I believe it is a tad too light it measures C9-D0…. My other clubs are: DRIVER: Srixon… Read more »
JERRY It is a pleasure to hear from you and a sincere thank you to you and your brother for choosing to play with some of my designs and to you for taking the time to stop by to share your experience and ask for a little assistance. When I read you are from Leven it allowed me to think back to the times I was priveleged to travel to Fife on both business and pleasure. On two of those trips I managed to divert my car off the A915 and found the Promenade to park in the beach parking… Read more »
Hi Tom, firstly my sincere apologies and ignorance for not responding sooner, especially after you had taken time to reply. I am sure Leven is the same as it was when you visited, the Club is celebrating it’s 200 year anniversary this year, albeit curtailed by the Covid situation? I have played Lundin Links, very nice course, but I feel Leven is a tougher links, although the members a Lundin will argue that point I am sure! We a truly blessed in Fife with some of the most iconic golf courses in the world. Although I live and my business… Read more »
JERRY It truly was enjoyable for me to have the chance to read your response and realize that your new sticks are enabling you to enjoy this great game a little more than before! No matter how much most people think the most fun I have in my “work” is doing the actual “concept to creation” in the design & development process, it still falls a little bit short of being able to read something like you wrote. And even though I have not had the chance to get back to Fife since I semi retired, I do hope that… Read more »
Hi Tom Thank you for the reply. Hopefully I may get the chance to meet you then! I understand your passion, as a Graphic Artist by trade who then moved into print and lately Letterpress Print on a 1971 Heidelberg Press, I always enjoy the Design to press stage, looking at how we can get the best product…. One question: Your older 717CLC Adjustable Driver? I have an occasional tendency to cut across the ball, usually when my back is stiff or sore, so the facility to easily adjust from fade to draw is a big bonus (not on course… Read more »
Jerry How about that?!! I don’t hear much about that 715CLC driver these days but it sure does hold a very strong place in my memory of past designs, for sure! It still stands as one of the biggest challenges I ever had in working to get it manufactured properly what with all the extra parts and precise machining required to make it. Please do be aware that when it comes to significantly reducing a slice or nasty fade, going with a more closed face angle is going to have more of an effect than any movement of weight toward… Read more »
Hi Tom Thank you again for the technical advise very useful. Yes, the 715 was a different but I still think it has some relevance today. At least I hope so, I do like the sub-400 head and overall weight and look, not sure what internal weight it is coming with assume standard at 30grams? but will work it out now with your advice. Only looking for a marginal weight movement. Nathan tested my swing and my path is slightly in-to-in, +2-2.3deg Angle of attack, 1.43-1.46 Smash Factor so not bad, Driver Speed 93mph 5 iron 76mph. Overall consistent swing… Read more »
JERRY When it comes to fitting a golfer for the right “weights” of his clubs, I used to joke around and say that I wish someone could invent a device that you could plug into a golfer and know exactly what total weight and headweight the golfer would react the most positively to. Unfortunately such a device does not and will not ever exist because weight feel preference is strictly an individual thing. We can look at various golfer tendencies and characteristics such as size, strength, swing tempo and get an idea of what weight feel might be a good… Read more »
Hi Tom Just a quick note to update you on the 715 I had Nathan at St. Andrews build for me. Miyasaki Black 7S which I thought would be too ‘tip stiff’ but not 🙂 44.5″ Golf Pride MMC Grip. Weight set to High-Draw AND IT WORKS! Delighted with the weight, feel, sound and consistency… and I like the smaller 400cc head. Starting pulling a bit, bordering on a draw! big change from a Push/Slice. Also acquired a 919Thi 11deg with S2S Red Reg 11deg. According to you website, the ‘SRS Red’ should fit my swing, will try and see… Read more »
JERRY Thanks for sharing and that’s great to hear that you experimentation has worked out to your satisfaction! It’s always a lot of fun to mess around with different combinations of heads, shafts and specs to see what works and what doesn’t and it’s always great when it works out well and you like the combination. On the fwy wood, the main thing between the 929 and 365 is face height. The face height of the 929 is quite shallow looking to most players while the 365 is not deep by any stretch but definitely taller looking at address than… Read more »
Hi Tom Yes I do get more satisfaction in researching and working out the combinations, some are a surprise, like fitting the Miyasaki Black 7S which is stiff tipped, mid flexas I was concerned the flight would be too low, but not, sure the 715 is helping. Set to Draw but think I’ll have to put it back to straight soon, as I’m finding the left side of the fairways again! Took your advice and purchase a 929HS 21deg #7 Wood as I felt the additional loft would help. Fitted the same shaft as my 919FD, Fujikura S60, will see… Read more »
Hi Tome Just a quick note to say I received my 715 Head and have built it up, just waiting for it to harden off (24 hour Epoxy) Total Weight 340grams, D3.8 Swingweight (same as my Hyrid’s & #4 Wood) Miysaki Black 7S Stiff at 44.50″ 80grams Golf Pride MMC Grip (50grams) Head was brand new still in the original packing and with teh wrench! Fitted with a 35gram weight, set to ‘High’ so I have adjusted to one notch left to ‘Draw’ as well. See what you mean by the nut, was very careful, the seal is identical to… Read more »
Turns out it already has a weight installed, I got it used with a Novatech Vega shaft, shortening it from 43.5 to 43 inches resulted in a D2 swing weight and have to say it’s superb, boring ball flight, carry is superb and it’s easier to control than driver without significant distance loss, has to be the best mini I’ve hit so far having had Cally mini 1.5, SLDR mini, Aeroburner mini and Ping rapture mini.
Does the F/D come in the black oxide finish?
ALAN
No the 919F/D is manufactured only in the conventional polish plus painted surface finish you see in the catalog and on the website presentations of the model. There is just not enough total demand for this head to carry it in both finishes. Thanks very much for your interest and the very best to you in this great game,
TOM
Hi Tom, Thanks for quick response, always enjoy and learn from your answers. Have and use the F/D regularly and it does help minimize those directionally challenged shots, just love black oxide look. Am 69, mid hcp, driver swing speed low 90s, use an older 12 degree (other mfg) driver that gives decent flight character when struck well. Shaft length around 44”. Do prefer smaller head size. Would Shapr in 11 degree be worth a look and a good fit? Beginning to read chatter about return to slightly lower lofts to get rollout benefit. Thanks again, Happy, Healthy 2020,
Alan
ALAN
First off, don’t jump all over that very misleading article about lower loft by the two Mikes of GDigest. That’s ONLY for players with a very upward angle of attack which is pretty rare to find among average to most golfers. Mike & Mike are very nice guys but they are not well versed in clubfitting technology at all. ONLY if your fairways where you play are typically very firm, short mown and not wet at all would going with a couple degrees lower than what your optimum loft for maxxing carry distance be wise.
TOM
I’ve been thinking about getting the 919 F/D as my driver replacement. Would getting the 919F/D (11 or 12*) in a very short length such as 39″ or 40″ be feasible / recommended ? The reason I ask is because I play a 775HS 3 hybrid (21*) .5 deg open at a 39″ length with a Wishon S2S Red S (D4 SW) off the tee box. I usually hit it 225-230 yards on average and very accurate with a high percentage of fairways hit, but even my misses are usually just on the right off the fairway. I benched my… Read more »
RICH The 919F/D has been used by many players as a tee shot club because that’s the primary reason I designed it. But building it to 39-40″ would mean that you probably would not be able to get the club up high enough in swingweight to be able to feel the head weight enough to result in decent swing timing/rhythm and performance. With all heads there is a point at which if you go too short in length you can’t add enough weight to the head to get the swingweight up to playable levels. There are two weight bores, one… Read more »
Tom, I appreciate your response. From reading your blog over the years, I had a general sense that there is a limit to how short I could get the club. However you gave me a couple of ideas to try as far as length of the club. I also went to the range with a radar device (MLM) and confirmed that at a hybrid length, I wouldn’t have enough speed for that short of a club. At a 39″ length for my 3H the average clubhead speed (15 swings) was 96.8mph; while for my 44.5″ Driver it was 106.6 mph.… Read more »
If I can jump in here to make an observation of the White shaft in your driver and the Red shaft in your hybrid are quite different animals. You describe control with your hybrid and being offline with the driver. Give the Red shaft a go in the driver
Tom Good observation. I was fitted for both, my hybrids and driver….so I ignore the reason for the different shafts. Perhaps I am “gentler” with my driver swing in the transition from the top to the downswing, whereas I play my hybrids more like my irons which is a bit more violently. In going back to my measurements I also realized the swing weights are very different as follows: 919 THI Driver – C9 – S2S White S; no tip trim 775HS hybrids – D4 – S2S Red S Perhaps I should get refitted and see if my swing characteristics… Read more »
I had to come back and say you were right about the white shaft not being a good fit for me. I’m absolutely confused why I was put into this shaft as I was fitted for it in 2013. I’m wondering if the “fitting papers” were mixed up with another customer and I ended up with the wrong shaft. However, at Tom’s recommendation I visited a local fitter in Tucson (Rick Grinstead) who diagnosed and had me test a couple of shafts and had me hitting the driver straight/ with a slight draw a little over 270 yards carry (Late… Read more »
RICH
Very glad to hear that you met up with Rick!! I hope you enjoyed the process and found a good fit from your work with him.
TOM
Tom,
Absolutely, I can’t thank you enough for recommending Rick to me. He was an absolute pleasure to work with and his knowledge of fitting ultimately translated into being able to put the 919 THI driver back in my bag for play. I will be going back to him as soon as the Sterling iron replacements are released to get fitted and order a set.
Thanks again!
Rich
Hi Tom I have a older white 919D with the longer hosel, assuming it’s bendable for lie and face angle. As you have stated many fitters don’t have the machine to do that. Would it be best to send it to Diamond with or without shaft in it? Live in Albuquerque, you don’t buy chance have one in Durango as I could drive up there since I bought it there? I also want to reshaft it with a 43-43 1/2” shaft with more control. It’s your stellar inerflexx. 2S2 White 43” to whippy. I hit my 929 and 515 fairways… Read more »
GARY For sure, I remember you from the days you would be in the Durango area and stop by at our company. Yes, any of the 919’s with the longer hosel would be of the bendable version. You know Diamond is in the UK so that would be a bit of a hassle for you to send a driver head to them to be bent. Of course they can do that for sure if that becomes the only way. What about Sherm Haworth in ABQ? Sherm’s as good as there is when it comes to working on clubs and clubheads.… Read more »
Hi Tom, I had a couple of questions regarding this driver head (919F/D) when compared against a 460cc driver (EG 919 THI) and was hoping you might be able to help. By having a smaller head size, I understand that this might give a potential advantage for good players that are capable of playing this size head from good lies on the fairway. The additional COR and potentially lower loft of this head in comparison to a 3-wood might see a distance gain in these kind of scenarios, that aid in reaching the green in 2 shots on a PAR… Read more »
DAN Not at all contentious, these are all good questions for sure and I enjoy having the chance to respond. The 919F/D is a specialty design that has a handful of small things that it can do over a normal large volume driver, but one big thing it can’t. It’s primary use is as a club to use off the tee on tight holes that otherwise would require a driver. The F/D headweight means you won’t build this to a length any longer than 43.5 with 43 being what most would do. With our knowledge of high strength alloys and… Read more »
I currently use a Cobra M/Speed Offset 3-Wood with an Accra shaft as my driver. I had the shaft installed by my club fitter. I use the 3-wood because my slow swing needs loft for maximum distance. Can the 14-degree Fairway Driver be fitted onto my Accra Shaft?
Fred:
As long as the Accra Shaft has a tip diameter of 0.335″ which is most likely, it can be removed from the other head and installed in the 919F/D with no problems. As to what length it would come out to be, that depends on the difference in the distance from the bottom of the shafting bore to the ground between the two clubheads. That is something a competent clubmaker should know about to be able to allow for any differences there might be in this dimension in the two heads.
TOM
Tom,
Thank you for answering all of my questions, especially in a timely manner.
Does the F/D have any amount of face progression? I couldn’t find the measurement. As mentioned before, I own a 12 degree model that is 1 degree open and the face progression seems minimal.
Thanks as always.
BEN To give you a frame of reference, the FP of the 919THI 11* loft driver is 19mm. The FP of the 919F/D-11* model is 17mm and the FP of the 929HS #3wood is 16mm. As a designer I only see FP as a visual aspect of the head that has to be matched to the size of the head. In very, very minute terms only with players who have a very late release, more FP on a head can contribute to a slightly higher trajectory for any given loft while less FP is the opposite. But these things are… Read more »
Hi Tom,
Does the hosel bore open up to the sole of the club? I am wondering how I can get hotmelt to that area, mostly for sound purposes.
Thank you.
Ben All metal woods regardless of maker are manufactured so there is a small hole in the bottom of the bore that will open up into the open cavity of the head. The head production factories do this so they can inject a special “sticky glue” into the heads that is intended to catch and hold small particles that may break loose from inside the head during the life of the club. All makers of metal woods do have a stopper plug installed in the bottom of the bore to close off that access hole so when a shaft is… Read more »
Tom,
I have the F/D and I just noticed there is a tubular hollow near the toe end on the underside of the club. It seems that there was a sort of cover for the hole, but the cover is no longer there. Ironically, the club whistles in the key of D along with the Doppler effect when swung, Ha, and that is how I discovered that there was this hole in the club. Would you explain to me what the purpose of this void is for?
Thank you,
Jarrod
BTW, love the club.
Jarrod that is one of the two weight bore chambers in the head which are there to enable the clubmaker to add weight to the head to get it to the swingweight or head feel that best fits each golfer’s strength + swing tempo and sense of headweight feel for good timing and rhythm in the swing. The other weight bore is below the tip of the shaft in the hosel. The weight bore on the toe end of the sole is covered by a little oval shaped medallion with an adhesive back. Unfortunately it sounds like it just gave… Read more »