The Best New Drivers for 2009

While several manufacturers unveiled new drivers for 2009, the buzzword for this year's drivers is "value"

The economic problems in our country are hitting home in every facet of our lives, and the golf equipment industry has not been immune. Several manufacturers decided to forego a new model driver from 2009, instead focusing on offering value priced packages for their older models.

Still, there are some really nice innovations that have come along in the golf driver category for 2009. Callaway leads the way with three new drivers for 2009. Here are all the newest breed of golf drivers currently on the market:

Callaway Big Bertha Diablo driver

Callaway FT-9 driver

Callaway FT-IQ driver

TaylorMade R9 driver

TaylorMade Burner 09 driver

TaylorMade R7 Limited driver

Ping Rapture V2 driver

Cleveland HiBore MonsterXLS driver

Cleveland Launcher driver

Cobra S9-1 driver

Cobra L5V driver

Mizuno MX-700 driver

Adams Insight Tech A4 driver

Adams Speedline driver

Nike SQ Dymo driver

Wilson Smooth driver

Titelist 909D Comp driver

Titelist 909D2 / 909D3 driver

Tour Edge Exotics XCG-V driver

Value-priced drivers from previous years

Get last year's golf driver technology at a discount price.

If you are looking for discounts, this you need to look at previous year drivers. Golf manufacturers prevent their authorized dealers from discounting the new model-year golf equipment. They don't want discounters to devalue their brand. After the first year, however, the ol' supply and demand system kicks in. In the current economy, you can find HUGE discounts on 2008 and 2007 model drivers. Golf drviers that were selling for $400-$500 last year can be had for $150-$200. Similar drivers from 2007 can be found under $100!

If your current driver is more than 3 years old, you can seriously benefit from the new driver technologies that have been recently developed. If you don't have the budget for a $400-$500 driver, you can still get a great new driver for about half that if you buy older model drivers.

Here is a list of some of the currently available 2007 and 2008 model drivers:

Nike SQ Sumo driver

TaylorMade Burner driver

Callaway Hyper X driver

Callaway Big Bertha Fusion driver

Callaway FT-i

Ping Rapture driver

Ping G10 driver

Custom Made Drivers

You can get a great, quality built, custom-made driver at about 75% off the big-name brand drivers. How? These companies use similar components and identical shafts and grips, but don't pay big endorsement fees and they don't do TV or magazine advertising. So all you pay for is the club. The result is that you get a great driver at a discount price

• Gigagolf - one of the best custom golf club companies on the web
• Hirekogolf – a respectable, value oriented US-based custom golf club manufacturer