The MINI Driver that really impressed me! (Callaway Ai Smoke Mini)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
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Hi I’m Rick Shiels, welcome to my channel RickShielsPGAGolf. This TH-cam channel is designed to help you play better golf, also to help you enjoy your golf more!
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Probably the tightest dispersion we've ever seen you hit Rick honestly. I'm not playing over 6,400 yards any time soon but if I did this would for sure be in the bag between driver and first wood.
If I could 10k like this to get you to put it in the bag I would!!!!
Do a round where you crank it down to 11 degrees and use as your driver on the front 9 then put it back to 13 degrees and use it as a 3wood on the back9!!! Love the HIT channel great content!
Great idea this. 💡
The shorter shaft is what makes it easier. I went to 43.75” in my normal 10.5 deg driver and it’s been a game-changer. Put that to the test, Rick!
Mini driver is perfect for if someone regularly plays shorter courses and wants more accuracy. I would say sub 6500 yards on older style American courses or links courses it would help a lot of people, especially those who struggle with driver and prefer 3 metal.
Or if you actually play from the correct set of tees...
I don't know why you wouldn't at least throw it in the bag for a few rounds and see how/if it benefits your game! I'm an avid viewer, watch every episode of Break 75, etc. I don't see you pulling 3 wood THAT often from the fairway/rough, and this would at least give you another option off the tee when driver goes a bit haywire. . .definitely think it's at least worth a shot! Great review!
Bros got a point
Rick gets fitted for all the best clubs in the world, plays and practices as much as he wants, and gets lessons and advice from literally legendary golfers and teachers. Yet he still struggles. Equipment is the 100% not Ricks problem. The work need to go into his mental game. I understand that the courses played by the man are above average difficult, and every shot being seen by millions of people puts on pressure. But based on actual time swinging a golf club, im shocked at his consistency levels.
@Johndavidson4 yeah. . .I think there's quite a difference between getting all those lessons, playing all these rounds, etc., for content purposes versus if Rick was out there trying to just play the best golf he could. Definitely not saying that a club is going to fix issues (pretty sure Rick doesn't say that either). But there's certainly nothing wrong with making a club switch like this to see if it leads to better scores/finding more fairways, especially for someone who admits to having never tried a switch like this/that style of club before. I won't say anything negative about Rick's game - I think there's an untold amount of pressure and the fact that he plays all the courses, often for the first time, while being filmed, and is still able to post decent scores (because let's face it, sub 85 on tour level courses for anyone but a tour pro or a plus handicapper is still really decent golf) is still impressive. And More importantly, entertaining to watch!
@@Johndavidson4equipment DOES play a big role in Rick's case tough, because he insists in putting a low spinning driver in the bag when he misses it both ways with driver,insists in putting thin cavity back irons in the bag when he's got that snap hook tendency so the less his irons can work the ball the better he'll be so game improvement players irons alone would win him probably 3 shots per round and insists in using vokey wedges with probably tour grind and bounce because they look good in the bag and make him look like a +player. A driver like this, some Cleveland wedges with 10/12° and a set of say AP3's or P790s and I would bet 10k he'll break 75 every single time, I remember a video he shot around level or one under using only some Callaway game improvement irons, rogue's or apexes can't remember, then proceed to put some taylormade half blades in the bag
I'm surprised he didn't game the Ricky Fowler set to be honest 😂
Rick should prove me wrong and play with a mid handicap set for a couple rounds,some big head strong irons so he doesn't need to pull 4i 200 yards out wich is ridiculous,some Cbx wedges and a high spinning driver so he can experience an approach from the fairway once in a while!
Good comment ! Absolutely agree with you
Been a subscriber for years Rick. I've legit never seen you hit a club so effortlessly, that straight, that distance. That clubs seems like an easy "shut my brain off, and push the ball 250 dead straight down the fairway"
Interesting video, Rick. If you are worried about the loss of distance, why not try this experiment: play a round with 2 balls where, on the longer holes, you play one ball normally with your main driver and drop the second ball 240/250 yards from the tee in the middle of the fairway and see what you score from there? What is the difference between short/straight and long/inconsistent?
I use this club (Callaway Mini Driver 11.5 set to 12.5 with 12g weight in the front position) as a pure driver replacement. I love it! Much improved accuracy but I lose some distance compared to my paradym driver. More specific carry distance. Mini driver might be around 10-15 yards shorter!? But i flies like a bullet and runs forever after carry so average distance is not far from a normal driver.
But standing on every tee box knowing the ball will end up in a playable spot beats the slightly shorter distance👍😃
265 yard tight draws on repeat and virtually no negatives off the deck. You either need to replace your 3 wood with the 13.5* immediately or give the 11.5* a go at your driver. The ball flight mixed with the confidence you have in the club is a must have Rick.
Played my 13.5 BRNR mini driver yesterday in a competition for the first time. Hit every fairway except one where I was at fault. Only around 10 meters shorter than my G430 Max 10.5 driver at worst but straighter and lower flight (using a lower tee?). We have good fairways and I hit it better than my G430 three wood, longer, straighter and lower with good run. I took my driver and three wood out of the bag to resist temptation and will be leaving them out in future. The mini driver is literally a game changer. You need one Rick.
Bought one of these and love it, haven't lost much distance and I hit the middle a lot more often
Even with him hitting this club better off the ground. For the other mini drivers he’s reviewed, he’s said he doesn’t understand the purpose of it. Watching all of the break 75’s, he only hits his 3wood 1-2 times a round maybe. There are plenty of holes he could hit mini and have more accuracy and be just short of trouble off tee boxes…more often.
Using 3 wood few times is quite normal, some course ill use the 3 wood 1 or 2 times, some ill use 9 times. I dont get what you say, a mini driver isn’t much more forgiving than nowadays 3 wood, and a 3 wood is so much more versatile.
@@rdalmasso7326 the few times is more of the issue. The point is having more options that give you more of an advantage. Mini gives you a larger face and for most amateurs that gives more confidence or safety. I’d argue that the advantage of being able to hit Mini off more tee boxes out ways hitting 3wood off tee boxes for most amateurs. I’d also say more often than not, hitting 3wood into par 5’s leaves amateurs in less advantages spots than if they would have chosen to hit a hybrid or iron.
My “mini driver” is an old big bertha 2 wood with a steel shaft. Super forgiving and I like the taller face! And it was only $10 mint condition!
Ai Smoke Carry 244, total 261
TaylorMade BRNR Carry 251, total 268
Both in 13.5 degrees of loft, why the love for the Ai and not for the BRNR? 😂
Thank you! I was wondering the same thing! And the dispersion isn’t all that different either!
Rick obsesses with looks lol. Except most people find the BRNR to be exceptionally beautiful.
I am a Taylormade guy, been branching out more now but the mini driver is just an oversized 3wood. That ai smoke actually looks like what a mini driver is. Sounded great as well.
I think these are actually really good to have when playing in the wind if your normal driver flight is quite high. Longer and easier to hit than a Driving Iron.
Love mini drivers , have both the new Callaway and the new Taylor , i like them both but the Taylor for me is better , easier off the deck and I like the head size better but can't go wrong with either !!!
Just rewatched the brnr review and I don’t get it, Rick was hitting the taylormade just as straight and a little further than this (a lot of his shots there carried in the 260s and rolled out to the 270s) - he even said “sold” on it before saying he “didn’t get it” - is it just the look of this that makes him feel more confident or something?
Unfortunately Rick seems to be caught up in the “ego” of not hitting anything that helps his game.
Trying to play blades and low spin drivers when he’s not in as good of form as he used to be and still struggles to find fairways and short game issues.
Lots of golfers myself included like to think we are better than we actually are 😂 and rule out clubs that would help a lot
@@TheTdriver9 I don't think Rick is sponsored by Ping or TaylorMade. Bashes the clubs before he even hits them, has great results then says things like 'I don't get it' or 'The sound is tinny'.
Walked out of my golf shop 20 minutes after watching this video today. 20 minutes later I’m laughing on the driving range having the most fun range session, what a club! Great review, I didn’t even know about this club but you sold me!
Just got mine in today. Took it out on the course. Perfect addition to my AI Smoke Max driver and AI Smoke Max 5 wood. Gave up my 3 wood and 7 wood and it's a perfect combo.
Hell yea been waiting for this video. I gotta say Rick you’re hitting that mini driver straight as an arrow buddy. Maybe consider putting it in the bag and can’t wait for the head to head mini driver video! I knew it was coming
Taylormade’s mini is much better and more versatile. The big difference is that the TM replaces a 3 wood. The Callaway is essentially a driver replacement
Been waiting for this one ❤
I definitely think you should test it head to head with your 3 wood. We don't see you get excited about golf clubs very often like you did this. I think it could be a great 3 wood option for you!
I would absolutely be putting this in the bag!! 🤘
Looking to put one of these in the bag. Plan on keeping my driver, 9 degree and using this club for tighter fairways and tee shots where driver can get me into trouble. Might ditch the 3 wood, and get a APEX UW 17 degree as a 3 wood replacement and shots into par 5’s.
My driver is a 3W. All I focus on is keep it on the short grass. On my course I have a ridiculous tight fairway that opens up at about the 230yd mark. On that hole, 7W for me from the tee. It goes straight and I am at 175yds. I think there are a lot of people that would benefit with a mini driver vs Driver for a lot of shots. Retiring the driver has lowered my handicap. Adding woods down to 11W helped. It all comes down to where the ball goes. If it is in trees or water , the creek or sand, you are adding strokes. Use the tools that help you the most.
I put the BRNR mini in to replace my 3 wood...off the deck it is WAY easier to hit! I love it! Struggled with fairway woods for so long...but no more!
Many decades ago they used to call these a 2 wood. My first set of clubs when I was 14(now I'm 75) had a 1-2-3-4 woods. I used the 2 wood quite often...of course back then the woods were wood and much smaller than todays clubs....but the 2 wood served the same purpose. they were H&B Power Built
just bought an 11.5 head from the van. absolutely stoked to get it rolling
That’s like the size of my old Titleist 975J. I freaking loved that driver. You could almost play that as a 3 wood in the bag.
That thing is a best beast! Callaway has been so good the last few years!
Keen to try a mini driver !
Genuinely tempted to get one of these, but it would require a complete rebuild of the top end of my bag with at least one more club purchase to make being a 5 wood 🤔
Yeah I’m thinking about getting one because I scrapped my 3w and currently just have driver 5w 7w this seems like a perfect addition
I’m gonna say it again, please review a Krank driver for us Rick!
I've been thinking of one, but it really ticks me off way they are doing it, to make the most possible money by doing limited runs.
So, I will probably never get one, as even used they are not cheap, though it would probably be of use to me.
I would do the 11.5 as a driver replacement which is currently a 910 D2, the great grandaddy of modern drivers.
test out the ai smoke 3 woods, i love them
I enjoy how this really looks like a mini driver, but I do see how it may be harder to use out of the fairway with the taller face and the whole bottom of the face not being as close to the ground as a 3w.
Funny, as I've just been experimenting with my driver. I have a Cobra F9 driver and I've also got a Cobra F6 3 wood so I decided recently to swap the shafts over. So driver with 3 wood shaft about 2inches shorter and 3 wood with driver shaft. I was quite surprised when using them that they actually worked. Still didn't stop me slicing them though unfortunately.
seems like a good thing to put in the bag. You praised it so much
Rick can you do the vice wedges and irons please !! I’ve been waiting lol
PUT IT IN THE BAG!!!!!!!!! Love thr content and really think your next break 75 video should be with the new mini driver .
Rick, just throw it in the bag for a couple rounds and see what happens.
There’s no harm in that.
I said the same thing when you reviewed the Taylor Made Brnr because you were hitting it so well.
How can you be critical of mini driver she’s lovely person
🤣🤣🤣🤣
😂😂😂
😂😂😂
I still have my 340CC driver I bought when it was 'large'. I swear there are times I'll break it out and feel I'm doing better than with my 460CC driver. One thing to consider is that the ball takes up a larger percentage of the club face area.
I think you need to compare it to a 3 wood off the tee and off the deck so we can see if it is worth putting in the bag.
Keep up the great work.
I would love to see Rick add the mini and a 7 or a high loft 5 wood to the bag and to get rid of his 3 wood and 3 iron.
It’s basically an easier 3 wood. Being a lefty it’ll be hard for me to find one 😢 just to get my T200 irons with amt black shafts ( for lower ball flight ) took 5 months. Lol
Yeah Rick. Comparisons on if there’s a difference to a normal driver. Considering this for narrows tee shots and par 5s. Let’s see you dive in!!!!🔥🔥🔥
Please play around with the loft and weights if you compare it to the driver. If it's a utility driving club, I'd love to see it in low spin mode to see what it can do
I have an older Cobra driver made before they became so large. I carry it in my bag and use it when I absolutely need to find the fairways
Straight in the bag Rick!
I just don’t understand the mini driver!! It does not go as far as a driver but does it go further than your 3 wood? I mean I hit my 3-wood about 225-230 and it’s 15 degrees. If I put this mini driver to 15 degrees, is that what it’s going to go? 🤔🤔🤔 I would love to see a ai-smoke 3 wood compared to this mini…that’s the real test Rick 😁😁😁
I really like the idea of a mini driver. I think it’s worth at least trying it for a round!
Love to see some different shafts in these woods. Head to head velocore v non velocore. Tour AD reviews. I’d bet……..you pick up some performance with the right shaft. AD-DI or the VR
I liked this video just to see this club go in the bag. You better do it.
At that loft it is a 2 wood. With a longer shaft it would be a replacement for driver with some people. I think a mini-driver, 4 wood, 7 wood lineup would help on some courses where you need to be straighter off the tee.
please test the 11.5 vs the driver
I will admit I bought this years Taylor made and started hitting it off the tee and it is working wonder knocked my handicap down by 4 I’m still a 20 but now my tee game is a lot better then it was
Rick, you have to try the TSR2+ fairway wood. It is an absolute rocket. Fairway finder off the tee and so easy to hit off the deck. I struggle with finding the perfect fairway wood and I switched to it a couple months ago and I don’t see it coming out of the bag anytime soon.
Take out a hybrid? Maybe switch up wedges, take out highest lofted? I don’t know where this fits but I’ve hit it too with almost exact results
Maybe a little larger than an original Great big bertha, I dont remember those numbers anymore,
the overall length (43.75) is like the old days too, and probably my favorite feature here. Looks like a fairway finder to me!
Can you put in the lower spin setting as well?
Thanks
Can you do a video of Ai Smoke driver v mini driver v 3 wood please? Be interesting to see the difference between the 3 clubs and actually understand where the mini driver sits in all that. Plus feel like it’s been a while since you’ve tested some 3 woods 😅
As for someone new to the game and struggling a bit with driver but very comfortable with long irons, should I lean more towards a mini driver with more loft while I continue to learn or will it hinder the progress I can make just practicing with a normal driver
I'd be curious to see how it performs with a longer shift. Also, just as a comment on mini drivers in general; I feel like they've basically just reinvented the traditional 1 wood.
Do a head to head comparison vs a Callaway Bertha Mini 1.5
Really fancy one of those. I play 3 wood off the tee on 2 holes sometimes 3 at my home course and I’m ok with a 3w but they’re not the easiest even off a tee. Rarely hit 3w off the deck as my home course is pretty short. This has me thinking 🤔
I have an old Ti Burner Driver. Looks pretty similar to these mini driver.
Rick hit the Taylor made mini 300 yards and was very accurate like this one and still said it had no place in his bag 😂 he just hates mini drivers for no reason.
That looks unreal, would be great to see it in your bag
Put it in the bag!
Nice video, go with 15 clubs for a round and see if you use this or 3 wood
Hi Rick, would you recommend mini driver for a senior golfer who doesn’t hit it long. Possibly to replace driver to find the fairway. Thanks
Gimme all the Mini Drivers!
Put it in your bag as a putter. Looks like you hit this straighter than your normal flatstick at least :)
I need this in my bag! 👏👏
please review the takomo irons!
Is this in the bag yet Rick? Come on, lets see it in break 75!
Put it in the bag Rick. No offense but you are the ideal mini driver customer.
Rick Shiels is the “Rockstar” of golf content creators. 🤘😎
So he’s through with standing in lines to clubs he’ll never get in?
Rick I need that. I can only hit a 3 wood off the tee. And I want a mini driver so bad !!!!!
Had the tm loved it now have this love it more. Once u let ego go and say peace to a 3 wood or just havung a confidence fairway finder when driver sucks. If ur a legit low handicap u may think its dumb but most average weekend golfers should def be using these. But i mean drop the ego Bryson Phil Tommy fleetwood all use em and love em.
Your numbers with the Taylormade Mini Driver were so much better yet you were so critical of the Taylormade. I’d assume the club looks might’ve swayed you, but it’s crazy how you ignore numbers sometimes.
If you mainly use a three wood from a tee as an alternative to driver, a mini driver is a better option.
None of Rick’s criticism of the TM Mini Driver made sense as he hit it straight and long therefore fixing one of his main issues. Is the Callaway really that much better.? Doesn’t seem to be but if Rick likes it then you’d be mad not to give it a go. And hey, you’ll get at least another couple of videos out of it! 😂
TaylorMade mini 13.5 turned down to 12 degrees. Am I shorter with it? A bit, yes. Do I find way more fairways? Definitely. Last night: downwind 288, into the wind 256. Works for me, and I am quite a bit older than Rick 😊
Callaway, what a good brand!!
Very interested. I play my Smoke TD 10.5 off the fairway when needed. This interests me very much.....
You know what we’re saying brother! Bloody put it in the bag!!!
Please play 18 holes at the Marriott with this instead of your driver. Sure distance is not as long as your standard driver but accuracy is much better. Do you score better with 30 yards off your driver but hitting it straight all the time, with much greater confidence through the round? 👍 love the content!
I feel like that taylormade qi10 max 3wood looks like a mini driver lol i love it
Rick Put it in Your bag!
Hey Rick! Just thought I’d say your content has been amazing as always, and have loved watching you progress in your game. You are a huge part of the community. Cheers mate!❤️
Need a mini driver challenge at Formby Ladies GC with Rick, Matt and Pete. Callaway and TaylorMade mini drivers plus a Ping kids driver.
Honestly, i do like Titleist more than any other brands, but i had so many different 3 woods, some impressed me more or less, but the TSR2 is a bomb ! It’s really like a mini driver but super versatile,I’m not necessarily a big hitter as a 3 handicap but i can hit 275 yards high draw, straight or a touch cut 265 yards stock shot, and be sure the carry at least 250 yards off the ground for longer Par 5 second shot. I have tried the mini burnr, even tho it felt nice to hit, i see no clue having this to replace either a Driver or those modern days 3 woods. Genuinely please someone could give their good reason why they would have those mini drivers in the bag and what will it replace ?
Excited to see the results for this club.
If they keep getting smaller, will my original Big Bertha be “big” again?😅
Reacting to the negative comments about the TM mini driver when you hit it brilliantly, but couldn't see the point of it by suddenly loving the next mini driver and maybe sticking it in the bag. Ego to the fore again.
Great idea to test against the Taylormade mini driver and normal AI Smoke driver but I’d love to see it head-to-head with your 3 wood as that’s what it is really aiming to potentially replace and the spot it would take in your bag. 👍🏻
If you need more control just put a 3 wood shaft on your forgiving modern 460cc driver head. Not sold completely yet on the mini driver concept.