Pinemeadow's Doublewall
driver offers distance
and forgiveness
By Kiel Christianson,
Senior Writer
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (June 9, 2005) - So let's face it: The USGA has
limited legal driver size to 460cc and the COR restriction effectively
limits distance for all of us average golfers who cannot continually
tweak equipment specs to precisely fit our swings. So now that size-related
technology has been reined in (somewhat), what's the next equipment
craze going to be?
Control.
Face it. It doesn't matter how far you hit that driver if you're bouncing balls off of the McMansions lining the fairways.
Pinemeadow Golf (doublewall.com)
has been working on a driver since 1998 that bucks the trend toward springy,
thin-faced clubs. The Pinemeadow Doublewall (MSRP $299) incorporates a
second inner face behind the clubface, which the company says provides
a more rigid, more solid striking surface. The result, they say, is the
biggest sweet spot in golf, i.e., more control.
Interestingly, another smaller yet well-respected equipment company, KZG, also has a two-faced driver on the market, the Gemini. The design of KZG's offering is also supposed to increase control. And if more companies are smart, they'll move from distance to control in the near future as well.
How it plays
We tested the 360cc Pinemeadow Doublewall with 9.5 degrees of loft and a regular-flex
Aldila NV shaft. One thing that
| DoubleWall shaft options |
As every golfer should know
by now, the real engine powering long drives is the shaft. It won't matter what clubhead you use if the shaft
is the wrong one for your swing.
Take, for instance, the variable performance of the Pinemeadow
DoubleWall driver. The model reviewed here had a regular-flex
Aldila NV shaft, which delivered a lower, piercing ball flight
for my rather fast swing. Subsequent range work with the exact
same clubhead fitted with a regular-flex Grafalloy ProLaunch
Blue shaft that was more conducive to getting the ball airborne
(lower kick-point) delivered a higher ball flight and, thus,
more distance.
To this end, Pinemeadow has developed in cooperation with
Aldila, a proprietary line of shafts specifically for the
DoubleWall clubhead. These shafts, which vary in weight (63-69
gr), flex (S, R, L, Senior), and kick-point, offer all recreational
golfers the ideal fit for the club. |
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is immediately noticeable is the somewhat lower profile of the Doublewall
compared to other larger headed drivers on the market. The face height
of 51mm allows you to use standard-length tees and, in my opinion, makes
it easier to get the ball height right every time you tee it up.
Another feature that you see right away is the slight draw-bias at set-up; the Doublewall sets up slightly closed. This is great for your average golfer, who tends to fight a slice. For your average golf writer who fights a hook more often than Peter Pan, well, let's just say I had quite the draw working at times with this driver.
Dave Huber, head professional at Lake
of the Woods Golf Course also noted the draw bias, as well as the
remarkable, piercing ball flight. “That ball would roll a mile,” he said
after launching one with the Doublewall.
The verdict
Can you still hit ugly slices and hooks with the Doublewall? Well, I don't know if you can, but I sure can.
Nevertheless, the Doublewall produced a straight, long (if a touch low) ball-flight, irrespective of where the ball was struck on the face. This control, of course, is the heart of the theory behind the two-wall technology.
Personally, I cannot wait to see what they come out with next that once and for all will keep me out of the yards (and windows!) of all those pretty houses lining the fairways.
Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.
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EQUIPMENT REVIEW
