The annual Long Drive Championship isn’t going to be confused with The Masters anytime soon. Not only are precision and shot shaping not part of the sport’s vernacular, neither is particularly necessary during the competition. Nevertheless, there’s no denying that the event speaks to what once drew so many of us to the game; smashing the living hell out of a golf ball.
This year’s final 8 aired on The Golf Channel, and while short of Jamie Sadlowski and maybe (probably not) now two-time Champion Tim Burke, the competitors aren’t exactly household names (even in households that watch a lot of golf), the event creates a once-a-year opportunity for equipment companies who specialize in long drive to step into the mainstream splotlight.
The 2015 finals featured a particularly strong showing for two companies in particular. One is a well-known long drive commodity – arguably the first name in long drive, the other is shaft company trying to join the ranks as Fujikura, Aldila and others fighting for your aftermarket shaft dollars.
The Specifics
Winner Tim Burke and Runner-Up Jeremy Easterly both played Krank Golf newest Formula 6 heads. While Fujikura’s Groove shaft was played by the winner, Paderson shafts had a break-through performance of sorts. In addition to being played by the runner-up, competitors using Paderson shafts won a total of 16 matches in the open division and were played by 3 of the 4 final 8 competitors. The Paderson KINETIXxLoaded shaft was also played by Super Senior Division Champion, George Slupski.
Here’s what was played by the final 8.
What’s In The Bag
Tim Burke (Champion)
Krank Formula 6
Fujikura Groove
Will Hogue
Callaway XR LD
Paderson KINETIXxLoaded
Jeff Gavin
Krank Formula 5
Fujikura Flywire
Jamie Sadlowski
Callaway XR LD
Crazy
Jeremy Easterly (Runner-Up)
Krank Formula 6
Paderson KINETIXxLoaded
Justin Young
Callaway XR LD
Paderson KINETIXxLoaded
Jason Eslinger
Mutant Golf
House of Forged
Jeff Crittendon
MOI Golf
House of Forged
Revkev
8 years ago
As someone who was fortunate enough to test them through MGS earlier in the year I loved seeing all of those green Paderson Shafts at the NLDC! I’m wondering how mine would pair with a Callaway XR head?
Maybe Santa will read this note and deliver. :)