Top 10 New Drivers of 2004As part of the About.com Golf "Best of 2004" equipment ratings, here are our selections for the best new drivers of 2004 (more selections on the Best of 2004 homepage; see also last year's picks in the 2003 rankings). The r7 Quad is a do-it-yourself driver: change the launch conditions by adjusting four removable tungsten screws. A golfer can thereby alter the center of gravity, raise or lower the trajectory, create a draw bias or fade bias. Therefore, the r7 Quad requires some basic equipment knowledge; its hefty pricetag requires some bucks. But TaylorMade's creation is a technological breakthrough that heralds near-term development of the driver. More infoThe KZG Gemini was originally ruled non-conforming by the USGA, which found the face too "hot" despite the fact the driver met the COR limitations. (The USGA ruling was reversed on appeal.) The Gemini is a "dual-faced" driver, with a second "clubface" slightly behind the first, inside the clubhead. The company says accuracy and forgiveness are the key benefits, but we found the Gemini offered great distance, too. No. 3 on our list is another driver taking advantage of technological breakthroughs. The Nickent Genex Cross features a carbon composite crown that is lighter than the material it replaces; therefore, more weight can be repositioned to the sole of the club to create a lower, deeper center of gravity and expanded sweet spot. Cobra's line of "COMP" drivers also use the carbon-composite crown to reposition weight. The 454 is the largest of the group at, you guessed it, 454cc in head volume. It features the largest sweet spot of any Cobra driver, according to the company, and is designed for all skill levels. More infoIn the words of David Duval, "What a sledgehammer!" The Ping G2 checks in at 460cc, and features an internal weighting system that reduces spin and launches the ball higher for added distance and accuracy. The G2L and G2 EZ models are built for women and players with slow swing speeds, respectively. More infoThe little brother of the r7 Quad, the r5 Dual is less complicated and less expensive, but of course that also means it offers fewer options. Its tungsten screws are fixed, but the club can be ordered with draw bias or a no bias. The r5 Dual also has a larger clubhead than the r7. Nakashima - simply Nak to its many fans - is a relatively young "boutique" company that has drawn many plaudits for its woods. The NP-1 series features clubheads of 380cc, 420cc, 442cc and 460cc. As we wrote in our original review, "Our crew found the 420cc NP-1 to be long and straight, and - not to get too wimpy on you - pretty to boot." The "ML" in the AirMax's name stands for "multi layer." That refers to the face and head construction which, similar to the KZG Gemini, incorporates a second "face" slightly behind the outward striking face inside the head. Like many of Precept's clubs these days, the EC Fuel driver features a pressure-injected elastomer compound insert within the clubhead. That reduces vibration and helps create better feel. It must work - most golfers we know who've tried the EC Fuel driver feel pretty darn good about it. More infoVisit the About.com Golf Forums to make your own selections for the best new drivers of 2004. | 
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