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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from nc on 11/9/2009
I got my Caiman 9.5 and a SK Fiber Pure energy stiff shaft on friday and glued it up. I took it to the range sunday morning to test drive it. I hit about 40 balls and my results were impressive. First off, this head looks puurrrdy and the build and paint quality looked great. I found it hard to not hit the ball straight. The sweet spot is huge on this thing. I took my 975J with me too and the Caiman is longer and more forgiving. I also like the sound at impact..not too loud but not muted. The black face tells you where you hit it but wipes off easily. I have the shaft cut at 46" but need to cut it back down to 45". This head shaft combination made for a higher ball flight then I desire and needed to adjust my ball position back to get it down. I will give another review once I test it some more.
from Oak Harbor, WA on 10/7/2009
Built with Blue Ice shaft "R" flex and left at 47" with Winns RF wraps. Got an extra few yards out of it but can't get the accuracy from it I get from my Snake Eyes Python. Sure do love the look of this puppy tho!!!!!
Would limit my recommendation to someone who plays wide fairways.
from Duluth, MN on 10/7/2009
I've built a few of these and many folks have hit this driver (with SK Fiber Lite Rev 1 shaft). With feedback from a couple of dozen people, they have ALL loved this club. Buddies last week in a scramble were all 3-5 handicappers and they were putting away their Ping, Cally and Taylormade drivers to hit this driver: all were very accomplished and they felt that their drivers did not exceed the Caiman's performance. Too bad the previous reviewer had a bad experience, but I've got over 20 golfers who have hit this club and love it!
from Oak Harbor, WA on 10/2/2009
This head gave me an added 30 yards but lost shot accuracy. Found it not to be consistant as old driver. Not for the beginner.
from loma linda ,ca on 9/4/2009
how much you pay for the good reviews? This ie one rotten driver. Not only ie it almost impossible to find the fairway but I could get no distance. I have played 3 rounds with it and have only hit the fairway 11 times and I have lost 15 to 20 yards off of the tee. I have finally given up on it.
from Ontario, Canada on 7/13/2009
I was initially skeptical about the claims for this club. After playing two rounds with it I convinced myself that this club does actually go straighter than any other driver I used. The distance is as long as my last driver, however I am more confident with using it.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Greenfield, Wi on 7/1/2009
longer and more accurate than my Titleist 983K.
Caiman 10.5* loft, with a Acer X class A flex shaft,
total length 45in.
from Central Pennsylvania on 6/11/2009
Assembled the 10.5 degree driver using the Adila "Gamer" stiff shaft as recommended. I've used it for about 9 rounds with-in the last month. I originally thought that it wasn't as long as my previous driver and the ball flight was too high, however after learning that a lower tee height is very critical to launch a boring ball with this club which is slightly unusual for a 460cc driver..I've picked up about 20 yards distance beyond my previous driver, usually in the fairway and the club is working out great.
from Lawrenceville, VA on 6/4/2009
I just used this driver for the first time and was pleasantly surprised at the feel and accuracy it has. I get more distance than with my old driver but the confidence factor is the most important. I feel that every drive is going to be a good one! Just a great club.
from Western NY on 6/4/2009
The best driver I have ever owned. Way better than any of the OEM drivers!
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Eastern PA on 6/3/2009
I have been a die-hard R7 player for years, not that I haven't tried others, but the R7 always won out in distance and control. I'm a total gear junkie, so to tell the truth I don't know how I even came to own the Caiman 10.5. I've always played a 9.5, so the Caiman just set there for a bit. I was experimenting with the Faz-Fit interchangable shaft system and didn't want to "screw up" a "good" head, so I grabbed the Caiman. After a range session I was blown away. My average R7 drive is 272yds (I keep stats with my gps). My bad Caiman drives were around 265yds. Several drives found the bushes at the back of the range (about 310). I'd occasionally do that with my R7. On my home course I actually had to change my strategy, because I was reaching trouble that I never had to worry about before (a nice problem to have). I hit 10 fairways (probably could have been 2 more had I taken a different line). Based on my gps readings from that round, my average driving distance increased from 272yds to 295yds! Ridiculous. I'm ordering the 9.5 today and looking to break 300yds. Every mid-handicap player out there (who doesn't live in Eastern PA) would do themselves a favor by picking one of these up. There's a reason the Caiman has over 20+ ***** rating here.
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from Duluth, MN on 6/1/2009
I've built many Hireko drivers, and other makes (reshafting OEM's, most of the component clubhead companies, etc) and this is about the best I've built/played. It stays in my bag! Displaced a component head that cost 3-4x this head and was a fabulous driver that had stayed in my bag 2 whole years!, which is saying quite alot, but Caiman wins!
Paired with SK Fiber Lite Rev 1. Both head and shaft are lower to mid launchers, but the ball still goes plenty high and rolls a long way.
"Explosive" seems over-used, but it captures the experience. Not really any louder than anyone else's driver BTW, just a nice powerful sound. Excellent feel and feedback, just release Da Beast and it will do the job.
Looks much cooler that I thought it would from the pictures, lots of folks comment that it's really an eye-catcher. But, then they hit it and ask me, "who makes this club?" after their ball is way down the fairway.
Probably one of the best products I've seen from Hireko and I've been building (and loving) their components for about 8 years. Can't go wrong with Caiman!
from RI on 5/5/2009
My old driver was good but this new head feels like it accelerates itself on the down swing. I feel like it has less air resistance and is going faster. I'll have to check it but sure feels nice.
from E. Longmeadow, Mass on 5/4/2009
Just turned 69 years old and loosing distance every year.Clubhead speed with driver is 93 mph down 10 mph from 10 years ago. Have played for 50 years and usually buy at least 2 drivers and 2 sets of irons every year and have already bought a new 2009 Taylormade Burner 10.5 reg and Titleist AP1 graphite irons this year. I do all my own club work and bought the Caimen 12 deg head based on an article in one of the golf magazines. Installed a Fujikura Fit-on-11 Six reg. tipped 1" and 45" overall. Have only hit it at the range comparing it to my Burner and my Ping Rapture 9 deg. Trajectory is perfect for me and actually lower than that of the Taylor. Overall distance is excellent a bit longer than both the Taylor and the Ping and is also very straight. Can't wait to play a round with it .May finally be convinced that a great driver doesn't have to cost [$]
from Dayton, Maine on 5/4/2009
Caimen 10.5 Driver assembled with spine aligned True Temper Rocket Senior Flex graphite shaft and Golf Pride Tour Wrap grip.
My golf partners are amazed with how straight and long I hit this driver, it has improved my game off the tee tremendously!
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Denver on 11/10/2008
This driver is a surpurb product! I assembled it with a Cadence 55 shaft and a Karma grip and couldn't be happier. I regularly hit between 225-240 yards with this driver. My total cost was under $100, which represents less than a third of the cost of many OME drivers on the market. The club has a classic look at address and does not appear large and bulky. By "teeing it high and letting fly" this driver has actually made driving one of the most enjoyable parts of my current game. Incidently, the matching fairway wood and hybrid clubs make for a very nice set. I would say this is the best driver I have ever owned. The decoration and paint job makes it an attractive club and one for which I have been offered $250 for on the spot. Needless, to say, I didn't sell, but made one for the customer for about half that price and he has been back for a full set of irons and hybrids!! Great product!
from Dogwood Golf Club, Dutchess County ,NY on 10/14/2008
fine driver with the q shaft. good addition. shape is clean, sound is modes, unlike my new Sumo SQ clanger. feels stable s do other q models like the two screw driver. Shaft is modest in cost but excellent--reshafted all my Power Play woods and hybrids--and I have lots--old series and new and they are all new clubs, though the large woods remain better and more useful than the hybrids. All in all a bargain driver that performs like the best of the mainline drivers if not better...and the reshafted clubs are killers as well......
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from colfax, wa on 10/2/2008
This club is awesome. I have the 10.5 and bought the 9.5 to get a little more distance. I got distance and the most accurage club off the tee, just like the 10.5. I have tried several lower degree drivers and while I can hit them long, they are not consistent. The 9.5 is long and straight. It exceeded my expectations and they were already high with the 10.5. Thanks for making the 9.5 degree version of an already great club.
from Stillwater, OK on 9/24/2008
I need to stop lending out my drivers. My neighbor borrowed my Caiman(see earlier post) and bought it after one round. Long, straight and in the fairway like never before for him. I may order 2 heads at a time from now on just to save time.
[0 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Smyrna, TN on 9/14/2008
I really like the look and feel of this driver head but I have tried 3 different shafts with somewhat disappointing results. After several rounds and countless sessions at the range, I still prefer my previous driver - the Dynacraft Avatar Inversion 9.1 degree.
from Stillwater, OK on 9/8/2008
Had my Q2 bought out from under me, (another great Hireko design)leaving me with the need to replace it. I made a 12* Caiman for a friend that won't stop raving about it, so I thought I might give it a try. Stuck an X-stiff UST shaft in a 10.5* head, and surprised myself with the feel, distance, and straightness. Was out-driving my former golf-pro brother, watching him hit from the rough while I was in the middle of the fairway. Worth twice the price, and really responsive to a better shaft. Save your money on the big boys, buy the big hitter.
from Claremore, Ok on 9/5/2008
I am 68 years of age, to be able to drive 275-300 yards, makes me feel young again, I absolutely love this driver, I can not wait until the new #3 wood comes out, I will buy it immediately.
from Burlington, MA on 8/3/2008
assembled with Aldila Gamer shaft as suggested by Jeff. Very happy with response so far. Will try fairway wood when available(have ordered components)
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Raleigh, NC on 7/31/2008
I built this club to compare with my Mantara XL driver (which I love) - both are 10.5 degrees and are fitted with True Ace Green Ghost shaft, tipped between regular and stiff. I am 71 and am looking for a reliable driver.
This club is more dependably straight than the Mantara, but to date (I have played it a half dozen times) doesn't go quite as far as the XL. I use a Natural swing and my ball flight with the Mantara is lower than with the Caiman, and has a greater amount of top spin, adding at least 50 yards to my ball flight. The Caiman has more of a normal ball flight with a greater carry distance, but does not roll as far.
I recommend this club for those who want to be able to have the ball go where you aim - it is ideal for narrow fairways. The club has a great look, and I already have built one for a friend.
from Honolulu, Hawaii on 7/25/2008
Caiman 12 degree built with a spined and aligned Cadence 55 R shaft. 45" total length with a Winn DSi midsize grip. Tip weight added to make D3 SW.
I'll say that this driver feels great. Good launch angle, very straight and is 10-15 yards longer than the club it replaces. Looks nice too!
from Sparta MI on 7/8/2008
The driver instills confidence that I never had before. I know I will hit the ball and hit it straight. I installed a Shadow UL Senior Flex graphite shaft. I get good distance for me.
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from Southern Pennsylvania on 5/7/2008
I bought the 12* and assembled to an Aldila VS Proto
S-flex 45" D0. I am hitting some of the nicest, most solid feeling BOMBS I've ever hit. I've had dozens of OEM and components drivers and nothing compares to the confidence the Caiman gives me on the tee. The sound, feel and look are awesome. Long drives that I can work right or left at will doesn't hurt either.
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from Denver, CO on 5/7/2008
I had pulled a Fujikura Reax shaft off of a Taylor Made R7. And I installed it on a 10.5 degree Caiman. This thing hits long and straight.. It hits higher than normal, but with today's balls you want to hit it high to get more distance/carry. It is hard to bend the ball with this one, so if you are looking for Draws and Fades you would have to choose a different club, but it is very stable and down the middle.
from The Netherlands on 4/21/2008
After a poor round of golf using my own driver (McGregor) where I missed all tee shots. I took out the new Caiman to hit a few balls on the range. I fitted the Caiman with an Aldila Gamer shaft. The first shot was deadstraight over 200 mtrs long (with headwind). I hit the one after the other straight shot very far. I put the McGregor on e-bay when I got home. The only regret is that I only took the Caiman out after my round. Playing again tomorrow, I cannot wait....
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Washington State on 4/17/2008
This is best driver I have owned and for the money, you can't beat it. I put in the True Ace Blue Crush shaft and stiff trimmed it per advice from Jeff and I could not be happier. I hit it long off the tee and down the middle regularly. I owned the Prophet prior to this and loved it but it has been replaced with the Caiman. Buy it and put it together. You won't be disapointed.
from The Villages Florida on 4/12/2008
Have already tried the Acer Mantara titanium and the Power Play System Q2 drivers. The Power Play Caiman Titanium Driver is the best of all. Hits extremely long and very straight. I am outdriving my playing partners by 30-60 yards with their OEM drivers.
I believe this will be a big seller for me.
from HIGH RIDGE on 3/16/2008
I built a 12 deg. with a r flex graphite shaft and a winn G7 grip.
The first thing I noticed is the balanced feel when swinging this.
The sound is very quiet when hitting this. To many, this will be very apealing. I have lost driver sales due to the "tinny" sound,so I was very impressed by the improvement here.
as far as distance, my longest drive to date was yesterday with this driver,340 yds (all fairway)!
My longest to that point was about 300 so when swinging correctly my distance has been grealy improved.
I love this driver, the only minor con is the color scheme. But with results like this, that should not even matter in the end!!
GIVE THIS A TRY ASAP!!
kevin@
russell custom golf