Equipment Review:
KZG GF 460 Driver, by Jeffrey Reed
Editor, LondonOntarioGolf.com

Long before North Hollywood, California-based KZG released its latest driver – the GF 460 – we here at London Ontario Golf called this 460cc club “the most highly-anticipated new club of 2007.” Once again, KZG comes through with a solid offering which promises to improve your game.

KZG has a much-deserved reputation for manufacturing top-quality clubs, and concurrently carries a lofty reputation for its “#1 Custom ProLine” moniker. Clubfitting professionals may complete an advanced training course for KZG certification as Master Clubfitters at KZG’s California headquarters. Locally, both John Moffat at Club Craft (The Bluffs of Port Stanley), and Claude Giroux at The Village Green Golf Range and Practice Centre in Stoney Point are KZG clubfitters.

Before KZG’s recent release of the GF 460, it launched the GF 4 driver, a slightly smaller driver at 425cc but boasting an incredible 2,401 different weight options, thanks to four weight ports. Prior to the GF 4 driver, KZG’s Gemini and Gemini II 460cc drivers set the bar high in terms of overall performance – fairways hit, workability, and explosive distance. In fact, I used the original Gemini driver en route to a new course record of 62 at Caradoc Sands GC in nearby Strathroy, Ontario.

The GF 4 is a very solid offering, but who wouldn’t put its big brother with a 460cc head into play, when it offers even more forgiveness, a deeper Centre of Gravity (CG), greater Moment of Inertia (MOI) for less clubhead twisting, and even longer distance – combined with custom fitting? Hence, my anticipation of KZG’s move into a 460cc driver with moveable weights.

After two separate test sessions and two rounds of golf, the jury can now release its verdict: the GF 460 driver is hands down the top performing driver we have tested thus far in 2007. It’s straight, but workable; it’s off-the-chart long; and it looks great.

Here are the specs on the GF 460 driver. KZG’s own Gravitational Force Technology features numerous weighting options – 128 different ways to customize your driver, as a matter of fact. There are two strategically-positioned weight portals, and a selection of screws in seven different weights of 1.5, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 g. In the hands of a professional clubfitter – KZG’s highly recommended option – the GF 460 driver is adjustable for swingweight, launch angle and draw/fade bias.

I had the pros at KZG custom fit my driver head in neutral at 16 g (using two 8 g screws). And unlike other variable-weight drivers, the GF 460 weight portals are positioned deep inside the head, where changes in weight and CG have the greatest effect. And what an effect they have made on my swing, which prior to using this driver already produced a lower, Tour-like trajectory. The GF 460 produces a long, boring trajectory – so straight you could hang your laundry on it for 300 yards. It produces my ideal trajectory – the best of any driver I have ever hit.
My GF 460 driver utilizes the NovaTech graphite shaft. Now, I must admit, NovaTech is not my preferred shaft – every good golfer has a favourite shaft, correct? However, I am now a new fan of the NovaTech shaft, and perhaps that is because it is the perfect partner of the GF 460 driver. I tested the NovaTech 7500 graphite shaft in a stiff flex, cut to 45 in. This is a very high-performing shaft for faster swing tempos, featuring heavier weight graphite, very low torque, a mid bend point and a firm responsive tip. It’s designed to promote a high launch and low spin, perfect for today’s oversize drivers. Yet, with the deep CG in the GF 460, I found the trajectory perfect for my personal shotmaking with a swing speed within the 95 to 120 mph-plus range.

We hear the analogy that great automobiles drive themselves. The same is true with the GF 460 – a driver that, well, drives all by itself. An easy swing of good mechanics will produce a long bomb each and every time. How good is it? We tested a total of 12 drivers, among them some of the best-known drivers released this year. The results: the GF 460 was the most consistently straight driver, and the longest driver amongst the pack.

KZG president Jennifer King calls the GF 460 a “powerhouse” driver, and she’s right. This club “allows golfers to exceed their own expectations in terms of distance and accuracy,” says King. After our aforementioned test, we concur with King.

The GF 460 is available in lofts of 9.5, 10.5, 12 and 14 deg., and in a left-handed loft of 10.5 deg. The 9.5-degree driver I tested has a perfect neutral face angle – and that’s important. A driver must allow a golfer to feel comfortable as soon as he or she grips the club. A midnight black head, mirror sole finish and brushed satin face combine to create a classic-looking driver that is sure to turn heads – heads of those who wisely put this club in their bag, and their playing partners, who are sure to test this club after seeing their partners’ results.

We love the GF 460 driver – and so will you. It’s a highly-recommended club for those needing to improve their game off the tee.

The GF 460 from KZG carries a MRSP of $439 US in graphite, and an optional $409 US with steel shaft. For more about the GF 460 and KZG, visit www.kzggolf.com.