WATCH: Pro Baseball Player Explodes His Driver

Over the past few years, many driver manufacturers, including TaylorMade, Callaway and Cobra, have incorporated carbon fiber into their designs to help redistribute weight in a more favorable, forgiving manner. 

Unfortunately, the carbon fiber—which is an incredibly strong, lightweight material by itself—can be compromised by the glue holding everything together, as shown by Mets utility man Jeff McNeil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Jeff McNeil (@jeffmcneil805)

After smoking a drive at Cypress Ridge Golf Course, McNeil’s SIM driver appears to have called it quits, with the carbon crown literally exploding off upon impact.

Sadly, this doesn’t appear to be an isolated issue, as a quick Google search of any driver that features carbon construction can be found with damage that, in all likelihood, compromises performance. 

Setting aside negligent ownership, like not putting a cover on your driver in between shots to prevent bag chatter from irons and wedges,  this is a tad concerning, especially as carbon becomes a more and more frequently used in golf clubs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Eric B. (@hozel_rocket)

Indeed, the new, yet-to-be-confirmed TaylorMade Stealth will be the first driver (that I’m aware of) to feature a carbon face.  And while this stands to be the next “big” advancement in face technology (following recent developments, like Callaway’s Jailbreak and A.I.-designed Flash Face, Cobra’s CNC milled face, and TaylorMade’s Speed Injected face), there may be some concern over how the carbon face will be fastened to the rest of the Stealth’s club head.

Since the red, diamond-pattern face appears to be more of an insert that is not screwed in or can be welded on (like a traditional titanium face).

Cover Image Via Instagram