The Best Golf Driver For Hitting Long

The C830.2 is the best golf driver for hitting long. Through optimizations of 4 design parameters: volume, moment of inertia, coefficient of restitution, and center of gravity, Alpha has created a driver that has won more ReMax World Long Drive titles than any other club. While many golf club companies make the claim of having the world's longest and best golf driver, only Alpha has the awards and titles to back it up.

Moment of Inertia

The moment-of-inertia (MOI) is the measure of resistance to club twisting. The less a club twists before and during impact, the more stable it is. And, therefore, the straighter and farther the ball goes. So a high MOI driver promotes distance in off-center strikes.

There are 2 types of MOI - one affects twisting before impact and the other affects twisting during impact.

The MOI of the clubhead about its center of gravity is the first MOI metric which determines clubhead twisting during impact. Alpha maximizes this MOI by a variety of weight and geometry optimizations that separate mass from the COG axis of rotation. This is often called "perimeter weighting" in the golf industry.

The more mass that is positioned away from the central axis, the less twisting there will be. This lack of twisting promotes a very straight ball flight - especially when the center of the ball is hit off from the center of gravity axis. The Alpha C830.2’s strategic heel-to-toe weighting increases the rotational inertia to achieve this effect.

The MOI of the clubhead about the shaft axis is the second MOI metric which determines clubhead twisting before impact. On the golfer's downswing, the clubhead twists because of separation from the COG to the hosel. Golfers with fast swing speeds choose stiff shafts so the face angle can quickly recover to a square position right at the tee. But the twisting can be mitigated by moving the COG close to the hosel. In fact, the USGA regulates a minimum distance between COG and hosel, and the C830.2 hits this exact limit.

Coefficient of Restitution

The Coefficient of Restitution (COR) is the measurement of how "bouncy" an object is during impact. An object with a COR of 1 collides elastically, bouncing perfectly with no energy loss. While an object with a COR of 0 is said to collide inelastically, effectively "sticking" to the object it collides with.

Mathematically, it's measured as the ratio of velocities before and after an impact. When thinking in these terms, it’s easy to see that a higher COR means a faster ball speed after impact. And a faster ball speed means more distance. The USGA limits COR to 0.83, and the Alpha C830.2 hits this exact limit.

The maximum COR limit is reached through 2 methods:

1) Using the absolute strongest yet lightest Titanium for the face - SP700 Titanium

2) A super-thin face. A thin face provides a "spring-like effect" where the face momentarily depresses at initial contact and then "springs" back into shape at launch. If the face is too thin, the driver can crack at high swing speeds. If the face is too thick, you lose the spring-like effect where the face won't depress. The right tradeoff of thickness for the particular type of titanium is what helps maximize a driver's distance.

Center of Gravity

The Center of Gravity (COG) of a golf driver is the specific point at which the club behaves as if all the driver's mass were concentrated. The COG is located inside the head, and has 3 dimensions to it - X, Y, and Z. The X-axis is the horizontal COG location (how far, left or right, it is from the center of the club face). The Y-axis is the vertical COG (how high it is from the sole of the head). And the Z-axis is the COG depth (how far back it is from the face).

Golf clubs obviously aim to keep the horizontal COG axis right at the center of the club face. Aligning the horizontal COG with the sweet spot of the club face maximizes the Moment of Inertia - see MOI a few paragraphs above.

For the vertical COG, we want to keep this generally high to avoid topspin. If the ball is hit above the COG, it launches with topspin which results in a very poor ball flight. If the ball is hit below the COG, it induces desirable backspin since the ball rolls up as it leaves the face while the face twists downwards.

For the Z-axis COG, we want it far back from the face without going too deep. A deeper COG allows for more "dynamic loft" to get the ball airborne. But going too deep reduces the MOI if the COG gets close to the weight in the back of the head.

Positioning the center of gravity vertically high, horizontally center, and back away from the face is done by careful positioning of the weight. For example, we add more weight on the crown of the head to raise the position of the COG. We make the head shape deep so that more weight is positioned away from the clubface, thus moving the COG back. And having the largest volume allowed (460CC) also lets us maneuver the COG in the best possible position.

Variable Face Thickness

Alpha Golf’s patented Increased Target Design (ITD) varies the thickness across the face. By making the center of the face thinner and the outer radius thicker.  The result is a giant sweet spot. No matter where you make impact with the ball, every drive can be long and straight!

Construction

The 4 parameters to engineering a long distance driver are mostly scientific - the Volume, MOI, COR, and COG can be optimized through computer-aided design software. But there is also an art to club design. The construction and manufacturing of a club head specifically for long-distance drives requires some creative and unique solutions.

Most off-the-shelf drivers are made with a 4-piece construction, gluing together the face and body. They momentarily deform at high swing speeds, resulting in energy loss. The C830.2 utilizes state-of-the-art plasma welding to cold forge the SP700 Titanium face to the body.  The enables to the driver to effectively act like a solid single piece on contact. Golf swings thus get virtually loss-less impacts on every drive. Energy loss (through deformation or sound or any other factor) is something the USGA does not measure or regulate.

The plasma welding also enables engineers to move weight away from the face and towards the back of the club for optimal center of gravity.

Plasma welding is a much more expensive and time-consuming endeavor than traditional club head construction. But this innovative manufacturing process is one of the long-distance secrets behind the Alpha C830.2.  

Technology Points

• Super-thin SP700 Titanium face for enhanced trampoline effect

• Minimized COG to hosel distance reduces side-spin, increases MOI

• Plasma welded face creates a solid feel and sound

• Variable face thickness expands the effective sweet spot

Headcover

A purchase of the C830.2 Plasma driver includes Alpha's easy-to-use Magnetic headcover. Not only is it a great compliment to your driver, this fast and simple design makes protecting your new Alpha driver a snap!

 

I just wanted to drop you a report on my new driver I got from you.  Awesome!!  I stuck a drive inside 10' from the pin on a 305 yard par 4 last night.  I also hit the longest drive of my life a couple weeks ago. On a 364 yard par 4, I was only 20' from the green on my drive.  I had some wind at my back but still.. that is 350 yards. That is an incredible drive for me. My playing partners were wowed to say the least...

I won longest drive in the fairway the only night we had that competition in league too.  Needless to say, I'm very satisfied with the driver you set me up with.  Thanks again!

- Ron P, Oconto Falls, WI

Being a club builder, I have built a number of drivers. This head may be the best I have ever had.

- Donald V, Lakeland, FL

The 6 degree driver has so far replaced my old 8 degree driver. The trajectory is what I was looking for. My miss hits do not go off line as much as my old driver, the feel is solid and I am back to hitting the fairway and lower scores. I even hit it on 2 holes that I would normally use a 3 wood off the T. Nice club solid feel.

- William R, Northville, MI

Best Driver I have ever hit,both distance and accuracy. The big names have nothing over on this driver. Glad I heard about it

- Robert G, Lower Burrell, PA

I bought a driver and 3 wood and hit them on the range and they felt very good.

- Daniel S, Houston, TX

The Alpha Driver, C830.2 Plasma - 12° Head arrived here in Auckland, New Zealand faster than I thought it would and after installing a shaft and grip, it sure performed better than I thought it would. It was awesome !! A golf buddy tried it and he could not believe the flight and accuracy he was getting. He's a 25 Hcp marker and he was driving like a single figure marker. Now he's about to order an Alpha Driver too. The local Pro who fitted the shaft also had a hit with it. He was so confused because it was not built to his specs but the ball just sizzled down the right side of the fairway then drew slightly back to the centre. It went further than his normal drives. It blew him away too - and he has never heard of Alpha before. That may have wrecked his confidence about his own driver now. I've wanted to get one of these for over a year now but it's hard if you can't trial one - it's a bit of a gamble - but I'm so gald I did. The feel at impact is unbelievable

- Jim H, New Zealand

Jim spent several minutes w/ me on the phone discussing your product in detail helping me select the right head for me. Ordered a head and asked to have the product shipped overnight. Carol insured it would be here - and it was. This head is very easy to look at the ball explodes off the club head. Can't believe this head is relatively unknown to the general market. I'm a 3 handicap, and very picky w/ my equipment. This C830.2 Plasma head "feels" the best I've hit - so very solid. Looks and sounds perfectly. I've played every top brand driver on the market over the years and none have have felt better than this. Thanks and keep up the great work!

- Ron S, Leo, IN

I Love it.

- Joseph B, Portland, OR

LOVE THE CLUB

- Bobby J, Indianapolis, IN

Great Service. The club was just what I expected!!!

- Karen S, Westminster, CA

It is a wonderful club. I intend to upgrade my entire set with Alpha clubs. I am thoroughly impressed!

- Paul G, Storrs, CT

Hands down, Best Driver I have ever hit. I play to +1.5 index and have hit numerous other drivers, all of which were about the same, 280 - 320yards, depending on my swing for that day. The alpha C830.2 has been nothing but amazing, the few rounds I have played with it, not only has my shot dispersion greatly improved but all my drives so far have been int the range of 305 - 365yards(I popped 2 of the 365yarders). I kid you not this is a awesome piece of technology. I will recommend it to anyone who asks....

- Jason V, Hungtinton Beach, CA

I am impressed with the order although it was my first experience in this kind of business. Thank you very much. With regard to the the item ie Alpha golf driver,where can I write my review. I think there are a lot to comment on the product to further promote to golfers especially in Malaysia. My best regards.

- Marhaban O, Malaysia

By far the best quality components on the market!! I would rank them as good as or better than the so called "BIG BOYS" in the business. My golfing experience has now improved greatly playing the ALPHA C830.2 driver, three wood and the new Hybrids. Thank you

- Donald B, Roseville, CA