SMT 455 Deep Bore
I have always read a lot about SMT golf. Especially their drivers. I am was in search for a new driver so I decided I would give SMT a try. I called them and asked them about their demo program. For around $20.00 I could get any one of their drivers for a demo period of two weeks. I chose the SMT 455 Deep Bore. They did not have the driver and shaft combo that I wanted so they made a new club for me to try. I thought that was pretty nice. I put in my order and received the club a few days later.
As soon as I opened the box I noticed the SMT head-cover. It is now one of my favorite head-cover designs. The head-cover has a row of magnets that snugly close the cover around the shaft. Second I noticed that the SMT 455 Deep Bore has no groves on the face. I thought this was to keep spin down, but I was wrong. There are no groves on the SMT 455 Deep Bore because it has a Life Time Warranty and having no groves makes the club head stronger. The Third thing I noticed was the color of the club head. Similar to the Wilson Deep Red color from a few years back, but with more of a candy apple look. I was also excited to see the shaft because it was the brand new SMT RLM shaft.
After admiring the clubs aesthetics for a while I took it to the course to see how it played. Right from the start I feel in love with the RLM shaft. I ordered it in extra stiff so I was expecting for it to feel a little harsh like so many extra stiffs feel. The RLM shaft feels smooth, very smooth. The club head it self felt good as well. I am used to a Nike Ignite and it took me a while to get used to the feeling that the 455 Deep Bore has. The Deep Bore had a vibrant, lively feeling.
The 455 Deep Bore performed on the course like a dream. It was a fairway hitter for me that hit the fairways along way out. The club was harder than OEM clubs to snap hook, which is why I ordered the SMT. So no complaints there. However, I did loose it rite on occasion. I like the 455 Deep Bore coupled with the RLM shaft because I can not over-swing it. My only complaint about the club is the grip that came on it.
Conclusion:
Over all the SMT 455 Deep Bore is with out a doubt one of the drivers that you should look at when purchasing a new driver. The performance coupled with the extremely low price of around $260 (custom built for you) should put this driver up high on your list.
Distance: 7
Accuracy: 8
Feel: 8
Head cover: 9
Grip: 5