The Dynacraft Copperhead CU line of component woods is one of the world’s most popular. Made of 17-4 stainless steel, the CU’s are surprisingly inexpensive. The Copperhead’s are obviously inspired by Taylor Made woods and are similar in all but name and design graphics. In the eyes of many, however, the CU’s are better looking than the orange TM FireSoles.
The Copperhead woods entered our testing schedule by accident. One of our regular testers – a mid-high handicapper who had access to our many demo woods – was playing golf with a friend who used Copperhead’s. He tried them and he loved them. The next day he put in an order for a 3 & a 5 wood even though he could have free, non-Copperhead woods. He showed up at our range later with his new woods, each in Copperhead graphite CUt an extra 1″ long. So, we tried them.
The very inexpensive Copperhead Straight Taper graphite shaft is too soft and torquey for many even at standard length. At 1″ overlength, it proved too flexible to be suitable for sustained testing. It was suited only to big, round, slow-tempo swings. We got big distances out of this combination from those suited to it, but the soaring trajectories were too high for those partial to penetrating flight patterns. However, the feel of the clubs was so sweet, and the overall likeability so great, that we decided to try one out in a higher grade shaft CUt to standard length.
The Aldila TGw60 (that stands for Tour Grade wood 60 grams) is a favored shaft among slow-tempo testers. We wanted to maintain the same sweet, friendly feel of the first woods, but with more control. Both the 60 gram weight and 3.8 degree torque of TGw are substantially lower than the Copperhead graphite which is also made by Aldila. The high bend point and reinforced tip of the TGw are designed to compliment modern, low-profile woods – woods that have a tendency to hit too high due to the low centers of gravity created by their shallow profiles.
The new combination proved to be a good one. The feel at impact was very sweet without being overly soft. Trajectories were still high, but were quite well within acceptable range. This 15 degree 3-wood hit for three wood distances while retaining an overall feel and ease similar to that of most 5-woods. Thanks in part to the copper weights in the sole, the ball got quickly and effortlessly.
Side by side hitting was done with the Integra L-Series 15 degree, Titleist 975F 14.5 degree, Golfsmith XPC Tour Steel and Square Two Rough Relief Tour Profile 16 degree. The Copperhead was clearly the most friendly of these woods. Both feel and trajectories were less aggressive – less punchy, than the others. Hard-hitters and those who want to hit low screaming draws and power fades should look elsewhere – or at least for different shaft choices.
- Dynacraft Copperhead CU
- 3 & 5 woods, Copperhead Straight Taper graphite, regular
- 3 wood, Aldila TGw 60 graphite, regular
- Aldila 3wd = 43 1/2″, Swingweight D0, Overall weight 323gr
- LH Available
On-course, the CU played exactly as it did on the range – safe and easy – a forgiving wood. A sense of comfortable confidence came quickly. There was a good sense of effortless control. Alignment was intuitive thanks in part to the recessed lines on the head. We had good acCUracy and consistent patterns that favored “straight”. Hooks and slices were rare. The club felt like a long approach wood with trajectories more like a long-hitting 4-wood than a standard three. This aspect of its performance would make it beneficial to many players; less so to others.
The Copperhead’s have a useful sole design with a center-mounted copper weight. This allows for good versatility from tight lies, fairway and moderate rough. The shallow profile limits its use in very heavy rough, however – too much chance of submarining. We were able to work the ball adequately well with the CU’s, but these are not woods that will generally be used by low-handicappers. they are pretty much “hit ‘em straight and safe down the middle woods”.
Summary
If you are looking for a likeable, user-friendly wood that has a feel of quality at a low price, than give these a whirl. As with the Copperhead irons, these are safe bet with excellent universal appeal. The Copperhead graphite shafts look cool and feel good. It will do fine for most mid-high to high handicapped players. For a greater look of sophistication, try the elegant looking Aldila TGw. It made for a sweet club with better than average control. Stronger hitters and more aggressive players may want to try steel shafts.
