Jananese golf clubs FOURTEEN CT-518 DRIVER review

Test Review: FOURTEEN CT-518 Driver

Today, I tested the FOURTEEN CT-518 Driver.

The shaft is the FT-15d. Specs: 10.5° loft, 47.75-inch length, SR flex, 50g shaft weight, 5.9 torque, D6 swing weight, mid kick point, total club weight of 295g.

FOURTEEN is best known for their wedges and irons, but they’ve released excellent drivers in the past—such as the DT-111, CT-112. These legendary models left a lasting impression, and seeing a new FOURTEEN driver always brings back excitement and anticipation.

The CT-518 features a shallow head design, following the modern trend many manufacturers adopt today. It seems the demand for this head shape is strong.

There’s a visible weight-like component near the toe.

The red design on the heel side is distinctive—reminiscent of a fairway wood I tested previously. Possibly from the same product line?

The hosel looks short relative to the head, though this has become quite common. There’s no adjustability—just a simple, clean design.

Its shallow shape makes the head appear voluminous—almost disc-like, but not excessively so.

The face is beautifully finished with no roughness or cheapness—classic FOURTEEN craftsmanship.

The head has a unique triangular shape, reminiscent of Titleist’s 907 D1. Such bold shapes are rarely seen today.

The soft-feeling grip offers excellent texture—suitable across all club types.

Swinging it felt light and long. With a 47.75″ length and D6 balance, timing was difficult. The lightweight feel didn’t convey much head weight, making timing tricky. A smooth, big swing works better than trying to swing it like a standard-length driver.

At address, it felt normal despite its length. Slight draw bias was apparent but not overdone. I could set up and swing naturally.

Impact felt solid. Despite expecting a softer feel, it was firm but acceptable.

Sound was loud and high-pitched—not unpleasant, just noticeable.

Launch was easy and high—possibly too high—with added spin causing ballooning.

Stability is a strength here. Very forgiving with a wide sweet spot.

Distance performance was average. Likely affected by excess spin and height. For those who prefer high-launch setups, it could still deliver solid performance.

Workability was limited. It’s a “let-the-club-do-the-work” type. I found drawing the ball easier than fading it.

This is definitely a long-shaft driver. Though the trend has waned, it’s still out there. Personally, I prefer staying around 45″.

The advantage of a large head is it supports longer shafts, potentially boosting swing speed and distance.

FOURTEEN has long been associated with long-shaft drivers, and that legacy continues. I remember when these drivers stuck out of golf bags—they might become trendy again.

Its lightweight and soft shaft suggest it’s designed to be accessible for a wide range of golfers. While not my first choice for course play, I see its potential for expanding your playing style.

In conclusion, this is a well-crafted “easy-to-use” driver. If you like shallow heads, max-length shafts, and boosting swing speed for distance, this club is worth trying. Among today’s ultra-high-performance drivers, this one strikes a nice “average” balance—no extreme features, but solid throughout.

Japanese page

*Addition: Introduction to this club (I researched this club after writing this article)

Fourteen CT-518 Driver Full Review: Specs, Reviews, and Thorough Evaluation

From Fourteen’s official website

Overview

The Fourteen CT-518 Driver was developed with “straight and long flight” as its top priority. Released on June 9, 2018, it features Fourteen’s largest ever moment of inertia, aiming to balance long-shaft design for distance performance with high straightness.

Fourteen CT-518 Driver Full Review: Specs, Reviews, and Thorough Evaluation

Overview

The Fourteen CT-518 Driver was developed with “straight and long flight” as its top priority. Released on June 9, 2018, it features Fourteen’s largest ever moment of inertia, aiming to balance long-shaft design for distance performance with high straightness.

Basic Specifications

• Head Specifications:
  • Loft Angles: 9°, 10.5°, 11.5°
  • Lie Angle: 58°
  • Head Volume:
    • 9°: 445cc
    • 10.5°: 450cc
    • 11.5°: 415cc
  • Face Material: Titanium alloy
  • Release Date: June 9, 2018
• Shaft Lineup and Price:
  • FT-15d: 69,300 JPY (tax included)
  • TS-717d: 69,300 JPY (tax included) ※46inch recommended
  • TS-316d・TS-317d: 74,800 JPY (tax included) ※46inch recommended
  • TS-216d: 74,800 JPY (tax included) ※47.75inch compatible
  • TS-916・TS-917・TS-918: 74,800 JPY (tax included) ※46inch recommended
• Length and Weight Settings:
  • Club Length: 46 inches, 47.75 inches (47.25 inches also listed for this model [1])
  • Total Weight: Approx. 295g (varies by shaft and loft)
  • Balance: D2～D6 (varies by shaft and loft)

Technical Features

1. Easy Address with Large Projected Area: Despite its head volume of 430cc to 450cc, the CT-518 utilizes a streamlined, shallow head design to achieve a large projected area. This provides a sense of stability greater than its actual head size, allowing for confident swings without hesitation.
2. Fourteen’s Largest Moment of Inertia: The CT-518 achieves Fourteen’s largest moment of inertia. This high moment of inertia suppresses head wobbling caused by off-center hits, resulting in a straight trajectory to the target.
3. Optimal Center of Gravity Angle Design: Compared to conventional Fourteen models, the center of gravity distance is set longer. However, by meticulously designing the center of gravity angle, it achieves a function where the “face naturally returns to square.” This enables a straight trajectory even if your swing is inconsistent.
4. Specially Designed “FT-15d” Carbon Shaft: The “FT-15d” carbon shaft, specifically designed for the CT-518 driver, focuses on the rigidity of the hand, which can cause lag. It’s designed with detailed specifications for each flex, ensuring a square impact without lag, even with a long shaft.

Shaft Selection Guide

• TS-717d (Fourteen Original):
  • Features: The origin and base of the TS series.
  • Recommended: No癖 (no peculiar characteristics), excellent head maneuverability.
  • Target: Golfers who want to swing as intended even with hard hits.
• TS-316d, TS-317d (Jointly developed with UST Mamiya):
  • Features: A long, sticky flex that lingers.
  • Recommended: Prevents disruption of swing rhythm.
  • Target: Golfers who want to suppress rushing their swing.
• TS-216d (Jointly developed with Nippon Shaft):
  • Features: Lightweight design at 60g for easy swing-through.
  • Recommended: A high-performing, well-balanced shaft.
  • Target: The only shaft compatible with the 47.75-inch long shaft.
• TS-916, TS-917, TS-918 (Jointly developed with Graphite Design):
  • Features: The stiffest in the TS series; doesn’t lose stability even with powerful swings.
  • Recommended: For those who want a sharp swing and a sense of acceleration.
  • Target: Golfers seeking a hard-hitting feel.

Actual Reviews and Evaluations

• Positive Reviews:
  • Distance Performance: “My first round was 44 and 42, and I broke 90 for the first time in a long time. I’m satisfied with stable shots and 12/14 fairways hit.”
  • Long-Shaft Design: “Although the head volume is small on paper, and it should appear even smaller due to the 47.75-inch long shaft, I felt no discomfort when addressing the ball. My head speed seems to have increased by 1-2 m/s.”
  • “With a head speed of 39 m/s, no matter what driver I used, my direction was unstable and I couldn’t get distance, typically 200-220 yards. I tried the 47.75-inch as a last resort.” [1]
  • Overall Evaluation: “Overall rating 9.0: Distance 10, Forgiveness 9, Trajectory Height 9, Catch 10, Addressability 9, Workability 6, Feel 9.”
• Reviews with Challenges:
  • Difficulty: “Overall impression: It was difficult. Distance: Didn’t go at all. Feel: A bit hard, didn’t feel like much initial speed. Direction: My arm also plays a part, but it curved.”
  • Balance: “Perhaps because the balance is heavy at D5, I developed a blood blister from swinging it around. I need more practice.”

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Excellent straightness (due to large moment of inertia and optimal CG angle), long-shaft distance performance (47.75-inch design for increased head speed), diverse shaft options (5 types for various needs), stable addressability (sense of security despite small head), high catch performance (natural square impact from CG angle design).
• Cons: Difficulty handling long shaft (47.75-inch requires getting used to), heavy balance (D5-D6 can be hard to swing), limited workability (straightness priority limits intentional shot shaping), firm feel (some users report a firm feel), advanced player bias (can be challenging for beginners).

Recommended Golfers

• Recommended Golfer Types: Mid-to-advanced golfers who want to increase distance with long-shaft effects, golfers with a head speed of 40m/s or more, golfers who can swing a long club powerfully, golfers struggling with slices, golfers who frequently miss to the right, golfers who prioritize feel, golfers who want to improve fairway accuracy, golfers who seek stable tee shots, and aspiring athletes who want advanced performance and balance between distance and direction.
• Not Recommended Golfer Types: Beginner golfers (difficulty handling long shaft, heavy balance can be a burden), golfers with slow head speed (under 35m/s may not benefit from long shaft, heavy balance can hinder swing), golfers who want to intentionally shape shots (straightness priority limits workability for fades/draws), golfers who prefer lightweight/short shafts (long shaft/heavy balance unsuitable, prefer light swing feel).

Estimated Distance by Head Speed

Note: May not fully benefit from the long shaft.

Test Data and Measurement Results

• Expert Review: Mark Kanai (Golf Digest) praised the head speed improvement from the long shaft effect and the tendency to avoid misses to the right, highly rating it as an athlete-oriented model.
• User Distance Data: A user with a head speed of 39m/s reported increased distance after using the CT-518, compared to their previous 200-220 yards, and also noted improved fairway accuracy.

Purchase Considerations

• Importance of Shaft Selection: Choosing a shaft that matches your head speed is crucial. Strongly recommend trying it out.
• Length Selection: Choose between 46 inches and 47.75 inches, balancing ease of handling and distance.
• Balance Confirmation: The balance ranges from D2 to D6; adjustment is necessary to prioritize ease of swing.
• Need for Practice and Adaptation: Requires an adaptation period for the long shaft and improved strength/technique for the heavy balance. Regular practice is key to mastering it.

Comparison with Competitors

Compared to other long-shaft drivers in the same price range, the CT-518 excels in achieving a high-dimensional balance of straightness and distance. Its superiority lies in its Japanese quality and fitting compatibility. In the athlete-oriented driver market, it is positioned as a model that prioritizes stability over workability, emphasizing long-shaft distance performance, and clearly targeting mid-to-advanced players.

Conclusion

The Fourteen CT-518 Driver is an athlete-oriented long-shaft driver developed with the clear concept of “flying straight and long.” With Fourteen’s largest ever moment of inertia and optimized center of gravity angle design, it achieves both high straightness and distance performance.

It’s an ideal model, especially for mid-to-advanced golfers with the skill and power to handle long clubs, those struggling with slices, and athlete-golfers who prioritize direction.

However, there are challenges such as the difficulty of handling a long shaft, heavy balance, and limited workability, making it less suitable for beginners or golfers with slow head speed.

When considering a purchase, it’s crucial to always try it out to confirm if it matches your swing and physical ability. With proper shaft selection and sufficient practice, you can maximize the potential of the CT-518.

Sources and References

• Fourteen Official Website – CT-518
• GDO Golf Gear – Fourteen CT-518 Driver Test Review
• my caddie – Fourteen CT-518 Driver User Reviews
• GDO Outlet – CT-518 Driver Reviews
• Golf Club Test Hitting Blog – Fourteen CT-518 Driver
• Golf Gear.top – Fourteen CT-518 Driver Test & Evaluation
• GDO Golf Digest – Athlete-Oriented Model with Powerful Long Shaft

Note: The content is based on information as of 2024, and prices and specifications may change. Please check the official website for the latest information.

🌐 Sources

1. lesson.golfdigest.co.jp – フォーティーン CT-518 ドライバーの試打レビュー 口コミ・評価 …[1]
2. weblink.winterspringsfl.org – 2021 03 22 City Commission Regular Meeting Agenda[2]