Alpha Golf C830.2 Plasma Driver Review

Written by: Tony Korologos | Monday, November 6th, 2006
Categories: Golf Clubs • Golf Equipment • Reviews

About Alpha Golf

Aerospace engineer Jim Yeh founded Alpha Golf in 2000 after years of physics research and design for the aerospace industry. Alpha Golf’s offerings include award winning drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges and putters.

C830.2 Driver Overview

The C830.2 is a large headed, 460cc driver specifically designed to deliver distance and workability. The C830.2 has a deeper face and a little less width than many standard drivers.

Technology

The “Plasma” portion of the C830.2’s name comes from the welding technology which connects the face insert to the head. Plasma welding produces less unnecessary weight around the club face which increases feel and reduces the weight of the head.

Alpha’s insert utilizes “IDT” or “Increased Target Design” technology. This technology produces a large sweet spot and hot face. The thin titanium SP700 face is as hot as is allowed by USGA rules.

The large 460cc head resists turning at impact, increasing accuracy. The weighting of the head promotes a penetrating ball flight and decreased spin. Decreased spin means less slicing or hooking and more control.

Specifications and configurations

C830.2 Plasma Driver Specifications

Head Volume	RH Lofts	LH Lofts	Face Angle	Lie	Head Weight	Face Height	Club Length	Swing Weight
460cc	7.5º 8.5º 9.5º 10.5º	7.5º 8.5º 9.5º 10.5º	0º	58º	198g	59mm	45″	D2

C830.2 Plasma Driver Stock Shafts

Model	Flex	Weight*	Torque	Kickpoint
Alpha Platinum 55	L, A, R, S	55g	4.5º	Low-Mid
Alpha Platinum 65	A, R, S, X	68g	3.6º	Mid
Alpha Platinum 75	R, S, X	78g	3.3º	Mid-High

*S flex weight

C830.2 Plasma Driver Custom Shafts

Model	Flex	Weight*	Torque	Kickpoint
Alpha Luxe NT 65	R, S	65g	2.7º	Mid
Aldila NV 65/75/85	R, S, X	67g/78g/88g	3.5º/2.8º/2.6º	Low-Mid
Graphite Design YS-6+	R, S, X	66g	3.5º	Mid
Graffaloy Pro Launch Blue 65/75	R, S, X	64g/76g	2.8º/2.9º	Low

Looks & Feel

With a club head as big and beefy as the C830.2, it’s hard not to believe you are going to make solid contact. The face looks a little closed at address to me but it isn’t. It’s probably due to the higher loft of the club I tested which was 10.5Âº.

The crescent shape of the head behind the ball is very appealing to the eye. I like the center alignment mark of this club. It’s not hard at all to make sure you are aligning the precise center of the club face right behind the ball.

The club feels very solid at impact. Even off center hits feel quite solid but there is still “feedback” from the club telling you wether or not you nailed it on “the screws.”

On the course

I’ve played a bunch of rounds with the 830 and spent some hours with it on the range. It does really have a penetrating ball flight like Alpha claims. Even though my driver is a 10.5 the ball flight is typical of my standard flight, not really high. I can tee the ball up higher and move the ball a bit farther forward in my stance and hit nice high shots if I want though.

I can work the ball with the 830 no problem. I’m usually a straight ball hitter with perhaps a tiny bit of a draw. I don’t have to really think much or change anything with the 830 to produce my standard draw. If I open up my stance a bit, tee the ball down and swing parallel to my feet I can produce any kind of fade or slice I want with the 830.

Alpha Golf touts the fact that their clubs have won numerous long drive competitions. For me the 830 is plenty long. I played one round on a dead day at the course where I hit two tee shots on every driving hole. I hit one tee shot with my Ping G2 and one with the 830. The 830 is every bit as long as the G2. On several occasions (when I managed to produce two good swings in a row) the two shots ended up within 3 feet of each other.

Conclusion

With the C830.2 Alpha Golf proves that you don’t need a “name brand” driver in your bag to benefit from great design and quality workmanship. The 830 is plenty long, workable, accurate, easy to hit and sweet to look at when standing over the ball.