Buying a new driver can be exciting, but it can also be terrifying. Let's face it, most of us don't know much about what to look for when making this important decision. We look at what the pros are hitting and read what the golf magazines are promoting. We are inundated with conflicting information to the point that it is easy to become overwhelmed.

Here are the four most important considerations when buying a new golf driver..  .

Shaft Length

Many lengths are available. We watch the Long Drive champions whip out their 50 inch monsters and think...hmm...maybe. No, that's not for us. In fact, the USGA limits shaft length to 45 inches. The most important point here is that the shaft length of your golf driver be appropriate to your body size.

Shaft Stiffness

Not all of us should have the stiffest shaft we can find. Shaft stiffness (or flexibility) should be proportional to your swing speed. Generally speaking, players who can generate faster swing speeds need stiffer shafts while those who swing slower should choose more flexible shafts. This is where a professional fitting can help.

Head Size

The evolution of the golf driver head size has been fun to watch. The key here seems to be that bigger is better. The idea is that more mass means more kinetic energy at the moment of impact. In other words, a big stick delivers more of a punch. We don't have many choices here since the USGA limits the driver head to no more than 460 cc. Most drivers on the market today are exactly 460 cc.

 Loft of the Clubface

Drivers with less loft (lower loft value) create a lower trajectory for the golf ball while those with more loft deliver a higher trajectory. A lower trajectory is, theoretically, better as it allows the golf ball to expend energy horizontally rather than vertically, thus producing a longer shot. The downside is that drivers with less loft are harder to hit since they require greater clubhead speed to get the ball off the ground in the first place.

We could talk more about such factors as grip and club head material, but these four items are enough to make an informed decision. Many websites, such as Caddie Corner have more information on choosing the correct golf driver.