SWFlaGolfer, you haven't heard a sweeter sound because you haven't hit a solid persimmon club on the screws in a long time. Vinny is right, you lose a good amount of distance but the sound, and I think the feel of persimmon is much better. Its like a the crack of a wood baseball bat compared to an aluminum bat.
I have a Louisville Golf Smart driver with a regular flex graphite shaft.
http://www.louisvillegolf.com/index....5b9ca590d14c1b
I didn't use it at all last season, but I might put it back in my pag this year because I can hit it down the middle more often than my Callaway. I definitely lose distance, but I usually use my 3 wood off of the tee anyway.
Gateway has seen me hit my maple laminate 5 wood. That is my money club.