Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Wade Whitehead on January 01, 2010, 10:45:38 PM
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As I hear architectural preferences on the site, I wonder: What equipment do you guys use?
One of us talked about using a one iron in a recent tree thread.
I've thought about posting a thread about Y.E. Yang's PGA-winning hybrid shot (wondering if it would have happened with a two iron instead).
With the fairly constant (and certainly recent) discussion of how technology has damaged the game - or at least golf course design (see current Augusta thread) - I'm curious. Are there GCAers who refuse to use modern equipment as a point of principal? Or do we embrace modern technology in our own bags, even if we despise its broader impact on GCA?
I'm asking specifically. I want to hear what clubs (and ball) each of you uses. Anyone care to dive in?
WW
PS I'm not looking to call anyone out, even if someone out there uses an ERC driver while railing against 7500+ yards in any design. I'm really just curious.
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Driver: Titleist 909 D2
3 wood: Titleist PT 15 w/ DGS300
Hyrbid: Taylor Made Raylor
Irons (3-PW) MaxFli Revolution (crica 1998)
Wedges:Hakusa Wedges 52 & 56
Putter: Scotty Cameron Laguna or Sunset Beach Custom
Ball: ProV1
Occasionally I will play my old persimmon driver and balatas.
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Driver: Depends on my mood: Callaway FT-5, Cleveland 360 (the workhorse) and a 60s era Titleist Persimmon
3-wood: Callaway Steelhead with Grafalloy Pro-Lite shaft
5-wood: Titleist 975f with S300 True Temper Shaft
Irons: 2-9 Mizuno MP-32 with S300 TT Shaft
Wedges: 48* and 60* Cleveland Gunmetal
Putter: Odyssey White Hot #1 circa 2000
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Driver: Ping Rapture or Titleist 983K
Ping 15 deg G10 hybrid
Maltby KE4 21 degree hybrid
Titleist 695 cb/mb 4-P (blades start at 7), R400 DGs
Snake Eyes forged 52, 56
Maltby forged 60
Anser putter (old)
I have graphite in the hybrids but I think I swing better with steel in them. I may switch to a TT Lite or something in them.
ProV1 or Srixon AD333 when I start spraying it.
I like making my own stuff but as a portsider it is tougher and tougher to find decent components.
I don't hit fw woods very well so put in the 15 degree hybrid.
I may get the new Titleist or Mizuno blades this year. I seem to do better with a narrow sole on my irons.
I embrace technology because I am not long enough/skilled enough to make any courses outdated. A good drive is 250-260, 7 iron about 155, and I find 6500 or so is a good setup for me. When I play the tips at my course (7100 at sea level) it is heavy lifting.
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Driver: Taylormade R9 TP - Fubuki X
3 Wood: Callaway Hawkeye Great Big Bertha
Irons: Miura Blade 3 - PW
Wedges: Titleist Vokey 54* & 60*
Putter: PING Anser 2
Ball: Pro V1
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Driver: Ping Rapture V2 9 Degree with Matrix Ozixs X-Con 6
3 Wood: Taylor Made V Steel
Hybrids: Tour Edge Exotics XGC, 18 and 24 Degree
Irons: Ping I3 Blades
Wedges: Vokey Spin Mills, 52, 56, and 60 Degree
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Newport 1.5
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Interesting thread...
I use a Taylormade r7 460cc driver, Ping Craz-E putter, Taylormade irons and wedges, Taylormade hybrids 3-6.
In my last 7 rounds, I've put away the laser range finder and yardage book, etc. I eyeball everything and I try to avoid seeing the yardage markers on the course.
Also, I've walked these last 7 rounds as well. Frankly, I've drank Melvyn's Kool-Aid!! I now understand the history and nature of the game and I am trying to make an effort to get my game aligned with those roots.
I've purchased hickories and am trying them here and there. They probably won't be my everyday clubs, but I will play with them regularly.
EDIT...I forgot the ball I use. Bridgestone e5 usually, but sometimes Pro V1. But I'm having my wife knit me up some featheries...trying to get back to the games roots, you know!! ;)
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Driver: Ping G10 graphite R
4 wood: Ping G10 graphite R
7 wood: Taylor Made 5 series graphite R( I prefer this club to the many hybrids I've tried. The head is smaller than most hybrids and the shaft is longer.)
Irons(4-PW): Mizuno MX-23 Exsar graphite R
SW: Hogan Riviera
LW: Hogan Colonial
Putter: Ping ZBlade (Very old but it works. It's one of many Pings in my collection.)
Balls: Whatever but my favorite this past year was Taylor Made TP Black. Next year who knows.
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PING G10 Driver, 3W and 5W (W&L headcovers)
KZG Forged II-M 4I-PW
Callaway Forged 52 degree
Titleist Vokey Spin Milled 58 degree bent to 56 degrees
Titleist Vokey Oil Can 60 degree (Winn grips on all my clubs...I don't wear a glove)
Rife 2Bar Blade putter with a PING Man grip
Titleist ProV1 ball
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ww, the issue is not what we use, it's what the best players are using that is making golf take too long and cost too much.
The ruling bodies have allowed the ancient desire to hit it far, disproportionally imbalance the sport.
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After snapping the shaft on my first drive at Pebble last month, there's an open roster spot for a new driver. Taylormade r5 TP previously.
Titleist 983k, Titleist 909 d2, Callaway FT9 Tour, Adams 9015d will all get a shootout when the spring starts. The K stays as backup.
Titleist 980f 3w, likely a matching 3w for whatever driver wins...
TM r7 TP irons, 3-PW. Occasionally switching in a 2i Mizuno Fli-Hi or 3i, 4i knockoff TM rescues I've built.
Snake Eyes 600w and 685 wedges, 52-56-60.
2-ball clone putter.
Its been fairly set for the past 3 years or so. Before, I had the UPS guy pulling up to my house every other week with something new...
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when i am playing when it means something i use the following:
Cleveland Launcher DST Tour 9.5 degree diamana white board stiff
Launcher DST 3 wood diamana white board stiff
launcher 3 hybrid stiff
4 - PW CG Tour S300
Cleveland CG15 52, 56.14 and 60.08 conforming
ping redwood piper
I have had a couple joe powell persimmon woods, driver and 4 wood. Made up to use in social golf along with a set of cleveland blades from 10 years ago with matching sand irons. I use these when i am playing during the evening or with friends for on side bets.
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ww, the issue is not what we use, it's what the best players are using that is making golf take too long and cost too much.
The ruling bodies have allowed the ancient desire to hit it far, disproportionally imbalance the sport.
Just like any other 'hit the ball' sport, skilled players benefit disproportionally from technological improvements to equipment, since they have the ability to hit the sweet spot more often.
By the same token, golf has remained essentially the same game albeit in an elongated form for the professionals. Put on a tape of Borg/MacEnroe or any of the other tennis greats from the 60s to the 80s and you'll see tennis at the highest levels is essentially a different sport . Placement and angles have become a much smaller part of the game, due to the fact you can take such a large swing with the larger rackets from the back of the court and be reasonably certain it will go in.
BTW My Current bag:
R9 460 TP 9.5*
R7 TP 15*
Royal Collection 19*
Titleist 24* Hybrid
4-PW Maxfli Revolutions (w/a Set of Srixon 701 Tours looking to make it's way in by early summer)
55-60 Tour Issue Vokey 400 Series
Putter: Scotty Cameron Custom Shop Studio Series 2.6 36"
Ball: TP Red or Pro V 1x
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Until October of 2009:
Titleist 907 D2 driver
Nike Sasquatch 3 metal
Nike Sasquatch 2 and 4 hybrids
Mizuno MP 32 Irons (3-PW)
Ping Tour-W gap and sand wedges
Wilson 8813 putter
In October of 2009, one week before the Ryder Cup, I switched to:
Henry-Griffits driver
Henry-Griffits 4-LW
Henry-Griffits putter
I continue to use the ProV1, although I just picked up a dozen each of the two Callaway tour balls.
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ww, the issue is not what we use, it's what the best players are using that is making golf take too long and cost too much.
The ruling bodies have allowed the ancient desire to hit it far, disproportionally imbalance the sport.
The ancient desire to hit it far appears, thus far, to be well reflected in GCA equipment preferences.
WW
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I have been trying some ping eye2's with hickory shafts....I call it a hybrid ;D
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As of the end of the season:
Driver: Taylor Made R9 TP
4 Wood: Taylor Made vintage tour raylor
Irons: Titleist 680 blades
Wedges: Vokey 52,56,60
Putter: Scotty Cameron 009 Long slant
Balls: Taylor Made TP Red or ProV1's
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8) please define modern...
post-graphite?
post-square groove?
post-titanium?
post-ProV1
p.s. i occaisionally play my one and only Rawlings Balata Adam Clayman signature ball... but only on wide open spaces
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10 year old Titleist irons.
5 year old Taylor Made R7 driver.
3-4 year old Titleist 24-degree hybrid and 19-degree fairway wood.
Almost brand new Titleist wedges (55 degree, 61 degree) because the grooves were worn off the old ones.
Newish high-tech Callaway putter that looks like the Starship Enterprise.
Titleist stand bag.
Taylor Made TP Red golf balls.
Sun Mountain 3-wheeler.
The irons probably hit the ball about like any others but sure feel a lot better on a cold day than old-fashioned ones would. I can't hit a wooden driver out of my own shadow, the big-headed metal one goes pretty good when I make a decent swing. I seldom carry the fairway wood (or most of the iron set for that matter) but aside from driver, high-lofted wedge and putter the one crucial club is the 4-hybrid. If I had to play with one club that would be the one. Aside from graphite shafts and durable golf balls with low compression the hybrids are the greatest innovation of the modern era for hackers like me.
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My Titleist bag for the next season:
Driver: Titleist 909 D2
3 wood: Titleist 909 F3 15*
Hyrbid: Titleist 909H 19*
Irons (3-PW) Titleist 690 MB
Wedges: Cleveland CG 15 60*
Putter: Odyssey black series XG-9 (iomic grip)
Ball: Callaway Tour IS
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I sport a pretty "Old School" bag mostly because I don't change equipment easily.
Driver: 9.5* Titleist 905R with YS6 Shaft
3-Wood: 20+ y/o Titleist PT15 with S400-esque shaft
Hybrid: Titleist 19* (I finally caved on getting rid of the 1/2 iron)
3-PW: Forged Mizuno Pro T-Zoids circa 1996. Around 1999 Edwin Watts had a clearance sale on them for ~$300 a set, I bought two sets in addition to the one I was already using and am now on the last set...new irons will probably be needed in the next year or two.
Wedges: 51* and 58* Vokey Oil Can Spin Mill
Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport Gunmetal finish circa 1996 (it's been refinished twice) but there are times I'll use a 8802 for fun.
ball: ProV1 but last year I starting using Wilson Zip balls, which are pretty good and only $20 a dozen.
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Driver: Callaway FT-9 Tour 9.5
3-Wood: Nike SUMO 13.5
Hybrid: Nike Slingshot 19
Irons: Mizuno MP-33 4-PW, Nippon Shafts
Wedges: Mizuno MP Series 54, 60
Lob: Cleveland 64
Putter: Scotty Cameron Laguna 2.5
Ball: Callaway Tour iX
I just switched balls to the Callaway and have played 2 rounds at the Cal Club. Shot 73-75 so I think I will stick with it. The Callaway driver is in the bag for about 4 months now and I am absolutely killing it. Longest driver I've ever hit. I played with a Taylor Made R7 with a Fujikura Speeder Tour Spec shaft for a long time and then bought the R9. I'm not a huge Callaway guy but the results speak for themselves.
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ww, the issue is not what we use, it's what the best players are using that is making golf take too long and cost too much.
The ruling bodies have allowed the ancient desire to hit it far, disproportionally imbalance the sport.
After reading through all of the equipment used by GCAers, I agree it really isn't relavent because of the wide variations in our individual performance. The one guess I would make is that on average we are spending more on equipment than 20 years ago so the real winner is the equipment company.
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Driver: Ping G10, ProLaunch Stiff, 10,5°
3-wood: Ping G10, ProLaunch Stiff, 14 °
2i-PW: Ping G5 4,5° upright, 1.5 inch lengthened
Gap- and Sandwedge: Cleveland CG12
Putter: Ping Zing
Ball: whatever is in my pocket, but Pro V1 in tournaments
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ww, the issue is not what we use, it's what the best players are using that is making golf take too long and cost too much.
The ruling bodies have allowed the ancient desire to hit it far, disproportionally imbalance the sport.
After reading through all of the equipment used by GCAers, I agree it really isn't relavent because of the wide variations in our individual performance. The one guess I would make is that on average we are spending more on equipment than 20 years ago so the real winner is the equipment company.
Bill, Don't forget the little Chinese children that can have an extra ounce of rice at supper because of the high salaries their parents are pulling down making those clubs. ::)
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please define modern...
post-graphite?
post-square groove?
post-titanium?
post-ProV1
I'm not even sure what I mean by "modern." I actually expected to hear one or two guys who play Macgregor-ish blades, H&B drivers, etc., if only in resistance to trends that they believe have turned golf towards bomb and gouge. Thus far, I see lots of very traditional equipment (especially irons and wedges) but nearly everyone appears to play a 460cc driver.
It's also interesting that most all of us play a ball that we believe should be rolled back. Perhaps we believe it should be rolled back for only the best players in the world, but wouldn't that be a decision for organizing Tours and not rule-making bodies?
WW
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Ping i15 driver, 3 wood, hybrid all with TFC 700 D shafts
Mizuno MX300 4-PW with KBS Tour
Vokey 50º and 55º
Scratch Golf PWE Grind 60º
Cameron Squareback #2
The only change I am going to make for 2010 is to move to a softer golf ball for more spin from 100 yards in. My focus is going to be to tighten up the short game and score.
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wwhitehead:
These are the clubs I have been playing with. Really.
Driver: Titleist c. 2001. Bought it out of a rental set at Bandon Dunes when my then-driver [which shall never be named] had its shaft bent in transport.
3-Wood: Cleveland Classic persimmon, which I bought at Royal Melbourne in 1988 after a previous driver had its shaft bent in transport..
1-iron: Ping Eye-2, c. 1988.
3-iron through SW: same.
Putter: Wilson George Low 600 putter that I've had since I was 13 years old.
(And, yes, that only adds up to 13 clubs. For a brief time I had an L-wedge just like Tiger's, a gift from a friend, but I was never able to figure out how to play with it. And I've been happy trying to tackle any course with my wits and the clubs I had.)
However, I've just received a new set of Ping irons from my wife for Christmas. This was probably a wise choice, because in the past 18 months, I'd lost three clubheads on my old Eye-2 set, snapped off at the hosel at impact.
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Tom,
Time to invest in a Club Glove! :-*
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Callaway FT9 Driver, Fw
Mizuno MP33 irons
Titleist Vokey 54/60
Ping Rapture hybrid
Ping Anser ('73); same putter forever
Sun Mountain Swift-X
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Tom,
Time to invest in a Club Glove! :-*
Jud:
Nah, that would give the impression that the clubs are super-important. Everybody that works for me has one of those bags, and they can never get them in the trunk of the rental car; it's like traveling with a high-maintenance wife. [I don't have one of those, either.]
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Tom,
Not sure which George Low putter you have but there is a decent chance its worth about $7000. So a Club Glove might not be out of line. :)
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JC:
Mine is NOT the original George Low 600 putter. My dad would have had to pay $500 for that one even back in the 1970's, since Mr. Nicklaus had made it famous by then. Instead, Wilson produced a knock-off of the original design, and I am pretty sure those aren't worth much more than any other putter.
I was saddened to play golf with Jack Nicklaus at Sebonack and he never even noticed the kind of putter I was using. Of course, he gave up his long ago for some ugly newfangled thing.
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Tom,
Time to invest in a Club Glove! :-*
Jud:
Nah, that would give the impression that the clubs are super-important. Everybody that works for me has one of those bags, and they can never get them in the trunk of the rental car; it's like traveling with a high-maintenance wife. [I don't have one of those, either.]
Your wife fits in the trunk of the rental car then? ;D
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Driver - Bang ST539 5.5 degrees / UST Mamiya 9100XXX LD-4, 47 inches in length, mid-size full cord grip
2-metal - Bang ST539 (12 degrees) UST Mamiya AXIV Tour Red XX, mid-size full cord grip, 45 inches in length
4-metal - Bang ST539 (17 degrees) same shaft as the above & grip
3-iron Ping ISI
4-iron PING ISI
5 thru 8-irons PING Karsten I
9-iron PING ISI
PW - PING ISI
SW (54) - PING ISI
SW (58) - PING ISI
Putter Asner II
All shafts on irons are dynamic gold X-100, all grips are full mord mid-size
I also have a set of MP57 irons from Mizuno -- 3-iron thru 9-iron but keep the PING wedges. Shafts are extra 1/2 inch longer and 1 degree flatter than standard. The same spec also apply to my PING irons.
Until last year -- also had PING 1-iron ISI model, x-100 dynamic golf shaft
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Wade,
I don't how many choose their clubs and ball for more distance. I suppose a majority do. I don't. The most important thing for me is to be able to have a club I feel confident swinging that I have half a chance of getting in play. That primarily applies to the driver since I am spastic on the teebox. ::) I choose tee markers that I feel will give me the best chance to interface with the hazards off the tee. I see so many golfers (not GCA'ers generally) playing the newest technology from more forward tees where only a pop up would end up in a fwy bunker. Of course that is all about shooting a low score which some golfers deem all-important.
Driver: Titleist 975D (which replaced my persimmon club that was disintegrating in 2000)
3W: TaylorMade something or other (the burnt orange one from about 10 years ago I guess)
Hybrid: Titleist that Lloyd Cole gave me when he spurned Wally U. Thanks again Lloyd
Irons: Wilson Staffs purchased in 1989 (still have original shafts, I don't know what Pat Craig is doing to his poor irons) :)
Wedge: Cleveland something 566?
Putter: Ping B60 (not a great putter, but I'm too cheap to buy something else, besides putting is WAY more about confidence than technology)
Ball: ProV1 or V1x (not for any performance characteristic, simply because the ball is always available. Every other ball out there seems planned to be obsolete within 2 years) >:( Of course marketing is SO helpful since EVERY ball claims to be longer, straighter, spinnier, softer, and whatever else they can think of than the competition. :P
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I have no idea what this has to do with architecture but what the heck.
Driver Taylor Made r7 460 9.5º
3 Wood Taylor Made r7 14º
Irons Ping g5 3-PW Steel Shaft
Wedges Ping Tour 52º, 56º and 60º bent to 62º
Putter Frankly Frog
Bag Ping Hoffer
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Bill Gayne,
In 1990 a dozen Titleist Balatas were around $28.00. The equivalent ball in 2009 was around $46.00, so no change based on inflation.
In 1993 a set of 8 King Cobra O/S irons w/graphite shafts had a MSRP of $1,000.00, or around $1500.00 today which is also about the same.
The two clubs with crazy prices are drivers and putters, everything else is fairly in line w/inflation. For a driver to have cost the equivalent of $400.00 today, it would have sold for about $240.00 in 1990, and I don't remember anything selling for that price back then.
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I'm useless when it comes to technology, tend to just take my brothers word for it, and just had to go look in my bag...
- Mizuno MP600 driver 10.5 deg (Used to have my brothers old Srixon which hit the ball much further but wasn't very straight. The Mizuno is shorter but straighter so I'm happy)
- Callaway III 3 and 5 wood
- Mizuno MP30 irons 3 through PW (also have a Callaway X 3 hybrid. much happier hitting a 3 iron when I'm in the groove in summer, hybrid easier to hit when only playing occasionally in winter)
- Mizuno Raw Black Ox 52 and 58 deg wedges
- Ping Anser G2 putter (only the 4th putter I've ever had. Starter set, then a second hand Ping Anser, brother then got me a G2 as a Christmas present which got knicked so I just got a straight replacement)
- Titleist ProV1* (keep trying others but happier around greens with the feel of what I know)
I want a driver that I'm confident in hitting where I want it, not just smashing it a mile, and wedges and putter that I've practiced with plenty so I know the feel and am therefore confident of getting up and down or holing those 6 footers. Everything else just fits into place... For reference I play off a 6 handicap and have apparently got a slow swing so will never hit it far anyway ::)
Cheers,
James
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a
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Everybody that works for me has one of those bags, and they can never get them in the trunk of the rental car; it's like traveling with a high-maintenance wife. [I don't have one of those, either.]
They must have the Club Glove "Last Bag" which is a giant thing. Get the "Burst Proof" model that is suited for smaller stand bags and is soft like a canvas bag. One of the big benefits of it is that on trips you can load it up with laundry so 1) you have extra cushion for your clubs...maybe not important for you, and 2) your remaining luggage is lighter.
http://www.clubglove.com/User/ViewProduct.asp?ProductID=13
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Everybody that works for me has one of those bags, and they can never get them in the trunk of the rental car; it's like traveling with a high-maintenance wife. [I don't have one of those, either.]
They must have the Club Glove "Last Bag" which is a giant thing. Get the "Burst Proof" model that is suited for smaller stand bags and is soft like a canvas bag. One of the big benefits of it is that on trips you can load it up with laundry so 1) you have extra cushion for your clubs...maybe not important for you, and 2) your remaining luggage is lighter.
http://www.clubglove.com/User/ViewProduct.asp?ProductID=13
I agree. The Last Bag is too big.. Burst proof is perfect.
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I only use 10 clubs to keep my MacKenzie Llama or Walker as light as possible - it forces me to be creative and play more by feel.
I dropped 10 strokes from my handicap this year so I think it is working fine. Another couple in 2010 and I'll be stoked.
I made sure my set has good spacing between the woods and irons, no more than 5 to 7 degrees.
8.5* Driver, 13* 3W, 18* Hybrid, 4i, 6i, 8i, PW, 53*, 58*, Putter
If anyone is looking for a new driver or 3W I would encourage you to to get fit on a launch monitor to optimize distance/spin/loft/etc. It seems like a lot of guys on GCA are not too worried about that which is cool - I love the retro stuff. But if you are buying a new club or set, you might as well make sure it is right for you. I have a Titleist 909 D3 (Driver) and F3 (3W) which is low launch/low spin along with a low-mid launch/spin VooDoo shaft. No blaming the clubs anymore.
I have some Scratch SB-1s on order with the KBS Tour shafts along with a couple of 1018 wedges and a Hybrid - I cannot wait to get them and I think it is really cool that Scratch offer 3 grinds on their irons and wedges (and custom grinds on their custom stuff).
I don't plan on changing my set for a long time.
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These will be staying in the bag for a long time:
Driver: Titleist 909D3 with Diamana Whiteboard shaft
3 Wood: Titleist 909F3 with Matrix Ozik X-Con 7 shaft
Hybrids: Titleist 909H with Matrix Ozik Altus shaft and Adams Idea Pro Gold, also with Altus shaft
Irons: Epon AF Tour (4-PW) with KBS shafts
Wedges: Vokey Custom 53* and 59* with DG shafts
Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport Circle T (a keeper!!!)
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Driver: Ping i15
3 Wood: Ping i15
2 Iron: Mizuno FliHi
4-PW: Titleist AP2
Wedges: Ping Tour W TS
Putter: Scotty Cameron California Napa
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I just went and got my clubs from their storage area - my boot.
Great Big Bertha II 9 degree - I am guessing the head is about 320cc (circa 2002ish bought used), but I don't know The cover is a Yeamans Hall special just for Ed O.
Cleveland 2i hybrid circa 2005. Merion head cover.
I am not sure what the 7 wood is as I can't read the sole plate. Its a Seven Heaven Callaway knockoff circa 1985ish bought in a barrel for a very good price. It has a Beau Desert head cover.
5, 6, 8, 9, PW Titleist 775 cavity backs circa 2002 bought used.
Ram SW bought used for a fiver. I have no idea how old it is, but it has to be at least 15 years old because that is when some bastard stole my Snake Eyes wedge. I keep meaning to buy another SW, but what the hell.
IGM Old Master blade putter bought in a barrel for a fiver some 25 years ago. I suspect it is from the 70s, but it could be older.
I sometimes carry a second SW if I play a soft course- Tad Moore 57 degree circa 2000 bought form a pro going out of business, but I very rarely use it.
Brand new Sun Mountain Swift X bag.
I usually hit Pro VI practice/X-outs. I have recently found another ball I like which is cheap and will do if I can't find the cheap Titleists - Srixon Soft Feel.
I am not too bothered about brand of gloves or shoes, but they must be BLACK and they tend to be Foot Joy.
My preference of jumper is Glenmuir. I like Gap polo shirts, but will wear most anything. My favourite cap is a Red Wings jobbie, though I am becoming fond of an Old Town thing and Huntercombe cap.
I always use wood tees - not bothered about the colour though red isn't clever because I don't see it very well on a green background.
Like my head covers, I always use club towels as I refuse to have company logos if it can be avoided.
I usually smoke Punch English Market Selection, Monte Cristo #4 or Don Diego Sun Grown Babies and fire them with a Zippo.
Ciao
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Made some big changes this year: I might be 23, but I have the golf bag of a 70 year old woman!!! (except for the stiff shafts!)
Driver - Titleist 909D2 w Diamana blue board (new from the demo closet)
3w - Taylor Made R9 (new $100)
2-4 Hybrids - Taylor Made Burner TP (new wholesale)
5 iron-PW - Taylor Made Burner TP w Project X shafts (wholesale)
52 and 56* - Mizuno MP somethings!
putter - White Hot Tour #7H 43" (yes, a belly putter, but i use it like a hockey stick!)
ball - Callaway iTour or whatever nice balls i find
Bag - Titeist Ultra Lightweight Stand Bag
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I usually smoke Punch English Market Selection, Montecristo #4 or Don Diego Sun Grown Babies and fire them with a Zippo.
Ciao
Favourite single malt?
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my exact question! ;D
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I promise I'm not sponsored....
Titleist Driver 909D2 10.5 - Aldila VooDoo in Stiff
Titleist 3W 909F2 15.5 - Aldila VooDoo in Stiff
Titleist 909 Hybrid 19 - Diamana Blue 80
Titleist AP2 (3-PW) - Project X 6.0
Titleist Vokey Spin Milled 54-11 (bent to 53) - Dynamic Gold "Wedge"
Titleist Vokey Spin Milled 58-08 - Dynamic Gold "Wedge"
Golf Pride New Decade Multicompound Red
Scotty Cameron Studio Select Squareback 34"
Titleist ProV1x (High Numbers only)
Ogio Grom Stand Bag (Red)
I used to play Mizuno Irons. Quite frankly, if it wasn't for some thief in San Antonio, I still would be. But after the thievery this summer, I went to get set up with some new MP-52's and the guys said I should hit Titleist's new forgiving "player" iron. I was really impressed with it. I have a soft spot for Titleist for a couple reasons. 1) They stop short of "hokey". I have always felt that many of the other manufacturers are willing to put whatever spit shined piece of space age junk they can on a stick so long as it sells. 2) Titleist woods feel and sound pure to me. Instead of a huge "whang!" like from other woods, it's just a muted "click" from the hybrid and fairway, and a solid "whack" from the driver. I lost maybe 2 yards (on average) of carry from the R9 460 on the launch monitor, and that was with a 45" shaft instead of the TM's 46".
I am looking to move away from the Vokey's to a set of custom Scratch's though. Fitting a grind to a player is a very cool way to niche yourself into a market dominated by just two manufacturers.
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Driver Cleveland Launcher 12 deg Grafalloy Pro Red
3W Cleveland Launcher 13 deg Aldila NV X 85
Hybrid Mizuno Click Aldila NV X 75
5-PW Mizuno MP Project X 6.0
Wedges Scratch Golf 53 deg 1018 KBS Shafts
Scratch Golf 56 deg Tour
Putter Rife Barbados 33"
Bag Sun Mountain Swift X
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Interesting club selections... I expected more blades in this crowd.
My set:
Driver: TaylorMade R7 CGB 9.5', Grafalloy Blue Stiff 45"
#3 & #5: MacGregor MacTec, stock stiff shaft
#4 hybrid iron: MacGregor MacTec hybrd, stock stiff shaft
#5-PW irons: Callaway X-Forged, Nippon NS stiff shaft
50', 54', 58' wedges: Callaway forged, X-Project regular
Putter: MacGregor Grace V-Foil 7.5K belly putter
And Tom, you don't need to get the fancy schmancy Club Glove bag. Just get this - http://www.tgw.com/customer/category/product.jsp/SUBCATEGORY_ID/6259/searchWords/club+protecor
I broke two drivers while traveling. Ever since I got one of these, I haven't broken one.
Sorry, forgot to mention the ball: Nike Tour One, but I buy whatever urethane balls on sale.
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Rapture V2 10.5 driver w/ Matrix Xcon5 shaft
Rapture V3 3W with Aldila NVS shaft
G15 20* and 23* hybrids with TFC shaft
G10 5-9 irons
G10 PW, Gap, and SW
iWedge LW
Craz-e putter with Anser hosel and Wishbone 2 thumb grip (this grip is THE most important piece of equipment I own!)
ProV1x
Titleist carry bag (really the Sun Mountain 3.5 bag)
Clicgear cart (just replaced my Speed Cart)
Ecco shoes
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I'm with Sean - the headcovers are the most important...
This year, to add to my knee problems my back started to play up and doc said it was time to take a cart or at least get a push cart.
So I tried the push cart. 3 rounds later I decided I'd rather have 8 or 10 clubs in a pencil bag on my shoulder... at the same time it struck me that as I was clearly choosing my idea of the game over my ability to score I might as well play with the clubs I like the best... so here you are -
Driver - TaylorMade R7 425 TP 43.5" (Merion HC)
Hybrids 2 & 4 - Adams Idea Pro - the hybrid is, IMHO, the only club which has really made the game easier for the average golfer. A 200 yard 2/3 iron off a dodgy lie was damned scary. I fear almost nothing with my hybrids, and with the Adams I fear the hook much less than with other hybrids.
Irons 5 - PW ( usually missing 6 and 8 ) Cobra MB blades. I love these clubs. If I mishit I'm dead. I don't care. I payed a 25 yard hook around a weeping willow with the 5 iron last round of the season and briefly felt like a real golfer.
Wedge - Callaway X Forged 58 degree (bent to 57). These are really nice wedges, best since 588. But they spin too much. I may break my Wally trade embargo if Tiitleist are the only company to sell the conforming V groove wedges. I want some. I'm tired of tearing the balls up.
Putter - STX Sync Tour (really!) (The Country Club HC)
Favourite HC - The Island 3 wood cover - is reserved for tourneys.
Happy new year GCA!
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Titleist 909D2, 9.5 deg, stock Diamana for Titleist Shaft
Taylormade Burner 2007 3 & 5 woods
Callaway X 4 Hybrid, Banzai shaft
Cobra S9, 4 - GW, +.25, 1 deg up
Titleist Vokey 56, 60 +.75 1 deg up)
Scotty Cameron Red X2
Titleist ProV1x
Titleist x76 Carry Bag
Had a TM Burner Driver that I couldn't stop ballooning. Ended up tithe 909 after demoing a bunch a different drivers from Cally, new TM, Ping, etc. Liked the distance and feel of the Titleist the best.
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From me you get the ultimate of a VERY old concept in new technology.
I have a bag full of long-nose spoons. From 20 degrees all the way to 47 degrees of loft.
So...
Driver - GeoTech 435 9.5* (measures close to 12*) on a 46.5-inch shaft.
Cleveland five wood
Adams A2 3 hybrid
Nickent 3dx5 hybrid
7 - S Silver Diamond RM-5 hybrids
Ping Tour 52* (bent to 55*)
Ping Tour 60*
Cameron Futura Phantom
Almost everything above is subject to change on a daily basis if I am anywhere near my garage. Today I am in New Mexico and will use the same 12 clubs tomorrow as I did today.
But if I were at home the driver would probably get changed--to a 14* SMT O2.
And I like Aberlour 10 year old, but they quit importing it in favor of the 12. And when I feeling flush, I might buy a bottle of Glen Rothes.
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This is a shameless plus - but since Headcovers have been mentioned . . .
For those who are a little too into them - Leather, Barrel, Customizable
These are the ones I have but you can get any leather combo and logo you want:
http://www.thewalkinggolfer.com/TWG_Merch_-_HC___VP.html
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Driver - Callaway 9* FT-9 w/ Mitsu Fubuki
3 Wood - Titleist 909 F3 13* w/ Matrix Ozik
Hybrid - Nickent 4dx 21* w/ Matrix Altus HB
Irons - Mizuno MP-29 4-PW Rifle 6.5
Wedges - 54* & 58* Spin Milled Vokey
Putter - a few custom GSS Camerons
With all the technology in the world, still can't get away from the Mizuno blades. Also fun to see what the treehouse luddites are packing....fun thread.
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From someone that left tech about fifteen years ago and hasn't played with anything younger then 80's year old since
20th century set- all authentic clubs
Driver, Brassie, Spoon, various makers 1920's
Tom Stewart Irons mostly RTJ model circa 1927-28
Tom Stewart made copy of Ouimet putter
MW repro mesh ball
Belding Circa bag
19th century set-
1870's McEwan Play club and Brassie/Spoon (Barry Kerr repros)
1880's Robert White Irons. Cleek, Iron, Mashie, Rut Iron
1870's Morris Longnose Putter
David Hamilton made Gutty balls - 1st choice
MW repro Line cut Gutty - 2nd choice
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Driver: King Cobra L4V 9.0
4-Wood: Sonartec 17.0
2 Hybrid: Sonartec 19.0
4-P: MP-32 Blades w/ Rifle 6.0's
52.0 W: Sonartec
56.0+60.0 W's: Cleveland CG12 Zip Grooves
Putter: Yes Tracy II w/ Green Tiger Shark Grip
Bag: Ping K56 (Best bag ever made) which just broke so soon will be replaced by a Sun Mountain/Titleist Siwft X
Ball: Srixon Z-Star (On the 3-4 occasions I actually buy balls)
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Driver: Titleist 909D Comp 10.5 degree
3 wood: Taylor Made V Steel
Hybrids: Taylor Made Rescue 19 degree & 22 degree
Irons: Ping i3+ 5 - PW & SW
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Spin Milled 52 degree & 58 degree
Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport 2
Ball: Usually Pro V1 but also use Srixon Z Star & Titleist NXT
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Interesting club selections... I expected more blades in this crowd.
My set:
Driver: TaylorMade R7 CGB 9.5', Grafalloy Blue Stiff 45"
#3 & #5: MacGregor MacTec, stock stiff shaft
#4 hybrid iron: MacGregor MacTec hybrd, stock stiff shaft
#5-PW irons: Callaway X-Forged, Nippon NS stiff shaft
50', 54', 58' wedges: Callaway forged, X-Project regular
Putter: MacGregor Grace V-Foil 7.5K belly putter
You forgot something important....
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driver - Ping G10, 10.5 deg loft, regular shaft (may switch to a higher loft but stiffer shaft)
fairway metal - Taylor Made 18 deg R580XD, regular shaft
hybrids - Ping G10, 21 & 24 deg, regular shaft, 1 inch long
irons - Ping G10 5-UW, regular shaft, 1.5 inches long, maroon dot
wedges - Cleveland, CG14, 54 & 60 deg, 1.5 inches long
putter - Odyssey Dual Force Rossie 1
ball - will change around but usually Bridgestone B330-RX (the old persons ball)
... a Top Flite Gamer will do in soggy conditions
grip size - mid-size (large hands)
56 years old, 6'-5" tall, 5-6 handicap
Comment: Riverfront has made me painfully aware of how age has krept up on my second shot abilities on its long holes
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I usually smoke Punch English Market Selection, Montecristo #4 or Don Diego Sun Grown Babies and fire them with a Zippo.
Ciao
Favourite single malt?
Ace
I learned a long time ago that spirits can't be trusted. Thus, I only drink gin as in g&t.
Rob
I tried to buy a driver cover from the company you are pimping, but for some reason it came to nothing. I am not sure why the order wasn't filled.
Ciao
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What happened to Bombsquad golf? That was a great equipment site that suddenly disappeared.
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You forgot something important....
Thanks, Sean. FIXED!
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You forgot something important....
Thanks, Sean. FIXED!
LOL... ;D
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Cleveland DST Tour 10.5 with Diamana Whiteboard Stiff
Callaway Steelhead Plus 4+ with HTD shaft
Ping I15 Hyrbrid
4-6 Cleveland CG7
7-P Cleveland CG7 Tour
52 and 56 Cleveland CG15 Black Pearl
60 Cleveland 588 Tour Grind
Rife 2 Bar
Srixon Z-StarX
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Curious to see how people on this site -- and likely elsewhere -- always stay with the key names and rarely try the brands that are much smaller but still put out an effective product.
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Curious to see how people on this site -- and likely elsewhere -- always stay with the key names and rarely try the brands that are much smaller but still put out an effective product.
Who are you thinking? The KZG, Scratch, Slighter, etc's of the world?
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It's great to see Scratch Golf's products appearing in our bags. I'll try and post a picture of my new Mackenzie Golf carry bag in the style of a Royal Cinque Ports club jacket....it's brilliant!!
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Changed most of my bag in 2009.
Played forged blades all my life, but due to lack of play and practice my ball striking went the crow road. So for my 60th birthday my kids pitched in and bought me a new set of irons.
Driver; Titleist 909D3 - Voodoo Stiff
3W: Tileist 909F3 - Fuji MotoreF1 - Reg
19* Titleist 909H - Diamana White Board Reg
23* Cobra Baffler Pro - Fuji 757 Stiff
4-PW Titleist AP2 - KBSTour Stiff
52* Scratch 8620 - KBSTour Wedge Black Nickel Stiff
58* Scratch 1018 - KBSTour Wedge Black Nickel Stiff
Putter:
Take your pick.......
Seemore FGP
SC Newport SS 2.6
TM Rossa Spider
plus another 1/2dozen doing hard time in the basement.
Ball: Srixon ZStarX
Hcap index is well on its' way upward - started 2009 as 1.8, now probably somewhere in the region of 7-9.
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I don't get new clubs very often, but I did get 13 new ones this season. My last set of irons were the original Nike blades that I had for 6 years. Those are my all-time favorite irons and I'll never get rid of them. Currently I play....
8* Ping i15, 45" Fujikura Fit-On-11 Pro 80, X flex, tipped 1/2"
13* Tour Edge Exotics CB2, 43" Mitsubishi Diamana Blueboard 103, X flex, tipped an inch
17* Taylormade TP 09 Hybrid, Voodoo VS8, X flex
3-P Miura Muscleback-5002 Japanese model, DG X100, (all irons and wedges are 3/4" long, 2* upright)
56* Scratch 1018 wedge (bent to 54*), KBS 5.5
60* Scratch 1018 wedge, KBS 5.5
Scotty Cameron Newport putter
Nike Tour D ball
All grips GP Tour Velvet Cord with an extra wrap of tape
....this is like a wrx thread :)
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As a left handed player, the options put forward by traditional manufacturers are woefully limited. When you move to the smaller OEM's, there is virtually nothing to be had. I wish there were more options to give smaller companies a try, but it's just not possible.
10.5* R9 Driver, Matrix Ozik X
15* Callaway Steelhead X-100 DG shaft
21* Adams Hybrid with Aldila Proto 65g S
4-PW Tiltleist 695MB X-100 DG shafts
64*, 60*, 56* Vokey wedges all bent 2* weak (again limited LH club options, this is the only way to get less bounce)
Any Yes! putter that gets pulled out of the garage. The goofier looking the better
ProV1 balls. X or Regular depending on conditions. Preferably high numbers.
All clubs are bent 1.5* flat
I've had the same setup for a couple of years, only wedges get replaced about twice a year.
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Funny because 2 GCAers (Patrick Boyd and David Edel) literally built most of my clubs:
Driver: PING i15 8* Mayama shaft, stiff
Fairway Wood: Titleist 18* F3, Aldila Voodoo shaft, stiff
Hybrid: Adams Pro Gold 3, 4, Ozik Altus Stiff
Irons: Scratch SB-1 semi-custom, DGSL S300 Shafts
Wedges: 52, 56, 60 Scratch Tour Department, Custom
Putter: David Edel Custom
Ball: Pro V1 (Always number 3)
Bag: PING Hoofer
A pick from my first day with my new irons--Patrick met me in the parking lot with the set!
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all of these people with scratch clubs posting all around the same time.... methinks Ari is behind this. ;D
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Driver - Bang ST539 5.5 degrees / UST Mamiya 9100XXX LD-4, 47 inches in length, mid-size full cord grip
2-metal - Bang ST539 (12 degrees) UST Mamiya AXIV Tour Red XX, mid-size full cord grip, 45 inches in length
4-metal - Bang ST539 (17 degrees) same shaft as the above & grip
3-iron Ping ISI
4-iron PING ISI
5 thru 8-irons PING Karsten I
9-iron PING ISI
PW - PING ISI
SW (54) - PING ISI
SW (58) - PING ISI
Putter Asner II
All shafts on irons are dynamic gold X-100, all grips are full mord mid-size
I also have a set of MP57 irons from Mizuno -- 3-iron thru 9-iron but keep the PING wedges. Shafts are extra 1/2 inch longer and 1 degree flatter than standard. The same spec also apply to my PING irons.
Until last year -- also had PING 1-iron ISI model, x-100 dynamic golf shaft
Matt, I gotta ask, what is your average carry distance for your 5.5 degree driver,...do I want to ask?
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all of these people with scratch clubs posting all around the same time.... methinks Ari is behind this. ;D
If Ari wants to put some lh blades in my bag for more publicity, I will gladly cooperate.
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Sean,
In regards to the headcovers - I'm sorry to hear that - Todd runs a one man show with a few stitchers so occassionally patience and a follow up email is required.
Please PM me if you are still interested and I can help you out.
JC,
I think people are just figuring out how good the Scratch product really is and how big a difference the "right" grind, plus super soft forged steel, can make. "It's like buddah!" :D
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Buddah? The Indian guy?
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No,
Butter, the stuff that many people but on bread, it tends to get soft if left our for a while.
In a sentence - "Like a knife through butter" (or with English accent maybe "buttah" or a Brooklyn accent "buddah")
I thought Buddha was the Indian guy? He's soft too, I like it!
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Sean Arble - max respect your under 70 and admitting to carrying a 7 wood!
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Sean Arble - max respect your under 70 and admitting to carrying a 7 wood!
Chappers
I started carrying a 7 wood two decades ago. Truth be told, nearly all golfers should carry one. I think the concept of hybrids taking off is testament to the value of a 7 wood.
Ciao
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I think people are just figuring out how good the Scratch product really is and how big a difference the "right" grind, plus super soft forged steel, can make. "It's like buddah!" :D
This probably is a can of worms that shouldn't be opened, but unless the steel is so soft that it's even softer than the golf ball, why does it matter? Whilever irons and wedges are metal and golf balls are rubber it's the ball that will compress, not the club, surely?
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I think people are just figuring out how good the Scratch product really is and how big a difference the "right" grind, plus super soft forged steel, can make. "It's like buddah!" :D
This probably is a can of worms that shouldn't be opened, but unless the steel is so soft that it's even softer than the golf ball, why does it matter? Whilever irons and wedges are metal and golf balls are rubber it's the ball that will compress, not the club, surely?
"Feel" of a golf club is nearly 100% acoustics. The duller the sound, the "softer" a club will feel. For example, two putters made of identical materials will "feel" different if the toplines are different thicknesses....much like a tuning fork.
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Driver - Titleist 905R 9.5 degrees -
3 wood - Titleist - can't remember specs
Hybrid 2 - Callaway
Irons 3-PW - Hogan Apex Plus forged - #4 shaft
Gap 52 - Titleist Vokey
SW - 56 - Titleist Vokey Spin Milled
Putter - Ping B-52
Balls - ProV1x
On certain courses I use the 2 iron from the Hogan set in place of the Hybrid.
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It's great to see Scratch Golf's products appearing in our bags. I'll try and post a picture of my new Mackenzie Golf carry bag in the style of a Royal Cinque Ports club jacket....it's brilliant!!
Please do post a photo. That is one I have to see.
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So I'm the only guy here still playing aluminum shafts?
Bogey
If you're any good, you can play with a broomstick. - Fred Formanski.
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It's great to see Scratch Golf's products appearing in our bags. I'll try and post a picture of my new Mackenzie Golf carry bag in the style of a Royal Cinque Ports club jacket....it's brilliant!!
Mark - I saw your bag in the shop - it is AWESOME!
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I think people are just figuring out how good the Scratch product really is and how big a difference the "right" grind, plus super soft forged steel, can make. "It's like buddah!" :D
This probably is a can of worms that shouldn't be opened, but unless the steel is so soft that it's even softer than the golf ball, why does it matter? Whilever irons and wedges are metal and golf balls are rubber it's the ball that will compress, not the club, surely?
"Feel" of a golf club is nearly 100% acoustics. The duller the sound, the "softer" a club will feel. For example, two putters made of identical materials will "feel" different if the toplines are different thicknesses....much like a tuning fork.
Indeed, which would tend to support my argument that head shape, rather than material creates what he use to perceive "softness"?
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Driver: Flavor of the month. Right now it is a Cobra L4V-X
Fairway wood: Taylormade r5 5 wood
Hybrid: Bobby Jones 25 degree
4i-PW: Titleist 962B cavity/blades circa 1995ish? Really like these but I'm realizing I'm not quite good enough for them. Will hopefully be upgrading to new set of either 1) Mizuno combo (MP 52, 62, 67) or 2) a set of Scratch irons within a couple years.
Wedges: Cleveland Tour Action 900/DSG - 50, 56 and 60 degree (no zip grooves)
Putter: Odyssey Two Ball
Ball: Callaway Tour or Taylormade TP Red (good value)
I need all the help I can get...
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What happened to Bombsquad golf? That was a great equipment site that suddenly disappeared.
I think they're back,but in a much diminished way.A lot of their practices had gotten publicly discussed elsewhere on the internet and it looks like all the "knowledgeable" posters had long since left.
Maybe PT Barnum wasn't completely right.
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Driver Titleist 905s
3w Titleist 904
2i Ping Eye 2
3-pw Titleist 660 (does anyone else have a set of these? haven't yet seen one)
52 Titleist Vokey
56 Titleist Vokey
P Ping O Blade
I also have a set of Macgregor Muirfield irons and persimmon woods that I use frequently. With Pro V 1s, there is not much difference in distance. However, there is a greater difference when I use the new equipment with balatas. I believe the modern ball is much more significant regarding distance than modern clubs. One must swing older equipment a little more carefully due to the smaller sweet spot. The biggest difference between my clubs and others is that I don't carry a 60 degree wedge. I find there is seldom a shot that I just can't open the blade of the 56 and flop it up. This theory holds less water on extremely hard surfaces.
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Scott,
There I think there is a reason that Tiger and many other top pros have had their clubs made by Miura for many years - I am confident that one of them is the "soft" steel that they use which I think is also 1018.
Maybe it is just mental, I'm not sure but everyone I have ever met who has hit a Miura or Scratch irons says they have never felt the ball come off the clubface the same way. Many also comment that the increase in feel has helped them lower their handicaps fairly significantly and tighten up their dispersion. Again, golf is a mental game. These comments were in regards to both the blades and cavity back forged irons.
IMO - there is a difference between Cast, Forged and Soft Forged - I felt like there was a difference between the Nike Split Cavs and the Mizuno T-Zoids I had - and the Scratch and Miura are even softer than the Mizzies - at least according to my brain.
If given the same shaft and grip, wouldn't the "softness" of the metal be the determining factor in "feel"?
Do you think a more compact blade or CB clubhead is what provides that softness instead?
Maybe Ari can comment - he's the pro on all of this stuff.
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This thread cracks me up, talk about irony. There is more technology referenced here than at a Macworld convention.
I wanna hear what's in Slag's bag?
I played golf with Dan Hixson and he only totes around about 8-9 clubs...an "every other iron" kinda thing.
Everyone should whittle their bag down from time to time, carry the minimum and "make shots." It's great practice...
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Curious to see how people on this site -- and likely elsewhere -- always stay with the key names and rarely try the brands that are much smaller but still put out an effective product.
Largely true, but as someone who has tinkered with making my own clubs, I was pleasantly surprised to see some with Snake Eyes wedges.
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This thread cracks me up, talk about irony. There is more technology referenced here than at a Macworld convention.
I'm fascinated by this as well. There's really only been one equipment post that matches (through the bag) what I thought many on the board would say.
I have noticed that we GCAers tend to play traditional irons and wedges. Drivers, though, are an entirely different story. It's certainly interesting to consider that with the ongoing distance discussion.
In other news, I keep my handicap at a course that was built in 1967. I've proposed an event played from the 1967 tees using only equipment available in 1967. Interest is wider spread than I expected; rounding up authentic golf balls has been the major hurdle.
WW
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You forgot something important....
Thanks, Sean. FIXED!
LOL... ;D
I don't get it. I looked after he supposedly fixed it and he didn't even mention his tees!
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Sean - I jest, a 7 wood is really an old 5 wood, lofts have changed so much with clubs getting stronger.
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This thread cracks me up, talk about irony. There is more technology referenced here than at a Macworld convention.
I'm fascinated by this as well. There's really only been one equipment post that matches (through the bag) what I thought many on the board would say.
I have noticed that we GCAers tend to play traditional irons and wedges. Drivers, though, are an entirely different story. It's certainly interesting to consider that with the ongoing distance discussion.
In other news, I keep my handicap at a course that was built in 1967. I've proposed an event played from the 1967 tees using only equipment available in 1967. Interest is wider spread than I expected; rounding up authentic golf balls has been the major hurdle.
WW
The culprit is the ball, so I don't understand the need to list all the clubs. I generally play whatever balls I have found.
I wish the USGA or someone would publish spin characteristics, so you could pick an appropriate ball based on that. From what I have read, I am thinking of trying the Bridgestone E5 as it is supposed to spin more off the driver than most balls.
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You forgot something important....
Thanks, Sean. FIXED!
LOL... ;D
I don't get it. I looked after he supposedly fixed it and he didn't even mention his tees!
That is the point. I was looking for him to mention the brush tees he uses, and when he saw my post, he put the ball he usually uses instead to spite me..... :P
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You KNOW I ain't going there!!!
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If given the same shaft and grip, wouldn't the "softness" of the metal be the determining factor in "feel"?
Do you think a more compact blade or CB clubhead is what provides that softness instead?
Maybe Ari can comment - he's the pro on all of this stuff.
Mate of mine builds clubs for the Aussie pros.
He had a forged blade and a cast blade made that were 100% identical other than the manufacturing process of the heads.
He gave them to a bunch of pros and no one could tell him which was forged and which was cast other than Peter O'Malley, and his method of finding out didn't involve just hitting a golf ball off the face.
I am convinced that head shape/size (and nowadays secondary materials), shaft, grip and ball are what produce the sound and feel golfers experience.
I may be wrong.
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Scott, Rob,
I believe it has been scientifically tested and shown that feel is a misnomer. The science showed the perception of feel came from the sound, and that if you took away sound (ear plugs) in a blind test, no one could distinguish "feel".
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Scott, Rob,
I believe it has been scientifically tested and shown that feel is a misnomer. The science showed the perception of feel came from the sound, and that if you took away sound (ear plugs) in a blind test, no one could distinguish "feel".
This is interesting - I have always enjoyed playing steel shafts because I could "feel" the ball much better than I could with graphite shafts. If the heads on the clubs are the same, along with the grips, then the only difference would be shaft material and weight which would contribute to "touch" and "impact feedback" up the shaft.
The most interesting test I did was hitting a persimmon head with a graphite shaft and then with a steel shaft (I did the same with a Ti head). The "feel" with the steel shaft was much better (and accuracy also improved).
Thoughts?
It would seem logical that all of the variables matter - no? You can definitely feel the difference between a Pro V1 and a Top Flite - Is that just down to sound? How about cast versus steel - down to sound again?
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Driver- TM R7 S flex
irons- 2,4-PW Mizuno MX series
Wedges- Cleveland 2009
Odyssey putter
and the prize of the back
Lynx Predator 3W and 5W offsets circa 1983 Mayflower Classic
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8) though sound is a transmitted pressure wave, and impact is something i love hearing at pro tourneys
aren't vibrations in the hands "feel" enough?
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(http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9700/getattachment3aspxhm.jpg)
(http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/7536/getattachmentaspxjm.jpg)
(http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/4313/getattachment2aspxk.jpg)
Melvyn,
. is probably the most sensible thing I've ever said! However I was trying to post pictures of the Royal Cinque Ports golf bag mentioned earlier but they came out too big hence the .
Mark
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Mark
. is this a scaled down sketch of the new smaller ball or just a full stop. Are you advocated a newer smaller ball or has the scale been corrupted and in fact you are seeking to promote the larger ball. Or just plainly changed your mind and decide to play your usual ball.
Happy New Year to you
Melvyn
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The bag was a very kind gift from Ari and I understand he has a similar RCP bag as well, we will get a joint picture at Easter. The are fabulously well made by a well known Oregan company and goes well with the club jacket!!
My nickname of Swampy, Swampz or Swamp Donkey comes from my friends perception I have an ability to play well on sh*te golf courses and fail miserably on quality courses, hence I'm at home in the swamp. Ari's lawyer will be hearing from me after commiting it to leather!
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Scott, Rob,
I believe it has been scientifically tested and shown that feel is a misnomer. The science showed the perception of feel came from the sound, and that if you took away sound (ear plugs) in a blind test, no one could distinguish "feel".
This is interesting - I have always enjoyed playing steel shafts because I could "feel" the ball much better than I could with graphite shafts. If the heads on the clubs are the same, along with the grips, then the only difference would be shaft material and weight which would contribute to "touch" and "impact feedback" up the shaft.
The most interesting test I did was hitting a persimmon head with a graphite shaft and then with a steel shaft (I did the same with a Ti head). The "feel" with the steel shaft was much better (and accuracy also improved).
Thoughts?
It would seem logical that all of the variables matter - no? You can definitely feel the difference between a Pro V1 and a Top Flite - Is that just down to sound? How about cast versus steel - down to sound again?
Rob, stick a few cotton balls in your ears and hit a few putts on your bedroom carpet. The differences in "feel" between different putters/clubs will be greatly reduced when you can hear impact.
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;D
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/Muldoon3/st%20andrews%20new/StAndrews2009064.jpg)
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In other news, I keep my handicap at a course that was built in 1967. I've proposed an event played from the 1967 tees using only equipment available in 1967. Interest is wider spread than I expected; rounding up authentic golf balls has been the major hurdle.
That is a really cool idea! Combine the event with beers and hot dogs at 1967 prices.
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Scott, Rob,
I believe it has been scientifically tested and shown that feel is a misnomer. The science showed the perception of feel came from the sound, and that if you took away sound (ear plugs) in a blind test, no one could distinguish "feel".
This is interesting - I have always enjoyed playing steel shafts because I could "feel" the ball much better than I could with graphite shafts. If the heads on the clubs are the same, along with the grips, then the only difference would be shaft material and weight which would contribute to "touch" and "impact feedback" up the shaft.
The most interesting test I did was hitting a persimmon head with a graphite shaft and then with a steel shaft (I did the same with a Ti head). The "feel" with the steel shaft was much better (and accuracy also improved).
Thoughts?
It would seem logical that all of the variables matter - no? You can definitely feel the difference between a Pro V1 and a Top Flite - Is that just down to sound? How about cast versus steel - down to sound again?
Rob, stick a few cotton balls in your ears and hit a few putts on your bedroom carpet. The differences in "feel" between different putters/clubs will be greatly reduced when you can hear impact.
Clint - Did you mean "can't" hear impact per Garland's point?
I did a golf ball test this w/e and I could tell the difference between at Pro V1 and HP3 (no cotton balls used) with a putter
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These are the clubs I have been playing with. Really.
Driver: Titleist c. 2001. Bought it out of a rental set at Bandon Dunes when my then-driver [which shall never be named] had its shaft bent in transport.
3-Wood: Cleveland Classic persimmon, which I bought at Royal Melbourne in 1988 after a previous driver had its shaft bent in transport..
1-iron: Ping Eye-2, c. 1988.
3-iron through SW: same.
Putter: Wilson George Low 600 putter that I've had since I was 13 years old.
(And, yes, that only adds up to 13 clubs. For a brief time I had an L-wedge just like Tiger's, a gift from a friend, but I was never able to figure out how to play with it. And I've been happy trying to tackle any course with my wits and the clubs I had.)
However, I've just received a new set of Ping irons from my wife for Christmas. This was probably a wise choice, because in the past 18 months, I'd lost three clubheads on my old Eye-2 set, snapped off at the hosel at impact.
Wow! I was initially a bit embarassed to post details of what's in my bag, until I saw Tom's set. Up to a few months ago, I had the the following:
Driver: Criterion Scorcher (1987). Tiny head, probably 150 cc. Criterion was a small company put together by a guy from Donegal called Patrick Doherty and the club pro in Derry, Michael Doherty was his name I believe.
3W: Mizuno (no idea what model it is)
1-iron: Ping (1985)
3-SI: Confidence Xebec II (~1986) with square grooves that must be as illegal as you can get. Balata balls were ripped to shreads with these irons.
Putter: Fazer (1986) similar in style to a Ping Anser.
In the last few months, I've decided to move into the 21st century, and upgrade my tools:
Driver: King Cobra LD II F-Speed (2007)
3W: King Cobra LD II F-Speed (2007)
4W - Hybrid 22 degrees: Taylor Made Burner (2007)
Putter: Taylor Made Rossa Fontana
I intend to change my irons in the next couple of months, but haven't decided on what to get. Mizuno TP-62 or TP-67 would be nice.
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Scott, Rob,
I believe it has been scientifically tested and shown that feel is a misnomer. The science showed the perception of feel came from the sound, and that if you took away sound (ear plugs) in a blind test, no one could distinguish "feel".
This is interesting - I have always enjoyed playing steel shafts because I could "feel" the ball much better than I could with graphite shafts. If the heads on the clubs are the same, along with the grips, then the only difference would be shaft material and weight which would contribute to "touch" and "impact feedback" up the shaft.
The most interesting test I did was hitting a persimmon head with a graphite shaft and then with a steel shaft (I did the same with a Ti head). The "feel" with the steel shaft was much better (and accuracy also improved).
Thoughts?
It would seem logical that all of the variables matter - no? You can definitely feel the difference between a Pro V1 and a Top Flite - Is that just down to sound? How about cast versus steel - down to sound again?
Rob, stick a few cotton balls in your ears and hit a few putts on your bedroom carpet. The differences in "feel" between different putters/clubs will be greatly reduced when you can hear impact.
Clint - Did you mean "can't" hear impact per Garland's point?
I did a golf ball test this w/e and I could tell the difference between at Pro V1 and HP3 (no cotton balls used) with a putter
Now try the same thing with ear plugs.....
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Here's mine:
Driver: TaylorMade Burner TP (2008 version) w/ Rombax shaft
3 wood: Tour Edge Exotics (original version) 13 degrees
Hybrids: TaylorMade Rescues 16 and 19 degrees
Irons: Callaway X-18 4-PW
Wedges: Scratch JLM 53 and 56 degrees PDG grind
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Stainless Newport 2.6
Driver is always on probation and I'm kicking around the idea of new irons. We'll see.
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I am GEEKED about my equipment this year!
Driver - Ping G5 10.5
5W - Cleveland Launcher 19
4H - TM Rescue 22
5-PW - Nike Pro Combo
50 and 56 - Cleveland CG11
Putter - Odyssey Rossie
Ball - Pro V1
and....................
My Llama Golf Bag with the Walking Golfer Logo from MacKenzie Golf Bag Company!!!
This year I want to capture the youthful fun of a smaller and lighter set - 12 clubs now, but could be less in the future.
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i am glad my fiance isn't home as she just wouldnt understand! :)
Taylor Made driver - tour burner 9.5 alida shaft
callaway steelhead plus, strong 4wood (possible the best club ever)
mizuno 20dgr CLK Fli-Hi hybrid
Mizuno mp60 iron 4-6
Mizuno mp32 iron 7-pw
2x cleveland wedges
putter: taylor made rossa
but i am guessing that for every dime i spent on that little lot, if i had instead spent it on lessons and practice range balls my handicapp would be much much lower than 12.
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Driver: Taylor Made R9
3 wood: Taylor Made 200 series
Hybrid: 19 degree Adams Idea Pro
4-PW: Ping S59
Gap wedge: Cleveland 588 Tour Action
SW: Callaway X-Forged
Putter: Callaway 2-ball blade
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The thread on Hogan irons caused me to look this one up and bump.
Anyone else?
WW
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I'll Bite
Driver: Nickent 4DX with Diamana Whiteboard X-flex
3Wood: Callaway ft Tour 13* Stiff flex shaft not sure which one.Fuji Something.
Hybrid: Titleist 585h 17* Aldila NV shaft
Irons 3-PW: Wilson Staff FI-5
Wedges: Cleveland CG12 54* 58*
Putter: Taylormade Sazuka
Ball: TM TP Red/black. Pro V1,V1x
Bag: Ping Hoofer Vantage
Sweet Hodge Podge...
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Driver - Ping Rapture Aldila 65S
3 Wood - Callaway X steel OR Cobra F Speed Rombax
3H - Cleveland HiBore
Irons - 4- PW - Ping ISI Berillyium Copper
SW - Cusom Nike Tiger Woods 56*
SW - Ping ISI
LW - Custom Nike Tiger Woods 60*
Putter - Cameron Duval, Byron 007, C&L
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Driver:Srixon W-506 7.5 degree
3w-PW Snake Eyes Viper tour, 3 wood, 2 & 3 Hybrid, 5i-PW
GW, SW, LW- Snake Eyes 675TM
Putter: Snake Eyes...something or other, haven't looked at the model in a long time
Thinking of custom making myself a set of Tom Wishon blades once I get back fro my next deployment. Haven't decided what to do with the driver, might go with an Adams Long Drive club (only club I can get in low enough lofts to keep the ball out of the clouds)
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I'll Bite
Driver: Nickent 4DX with Diamana Whiteboard X-flex
Talk about putting a Ferrari Engine in a Yugo....
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I'll Bite
Driver: Nickent 4DX with Diamana Whiteboard X-flex
Talk about putting a Ferrari Engine in a Yugo....
Not really. Nickent makes real top quality clubs. They used to be in the market for cheap clubs, but at one point Nickent was the 2nd or 3rd most used hybrid club on tour. Its no different than putting a high end Fujikura or Ozix in a Snake Eyes club. And I have seen that done.
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I'll Bite
Driver: Nickent 4DX with Diamana Whiteboard X-flex
Talk about putting a Ferrari Engine in a Yugo....
Not really. Nickent makes real top quality clubs. They used to be in the market for cheap clubs, but at one point Nickent was the 2nd or 3rd most used hybrid club on tour. Its no different than putting a high end Fujikura or Ozix in a Snake Eyes club. And I have seen that done.
Makes sense. Your example would be a Porsche engine in a Pinto, then. ;)
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I'll Bite
Driver: Nickent 4DX with Diamana Whiteboard X-flex
Talk about putting a Ferrari Engine in a Yugo....
Not really. Nickent makes real top quality clubs. They used to be in the market for cheap clubs, but at one point Nickent was the 2nd or 3rd most used hybrid club on tour. Its no different than putting a high end Fujikura or Ozix in a Snake Eyes club. And I have seen that done.
Makes sense. Your example would be a Porsche engine in a Pinto, then. ;)
I think too many non-top brand clubs get bad reputations just because they don't have the big brand stamp. I have a Snake Eyes driver, and I think its just as good as any of the all-titanium drivers on the market. The composite drivers get into another category, but among the all-titanium clubs, they're all pretty much the same.
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John,
I am actually just poking some fun at my good friend Brian. I have long given him grief over his Nickent driver because it is easy to, thats all. Now that he tricked Huckaby into getting one, i can give him shit as well.
I actually agree with you for the most part. If I could hit a rock tied to a stick better than my current driver, I would. Brian hits his tin can tied to a howitzer far better than I hit my name club. ;)
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John,
He just gives me crap because they USED to make good equipment and are not one of the big 3-4, It is a very good driver and I would reccomend it over many drivers out there, very traditional looking.
He is also jealous cause I hit it way by him.... ;D
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Titleist 907 D2, 8.5 w/ an X-flex V2 shaft
Titleist 904 fairway woods, 13 and 17 degrees with steel shafts
Titleist 735 CM Irons 3-pw
Cleveland CG 12 wedges, 54 and 60 degrees, low bounce/no bounce :o
Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Studio Select.
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Ping G5 Driver
Cleveland Comp 3 wood
Adams Pro 2 and 4 hybrids
Nickent 3 hybrid
Ping I3+ blades 5 thru PW
Ping 54 and 58 wedges
Ping Pal putter
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Ping TISI tec driver (about 320 or 340 ccs)
Big Bertha Warbird 1994-ish
Ping Zing 2 irons 1994
Ping Gap wedge 2003 or so
Cleveland 588 BeCu sand wedge
Ping Zing 2 putter about 1999.
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Ping TISI tec driver (about 320 or 340 ccs)
Big Bertha Warbird 1994-ish
Ping Zing 2 irons 1994
Ping Gap wedge 2003 or so
Cleveland 588 BeCu sand wedge
Ping Zing 2 putter about 1999.
Yikes, you need an upgrade, friend.
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Ping TISI tec driver (about 320 or 340 ccs)
Big Bertha Warbird 1994-ish
Ping Zing 2 irons 1994
Ping Gap wedge 2003 or so
Cleveland 588 BeCu sand wedge
Ping Zing 2 putter about 1999.
Yikes, you need an upgrade, friend.
Spoken like a true salesman!
;D
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Callaway FT5 driver
Callaway Fusion 3wood
17 degree Mizuno Fli-Hi CLK
Cobra forged cb 3-pw
Md golf players 54 degree
Srixon forged 60 degree
Ping G5i zing
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Ping TISI tec driver (about 320 or 340 ccs)
Big Bertha Warbird 1994-ish
Ping Zing 2 irons 1994
Ping Gap wedge 2003 or so
Cleveland 588 BeCu sand wedge
Ping Zing 2 putter about 1999.
Holy cow Charlie this was a "cool" bag back when I started caddying... in 1998.
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Callaway FT-5 w/ Diamana Whiteboard 73x (Just bought on ebay and can't wait to hit it!)
Sonartec 17* 4-Wood with Graffaloy Prolaunch Axis Blue 60s
Sonartec 19* 2-Hybrid
4-PW Mizuno MP-32 Rifle 6.0
Sonartec 52*
Cleveland CG12 56* and 60*
Yes Tracy 2 Putter
Titleist Quiver Bag (Looking to get a Swift X/Ultralight soon)
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Driver: Tommy Armour 845 Ti c. 2005
3 wood: Tommy Armour Hot Shot 855 c. 1994
3iron-PW: Tommy Armour 845 c. 2003
52/56 degree wedges: Nike SV 2010
60 degree wedge: Title Volkey c. 2000
Putter: Ping Zing 2 c. 1994
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Driver: Ping G5, but soon to be switching back to the Cleveland Hibore
4 wood: Cleveland Launcher
2i hybrid: Cobra Baffler
4i hybrid: Sonartech
4i-PW: Cleveland CG2
53 and 56 degree Cleveland wedges
Putter: Ping Pal 5 affectionately known as "The Barge"
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Current bag;
Adams 9032LD Driver, 8.5*, Matrix Ozik F6M2, X flex
Callaway Fti squareway 3 wood, 15*, UST Axivcore Tour Green, X
Adams Tour PNT Hybrid, 18*, Aldila VS Proto 95, X
Adams Idea Pro Black CB1 irons, 4-PW, Project X 6.0
Adams Tour Black Puglielli wedges, 52*, 56*, 60*, Project X 6.0
Rife 2 Bar hybrid mallet long putter
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Driver: Titleist 907 D2
FW: Nike SQ II 19*
Hybrid: Titleist 585H 21*
Irons: Titleist 775 CB 4-GW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 56*, 60*
Putter: Cleveland Designed by Ben Crenshaw
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I feel poor (and bad at golf) when I read threads like this.
2007 era TM Burner (with original shaft)
Adams Ovation 13 degree 3 wood
La Jolla (old school) hybrid (18 degrees)
Ping G5 3 iron
Tour Edge Bazooka JMAX Irons (4 iron-sw)
FEEL 56 sand weddge
Odyssey Marxman Putter w/ white inset.
At some point soon I need to get a real sand and lob wedge, and replace the 2 crappy sand wedges I have now. Then a new hybrid. Then work from there.
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I feel poor (and bad at golf) when I read threads like this.
2007 era TM Burner (with original shaft)
Adams Ovation 13 degree 3 wood
La Jolla (old school) hybrid (18 degrees)
Ping G5 3 iron
Tour Edge Bazooka JMAX Irons (4 iron-sw)
FEEL 56 sand weddge
Odyssey Marxman Putter w/ white inset.
At some point soon I need to get a real sand and lob wedge, and replace the 2 crappy sand wedges I have now. Then a new hybrid. Then work from there.
I don't get it. What's wrong with that bag? What's wrong with the FEEL sand weddge (other than the extra d ;) )?
Were you pulling our legs?
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I feel poor (and bad at golf) when I read threads like this.
2007 era TM Burner (with original shaft)
Adams Ovation 13 degree 3 wood
La Jolla (old school) hybrid (18 degrees)
Ping G5 3 iron
Tour Edge Bazooka JMAX Irons (4 iron-sw)
FEEL 56 sand weddge
Odyssey Marxman Putter w/ white inset.
At some point soon I need to get a real sand and lob wedge, and replace the 2 crappy sand wedges I have now. Then a new hybrid. Then work from there.
I don't get it. What's wrong with that bag? What's wrong with the FEEL sand weddge (other than the extra d ;) )?
Were you pulling our legs?
No fancy shafts or custom fittings or clubs that you'll see played on tour. I think I spent maybe $200 on the driver, $35 on the wood, $175 on the irons, $45 for 3 of the hybrids (2 not in the bag), and $30 for the wedge. The putter was the only thing I bought retail, for $135 (I think).
And excuuuuse me for the typos... :-P
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I feel poor (and bad at golf) when I read threads like this.
2007 era TM Burner (with original shaft)
Adams Ovation 13 degree 3 wood
La Jolla (old school) hybrid (18 degrees)
Ping G5 3 iron
Tour Edge Bazooka JMAX Irons (4 iron-sw)
FEEL 56 sand weddge
Odyssey Marxman Putter w/ white inset.
At some point soon I need to get a real sand and lob wedge, and replace the 2 crappy sand wedges I have now. Then a new hybrid. Then work from there.
I don't get it. What's wrong with that bag? What's wrong with the FEEL sand weddge (other than the extra d ;) )?
Were you pulling our legs?
No fancy shafts or custom fittings or clubs that you'll see played on tour. I think I spent maybe $200 on the driver, $35 on the wood, $175 on the irons, $45 for 3 of the hybrids (2 not in the bag), and $30 for the wedge. The putter was the only thing I bought retail, for $135 (I think).
And excuuuuse me for the typos... :-P
Do you think you will get better results with fancy shafts?
I couldn't find the quote quickly, but Tom Wishon has said in effect the best shaft is the least expensive one that does the job for you. I.e., fancy shafts not required. A quote I could find is "It's not the engine ... You, the golfer, are the engine."
The amazing thing about fittings is that when I was young, custom fit clubs were the most expensive. Now a competent club fitter can fit you and build you a superb set of clubs for less than the "clubs that you'll see played on tour." Tells you something about how name brand club manufacturers are wasting your money doesn't it?
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Driver: TaylorMade R7 425TP, 9.5 degrees loft, Fujikura Re-Ax TP65 Stiff
Hybrids (2I and 3I): TaylorMade Rescue Mid TP, 16 degrees and 19 degrees loft, Fujikura Vista Pro 90 Stiff
4I: TaylorMade R7, bent 1 degree strong, 2 degrees upright, Precision Rifle Flighted 6.0
5I-PW: TaylorMade R7 TP, 2 degrees upright, Precision Rifle Flighted 6.0
GW, SW, LW: TaylorMade rac Satin TP, 52 degrees-8 bounce, 56 degrees-12 bounce, 60 degrees-6 bounce, 4 degrees upright, Dynamic Gold Wedge Flex
Putter: TaylorMade Rossa Daytona 1 Black, 34" Long
Ball: Titleist ProV1 and ProV1x
I think I'm a bit behind the technology curve with my driver and have been looking at alternatives this spring. I may put a three wood in my bag this year as well but I can hit the 2I hybrid far enough and with better control so I may just keep the status quo. I love the TP irons and gained at least ten yards with them when I got them four years ago. No need to change. The 4I is the non-TP version, which is slightly offset to help me get the ball up a bit easier.
The grooves on my wedges are pretty much gone and I'll likely need to address that sometime this year or next year. That said, I'm really comfortable with my set makeup and feel comfortable with pretty much any yardage inside 200 yards.
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Current Set-Up:
Driver: TM R9 460TP 8.5 w/Fujikura Motore F1 TP set at 1 degree open Will swtich out for Aldila
3 Wood: R7 TP 15 degree w/Vista 80 TP Shaft
5 Wood: Royal Collection 19 degree w/Vista Tour 80
Hybrid: Titleist 21 degrees w/NV 85 Hybrid Shaft
4-PW:Srixon i506 w/Project X 6.0 + 1/2""
SW: Callaway x-Tour Forged MD Vintage 54 degree w/Rifle 5.5. Spinner 36"
LW: Callaway x-Tour Forged MD Vintage Raw 60 degree w/Rifle 5.5. Spinner 35.5"
Putter: Scotty Cameron Custom Shop Newport 2.6 35.75"
Ball: Pro V1x or Taylor Made TP Red.
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I went through all of the custom fitting processes a couple of years ago. The clubs feel better but my scores are no better:
Driver - Calloway FT-9(?) - shaft is the one that worked the best after hitting about 8 of them. (If you ever want to wear yourself out try hitting a bunch of drivers)
3 wood - Cleveland Launcher 15 degree.
Hybrid - Callaway 18 degree alternates with a Titleist 21 degree depending on how it is behaving.
Irons Ping I-5 - 4-U (not sure what U stands for - I think it is - "used to be a pitching wedge before manufacturers started strengthening the lofts on all irons)
SW/LW Ping Tour (Still put in the R-90 with the fake brown plastic cover on the steel shaft when the more modern stuff is misbehaving)
RedX putter - (used taylor made for a while but they put little loft on their putter which I have become convinced is important)
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I feel poor (and bad at golf) when I read threads like this.
2007 era TM Burner (with original shaft)
Adams Ovation 13 degree 3 wood
La Jolla (old school) hybrid (18 degrees)
Ping G5 3 iron
Tour Edge Bazooka JMAX Irons (4 iron-sw)
FEEL 56 sand weddge
Odyssey Marxman Putter w/ white inset.
At some point soon I need to get a real sand and lob wedge, and replace the 2 crappy sand wedges I have now. Then a new hybrid. Then work from there.
I don't get it. What's wrong with that bag? What's wrong with the FEEL sand weddge (other than the extra d ;) )?
Were you pulling our legs?
No fancy shafts or custom fittings or clubs that you'll see played on tour. I think I spent maybe $200 on the driver, $35 on the wood, $175 on the irons, $45 for 3 of the hybrids (2 not in the bag), and $30 for the wedge. The putter was the only thing I bought retail, for $135 (I think).
And excuuuuse me for the typos... :-P
Do you think you will get better results with fancy shafts?
I couldn't find the quote quickly, but Tom Wishon has said in effect the best shaft is the least expensive one that does the job for you. I.e., fancy shafts not required. A quote I could find is "It's not the engine ... You, the golfer, are the engine."
The amazing thing about fittings is that when I was young, custom fit clubs were the most expensive. Now a competent club fitter can fit you and build you a superb set of clubs for less than the "clubs that you'll see played on tour." Tells you something about how name brand club manufacturers are wasting your money doesn't it?
Mr. Wishon and I will just have to respectfully disagree here. I think the shaft is the most important part of the club. Tom would agree with that, I hope. Beyond the $3 grip that you have, the shaft is the direct link between your hands (the engine of the swing, for the most part) and the head (that part of the tool that does the real work). Now, that being said, I would probably never recommend a customer put a $500 Ozix X-Con in their club. I think its a waste. I just paid $110 for my new driver shaft, but that was because I was looking for some specs that are kind of hard to find. And at $110 is was probably about the cheapest I could find with what I needed. But you have to find the shaft that works best, otherwise you are really shorting yourself and what you can do with you clubs.
And as far as cost, it depends, but yes, generally I can custom make a set for less than you can get the pro-line clubs. Some club makers like to charge extra for adjusting loft and lie on clubs they are 'right now' custom making for a client, but I think thats a rip off. After the fact adjustments, sure, charge $3 or $4 per club (or whatever you want) but for clubs you are making new for someone, I say don't charge any extra to adjust them right, I don't charge extra. And depending on individual clubs and options, you can run up a big bill for custom clubs from a fitter, but not usually. Its just that people want the 'name,' personally, I have no such pride, I have knowledge. 8)
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JKM,
Tom explicitly says the club head is the most important. He says he wishes he had a nickel for every time he heard the old saw that the shaft is the engine of the club.
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Is there anybody out there with a beautiful set of blades that don't have a single marking on them? No names. No numbers. No nuthin'. Just metal. I'd pay to get a custom set of those...
No, you can't find a set of those normally, but for the right price, I'll buy you a set of rack clubs and work some magic with fill and such to make them plain. :)
JKM,
Tom explicitly says the club head is the most important. He says he wishes he had a nickel for every time he heard the old saw that the shaft is the engine of the club.
Then he and I can disagree. To me, all three components are basically the same. If you have a poor shaft and a bad grip, I don't care what head you have. Same can be said either way you switch the three around.
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Is there anybody out there with a beautiful set of blades that don't have a single marking on them? No names. No numbers. No nuthin'. Just metal. I'd pay to get a custom set of those...
There used to be an outfit in LA that had blades like that - they may have had a # on the bottom, but no other markings.
Not sure how to find it on a google search.
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JKM,
I take it you don't believe you can do this.
"you can pick any XX-flex, 130-gram shaft with 1 degree of torque ... I bet I can still find a clubhead and build a club that will allow you to experience far better shotmaking results than the club built with your all-time favorite shaft." Tom Wishon, The Right Sticks, pg. 49.
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Is there anybody out there with a beautiful set of blades that don't have a single marking on them? No names. No numbers. No nuthin'. Just metal. I'd pay to get a custom set of those...
There used to be an outfit in LA that had blades like that - they may have had a # on the bottom, but no other markings.
Not sure how to find it on a google search.
KGZ?
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Is there anybody out there with a beautiful set of blades that don't have a single marking on them? No names. No numbers. No nuthin'. Just metal. I'd pay to get a custom set of those...
There used to be an outfit in LA that had blades like that - they may have had a # on the bottom, but no other markings.
Not sure how to find it on a google search.
KGZ?
No, way more obscure.
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Is there anybody out there with a beautiful set of blades that don't have a single marking on them? No names. No numbers. No nuthin'. Just metal. I'd pay to get a custom set of those...
Mine are pretty close.
They do have the # on the bottom, but lead tape has got most of the rest covered. ;)
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JKM,
I take it you don't believe you can do this.
"you can pick any XX-flex, 130-gram shaft with 1 degree of torque ... I bet I can still find a clubhead and build a club that will allow you to experience far better shotmaking results than the club built with your all-time favorite shaft." Tom Wishon, The Right Sticks, pg. 49.
No, I do not believe that. You might be able to get someone to hit is a bit straighter, but with that shaft, even I would lose distance.
You could perhaps get that to work in the irons, but there is no way you could do that with a driver, just wouldn't happen.
And I'll be happy to talk the specifics of that with Mr Wishon any day.
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JKM,
He used to have his personal email on one of his website that I emailed him with. All I can find now is
contact@wishongolf.com
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TM 580 XD, 10.5 degrees, stock stiff shaft
TM Raylor (the early 90s model), 13 degrees, Dynamic Gold S300
Cobra Baffler, 18 degrees, Dynamic Gold S300
Hogan Apex, 3-E, Dynamic Gold S300
Hogan Colonial Sand wedge
Ping Pal 2
Ah, golf season is here....
Pete
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Is there anybody out there with a beautiful set of blades that don't have a single marking on them? No names. No numbers. No nuthin'. Just metal. I'd pay to get a custom set of those...
Mine are pretty close.
They do have the # on the bottom, but lead tape has got most of the rest covered. ;)
There is (possibly 'was') a company called California Golf Technologies that made blades with nothing on them save the number on the sole. Ralph Maltby also had a similar set w/no markings, but again, probably long gone. They had a weight port in the back of the head to fine-tune swingweight and numbers on the sole, but that's all.
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Ping G10 10.5 driver
Bobby Jones 3/5 wood
Bobby Jones 3/4 hybrid
Titleist AP1 5-PW
Titleist Vokey 50/56 wedges
Yes Callie putter
Right now I'm playing Top Flight Gamer V2 balls. I honestly can't tell the difference between the Gamer and a Pro V1 (granted, I am a 12 handicapper!)
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Ping G10 10.5 driver
Bobby Jones 3/5 wood
Bobby Jones 3/4 hybrid
Titleist AP1 5-PW
Titleist Vokey 50/56 wedges
Yes Callie putter
Right now I'm playing Top Flight Gamer V2 balls. I honestly can't tell the difference between the Gamer and a Pro V1 (granted, I am a 12 handicapper!)
I'll tell you the difference. The Pro V1 is a copy of the Gamer which used to be known as the Stata Tour Professional, and became the number 1 ball on tour, thereby forcing Titleist to "invent" the Pro V.
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Ping G10 10.5 driver
Bobby Jones 3/5 wood
Bobby Jones 3/4 hybrid
Titleist AP1 5-PW
Titleist Vokey 50/56 wedges
Yes Callie putter
Right now I'm playing Top Flight Gamer V2 balls. I honestly can't tell the difference between the Gamer and a Pro V1 (granted, I am a 12 handicapper!)
I'll tell you the difference. The Pro V1 is a copy of the Gamer which used to be known as the Stata Tour Professional, and became the number 1 ball on tour, thereby forcing Titleist to "invent" the Pro V.
This reminds me, I didn't mention what golf ball I play. TaylorMade TP Red. I play those over Callaway and Titleist because I can pick them up at Target for $25 less than I can get either of the others at on course shops.
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I'll tell you the difference. The Pro V1 is a copy of the Gamer which used to be known as the Stata Tour Professional, and became the number 1 ball on tour, thereby forcing Titleist to "invent" the Pro V.
You're forgetting the two- layer Precept EV spin, which predates the Strata, but still wasn't the first solid core ball. It would be just as easy to say that Top-Flite stole the idea from Bridgestone, changing it just enough(adding one more layer) to avoid a lawsuit. If you're going to say that a company stole something from a competitor you should at least get your ducks in a row.
You should also know that Callaway's lawsuit against Acushnet isn't looking so good anymore.
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I'll tell you the difference. The Pro V1 is a copy of the Gamer which used to be known as the Stata Tour Professional, and became the number 1 ball on tour, thereby forcing Titleist to "invent" the Pro V.
You're forgetting the two- layer Precept EV spin, which predates the Strata, but still wasn't the first solid core ball. It would be just as easy to say that Top-Flite stole the idea from Bridgestone, changing it just enough(adding one more layer) to avoid a lawsuit. If you're going to say that a company stole something from a competitor you should at least get your ducks in a row.
You should also know that Callaway's lawsuit against Acushnet isn't looking so good anymore.
I did not know that your final sentence was the case. But it makes sense. Golf balls are all so similar that just about any company could file suit against another and have a semi reasonable case. Oh, but as a side note, I noticed the other day that TaylorMade has released a 5 layer golf ball. Wowsers. ::)
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........and garland, don't forget that when O'Meara won with the Strata his buddyTiger had Nike make one for him, the Tour Accuracy, which was a Bridgestone creation.
Acushnet came to the party a year or so later, and showed everyone how to make them. ;)
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Titleist 905R 9.5 Stiff Driver
Titleist 906F 15 degree
TaylorMade Rescue 2FW 16 degree hybrid
Titleist 690CB 3-PW
Titleist Vokey 52/56
Scotty Cameron putter
Titleist Pro V1x ball(even though i probably should just play The Gamer ;))
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I'm sure Scratch would make a blank set. As for my hodgepodge set-up.
Cleveland DST 9 with Diamana Whiteboard Stiff
Callaway Steelhead Plus 4+ with a Harmon Tour Design
18 and 21 Callaway Diablo Edge Tour Hybrids
3, 5-P KZG Forged Blades with old school Tour Flighted Rifles
52 and 58 Cleveland CG15 Wedges
Putter du jour
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I'll tell you the difference. The Pro V1 is a copy of the Gamer which used to be known as the Stata Tour Professional, and became the number 1 ball on tour, thereby forcing Titleist to "invent" the Pro V.
You're forgetting the two- layer Precept EV spin, which predates the Strata, but still wasn't the first solid core ball. It would be just as easy to say that Top-Flite stole the idea from Bridgestone, changing it just enough(adding one more layer) to avoid a lawsuit. If you're going to say that a company stole something from a competitor you should at least get your ducks in a row.
You should also know that Callaway's lawsuit against Acushnet isn't looking so good anymore.
Actually I kinda get my news on this from this website, and last I read here was that Callaway won the patent lawsuit and Titleist was forced to introduce a new ball for 2009. Thanks for the update.
Details on the EV spin?
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Garland,
Further reading is necessary. ;) You'll find that Callaway lost at the Federal level. Call 1-800-225-8500 to leave an apology for Wally Uihlein
Get on the internets and use the Google to search for "Precept EV Spin", you'll get 87k+ returns. That should be enough info to keep you busy for awhile.
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Is there anybody out there with a beautiful set of blades that don't have a single marking on them? No names. No numbers. No nuthin'. Just metal. I'd pay to get a custom set of those...
Mizuno did at one time,not certain if they still will.Ballesteros played a set(predecessor to TN-87?) with absolutely nothing on them but a small "SB" stamped on the back.No logo,no number,nothing.
You might have better luck going through Mizuno Japan rather than here.
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Driver: Ping G10 10.5 Grafalloy pro launch red
3 Wood: Mizuno T-Zoid 15o
Hybrids: Ping G10 18o
Hogan edge CFT 22o
Irons: TaylorMade 300 series forged 3 - PW
Wedges: TaylorMade Z - TP 56o
Cleveland CG12 60o
Putter: TaylorMade Ross Marenello sport 2
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Garland,
Further reading is necessary. ;) You'll find that Callaway lost at the Federal level. Call 1-800-225-8500 to leave an apology for Wally Uihlein
Get on the internets and use the Google to search for "Precept EV Spin", you'll get 87k+ returns. That should be enough info to keep you busy for awhile.
I don't need 87k offers to buy golf balls.
I went to the precept website. It claims that Bridgestone was first with the 3 piece, (as oppoposed to 2 piece as you indicated). I suppose that means Top Flite was furst to patent, thereby originally winning the suit against Titleist, but if the Precept website is correct there as prior art.
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Garland,
The Precept EV Spin, the ball made famous by Nick Price, was a surlyn covered two-piece ball with a high-spinning core.
You need to get your facts correct.
You were similarly wrong when you made the assertion on the other equipment thread that there is no 'standard' when it comes to iron lofts among similar iron types, and that lie is more consistent in modern clubs than loft.
A simple search of club specs for tody's #5 iron shows:
Mizuno has four 'blade' offerings- all 27 degrees of loft
Titleist has three " " " " " " "
Callaway has three " " " " " " "
Of the seven 'game improvement' offerings, four by Mizuno, one by Titleist, and two by Callaway = four of them have 26 degrees of loft and three have 25 degrees of loft in their 5 irons.
Six of Cleveland's seven styles of clubs have #5 irons with 27 degrees of loft, and one 'outlier' with 26.
So sixteen (that's all of them) of the blade irons produced by these companies have the same 27 degrees of loft.
Five of the game improvement clubs have 26 degrees of loft, three have 25, and one has 26. Considering that we know the game improvement clubs have to have stronger lofts because of the way their built, I'd say the numbers were amazingly consistent, and a 'standard' in any reasonable man's book.
Spalding, the maker/owner of the Strata ball didn't have the money or the market to capitalize on their three-piece creation. It wasn't until well after Callaway bought them that the lawsuit was brought, and if you look at Acushnet's market share of the ball business you'll see why Callaway decided to sue when they did.
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Snake Eyes Models 5 iron lofts
Python XLD- 23*
685X- 26*
Viper XT- 26*
675B- 28*
Viper HT- 27*
Python XLT- 26.5*
Viper Tour- 27*
So, I list 7 models, and have 5 different lofts. Those are the custom clubs I build the most. There is no standard. The 685X, 675B, and Viper Tour are all 'blade' type irons. The others are game improvement types. All three of the 'blade' types have different lofts. There simply is no industry standard for lofts on specific clubs, not on any club.
So, Jim, there just is no industry standard for lofts, you even show that in your post, you just don't want to admit it.
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JKM,
Baloney, but you can look at it any way you want. ;)
All four of the major manufacturers I cited all have their blade irons at 27 degrees of loft, read that again, a-l-l of them, all sixteen offerings by all four companies.
That is an industry standard because the vast majority of clubs sold are at the lofts I cited. The companies you buy components from don't follow that standard, but then again, they aren't a significant part of the golf club industry, they're more like a blip on your sonar.
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JKM,
Baloney, but you can look at it any way you want. ;)
All four of the major manufacturers I cited all have their blade irons at 27 degrees of loft, read that again, a-l-l of them, all sixteen offerings by all four companies.
That is an industry standard because the vast majority of clubs sold are at the lofts I cited. The companies you buy components from don't follow that standard, but then again, they aren't a significant part of the golf club industry, they're more like a blip on your sonar.
But look away from just the blades. 5 iron lofts are all over the map, I don't care if Snake Eyes is just a blip on the radar (has to be radar, sonar is underwater, hopefully we're not looking for too many golf balls underwater). You look at all the models from all the companies, and you'll find lofts ranging from at least 23 to 28 degrees, and possibly a greater range than that. Among all 5 irons and other clubs, there just isn't a true standard, to where you look at any 5 iron and find the same loft.
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JKM,
If someone asks me what the loft of a modern blade iron is I can say, with reasonable certainty, that the vast majority of them have 27 degrees of loft, and that among the major manufacturers even their game improvement clubs are mostly within 1 or 2 degrees of that number.
How much more consistency do you need before you see a 'standard'?
That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it because it's truthful and a reasonable representation of the market.