Golf equipment, WITB

dhappy42

Straw Man
Oct 27, 2013
15,725
Michigan
A thread about golf equipment.

Dhappy’s WITB:
Driver: Ping G15
Fairways: Ping G15 4-wood, Taylormade V-Steel 7-wood and 9-wood
Irons: Custom one-length 37” Titleist 804.OS, 4-PW, all 63* lie
52* Titleist Vokey 252.08, 37”
56* and 60* Cleveland CG-16 wedges, 36”
Bridgestone TD-1 putter with a pool noodle grip
 
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dhappy42

Straw Man
Oct 27, 2013
15,725
Michigan
Buying new clubs is easy. You just need a fitter and money. Putting together a bag of cheap, used, classic clubs is fun (for me.) I love scavenging yard sales and eBay for old, classic clubs.

Best find so far: copper (BeCu) Ping Eye 2 iron set, 3-SW, matching serial numbers, for $100.
 

88 MVP

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 25, 2007
534
WNY
Fun topic.

Driver: Cobra SpeedZone 10.5 with a Hzrdus Smoke Black shaft cut 1” short. I switched from a Ping G last season and love this club.

Fairway: TaylorMade RBZ 3 wood (probably next in the bag to upgrade)

Hybrid: Adams Red 18*. I’m sad Adams golf is gone, and I will never give this club up. This is my go-to off the tee if I’m not pulling driver for some reason.

Irons: Mizuno JPX 921 Forged with Project X 6.0 shafts. New this season, I really like them.

Wedges: 50* F grind, 56* S grind and 60* M grind Vokey SM7’s

Putter: Cleveland Classic 1 BRZ, an Anser-style putter with a copper milled face insert. I added a Super Stroke 2.0 grip at some point and haven’t been tempted to try any newer putters.
 

voidfunkt

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 14, 2006
1,461
/dev/null
Driver: TSi3 8* w/a HZRDOUS Smoke Black RDX shaft.
3-Wood: Ping G400 (candidate for replacement)
3 Hybrid (19*) G400
4 Hybrid (21*) G400
5-9 irons: G400
PW: (45* ?) G400
UW: (48 *?) G400
2nd-hand Cleveland 56 and 60 degree wedges
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour (I love this thing). Pistol GT 1.0 grip w/ counter weights.

The Driver is new. Shopping items for next year are new wedges (I think I want a 54 and 58 instead of a 56 and 60).

All these clubs except the Driver were fitted five-ish years ago now and my swing is quite different so they are all slightly flawed in some way. Next year might be an iron refitting or replacement year.

I'm thinking about replacing the 3W, 3HY and 4HY this season. Not quite sure what I want to do yet. I really don't pull the 3-Wood out of my bag very often anymore because I don't really need its length or control. I generally prefer swinging a Hybrid and like the versatility they offer. I'm tempted to do something like a 2, 3, 4 Hy setup (17, 19, and 22*).

I've occasionally thought about ditching my 5i too... not sure I really want to do that yet.
 

Deathofthebambino

Drive Carefully
SoSH Member
Apr 12, 2005
41,947
I broke my 3 wood (some old Taylor Made burner, but I hit it awesome) on Friday afternoon. I duck hooked my drive and I was about 2 feet inbounds from the out of bounds stake. I was trying to see if I could get a swing by the stake (can't move the OOB stakes), and clipped it with my 3 wood, shaft flew off.

On Saturday morning, I had the club pro throw a demo 3 wood in my bag. It's a SIM, and that's all I know. After hitting it about 6 times, dead straight on the course (I never go to the range, that's the bad place) and 15 yards longer than my previous one, I walked into the pro shop after the round and told him to ring it up. He told me he'd get me a new one, instead of the demo, I told him I wanted the demo, because I'm a lunatic who is crazy superstitious.

I really need to look into some new technology. After hitting that club, I feel like everyone else has been cheating as I played with my 12 year old clubs...
 

patinorange

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 27, 2006
30,660
6 miles from Angel Stadium
I purchased a replacement for my old Taylor made Jet Speed 3 wood. Got the Ping 425 Max 3 wood. I liked it so much I went out and bought the 425 Max driver and a 425 3 hybrid.
The driver is sweet and the 3 hybrid is my new go to club. For some reason I am hitting the new hybrid about as far as the new 3 wood. Unfortunately, my trusty Ping G25 irons
are betraying me. I can no longer hit irons well. I would like to blame the clubs, but maybe it something to do with my swing?
My Odyssey putter is the garage on a time out along with the other 5 putters I have collected over the years.
 

SoxJox

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 22, 2003
7,082
Rock > SoxJox < Hard Place
Driver: Spalding Kro-Flite, Robert T. Jones, Jr. Persimmon Wood #1
Fairway: Spalding Kro-Flite, Robert T. Jones, Jr. Persimmon Wood #2; Spalding Kro-Flite Robert T. Jones, Jr. Persimmon Wood #3.

Just kidding.

But I do have set of these, meticulously refurbished. Matching set #134.
 

mr_smith02

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 29, 2003
4,352
Upstate NY
I am about to pull the trigger on a set of Taylor Made SIM2 Max irons. A buddy is suggesting I forego the four and five iron and replace them with a 3 or 4 hybrid. Thoughts/advice SoSH golfers?
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
I am about to pull the trigger on a set of Taylor Made SIM2 Max irons. A buddy is suggesting I forego the four and five iron and replace them with a 3 or 4 hybrid. Thoughts/advice SoSH golfers?
Hit them a few times at the range before pulling the trigger, but I would second your buddy’s suggestion. I ditched 3 & 4 irons for hybrids about 2 years ago and I haven’t looked back. I get much more consistent contact with the hyrbids versus the irons.

edit: I’m a 15 if that provides more context
 
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88 MVP

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 25, 2007
534
WNY
Have you been fit for the SIM 2 Max? They’re a game improvement iron and the long irons will be designed to help launch the ball. See if you’re comfortable hitting the 3/4 irons, and maybe compare your numbers to hybrids before you pull the trigger. Go with the hybrids if you feel like you need some extra help
 

Average Game James

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 28, 2016
4,346
Driver: Cobra Speed Zone 9*, Ventus Blue 6s
3w: Tour Edge Exotics EXS 220 15*, Diamana DF 70s
5w: Titleist TS2, HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 6.0
4h: Callaway Apex 21*, KBS Tour Hybrid Prototype 85s
5-PW: Srixon ZX5, DG 105 S300
GW: Ping Glide 3.0, 50* SS, Z-115 W
SW: Ping Glide 3.0, 54* SS, Z-115 W
LW: Vokey SM7, 58.D, KBS Hi-Rev 2.0
Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock #3

Feel great about 13/14 clubs in the bag right now, so naturally when I go looking for a new hybrid I will end up with a whole new bag...
 

Average Game James

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 28, 2016
4,346
I am about to pull the trigger on a set of Taylor Made SIM2 Max irons. A buddy is suggesting I forego the four and five iron and replace them with a 3 or 4 hybrid. Thoughts/advice SoSH golfers?
For most amateur golfers, a 4h will be much easier to launch than a 4 iron, even in the game improvement iron category. Not that pros play remotely the same game as us, but the SIM2 hybrids have been adopted pretty broadly among TM's tour staff, if that's any indication (DJ and Morikawa, neither historically hybrid players, have put them in play). If hybrids don't suit you, maybe even consider a 7w.
 

RedSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 30, 2001
4,768
TaylorMade SLDR S Driver
TaylorMade Aeroburner 3h
Prince irons: 3-9i, pw, sw
Ram Accubar putter

Not good enough to spend a lot of money on clubs, but bought the driver and 3h used and really happy with them. For whatever reason I tend to hit the long irons off the tee better than my 3h (which I have no issue hitting off the ground and even out of the rough) so they remain in the bag for now.
 

Koufax

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
5,936
Knuth Golf High Heat Driver, 3W, 5W, 4h, 5h, 6h, 7h (all regular flex)
Callaway Diablo 8 - AW regular flex (likely to be switched out for Callaway Apex DCBs)
Cleveland SW, 64 degree
Titleist Scotty Cameron Red X putter
 
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Mooch

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
4,494
Cobra Speed LD Driver, 9 degree
Ram Concept 3 Wood, 15 degree
Adams Idea 5 Wood, 18 degree
Mizuno Hot Metal JPX921 Irons, 3 Iron-Gap Wedge
Cleveland Ta5 Sand Wedge, 56 degree
Odyssey 992 Dual Force Putter
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
Driver: Callaway Rogue 10.5 degrees regular flex
3-wood: Callaway Epic
3-hybrid: TaylorMade M4
4-hybrid: Cleveland (unsure of the model)
5i-AW: Callaway Mavrik
52, 56 degree Cleveland wedges
Putter: Odyessey white hot

Driver and irons are new as of this year. Unfortunately a neck injury, 2 eye surgeries and shitty weather have limited me to only 5 or so rounds with them. I might look into a TM 4-hybrid to replace the Cleveland one I have. I really stumbled into the hybrids by winning the Cleveland one in a raffle. The putter is pushing 25 years old too, I should probably look for an upgrade there.
 

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 9, 2006
7,874
SS Botany Bay
Until this summer I hadn't swung a golf club in 20+ years. About a month ago I moved some stuff out of storage and took out my old set of Spalding Executives c.1992 (not the ones that have irons shaped as woods). I supplement it with a 7w, a simple blade putter, and a Taylor Made driver that I killed at the driving range the other day (RIP).
 

Phragle

wild card bitches
SoSH Member
Jan 1, 2009
13,154
Carmine's closet
I broke my 3 wood (some old Taylor Made burner, but I hit it awesome) on Friday afternoon. I duck hooked my drive and I was about 2 feet inbounds from the out of bounds stake. I was trying to see if I could get a swing by the stake (can't move the OOB stakes), and clipped it with my 3 wood, shaft flew off.

On Saturday morning, I had the club pro throw a demo 3 wood in my bag. It's a SIM, and that's all I know. After hitting it about 6 times, dead straight on the course (I never go to the range, that's the bad place) and 15 yards longer than my previous one, I walked into the pro shop after the round and told him to ring it up. He told me he'd get me a new one, instead of the demo, I told him I wanted the demo, because I'm a lunatic who is crazy superstitious.

I really need to look into some new technology. After hitting that club, I feel like everyone else has been cheating as I played with my 12 year old clubs...
I would have done the same thing

Any recommendations of clubs for someone just starting to play?
Used ones
 

Average Game James

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 28, 2016
4,346
Any recommendations of clubs for someone just starting to play?
It depends a bit on your budget, but assuming it's financially doable, I'd probably skip over the set in a box type setups. If just starting out, any used iron from the last 5-6 years that fits into the "game improvement" category should work just fine. I honestly wouldn't even worry about getting a complete 14 club set. Driver (10.5*), 4/5 wood, 4/5 hybrid, 6-PW, sand wedge, and a putter is plenty to work with while you're learning. I don't have any particular affinity for Callaway, but Callaway pre-owned is a pretty good starting point as they have a pretty wide selection available and will give you full credit towards something different in the first 90 days if you absolutely hate what you bought. Standard length should probably be fine to start unless you're north of 6' 2". Regular flex is also probably a fine starting point, but if you're generally pretty strong/athletic you could consider stiff. If you have a budget in mind for a set, I'm happy to throw out some more specific options for each category, but off the top of my head, some used clubs you might consider:

Driver - Cobra BioCell or Amp Cell, older vintage Ping G-series (G25/G30), Callaway XR
Hybrids - old Adams Tight Lies are still the easiest to hit hybrid I've ever encountered
Irons - pick your generation of Callaway game improvement (Steelhead, Rogue, Mavrik, Big Bertha), older vintage Ping G, Srizon Z355
Wedges - pretty much any mid-bounce Cleveland wedge that still has grooves will work just fine, 54-56* is plenty, don't need to go all Phil Mickelson with 60s and 64s

If you want to go the new route but not pay up for the big brands, I can't say enough great things about Tour Edge. They're known for their fairway woods and hybrids, but the new drivers are great too and the irons are solid for the price (they have 3 models in the $70-110/club range, so 30-50% less than the big brands).
 

Phragle

wild card bitches
SoSH Member
Jan 1, 2009
13,154
Carmine's closet
G400 Max 9* w a tipped Evenflow white 65
G425 LST 14* w a rotating bunch of shafts
G410 19* Hybrid with DI 95x
JPX 919 Forged 4-6 w X100 soft stepped
JPX 919 Tour 7-PW w X100 soft stepped
Vokey 50-54-58 w X100 soft stepped
Scotty Newport 2.6

Everything is covered in lead tape, the pings are adjusted minus loft and flat lie, JPX is a combo set w 4* loft gaps from a 46 PW
 

Koufax

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
5,936
Here to echo the recommendation of purchasing used equipment. 3balls is a good vendor. There are others. I have found their statements as to the condition of their used clubs to be understatements. I've gotten better than expected.
 

jercra

No longer respects DeChambeau
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
3,147
Arvada, Co
All shafts are X
Titleist TSi3 9*, Px X Evenflow Riptide 70
TSi2 3-wood, HZRDOUS Black
Sub70 5 hytbrid , steel fiber
4-P Mizuno MP18, MODUS 120
50 & 56 Hogan Equalizer
60 Vokey Wedgeworks Custom K-grind low bounce (6*)
Edel EAS 2.0

The hybrid and irons are going soon. Going with.a driving iron of some sort and Wilson Staff blades with Oban CT 115 shafts. I miss blades.
 

Gunca

New Member
Mar 5, 2020
44
@jercra did you go through the Edel fitting for the EAS? I did the fitting for the E series a few years back and loved it. The only issue was it didn’t translate very well to the course.
 

TimNJsoxfan

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 14, 2004
2,717
NW New Jersey
Taylor Made Sim Driver 10* (Reg Shaft)
Aeroburner 15* 3W
Aeroburner 19* 3H
Taylor Made RBZ Irons 4-PW
Wilson 52* Gap Wedge
Dunlop Copper InserTouch Blade putter
 

Blundatola

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 9, 2008
702
Chicago
This thread really highlights the fact that I need to make some upgrades…
  • Driver: Cleveland HiBoreXL 9.5 with stock stiff shaft
  • 3-wood: TaylorMade V-Steel 18-degree with stock stiff shaft
  • 2 hybrid: Callaway Heavenwood with YS-7 shaft (which is too stiff for me)
  • 3-PW + 51-degree GW: Golfsmith P2 heads with Project X 6.0 shafts (built these back when I worked at Golfsmith)
  • SW 56-degree: Cleveland, but I forget which model exactly
  • Putter: Ping G5i
 

FL4WL3SS

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
14,913
Andy Brickley's potty mouth
I hate changing equipment, did a full bag fitting and purchase in 2019.

Driver: TM M4 9* with Fujikura Speeder Evolution II (x flex cut down 1")
3w: TM M4 with Fujikura Atmos Tour Spec (x flex)
Irons: Miura 1957 forged with Project X 6.5
Wedges: Bettinardi with same Project X 6.5
Putters: Evnroll ER2 with gravity grip

I play Prov1x (need to reevaluate as I've had most success with Bridgestone).

I need new wedges. I usually replace once per year and it's been a few years. Fun fact: Tiger replaces his wedges once every 1.5 tournaments.
 

dhappy42

Straw Man
Oct 27, 2013
15,725
Michigan
Was going to add this to the "Things you only learned recently" thread, but it works better here.

The average driver shaft length for PGA pros is 44.4 inches. The shortest standard stock shaft length from the big club manufacturers is 45.5 inches and 46 inch-plus shafts aren't uncommon. No wonder so many amateur golfers have trouble hitting fairways.
 

voidfunkt

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 14, 2006
1,461
/dev/null
Was going to add this to the "Things you only learned recently" thread, but it works better here.

The average driver shaft length for PGA pros is 44.4 inches. The shortest standard stock shaft length from the big club manufacturers is 45.5 inches and 46 inch-plus shafts aren't uncommon. No wonder so many amateur golfers have trouble hitting fairways.
Most amateurs suffer from problematic swing flaws that are not related to the length of the shaft. The most common issue, the slice, has nothing to do with shaft length and everything to do with a messed up out-in swing plane.

I dont think it really follows that it would help if high HCP golfers switched to shorter shafts, also it would reduce clubhead speed… which the pros can easily compensate for by swinging harder.
 

jercra

No longer respects DeChambeau
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
3,147
Arvada, Co
Most amateurs suffer from problematic swing flaws that are not related to the length of the shaft. The most common issue, the slice, has nothing to do with shaft length and everything to do with a messed up out-in swing plane.

I dont think it really follows that it would help if high HCP golfers switched to shorter shafts, also it would reduce clubhead speed… which the pros can easily compensate for by swinging harder.
That's not how it works though. I'm Tom Wishon's book on club making he talks at length about it. By far the biggest influence to ball speed and spin is the distance from the center of the clubhead. Obviously, clubhead speed is very import, but slower clubhead speeds that are center hits will travel further than very high swing speeds that are off center by only a CM or 2. The problem with high caps is that they have neither. The reason pros use shorter shafts is that they'd much rather hit the club purely than generate a marginally higher swing speed with a slightly longer shaft and miss the center. Most high caps probably hit their Hybrids close to the same distance as their drivers. Most amateur players should really try a shorter shaft and a lower swing weight. They'll be longer and more accurate.
 

dhappy42

Straw Man
Oct 27, 2013
15,725
Michigan
That's not how it works though. I'm Tom Wishon's book on club making he talks at length about it. By far the biggest influence to ball speed and spin is the distance from the center of the clubhead. Obviously, clubhead speed is very import, but slower clubhead speeds that are center hits will travel further than very high swing speeds that are off center by only a CM or 2. The problem with high caps is that they have neither. The reason pros use shorter shafts is that they'd much rather hit the club purely than generate a marginally higher swing speed with a slightly longer shaft and miss the center. Most high caps probably hit their Hybrids close to the same distance as their drivers. Most amateur players should really try a shorter shaft and a lower swing weight. They'll be longer and more accurate.
Why a lower swing weight?
 

Comfortably Lomb

Koko the Monkey
SoSH Member
Feb 22, 2004
12,959
The Paris of the 80s
There was a trend toward shorter driver shafts a few years ago but tour driver shaft length ticked up the past couple years. E.g., current Ping tour staff:

44.50 - 1 (Watson)
44.75 - 3
45.00 - 2
45.25 - 12
45.50 - 1
45.75 - 3
46.00 - 1 (Landry)

Drivers are increasingly forgiving and I'm guessing these guys are finding they can get away with slightly more length. Distance is so important on tour right now.

Of course, Ping's stock retail shaft length is 45.75 so it's definitely longer than tour average.
 

dhappy42

Straw Man
Oct 27, 2013
15,725
Michigan
The same reason people put a donut on a baseball bat before stepping up to the plate. A lighter club will be easier for people to swing faster.
A golf club isn’t like a baseball bat. More of a club’s weight is at the extreme end. There’s more pendulum effect.

The difference between, say, C0 and D0 in swing weight is about 20 grams, less than one ounce. That’s not going to contribute to much increase in swing speed.

I’ve always thought swing weight had more to do with feel and balance than swing speed.

Edit: I recently had my backup driver reshafted to 44”. Swingweight reduced from D1 or D2 to C1. It felt weird, like I couldn’t feel the club head as well in my hands. The club also had less “snap” and not just because cutting the shaft down made it stiffer (which I wanted.) So I took it back in for 17g of hot melt. I’ll report back on the increased swingweight effect later.
 
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jercra

No longer respects DeChambeau
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
3,147
Arvada, Co
A golf club isn’t like a baseball bat. More of a club’s weight is at the extreme end. There’s more pendulum effect.

The difference between, say C0 and D0 in swing weight is about 20 grams, less than one ounce. That’s not going to contribute to much increase in swing speed.

I’ve always thought swing weight had more to do with feel and balance than swing speed.
Well, swing weight is how heavy a club feels to swing. It's not the actual weight that matters that much. It's like a 33" bat vs a 35" bat. It's way, way more complicated than that because there's flex and torque and kick points and such. I was just using it as a simple measure of how hard a club feels to swing.
 

dhappy42

Straw Man
Oct 27, 2013
15,725
Michigan
Well, swing weight is how heavy a club feels to swing. It's not the actual weight that matters that much. It's like a 33" bat vs a 35" bat. It's way, way more complicated than that because there's flex and torque and kick points and such. I was just using it as a simple measure of how hard a club feels to swing.
Right. It is complicated. You can add weight to a club -- heavier grips, for example -- and lower the club's swing weight.

(Makes me wonder if you could increase baseball bat speed by adding counterweight in the bat's handle or knob.)
 

Gunca

New Member
Mar 5, 2020
44
This year’s WITB:
Driver: Callaway Mavrik 9° // Diamana D+
3 wood: Changes every week
Hybrid: Ping G425 // Aldila Rogue Black
Irons: Ping i200 4-U // Nippon Modus 130
Wedges: Cleveland RTX4 56 and 60 // DG Tour Issue S400
Putter: Also changes frequently

I have a problem buying clubs.
 

doldmoose34

impregnated Melissa Theuriau
SoSH Member
i'm not one who changes clubs at the drop of a hat, i've used 3 sets of irons for like shit 40 years... lol

Driver: Taylor Made RBZ 10.5 set at 11
3 wood: Callaway Epic Flash Sub Zero set at 15
Hybrid: 3h Nike Covert VRS 20 degree
5h Cobra Max 25 degree
Irons: Taylor Made RBZ 5-AW
Wedges: SW Titleist Vokey 55 degree
LW Cleveland CG15 60 degree
Putter: Ping YBlade with Tiger Shark oversized grip

I rotate between 3 putters depending on how they are behaving, the 50 year old original Ping is in the bag now. I know its 50 years old because my old man bought it when we were members at Scituate CC and we moved to Hatherly CC in '71. I showed it to a buddy who used to work for Ping and he was amazed at it. the other two are a Ping Scotsdale TR and Odyssey Tri Hot mallet.

I played a set of McGregor MT Tourney blades for about 20 years, then replaced them with King Cobra Tour II oversized with the hump shafts, replaced them with the RBZs 7 or 8 years ago. I swapped out my Sonatec SS15 3 wood for the Epic Flash Sub Zero last year, I loved that club it was built for a way better player then I was when i got it ($50 at the old annual Building 19 golf sale) but I knew that I needed to upgrade the 3 technology.
 

Zomp

Moderator
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SoSH Member
Aug 28, 2006
13,942
The Slums of Shaolin
I hate changing equipment, did a full bag fitting and purchase in 2019.

Driver: TM M4 9* with Fujikura Speeder Evolution II (x flex cut down 1")
3w: TM M4 with Fujikura Atmos Tour Spec (x flex)
Irons: Miura 1957 forged with Project X 6.5
Wedges: Bettinardi with same Project X 6.5
Putters: Evnroll ER2 with gravity grip

I play Prov1x (need to reevaluate as I've had most success with Bridgestone).

I need new wedges. I usually replace once per year and it's been a few years. Fun fact: Tiger replaces his wedges once every 1.5 tournaments.

Are you going to get fit again for wedges? If not what are you eyeing
 

Zomp

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Aug 28, 2006
13,942
The Slums of Shaolin
I broke my 3 wood (some old Taylor Made burner, but I hit it awesome) on Friday afternoon. I duck hooked my drive and I was about 2 feet inbounds from the out of bounds stake. I was trying to see if I could get a swing by the stake (can't move the OOB stakes), and clipped it with my 3 wood, shaft flew off.

On Saturday morning, I had the club pro throw a demo 3 wood in my bag. It's a SIM, and that's all I know. After hitting it about 6 times, dead straight on the course (I never go to the range, that's the bad place) and 15 yards longer than my previous one, I walked into the pro shop after the round and told him to ring it up. He told me he'd get me a new one, instead of the demo, I told him I wanted the demo, because I'm a lunatic who is crazy superstitious.

I really need to look into some new technology. After hitting that club, I feel like everyone else has been cheating as I played with my 12 year old clubs...

Was that the Taylormade burner 3 wood you bought at my club?
 

Doug Beerabelli

Killer Threads
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Last year I finally got mostly new clubs. Had been playing Callaway X-22 irons for a decade or so, gradually replacing the 3-6 irons with used hybrids over the years.

Titleist 917D Driver - Fujikora R shaft. A few years old, but I can keep it play pretty well, despite any distance loss due to old tech. Rented clubs a couple times with this driver, and liked it enough to buy it.

Callaway Epic 3+ (13.5) and 4 (16) (new)
These just take off when you hit them right. Which for me, ain't as often as I'd like. I wanted a club that I had a chance of hitting 200yds off tee or fairway, so I bought the 3+. The 4 I was only hitting 180-185, but when hit clean, I can get the 3+ up in the air enough and it'll go that 200. Also been useful for longer shots from OK lies that I need to keep low. The saleperson at Chris Cote's golf shop looked at me funny and said something about 'You're just using this off the tee, right?" My son mocks me for buying it for same reason. So when I'm able to hit a good shot with it when I play with him, it's usually followed with "that was the three wood, stinker!"

Callaway Big Bertha B21 hybrids 3-6.
I gradually lost the ability to hit long irons or middle irons consistently over the last decade, and was losing distance. Hybrids have solved that problem pretty well. Kinda ugly, but they work well when struck right.

Callway Big Bertha 7-AW irons.
Strangely, when I got fitted, the fitter suggested stiff flex shafts. I was used to swinging heavier clubs, and these got the best results. This may be a bad fitting result, but I've been able to hit them well enough -- slotting OK under the hybrid distances--and I like the feel and club interaction with ground. Definitely an improvement on the X-22s.

TM ATV grind 56 sw. One of my son's phased out clubs, a few years old. Mostly just sand, or if need to try to lob something (emphasis on try).

Odyssey White Hot two ball from the original run - 15 years old or so? Maybe more. Put an overside grip on it a few years ago. I've pretty much stuck with this over that time period.
 

FL4WL3SS

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
14,913
Andy Brickley's potty mouth
Are you going to get fit again for wedges? If not what are you eyeing
I'm agonizing over this decision honestly. My setup is non-standard so I'd need to get fit and I love my current setup. I def need a new 60 degree, the lack of grooves cost me two strokes last round when I hit the low spinner and didn't get any check.

My options are to get refit or buy new Bettinardi wedges with wedge shafts and see how I like them. If I don't then I can replace the heads onto my project x shafts.

I hate changing equipment.
 

dhappy42

Straw Man
Oct 27, 2013
15,725
Michigan
Anyone use JumboMax grips?

Is there a good reason golf clubs have the smallest handle of any sporting implement (baseball bat, tennis racquet, lacrosse stick, etc...) other than tradition? Original grips were leather straps wrapped around a thin wooden stick.
 

FL4WL3SS

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
14,913
Andy Brickley's potty mouth
My driver head exploded during a tournament over the summer and I was devastated I'd need to replace it. Luckily a friend is the GM of a local brick and mortar golf store and they had a 9.5 M4 laying around, lightly used.

I'll probably get a whole bag refit after my clubs are 5 years old.
 

Zomp

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Aug 28, 2006
13,942
The Slums of Shaolin
I'm agonizing over this decision honestly. My setup is non-standard so I'd need to get fit and I love my current setup. I def need a new 60 degree, the lack of grooves cost me two strokes last round when I hit the low spinner and didn't get any check.

My options are to get refit or buy new Bettinardi wedges with wedge shafts and see how I like them. If I don't then I can replace the heads onto my project x shafts.

I hate changing equipment.
This winter I’ll be in the market for a 56 and 60. I have an approach wedge in my set that I 90% of the time will take full swings with so I don’t mind that it matches my set.

Not sure what I’ll get though. I like the look of the zip cores. And the new Callaway wedge looks intriguing.