[JMcLellan]

I was able to get 15 holes of golf in on Friday. The weather was fine but we got stuck behind two groups of guys that were taking about 20 minutes per hole. Since we didn't want to golf for 6 hours the course ranger let us move to a different 9 hole part of the course that was wide open. We did this after the first six slow holes on the first 9. We could have kept playing but we were a little wiped.

My driver was pretty on point until I lost momentum the last 3 or 4 holes. Then when I wasn't feeling like the driver I used my 3 iron hybrid. I don't really keep score any more but I was trending towards breaking 80. I had three birdies-- one of which I nearly holed out a wedge shot from about 80 yards and had an 8 inch tap in putt. My lower irons were pretty accurate and I had multiple reasonable birdie chances. Putting was a chore though......the greens were wildly fast and not much dropped for me. Felt like a 75/76 was attainable if my putting was better.

It was good to get out and get some holes in. Feels like some parts of my game are really dialed in to where I could be a little dangerous for my standards. It helps playing from the white tees on courses where the par 4's range from 350 to 410 yards. I think the biggest iron I used for approach shots was an 8 iron. Anyways, good times and can't wait to get out again.

[Quadruple VANOS]

Originally Posted by JMcLellan

I was able to get 15 holes of golf in on Friday. The weather was fine but we got stuck behind two groups of guys that were taking about 20 minutes per hole. Since we didn't want to golf for 6 hours the course ranger let us move to a different 9 hole part of the course that was wide open. We did this after the first six slow holes on the first 9. We could have kept playing but we were a little wiped.

My driver was pretty on point until I lost momentum the last 3 or 4 holes. Then when I wasn't feeling like the driver I used my 3 iron hybrid. I don't really keep score any more but I was trending towards breaking 80. I had three birdies-- one of which I nearly holed out a wedge shot from about 80 yards and had an 8 inch tap in putt. My lower irons were pretty accurate and I had multiple reasonable birdie chances. Putting was a chore though......the greens were wildly fast and not much dropped for me. Felt like a 75/76 was attainable if my putting was better.

It was good to get out and get some holes in. Feels like some parts of my game are really dialed in to where I could be a little dangerous for my standards. It helps playing from the white tees on courses where the par 4's range from 350 to 410 yards. I think the biggest iron I used for approach shots was an 8 iron. Anyways, good times and can't wait to get out again.

Although I drive the ball 280+ without wind/slope; I’m moving to the back tees when I reliably shoot around par. I’m not at the level where I’m trying to make the game more challenging yet.

[MoeTE87]

Saw my golf coach on Saturday for about 90mins.

A few take aways from the session.

- Showed him the length of my irons and how they were extended when I bought them brand new back in 2001. I mentioned that I was playing around at the golf sim a few weeks ago and choked up about 1-1.5in and was striking the ball flush as opposed to having the top of the iron shaft at my palm to where I was hitting the ground before the ball. Showed him and was hitting the ball flush everytime. He suggested when I am ready to buy new irons next year, to get standard length.

- Worked on the wedges and moved my feet closer together and put most weight on front leg as opposed to back which what I was doing. Worked good but still need to practice it.

- Driver. Changed a few things on this. Pushed my left hip out and dipped my right side. Worked on shoulders and keeping my shoulders rotated and drop hands and get the club face threw the ball then my hands. I need to work on the wrist action to make that happen.

Not a fan of the hip thing. Felt like I didn't have any strength behind the ball and kept hitting the ground when striking the ball. Work in progress on this.

He is happy that I picked up the 2H as my backup driver.

Have my golf league tomorrow night and only plan on using my 2H as my driver to see how things go.

[jamesinaz]

I can't say enough about PXG fitting and irons. Not a fan of their woods or drivers but I'll probably never play any other irons again. And fitting is massively important.

You might think about last years PXG irons Gen 6. Around $1100 for 5-PW.

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by jamesinaz

I can't say enough about PXG fitting and irons. Not a fan of their woods or drivers but I'll probably never play any other irons again. And fitting is massively important.

You might think about last years PXG irons Gen 6. Around $1100 for 5-PW.

Thanks for the recommendation. I plan on looking at them.

I have these brands below that I want to take a closer look at when I am ready this fall / winter. Hoping to score a last year model or major sales event:

- TaylorMade (I already have their driver and hybrids)
- Callaway
- Cobra
- Mizuno
- Takoma

I might be missing some but I want to do it right and take my time. I know anything will be better than my 2001 Big Bertha irons.

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by MoeTE87

Thanks for the recommendation. I plan on looking at them.

I have these brands below that I want to take a closer look at when I am ready this fall / winter. Hoping to score a last year model or major sales event:

- TaylorMade (I already have their driver and hybrids)
- Callaway
- Cobra
- Mizuno
- Takoma

I might be missing some but I want to do it right and take my time. I know anything will be better than my 2001 Big Bertha irons.

OMG. 2001 Big Bertha irons? OK I am not a gear head chasing the newest greatest thing. But if you are playing those clubs improperly fitted that could make a big difference in your irons play.

I don't even recognize one of the brands you list. Just being properly fitted is the answer IMO. I hate when I hear someone say they are very tall thus need longer clubs. That simply is not true. It might be true but if your arms are longer that normal for your height you might need shorter clubs.

Do yourself a favor and keep tabs on when PXG or any of the big brands are offering free fittings.

BTW shaft is actually massively important too. When I was young I "assumed" since I am 6' and lifted weights strong I needed extra stiff. I probably did need stiff but not extra stiff. And now at 70 swing speed has declined so the right shafts with the right weight and flex is massively important.

Ah well. That's the game. Always looking at improvement either from lessons or equipment. Sadly I am at a stage where trying to stay fit enough is more important.

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by jamesinaz

OMG. 2001 Big Bertha irons? OK I am not a gear head chasing the newest greatest thing. But if you are playing those clubs improperly fitted that could make a big difference in your irons play.

I don't even recognize one of the brands you list. Just being properly fitted is the answer IMO. I hate when I hear someone say they are very tall thus need longer clubs. That simply is not true. It might be true but if your arms are longer that normal for your height you might need shorter clubs.

Do yourself a favor and keep tabs on when PXG or any of the big brands are offering free fittings.

BTW shaft is actually massively important too. When I was young I "assumed" since I am 6' and lifted weights strong I needed extra stiff. I probably did need stiff but not extra stiff. And now at 70 swing speed has declined so the right shafts with the right weight and flex is massively important.

Ah well. That's the game. Always looking at improvement either from lessons or equipment. Sadly I am at a stage where trying to stay fit enough is more important.

Yup...good ol' Callaway Big Bertha X-12 Irons. Bought brand new back in 2001 after selling my dirtbike and used that money to pay for the irons. Got fitted and the guy added extra length to my shafts. I am 6'4 so I would probably assume the pro fitted me based on my height. At the time, I was just getting into golf and still playing competitive baseball. I was a junior going into my senior year and played college baseball. So I didn't understand how to swing a golf club then...I am not sure if I do right now.. lol!!

Played on and off since then until about 5-6 years ago which my love for the game has dramatically increased. Which has filled my competitive void that I seek though sports. So now...I am slowly investing in my game and doing plenty of research.

I agree on the shaft. My driver is x-stiff, my hybrids are stiff and my irons / wedges are regular flex. Any benefit to graphite shafts for irons? Or stick with steel?

My swing speed is pretty fast, naturally since I played baseball for so many years...I guess it's just muscle memory. I do have a hard time with controlling my slower club speeds if I need to.

I will keep tabs on PXG. I think I mentioned a few pages back, there is a PXG store close by to me and a few Golf Galaxy's that I can always go into when the time is right. I am always looking for deals. I do not need the latest and greatest. Anything will be better than what I currently have.

Good plan! Stay in shape and keep the muscle up. I would hate to get older and can't play anymore. I have grown to love and recently..hate the game (wedge game is killing me).

Lessons have been amazing for me and I am happy that I have been going since last December.

[jamesinaz]

Yeah too stiff actually reduces distance. Pretty sure when I was young my ego made the decision instead of reality.

On graphite shafts I am a huge proponent. If you are still under 40 with 100 MPH+ swing speed you CAN play steel. And I think some pros still do. Don't know. But graphite has come a long way and the old problems of too whippy and inconsistent seems to be history. I like it cause as an oldster I need lighter and regular flex is my friend.

I know I switched from Callaway X Forged on stiff shafts in 2020 to PXG on shafts fitting for me and gained a club AND easier to hit. Win win.

[Quadruple VANOS]

Shaft weight is probably as important as stiffness. When the overall club weight is right you’ll make better contact.

[MoeTE87]

Played with my 2H all round long tonight in my golf league and played the best I have played in about 4-6 weeks. Didn't loose a ball and only had a few duff hits which could of made my score that much sweeter!

All in all...the 2H was the right move. It's a little longer than my other hybrids...so I either need to get it cut down a tiny bit to mirror the length of my 4H or choke down on it. But when I got ahold of it...very nice feeling and dead straight!

[Bongoxxx]

Had the best round of the season yesterday. 74 at Black Diamond Golf Club in Pontypool from the black tees.

Started out okay with a 39 on the front, played better on the back with a 35. Could have been lower on the back hitting 9 GIRs, but missed a few putts, still pleased with the round

[NorCalAthlete]

Originally Posted by Quadruple VANOS

Shaft weight is probably as important as stiffness. When the overall club weight is right you’ll make better contact.

I've got dynamic gold 120s on my irons, Tour AD 70g X flex on my driver. And my driver head has a 12g, 5g, 2g, 2g for weights (stock is like 2/2/5/5). I've been told my clubs are some of the heaviest people have ever swung. I dunno. I like it heavy.

[Quadruple VANOS]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

I've got dynamic gold 120s on my irons, Tour AD 70g X flex on my driver. And my driver head has a 12g, 5g, 2g, 2g for weights (stock is like 2/2/5/5). I've been told my clubs are some of the heaviest people have ever swung. I dunno. I like it heavy.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX0MB7pJtKs

Driver has a stiff LA Golf DJ Series shaft in the 65g version.

My 3/5/7 fairway woods have Graphite Design AD DI 7S (74g) in them.

Irons use a Nippon Modus 105 stiff (106.5g)

Wedges use the oem Project X wedge shaft (120g)

[NorCalAthlete]

I'm not quite Hovland-jamming-out-to-death-metal on the course, but talking about weight / heavy made me think of this song:

[MoeTE87]

If I bring my speaker to the course, it is usually on the newer reggae music. Stick Figure, Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid, Sublime.....etc. Nice chill music.

What size grips do you all play with for your driver / hybrids? I feel like mine are thin and I have big hands. Will a thicker grip allow me to have better control over my swing and be more accurate when striking the ball?

[JMcLellan]

Dude, Stick Figure and Rebelution are two of my go-to bands for outdoor speaker activities. Great minds think alike.

I've also been known to blast the Jurassic Park sound track when golfing in Hawaii while very intoxicated. I couldn't help myself....you look out in the distance and the green hills remind you of scenes from the movie. Ok, this was only once but my golfing buddies bring it up nearly every time we are on the course.

[MoeTE87]

Originally Posted by JMcLellan

Dude, Stick Figure and Rebelution are two of my go-to bands for outdoor speaker activities. Great minds think alike.

I've also been known to blast the Jurassic Park sound track when golfing in Hawaii while very intoxicated. I couldn't help myself....you look out in the distance and the green hills remind you of scenes from the movie. Ok, this was only once but my golfing buddies bring it up nearly every time we are on the course.

Ha! That is awesome! It's the only music we listen to around here if we want to chill and relax on the deck or pretty much anywhere. We were going to go see Stick Figure in Key West last year but couldn't make it work.

Listen to Slightly Stoopid..they are awesome. I love it all. Wife and I have never smoked weed but we like the music as it's better than anything out there right now. Minus old school rap / hip hop!

Haha! That is a hilarious story! Does it get old hearing it over and over?

[JMcLellan]

Awesome. Certainly good vibes with those bands. Rebelution is my favorite one by far.

No, the story never gets old. That was such a fun time.