New Clubs

Morning all, now that the season is coming to a close I would imagine is most people review their season and start to lay down the foundations for next season.

What has started creeping in the my thinking is....am I due a club review?? My Ping G10 irons are now 3 years old as are my G10 hybrids and R7 superquad Driver. These clubs have served me well (I've come down from a ropey 9 to a less ropey 6 in 3 years. Having said that both club technology and my swing have moved on from my custom fit session 3 years ago. All of my clibs have been regripped now. The irons are in reasonable condition but are beginning to show some signs of wear.

How often do you all change your clubs? what are the main influencing factors when you do? I think I want to move on but I'm reluctant to part with tools which have been very good to me. What I'll probably do is get fitted for a new set soon and take my current ones out to Cyprus the next time I go and leave them in the villa to avoid paying Sleazyjet £50 extra everytime I go over.

Jas, there's something some club fitters do called a "Tour Van Gold" package and basically for an annual subscription they allow you to go in a few times a year to check if your clubs need the loft/lie done, whether or not they still fit your ever developing swing etc etc. Certainly cheaper than buying new clubs all the time. Similarly if you want a new driver or test a shaft they'll get you on the launch monitor to see how it goes.
I change my wedges every year due to groove wear, but if something works then I'll stick with it until it's performance is affected by wear and tear.

Jas - Off topic to begin with, when you pre-registered for the trilby tour how long after that was the remainder payment due and when did you hear about event dates. Only ask as i'm considering giving it a bash next season

Sorry about that - But now on topic. With regards to clubs, always tend to change my irons, every 3 years at most more recently has been every 2, and actually considering a change this year even though only had my current set a year.....

Driver again every 2 years, fairway metals, again probably the same, but no because of technologicall advances but more down to like shiny new things. My Wedges though I do tend to change every year, even though i tend to go for same model, just a comfort thing for start of new season new grooves and all that..

I would say after 3 years and swing changes it would be worth get a re-fit as things change over time, and whenever I buy new gear always have a refit

After a long a good run with my Hogan Apex irons, it was time for something new. Went for a fitting and told the pro I just didn't like the look of Pings. He told me to keep an open mind. After hitting about 100+ balls with various models, we whittled it down to the Mizuno, Titleist and ... Ping. Hitting is believing. Selected the Ping i15's. Still in the honeymoon period ... wedges go longer (having some trouble with figuring that out), but 4 and 5 irons definitely easier to hit.

Shotrock...I went for custom fit Ping i15's last year. Handicap then was 7, now down to 4.6

Hi Mav, I registered and paid the £50 deposit early Oct last year, confirmation that I was in came about March (I think - will check emails tonight). Balance of £200 becomes due when they announce the venues and you pick your venue). Shortly afterwards you get to pick your outfit (trousers and shirt). You pick up all the other gear (hat, belt, bag) on the day.

Yeah good point re the clubs, I think I am due a change given the amount I play and how my swing has developed and yes I'd simply never buy clubs off the shelf, always get fitted, SRs gold subscription thingy sounds like a good idea, I must check out what's available where I went last time. Would be great if my pro had a launch monitor and all the gear (as I could get assessed free from any commercial pressures) but he hasn't.

Blue - That's encouraging! You play better golf that I do .... was single digits not long ago, hope to get back there however!

reckon my Clevland Hi-Bore Driver needs an upgrade. its probably the best club in my bag but ive had it since summer 2007. Am i mad to get rid of it just for the sake of technology? what do you guys think?
its a 10.5 degree with an extra stiff shaft.
I play off 5.8 at the moment. hit it a long way with a fast swing speed. am thinking of going toward a 9 or 9.5 degree maybe?
suggestions?

Hendo, the lower the loft, the harder it is to keep straight, a lower loft also doesn't necessarily make it go farther.

JAS wrote:Hi Mav, I registered and paid the £50 deposit early Oct last year, confirmation that I was in came about March (I think - will check emails tonight). Balance of £200 becomes due when they announce the venues and you pick your venue). Shortly afterwards you get to pick your outfit (trousers and shirt). You pick up all the other gear (hat, belt, bag) on the day.

Yeah good point re the clubs, I think I am due a change given the amount I play and how my swing has developed and yes I'd simply never buy clubs off the shelf, always get fitted, SRs gold subscription thingy sounds like a good idea, I must check out what's available where I went last time. Would be great if my pro had a launch monitor and all the gear (as I could get assessed free from any commercial pressures) but he hasn't.

Cheers Jas. I know what you mean about the local pro's most these days do not have the facilities to do acurrate club fitting compared to the big chains with launch monitors and trackman data. Comes down to big companies being able to afford to buy the gear with their higher turnovers. Local pro's just cannot justify the high initial outlay for the equipment especially as they know most golfers now will go to larger chain stores than can offset a bigger discount. Is such a shame and lost revenue for them

yeah you are probably right re the loft SR . if it ain't broke don't fix it etc.

Mav this might be one for you, is there much of a difference between the Taylor Made standard and TP versions as a rule? apart from the price that is!

Hend:

I assume your talking about the Superfast Driver. Yes there are some differences. Where the Standard sits square at address, the TP is set slightly open. TP also as standard is with a stiff shaft, but can be purchased in a Regular. Also the TP is slightly shorter at 1/2inch shorter than the standard one.

It's designed for the better player to attack the ball more with the open face and shorter shaft is meant to allow for more control.

Tanks for that. I'm only 5 foot 8 so the shorter shaft probably suits anyway. (obviously looking for as much justification as possible for the bigger spend!)

I still think the R7 Superquad TP is the best driver TM have ever made.

No problems Hend:

The TP version does sit much better and with the slight open face does give the impression you can attack the back.

SR: Never been a huge fan of TM's R range or adjustable drivers in general. That said I have the SQ BLack Str8 fit, though is still set neutral as it has been since day 1. Just like how it sits like that.

Mav, TM change their line up too frequently for me, but of the ones they've made the R7 looked the nicest.

I've had the same FT-5 for about 3 years now, and still hit it further than these new "emporers new clothes " white or adjustbale drivers.

SR - Totally agree I think the TM range is far to vast and changeable. The drivers white heads are not my personal cup of tea either. Only reason I now have the Nike in the bag is down to thieving chavs nicking all my gear last year. When I've compared all the new super longs compared to mine which is just a year old now they are not longer at all.

Same with TM Irons, how many offerings do they want on the shelves at anyone time. Popped into my friends golf shop yesterday and they are a major retailer of all big brands and carry all of the brands offerings with the TM's I counted the following current models of irons alone.

TM CB's
TM MB's
TM R11
TM MC's
Burner 2.0
TM Superlaunch.

Then you have to factor in the CB's, MB's & MC's TP version of the irons and that was a total of 9 current sets of irons available for purchase. Talk about baffling the buyer in to at worst selecting one of your products........

Whereas on the other hand Mav you have Ping who perhaps have the laziest design studio this side of Porsche. Everything they produce is only microscopically different from the last.
I firmly believe you have to like the look of your clubs to keep them for a while and play your best with them, I just don't think Ping try hard enough to combine functionality with good looks.

Had my clubs (irons) for nearly 15 years and absolutely love them, and I will probably keep them for a while yet! Taylor Made Forged 300's

SR Ping designers are most likely the same as the day they were first made a company. Certainly the design effort that goes into them is the same as that of an old boy who cant reach for the viagra.

One small splash of colour and slight re-jig of the name and they think their jobs complete. No arguing their clubs are functional but then so is a 30year Yugo but does not mean you would want one.

I would like buying clubs similar to that of wanting to approach a young lady on a night out, no matter what people say about it's in the personality or the performance if you are not initially drawn to the way she/they look your interest to keep going back initially will not be pricked....

JDandfries wrote:Had my clubs (irons) for nearly 15 years and absolutely love them, and I will probably keep them for a while yet! Taylor Made Forged 300's

Haven't had my current set that long but I don't change them that often. In fact, recently bought a second set off eBay as I love my current irons so much - MacGregor Tourney VIP 1025Ms. Recently got a Ping Rapture V2 driver that (so far!) is a big step forward and I won't be getting rid of the putter for a long time. I can't see the point of constantly getting new gear when I like what I've got.

Mav/S_R

Not sure what the beef is re. Ping's design. I'm not that keen (except for their 'S' series irons) on their looks but if they're functionally good why stick all sorts of crappy graphics on them a la TM etc? You seem to be advocating bells and whistles simply for their own sake...

NBS not at all a fan of the TM's as I've stated earlier in this very thread, as for bells and whistles again not my thing, I prefer the look of a very understated nature and clean cut look, say something along the lines of a MP62 or my own Cobra Pro MB. No bells no whistle no colour, just a sleek looking club.

My thing with pings is I think their ugly with the chunks hanging off some and fact their looks never seem to progress 90percent of their clubs all look the same. Take the new G20 basically same as G10 with a re-badge.

Navy, like Mav, I'm more of a fan of the plain but elegant. My current bats are a lovely set of Snake Eyes 675MB, sleek, understated, lovely finish thin top line and sole AND functional.

I'm sure Ping are very good irons, I even had a set of the S57-Series before I was let down by poor build quality and had to return them, but for me they are just a bit too industrial, coarse and meaty for my liking despite how good they might perform. Much like the ugly bird down the pub, could be the best ride in town, but if you don't like the look of her.... you know the rest.

I bought a 2nd hand set of MP60's last year for the bargain price of £110. They are in great condition and I'm always checking out the latest gear but to be honest, I've not found anything that I can hit better. So looks like they will stay in the bag for a bit longer yet.
My wedges are over 10 years old now as well. They really do need to be replaced. I bought a pair of CG15's which I didn't really get on with then tried a pair of Ping Tour S wedges. Not overly keen on them either. After a bit of research, I think I've found out the root cause of sticking with my old Cleveland 588's. Turns out they are VERY low bounce, didn't realise this because there is no bounce stamped on the sole. MD golf do a range of low bounce wedges that are virtually identical to the 588's so I'll be checking them out in the near future.

D4S are you talking about the Norman Drew Wedges, have one of those myself in the garage bought when I snapped the shaft on one of my wedges last year whilst playing out of the guff. Good quality wedges at a veryreasonable price you will love them. Only reason it's not in my bag, my adams wedges are a thing of pure beauty and behave exceptionally

Yes indeed Mav, they do both a standard and low bounce range. I'm a big fan of MD stuff, got a 3 wood in the bag right now that really is a thing of beauty!

Mav, have you seen the new Adams MB2 Irons? Holy Scheisse, that's a set of sticks I'd like.

Our club pro has signed up to become an MD Stockist, am very impressed with their gear, and if I was ever in the market for something new would definately not count out their offerings very under rated purely because they don't promote like other brands but that helps keep price down

super_realist wrote:Mav, have you seen the new Adams MB2 Irons? Holy Scheisse, that's a set of sticks I'd like.

SR Seen them...... I have salivated over them and possibly even a little bit of sex wee came out

I've been seriously toying with the idea of purchasing a set, guy I know who runs golf shop I spoke of earlier is getting some in, ad has my name down as first to test so by end of year they may be in my bag. I bought the Pug Black wedges at start of the year and they are amazing. Adams making some seriously good stuff at the moment certainly come a million miles since the tight lies gear

I played with the same set for at least 10 years, but I've replaced virtually all my clubs in the last 12 months. I bought 2 new Vokeys a year ago with some winnings, replacing like for like. I knew I needed new irons this year, and after a fair bit of searching plumped for the Nike Pro Combos. Best set of irons I've ever had, by quite some margin. Then I won another Vokey which I traded in and added some old pro shop vouchers to for a 910f 4 wood to replace old 3 and 5 woods and make room for a 3 iron. Then in the last week I've bought a new putter, although I've not yet tried it.

Just the driver remains. It's a 907D2 which I hit ok but too high. Much as I've been impressed by the 910f I think I'll just get the shaft changed to bring it down and hopefully give me a few extra yards.

Maverick wrote:

super_realist wrote:Mav, have you seen the new Adams MB2 Irons? Holy Scheisse, that's a set of sticks I'd like.

SR Seen them...... I have salivated over them and possibly even a little bit of sex wee came out

I've been seriously toying with the idea of purchasing a set, guy I know who runs golf shop I spoke of earlier is getting some in, ad has my name down as first to test so by end of year they may be in my bag. I bought the Pug Black wedges at start of the year and they are amazing. Adams making some seriously good stuff at the moment certainly come a million miles since the tight lies gear

It's just a shame they spoiled them by stamping IDEA on them.

I will be getting a set of Mizuno MP69's as soon as I can get round to booking a fitting (or I might just order my current spec). I demo'd a set a few weeks ago and they're awesome. On the lookout for a new putter too.

JPX

will you be changing your moniker on here to MP69?

super_realist wrote:Navy, like Mav, I'm more of a fan of the plain but elegant. My current bats are a lovely set of Snake Eyes 675MB, sleek, understated, lovely finish thin top line and sole AND functional.

I'm sure Ping are very good irons, I even had a set of the S57-Series before I was let down by poor build quality and had to return them, but for me they are just a bit too industrial, coarse and meaty for my liking despite how good they might perform. Much like the ugly bird down the pub, could be the best ride in town, but if you don't like the look of her.... you know the rest.

Pretty is as pretty does Super. My G15s are not the belle of the ball, but they work well for someone off my handicap are a very robust too

super_realist wrote:Navy, like Mav, I'm more of a fan of the plain but elegant. My current bats are a lovely set of Snake Eyes 675MB, sleek, understated, lovely finish thin top line and sole AND functional.

I'm sure Ping are very good irons, I even had a set of the S57-Series before I was let down by poor build quality and had to return them, but for me they are just a bit too industrial, coarse and meaty for my liking despite how good they might perform. Much like the ugly bird down the pub, could be the best ride in town, but if you don't like the look of her.... you know the rest.

I know the rest....she might not be a looker but if she's the best ride in town...after 3-4 pints it doesn't matter!!

JAS wrote:

super_realist wrote:Navy, like Mav, I'm more of a fan of the plain but elegant. My current bats are a lovely set of Snake Eyes 675MB, sleek, understated, lovely finish thin top line and sole AND functional.

I'm sure Ping are very good irons, I even had a set of the S57-Series before I was let down by poor build quality and had to return them, but for me they are just a bit too industrial, coarse and meaty for my liking despite how good they might perform. Much like the ugly bird down the pub, could be the best ride in town, but if you don't like the look of her.... you know the rest.

I know the rest....she might not be a looker but if she's the best ride in town...after 3-4 pints it doesn't matter!!

That'll be the stellavision then as I said i;m not a fan of pings looks, but whatever works for each individual is all that matters

drive4show wrote:JPX

will you be changing your moniker on here to MP69?

Ha ha not sure they will allow "69lover".

Mind you the way I feel at the moment I possibly won't be getting them, totally disillusioned with playing right now, might just be end of season blues but I haven't picked up a club for 2 weeks which is unheared of for me.

Maverick wrote:

JAS wrote:

super_realist wrote:Navy, like Mav, I'm more of a fan of the plain but elegant. My current bats are a lovely set of Snake Eyes 675MB, sleek, understated, lovely finish thin top line and sole AND functional.

I'm sure Ping are very good irons, I even had a set of the S57-Series before I was let down by poor build quality and had to return them, but for me they are just a bit too industrial, coarse and meaty for my liking despite how good they might perform. Much like the ugly bird down the pub, could be the best ride in town, but if you don't like the look of her.... you know the rest.

I know the rest....she might not be a looker but if she's the best ride in town...after 3-4 pints it doesn't matter!!

That'll be the stellavision then as I said i;m not a fan of pings looks, but whatever works for each individual is all that matters

Agreed Mav, I'd rather be a lower handicapper playing with ghastly, meaty clubs than a higher handicapper with pretty clubs, but fortunately it hasn't worked for me. I tried Pings and a couple of sets of Wilson cavities (deeply unfashionable)
My lowest handicap was achieved with a gorgeous set of Taylor Made RAC MB's. Wish I'd never got rid of them, although they were getting a bit worn on the short irons.