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I think I am more excited to read the comments......why didn't you test X; I play this ball and it is the best ever, your test is wrong; why didn't you test the ball at Y swing speed, I am sure that the weather impacted the performance of the ball on the GC Quad; etc.....

Got a chance to ride my local course with the course manage this past week, and we're getting close to opening day here, finally. The local news posted on Facebook this week that winter officially ended this week, as the ground is no longer covered in snow. Before this latest melt, we have consecutive ground cover of snow for 165 straight days. The greens weathered the winter quite well, the snow is almost entirely gone, and the fairways are mush. Two out of three ain't too bad. So with opening day approaching, I thought it would be a good time to post the clubs that'll be in the bag for the first round of the season. The driver is new for me for this year: a Callaway Rogue Sub Zero, 10.5°, with an Evenflow Blue stiff shaft. I've only had a chance to hit this once at range, but I've been impressed so far that for me, it just refuses to go left. I'm hoping to be able to aim down the left side of fairways all season and not fear the hook. Returning at fairway wood is a Callaway X2Hot 4 wood. Took the advice of one of the YouTube club channels and realized that I likely just don't have enough speed to get the best use out of a 15° wood. This one is at 17°, and last season was the closest I've ever been to being really comfortable with a fairway wood. My hybrid is a Callaway XR Pro at 20°. In my game improvement thread, I posted about taking four clubs from my basement that were candidates for this slot and letting them compete head-to-head on the SkyTrak. The Callaway ended up offering the best combination of distance and hook avoidance, so in the bag it goes (despite my disliking its pingy sound). The irons return from last year's MGS testing: the PING G700s. Yep, they're giant shovels. Yep, I'd like to think I'm the kind of ball-striker that doesn't need a SGI iron. And I might not need the extra help. But after using them for a few months last summer, I'm pretty reluctant to give that help up. The wedges are a couple of Callaways: an MD3 at 54° and a PM Grind at 58°. The PM Grind for me is a "when needed" club; otherwise, almost all my short game shots are with the 54°. Making it's debut in the bag for this season is my Evnroll Tour Stroke Trainer. I bought this a couple of months ago, and I've gotten really comfortable with it on my basement green. But no putter in my bag should get too comfortable. I plan to play most of my rounds with the Tour Stroke, but my Evnroll ER6, TaylorMade Tour Spider Platinum, Cleveland Satin 2135 Elevado, Odyssey Toe Up, and MLA Tour XDream will all likely see a round or two this summer. I'm not in @GolfSpy Dave's class, but I like putters. For headcovers, the FW and hybrid get some faux-vintage Callaways. The Tour Stroke has its stock cover, with the "It's Legal" script. And the big dog proudly wears the MyGolfSpy headcover. My go to ball this year is the prior model Srixon Q-Star Tour. Bought 100 of these used on eBay. Everything gets toted around in my Callaway Org 14 bag, riding on a Sun Mountain Reflex pushcart. Rounds are obsessively tracked with Game Golf.

Annual Buddy Trip to Kissimmee.......16 Players, 4 courses,after 3 days, everyone has won some thing..... Played North Shore, Kissimmee Bay CC and Stonegate The Oaks. Excellent tracks all, shot 87, 92, 87. Today is the final day with play at Hawks Landing. Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

I thought the Blue was to denote guys who are online but wishing they were out playing.

Now that they used a robot everyone will complain they used a robot. You just can’t win! Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

Played an impromptu 18 today when my friend called and said he was down the road. Threw my contacts in my eyes, grabbed my bag and hit the course. Probably should've ate breakfast but he brought me a spam musubi (my favorite pregame snack, or at the turn, or just whenever) and we walked on. Flash was on point again, but the rest of my game slept in for the weekend. After shooting a pretty steady +3 on the same front nine on Wednesday, I took the turn at +12. Yikes. My driving handicap today was inflated because of shots made not with the Flash, but here is the breakdown of when I did pull it out of the bag: I did cook one left today for the first time and had to take an unplayable. That's the furthest-left dot in the screenshot above. I think it was a bad bounce, but it was definitely heading left so it wasn't completely bad luck -- shouldn't have been left in the first place obviously. I thought I should've gotten a kick to the right off of the slope, but it might've kept turning beyond where we could see from the tee box. Sucks because it was on the same #9 where my previous longest with Flash was recorded. Which brings me to my new best: They need to update that Google Earth picture, those aren't trees there anymore, it's a water hazard. Lipped the putt of course, but like I said I played like poop.

Wait, what is this that showed up on my doorstep today? I have been thinking a lot about my fitting ever since @GolfSpy STUDque asked whether we thought our shaft and club head choices were correct. Specifically, thinking about how I was swinging on that particular day and how I'm swinging now. As I've been figuring out my game this past year, my swing has been rather transient. I know on the day of my fitting it was very steep. I remember thinking the Tensei AV Blue felt rather nice during the fitting, but I ended up with the HZRDUS Smoke to fight the steepness of my swing on that particular day. I've liked the feeling of the Smoke at times, but at other times it feels a little lifeless and boardy. @yungkory's assertion that the Tensei is a little whippy intrigues me. Some life from the shaft might be nice. I've been scrounging eBay for the past few weeks and nabbed a new Tensei with the MCC Align grip and Callaway adapter for $80/shipped last week. It was too good of a deal to pass up. While it's not +2 wraps like my Smoke, I felt both and don't know how much of a difference that will actually make. I've swapped out the shaft and hope to get some range time with it early next week, assuming weather allows.

My kit arrived today. Looking forward to getting on the program starting tomorrow! Thanks to all the testers for your detailed posts. Time to give this a try. Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

Finally added this one to the collection. I had one at the launch and didn’t want to pay a premium for it. Just found one at a real good price for any Betti let alone this one. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Bens, and MPR for the idea. Other than Tigers Scotty, is there a more iconic club on tour than Henrik’s 3 wood? All I can think of is the boys in the barracks when Tom Highway comes in to meet the Swede... Just the hype part, not the take down part.

So some very good news and some expensive news. Today was the first time the weather improved enough that my wife wanted to play golf. After about 14 holes she says to me "I have never seen you drive the ball so straight - that Ping Driver is really nice" Then about two holes later she reminds me " you know I've been wanting a new driver for quite some time". Huh ho. $$$$$$$$$$$ Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

The carbon fiber plate on the bottom of my Epic driver cracked last week. Since it’s 2 years old I figured oh well. A buddy talked me into calling Callaway, so I did and told them what happened. I give them the serial number and next thing I know they’re wanting my shipping address so they can send me the new Epic Flash!!! Plus I got the Cobra F9 lineup coming in soon. Talk about being happy!! Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Driver was working, irons were working, putter was working, short game was NOT working. Just some really bad shots that resulted in a few doubles. Just going to keep practicing since there were a few good short game shots.

When a player has played out of turn in match play, the opponent may immediately recall the stroke played and require the player to play in the correct order. Rules of Golf EDIT: I would have called him on it and had him replay his shot as the rules call for. He may have still won the hole, but I'm a stickler for the rules of golf in competitive play.

I think you should've power bombed him into the bunker. In earnest, you already came this far, why not make him make the putt again? Either way, your chances of winning the hole were bleak so your best bet would've been to take a few extra breaths before teeing off the next hole. Confrontation ain't fun, but never let events like that affect your future play. "You only have control over the next shot"

Guess I could read the entire thread before posting. But while it is donor. The post count theory held water for at least the 7 or 8 I checked. But a current review of those online showed much different.

177 comments and counting on the same Instagram post. All the dissenters would be wise to remember these words by Daniel Patrick Moynihan... “You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.”

Basically said what I came in here to say. Proper lag is a result of what you are doing with the rest of your body - it shouldn't be shoe-horned into every swing. It should occur naturally based on proper sequencing. The amount of lag will correlate to how extreme the sequencing is.

Bastard...

Don’t think there’s a right or wrong way. Lots of ways to approach the game of golf. the ping fitter that used to work this area when I first got into golf and is now lpga tour rep for pxg, the titleist fitters I’ve gone too in this area and the ping tour van guys that fit me for my g400 all started with heads. We used shafts to tweak my feel or timing.

Final Plating Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Okay.... I'll comment. I have never been fit for clubs. I have taken a few lessons. I have learned and tried to apply what I have learned from those lessons. I have never tried to change my swing. I'm 59 years old and soon to be 60. I have no desire to go through what it takes to change my swing. I'm a serious, casual golf fanatic...lol. I LOVE to play golf! I always have fun.... even if I get aggravated sometimes. I have come to terms with my age and ability at this age. I know for a fact I could be a better player with more lessons/fitting/practice............... I don't care! I work 10+ hours a day for at least half of the year. I have no time for lessons or getting fit (my excuse...lol). I play what I have.... and I have a good time doing so. Of course I would like to be a better player, but at almost 60 and shooting in the low 80's high 70's most of the time.............. I enjoy the game and the people I play with. To me, that is more important than being as good as I could possibly be.

First of all I joined because there is no judging I’ve been told. I’m a high handicaper -16.8- with only Low 90’s swing speed. I am a 300lb disabled USMC veteran and recently retired inner city high school teacher. I now have more time to practice and play. Clubs are hard to fit for me. I’m using Bridgetone J15’s. Irons 4-W with NS Pro shafts Driver is the J815 with a Fubuki graphite Flex-S shaft 10.5° Also the Bridgestone J15F 3W same Fubuki shaft 15° And a J15HY 5 W 23° withsame Fubuki shaft. BTW I lost the hearcover to my 5w and would love to get a replacement one. Any suggestions? I’ve tried Ebay and Amazon. Putter is an Odyssey Backstrike Blade with SuperStroke grip. It’s an older model but I was “fitted” for it at one of the big box store chains. I like it but the ball doesn’t go in the hole so I think it’s broken. Bag is a nice Bridgestone Tour Bag engraved with the name of a Golf Reality show I was cast member. Thnx for reading.

Zach Johnson’s seemore

... If my TP5x is 2.3 yds short than the winner it would be statistically insignificant for me. But if it is 5.3 yds shorter or more, that will get my attention. It will be interesting but in the end it's just a golf ball and anyone other than the company that doesn't test well should not be loosing any sleep. But of course they will.

One of my favorite golf books is Fred Shoemaker's book, Extraordinary Golf. I highly recommend it. It presents a new paradigm in learning and appreciating golf. The first question asked in the book is, "Why do you play golf?" I think that same question is the heart of this thread. "The problem is that we confuse the goal of the game, which is scoring as low as possible (winning), with the purpose of the game, which we decide for ourselves." p. 31. This struck a chord with me. I really thought about my reasons for playing golf and it changed my outlook, enjoyment, frustration level, the way I interact with my playing partners, how I practice and appreciation for the game. I really though about the reasons for playing this crazy game. I discovered that the top reasons had little to do with my score: time spent with my good friends, being physically active, enjoying the outdoors, trips with my buddies, self discovery. Other reasons for playing are tied to skill development: learning, challenge, the game has to be experienced and can't be learned academically. The irony is that by letting go of a focus on swing and mechanics and traditional lessons, and moving to self discovery, experience, skill development and awareness of my own natural movements, my scores have dropped dramatically the last couple of years and I'm playing some of the best golf I have ever played. My swing has changed, without an instructor telling me what to do or me consciously trying to manipulate a change, but by increasing awareness. Anyway, for those on this thread who have tried the traditional lesson method for improvement and want a new way to approach golf, give Shoemaker a read. Chapter 3 is especially illuminating, where he talks about the Culture of Golfers. In the chapter, he discusses how to move from "fixation" (there is something wrong with my swing and I have to fix it) to awareness ("increased awareness allows the body's natural instincts to come into play, and these instincts make the swing more powerful and efficient. Awareness thus leads to improvement.)

... While I enjoy reading results of actual golfers in any test, having a small number of players at different swing speeds do not tell me much or anything really about how X-Product relates to me. 100mph driver swing speed from someone with a short hard hitting motion can be quite different than someone with a long smooth swinging motion. Maybe completely different AOA's, different ball flight, different spin as well as different shot shapes. And of course personal preference. As we all know looking down at a club that does not suit your eye can cause a less than ideal swing, just like a club that is beautiful at address can inspire confidence and a better swing. ... A robot does none of the above so I am looking forward to the MGS final unbiased and purely analytical test results.

I just saw on Facebook.... Longest is DTC, shortest is one of the leaders in sales...

What's up guys. Name is Mike - I'm the co-host of the Chasing Scratch podcast and just found this site thanks to @GolfSpy MPR. Been playing golf for 27 years and my current handicap is 6.1. I love everything about golf except slow play and stroke+distance penalties. I live in North Carolina, I'm a PING iron loyalist, and I just started a semi-plutonic relationship with a new Bettinardi putter named Cassandra.

I am not a tester for 2019 (yet) so I would say Donor.

Exactly where I stand on it. I always have a good time playing and I'm just not that concerned about handicap. I could fairly easily take 5-10 strokes off it with some better choices, but I like taking on the challenge of specific shots, even though the probability of making them is low. Just have fun playing your game. Sent from my XT1585 using MyGolfSpy mobile app

We got lucky here. Started out raining then turned to sleet the snow. Came down in big flakes and covered the ground quickly. Then the lucky part, it quit snowing but started raining shortly after. The rain got rid of all the snow that covered the ground. I may have a shot to play tomorrow! Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

I'll take all of the leftovers please! Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

I am not going to get into a debate with you on aliexpress and clog up the OP’s thread. If you wish to discuss you can pm me. With that said if you want to use them that is your choice, all I said was I wouldn’t recommend the site as they deal in known counterfeits. I understand that not everything is necessarily counterfeit just like some things on eBay have been counterfeit but I won’t put my name out there recommending something that can end up biting me. It is just the way I am. I will just leave it this way for the OP, there are deals to be had but at the same time some deals really are too good to be true. Do as much research as you can until you feel comfortable. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

... Had a rough day at one of my favorite courses that always seems to produce higher scores. 5 bogies and 3 birdies but the last hole was pretty cool. Long par 4 with a slope about 260 from the tee. Catch it and run another 50 yds. Wind pushed mine a hair right and it was headed the way to begin with so it sat on the edge of the fairway and missed the slope. My wife (here for a week) hit a big drive and made the slope from her tees and we lasered it at 260. Longest drive of her life! ... So I have 154 downwind and a little downhill to a pin in the front. 15 mph wind meant no way to get it close and I was debating between a pw and 9 iron. Do I choke up on the 9 and hit the front of the green and hope it doesn't go too far past or land about 10 yds short and hope it bounces on? With bermuda I never know if it will land and stick or land and hop. Hmmmm. My wife says hit the pw because you will get up and down if you don't. I hit the pw as good as I can and it landed right where I wanted it to. 144 and it hit and just made it out of it's pitchmark. As we went to the ball we could feel the ground squish beneath our feet and realized they had watered. LOL, just my luck that in the middle of a desert I land short of the one hole they watered in the middle of the round. Told my wife I had to chip it hoping I could one hop it thru the grass and have it trickle to the hole with only about 8 feet of green to work with. She made a friendly jab about outdriving me so I had to get to close didn't I? Chipped it where I wanted, it hoped once and rolled to the hole hesitating on the edge and the 15 mph wind nudged it in the hole for a birdie. My wife just smiled and said "I told you". It washed away the slightly bitter taste in my mouth of always playing one of my favorite courses poorly. Because it doesn't get any better than playing with my wife, in the mountains with beautiful scenery on a nice maintained course even if the score isn't what I was hoping for.

Happy National Prime Rib Day! Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

75 today, long game still pretty good, putting better (switched to a TM spider vicino mallet). couple of topped 4 woods as I went for the hero blast to reach 2 par 5's in 2, ended up parring both, I need to reel in these silly shots. I'm getting closer to that BROKE 75 badge @GolfSpy STUDque, is it in production?

LOL. I was considering a bedazzled cod piece. I would think that would be sufficient.

We teed off at 6:30 this morning. 37* and 5 mph winds. Cold enough my phone shut down on the first tee... [emoji58] Course was closed but we played anyway. Conditions we're good. Done in 2:50 minutes as a 3-some. Shot 35-36 for a 71 with 4 birdies. Wedges need to be better. Now the rain/sleet is starting. 6-8" of snow on the way. Sauna and gym time. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

One of the best customer service departments in the industry, hands down. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Oh boy - somethings going to hit the fan tomorrow

Great reviews guys and the Epic Flash sounds like a real winner!

Before I start with this response I will acknowledge I’m making far more of this than the initial question and responses would justify. However, please indulge my guilty pleasures for a minute. We will use the numbers quoted for the Ryder Cup as our working example with the understanding these numbers vary from event to event. The average wage grade employee in Wisconsin makes $11.37 per hour. If each of the 3000 volunteers must work a minimum of four 8 hour days the overall projected salary for this work force would be approximately $1.1 million. In contrast if each volunteer “pays” $250 each to work four days that’s a a starting profit of 750k. If you subtract the items that have a true real cost (shirts, hat, cost to make the badges and daily box lunch) approximately $150 per volunteer the PGA tour still pockets $300k for the week through its “volunteer” program opposed to paying out over a cool million. Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

I’m guessing that’s what the site upgrades were yesterday. [emoji846] The world is about to go insane.

Best wishes, let us know how it goes! Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

Preach it bruther!

Yeah the 2 iron was an instant favourite of the tee and the fairway but I can't hit it out of the rough. That's where the hybrid could be a big winner. I'm just really excited to get my hands on all of the clubs and get playing But still no haka

Very nice bag and I love the got to go with what works attitude

fair enough, I like BIG Bodacious goals so I'll just have to strive to break par.

Looks like a nice track. For some reason I thought it was adjacent to the Windmill Golf Center (which is in Macedonia). I'm there on Wednesday going through a fitting.