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One of the most anticipated irons of this year was Cobra's release of the 2022 Forged Tec line, which expanded to included the Forged Tec X model. Read about them Here in My Golf Spy's First Look piece. These irons are stunning looking and in the case of the Forged Tec X are packed with enough help for the player that handicaps from scratch to 20 can probably play them. Cobra is going to give one lucky Forum Member a chance to win a set of their choice, you will be able to choose between Forged Tec Forged Tec X Entering will require a little research and work on your end, but it's well worth it to get a chance to put these in your bag. To Enter you must be a registered member of the forum. Then complete ALL of the steps below: First Head to the Cobra website https://www.cobragolf.com/golf-clubs/irons Research both irons and select which set you'd like Build a set (using any no upcharge options) and take a screen shot and post it in this thread. Note for Lefty's-You can click on Custom Options if you want the X model to buld your set. When the winner is chosen, if he/she is LH we will submit the specs directly to Cobra to be build. So in short Lefy's should have the same choices as RH in the X model. Then answer the following questions in the same post that you put your bag. Explain why you chose the model you did and what you'd hope to get out of them performance wise List your first name/city state (US Only entries) What current irons you're playing Handicap Will you agree to patriciate in discussions on the forum about your experience with the irons after receiving them. Plese join us in Congratulating @Lacassem Thanks to all who spent the time to enter and we will have more of these coming soon!

Had my maiden voyage with the regular Maxfli Tour ball today and I am more than impressed. Shot a niffy 76 and took some money off my pals. The distance was as good as the Titleist Tour Soft I've been gaming and they drop on the green like a butterfly with sore feet. The ball rolls well off my putter too so this could be a love affair in the making

Your playing group sets the rules for your playing group. If the consensus is that an official USGA Handicap is required, then its required. It seems like you have a choice, either shell out for an official handicap, or shell out every week when you lose money. Or maybe you can convince the entire group to abandon their official handicaps, and use the free service that you use. Or maybe you can find a new group to play with.

... That is so generous of you! Use up all the bad wedge shots ands now the new owner gets to use all the good wedge shots! Wedge Philanthropy.

Let me start off by saying I play to a 3.1 hdcp. After seeing the Maxfli review, I purchased 2 dozen of the Maxfli Tour X. After playing it, as well as the ProV1 and Z-Star, the only difference I could determine, for me, is that the PV1 feels a tiny bit softer and the Z-Star a bit firmer. The Tour X spin into and around the green is far better than the Z-Star and is very close to the PV1. I also find the Tour X as durable as the PV1, but not as strong as the Z-Star. I am very surprised with the solid performance of the Tour X. For the foreseeable future it is my new ball.

Ordered a combo set of Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 irons yesterday. I am a Mizuno iron fanboy and have never hit anything that I liked as much as them, but I tried these for the first time last week and after putting them head to head against mine I couldn't turn them down. Really could've gone with ZX7 only but the ZX5 irons for the 5 and 6 iron were so good. Same thin-ish topline for both sets and they're pretty compact which I have been missing since going from MP's to JPX.

I'll pile on with @cnosil, its YOUR group of golfing friends. We can't understand the history, or the current attitudes without being part of the group. If you don't like the way things are done, its up to you to work through the issue(s) with the group. It sounds like you made a personal choice, to save some money, and you don't like the way others have reacted to your choice. I can understand both sides of this, but its a group decision kind of thing. We don't know what kind of stakes you guys play for, nickels or hundreds. We don't know what types of formats you use. We don't know the range of skill levels. We don't know if any of you actually check scoring records within GHIN, or whether they have access to YOUR scoring record in your free service. I'm not going to say the group is wrong, and an individual is right. Go talk to them, work it out.

Picked up this guy for a trade. Got rid of a 60° wedge that's been doing me wrong so I think I traded up. It's the other guy's problem now! Was fit for this shaft when I was looking at the Cobra RadSpeed last year. I ended up getting the Mizuno ST-Z and the Blue was not an option so it's been on my mind. Can't wait to get the tip on and plug this in. Can't say I'm too impressed with whoever put the grip on though. We'll see how long my OCD can put up with it.

Time for a check in, as I prepare for my own version of the late summer run (for any fellow Chasing Scratch podcast aficionados). My overall handicap has not moved all season: it's been right at 12. I think it's hovered between 12.2 and 12.5 with every round I've entered into Arccos. Looking through Arccos, it appears I've played about 25 rounds (mostly 9 holes) so far this season. That allows me to compare these 25 against the most recent 25 before those and make some comparisons. That comparison tells me that I'm playing slightly worse this year than I did the end of last year. A major contribution to that decline: my putting. So far this year, I've been a mess on the green, especially from inside 5 feet. Not gonna say it's the yips, but it's been ugly. Off the tee, Arrcos thinks I'm slightly better. I suspect that that improvement is based almost entirely on avoiding penalties. I think I mentioned earlier in this thread that I had an online strategy session for my home course with Lou Stagner. Based on that, and because my course is so ridiculously narrow (and because it is lined with forests, completely penal on misses), I've been much more conservative off the tee this season. Arccos sees my approach game as slightly worse than last year, which I suppose surprises me. And Arccos sees my short game as slightly better than last year and still the absolute best part of my game: So what's the plan? Part of my plan hit a speed bump two weeks ago: my Mevo+ died. I had just created a Flightscope skills practice, with the plan of getting into a groove of consistent, measured practice for this homestretch of the season. But my Mevo+ decided to not boot up one day, and after a few days of tinkering with the Flightscope customer service, it ended up being shipped to them for diagnosis and repair. That's a bummer. In the meantime, I've taken on online lesson in putting, because that has been a consistent bad spot in my game this year. I've had a stroke that was an attempt at SBST for years; the reality is that the stroke was massively outside-in, cutting across the ball with a relatively square face. This year, that stroke stopped working for me. So I'm now incorporating a much more traditional putting arc. I'm finding no real issues with the same Edel putter I was fitted for last year, using the new stroke. The differences aren't trivial (new stroke on the left, old on the right): YouCut_20220720_120910537_2.mp4 I'm also giving up the heads up putting for now, especially on short putts. Instead, I'm find that using a line has been a good addition with the new stroke. I see putting lines badly; the correct line always looks quite left to me. So I'm using the line on the ball, then addressing the ball to that line, ignoring how it looks at address, and trusting that to be my start line. Because I'm finding good success starting my ball on my intended start line, this seems like a good idea. Used the line on course for the first time this morning in a nine hole round and saw immediate statistical improvement: 14 putts (with one chip in), didn't miss any putts that were in the shouldn't miss range, everything else was a no stress two-putt. So that was encouraging. Historically for me, the months of July and August are my best scoring months. So far, July has been mostly a wash; hoping that some of these tweaks will see me shave off the stroke or two I need to hit my goal.

This is a big one, don't miss out, get your entry in now

Bit of a roller coaster so far this week. Owen and I got out for the front nine at River Heights on Monday and the back nine yesterday. On Monday I slept through my alarm and we rushed to arrive for the tee time. Forgot my hat at home, still half asleep. Topped my driver. Then topped my 8 iron. Then chunked the 8 iron. Then put a nice PW on the back of the green, and proceed to three putt. If you're scoring at home, that's a triple bogey. Hole two I topped my driver again, pulled a 6 iron left, then put my PW over the green and into the corn field. Another triple. Hole three I finally got a good drive and a decent second shot albeit pulled left. I then proceeded to chunk FOUR balls into the waste area in front of the green before getting one over although to the right. Rest of that hole went the same. I stopped keeping score but I'd suppose it was at least a 16. By now I've rubbed off on Owen and we're both playing poorly. On four I pulled my 6 iron left, managed to chip on and three putt, which still beat Owen who went top, chunk, chunk, blade, before getting on the green and three putting. Hole five requires 230 to carry the river, otherwise about 190 to lay up. I decided to play smart and hit my short hybrid which I then crush not one but two straight into the river. I drop with Owen and chunk the next one into the river . Hole six requires about a 150 yard carry off the tee over another waste area. That area now has five more of my balls. Finally hit one solid. Despite all these shenanigans, we've managed to catch up with the foursome in front of us. While they're putting I decided to lay back a bit with my short hybrid and hit a rope that rolled to a stop just in front of the bunker before the green. I chunk my wedge but still clear the bunker, stopping on the fringe. From there I drop a 50 foot putt. When editing post round, Shot Scope, having seen the rest of my round, required an extra verification of this putt, . On seven, a short par three, the foursome in front tee off, then inexplicably wave is through WHILE THEY'RE STANDING ON AND AROUND THE GREEN. Never had a more terrifying shot in my life. Owen aims right and sails the green, bouncing into the river behind, and finished with a quad. I try like a 25% 7 iron which trickles just off the green, where I almost sink the chip for a tap in par. Hole eight, we're back. I hit a good drive, a decent approach to the back of the green (front pin), three putt bogey. Owen slices his drive into the next fairway then puts his approach within ten feet where he sinks the birdie putt. Hole nine, great drive, chunk wedge, another wedge to the green, two putt bogey. Owen had a different approach but similar results. Yesterday we arrived and everything is heavily covered in morning dew. I'm not a fan of starting on the back because hole ten is a long par three that has the river in front of the tee and along the left side and the back of the green and the fairway curves around a pond on the right. Really have to be spot on; not good when coming in cold. I'll spare the details of the back nine and switch to the cliff's notes. We really struggled with the early wet greens. I put two balls in the water on 14, which has become my nemesis hole. I really alternated between good and bad shots most of the day. Between the two days, I shot 113.

Adding one additional point, having a GHIN handicap doesn’t mean you post all your scores or follow the rules associated with posting scores. This means your index could be just as wrong as what is calculated by your unofficial site. That said, your partners/group make the rules and if you want to play with them you need to comply with what is decided.

walking? what? Do we still do that? Cart and cooler,,,, I know what your thinkin, but water, gatorade and arnold palmers work for me. drinkin is for later.

OCD you win!

Thanks to MGS and Cobra for giving a member this opportunity. I've heard glowing reviews of the new Forged Tec irons and am looking forward to reading one from one of the members here. Good luck to all applying!

I think OL will be an option. But will confirm that and update. Thanks

Plenty of projects going on at the new house. I’ve changed out all but one ceiling fan, and that just arrived today. We’re having the landscaping worked on and cleaned up, painting rooms, blah blah blah. All the normal stuff…. But most importantly, my new TV came in and I got to mount it the other day! Loving the OLED so far. My old Plasma was getting tired, plus this room is much bigger than my old den.

I will hit your tee balls for you if I don’t have to roll one putt. Seems like a fair deal to me.

Paying $80 seems a bit high for establishing a GHIN handicap. I'm the administrator for our course's GHIN memberships and we charge $50 per year. That includes reduced rates at our monthly golf tournaments, food at our annual meeting and funds that support junior golf and our high school golf team. There's an argument that integration of the World Handicap System and the enhanced GHIN phone app which makes it easier to input scores and access your handicap makes having a local GHIN number somewhat less important. One could argue you could maintain your GHIN handicap anywhere. Many of our members here are snowbirds and play half their rounds away from our course. However, knowing your GHIN members and having an active Handicap Committee reviewing scores helps ensure the overall integrity of the system.

You mean the Saudi's aren't a benevolent lot - just handing out lots of cash?

Yes, and yes. I use the 'Club' data to better understand the real distances for my clubs. That gives me better knowledge to hit the target with the right club. What was eye opening was the distances I thought I was getting was less than the real data captured by Shotscope. That same data also lets me track improvement, which in my case (practice) is focused on the long clubs - specifically driver and 5W. In that same club performance data, I can select 1,5,15,current year and previous year. Unfortunately, I can't do a side by side comparison in the app - but I can use that old fashion tool - pencil and write down the improvements. With now over 90+ rounds for the year, I have a high confidence that my my PAVG data is pretty accurate. Note currently I'm not using 'strokes gained' as a metric for my performance but that may come at a later point. And as a result of lessons and practice I am making gains And finally no: I don't use it to just enjoy looking at my game. That 'enjoyment or in my case more frustration comes from looking at my scorecard.

Hey I'm a pay it forward kind of guy

Most courses have different rates depending on the time of day you want to play. As an example Litchfield is around $100 early am, $70 for am, $50 for pm and late pm. Caledonia is always in the top 100 courses. But you are looking at $175 to $200 but it is a bucket list course. No driving range but you can use True Blues range. Its sister course is True Blue another top 100 and right up the road and usually about $25.00 cheaper than Caledonia. Both very very good. True Blue has wider fairways. Other good ones right in that area are all located in Pawleys Island are: Pawleys Plantation, one of Jack's courses which has a famous island green second only to the 17th at TPC Sawgrass. Probably on the pricey side. Heritage, a Dan Maples design. I happen to like the course. There are some that don't but you can spend more on Caledonia and play Heritage and save money that way. River Club, this is a Tom Jackson design. Wide fairways, excellent greens but water on 15 holes. Litchfield Country Club, probably the only walkable course. Its one of the older courses with a lot of character. Probably a good warm up course for day 1 or at the end when your all beat up. All of these are all between 10 and 15 minutes from Murrells Inlet in the same general area. TPC Myrtle Beach, its a Tom Fazio design. TPC is a true players course, lots of wetlands and towering pines. For me I would rather play the others but all of these are good. You can go to www.golftownusa.com or myrtlebeachgolf.com to dig further.

Definitely great advise. 10-15 years ago I would be pushing and do something stupid. Now at almost 76 I actually listen!! Took a while to catch on.

No didn't buy something.. this time.. but perusing through my local Offer Up in the golf section as I do and this was too funny not to post.. Remember watching Sesame Street and playing the "one of these things doesn't belong" game?

* I would really like to see what the pwrshell and tungsten can do for my game. I could use some more GIR!! * Corbin/ College Station, Texas *Srixon ZX7 * 6.4 *I would participate in discussions about the irons.

Explain why you chose the model you did and what you'd hope to get out of them performance wise: After wading into power distance irons and trying out graphite in long irons, I am super curious to see if my performance improves with more forgiveness (and less aches in my hands) throughout the set. List your first name/city state (US Only entries): Patrick. San Diego, CA What current irons you're playing: Taylormade P7 combo set (790 4i, 770 5-7i, MC 8-P) Handicap: 7 Will you agree to patriciate in discussions on the forum about your experience with the irons after receiving them. Yes!

Forged Tec X because its the more forgiving model of the two Derrick - Seattle, WA Mizuno JPX 921 Hot Metal 18 Yes, agree to participate in discussions I selected a no-upcharge graphite shaft, but would prefer to play Steelfiber i95CW regulars. I would be happy to pay the upcharge if i were to be selected.

One of my golf buddies nicknamed me Mr. Faucet as I run hot and cold and nothing in between. Yesterday at our Senior Golf Championship I came in last place - too many balls lost in the water (re: tin cup). Today? Our league played at an away course called Woussicket. I booked a 40 on the front which is my second lowest score ever for 9 ....then it started raining. I parred #10 in pouring rain and wanted to continue played but all the other guys overruled me and decided to call it. Shades of the Bishop in Caddy Shack!

... One of the things I told my students was their lessons are designed for them specifically so don't give others advice about what worked for them in a lesson. I often gave advice that was "fundamentally incorrect" but helped the student get to where they needed to be. As an example, asking a student to move their head away from the target by a full 2' on their backswing. Of course I didn't want them moving their head 2' but because they had a reverse pivot and actually moved their head toward the target on the backswing, asking the to move it 2' backwards often helped them keep a steady head that didn't move much at all but to them it felt like moving it 2' backwards. This is one of the reasons I rarely give advice to anyone already working with an instructor because I don't know that instructors plan for that student. Glad to hear your instructor is working for you!

I just want to be able to hit it that well two handed...

This is the last call for any golf only guys who want to play Saturday or Sunday. If so I'll need commitment and payment by tomorrow. My paypal and venmo are listed or PM me for more details.

You have enough control over your OCD to not have fixed the grip already? You are stronger than I am sir.

I've yet to break 80 - only just broke 90 in April of this year (that was the goal for the whole year, so...I'm clearly way ahead of my own curve ), and then shot an 81 three weeks ago - and legit could've shot 79 without a few bonehead shots and/or the three putts that lipped out dropping. But the way @StrokerAce described it - with everything just clicking - that's how it felt. And then my next time out shot a 95, just to make sure I stayed humble, lol. Love this game. A 70-something score is definitely out there, and soon. Especially now that I have my chipper, lol. GAME. CHANGER (said every golf product. Ever.).

Lots worked on. range was focusing on a new feel my coach gave of getting my lead shoulder up and out. Got to video this time. I can get that move to work up to half swings. Full swings I still dip instead of move it up and away. Driver was also rough. Was struggling with face contact. Even tried my other shafts I have and they were worse. Then practiced some long clubs off a tee since I’ll need to use them that way Saturday. Strangely, after I hit my first 4w on a tee, anything and everything was top city with my clubs. Trying to just shake it off as a swing change happening and hope it self organizes in time. May need to move to external thoughts. Moved to the putting green. Tried a gate drill with tees. That is hard! Worked on it with lag putts of different distances. Then the Tiger face control drill which I struggled with. When I did it without heads up putting I was fine. Lastly moved to the chipping green and experimented with targets and different lies. Trying to take from the Four Foundations book of just getting it on the green and close to the hole. Don’t be cute and let your natural dispersion work for you. Also messed with the face going open and closed. Can hit some nice two hop and stops with it square to close. Open face can get some high balls but more thins happened as it feels I am sliding the club under. Happy Grinding all!

Visiting my Daughter in Indiana, awaiting arrival of a grand baby. Had plans to play today with Grandson, Daughters bf and ex wife’s hubby, but Mother Nature had other plans….Rain! Plans to play with my High School buddy at his club next week in Frankfort, KY

I am not sure he is getting instruction I think he is simply learning and trying to understand the biomechanics that are involved in the swing. He may apply them and he may not. I do this type of thing with putting and putters. I like to learn which means I need to listen to various theories and experiment with what is presented; it isn’t about getting a lesson. Sure it may mess up my putting for a while, but I find it enjoyable.

I only have 5 rounds in mine so the data hasn’t gotten to a point where I can start doing detailed analytics. I plan on using it to determine what area(s) and what clubs I need to practice. It may influence some of my on course decisions if my dispersion is skewed enough or I have more success with a different club; I see this coming into play in the short game area. It does/will take time and knowledge to dig into these numbers because IMO just looking at the overview screens tells you very little.

Some pigeons are coming home to roost by the looks of it. They actually have to perform to get their money...who knew?

Since the house caught the plague last week we have all been staying home and I've been able to work from home. Most of the family is pretty much recovered with a few lingering symptoms so I took a chance to set up the Spornia net to hit some balls. Considering not being at 100% and not having made any swings for a few weeks, I was not too unhappy with where my swing is. The weirdest feel that seems to work for me is to think of the shaft being in line with my left arm at the top. It's obviously no where near there in actuality, but that's what I'm thinking at that point to minimize the tendency to cup the wrist. I've got a few other things to work on, but things are coming along pretty well. Once I'm feeling better I will need to head to the course to get a few rounds in during the slow season at work.

I definitely intend to pick up a ChipR when they are available. I chip ok, but not often close enough to one putt. Without a doubt I have the most success with a 9 iron bump and run, but I don't ever feel comfortable hitting it with the sole flat on the ground, and any time I move closer and have a more upright club, I tend to blade it. So I'll be giving the chipper a try and see if it can shave a few strokes off. If it does, I could easily remove my 3 wood or possibly one of my higher lofted wedges.

Mmmmmmmm. Lenny, cue the honesty hour music. So I saw on twitter that you took your putting lesson via Skillest. I’m also taking a series of lessons, full swing, via Skillest and have been pleasantly surprised. I had real doubts but the communication has been excellent and I’m finally starting to see a correction to a problem that has plagued me for years. But putting? What has that been like? Send a video and get a video back? Anything live? Very curious? #LGLG

Advice from experience do not push yourself too hard and expect a lot from yourself. As usual SOP for me I was hardheaded and pushed myself WFO not once but twice and had 2 relapses. Set back my really trying to play a year or so. I am just now starting to gradually climb out of that hole I dug for myself. So please take it easy

... I vividly remember my first Chicago Am and the combination of anticipation mixed with over bearing dread. Guys on the first tee hitting it much longer than me and in the fairway. But many fell apart when they needed their short game and it was a great learning experience. But as Stu said, congrats for putting yourself out there. Nothing quite like seriously competitive tournament golf and the adrenaline of seeing how you match up with other golfers.

No problem for me I'm always in the buff!

I like it man at least you tried. I will give you an A for effort and never give up keep on trying

Speaking from experience, it's much cooler in the water!

I played a round of golf this past Sunday. Where I played has 3, 9 hole courses. I was disappointed to see that Shot Scopy only had 2 of the 3, in addition they had a 9 hole course that was closed down years ago. On monday I sent a request to add the current 3rd, 9 hole course. I received and email today, apologizing profusely and telling me that the current 3rd, 9 hole course will be up by tomorrow. So far am not only impressed with the product, but now I am impressed with their customer service. Hopefully this will continue in future.