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  1. Indi Golf Fitting There are times when you walk into a place you’ve never been, and immediately feel like you’re home. Or maybe you just feel like you’d like it to be your home, because of the sweet merch, the clean aesthetic, the GC Quad-connected hitting bay and putting mat in the next room – you get it. (Wedge heads on display) This past Friday, I had the chance to go down to Carlsbad, CA to visit the headquarters of Indi Golf. Most of you know that Indi has some wedges currently in the testing phase in the forum, but as none of the testers lived locally, and as I’m only about 3 hours north, I figured on my day off I’d travel down and check them out, and see what a wedge fitting at a company who specializes in wedges (and now putters) was like. TLDR: it was a nearly perfect experience for a golf nerd (that's me). For background, I’m an ~11 handicap (11.1 to be exact), and I game the OG Kirkland Signature wedge set (52, 56, 60). Shockingly, I wasn’t fitted to these wedges (see, this is hilarious because … they’re from Costco. Off the shelf from Costco.) – I know, this is a cardinal sin amongst the hardcore on this forum but a) they were a gift, and b) they were a significant upgrade from my previous wedges which I’m not even sure had grooves left when I got rid of them. I’ve gamed the K-Sigs for the last 2 ½ years, and they’ve been great to me, in all honesty. I still feel that for the money, they’re a pretty hard set to beat. Nonetheless, I was VERY excited to be able to go to a company whose specialty is wedges, and to go through a real fitting trying the various builds and grinds to find something that suited me the golfer, and not just me the mayonnaise-and-toilet-paper-buying-guy-who-also-golfs. Upon walking into the facility, you’re greeted with a rack of genuinely-great-looking hats, a wall of the wedge heads mounted for you to see the various lofts / grinds, the lineup of putters, some shirts, and then several Jones bags (with Indi’s name embroidered on) full of the various wedges. It’s clean, simple, beautiful and immediately gives you a sense that the company has an eye for design. (Rack of Hats) Zane, the fitter, was there to greet me, and shortly thereafter Rob (the CEO) came out and gave me the mini tour while I took a few photos. (By the way, Rob did the Community Call with us a few weeks back, and if you haven’t checked it out, definitely give it a watch here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1omlnwjBej48KJCZQZM47x-zXK5vPHN9Y/view?usp=drivesdk) – it’s super fun and informative.) From the get-go, it was clear that both Rob and Zane were, to put it simply, golf nerds like me I asked a little more about how the business started, what the plans were for the space (currently only one hitting net with a TV connected to the GC Quad, but eventually it’ll be a full hitting bay with projection screen along with couches to make it more comfortable), etc. Once the pictures were out of the way, they had me warm up with my 52-degree, hitting a few shots, seeing where the spin was, angle of attack, etc. We segued into the 52 degree FLX head with the Dynamic Gold Spinner shaft, and then hit the ATK head (same loft), and it was immediately clear how much better for me the ATK head was. I have a pretty steep (-7 (avg) degree) AOA (Angle of Attack for those joining the forum recently ), so the FLX was digging a little too much for me, and I was getting some pretty big deviations in spin. As soon as we tried the ATK, my contact was just so much better. It was a really amazing, tangible thing to feel the difference between the grinds, and to know that I really was better-suited to one than the other. It felt a little like magic – with my previous wedges (which, again, weren’t fitted (obviously)), it was a case of me fitting myself to them over the last two years. With these, they were doing the exact opposite, and the help it added was incredible and immediate. (Hitting net for now, but soon to be replaced with a full simulator screen) (Rob, checking my numbers) Once we got the head, we tried several different shafts (DG Spinner, DG 300, and the DG R300), and it was overwhelmingly clear the DG300 (in 120 Stiff) was the right choice. It had the smallest deviations in spin/carry/launch, even on slight mis-hits, it was a winner. The weight surprised me, to be honest, as my irons have always been a 105-ish range, but these felt absolutely fantastic – could be because they better match the weight of the Indi heads, but for whatever reason, it was a very easy choice. Next we looked at the 48-degree, what they call their Super Gap. Full-face grooves, a squared off, high(ish) toe, that really allows for some incredible flexibility. You can go at it, full-swing, or you can go toe-down and use it for bump-and-run shots around the green - it really is incredibly versatile. Flexible, if you will. The FLX moniker is well-earned. This is the only club that ended up with me in a different shaft – the DG Spinner 115g (in wedge flex). As my set PW (in both my current gamers and the Caley 01T’s that I’m testing) is 44-degrees, it’s pretty apparent I need something between 44 and where my current next wedge sits – 52. I did discuss with Rob and Zane the idea of going 48, 53, 58, but Rob said he prefers keeping the gaps the same from PW all the way through the last wedge, and with the numbers we were seeing, I think that’s the right choice – the 48 perfectly slots in right around the 120-125 number – my PW is just about spot on 135, and my 52 right about 112, so this was pretty great to see. (So many incredible choices...) Once I started getting slightly tired (read: very, very sweaty and starting to hit some hosel rockets – wouldn’t be a Samsonite fitting without at least a few of those), Zane and Rob felt like they had enough information to confidently prescribe my set-up. So, even though I’m in love with my L.A.B. DF2.1, I was curious what a putter fitting would look like, so they moved the GC Quad over to the putting area, where instead of a hole they had a Putt-Out set up. (Lining up with the Allison) As Rob mentioned on the Community Call, their goal with the putters was to do something few other companies were doing. The heads are fully aluminum, milled faces, with weights at the back edge (Jet (large mallet)) or far edges (Allison (half-moon) and Cash/Ramone (blades)) to increase forgiveness as much as possible. As my L.A.B. is also milled aluminum, the feel was pretty much right at home, right from the get-go. They had me roll a few with the L.A.B., to get a baseline, and after diagnosing my stroke as a slight arc (no argument here), Rob had me try the slant neck Jet, followed by a slant-neck Allison (my preferred shape). With all three clubs (mine and the two Indi clubs), I was seeing a small “launch” of about 5 degrees, effectively popping the ball up in the air. Zane and Rob were both set on me not changing my set-up, but as the L.A.B. has me having the ball forward-of-center, I moved the ball back about a 1/2 ball, and just like that, my launch was averaging 0.1 degree. I then went back to my DF, and sure enough, having the ball 1/2 ball further back got the same 0.1 launch and much truer roll. Were I in the market for a new putter, for me, the choice would be clear - the Allison, all day, every day. Everything about it promoted a better aim - the half-moon shape, the two parallel lines on the back of the head, the milled aluminum face was soft but consistent - it’s a really fantastic putter. (Talking golf with two VERY smart people) Once all the swings were swung, measurements taken, and data crunched, I got to hang around a little and pick Rob’s brain - about where he started, where he’s been, how he got started Indi, and briefly where he’s going. While he wouldn’t take the bait about whether or not they’ve got a full set of irons in the works (I had to ask - it’s my JOB to ask questions I know won’t get answered!), it’s abundantly clear that he’s passionate about making golf more fun and accessible for the average golfer. It’s why his first design was the non-conforming boxed-groove wedges - who doesn’t want to watch their wedge shot rip back towards the pin after landing on the green? It’s the same reason they developed the putters - they saw a market for something other companies weren’t doing yet, and dived in, creating something beautiful and functional, and ultimately, designed to help golfers perform better. I’ll be putting a set of Indi wedges into play shortly after this is posted - a 48-degree FLX Super Gap (with Dynamic Gold 115g Spinner), and then 52/56/60-degree in the ATK with DG Gold 300 120g Stiff. I really cannot wait to see what these do to push my approach game to the next level - I’ve gotten so confident on the greens with the DF over the last year, that I’ve been actively trying to give myself more and better opportunities to make putts. Given what I saw in the hitting bay, these felt like a no-brainer addition to my bag, and I cannot wait to get them into play (hopefully this Friday, if the shipment arrives when it’s expected to). (They're pretty, pretty pieces of metal) I’ll be keeping you updated along the journey, and am considering myself an honorary tester of the Indi wedges along with the other members. I. Cannot. Wait. Thanks again to Rob and Zane for having me down, and to Jamie (@golfspy_APH) for thinking this was a good idea in the first place. (Zane, the fitter). (Rob Lang, the President and Founder of Indi Golf)
    26 points
  2. You Asked: What is a Golf Handicap? One of the most misunderstood elements of golf is a player’s handicap. What is a handicap? How does it work? Is there a difference between a handicap and handicap index? Do I need a handicap? These questions are what I found myself asking when I first started establishing an official United States Golf Association (USGA) handicap this past season. Whether you're a high handicap or scratch golfer, this article will help to answer these questions and more so that you can better understand how this valuable tool can benefit your game the next time you head to the golf course. We will also take a look at some of the changes made to the World Handicap System and how those will be implemented in 2024. Definition of a Golf Handicap At its most basic level, a golf handicap is a general term defined as the number of strokes, or shots, a golfer is expected to take above or below a course’s par score. A higher handicap means players are able to subtract more strokes from their gross score to determine their net score. A lower handicap indicates a more skilled golfer, who subtracts, or in some cases may add, a smaller number of strokes from their gross score (this is known as a “plus” handicap). What is a “Good” Golf Handicap? A “good” golf handicap is hard to clearly define, as it is relative to the golfer. For example, a 30-handicap golfer may feel that a 10-Handicap is a good golf handicap. The average handicap index for men in the U.S. is 16 while women have an average of 28. The maximum handicap a golfer can carry, regardless of gender, is 54.0. Handicap Versus Handicap Index The general term “handicap” differs from a “handicap index”, which is a rating given to a golfer’s game specific to a scoring system, like the USGA Handicap System. A handicap index is not a representation of your average score. It is used to calculate your course handicap by taking into account the course rating and slope rating. There are other factors that are taken into consideration when calculating course handicap, which will be discussed later on. Establishing an index is relatively easy to do, as the minimum number of scores needed equates to three 18-hole rounds. Internet access makes it easy to enter your scores into the Golf Handicap & Information Network (GHIN) system. Your handicap index will then be updated each time you post another score at midnight local time the following day. How is a Handicap Index Calculated? The formula used to determine your handicap index takes the sum of your eight lowest handicap differentials divided by eight when 20 or more scores have been posted. This calculation gives us a number that is then rounded to the nearest tenth. For golfers with fewer than 20 scores, the table from USGA rule 5.2a provides information on how score differential is calculated. Many golfers believe they should shoot or beat their handicap index on a regular basis, which is not true. It is simply a measure of your playing ability over a given number of rounds. Often, golfers will finish a few strokes higher than their index. It is important to note that both nine-hole and 18-hole scores may be posted towards generating your handicap. Importance and Benefits of Having a Handicap We’ve identified both a handicap and handicap index as well as the difference between the two. Now you may be wondering, “Why the heck do I need a handicap, anyways?” The best answer to this question is that you don’t! If you golf casually and don’t take it that seriously, there really is no need to worry about carrying a handicap; official or otherwise. However, if you plan to play in tournaments or leagues, you likely will require a handicap to participate as it is used to level the playing field. Let’s look at an example of how a handicap is used in medal play (also called stroke play) format: John is a relatively new golfer with a course handicap of 20. His friend Mike, who has been playing golf since he was a kid, carries a course handicap of three. In medal play format, Mike will give John 17 strokes (20-3=17). John’s final score is a 96, giving him a net score of 79, while Mike shoots a 77. Golf's handicap system allows less skilled players, like John in our example, to compete with better golfers based on his current ability. How is my Course Handicap Calculated? There are a multitude of factors taken into consideration when determining course handicap. The playing conditions calculation (PCC), maximum hole scores for handicap purposes (net double bogey) and adjustments made to differentials for an exceptional score, in addition to course and slope rating (as mentioned previously) are all used. Both course and slope rating can be found on your scorecard (each set of tees carries its own slope/rating number). Let's take a look at what some of these terms mean. Playing conditions calculation (PCC). Whether a a course was playing easier or more difficult than normal due to weather or setup Net double-bogey. You may count a maximum of two strokes over par plus any strokes you're entitled to, based on stroke allowance for that hole. Use this chart to determine your per-hole maximum as it varies based on handicap index. Exceptional Score. A submitted score seven or more strokes better than your handicap index at the time the round is played Course Rating. The difficulty of a course for a scratch golfer Slope Rating. The relative difficulty of a course for players who are not scratch golfers compare to those who are Your handicap may vary across courses or even from one tee box to another due to differences in course slope and rating in relation to the tees you're using. Your handicap index determines your course handicap. For instance, I typically play to a 16 handicap from the white tees at my home course but I'd adjust to a 19 when playing from the back tees. Why? Because the fact that the course plays tougher from those tees affords me more strokes. This practice aids in maintaining accurate scores when navigating courses with varying slope and course ratings. Another benefit to carrying a handicap if you’re taking your game seriously is that you can see your improvement, or lack thereof, over the course of a season and beyond. As it is a measure of one’s ability, it is easy to track how your golf game progresses. World Handicap System (WHS) 2024 Revisions Revisions have been made to the WHS that will be implemented beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Since its implementation in 2020, many countries have seen significant increases in the number of rounds posted for handicap purposes. With more than 100 million scores posted yearly, the WHS helps to unify players globally through a standard measure of playing ability. The upcoming changes include: Inclusion of shorter-length golf courses. Within the course rating system, 18-hole courses as short as 1,500 yards and nine-hole courses as short as 750 yards will now be eligible for a course and slope rating. Use of an expected score for a hole not played. To handle holes not played, the use of a player's expected score will be implemented rather than a score of net par. Also, as nine-hole rounds are becoming more popular, an expected score can be used to convert a nine-hole round into an 18-hole score differential. Playing Conditions Calculation adjustments made more frequent. PCC has been modified to increase the likelihood of an adjustment for abnormal playing conditions. Enhanced guidance on conducting a handicap review. A yearly handicap review has been recommended to ensure a player's handicap index remains reflective of their ability. New reporting tools that national associations can incorporate into their systems have been developed to assist in conducting the reviews efficiently and consistently. Conclusion I hope I have been able to adequately explain, and answer, any questions you may have had surrounding golf’s handicap system. It is a beneficial tool that allows golfers of all skill levels to compete with one another, keeps track of how their game progresses over time and leads to more enjoyment and less frustration on the course. If you haven’t carried an official handicap in the past and would like to get started, doing so is easy! Discover your local Allied Golf Association and sign up today! You'll be ready to grab your golf clubs, head out for a round of golf at your local course and start reporting scores for an official handicap in no time.
    24 points
  3. In a new series of articles coming to you from the Forum Staff we bring you the Titleist T-Series Irons. Every iron has a purpose and there is a purpose for every iron. This is what has become abundantly clear throughout my time using the Titleist T-Series irons and it all started with the fitting. However I have to go back a little further to connect all the dots. In 2018 I was selected to test and review the PING i210 irons. As I had been using the PING iE1 irons I thought the transition would be easy. It wasn't, however my struggles soon drifted away and this set of PING irons became my main set for the next 4 years. I had some great rounds with them and fond memories, but being a bit of an equipment junkie I soon wanted to take in the full forged iron experience and transitioned to a set of Sub70 659 TC Irons. I wanted the superior feel of forged irons and felt I had the iron ability to play something with a little less tech, more feel. I wasn't concerned with any distance loss, even though I didn't find much of any. However once again I had early struggles with the new irons. I know enough about equipment to be able to know what works and what doesn't for my game. I was a bit surprised, however again I had a few stellar rounds, but still felt something was missing. My next step was into the players distance category with a set of TaylorMade P790 irons. Having found I was using a lot of my longer clubs in previous sets I wanted to see if my game could be elevated by using a set of irons on the complete opposite end of the Sub70 659 TC's. This time around I didn't have the early struggles. I clicked nearly right away with the P790s, but something was still missing. It was hard to put my finger on what that was until I had my fitting with Titleist. Titleist T-Series Irons Titleist created their new T-Series to be blended and according to Titleist "80% of tour staff have blended sets." and this is where the light bulb moment came. Even though I had success with all my previous sets and most of the sets had some sort of progressive design to improve performance throughout the set they still were just that one set. In truth this moment should have come much earlier as I had long ago replaced the PING i210 4 iron with a PING Crossover, but that was to create better gapping at the top end of the bag which is normal for many. What I ended up with for my Titleist set is purposefully selected specific irons for each area of my game and bag to ensure that I have all the proper irons for each situation. So what does this mean exactly? Well let me walk you through my setup. My Golf Bag - The Finer Details I prefer to use a 58, 54 combo of wedges. I also prefer and have had more success with cavity bag type wedges (Mizuno S23 and Ping Glide series). For my next club I either wanted to add another one of those wedges or as what happened add a set wedge. The main reason I go down this route is forgiveness. I am a solid ball striker, but I consider any opportunity with a wedge or less to be a scoring opportunity. I want to be set myself up for the most success possible, even if that means a less sexy looking club. When discussing this situation with my fitter and going through several shots we landed on a GW(50*) and PW (46*) in the T100. These are an all forged, slim top line and built for greater precision. If I want the best scoring club possible that fits my comfort zone this was going to be the choice. The next section of my bag we wanted to be able to add a little extra distance, keep a certain level of forgiveness and still have the ability to use these irons as potential scoring clubs. While I don't expect to hit every green I still want to see if I can make improvements in that area. While my fitter did suggest I could continue with the T100 set throughout this area, I wasn't as confident. I knew the gapping would be easier, however the Iron distance was a little shorter than I would prefer to see knowing the courses I play and the clubs I would have more confidence in playing. When we factored all of this together we landed on the Titleist T150 9-6 irons. The T150 have a bit more technology in them, while aiming to mimic the feel and the performance aspects of the T100. The T150 have an added 2 degrees of loft meaning a bit more distance. However this also left a decent gap with the T100's which we needed to address and did by making both the GW and PW 1* stronger. I now had a middle section which was better suited to longer approach shots and tee shots into par 3s. The nice part with these together is they look nearly identical. Yes the topline on the T150 is marginally bigger, but it isn't enough to truly matter. The feel for both is exceptional and the main difference I can say is that the T150 have a bit more pop to them. I am sure that is partly their tech, but also the loft. The other key feeling both keep is their responsiveness to strike location and turf interaction. In this area both sets excel and versus any of my previous sets. This left me with one more club to select for my set and where I often use my 5 iron. There are two main areas that I have need or use this club. One is off the tee on shorter par 4s or situational par 5s, sometimes into longer par 3s and to progress up the fairway on par 5s. While not a max distance club I was less concerned about exact carry number and more in getting a club that would meet those needs of distance versus accuracy. Once again the fitter did give some leeway in the decision as he felt I could use either the T150 or make the leap to T200, which is where I ultimately settled. The look on the Titleist T200 is a lot different to to the T100/T150 irons that have the brushed look. The T200 is shiny and does a better job appearance matching the T350. That is where the similarities end though, as at address the T200 has the same shaping of the T150 as well as offset. The topline again is marginally thicker, but not by much. All the irons used the same Project X IO 6.0 shaft that matches up well for my swing and it was a toss up between that and the Project X LZ. Both performed really well, but with a slightly higher peak height on the IO it just felt really good and we loved seeing the window that the ball came out of. With the fitting done and everything awaiting arrival the anticipation grew. When irons arrived it didn't take me long to get them out to the range. A slightly similar trend followed and while not my first round, but my first session on the range I struggled. This meant a lot of my initial excitement dampened and maybe expectations lowered because the first round turned it all around. Key Takeaways - On Course I have since played 20 or so rounds with these irons and here are my biggest takeaways from this time. - I wish I had never played a straight set of irons and it will be nearly impossible to consider a non blended set in the future. - PW and GW are way more forgiving than I had initially anticipated and the quality of precision is exceptional. - With the mid irons (non T100) my GIR have gone up along with my confidence. - T200 is not my favorite club, however the purpose in which I need it for does the job. - Stopping power! I have never owned a set that has had this level of stopping power. Not just spin, but flight and consistency. I have still of course had awful shots and struggled at times, as with any amateur golfer. I also still have not reached my ceiling in terms of potential. But I can say with extreme confidence that my floor has been raised. This is due to each iron being purposefully selected and built to work best for not just my game, but having the proper purpose. Where previous sets aimed to fit the bill everywhere and do everything well, this set is built to excel only where it needs to and not provide performance aspects which are not going to be utilized. Moving Forward The Titleist experience is exceptional, from fitting, to delivery to putting them in play. I had never owned a set of Titleist Irons before and much like my PING i210 irons staying in the bag for several years, I can see these irons holding their spot for many years to come.
    22 points
  4. Introduction The Flightscope Mevo is an entry level personal launch monitor that provides users with 8 unique data points. Those data points are carry distance, spin rate, clubhead speed, ball speed, vertical launch, smash factor, apex height and flight time. The Mevo uses 3D doppler radar technology to capture this data. Priced at $499 USD (currently on sale for $425 for Black Friday Savings), the Mevo is priced lower than some competitors in the same space. In this article, I’ll highlight what the Mevo brings to the table and who it might be best suited for when in the market for a personal launch monitor. Small Size, Powerful Data The first thing you’ll notice when unboxing the Mevo is its small stature. It is no exaggeration that this unit is tiny. However, its compact size allows it to be an excellent tool to use on the go, as it fits in the valuables pocket in my golf bag and would just as easily fit into my pocket. That is what I find all the more impressive about its performance. Speaking of performance, one of my initial concerns with the Mevo was how its accuracy would fare in outdoor conditions on the driving range. With the device, you are provided with reflective dots that you can put on the golf ball to improve accuracy. Since I was using range balls, I elected to forgo the dots as I would have no way of recovering them. Early results have been promising, with good to great accuracy across all metrics, especially with driver. I have seen some discrepancies in carry distance and spin with wedges, but that is most likely related to how I deliver the club and not the unit itself. Mid iron accuracy has also been good across all parameters. It will be interesting to compare the outdoor vs. indoor data when winter sets in and I move to my garage set up. Of the eight data points available, I am finding the most benefit to my game and goals in clubhead speed, carry distance, spin rate, and vertical launch. I am a high spin player due to a relatively steep AoA, so at times I lose distance on strikes that feel like they should be longer, particularly with driver. I am now able to utilize the data Mevo provides to analyze this. On shots that feel good but don’t carry, I am often seeing a high spin rate and lower vertical launch, leading to an assumption of a negative AoA. On good strikes with longer carry, I am seeing lower spin and slightly higher launch, which seem to correlate with a neutral AoA. While the Mevo does not provide this metric, one can use their judgement to come to a reasonable conclusion. Easy Set Up, Intuitive App Another major bright spot for the Mevo is its simplicity. Once you download the FS Golf app and create a profile, connecting the Mevo to your smartphone or tablet is as simple as turning it on. It pairs and connects within seconds, no navigation to device bluetooth settings required. The app is straightforward, allowing you to choose a full swing session, participate in challenges, and review data from your sessions. All data is stored in the FS Cloud, which you can access online. Within the full swing session, you’ll choose whether you are outdoors, indoors or pitching. You can adjust your altitude to sea level or current geographical altitude, and then simply start your session. A feature I love is that your phone’s camera can capture your swing within the app, and you can see the data that correlates to that swing. This gives you the ability to view what a good swing and good strike looks like, and then compare it to a poor swing and strike. Having this feedback is a great tool if you’re working on a swing change. Who is the Mevo for? Knowing your carry distances on the course can be the difference between reaching a green in regulation or coming up short and in a hazard. The Mevo provides that and more, in a pocket sized and accurate package. At a price of $499, and currently $425 for their Black Friday savings promotion as mentioned above, the Mevo is a fantastic option to enter the personal launch monitor market. For someone looking for basic data parameters, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better unit at this price point. If, however, you’re looking for a more in depth and advanced unit, the Mevo's big brother, Mevo+, provides 20 data parameters, plus a host of other features including simulation and games. It also just so happens to be on sale for their Black Friday promotion, and can be found here. Flightscope is one of the leaders in the personal launch monitor industry, and their products prove that through accuracy and ease of use. Whether you’re looking to get into the PLM space or are looking to upgrade your current setup, give the Mevo a look!
    13 points
  5. Hey all! Another article has hit the main site - and despite it saying it was written by "Forum Staff", I promise it was me - so direct any/all comments at yours truly https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/where-to-buy-cheap-used-golf-clubs/ Hope you enjoy, and happy to hear any thoughts you had (and any obvious ones we missed out on adding (despite it not being a catch-all, it's always good to have great sites for used options)! -GolfSpy SAM
    12 points
  6. The Testing Opportunity COBRA celebrated their 50th anniversary in the golf industry with the launch of their AEROJET line. With the tagline “Faster by Design,” COBRA says it engineered Aerojet to enable new levels of speed through an aerodynamic and bold design. Six Forum members were given the opportunity to test and keep a full bag of COBRA products. All of them tested the woods while two were selected for the KING TOUR muscle-back/cavity-back, Forged Tec/Tec X and AEROJET iron lines, wedges and their choice of putter. Testers were also able to select the Ultralight Pro cart or stand bag. As three-man teams, the testers competed in weekly challenges. Each challenge focused on a particular part of the bag: Woods and Wedges, Putt-Putt King, Irons Only and a Four-Club Challenge. Check out the thread HERE to find out who ended up as the COBRA Challenge Champions! Initial Impressions: Club Fittings All six testers were able to experience a complete fitting in various ways including Golf Galaxy, True Spec, PGA Superstore, a privately owned golf center and directly with a COBRA rep. The consensus was that the importance of a proper fitting cannot be overstated. Said sirchunksalot of his fitting experience: “I can't properly describe how much fun I had today and how good of a fitter David was. He helped me find the right ball position and was extremely encouraging throughout the fitting. I appreciated his expertise and ability to make me feel comfortable throughout the whole process.” Jnoble89 had his fitting with a COBRA rep. “Steve handed me my first club, which was a 7-iron. Right away I could tell it was standard length (I play +1”), so I was kind of confused but went with it. Expectedly couldn’t hit it to save my life and was wondering what the heck I got myself into. After maybe 3 swings, Steve hands me another one and says “ok, now let’s go with this.” First swing was LASERED to a roughly 160 carry into the wind. He then told me he had me hit one that would have been “off the shelf” and one fitted to me so I could feel the difference as to why fittings are so impactful.” COBRA AEROJET Drivers All of our testers were fitted into the AEROJET Max driver which was somewhat of a surprise considering the wide range of handicaps. COBRA reshaped the head through a raised skirt, symmetrical shaping and streamlined edges to help players achieve maximum swing speeds. Tester JerryB had this to say about the AEROJET Max Driver: “When you hit it square, you know it. When you don’t hit it well…you actually aren’t that aware. Mishits travel nearly as long as solid hits. I’ve been averaging roughly 5 yards more than my current gamer with a lot of consistent distance. I even hit a new personal longest drive.” While the Max didn’t make the final bag for tester Chisag, he had this to say about it: “There is just so much to like about this driver. The stock Kai’Li Blue shaft is about as good as it gets for a no upcharge shaft. Those that prefer a longer face to rear look, should have the AEROJET Max at the top of their demo list. And the moveable weights along with the adjustable loft sleeve provide an excellent ability to fine tune your performance.” COBRA AEROJET Fairway Woods There was a mix of the standard and max versions of the AEROJET fairway woods tested. Featuring PWR-Bridge and H.O.T. Face technology, testers raved about their performance. Tom the Golf Nut stated: “I had TaylorMade SLDR 3 and 5 woods in the bag for years and the 3 wood was the high launch version. The AEROJET 3 wood is easier to hit and launches higher. The surprise out of the bunch was the 5 and 7 wood. Although I had a COBRA 7 wood (F6) in the bag this one is sneaky long with a higher ball flight. The five wood is a rocket ship. So much that I might not need a 3 wood.” However, there may not be a tester who saw a bigger impact to his game from these clubs than CFreddie: “The 3W is an absolute rocket off the tee (where I’ve typically hit it), besting my current gamer by >20 yards. Even more important, one of the weakest parts of my game has drastically improved with properly fitted fairway woods (who would have thought?). And on the 7W, I get excited just thinking about the next shot I’ll hit with it - it's truly effortless to launch high and stick soft, and has become my 2nd shot club on par 5s.” COBRA Hybrids Our testers gamed a mix of hybrids between the AEROJET and KING Tec. COBRA touts “Versatility by Design” with the AEROJET hybrid, blending distance and high launch to provide greater forgiveness on long approach shots out of different lies. The KING Tec hybrid offers custom tuning via three weight ports and a loft sleeve, giving players the option to optimize their ball flight. sirchunksalot was blown away by the KING tec hybrid. You could say it was love at first swing: “These clubs have transformed my long game. They are easy to get in the air and fly straight…They are the main reason I shot one of the lowest rounds I’ve had in a while…If I were to write a love letter to golf clubs, I would wax poetic to these hybrids. They are firmly in my bag.” Tester JerryB elected to play a 4-, 5-and 6-hybrid from the AEROJET line as he mentioned some struggles with longer irons. “ The 4 hybrid is most like what I already use, so the adjustment was easier. It launches well and can go a mile when I get hold of one.The 6 hybrid is interesting, and I’ve used it as a bit of a utility club. I’ve used it to punch out of trees, as a long bump-and-run club, and as a bit of a chipper just off the green. As with the other hybrids, the ball rockets off the face.” COBRA Irons Our testers were selected to test specific iron sets based on their handicap level. Chisag and Tom the Golf Nut tested the KING Tour CB/MB category, sirchunksalot and CFreddie tested the Forged Tec/X, and Jnoble89 and JerryB tested the AEROJET line. Said Jnoble89, regarding the AEROJET irons: “ For a GI (game improvement) iron, the top line isn’t overly thick, and you cannot see any of the back of the iron when setting up to the ball. Feel on well struck shots is crisp, and produces a nice “thwack” sound. You can also feel when you don’t strike the ball well on mishits, which I think is good for feedback. I think sometimes GI irons are TOO forgiving on feel, so I appreciate this aspect.” Chisag raved about the KING Tour’s performance on-course: “The KT’s simply do everything you have the skill to demand from them. They are very accurate, produce a pleasing trajectory with plenty of spin to hold hard, fast desert greens. I don’t normally play fades or big draws with my irons, but when needed after a poor tee shot the KT’s performed flawlessly. Hitting them high or low is easily produced on command.” Mid-handicapper CFreddie went with the Forged Tec irons: “COBRA has built an incredible club - I’d categorize the FT as a middle of the road iron (perfect for my current handicap), bridging the gap between a true players iron and game improvement…I’ve never considered Cobras in the past, but I’m now a converted fan of the brand & clubs.” COBRA Wedges All of our testers opted for the SNAKEBITE wedges. These boast COBRA's most aggressive grooves to date, designed to maximize spin while utilizing a notch design to deliver precise shot-making around the green. Tester Tom the Golf Nut said this about his 54-degree Snakebite: “The 54* did everything I asked of it and helped me to shoot a personal best. The club put enough spin on the ball that it just sat where it landed, and I could attack the pin more. Stopping and proximity to the pin were outstanding.” Jnoble89 also saw positive results with his set of wedges: “These are a no-brainer play for me. I have never owned a true wedge set, and so far I am really enjoying these clubs. The 60° has been a revelation out of bunkers, and the first shot I ever hit with it was getting up and over a towering pine after missing the green on a Par 3. I was sold at that moment.” COBRA Putters The full line of COBRA’s putters were made available to testers with mixed feedback. Chisag was very surprised, in a good way, on the performance of the Vintage Sport 60: “I don’t change putters often so I was not looking for a new putter and I was certainly not looking to change putters. But the overall feel, look and the excellent roll from the SIK face has earned the right to be my gamer.” JerryB selected the KING Stingray 20 and was thrilled with its performance: “Putting has long been my weakness and this putter didn’t magically make me a better putter. What it did do was make me feel more poised while standing over a putt. The SIK face technology means the ball rolls smoothly almost instantly off the club face…I’m getting my speed dialed in much better than with my old putters…my lag putting is miles ahead of where it was previously which is leaving me with fewer three-putts.” Final Verdict Overall, our testers came away impressed with COBRA’s 2023 lineup. They found that regardless of a golfer's ability or skill level COBRA has a golf club that can perform well for that type of golfer. Not all of the testers are keeping all their COBRA clubs in play permanently, with some choosing to go back to their previous driver, wedges or putters. That being said, all of them found areas in which the COBRA golf clubs excelled. This was reflected in the grades which were given at the end of the test. Testers were asked to grade each area (driver, fairway, woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, putter and bag) out of 15 for a possible total of 105 points. When the results were tallied scores ranged from 85.5 to 99.5. Respectable scores without question and scores that show the overall value and performance of the 2023 COBRA lineup of golf clubs. Want to read more about the full experience and reviews? You can find the full reviews from all the testers here: MyGolfSpy Forum Cobra 50th Anniversary Challenge
    12 points
  7. A Comprehensive Review by MyGolfSpy Forum Testers Introduction: The anticipation among our members for the testing opportunity of the Rapsodo MLM2PRO was nothing short of palpable. While the Rapsodo MLM had already established itself as a highly utilized and well-reviewed product on the MyGolfSpy Forum, the addition of enhanced features in the MLM2PRO made it one of the most eagerly awaited items for our testing season. Selection Process: Our Forum Staff handpicked a select group of members to conduct thorough reviews. These individuals were tasked with rigorously testing all functions and features of the MLM2PRO and providing regular updates to the community. Their insights would culminate in a final, comprehensive review assessing the performance and features of the new Rapsodo MLM2PRO. Introducing the Rapsodo MLM2PRO Rapsodo, with a commitment to continuous improvement, introduces the MLM2PRO, offering significant enhancements while maintaining an affordable price point. Here's a glimpse of the remarkable features that accompany the new Rapsodo MLM2PRO: 1 Year Premium Membership ($199 Value) included with the device Dual optical camera vision Shot Vision and Impact Vision for versatile swing replay options Simulation at 30,000+ golf courses Quick Connect Feature for seamless setup Rapsodo Combines for a comprehensive analysis Full functionality both indoors and outdoors NEW R-Cloud site Apple and Android compatibility Accolades: In the MyGolfSpy's latest rankings for the Best Golf Launch Monitors of 2023, the Rapsodo MLM2PRO secured an impressive 2nd position, narrowly trailing the Bushnell Launch Pro. Noteworthy is the fact that the Bushnell Launch Pro can cost up to $2800 more, making the Rapsodo MLM2PRO a cost-effective alternative. User Feedback: With high praise preceding the testing phase, our eagerly awaited testers have shared their experiences with the Rapsodo MLM2PRO. Let's delve into their firsthand accounts and uncover the insights they've gained from putting this cutting-edge device to the test. Insights from Testers Unboxing & Setup When you invest in the Rapsodo MLM2PRO, you're not just getting a launch monitor – you're getting a complete package. In addition to the device itself, the package includes a tripod, a convenient carrying case, a USB-C charging cable, and even a sleeve of Callaway RPT Chrome Soft X Golf Balls (more on these later). One of our testers, xOldBenKenobiX, enthusiastically shared his first experience with a personal launch monitor and the setup process: "This is my first extended experience with a mobile launch monitor, and I couldn't be more thrilled. The device, neatly contained in a compact and highly portable package, packs quite a punch. Setting it up on the range was a breeze – turning it on, connecting it to my phone, configuring the location – it was good to go. These steps might sound lengthy, but in reality, it was a matter of mere minutes before I was teeing off." Another tester, CSiders12, expressed his great initial impressions: "This monitor is sweet—no beating around that bush. From the delivery, packaging, and performance, I have been very impressed so far." The Rapsodo App Rapsodo is committed to enhancing the user experience of its app through regular fixes and updates. Our testers have noticed significant improvements with each update. Tester Golfspy_APH shared his thoughts: "While there are a few things I might tweak with the app, Rapsodo has consistently pushed through updates that addressed any initial qualms I had. The recent update includes a bulk club add feature. Setup of the unit couldn’t be easier. With the phone in hand, everything is marked, and within seconds, you can have the whole unit aligned for your session on the range or at home into a net." Additionally, Rapsodo has launched a new website called R-Cloud, allowing users to view all their sessions, videos, and more on a PC – a valuable addition for Rapsodo MLM2PRO users. Features - Cameras & Viewing Options The Rapsodo MLM2PRO boasts a myriad of features, with our testers providing insightful perspectives. CSiders12 highlighted the impact vision feature: "Impact vision allows you to see the impact between the golf club and the golf ball. I found this to be really beneficial when focusing on club face control and swing path. During impact vision mode, you get a slow-mo video of the impact position." Golfspy_APH, on the other hand, praised the multi-camera setup: "The ability to take one swing and have 3 different and usable camera views of the same swing was game-changing. Being able to breakdown and analyze your swing from down the line, impact, and face on using your phone or tablet is simply the best." Features: Numbers & Accuracy Accurate data is crucial, and our testers found that the Rapsodo MLM2PRO delivered impressive consistency and precision. Outdoor flights replicated on-course play, and the use of Callaway RPT Golf Balls significantly improved net numbers' accuracy. Tester xOldBenKenobiX noted: "To maintain transparency, it's worth noting that I observed some variations in data when using different types of golf balls, including range balls, RPT balls, and regular golf balls with the RPT pattern. The RPT balls provided more consistent feedback, even on mishits." The Rapsodo MLM2PRO measures 13 different metrics, providing comprehensive insights for golfers to enhance their performance. Features: Golf Simulator A standout feature of the Rapsodo MLM2PRO is the Simulation Mode, as highlighted by CSiders12: "The simulation mode is a huge success. Whether you choose to go to the range or play on courses, it's beneficial. The range option is especially helpful when hitting indoors. By having simulation experiences, it allows me to see my shot shape and what I need to work on during my practice sessions." While Rapsodo offers its own courses, CSiders12 mentioned third-party apps like Awesome Golf and E6, providing users with diverse simulation experiences. Golfspy_APH shared his experience: "I used the MLM2PRO as a warmup for a tournament at a course that I had never played. It helped me prepare for the round and without question saved me several strokes." Rapsodo Combines Finally Rapsodo offers a unique program they call combines. Our tester Golfspy BOS explains it perfectly. “One of the new features that I am growing fond of is the Performance Combine. When you do a combine session you hit 3 clubs. 2 clubs to approach distances and 1 as a tee shot. You get some warmup shots and then, games on! The app lets you know which shot you are trying to hit and rotates through until 8 of each distance, 24 total shots. No retakes, no deletes, no hiding. It is a great way to get some quick but effective practice with a little added pressure.” The Final Verdict With final grades ranging between 90 and 96 out of 100, it's clear that the Rapsodo MLM2PRO made a significant impact on our testers. In conclusion, xOldBenKenobiX emphasized: "This golf simulation system is more than a mere gadget; it is a powerful practice tool that adds an element of fun and challenge to your practice sessions. With some refinements and improvements, it has the potential to be an invaluable asset for golf enthusiasts seeking to elevate their game." CSiders12 wrapped up his review with a compelling recommendation: "If you want to improve your golf game, you need data. This device will provide the data you need (and more) for a fraction of the cost of its competitors. If you are considering a launch monitor, definitely consider the Rapsodo MLM2Pro as you won’t find another one like it for the price." Golfspy_APH concluded: "I really enjoyed the original MLM; however, the MLM2PRO has taken Rapsodo from a nice-to-have to a must-have piece of equipment for me." Golfspy BOS wrapped up his review saying: “The Rapsodo MLM2PRO is everything I wanted the original MLM to be and more.”
    10 points
  8. The Testing Opportunity Go Balls Out. Always! A relative newcomer to the direct-to-consumer golf ball scene, ODIN Golf offers two choices, the X and X1, to golfers looking for high performance at an affordable price. ODIN says it aims to “build a golf brand for the everyday golfer no matter the background, experience or handicap.” Under their “reload” program, you can earn 20 percent cash back with ODIN on future purchases after creating an account and buying balls. At $34.99 for a dozen of their premium X1 balls, this drops the “reload” price to $27.99. A three-piece urethane offering, ODIN says the X1 plays similar to the Pro V1 at about half the price. Emphasizing their commitment to the everyday golfer, ODIN Golf distances itself from the allure of tour pros. "We're not excited about the pros; we're excited about you!" They want their community to directly benefit from and engage in the value they bring as a company, extending beyond merely reloading on ODIN golf balls. Forum members Javs, LinksGolfFever, Girldad18, fredsharky and Cecil Williams had the opportunity to test ODIN’s X1. Would they perform well enough to earn a spot in their bag? Read on to find out! (Spoiler alert: You don’t want to skip this one.) Testing Methodology Our testers were prepared to put the X1 through the ringer to see if ODIN’s claims held up about competing with the likes of Pro V1, Chrome Soft and TP5. Testing plans varied but consisted largely of the following: On-course performance Chip and pitch practice sessions Feel, responsiveness, wear, sound First Impressions A common theme among our testers was how impressed they were with shipping speeds. ODIN wasted no time in getting these golf balls into the hands of our testers. Another aspect that contributed to initial impressions with a golf ball is physical feel. Does the ODIN X1 feel like a premium golf ball? Javs: “While doing the fingernail test, the cover made me feel like I was holding an OEM premium ball. The dimple pattern reminds me of a Taylormade ball more than a Callaway or Titleist.” LinksGolfFever: “ I really love the “other than everyone else's” approach on their box/sleeve design. I would say it’s understated with just a pinch of slap you silly. Black box and multi-hued paint splatter is great. The ODIN X1 just feels good, quality for sure.” Fredsharky: “I automatically love the feel and texture. It feels super soft to the touch and has the “it” factor when you pick up a ball and instantly it either feels like quality or it doesn’t and this one does.” Ball Performance The X1 checked all the boxes for our testers on initial inspection but looks and feel only get you so far. The ODIN X1 is marketed as a premium and durable three-piece urethane ball with a compression rating of 86 for maximum distance, spin and control. ODIN says this ball plays similarly to the Pro V1, Chrome Soft and TP5. Would this ball perform like a premium OEM golf ball? For tester Cecil Williams, the X1 delivered on its claims and then some: “This ball is hot off the face of my irons, hits high and I like the roll out I get from it.” Girldad18: “The ODIN X1 stands up to any other high-end ball out there. It did exactly what I expected it to do. I don’t know how else to put it. Feel is good on all of the clubs. Driver distance is as good or better than what I am used to.” For LinksGolfFever, the X1 really shone in the short game: “I think this was my favorite “most surprising” aspect with the ball. If I wanted to go steep on the ball and really force spin, It’d do it. Clean shallow clip to make the spin on chips, DONE. I got more consistent hold and ball action inside 130 yards than I have in a long time. I LOVE THIS BALL!!!!” Javs went head to head with the X1 (284.6 yards) against the Chrome Soft X LS (current gamer; 286.7) and Prov 1 (282.6) on driver distance. While noting the X1 landed squarely in the middle, he had this to add: “A caveat here is that with my gamer and the Pro V1 those averages included playing in the summer heat at over 100 degrees. The temperature was never higher than 51 here this week. While the distance was a couple yards shorter, the ODIN X1 had a better trajectory and much tighter dispersion.” Performance? Check. Chalk up another tally in the positive column for the X1. The Good, The Bad and The In-Between To this point, the X1 has lived up to its claims of on-par performance with the big boys and then some. With no real flaws yet uncovered, did our testers find something, anything, they did not like about this ball? Fredsharky came into the review prepared to be critical of the ball, but quickly realized that he was fighting an uphill battle: “I cannot really say anything bad about this ball and I tried very hard to do so. I wanted to be super critical and work backwards, but I could never find anything that I did not like about it.” Similarly, Girldad18 had nothing but praise for this golf ball: “The ODIN X1 is legit. Definitely worth a shot for anyone looking to try a new ball and save some $$ while you do it.” Javs was also unable to find anything negative: “The ball is long enough to match the big brand OEM balls. The ODIN X1 is extremely playable, forgivable and downright fun to play! I found the ball long off the tee and very easy to control. Iron play was predictable and I loved the mid-flight of the ball. Around the greens this ball will give any tour caliber ball a run for its money.” Does the ODIN X1 Make the Bag? Our testers left no stone unturned with their testing of the X1. Head to head, it competed and out performed some big players in the golf ball game. We saw unprecedented results with our final grading of this ball from our testers—an AVERAGE score of 99.4/100. Not only that but all five testers have put the X1 in play as their full-time gamer. LinksGolfFever: “NEW GAMER, PERIOD!! I feel like I really put the X1 through the paces and it didn't disappoint. Prior to the X1, I was playing the Z-Star and I liked it, but the idea of shelling out $45-50 a dozen just becomes a little maddening. I would usually wait for a semi-annual sale and buy six dozen for the year (e.g., buy 2 get 1, etc.). Not worrying about that anymore. On top of the great product, the business model of having a cashback incentive toward your next purchase is FANTASTIC.” Consider tester Javs a part of the ODIN family as well: “Every little detail of this ball is designed to help you play better. This is a no brainer for me. I am officially declaring I am joining the ODIN family! This ball is in the bag!!!!” For Fredsharky, the numbers didn’t lie: “So I guess this is where the rubber meets the road as “they” say. For all the testing that I have done and all the numbers that I have tracked, I have come to this one conclusion, I am now playing the ODIN X1 as my full time ball of choice.” Bottom Line: The ODIN X1 is the Real Deal ODIN prides itself on being committed to the everyday golfer and that commitment is proven in the X1. With a ball that performs as well as any premium OEM offering for $34.99 per dozen, the value is unmatched. Do yourself a favor and sign up for their cash back program here to save money on future orders. And as ODIN says … Go Balls Out. Always! For an even deeper look into the ODIN X1, head to the MyGolfSpy Forum and check out our testers’ full reviews here!
    10 points
  9. The Testing Opportunity Maxfli has provided a few different testing opportunities for the MyGolfSpy Forum in the past but the release of the Maxfli Tour, Tour S and Tour X made us excited to bring this opportunity to the Forum. Maxfli has a good following on the MyGolfSpy Forum and their golf balls are used by many members. More than 1,300 Forum members registered to have a chance to test these golf balls! Each of the five testers chosen received two dozen Maxfli golf balls of their choice. We had two testers for the Maxlfi Tour, one for the Maxfli Tour S and two for the Maxfli Tour Xl. Offering great value and traditionally doing well in our Ball Lab testing, expectations for these golf balls were high. *Another important note as this golf ball is aimed at Tour use and Tour levels, it was requested that we find lower-handicap golfers to test these golf balls. What the testers said - Maxfli Tour The Maxfli Tour is the middle of the road in the lineup. It’s firmer than the Tour S but softer than the four-piece Tour X. Tester David Leighton Reid (8 handicap) and Tester CSiders12 (3.8 handicap) were selected to test and review the Maxlfi Tour. They had good first impressions but the alignment aid wasn’t exactly to CSiders12 preference. “ The ball fresh out of the box looks like a nice, premium golf ball. The cover feels soft and the dimples look really nice. My only wish for these balls would be a better alignment aid on the golf ball. “ When it was time to hit the course, David Leighton Reid put the Maxfli Tour through its paces and found it comparable to both his gamer Titleist Pro V1 and Callaway Chrome Soft. “ Off the tee, the Tour ball performed admirably with driver, fairway woods, hybrid, or irons. Working the ball left and right is possible, and I can hit the dreaded duck-hook the same way as other premium balls. The center of gravity line for better performance was not proven by me. I found very little difference in performance of balls struck aligned toward the target or not aligned. The mid-spin characteristics of the Tour ball hold greens quite nicely on approach shots and do not balloon up causing a lack of distance. It is easy to hit accurate knock-down shots with this ball. I conducted several chipping, pitching, and putting tests, comparing the Tour ball to the Pro V1 and Chrome Soft. In every test, the Maxfli Tour performed as well as the other premium golf balls. I always mark my gamer golf balls with a black alignment line and did the same for the Maxfli Tour. Distance control was the same as the Pro V1 and Chrome Soft. In an on-line review by Chris Wallace for Golf Monthly, Chris noted a lack of distance for the Tour ball with driver and irons. I did not notice a loss of distance while playing the Tour ball. This could be explained by the Tour ball being a good fit for my swing speed and game.“ CSiders12 made some valid points about the cost benefit versus performance of the Maxfli Tour. “Price and overall performance are two key takeaways from this ball. The fact that this ball holds up against the biggest brands for considerably cheaper is impressive. The overall performance was good and the price is exactly where it should be. Personally, the takeaways are the alignment aid, the glossy finish, and the durability out of bunkers. Those three factors caused me to take three points away. However, I would say that I am willing to meet this ball in the middle because of the price point. I may get better durability out of a Pro V1, however, if the Pro V1 is only lasting me a couple of extra holes but they cost $20 more, I'm not sure if the Pro V1 is the top choice. “ With testing wrapped up, they graded the Maxfli Tour 88 and 97 out of 100 respectively. What Testers said - Maxfli Tour S Tester thechrisgibbs (4.6 handicap) went deep into the numbers and data for his review, testing the Maxfli Tour S against several other premium “softer” golf balls. Thechrisgibbs was really impressed with the durability of the Maxfli Tour S: “The ball is as durable as a Pro V1. For the first time in my golfing career, it has to be said that I don’t lose golf balls much anymore. I still have 20 of the 24 golf balls that Maxfli sent me. I used the same one on my SIM to push it through a durability test. It has to be said the ball was about the same level of marked-up as the Pro V1, EVEN WHEN I PUT IT UP AGAINST THE MOREGOLF MOD 1 WEDGE! For the price, I did NOT expect this much durability.” He also had similar statements regarding the Maxfli Tour S performance on approach play. “ I couldn’t tell you if there was any difference between the balls. I played a few of the best rounds I’ve ever played with the Maxfli Tour S, but it’s also just been a breakout year for me. The consistency was exactly what I wanted from a premium ball though. “ As a higher-caliber player and someone who knows what performance he wants out of his golf ball, he said this when asked if he would make the Maxfli Tour S his new gamer or go back to his previous choice. “Since Maxfli sent me 24 brand-new balls, I’ll be playing Maxfli Tour S for the rest of the year, God willing. If you are at a pro shop on vacation, don’t have any balls with you, and need to buy something? I’m buying the Maxfli Tour S all day. I’m probably already renting clubs and spending too much, so I’m going with the ball I know performs at the price I want to pay.” However, his final score was a modest 74 out of 100 as he recognized that this ball wasn’t quite suited to his swing speed and that others may see more benefits. What Testers Said - Maxfli Tour X With the two softest golf balls in the Maxfli Tour lineup out of the way, it is time to see how the firmest of the series worked out for our testers, Micah T (2 handicap) and Cjeffs12 (4.1 handicap). As someone who has used the previous Maxfli Tour X, Micah T shared some initial thoughts on Maxfli and the changes made to the 2023 version. “I’ve always appreciated the frank nature of Maxfli’s claims: nothing too crazy there. Interesting to see Maxfli call out the CG balancing; definitely a premium feature there. The only huge change I see straightaway is the alignment aid: I’m not sure how I feel about it yet: on the one hand, I loved using the alignment lines on the ‘21 model, on the other, the alignment aid kinda made it look like a range/practice ball.” Cjeffs12 added some thoughts on the packaging and the CG alignment aid: “As for the specs on the box, they do a good job of detailing the differences of each ball in their lineup. I could easily pick up any of their boxes and decide which ball is best for my game. One thing I think they could do better for marketing or educating is the “CG Alignment Aid.” I would like them to show the consumer how to get the best out of this technology.” Both testers got a lot of excellent comparisons versus other golf balls in the same category with various data points from different yardages and clubs. Micah T noted that the Maxfli Tour X is a very low-spinning golf ball and not just off the tee. “The low-spin characteristics of the ball off the driver are really impressive. The low spin characteristics of wedges? Maybe less so…” Cjeffs12 added: “My numbers were really good with the XV, Tour X, and Pro V1x. The Srixon and the Maxfli just had another gear that the other balls did not have, my bad strikes were where the rest of the balls’ good shots were, and my good ones were carrying 10 yards more.” They gave the Maxfli Tour X 96 and 83 points out of 100. Cjeffs12 knocked off the most points due to the cover being overly soft, causing him to relegate several balls to his practice bag because of scuff marks. The Bottom Line The major underlying theme of the 2023 Maxfli Tour series? Value and performance comparable to so-called premium balls. Even though not every tester will be keeping these as their new gamers, they all appreciated a golf ball that performed close to high-end golf balls at a fraction of the price. This was summed up perfectly by Micah T: “This ball is a fantastic value! For 1/2 the price of a Pro V1x you get a ball 98.5% as good. Sound/feel, looks and workability are all top notch for me.” The check out their full reviews, charts and data follow this link: Forum Member Review: Maxfli Tour Series Golf Balls What is Forum Member Testing? MyGolfSpy offers all its community members a unique opportunity to test, review and keep a variety of different golf equipment, apps, apparel and more. Successful candidates are selected by forum staff. Members who are selected interact, engage and write a review on the specific product while enjoying the fun of trying new gear! Member testing is vital because it gets gear in the hands of you, the golfer. Our members give honest feedback on how any product or service works for a variety of handicaps and abilities to ensure our readers are even more informed when making purchasing decisions. To learn more about how testers are selected, head here: Want To Be A Forum Tester?
    8 points
  10. GolfSpy SAM

    Ben Hogan's Swing

    Take a look at a little something I wrote up for the main site on the sweetest swing ever. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/ben-hogans-swing/ What do you think? Who's swing was sweeter than his? -GolfSpy SAM
    7 points
  11. The Testing Opportunity: Sub 70 Putters Sub 70 has a large following on the MyGolfSpy Forum so there was a lot of hype when we released the Forum Member Review opportunity for Sub 70 putters. Since their last member test, they have released new models, a new multi-material putter shaft and several grip options which have also been reviewed on the Forum. The Sycamore 005 Wide Blade putter with the new graphite/steel shaft finished third in our 2023 Most Wanted blade putter testing. Here is what Sub 70 says about their putters: “Every Sub 70 putter is milled from a billet of 1045 carbon steel which leaves no welds, castings or inconsistencies in the head. This is the best way to make a putter head and you will not find a more solid, great feeling putter. Aesthetically each of the Sub 70 putters offers a clean, classic black and white color scheme with traditional alignment lines. We have purposefully made the heads slightly heavier than the industry standard as we feel it allows a more natural pendulum like putting stroke.“ For this testing opportunity, our Forum staff selected four testers to review and keep a Sub 70 putter of their choosing with multiple options for shafts, grips and length and loft customization. About the Testers Our four testers had handicaps that ranged from 8 to over 30. They had used a variety of other putters but none had ever used a Sub 70. Two of our testers recognized putting as being the weakest part of their game and one felt it was his biggest strength. All were casual or weekend golfers who don’t normally play in competitions. What Testers Said - Unboxing and First Impressions Our tester BallsLeon was a little taken aback by the bright green Garsen grip on his 009 Mini putter. However, it quickly won him over. “Once out of the box, I was impressed by how quickly I was able to adjust to it. The more upright position of the Sub 70 (72° lie angle) compared to that of the Odyssey (70° lie angle) let me get closer to the ball with my hands in slightly higher position that feels more natural.” Mr Orange was impressed with the packaging and the inclusion of an additional weight kit that arrived with his 004 Model. “The packaging was very nice and the putter was very well packaged to prevent damage. With the putter they included a nice little ball marker as well as a handwritten thank you note for purchasing (a nice touch I might add) and extra weights for customizing the overall putter weight. The weights on the putter come standard as 15 grams but they included 5/10/20 gram weights as well. The putter comes w/ a nice quality headcover that fits the putter head very nicely.” He said he would have preferred a magnet headcover versus Velcro which is the standard for their mallet headcovers. What Testers Said - Performance First impressions were positive with good marks for aesthetics. However, that is all relatively meaningless if the putter doesn’t not perform well. Snoopy79 chose the 008 mallet putter and eventually found the perfect blend of feel and roll consistency with some weight tweaking. He praised the putter for accuracy, ease of alignment, stability and forgiveness. The weight difference took him a bit of time to get used to which affected his distance control at first. This was not a lasting issue and, with some time and practice, he became entirely comfortable with the change. He also noted the playability of the putter. “Quite a few variables are involved in this measurement, but the 008 is VERY playable.” Tester Dweed also went with a 004 mallet. He dove into the data and provided charts as well as other data points comparing it to his previous gamer. It was clear the Sub 70 putter offered considerable advantage on longer putts with 20-percent fewer misses. What Testers Said - On Course Tester BallsLeon’s handicap dropped from 29.2 to 23.4 during the testing period. This came after an initial adjustment period after which his confidence grew and more putts started dropping. Mr Orange thought the Sub 70 was perfect: “I am giving the 004 another perfect score (20/20) for on-course performance because I was confident with it during my rounds. Missed putts were generally speaking because I picked the wrong line off a bad read.” Snoopy79 loved his 008 putter “This is an easy score. The 008 is a beast on the greens… I have said it before and I will say it again, the weight of this putter and the feel it provides have just worked wonders for my confidence when at address. You feel like the ball is just in the way!” The Final Verdict If you have read this far, you can probably guess the scores of the Sub70 Putter line were high. Our testers rated the putters in various categories to compile an overall score out of 100. I don’t recall the last time we saw scores this high: the low score was 95 and the three others were 97, 97.5 and 98. Our testers’ only complaints were about the slight adjustment period to the weight and the non-magnetic headcover. Testers noted the great value and price of the putters and lauded them for feel, forgiveness and consistency. They were also very happy with the hand-written note which, along with extras like the weight kit and ball marker, made them feel Sub 70 went above and beyond to make their experience the best it could be. Each tester will continue to use the putter as their new gamer and all found good, even great, improvement using their Sub 70 putter. To wrap up their reviews, this is what our testers had to say about the putters and their testing experience. Tester Dweed: “No doubt, the Sub 70 004 mallet is a quality putter. The CNC workmanship is readily identifiable. It will replace my Odyssey Versa 7. I like the looks and the feel when I’m standing over the ball. The swing feel is noticeable. A heel or toe mishit is noticed but doesn’t result in a disaster. One thing to note it will not break the bank. I bought my OD seven years ago and paid around $250. Ordering the 004 mallet today would cost just a hair over $200 and it is made in the USA.” Tester BallsLeon: “If this review were a putt, consider it sunk - straight in the heart of the cup. True to their packaging, my expectations were redefined by this putter. I now step up to the green with confidence, and the expectation that I can make this putt… I expect this putter to be a staple in my bag for the foreseeable future.” Tester Mr Orange: “The short and sweet conclusion of my review is that Sub 70 makes a really good quality putter that performs just as good as the big brand names, looks really really good, and runs at a cost that is less than the main brands that everyone knows.” Tester Snoopy79: “Weekend golfers who want something at a manageable price point that performs, oozes quality craftsmanship, and looks amazing on the green as well as in the bag…look no further than the line of putters from Sub 70.” If this Forum member review of Sub 70 putters has intrigued you and you want to learn more, you can read our testers’ full reviews here. Sub 70 Forum Member Reviews Also a big shout out to @GolfSub70 for providing this opportunity. They have always been great to work with and we continue to look forward to working with them more in the future!
    7 points
  12. Another article up today! Check it out even if you are not interested in a launch monitor, give the forum some love on the main site! https://mygolfspy.com/buyers-guides/all/mevo-vs-skytrak/
    6 points
  13. Forum Member Review: Garmin S70 GPS Watch The Testing Opportunity In 2023, MyGolfSpy's Forum member testing program had seen its share of golf gear, from balls to gloves to clubs. However, one area remained largely unexplored: technology. That all changed when Garmin submitted the S70 GPS watch for MyGolfSpy Forum testing. The Garmin Approach S70 is no ordinary golf watch. It's a premium GPS smartwatch designed for golfers, boasting an impressive array of features. With its vibrant 1.4-inch AMOLED touch display and pre-loaded access to 43,000 golf courses worldwide, it offers on-course functionalities such as “plays like” distance and a virtual caddie with green contour data. The Garmin S70 doubles as a comprehensive health and fitness tracker, making it a well-rounded smartwatch option. Continue reading to discover what our testers had to say about the Garmin Approach S70 and whether its $699.99 price tag makes it a worthwhile addition to your golf game and daily life. What Our Testers Had to Say Before we dive into our testers' evaluations, let's introduce them. We carefully selected four testers with handicaps ranging from 7.8 to 20, with two additional golfers of 10.6 and 13.4 sprinkled in. Their swing speeds varied from the low 90s to more than 111 mph. Our testers included both casual and competitive golfers and they brought previous experiences with Arccos, Shot Scope and various GPS apps to provide a comprehensive comparison with the Garmin S70 watch. First Impressions Tester Josh Ross shared his initial impressions, noting the watch's premier build quality. While he could do without the red accents, he loved its overall aesthetic. With the right band, he found the fit perfect and he liked the watch face’s size. The tactile buttons were easy to press and, even with a tempered glass protector, the watch remained highly responsive. Josh Ross also appreciated its sleep mode, which deactivated when he raised his arm to check the time. Parshooter36 also offered positive feedback, emphasizing his love for the S70's appearance right out of the box. Transitioning from a Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 as his everyday timepiece, he felt right at home. He also highlighted the availability of both 47mm and 42mm versions to cater to different wrist sizes. On The Golf Course Tester FallenSaber, our higher handicap tester, had a slew of positive notes from his on-course experience, despite a few minor GPS quirks. "On the course, the watch performed exactly as expected," tracking most shots effectively, even around the green. The quick GPS signal connectivity and overall accuracy impressed him. While there was a minor issue where the watch placed him on the wrong hole, it was easily rectified by manually changing the hole. He also noted that, for his purposes, the Pin Point Feature was not crucial. Another tester, Goaliewales14, mentioned a drawback related to his watch placement and golf glove. He explained, "The fit was good, but what I ran into was my glove kept hitting buttons. There were a few times during my swing where the watch vibrated in my backswing because my glove pushed the power-off button. That, to me, is a huge downside for a watch that’s supposed to be a golf watch." Josh Ross's on-course experience aligned with expectations for a premium golf watch. He found it user-friendly, with faster course detection than his SkyCaddie. The watch's graphics impressed him and its light weight meant it was almost unnoticeable. He gained confidence in the data provided and even replaced his rangefinder with the Garmin S70. He argued that golfers could perform better with this watch, thanks to access to comprehensive data such as yardages to obstacles and tips for dogleg holes. Another standout feature highlighted by our testers was the Tempo Training feature. Parshooter36 considered it a valuable tool for improving swing tempo. "I have always considered myself as having a smooth swing, but I really struggle to get the 3:1 tempo they are looking for. I am always looking for ways to improve my swing, and I never had a way to measure tempo before. I plan on continuing to work on my tempo with this feature as I feel it is a very useful tool." Off-Course Features Recognizing that the Garmin S70 is more than just a golf GPS watch, we tasked our testers with evaluating its lifestyle features: Josh Ross found several vital features that enhanced his daily life. "For many who are users of smartwatches, this likely is data you’ve got access to and isn’t anything exciting for you. But for me, I thoroughly enjoyed the data I was provided with." He used the Sleep Score and Body Battery daily to monitor his overall readiness for tasks. The watch's accurate heart rate readings even helped him avoid a problem with syncope ( a brief loss of consciousness similar to fainting). For him, this alone made the watch invaluable. However, for Goaliewales14, the off-course features couldn't surpass those of his Samsung Galaxy watch. He hoped for general improvements to elevate the S70's status as a smartwatch. Tester FallenSaber, an avid runner, found the watch's fitness and wellness data highly valuable. He noted that the watch tracked various fitness activities, including weight lifting. While it did a decent job pre-populating activities, it struggled with high-intensity interval training workouts that required quick adjustments. The Garmin S70 provided pre-loaded workouts and instructional videos for weightlifting, a handy feature. FallenSaber also highlighted the watch's myriad features such as stock monitoring, weather updates, calendar integration and more. The watch's versatility made it challenging to cover all its functionalities within the review. He emphasized the ability to download playlists and connect Bluetooth headphones for music without a phone. The Final Verdict In summary, the reviews for the Garmin S70 GPS watch were overwhelmingly positive. Three of the four testers said they would continue using it. Their scores were impressive, ranging from 82 to 93 out of 100. The fourth tester gave the Garmin S70 a score of 66, citing concerns about its price, button interference with the golf glove and its performance as a smartwatch. The price was a recurring topic among testers. This watch retails for $699.99 and some testers said there were more affordable options available for higher handicaps. However, they unanimously acknowledged the quality, feel and build of the Garmin S70. Tester FallenSaber provided a fitting conclusion to the Garmin S70 watch review. “The Garmin Approach S70 watch is your go-to watch to replace your rangefinder, golf app, smartwatch, and fitness tracker. This watch will do it all with a very impressive display that is highly customizable. I wish this watch would have come with at least 3 sensors or would be compatible with non-Garmin sensors to help justify the price point. If you are looking for a do-it-all golf watch that is much more than a golf watch, then this watch is for you. If you are simply looking for a golf watch, then you might be able to find something at a lower price point.” Want to read the full in-depth reviews from our testers of the Garmin S70 watch? Go Here! What is Forum Member Testing? MyGolfSpy offers all its community members a unique opportunity to test, review and keep a variety of different golf equipment, apps, apparel and more. Successful candidates are selected by forum staff. Members who are selected interact, engage and write a review on the specific product while enjoying the fun of trying new gear! Member testing is vital because it gets gear in the hands of you, the golfer. Our members give honest feedback on how any product or service works for a variety of handicaps and abilities to ensure our readers are even more informed when making purchasing decisions. To learn more about how testers are selected, head here: Want To Be A Tester?
    6 points
  14. As a former golf teaching professional specializing in female golfers, I see a lot of bad advice for female golfers. I’ve been playing golf for 30 years, and I know for a fact you have been given some bad advice at some point in your golf career. Golf tips for women tend to annoy me a bit. They are not always explicitly directed to the woman golfer. In addition, many tips are geared just to the new women golfers. If you want some practical golf tips to take to the range right now, I have you covered. Utilize Your Legs For More Power Utilizing your legs in your golf swing will help you gain more power. Your legs have some big muscles. Traditionally, women don’t have as much upper body strength as men, but lower body strength is quite good. So use the legs! Here’s how to go about doing that. 1) Do Some Exercises Off The Course If you can use any of your off course exercising and training to improve on course play, it’s well worth it. Exercising off the course (even if it means walking a few days a week) will build up muscle in your legs. Think about doing some squats, lunges, and leg curls. I also do a lot of running. It helps with stamina just as much as strength, but walking can also do the trick. 2) Get a Great Pair of Golf Shoes You may need great golf shoes to maintain stability and traction. I notice that when I don’t have the proper shoes, my right foot (right-handed player) can slide or move on the downswing as I push off. Make sure that the toes of the shoes are also going to protect your foot as you rotate through the shot. You want to feel stable, protected, and ready to attack. Some of the “cute” shoes made for women players don’t offer the same stability and feel as the more athletic shoes. One of my favorites is the Puma Ignite. I’ve been wearing these, and they have helped increase my power. 3) Think About Pushing Off the Ground Finally, if you want to benefit from the power your legs have to offer, think about using the ground as something to push off of as you swing. Take a practice swing, and when you are swinging through the golf ball, focus on your feet pushing off the turf. As you make your way from the top of the backswing down through impact, you will rotate, but feeling that the help of the ground forces can make all the difference. This is one of those women’s golf tips that takes a little longer to feel and understand, but it will make all the difference. Practice on the driving range and start to think about a connection between your feet and the ground. Start to use it! Take a look her at a swing sequence for me and how I push off of the trail foot and push down through impact with the lead foot. Start Tracking Your Rounds Why are women golfers not tracking their rounds the way men are? If you already track your golf scores, you can move on to the next tip, but we need to take a second and address the importance of round tracking. Let’s say you are a 19 handicap. Do you know why you are a 19 handicap? Sure, you may slice a drive here and there or make a three-putt; however, there is much more to the golf game than this. What is consistently causing you to shoot 19 shots over par? Until you start tracking your rounds, that answer can be complicated to find. The good news is there are easy tracking apps that can help you collect information about your golf game and see where the real issues are. I’ve used something called Pinpoint, and it’s a very in-depth look at strokes gained. Some higher handicapper women will think this is a lot to manage because of the need to enter all of your shots. Another option is something like the Garmin app. I use this in connection with my Bushnell Wingman View speaker and my phone, and it quickly inputs a score after a round. In the end, you get some excellent data and at least some idea of why your golf scores may be higher than you think they could be. Don’t Pick Scoring Related Goals Scoring related goals takes a lot of work to live up to. Take it from my experience on this one. The first time I broke 100, I shot 93. My scoring goal was to shoot 99. It only worked for a short time, I was a beginner golfer, and I struggled with things like distance and short game consistency. However, when it was time to learn to break 90, I had a completely different goal. The goal was to hit fairways. If I hit fairways with my driver, the rest of the golf hole would be entirely different for me. I had to learn to pick a better target line. In addition, I worked on my slice to try to even things out a bit and get the ball in the middle. Guess what happened the first time I hit “most” of the fairways on the golf course? I shot 84. This is the way golf works. You have to pick goals that directly contribute to lower scoring instead of picking scoring goals. Here are a few I would try out: Increase clubhead speed by 3 mph (use a launch monitor to calculate speeds; it doesn’t need to be fancy) Play a round with less than 30 putts Hit at least 3 greens in regulation Get on the green on each par 3 Establish proper posture before each swing Maintain good balance on all drives Tailor these to your golf game and where you find weaknesses. Course Management Requires Planning Proper golf course management requires planning and a pre-shot routine. If you are still just trying to hit the ball down the middle and get to the center of the green, you are limiting yourself. The most effective way to improve golf course management and positioning is to have a plan. Run through the golf course in your mind the night before. You probably know where you need to be on the first hole if you want to get the ball on or near the green. Here are the things you can think about as you plan through your golf course management. Always play your preferred shot whenever you can (if you like a fade, play it just aim to the left side of the pin) A pin on the right side of the green is easier to attack if you are coming from the left side of the fairway. Getting as close to the green as possible is not always an intelligent layup; put yourself at a yardage you like The spot you leave your golf ball on the green matters; you want uphill putts as often as possible; being on the green is not enough! I’ll tell you one of my favorite golf course management stories from when I was a golf instructor and gave a lesson on the course. We were on a par 5, and the female golfer I worked with played from the forward tees. She hit a perfect drive in the middle of the fairway, took out a 5 wood, and then laid up to the position of her 7 iron. Before she hit this shot, she said, “I hate trying to approach a green with my 7 iron. It’s hard for me.” She then told me she was okay with hitting 7 iron shots on the range, just not as an approach. So we picked up this golf ball she had hit and moved back to the position of her drive. In the center of the fairway. I had her hit the 7-iron from this location. She hit it perfectly. There was plenty of fairway to work with, no trouble, etc. Now, instead of being a 7-iron distance from the pin, she was a 5-wood distance from the pin. Guess who hits their 5 wood perfectly every time? The end result was a par. It was the first par she had ever made on this hole. All we did was switch up the clubs to make more sense for her game. As I said, course management requires planning. A Great Takeaway Can Change Your Game The first few inches of your backswing can set you up for a good or bad golf swing. If you don’t know what to do with your takeaway, it’s time for a bit of practice and understanding. I love a pre-shot routine for women golfers that includes a practice of the takeaway. My takeaway (and the one I recommend) includes bringing the club back low and slow along the ground and making a turn or pivot with the lower body. Your shoulder will turn back and away from the ball, and you will feel a rotation in your body. The number one mistake I see in women golfers, especially beginner golfers, is to pick the club straight up. That position is difficult to recover from and certainly won’t help when it comes to swing speed and consistency. Link To Article Video Takeaway For Lady Golfer Practice Putting Everyday For some reason, women find putting practice to be boring. Wait, maybe it’s all golfers who find putting practice boring! The good news is, it doesn’t have to be. The key to becoming a great putter is to put the time in. Not only do you need a good putting stroke, but you also need an understanding of slope, break, and distance control. Find yourself a friend to practice putting with. Set up a putting station in your house. Work on short and long putts and find some training devices that make it more enjoyable to practice. Here are a few of my favorites. Even if it’s 10 to 15 minutes a day (while you are watching a show or before you get into bed for the night), it will make a big difference in your putting ability on the course. Cheap but effective putting mat: SKLZ Putt A Bout Putting gates to improve mindset, aiming and alignment: Go Sports Putting Gates Putting clips for improving stroke accuracy: Dave Pelz Putting Clips Customize Your Equipment Finally, last but not least… please only buy the complete women’s golf sets after first making sure they are the right fit for you. As a general rule, most beginners can get away with this type of equipment and have it actually be a good fit. However, if you are playing in golf tournaments, participating in regular practice, and wanting to lower your scores, you need custom golf equipment. Here are some things you must consider when purchasing new clubs: Long irons vs. hybrids, which is best for your swing speed At least 3 wedges in the golf bag (pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge) Shaft that matches your speed (doesn’t have to be ladies flex) Optimized center of gravity for your playing ability Proper loft gapping throughout the set Do not skip out on putter fitting; it’s essential Final Thoughts Hopefully, these women’s golf tips have helped you have a more positive attitude about your game and the actions you can take moving forward. The most important thing is to avoid the tips, like keeping your head down, left arm straight, taking a slow swing, etc. Analyze your golf game and then find tips that align directly with where you need improvement. This is the best way to take your game to another level. Let us know what other tips you want to see as we expand this guide for women players.
    6 points
  15. The Testing Opportunity - Part One: Unveiling Caley Golf's 01X Utility Iron Caley Golf, a rising star in the Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) market, has swiftly carved its niche as a brand to watch. In a saturated golf market, breaking through can be challenging, making our opportunity to organize a MyGolfSpy Forum Member Review of the Caley 01X Utility Iron all the more exciting. After a commendable top three finish in Most Wanted Testing with their driving iron, the forum community's anticipation was high, and what better way to see how the product really performs than by placing the product in the hands of our forum testers. About Caley Golf Founded in 2019 by Ryan Atha, Caley Golf initially offered budget-friendly box sets. Wanting to take the next step forward, the brand elevated its game by introducing premium-level clubs like the 01, 01T, and 01CB iron sets—a notable leap forward featuring a hollow body player distance iron and a fully forged cavity back. These innovations mark a stride toward Caley Golf's overarching mission—to enhance golf accessibility by providing premium-quality clubs at affordable prices. What Underwent Testing? In a departure from conventional single-product focus, the Caley forum opportunity encompassed a set from each of their three offerings and two of their MyGolfSpy Most Wanted 3rd place Caley 01X Utility irons. This article, part one of our coverage, delves into the Caley 01X Utility Iron's performance, scrutinizing how it fared in the hands of our testers. Caley 01X Utility: Initial Impressions While the utility arrived in less-than-ideal box conditions, the testers noted that improved packaging would be beneficial. Despite this, the clubs emerged unscathed and in pristine condition. Our tester, AndySP, shared mixed sentiments about a few details. The overall look and aesthetics of the club were graded well and impressed, but he found the shaft's upward logo-facing installation somewhat perplexing. Another tester, Vegan, initially had concerns due to the box's condition but was pleasantly surprised by the club's immaculate appearance upon unwrapping. Raving about the look and clean lines he couldn’t wait to get the utility to the range and golf course. Tester Feedback on Performance Both testers commended the club's aesthetics, but how did it perform? One minor critique centered on the shaft—although of good quality, the 65-gram stiff shaft felt slightly light, particularly for Vegan, causing timing issues and an extended break-in period. This was not so much an issue with the shaft which is provided, but more the lack of options available to those who may require a heavier or stiffer shaft for their swing. Despite this, both testers achieved favorable results with the Utility. In terms of forgiveness, AndySP acknowledged its limitations as a large 2 iron but highlighted its superior performance compared to his other irons, especially with low and toe strikes. He also added that there was one particular shot he wished to be able to play with this club, which was the stinger. Here is what he said. “To hit mean low rockets to impress my instagram friends…I mean to stay under the wind. Perhaps surprisingly… I had no problem putting this a little back in the stance and keeping it low on the range. Addicting, but still a little scary on the course for me.” On distance, he remarked, "It's a bomber that creeps up on the distance I get out of my 4 wood." Vegan, while experiencing ups and downs on the course, praised the Caley 01X for its versatility in various situations, with the only drawback being its challenge in the rough. The Final Verdict Although both testers encountered a learning curve with the Caley 01X Utility, they eventually gave it scores of 72 and 78 out of 100. While not the highest in our member tests, both plan to deploy the club situationally. Reshafting is on the horizon for both testers to optimize the club's fit to their swings. Navigating the nuances of driving irons or utility irons is inherently tricky, and the Caley 01X Utility received praise for its aesthetics, sound, feel, and height of ball flight, coupled with solid distance. However, points were deducted for weighting, limited shaft options, forgiveness traits, and an unusual situation where excess metal emerged from the grooves during cleaning, as noted by AndySP. It was a challenging test at times for the testers as this was not an easy plug and play club. There were several great shots recorded and highlighted during testing, however there were also struggles which were well documented. With the stock components testers had to adapt their swings and timing to get the most out of the club. While they both recommended the golf club for various reasons, they did specify it should be for those fit better into the stock specifications and shaft options. Despite these considerations, both testers lauded its reasonable pricing, affirming that the Caley 01X Utility delivers commendable performance for its cost. The testers final reviews and data they collected can be found in the following link: Forum Member Review: Caley 01X Utility
    6 points
  16. The Testing Opportunity Not everyone golfs in the rain but if you do it is essential to have quality rain gear that will keep you dry and comfortable and still provide enough flexibility so you can perform your best. Galway Bay has consistently performed well in our Most Wanted testing and, this year, offered to take part in MyGolfSpy Forum testing. Galway Bay provided each tester with their Hawthorn II golf rain jacket, Seagrove II chino rain pants and golf rain gloves. Five intrepid testers volunteered to play golf in conditions that would make most of us head home. These brave souls were chosen to give us their honest opinions on how this Galway Bay rain gear performed in some of the worst conditions, how it fit and identify its strengths and weaknesses. About Galway Bay Galway Bay apparel was founded nearly 15 years ago. In their words, “we designed our Performance Outerwear to be versatile, comfortable and fashionable. Galway Bay provides protection from the wind and rain while still allowing players to take an unrestricted swing. So you can look and play great even when the weather isn’t.” Their garments include key technologies such as their proprietary Hydro-Flex 32, a three-layer fabric which is waterproof, breathable and offers, again in their words, “Performance Stretch. Galway Bay is serious about being waterproof; every jacket also includes a double durable water repellent coating.” What our Testers Said: Hawthorn II Rain Jacket The Hawthorn II rain jacket comes in two colors, black on black and Ultimate Grey. Our testers had their choice of color option and initial impressions were very solid. Testers noted minimal packaging and some were very surprised with how light and thin the material was. How did the Hawthorn II rain jacket fit? For our tester WaffleHouseTour a slight miss in ordering a medium versus a small meant that there was a “poofyness” in the chest. However “that poof doesn't bother me with a full swing – but it does with the short shots and putter.” He added “when it comes to comfort – the jacket is flawless. It is extremely lightweight. It passes the breathability test with flying colors. It is not warm – so you may need to layer up in the spring or fall, but you’ll be fine in the summer. If you are carrying your bag on your shoulders – you’ll perspire there a bit – as you normally would – but it doesn’t cause any water to leak through.” Tester jdparker noted “I feel like there is room in the shoulders and back area that should allow for a smooth golf swing. The jacket does have that wispy noise that every rain jacket I have owned does.” When it came to the on-course performance he had more to say: “The jacket was probably the one article of clothing that impressed me the most. So often rain gear is restrictive and noisy which can change my game and distract me from playing my best. Let’s face it, you are already playing in the rain and now you have these limitations, it doesn’t make for an enjoyable round. Galway Bay knocked it out of the park on their jacket. It is comfortable and light. It has the necessary stretch and design to allow you to keep your normal swing, and this is paramount in bad weather gear. The slight noise I heard when I first put on the jacket ended up not being a distraction whatsoever and I was very pleased that a rain jacket finally fit that bill.” Bottom line: The jacket really impressed all of our testers and while some found there to be a bit of “poof” in the chest, the majority found the fit to be great. More importantly, the performance in the wet was there to match. What Testers Said - Seagrove II Chino Rain Pant The Seagrove II rain pants come in the same two colors as the jacket. The biggest difference between these rain pants and many others is that they are not meant to be worn over top of shorts or pants. They are meant to be worn alone while providing optimal protection against the elements. Tester GolferXY was a real warrior heading out to the range in pouring rain for 45 minutes. “The pants kept me dry and I wore them home in the car, stopping for some shopping on the way. No bleeding through. Also, I was curious if the straight legs of the pants might allow rain to run off into my shoes. Nope! Very pleased about that.” Tester Alan Scanzi said, “it performed well on the course, very comfortable, better than all other outfits I wear, when I have to wear pants.” Tester EugeGal said, “straight out of the packet they just looked as stated, normal golf pants - not the garbage bags I currently have. Big plus on this!! Again subtle detailing on the right pocket. The 2 rear pockets have magnetic closures unlike the normal Velcro system - there was no flap so it will be interesting to see how this copes in the rain, but the magnet I thought was a nice touch. Nice tapered cut to the leg and the grey color just shouted smart!! These pants tick the box for me in all counts so far.” Bottom line: Our testers were as impressed with the pants as they were with the jacket. Tester jdparker summed them up well, saying, “the pants breathe well and the stretch in the Hydro-Flex 32 material makes it easy to walk the course. The pockets are large enough to hold tees, marker and golf balls but not overly big. The back pockets have magnets in them to help keep them closed when not in use and perfect for a glove.” What Testers Said - Galway Bay Rain Glove While the jacket and pants received great feedback and overall ratings, the gloves had mixed reviews. Tester jdparker noted “the GB rain gloves for me are lacking some in performance.” Tester GolferXY: “The gloves were fine.They stayed grippy even when wet. However, I ordered a size smaller than my normal XL and they were still too big. During 7-iron drills, the gloves did diminish my feel, but when I hit the ball off the toe, the stinger I expected was muffled. I could still tell that I mishit the ball, but didn't pay as big a price as I did with my other rain gloves.” Overall, the Galway Bay rain gloves for our testers did the job but did lack some performance. Having said that, they still performed well compared to some other rain gloves our testers tried side by side, but they lost a bit of grip as they got really wet. The Final Verdict We have to thank all of our testers for going out and getting great videos, photos and information in the rain for this testing experience. We asked our testers to rate all the apparel, taking into account the various categories. Their final ratings ranged from 85 to 97 out of 100. Both WaffleHouseTour and jdparker summed up the testing experience and Galway Bay products nicely. “I don’t think anyone will be disappointed by the Galway Bay rain gear. It absolutely does what it is supposed to do. It will keep you dry. You will stay dry. It is flexible and won’t slow down your swing. It's breathable and lightweight. ust be smarter than I am about size, use their “what’s my size” guide and don’t take for granted what you usually wear. “If you are in the market for rain gear or even if you are not, do yourself a favor and head on over to the Galway Bay site and pick up a new jacket, pants or gloves. You will not be disappointed. “I had some very low expectations with rain gear at the beginning of this process and Galway Bay blew me away with their performance in every aspect. They have found the solution to a lot of the issues in rain gear for golf. The Hydro-Flex 32 material that they use on the jacket and pants allows for the full range of motion all while giving you a modern look out on the course. “Finally, the most important part of rain gear is to keep you dry, and this gear will absolutely do that.” To read their full reviews go to this link: MyGolfSpy Forum Full Reviews: Galway Bay Rain Gear
    6 points
  17. The Testing Opportunity Photo: Bag Boy Nitron on course Bag Boy has introduced the Nitron Auto-Open pushcart with its patented nitrogen-powered auto-assist opening mechanism. Bag Boy describes the Nitron as “a revolutionary auto-open cart engineered with Nitro Piston technology, transforming from a compact folded cart to open and ready to go in seconds. The nitrogen-powered auto-open creates a simple two-step opening, making opening the cart effortless as the front wheel automatically pops out into place.” Key features include: Auto-open with Nitro-Piston™ technology Top-Lok® technology, a patented bag-to-cart attachment system Easy one-step open Lightweight frame features a compact fold size for simplified storage and transport Multiple color combinations MyGolfSpy wanted four testers to test, review and keep the Bag Boy Nitron Auto-Open pushcart. Here is what they had to say. What Testers Said: First Impressions The testers all agreed that the setup out of the box was very simple. A few parts to lock in and the cart was ready to go. Photo: Bag Boy Nitron out of box Tester edingc: “The build quality is impressive. It is obvious this is not a cheaply constructed item. The frame has some weight to it, and the plastic parts are sturdy and solid.” Photo: Bag Boy Nitron Frame All testers agreed the patented Nitro-Piston was a great feature with tester Preeway saying, “I was blown away at the piston technology that went into the Nitron design and how easy it is to open and close the cart. My old cart was all about tightening/loosening screws which was extremely tedious and somewhat time consuming. I hated starting and ending each round with the hassle.” Photo: Bag Boy Nitron Closed Testers provided several videos of the ease of setup and breakdown of the Nitron. What Testers Said: Additional Features There were mixed thoughts on the Top-Lok feature that secures the bag (designed for Top-Lok bags) but Tester Hobert had no issues. “I experienced absolutely no bag twisting during my testing. I believe this is due, at least in part, to the upper bracket for the legs on my Sun Mountain 2.5+ fitting nearly perfectly between the Top-Lok brackets (see pic below) which prevents it from twisting.” Photo: Bag Boy Nitron Top-Lok Lacassem said “the hand brake is a complete game changer. Like a bike hand brake. If there were any issues it would be easy to replace. On slopes it slides a little bit if you have the brake applied and it’s not in a good position, but it is extremely secure and literally at the tip of my fingers. It’s the little things that are bonuses for me, they did a great job running clean lines and using fabric to hold the brake line tight to the cart. Small details.” Photo: Bag Boy Hand Brake Photo: Bag Boy Nitron Hand Brake Line Tester Preeway: “The top tray and bottom compartment located on the handle are well designed and functional. I’m not looking for a lot of storage space on the cart itself since I have plenty in my bag. I was really impressed with the storage space below the handle not so much because of the size but because it provided some degree of shade and protection for what was inside. This is where I typically kept my rangefinder and glove while walking.” Photo: Bag Boy Nitron Accessory Bag “The cup holder was another area for me where my opinion waxed and waned. I don’t typically bring my own water bottle with me and instead will get water or Gatorade from the pro shop. I never had any issues with getting these to fit and was also able to get a beer can in a koozie to fit without problem as well. However, there were a couple of times when it was really hot and humid when I brought a large Gatorade for the round and the larger bottles are just a tad too large in diameter to fit. I think the cupholder is designed to hold anything you can buy at the course, which to me seems reasonable.” Photo: Bag Boy Nitron Scorecard Console The Final Verdict Photo: Bag Boy Nitron Open The Nitron pushcart received scores from 22 to 23.5 out of 25 and all the testers will be keeping the pushcart to use. Tester edingc: “The Bag Boy Nitron is solidly built, has a ton of features, and it looks good! If you are in the market for a new cart, I’d recommend taking a good look at the Nitron. If you have a Top Lok-compatible bag, I’d not even bother looking at alternatives.” Tester Lacassm: “I cannot recommend this cart enough for those looking for something on the affordable side. I receive so many compliments on this cart and don’t doubt anyone else that gets it will too.” Tester Preeway: “Overall, I was really impressed with this cart. Anyone looking to buy a cart and join the walking mafia should really give this model serious consideration.” Tester Hobert: “On the course, the Nitron is light and nimble, and its looks are the envy of all of the other push carts at the club. I strongly recommend that anyone in the market for a push cart take a long look at the Nitron!” To read their full reviews and all the details our testers shared, go to the complete write-ups HERE.
    5 points
  18. The Testing Opportunity Who is Red Rooster? Red Rooster, a favorite brand among Forum members, is back with their second member test of 2023. Earlier, our members had the privilege of testing the unreleased Red Rooster Sussex glove. Its performance was well rated so we were thrilled to get the Red Rooster Rain gloves for Forum member testing. Red Rooster Rain Gloves were awarded the Best Rain Glove title in 2023 in MyGolfSpy Most Wanted Testing. At that time, we said, “direct-to-consumer brand Red Rooster stormed onto the scene in our 2022 golf glove testing and the newest addition to their lineup is now the best rain glove for 2023. The Rain Rooster glove provides a great fit and supreme comfort without taking away too much club feel.” What Testers Said - Fit and Feel Red Rooster prides itself on fit and feel. This was a key focus area for our testers. For golfers who play in rainy conditions, it is critical to have confidence in the fit and grip of the rain gloves. Any slip or bulk will have a dramatic effect on performance. Tester Bkervin said, “The glove is a little thicker than summer gloves but similar to leather gloves. The fit is snug, it doesn’t slip around on the hand and holds firm… It states it is synthetic but has a little bit of a leather feel to it. It is easy to take on and off with no stretching out of material.” Tester Clayton said, “The material is nothing like most other rain gloves I’ve had in the past. The ones I play the most have some sort of suede feel. These have a palm and top that feels like a rubberized fabric with a neoprene cuff and sticky rubber roosters. Between the fingers feels like some sort of breathable fabric… The feel is very good. I thought the inside might feel slimy when wet, but they feel awesome, even when soaked completely. The feel to the grips is also very good – I play cords and can still feel flushed vs mishits. The feel side is full points, and I took away points from the fit.” The first impressions of the glove were fantastic from the looks to the feel and overall fit. The only criticism was an initial tight fit. However, with the added stretch in the material, this was quickly alleviated. What Testers Said - Performance: With good first impressions and a good fit for all the testers, it was time to see how they performed on the golf course.. Tester D01M4: “Since wearing the Rain Rooster gloves, I've played three of my best rounds ever, including an all-time best of four under par. The grip is incredible - I didn't experience any slippages, even in wet conditions … on the course, a few folks noticed my Rain Rooster gloves and were pretty interested. These gloves offer the best grip I've experienced. I didn’t think I would get away from my Clinch gloves. They do tend to lose a rooster or two each round, but to me, that's no big deal. Even with the fading roosters, their quality and grip are great. I'm convinced that these gloves have played a role in elevating my golf game recently.” Bkervin really put the Red Rooster rain gloves through rigorous testing. “These gloves provided so much grip for me. I didn’t have one time that I felt like the club was rotating or slipping, like I have had with regular golf gloves. I golfed in the rain and/or the cold; I poured water on the gloves; dunked my hands into a bucket of water – but the grip remained firm, and the club did not slip in any way!” The Final Verdict: All the testers had ample opportunity to play with these gloves to test their durability, long-term fit and performance. The testers graded the Red Rooster rain glove out of 100, giving them a 94, 96, 97 and 98.5. All testers intend to continue using the rain gloves and will purchase them when their current pair wears out. Their durability was praised and, with the exception of a few little logos dropping off, there were limited signs of accelerated wear. To wrap up their reviews, our testers had this to say: Jerbooth: “For anyone looking for a wet season glove or a glove to wear in a rain shower on the course, these should be given serious consideration by anyone looking for a rain glove.” d0m41n: “The Rain Rooster gloves from Red Rooster Golf impressed right out of the gate with great looks and comfort. They are a red and black design with red roosters on the palm, offering incredible grip, flexibility, and a comfortable fit. They’ve contributed to some of my best golf rounds ever played. The gloves' standout feature is their grip in wet conditions, though the roosters on the palm do fade. Their overall performance, comfort, and value at $31 make them my top choice in any weather.” If you are interested in reading the full reviews and what the testers experienced, go here: Forum Member Review: Red Rooster Rain Gloves
    5 points
  19. As a female golfer who has been playing golf for nearly 30 years, I’ve seen my fair share of fashion trends. In fact, I remember a time, a long time ago, when finding clothes for women golfers was nearly impossible. Today, things are different. Golf fashion is actually starting to become kind of fun for women golfers. However, there are still issues with dress codes, playability, and more. I’m going to give you a full in-depth guide on what women wear to golf, whether or not they are appropriately dressed, and how to find clothes that actually feel good when you play. What Do Women Wear To Golf? Women golfers should wear: Collared shirts (or non-collared shirts with sleeves) Appropriate length shorts or skirts Golf shoes Sun protection and accessories Women golfers get a bit more leeway in the dress code than male golfers. Unfortunately, this tends to make the process of getting dressed for golf a bit more complicated. I’ll break down each of the categories of women’s golf attire and fill you in on any of the gray areas about what you can and can’t wear on the course. Shirts Most golf courses require women golfers to wear an appropriate collared shirt or a shirt with no color that has sleeves. What does this really mean? Leave the T-shirts and tank tops at home. If you have a nice short sleeve shirt that is golf appropriate and matches perfectly with your skort or pants, that is acceptable. If you have been around the game of golf a long time, chances are you understand what appropriate is. For new players, stick to the collared shirt. Until you get a feel for what is acceptable on the course, go with the basic dress code. Shirts for men have to remain tucked in at all times; some clubs allow women golfers to keep their shirts untucked. I suggest finding something that allows for the shirt to tuck in, it’s a neater look, and the shirt won’t get in your way when you swing. Bottoms There are basically three options for women golfers when it comes to bottoms: Appropriate length shorts Appropriate length skirts (or skorts) Pants I know I keep saying this “appropriate length,” and it may make you feel like the middle school dress code has returned. Some courses can be a bit like this, and if you go too short on your bottoms, you may be asked to change. The good news here is that the concept that women had to wear Bermuda length shorts has gone away. It’s now appropriate to wear shorts that are in that 5 to 7-inch range. Remember that your height and build can make shorts or skirts look longer or shorter. Take a look at your outfit before you head to the course, and make sure you feel it looks appropriate. If you stick with companies like Adidas or Under Armour and their sporting lines for women, you should have no trouble finding the proper length. Dresses Golf dresses are appropriate. Women golfers that want to wear golf dresses will find the dresses are usually cut just above the knee, and they often have built-in shorts to help make playing a sport a bit more convenient! When choosing a dress for a round of golf, I would stick with companies that make dresses specifically for golfers. There are plenty of collared dresses out there that are not exactly designed for a woman golfer, although they may work fine for a cocktail at the country club after golf. Hats and Outerwear Hats are smart to wear on the course. You have some room to be creative with a hat if you prefer a wider-brim sun hat or a traditional baseball-style cap. Hats should be worn forward-facing, and most clubs do not require women to take the hat off when they walk into the clubhouse. This is a great benefit considering what a round of golf can do to your hair. I like to stick with hats that are white, navy, or even pink. Choose something that can match several of your outfits so that you always have sun protection but look pulled together at the same time. What Should Women NOT Wear To Golf? Women should not wear: Denim Short shorts Tank tops or sleeveless tops Gym attire There is a fine line right now in women’s golf about leggings on the golf course. Leggings are so convenient because we can wear them to the gym, to get the kids from school, to spend time around the house, or head to the grocery store. In fact, leggings can even be dressed up to be worn out. However, there are many golf courses that are still considering this gym or workout attire, and they DO NOT want you wearing it out on the course. I suggest looking into a pair of pants that fits like a legging but is clearly more like golf pants. Something like the Willit Women’s Golf Stretch Pants is a good lower-priced option that does a good job of mixing traditional pants with pull-on style pants. Stay away from denim altogether; many clubhouses don’t even want you wearing denim when you head into the club for dinner. As I said earlier, spend your first year as a golfer wearing more traditional women’s golf clothes from golf manufacturers, and you should not run into too many issues. Once you have a handle on the courses you play, it becomes much easier to wear the right attire. Country Club Dress Code For Women The dress code for women will change from one club to another. This is the problem. What works at your home course may not be acceptable at a course you are playing as a guest. Again, conservative and traditional is your way to go here, and you will be just fine. I have put together a few things that I think can be helpful from a dress code for women’s standpoint. These are options for women when it comes to getting dressed for golf, and I think it helps you clearly see what is acceptable and what is not going to cut it. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to a country club prior to playing to make sure your clothes are appropriate for that day. What should women wear for first-time golfing? If it’s your first time out on the golf course, make sure to wear a collared golf shirt. In addition, wearing standard khaki shorts or a skort that is below the mid-thigh is a great idea. The first time you play golf, you also want to make sure you are comfortable. So much of what women wear to golf is about dress code; not enough of a focus is placed on playability and comfort. Men’s golf shirts are made with extra room in the shoulders and chest so as not to restrict movements. Sticking with golf-specific clothing and attire will ensure this happens for women golfers as well. I’ve played many rounds of golf with golf clothes that are just plain uncomfortable to be in. If something is restricting my swing, it will impact my club head speed and my ability to score that day. Some Of My Favorites This is not an extensive list of my favorite golf clothing for women. As time goes on and I test clothing on the golf course to see how it really performs, I will continue to update this list. For now, I’m leaving you with two options that I have personally tested, and feel as though they have earned a spot on this list. The first is the TBMPOY Women’s Short Sleeve Polo. I bought this one because I tend to ruin white golf shirts rather quickly in the summer heat. However, I love having a white to pair with a unique belt or skort. This shirt holds up well, fits nicely (a little generous), and is really fairly priced. Another option I stand behind is the Vineyard Vines Shep Shirt. I use this for spring and fall golf, and I wear it off the course a lot as well. This has truly become one of my favorite pieces, and although it’s not a specific golf shirt, it has plenty of room for you to swing. Frequently Asked Questions Here are a few of the more commonly asked questions concerning what women wear to golf. Can women wear leggings to golf? Some public golf courses will allow women to wear leggings to play, but most private clubs will not. Leggings on the golf course is still a developing issue. You may see more leggings allowed at practice facilities and for certain days of play on the course. Do ladies have to wear a collared shirt for golf? Some ladies’ shirts have a more basic collar or a V Neck design, but a collared shirt is generally recommended. How do you dress stylishly for golf? To dress stylishly for golf, don’t be afraid to wear patterns and bright colors. Golfers have always gotten away with wearing something that stands out a bit. I suggest buying some solid color tops and bottoms. Then you can match with a variety of things. Throw in a few patterns and you are set. Is there a dress code for watching golf? Most PGA Tour, Korn Ferry, LPGA, and LIV events do not have a dress code for spectators. However, most people will wear golf attire. In addition, find something that is at least comfortable to move around the golf course all day. You can walk several miles when watching a golf tournament. What should a young girl wear to golf? Golf attire for young girls can be limited. However, the same dress code that is followed for women must also be followed for young girls. Look for a collared shirt, and a skirt or shorts that are used for school uniforms. Finding ways to repurpose the wardrobe is always a win! Can women wear jeans to golf? Women cannot wear jeans to golf. Even with leggings starting to come up as acceptable at some golf courses, jeans are still not approved attire. Final Thoughts I’ve been a golfer for close to 30 years and have seen the trends in women’s fashion. However, having a great collared shirt in a performance fabric and some classic khaki-style shorts will almost always work. If you are on the fence about whether or not an outfit is acceptable, try to stick with golf clothing manufacturers. In addition, call the golf shop ahead of time and make sure there are no unusual or specific requirements they may have. The good news is that once you get comfortable on the golf course, you will also get comfortable with the style and be able to change things up a bit. https://countryclubcontent.com/what-do-women-wear-to-golf-dress-codes-style-options-and-why-it-matters/
    5 points
  20. Common Golf Injuries and Prevention Strategies Photo Credit: The Central Orthopedic Group As with any sport, injuries are bound to appear in the game of golf. Injuries not only impact us at home and at work but also hinder the progress we are able to make with our game. If you’re injured, you’re losing valuable time to practice, play and improve. The majority of injuries golfers will face in a lifetime are the result of overuse or the frequent, repetitive motion and posture used for the golf swing. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common golf injuries and strategies we can take to prevent them. Why Injuries Occur How to prevent golf-related injuries begins with understanding why and how they occur. Injuries in sport occur due to an amount of pressure or force that is applied on the body that exceeds its tolerance threshold. A good example of this is an ACL tear in a basketball or football player. A sudden change of direction or awkward landing imparts force the ligament cannot withstand, causing it to tear. In the golf swing, strong, repetitive rotational forces are being placed on the body each time we swing. Impact with the ground applies additional force, and stress, that our body needs to be able to tolerate and withstand over many repetitions. Our swing mechanics will also play a role in potential risk for injury. Physical fitness has become a priority in today’s professional golf landscape and is a key to injury prevention. Photo Credit: Rochester Regional Health Common Golf Injuries Outlined below are some of the most common injuries that will occur over a golfer’s lifespan. Consider yourself lucky if you’re able to avoid all of these completely. The common theme you will see with these is they are predominantly overuse injuries. Back Pain The golf posture lends itself to a predisposition for lower back pain. You spend hours on the course for an 18-hole round repeatedly addressing the ball to take a swing. As “back pain” is quite a general term, we can take a look at three predominant categories of golf-related back injuries. Lumbar strains. Essentially another way to describe back pain, this muscle pain is caused from excessive strain. These will typically be diagnosed as soft tissue injuries. Disc herniations. These occur when the padding between your vertebrae move out of place. Spondylosis or osteoarthritis of the spine. This occurs when the cartilage in a golfer’s spine breaks down over time and is typically found in older individuals. Rotator Cuff Injuries The rotator cuff, which is made up of four individual muscles, provides stabilization and support to the shoulder joint. Golfers will often experience a muscle strain or complete tear of one or more of the muscles of the rotator cuff when this type of injury occurs. Golfers may also experience rotator cuff tendinitis, swelling of the cuff tendons. Photo Credit: Back in Balance Wellness Center Golfer’s Elbow Golfer’s elbow causes pain where the tendons of your forearm attach to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. This injury may cause inflammation and radiating pain that spreads throughout your forearm muscles and into your wrist. This is a very similar injury to tennis elbow and typically occurs due to excess or repetitive stress through forceful wrist and finger movements. Wrist Injuries The most common wrist-related injury in golf is a sprain. Wrist sprains could be the cause of poor swing mechanics (think a fat shot that you don't get the clubhead through the turf smoothly) or the abrupt stoppage of the clubhead at impact due to striking a rock or tree root. Tendinitis, an inflammation of the tendons of the wrist, is another common overuse injury among golfers. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerves in the wrist are compressed. The result of this overuse injury may lead to temporary numbness and tingling in the hands. Hip Injuries Some common injuries to the hip can include general pain, muscle strains and hip instability. Hip pain most commonly stems from general wear and tear of the joint as we age. However, hip pain can also be the result of overuse and poor mechanics, which impact the swing and power we are able to generate. Muscle strains, as discussed previously, occur when fibers of the muscle are damaged. Instability of the hip arises from too much motion within the joint of the hip itself. Prevention Strategies Photo Credit: Blog by golfballs.com Now that we've discussed a multitude of potential injuries a golfer may face over the course of their playing life, let's take a look at some prevention strategies to help mitigate the risk of injury. Just like the golf swing, injury prevention is not a "one size fits all" strategy or solution. Finding a routine that works best for you is key not only to reducing your risk of sustaining an injury, but also your ability to perform it consistently. We will discuss a variety of things you can incorporate into your daily routine to help you reduce the likelihood of an injury and make you feel better and stronger physically. The Warm-Up This one may seem like common sense, but if you polled 10 golfers and asked them whether they perform a proper warm-up (raking balls on the range doesn't count), I'd venture to guess that three or four (tops!) would say yes. I want you to think back to your high school years. Whether you played football, basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball or softball (you get the idea), odds are you performed a warm-up of some sort before the game. Warm-ups allow us to prime our body for movement. We are able to target a specific group of muscles through these activities that are relative to our sport. Some great dynamic stretches you can perform on the range before your round include: Standing Core Rotations Wide Stance Crossing Toe Touches Shoulder Dislocate Mobility Stretch Lateral Arm Swings You could also look to add something like Therabody's Theragun, a portable percussive massage device, to your warm-up routine. Percussive massage can help to alleviate aches and pains while providing relief for sore muscles. Strength Training Photo Credit: TRX Training I am a firm believer that a healthy body is a strong body and, regardless of your age, you can and will benefit from adding strength training to your weekly routine. Again, a “one size fits all” approach to strength training does not work, as each individual is unique and has different limitations to what they are able to perform physically. If you currently do not have any strength training in your routine, start slowly by adding some bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups and planks. Aim to perform two to three sets and 10 to 15 repetitions of each exercise. You can modify these exercises to fit your current fitness level as well. For example, if you cannot perform a standard push-up, modify it so your knees, not your feet, are on the floor. If that is still too challenging, brace yourself against a table or wall to perform them. For planks, set a time goal you'd like to hold the position for and work your way up to it. If you're short on space or don't like going to the gym, check out the PRO4 System suspension Trainer from TRX. You could also add their Rip Trainer to incorporate some golf-specific training into your routine. TRX uses your body weight as resistance to perform a multitude of exercises and is a great training tool that accommodates all levels of fitness. Mobility Exercises Increasing your mobility, or the range of motion through which you can move, will also help to reduce the likelihood of sustaining an injury. If you're looking to increase your mobility and feel better physically in general, make sure you check out this article on some exercises you can add to your routine today. Recovery Techniques Equally as important as the warm-up, recovery techniques like static stretching allow us to lengthen our muscles after repetitively shortening them through activity. Ice and heat therapy can also relieve sore muscles and help speed up the recovery process. The RecoveryTherm Cube from Therabody provides hot and cold therapy in one compact package. Use heat to relieve sore muscles and stiffness and help with muscle spasms. Heat therapy has also been shown to improve blood circulation, getting more red blood cells to the target site to aid in increasing recovery. Cold therapy can help to relieve pain, inflammation and swelling in joint, muscle and soft tissue injuries. Conclusion Photo Credit: OrthoVirginia With any and all injuries, I cannot overstate the importance of scheduling an appointment with your primary care provider if you feel you may have sustained an injury beyond general stiffness or soreness. I get it, this means more time away from the course, which is not what any of us wants. However, the timely diagnosis of an injury may be treated through physical therapy without surgery. By ignoring the nagging or lingering pain you are experiencing, you run the risk of exposing yourself to significant injury and even more time away from the game. We hope now you have a better understanding of the most common golf injuries and are now better equipped with prevention strategies to keep you playing your best golf all of the time.
    4 points
  21. Forum Staff Picks - Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond The Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond driver has been a standout pick for Forum Staff Members in 2023. It has made the way into 3 bags with great success and with that it has lead several other staff members to test, consider or seriously look into purchasing one. So what makes this driver special and separate itself form the pack? There are a lot of great drivers out there and it would easy to see every staff member playing a different model. The Staff Members First let's start by saying the current three staff members gaming the Paradym Triple Diamond are solid golfers. With handicaps between 1 and 7 they can get around a golf course and all have the potential to shoot very low. It is also fair to say all three (much like the rest of the staff) are pretty big club junkies. They have all played several models and brands prior before landing on the Paradym, so it is definitely not a hype thing. Standout Features - Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond Forgiveness - This has been stated by all of them who have put this in the bag. Despite its smaller shape and better player profile it boasts ample forgiveness. We are not talking PING level forgiveness, however for two of the three staff members (myself and Ben Joest) we have had our fair share of struggles off the tee. There is even a full thread about it made by Ben Joest you can find here. This driver has managed to cure many of those woes and rebuilt confidence in their tee game making significant strides to bettering their scores by having confidence off the tee and hitting more fairways. Profile - This may not matter to many, however for these three it is a big factor in why this driver has performed well. The smaller, deep faced profile may not be confidence inspiring to all, however the compact shape is exactly what we look for in a driver. Not a big triangle or overly round, but a profile that suits the eye of those looking for a compact head. Distance & Spin - These often go hand in hand and while it may not be the absolute longest driver available, it is still long. The consistency in spin numbers are also impressive making dispersion front to back a lot smaller compared to others. With all three being relatively high swing speed players the ability to keep spin lower and not spiking means distance stays up. Lofts - GolfSpy_BNG is a low loft guy. I mean he has played Bryson level lofts in his driver and the ability to go low with the sleeve and still retain spin for him is impressive. The various Callaway loft sleeves make it a very enticing option for those look at either low low lofts or bumping the loft up like Ben Joest and Golfspy_APH. Shafts - This was an area all three played around with. Ben Joest settled on a Ventus Black before it broke, so his is tbd. BNG settled on a Ventus Blue and APH ended up playing a Graphite Design AD DI. This is something that should not be underrated and finding the proper shaft is critical. Shot Shape Bias - Where I found several tour style heads to be farily fade bias I can honestly say it is pretty neutral. Checking in with the others I think they all agree with this assessment. Downside? So is this perfect? Well no, I don't think any driver is or ever will be. In particular the color is not something everyone loves. Is fine with or likes sure, but not something BNG loves. I don't think any of us would be surprised to see him move to an all black version. It is certainly a feature of this driver, but the option moving weights of the Paradym is something that some may miss. Final Thoughts I have come to love this driver. To say I have played a few drivers this season would be a massive understatement. I have a whole thread commenting on my driver journey this season. While a few were great there was one small issue with them. It was that they weren't the Paradym Triple Diamond. Backing up a little, I hit this driver at a demo day and was floored. What caught me off guard was the height and flight. The ball came out hot and seemed to stay in the air forever. It was this feeling and shot I was searching for in others. The closest to come was the PING G430 LST (another great driver). From COBRA to Titleist to PING to PXG and to other Callaway drivers I was searching for what I saw on the range with the Paradym Triple Diamond. I finally decided to stop searching and just get what had made begin the search in the start. Since then I have been thrilled and it is very hard for me to knock this driver in any aspect. Below there are more comments from the other staff members who chimed in with their thoughts and feelings on the driver. What do you think? Would this driver work for you? Have you tried it already? How did it work or didn't for you? Also for Cyber Monday Callaway Pre-Owned has 30% with Deals on this driver it is hard to pass up!
    4 points
  22. The Testing Opportunity One of the more unique opportunities in 2023 was the LEAN LOCK Putter Forum Member test. LEAN LOCK makes several bold claims such as, "switching to the LEAN LOCK putter and putting system eliminates variables and increases your consistency and confidence, especially on those nervy short putts. “By anchoring the shaft to the target side (outside) of the leading arm, LEAN LOCK stabilizes the putter, eliminates wrist movement and minimizes clubface rotation. “The connection to the lead arm is so secure you can grip the putter with less tension, yet still have superior control." We needed four golfers to test the putter as well as dedicating time and effort to learning the LEAN LOCK method to provide a thorough review. For this testing opportunity, the selected testers received support and virtual fitting with LEAN LOCK founder Brian Tennyson as well as their choice of the APA Blade - Proto 1.0 or APA Mallet - Proto 1.0. About The Testers The four selected testers had handicaps between scratch and 25. A couple listed putting as a strength, the others not so much. They also had various swing speeds and experiences with different putters. What Testers Said - Fitting and Initial Impressions Tester warrenator8: “I will say that the customer service and fitting process were excellent as we prepared for the test… Brian really believes in his process and product, and you can tell that he wants you to succeed. The videos are an excellent help in learning the process, both the free videos and those that are for sale.” LEAN LOCK offers videos, books and more to help their users get the most out of the product and ensure they have as much knowledge as possible to succeed in this putting method. What our Testers Said - LEAN LOCK Putting Method Tester EasyPutter went into great detail describing the method and details of what needs to be done to make the method work. “Posture - awareness of position, relaxed, bend at waist so eyes are directly over putter alignment line, be mindful of balance! And practice it to get comfortable and “assume the position” whenever going to putt. Grip position - lead arm thumb pressure, can lift fingers off grip and move them like keys on a musical instrument, hover the club head before beginning the swing allows for down and back on the backswing to follow the surface. Open Shoulder - path of the putter is pretty straight for 6” behind the ball, trail side low gives 2 degrees up at ball contact. Moment of Impact - speed should be greatest at the moment of impact, not before or after - longer backswing, maybe a tap. Basics of Putting - focus on what makes the ball go where you want it to go, speed and clubface direction at the last 6” before impact. Shoulders open, feet angled to path line, dominant arm lined up with the path of the putt, shift hips forward to angle shoulders - helps putter to pull away low and come back up to the ball. Jack Nicklaus effect - forward press shaft, arms bent tucking putter back under the vertical line from eyes to ball. Slow backswing and start to forward swing. Dominant Hand - Brian invented a putter and stroke that incorporates facing the hole and rolling the putt using the dominant hand, which is what all teachers teach but then all the other teachers have the student stand facing perpendicular to the putt and use the major muscles and not the dominant hand, exactly opposite to what was first said.” Long, I know, but important as it is again about not just the putter, but the method of putting. What Tester Said - The Putter Tester CLenahan had mixed feelings on his APA Blade 1.0: “The classic Anser shape and finish are big wins for me. The branding is obtrusive, the mirror finish back insert looks great but is distracting in bright sun. The headcover is the main loser here for me; it feels cheap, and I do not believe it will last. Sound and feel are solid. You are going to be asked on the practice green what you have; it’s an attention grabber for sure.” Tester GirlDad18 tested the APA Mallet Model 1.0: “It is comparable to an Odyssey #7 in look. I immediately loved the look of it when I unboxed it. There is a sight line on the head to line up your putt. I use a line on my ball for putting, so this is essential for me. The head is black and milled. It has an exceptional feel and provides a nice soft tink sound when hitting the sweet spot, kind of like hitting a spoon softly on the bottom of a cooking pot or frying pan, not a clang.” What Testers Said - On-Course Performance Tester CLenehan had his ups and downs during testing which was expected when trying a new method. “Put in the work, and you will get the results. I had some very frustrating times, and very nearly gave up a couple of times. I finally am starting to see results that reflect Brian’s claims.” Warrenator8 found a positive change. “Overall, I definitely have seen an improvement, especially by the end with distance control, almost draining a forty-foot putt in my last round of the testing period.” The Final Verdict This testing opportunity was unique. It relied on testers putting in a lot of time and effort to make it work and finding results. So what were the final scores when the test was finished? Overall, the putter and putting system was well received and all the testers are going to continue using LEAN LOCK for the time being. With scores ranging from 80 to 97 out of 100, the testers believed to varying degrees that there is something to this method and the putter itself. Here is what our testers concluded. Tester EasyPutter: “The LEAN LOCK Putter and the LEAN LOCK Putting Method are a bonafide revolutionary putting system that when properly studied and applied as designed will, in my experience, improve putting and result in fewer putts per round.” Tester warrenator8: “One thought that kept recurring for me was if I put this much time into my old putting form, would I be better off with it?... This is not just any putter. LEAN LOCK is a method. Most likely, totally different than what you are accustomed to doing. Practice, reading and watching videos over and over are what it takes to make the LEAN LOCK and method work. Without this, it will not work for you.” Tester CLenahan : “The LEAN LOCK is more than a putter; it’s a whole paradigm shift in the mechanics of putting and armlock technology… If you are willing to practice, you will get results.” Tester warrenator8: “I am happy that I went through this test, as I was pleasantly surprised with the results and have found my putter for the foreseeable future. Adapting to the putter and routine takes getting used to, but I have found it to be worth it.” To read the full reviews and data our testers collected, go here: LEAN LOCK Forum Member Reviews
    4 points
  23. The Course Nakoma Golf Club, a design by Thomas Bendelow, has been a fixture in Madison, WI since 1925, boasting its status as one of the city's oldest clubs. This parkland-style course is home to Andy North, offering a unique golfing experience surrounded on three sides by the University of Wisconsin's Arboretum. I had the pleasure of playing a round here with my uncle, a club member, and it was a round I'd been looking forward to for some time. Spanning 6,469 yards from the longest tees, Nakoma is a Par 70 course (34/36) featuring five tee boxes, providing challenges for golfers of all skill levels. A view of Wisconsin's State Capitol Building near the 1st tee box One remarkable aspect of Nakoma GC is its ability to transport you away from the city. This course is free from homes lining the fairways, and the view of the state capitol building is the only reminder of the city's presence. The lush surroundings of trees and water throughout the round make for a refreshing golfing experience. The greens, recently aerated in early October, have recovered beautifully, providing true and fast rolls. Tiered and undulating, precise shot placement becomes essential for a good score. Even during late fall, Nakoma was in outstanding condition, with well-manicured fairways and thick rough. Front Nine A short game warm up area with a large practice putting green are available to utilize before your round Hole One is a dogleg left par four with trees lining the fairway on both sides and two fairway bunkers to the right at the corner. A good tee shot leaves you with a short iron into a small, undulating green. A classic hole layout and fantastic start to this course. The second par three in it’s first four holes, #4 is an excellent chance at birdie on this front nine (which yours truly happened to capitalize on). However, any miss short right is consumed by a large and deep bunker, while missing left will find your ball down a large bank and needing a challenging chip to save par. This hole played 160 yards into a strong headwind, leading to clubbing up two clubs. I hit a beautiful 6 iron to about nine feet and sank the putt for birdie. The dogleg right fifth hole was a beautiful layout The only par five you’ll face on the front, hole 6 is a blind tee shot into a narrow landing area in the fairway. Tree lined on both sides, long hitters can reach in two from the whites with a good tee shot. If you choose to lay up, a fairway bunker left looms in the landing area. You’ll need to navigate three greenside bunkers into a small, back to front sloping green. Hole Nine, a dogleg left, demands a precise tee shot to the right side of the fairway to avoid overhanging oaks on the left. This green slopes to the back, with subtle surface changes throughout. Your approach leads back to the clubhouse, leading to what I was told can be one of the most high pressure shots on the course. Outdoor patio seating, plus sidewalks directly behind the green, mean missing long isn’t an option. On warm days, you’ll have a gallery watching. Thankfully for me, it was chilly with no one outdoors. I executed a high draw off the tee with 7 wood, leaving me 140 to the pin into a strong headwind. Remembering my luck on the earlier par three 4th, I clubbed up two clubs and flushed a 7 iron to the back of the green. A tricky lag putt awaited me that I hit too firm and ran well past the hole, leading to an eventual three putt. From the fairway into the ninth green Back Nine Hole ten is rated as the second most challenging on the property. A long, straight par 4 with ponds along the right and OB left, finding the fairway is critical to success. You’ll be faced with a long iron or fairway wood on your second to a very small green protected by a bunker and OB left with Mitchie’s stream on the right. Once again playing dead into the wind, I hit a solid draw that was knocked down to only 230 yards. Left with 190 to the pin, I pulled a 6 iron that was flushed and well short (did I mention the wind?). Beautiful backdrop into hole eleven The final three hole stretch follows a 5/3/5 layout, with an elevated tee shot awaiting you at 16. Playing your tee shot over the trees right of the fairway will leave you with an opportunity to reach this tiered green in two. Risk is involved, however, as a pond guards left and short. I executed a fantastic tee shot and followed it with a 7 wood draw that thankfully stayed dry. A wedge onto the green and two putt secured a par. Hole 17 requires a mid to long iron, depending on your game, into arguably the most undulating green at Nakoma. Guarded by bunkers short left, right, and long left, accuracy is critical here. A large mound in the middle of the green influences nearly every putt. I was able to hit the green and two putt for a second consecutive par. Hole 18 leads back to the clubhouse and plays as a par five. A challenging landing area guarded by water right and three bunkers left, I executed a soft draw that landed short of the bunkers and long of the water, exactly where I needed to be. This left me with an opportunity to get onto the elevated and two tiered green in two. With the pin playing short, I missed the green right and found myself in a particularly unenjoyable lie in thick, deep rough. I managed to find the green with my third shot, but was at the very back of the second tier, leaving myself with a 70 foot lag putt. I managed to leave it at 2 feet and tapped in to finish out on a three par streak. Fall colors were on full display at Nakoma throughout the property Amenities & Conclusion Nakoma GC is a fully private club, so you’ll need to find a member to play with or request a tee time through the head pro. There are limited tee times available to those that inquire, and it is absolutely worth looking into if you’re in the Madison area. I had an absolute blast playing this course, as it provided a fun and unique experience that I am looking forward to taking on again in the future. A challenging layout with varying requirements on tee and approach shots, Nakoma met my expectations for a fully private club. We were never pushed by groups behind us or ran into groups ahead of us, which is clearly a benefit with how busy public courses have become.
    4 points
  24. The Testing Opportunity: deWiz Swing Analyzer Introduction Hit longer. Hit straighter. Hit closer. The deWiz AI golf swing analyzer was born from more than 50,000 hours of research, testing and development. Designed with the intent to help golfers “become their own golf coach,” deWiz utilizes a patented learning stimuli that delivers a subtle but noticeable sting to the wearer's wrist when their swing deviates from the set ideal min-max values for specific data points. The three swing metrics predominantly used for improving your golf swing with deWiz are Transition, Tempo, and Length of Backswing. A neutral transition will help to eliminate your slice or hook, while improved tempo and a longer backswing will help increase your distance. There is also a focus on wedge distance control, called “Distwedges,” that aims to help you dial in your control around the greens to get closer to pins. In addition to these metrics, deWiz provides a host of additional data sources related to your hand path in the swing. The deWiz app also features an on course mode, allowing you to wear the training aid during rounds to collect swing data. This is compliant with the Rules of Golf, as your swing results are not accessible until your round is complete. MyGolfSpy forum members ejgaudette, Syks7, USMCSnyper, and GolfSub70 were selected to put its claims to the test. Can the deWiz swing analyzer really help you improve your swing without the need of a golf coach? Read on to see what our testers concluded! Tester Plans and Expectations Our testers had some areas of focus for improvement in mind when preparing to put the deWiz through its paces. ejgaudette had this to say: “I am still working on driver and iron consistency which is where I think deWiz can help. Working to minimize my slice which is my dominant miss with the driver. Looking through the material on the deWiz site tracking how you transition and the full hand path visual should provide some awesome data.” Tester GolfSub70 had a good idea of what it is he was looking for the deWiz to help him improve, stating: “I have a good understanding of the golf swing but admittedly struggle with applying changes to my swing or feeling exactly what is happening. I think the deWiz Swing Modifier could be a phenomenal tool to provide me with the feedback and information that I need to actually make noticeable improvements.” First Impressions/Unboxing Our testers came away impressed with the deWiz device upon initial inspection. Tester Syks7 said: “I really liked the on-boarding process. Once the order was confirmed, I started getting emails from the deWiz team about setting up an account, downloading the app, joining the Facebook group, links to the YouTube account, how the device worked, etc. It made receiving the device and getting started pretty seamless.” Said USMCSnyper: “Out of the box, the looks were exactly what I was expecting. The device was shipped quickly, and the packaging was as I expected. The box clearly stated what was inside and had a nice picture of the device on the outside. the deWiz was packed nicely and securely in the box.” The proprietary charger was a point of contention for our testers There was one consistent point of contention, though, with our testers. The deWiz comes with a proprietary charging cable, meaning if you lose it, you won’t have another around the house to charge the device. They would have preferred to see a more universal charging option for the device. The Data The deWiz is a data nerd’s dream come true (yours truly included). It provides users with a litany of data points based on the hand path of your backswing and downswing. The app stores and tracks all of your training sessions, and you are able to compare your numbers with deWiz’s professional ambassadors through the insights section on their website. Would our testers find these data points not only beneficial, but be able to take action to change them? For tester USMCSnyper, the impact of data was noted in his first session: “For the 85 swings I took in my initial session, I dramatically reduced my OTT swing. Once I figured out what I was doing wrong, I was able to shallow my swing and decrease my OTT by 2.8 inches.” Tester Syks7 highlighted what he saw as both a positive and negative with data: “my swing is feeling decidedly more repeatable from the perspective of the deWiz. Transition is mostly inside or just outside the norms of 1 to -1, Tempo is good right around 3:1, and I'm very much on plane after having ironed out some swoopy kawaswing hand path issues…Admittedly, it hasn't been a panacea for everything. The connection, sway, and weight transfer faults that rear up every now and then are still there..It requires both a deeper dive into the data and a more manual and tedious approach by checking numbers and path after each swing.” Distwedges Another key focus for the deWiz comes from their distwedges challenge, allowing you to fine tune your backswing to specific distances. This element aims to help you hit it closer. Our testers really enjoyed this feature of the app, and it looks to be a potential game changer for sticking approach shots. Tester ejgaudette lauded the features of the distwedges challenge, saying: “by far the best feature though is the distWedge challenges and being able to set up a wedge matrix. Distance control inside 100 is something we can all work on and the deWiz is a great tool for this. Checking if each swing is as long as you think and practicing hitting those various spots is invaluable. I noticed a big improvement while I used the device and have a solid matrix to practice all off season.” Syks7 also spent a considerable amount of time within distwedges, stating: “I spent a lot of of time in this mode, but less for touch wedge shots and more for building a very consistent ½, ¾, and full swing. I was focused on hitting a very specific backswing length for each since it became apparent that my ½ swing had a six inch variation on the length of my hand path. The same with my ¾. 25 percent variation on a ½ swing!” The ability to access swing data with such ease has the potential to be tremendously beneficial in improving one’s touch around the greens. On Course Mode Another feature the deWiz brings is on course mode, giving users the ability to wear the deWiz swing analyzer while playing a round of golf. Fully compliant with the rules of golf, this mode allows users to track their swing data while not accessing it during the round. However, the user experience left a bit to be desired for some of our testers. For tester GolfSub70, on course mode didn’t get along well with his tempo of play: “I just find it cumbersome/annoying to have to input data after every shot while I'm out playing with other people and trying to play quickly...I had to purposefully pause over the ball…the device has to know you have addressed the ball and then measure the swing accordingly...but for me I had to go away from my natural process and rhythm if I wanted swings to register.” Skys7 noted some challenges as well: “Admittedly it's a relatively new feature, but I just find it too cumbersome in its current form. All of the ease of use with the practice modes goes right out the window and even standing very still I had trouble with getting it to read swings. Combine that with manual data entry for each club and the shot result on every shot and it just takes too much focus away from playing.” Closing Thoughts When push comes to shove, did our testers find enough value in the deWiz to keep it in play for their practice regimen? For USMCSnyper, it was a no-brainer: “For me, this is the absolute best swing tool I have ever used…I now know what over the top feels like and what a correct swing feels like, period.” Ejgaudette, on the other hand, was a bit conflicted, saying: “The biggest issue I have found is in trying to take this great data the system has given me and apply it. I feel like a carpenter trying to build a house without a blueprint.” The deWiz proved to be a useful tool in terms of analyzing their swings and finding faults with the data provided.Receiving grades of 84, 87, 88, and 87 out of 100, it performed very well for our testers. If you’re a golfer that struggles with a slice or hook, or just want to fine tune your swing, give the deWiz a look! For a deeper dive into our testers experience with the deWiz, check out their full reviews here!
    3 points
  25. The Testing Opportunity There is little doubt that Zebra makes some of the more iconic putters to grab a golfer's attention. In 2017 Zebra was Listed in the "Top 18 Most Famous Golf Clubs in History" by Golf.com and in 2020 Golf Brands Inc acquired Zebra Golf with a mission to restore the iconic brand along with bringing in legendary putter designer Austie Rollinson appointed to design the comeback range. This Forum testing opportunity aimed to highlight this comeback and allow our testers to see how these putters perform! Zebra makes four different putter models, the AIT 1, AIT 2, AIT 3 and AIT 4. These models in Zebras words are “Leveraging our iconic design heritage, including the Major-winning striped alignment system, our new range features four modern head shapes to suit every putting stroke and every type of golfer.” We selected four members to select one of each of their new models. These testers were to give their honest opinions throughout their review and inform our community on how they perform. Here is what they had to say! What The Tester Said - AIT 1 The Zebra AIT 1 was tested by LinksgolfFever and this is what he said about how the putter looked. “It was a bit larger than expected/than I am used to playing, but it does grow on you(In a good way). I like the contrast between the bold lines on the club head and the subtle designs like the ghost zebra print on the sole.” Sound & Feel “Great sound feedback from center and off-center hits. The center strike has a great click and you feel it in your hands. Off center hits have a more hollow tin like click sound that you can also feel in your hands, enough difference between the two to know it.” Performance Initial impressions and putts were solid, so how did it perform on the course and where were its strengths and potential weaknesses? “I really enjoyed the putter, on the right greens (specifically the right green speeds for me) I would play this putter (with a few necessary modifications- e.g., grip, sole weights, shaft length). The challenge I had with this outside of use on courses with faster greens is the weighting/counter weighting that isn’t present. I found at times I got a much hotter/faster putt than planned or anticipated, probably my stroke and more use of my hands but was an issue.“ Bottom Line Linksgolfever graded the Zebra AIT 1 a solid 83/100 and had mainly all good things to say when the final review came in, with a couple caveats. “Overall this was a good putter for me. I am excited to see where the new Zebra will go. I think this has the potential to be a GREAT putter for someone that fits in the range of options offered. For me the testing had a bit of a curve to it, where mid testing is where I saw the best returns from the putter, the end fell a little short of my expectations. If you have a stroke with near zero to minimal toe flow this is THE PUTTER for YOU!!! The downside is options that aren’t available, hopefully in the future more selection in shaft/weight/grip will be available.“ What The Tester Said - AIT 2 Tester cciciora13 was our selected member for the Zebra AIT 2. Right away he highlighted the headcover saying “The zebra stripes on the back look slick!“ Looks Adding more to the looks saying “This putter looks sharp! I really like the black color of the mallet with the white alignment lines- that is one reason I typically use this style of putter. It helps get things lined up. The Zebra lines around the center white alignment are subtle with the muted grey but present if you are looking for them.” Next up was the sole for cciciora13 “The sole of the putter is simple but one thing worth noting is the weights. Again I enjoy how they added the Zebra stripes into the design of the weights as well. It just continues to tie in the theme in subtle ways which is cool.” Feel In terms of feel he added “I also enjoy the feel of the face- slightly firm but soft enough to give you a good feel in the hands when striking the ball. It looks nice in grey and I like the “Z” mark on the inside to emphasize the Zebra brand but not over the top.” His main critique with the AIT 2 was the standard Winn AVS Pistol grip as it was thinner than he was used to playing and would have preferred another. Performance So after playing several rounds and using the putter is it going in his bag? “This putter is going to stay in my bag for now. I think the Zebra lines have helped line my putts up, and assisted in my ability to start putts on line. I was happy with the 2.0 putts per hole average and think I can improve upon that the more I work with the putter and get more practice with it. The price at $250 seems a little steep…It seems suited to golfers who were fans of the original or for nostalgia.” Bottom Line The Zebra AIT 2 was scored at 83/100 with the main deductions being due to grip and custom options. With his final word he said “The Zebra AIT 2 putter is easy to line up with the Zebra lines and has an overall firm but receptive feel when rolling putts on the green. I liked the premium feel of the headcover, as well as its performance” What The Tester Said - AIT 3 Tester aguybadatgolf was our selected tester for the Zebra AIT 3 which is a larger mallet putter that we see more commonly now. However once again it was the headcover that stood out with him saying “The head cover immediately caught my attention. It is high quality with an eye-catching design that is not overly flashy.“ When describing the shape aguybadatgolf he said “The overall design reminds me of a Taylormade Spider. One of the most popular putters ever made is not a bad putter to look like. The one key difference is the hole in the middle of the Zebra AIT3 that reminds me of a friend’s Evnroll Zero.” Sound & Feel In terms of sound and feel there once again continued to be a running theme with our testers. “I love the way this putter sounds. It makes a very satisfying “low click”, It sounds almost like gently tapping a heavy oak cutting board with the handle of a kitchen knife, a dull “tock” if you will. On misshits out of the toe or heel the sound was slightly louder which provided useful feedback so I could correct my next stroke.“ When it came to feel he said “As for the feel, this is where I think the putter really shines. It feels fantastic.” Performance Aguybadatgolf did several head to head tests along the way and was able to come back with real data that highlighted strengths of the Zebra AIT 3 as well as it was close or similar to matching his other putters. Bottom Line When all was said and done with testing he graded it at 87/100 with again the main deductions coming from lack of customization options. However finishing up his review he had mainly positive notes sharing “Overall I was impressed with the putter. I had actually never heard of Zebra until I saw the testing opportunity. The AIT3 is exactly as they market it. Very forgiving and stable. I think the average golfer who buys off the rack would get along well with this putter. I personally saw a pretty big improvement in my putts per hole that resulted in 3-4 fewer strokes per round by the end of the testing period.“ What The Tester Said - AIT 4 Long time member and lefty tony@cic was our Zebra AIT 4 tester. This is the only blade putter in the Zebra stable and one tony@cic was very excited to be testing. Looks Compared to his Odyssey blade he noted the AIT 4 head was slightly wider, but also slightly shorter. The alignment marker was also wider and “There are other subdued ball marks to the left and right of the primary – not sure of their value other than promoting Zebra stripes.” He noted some other finer details, but in the end for the looks he had a simple statement “It’s a Zebra and proud of it.“ Then when it came to the performance on the course he managed to pick up roughly 5 strokes after his first 5 rounds and most of his 3 putts went away. With further testing with the various weights he was able to fine tune his setup to find the optimal range and options for his putting stroke. Performance So in the end is the Zebra going in his bag? This is what he had to say “you can't dispute data. I can now walk up to a long putt and think I can make it vs. the old me looking at the putt saying looks like I’ll have to settle for a 2 or maybe even 3 putt. That precisely summarizes how I feel about the AIT 4 in my hands – I can make this putt.” Bottom Line The AIT 4 was a standout putter in this test and he really enjoyed using it as well as continues to do so. Rating it a 94 out of 100 it got the highest grade of all the putters in this test. The Final Verdict Zebra putters have a distinct design and for our testers fantastic feel, sound and looks. None of the four putters were poorly rated and all of the testers intend to make these their gamers moving forward. The knocks were the same of most smaller companies. A lack of custom options. However the testers noted the customer service, shipping time and experience with the Zebra putters was top quality. Price was also noted as being fair, but maybe top end at $250. When all was said and done it is impressive to see four testers enjoy using putters as much as these four. To see and read their full reviews and results go to this link: FULL REVIEWS HERE!
    3 points
  26. The Testing Opportunity In 2023, MyGolfSpy Forum members had the exciting opportunity to test various sets of irons. However, none generated as much anticipation and buzz as the newTitleist T-Series irons. More than 11,000 members offered their services as testers, making this a milestone moment for our Forum. For this testing opportunity, participants experienced a comprehensive Titleist fitting to ensure they were matched with the appropriate set of irons. If you're interested in delving into the complete specifications and details of the new Titleist T-Series release, you can find our comprehensive overview HERE. In brief, Titleist made significant refinements and enhancements to each model in the series, accompanied by adjustments to the names to increase recognition and clarity across the lineup. Among these models, the T100 series stands out as the most widely used iron on the PGA TOUR, featuring a sleek, high-performing cavity-back design. It boasts full forged construction, delivering a premium feel, and offers a degree of forgiveness. Photo: T150BenJoest Following closely is the newly renamed T150, taking the place of the T100S. It shares a similar look with the T100 but features a slightly larger top line and a standard additional two degrees of loft. This was the iron that captured the attention of nearly 40 percent of the 11,000 applicants. The T200 is Titleist's player’s distance iron where significant improvements were made compared to the previous series. These improvements focused not only on performance but also on enhancing feel and construction. The 2021 T200 was criticized for its plastic back but the new version features refined tungsten placement and construction. Replacing the T300, we have the new Titleist T350. Much like the T150, it represents a rebranding of a similar previous package. Positioned as the game-improvement iron in this series, it's the largest, although not oversized. Featuring strong lofts and more offset, it appeals to golfers with slower swing speeds or those seeking increased height and distance. Photo: TSeriesBottomFMR Caption: T-200 5 Iron, T-150 6-9 Irons, T-100 PW, 50 A significant narrative with the new T-Series is the integration of these irons with their utilities (T200 utility and U505 utility) to ensure a seamless optimization of each golfer's set from top to bottom. According to Titleist, 80 percent of their Tour staff use blended sets. Therefore, while applicants and testers were asked to select their preferred iron, the actual iron set they received for testing was determined by their fitting. What our Testers Said: Titleist T100 Our chosen tester for the T100 series was Bens197 , a five handicap who was gaming Mizuno 223 irons. Having played with Titleist irons in the past, he was excited about this opportunity. The Fitting Bens197 underwent a straightforward iron selection process based on his recent fittings and understanding of his game. Unlike other testers, he didn't end up with a blended set and received a full set of T100 irons, from 4-iron to pitching wedge, all with Nippon Modus 120S shafts. Titleist T100 Performance Photo: T100Bag Upon receiving the irons, the testing began promptly and Bens197's review was unequivocally positive. He found it challenging to identify any notable shortcomings with his set of T100 irons. "I can't help but admire Titleist's commitment to tradition, reflected in their timeless logo. As I picked up the 8 iron, it felt like reconnecting with an old friend." "I had concerns about the narrower, squarer sole compared to what I had been playing, but somehow, it just works. I could confidently extract a ball from the rough from 165 yards without fearing that these irons would dig me into deeper trouble." A standout feature for Bens197 was the forgiveness of the T100 irons. He emphasized that these blade-type irons, despite potentially being blended with the T150s, performed remarkably well even with the longer irons. He advised against assuming that the longer irons would be challenging, stating that they perform admirably even on mis-hits. The Bottom Line Photo: T100FMR With a glowing review, Bens197 awarded a final score of 98/100, with the two points deducted due to personal preference regarding the badging. To conclude his review, he left an enticing message for potential buyers. "These irons are staying in my bag, and there's nothing more to add. If Titleist asked me to return them next week, I'd be buying a set to replace them. I never expected a club to outperform my Mizuno 223s, but here we are. How confident am I making this statement? Since starting this test 5 weeks ago, my USGA Index has dropped from 5.3 to 3.5. These are the best irons I've ever played in 35 years of golf. Period." What our Testers Said: Titleist T150 As mentioned, nearly 40 percent of the 11,000 applicants eagerly sought to test the Titliest T150. Our tester, Ben Joest, a 4.3 handicap, was particularly intrigued, having previously owned the T100s. Titleist Fitting Ben's fitting with Titleist was thorough and he approached it with an open mind. After exploring various options and finding the right shaft, he settled on a combination set of T150 from PW to 8-iron, T200 for the 7- 5-iron and a T200 utility iron, all equipped with KBS Tour stiff shafts. He wanted to try the SteelFibre shaft but it was unavailable during his fitting. Titliest T150 Performance Photo: T150FMR Once the irons arrived, extensive testing commenced through rounds and range sessions to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. Ben Joest was highly impressed with the irons from the outset. "These irons epitomize elegance, with a minimalist approach to ornamentation. They're almost too beautiful to hit. While the T150 and T200 lines prioritize forgiveness and performance, their clean and minimal top lines set them apart. Particularly, the T200 boasts a sleek top line, avoiding the chunky appearance common in hollow body player's distance irons." When it came to on-course performance, the results were promising. "Performance, especially in terms of ease of use and consistency, was excellent. Throughout the testing period, my shot dispersion remained well within an acceptable range for my game. These irons inspire confidence in my ball-striking and overall game. There's no 'hit and hope'; I know exactly what to expect. These irons personify confidence, period." Ben Joest's only minor critique was the gap between the 7-iron T200 and the T150. Despite adjustments, there was still a noticeable difference, prompting him to order a T150 7-iron to address this. Additionally, the T200 utility and T200 5-iron didn't quite offer the expected distance gaps. The Bottom Line Photo: T150GroupFMR With an overall score of 92/100, Ben Joest's impressive performance improvement was evident, with his handicap dropping from 4.3 to 1.6 during the testing period. "These irons are as good as you can imagine them to be; their only limitations are those of the individual swinging them. They're designed to perform, with the singular purpose of enabling any golfer to play their best. The seamless integration of these clubs across the product range is truly magnificent. If you're in the market for new irons, booking an appointment with a certified Titleist fitter is a must, even if you don't intend to purchase. The $100 for a fitting with a Titleist club fitter is a valuable experience. Want a taste of what Tour pros feel? Go get yourself a Titleist fitting!" What Testers Said: Titleist T200 The T200 was briefly mentioned in the blended set for Ben Joest but our dedicated T200 tester,GregB135 , playing off a 14.3 handicap, owned the previous model of Titleist T200 from 2021. Titleist Fitting Like the other testers, GregB135 underwent a comprehensive Titleist fitting. Surprisingly, he was fitted into a set that included a hybrid, unlike the previous testers. The end result was a set of Titleist T200 5-PW irons with the Mitsubishi Tensei Blue regular shaft and a Titleist TSR2 21-degree hybrid, also equipped with the Mitsubishi Tensei Blue regular shaft. The most surprising aspect was that GregB135 had always played with steel shafts so this was his first experience with graphite. Titleist T200 Performance Photo: T200Close What were his thoughts upon receiving and testing these irons? You'll notice a recurring theme. “From the very beginning the testing experience for the T-series irons was first rate.” However it is how these compared to the previous version of the T200 that everyone really wanted to know about and this is what GregB135 had to say. “The previous T200 got a bad rap for sound because the badge enclosing the back of the clubhead made a goofy, annoying, clicky sound if you happened to tap a ball with the back of the club. Granted, you would only do that on the range and not when hitting a shot, but it was still there. They improved that mightily with the new version. Comparing these directly to the original T200s, the sound of the strike tells me a little bit more than the feel. Maybe it’s the combination of the updated design and the graphite shaft but the feel feedback I get from this set feels a bit muted versus their predecessors that really told your hands when you flushed it or missed it. The sound and feel together though is more than enough to decipher the quality of the shot. The good news: Even when sound and feel say you missed it by a bit, the inner workings of the club provide a shot that stays pretty close to the one you intended.” The new set also brought along some added confidence with the longer clubs. “With my previous set, I dreaded pulling the 4- or 5-iron for approach shots. I had just about zero confidence in either of those clubs. Interestingly, it’s been the 5-iron and 4-hybrid that have generated some of the best and most clutch shots I’ve hit with this new set.” Bottom line Photo: T200FMR These irons fit the bill for GregB135 as he ended up with a stellar 97/100 grade for the Titleist T200 irons. He went through all the claims that Titleist has for these irons (Enhanced Feel, Clean and Confident Shape, Effortless Turf Interaction, Better Tungsten for Better Scoring) and concluded that every claim proved true. For his final words in the review GregB135 stated: “At least for this mid-handicap, self-described “B-Flight hack”, the Titleist T-200 irons more than fit the bill, and proved out just about every detail Titleist claims. If you are in the market for a new set of Player’s Distance type irons, I am more than a believer in these.” What Testers Said: Titleist T350 While not the most popular iron in the series, the T350 occupies a unique niche and deserves recognition. These irons turned out to be a surprising standout during testing. The Fitting Our tester for the Titleist T350, Ole Gray, was an ideal candidate for these irons, with a 15.4 handicap and a maximum swing speed of 90 mph. His fitting experience with Titleist was exceptional with the fitter working through the T350s with him and addressing alignment issues in his swing. In the end, Ole Gray was fitted into the Titleist T350 48-degree wedge to 7-iron with the Mitsubishi Fubuki MV IR A flex shaft. His next clubs included 20- and 23-degree TSR1 Hybrids to complete his desired distances. Titleist T350 Performance Photo: T350Close As a more typical player for this set of irons, how did they perform for him? Once again, the initial impressions left Ole Gray highly impressed. "I've owned some good-looking irons over the years, but the T350s, and the entire T-Series irons, are simply stunning. Sleek lines without the over-the-top aesthetics make these the best-looking irons I've ever laid eyes on. If you're seeking irons with exceptional performance and aesthetics to match, your search ends here." The success in his fitting translated into immediate comfort with the T350s. "I was surprised at how quickly I felt at ease with the T350s. You've heard of the 'honeymoon phase' with new clubs, but these already feel like my go-to irons. A proper fitting ensures that the irons in your bag will perform to their fullest potential. Titleist fitters do it right, and you can trust that your clubs will be perfectly matched to your playing abilities." This newfound confidence translated into better scores. "Since adding the T350s to my bag, my handicap has dropped from 15.4 to 11.9. I've shot three consecutive rounds in the 70s (74, 79, 76), a feat I'd never achieved before. A few rounds later, I carded a 75. So, yes, I can confidently say that these irons have significantly improved my game." The Bottom Line Photo: T350Bag Ole Gray awarded the Titleist T350s a final score of 96/100, highlighting their game-changing impact. The flight, distances and consistency he sought were all achieved, making these irons a remarkable addition to his game. Want to read all the full reviews? You can find them here: Full Titleist T-Series Reviews here. Photo: TSeriesToplineFMR Caption: Topline T-200 5 iron, T-150 8 iron & T-100 PW What is Forum Member Testing? MyGolfSpy offers all its community members a unique opportunity to test, review and keep a variety of different golf equipment, apps, apparel and more. Successful candidates are selected by forum staff. Members who are selected interact, engage and write a review on the specific product while enjoying the fun of trying new gear! Member testing is vital because it gets gear in the hands of you, the golfer. Our members give honest feedback on how any product or service works for a variety of handicaps and abilities to ensure our readers are even more informed when making purchasing decisions. To learn more about how testers are selected, head here: Want To Be A Forum Tester?
    3 points
  27. GolfSpy_KFT

    Our Favorite Side Games

    Our Favorite Side Games There are not many things better than a Saturday afternoon 18 with your buddies on a perfect summer day. Everyone is on a heater, music is playing and the vibes are feeling right—but it still feels like something is missing … Enter our favorite golf gambling games. Whether it is adding stroke-play or match-play format, simple side bets, skins or specific games (which we will feature here), there is no shortage of ways to add some extra incentive to your round. These popular games offer options for groups of as few as two golfers to a foursome and beyond. Whether you’re up for a monetary wager or random challenges, give these games a try the next time you’re on the course to raise the stakes! Besides, who doesn’t enjoy a little extra pocket cash taken off their friends? Games for Foursomes Let’s kick things off with a foursome game that is a favorite of mine. Vegas (also known as Las Vegas) Vegas is a betting game typically played for $1 per point. The key designation with Vegas is that scores are put together, not added together. The high score from the hole is put behind the low score for each twosome. For example, Player A and B comprise Team One, competing against Player C and D. Player A shoots a 4 and player B shoots a 3, making a team score of 34. Players C and D score a 5 and a 4, respectively, for a total of 45. At $1 per point, Team Two now owes Team One $11. You can play a full 18-hole match with your set teams or switch it up at the turn and reset the match to $0 and start again. It is important to note that there are some exceptions to scoring when playing Vegas. If a player scores a 10 or higher on any given hole, the higher number goes first. This allows for a safeguard to be put into place to keep points, and money exchanged, from getting out of hand (e.g., Player A shoots a 10 and Player B shoots a 3, the score is recorded as 103 instead of 310). The second exception, known as “Flipping the Bird,” is an option players can agree upon before starting a round to raise the stakes even higher. When flipping the bird is in play, any time a member of either team makes birdie and wins the hole, they have the ability to flip the opponents’ score for that hole. If each team birdies a given hole, both can flip. For example, Team One shoots a 3 and 4 on a par-4 while Team Two shoots a 4 and 6. The scores would be 34 and 64, respectively, and Team One would win $32 on the hole. Talk about raising the stakes! Vegas has the ability, as you can see, to run up tallies in a hurry! Be sure to set your point values before the round at a number that all players are comfortable with. This game is best played with individuals of a similar skill set (four players near the same skill level or higher-handicap players paired against each other with a lower-handicap player as a partner). Sticking with our Sin City theme, our next game puts your putting skills at the forefront! Three-Putt Poker Three-putt poker combines elements of two fun activities to play with your buddies: golf and, you guessed it, poker. In addition to your clubs, you’ll need a deck of cards to play this one. Three-putts are the bane of any golfer’s existence and this game will penalize you for them while, in turn, rewarding you for one-putts. Two-putts are neutral. Before you start your round, you and your group will determine what the ante from each player will be for the round. Let’s take a conservative approach and say $5 for a total pot of $20. Once bets are placed, each player is dealt a card from the deck. Then it’s time to hit the first tee. The action occurs on every green. Once you reach it, any player who has a three-putt or worse contributes money to the pot, typically 20 percent of the individual ante. Using our example above, it would be $1. A two-putt is neutral while a one-putt allows the player to draw another card from the deck. This game is played as a front-nine and back-nine setup so everything resets at the turn. Once nine holes have been played, players compare hands. Whomever has the strongest poker hand wins the pot. Odds favor the player who collects more cards but, as luck always plays a role, a player with only one card could still theoretically win (e.g., the one card is an ace while all other players are not able to make a pair, three of a kind, etc.). Wolf Wolf gives players the opportunity to play individually against each other instead of in a team format like Vegas. The objective of Wolf is simple: score more points than your playing partners by the end of the round. How do you determine the Wolf? How does scoring work? How do you actually PLAY it? All fair questions so let’s get into it! The first thing you’ll need to do is determine who is playing the role of the Wolf first. Players stand in a circle and flip a tee to designate the order in which you’ll play your tee shots, with the last player acting as the Wolf. Once the order is established, it rotates on all ensuing holes (1, 2, 3 ,4…2, 3, 4, 1..etc.). This is important as tee shots are not played by honors or a ready golf format. A rotating tee order allows each player to become the Wolf once every four holes, up to hole 16. At holes 17 and 18, the two players with the most points will be the Wolf (hole 17 goes to the player with second most, 18 to the leader). Now that we’ve gotten our playing order established, we will get into the rules. After the first three golfers hit their tee shots, the Wolf must decide whether he or she wants to select one player as their playing partner for that hole or play as a “Lone Wolf.” If the Wolf declares they are going alone, they must shoot the lowest net score on the hole to win points. If they choose a partner, the hole is played in a net best-ball format between the two player teams (only the lowest score from each team counts). Points are distributed as follows: If the Lone Wolf wins the hole, they receive four points. If the Wolf adds a partner and they are the winning team, each receives two points. If the Wolf adds a partner and they lose the hole, the opposing team receives three points each. If the Lone Wolf loses, all three opposing players receive one point while he receives zero. There are a few different ways to handle the payout at the end of a round. The most straightforward way is to set a predetermined pot at the beginning of a round. The golfer with the most points at the end of the game wins the pot. Another option is betting on a hole-by-hole basis. Let’s use $2 per hole as an example. If you play as the Lone Wolf and win the hole, each player pays you $2. However, if you lose the hole, you pay each person $2. This can add up quickly, especially for the Wolf, and stakes should be determined before the round. You can also determine a pre-set dollar amount per point for the round. We will use $1 for our example Players finish with four, six, eight and 10 points. Using $1 per point, the player with four points owes $2, $4 and $6. The player with six points owes $2 and $4, the player with eight points owes $2 and the player with 10 points only collects. The formatting of Wolf can be a little tricky and take some getting used to but it is a fun way to play solo golf while also adding a team element when a Wolf goes alone! Games for Smaller Groups Bingo Bango Bongo A great game for the higher-handicap crowd, Bingo Bango Bongo is a dots-style game where points are awarded for three different categories on each hole. The game is played individually and can be played with as few as two golfers. Scoring for this one is easy and takes much less thinking than a game like Wolf. A total of three points can be earned on each hole. The bingo point is awarded to the first player who reaches the green. The bango point is awarded to the first player who is closest to the pin once all the golfers have reached the green. The bongo point is awarded to the first player who holes out You may choose to wager on each point earned per hole or set a predetermined pot before the round begins, with the player accumulating the most points after the 18th hole winning the pot. Since point tracking is relatively straightforward, Bingo Bango Bongo can be a great game to add some “junk” bets as well. Payouts for junk bets should be set ahead of the round or you can add them in as bonus points. A few examples include: Greenies - hitting the green in regulation or scoring par or better on a hole Sandies - getting up and down from the sand to save par Chippies - chipping in from off the green Barkies - making par or better on a hole after hitting a tree Split Sixes A recommendation from my Tuesday league scramble partner (thanks, Lucas!), Split Sixes is a three-person game that allows golfers to compete head-to-head-to-head over 18 holes using stroke-play scoring. Another points-based game like Bingo Bango Bongo, Split Sixes involves splitting six points per hole between the three players. Here’s a breakdown when three golfers all card different scores: Low score = four points Middle score = two points High score = zero points Inevitably, golfers will have tied scores on many of the holes throughout a round. In that case, the scoring goes as follows: If two golfers tie for lowest score, each is awarded three points while the high score is awarded zero. If two golfers tie for the highest score, each earns one point while the low score earns four points. If all three golfers tie, each earns two points. At the end of the round, point totals are tallied to determine a winner. Points will typically carry a monetary value, as in Vegas, and the margin of victory translates into the amount due to the winner. Let’s use $1 per point for our example: Golfer A earns 58 points, Golfer B earns 30 points and Golfer C earns 20 points. Golfer C owes $10 to Golfer B and $38 to Golfer A Golfer B owes $28 to Golfer A To level the playing field for golfers of varying skill, Split Sixes can be played incorporating handicaps, with higher-handicap players playing off the lowest-handicap player. You can also play handicap strokes as they lie by assigning appropriate strokes per hole to each player. Rabbit Another game that can be played with as few as two golfers, Rabbit is a straightforward game that requires no tracking of points. Rabbit is played as a nine-hole format, resetting at the turn. A pot is predetermined before the round and the player in possession of the Rabbit after nine holes wins the pot. If no one is in possession of the Rabbit at the turn, the pot rolls into the back nine, doubling the winnings. The rules for Rabbit are simple. The first player to win a hole outright secures the Rabbit. This player holds possession of the Rabbit until another player wins a hole outright, setting the Rabbit free. It is then free until a player wins a hole outright. A common modification to the rules is to eliminate setting the Rabbit free. In this format, the Rabbit changes hands every time a different player wins a hole, keeping it in someone’s possession the entire round. The pot size may also be determined by the number of times the Rabbit changes possession in a round. Similar to Bingo Bango Bongo, Rabbit is a great game to add some “junk” bets as there is no point system to keep track of. Conclusion Side games or not, a day spent on the golf course is better than a day away from it. However, when you’re looking to add some extra action to the round, they can be a great way to get the competitive juices flowing. The next time you hit the course with your buddies, give one of these games a try and see if you can pad your pockets for a stop at the 19th hole!
    2 points
  28. The ladies club championship is a big day at any golf club or country club. At one of the clubs I worked at, my lesson book was completely filled for the two weeks before the championship while everyone made last-minute changes to their game. As stressful and nerve-wracking as the ladies club championship can be, it’s a lot of fun. The chance of winning, the camaraderie with friends, and that competitive edge during a round make it worth it. If you are trying to decide if your game is ready, or you want to make sure you are taking the right steps to be ready for your ladies club championship, I have you covered. Why is the ladies club championship such a big deal? When I was seven years old, I swung a club for the first time, and within about six months, I had already picked up on the fact that ladies’ golf and men’s golf are two different things. Young girls weren’t really into the sport; it was odd that I was. Equipment was hard to find; even ladies’ tees on the golf course were kind of an afterthought. Golf has come a long way. Along the way, competitive opportunities for women golfers have also grown. Playing in the club championship is a great way for amateur women golfers to get the thrill of competitive golf. Also, let’s face it, being given the title of the best golfer at your club is really a great honor. Is Your Golf Game Ready for the Ladies Club Championship I’m always surprised by how many women golfers claim they are not ready for the ladies club championship. This is exactly why the club championship has flights. Depending on the size of your club, there will be a championship flight (which is usually a gross event), and then there are A, B, and C flights where you may even have a gross and net winner. Your game is likely ready for one of these flights/categories, but here are a few things to consider to help you make your determination. Skills and Physical Condition Skills and physical conditioning go hand in hand. A club championship is usually a qualifier, then at least one or two rounds. Some are match-play events others are stroke play events. You may end up playing a couple of rounds of golf a few days in a row. Just make sure you are ready to hand that. As far as your skills are concerned, you will want to ensure that you play to your handicap, at least the majority of the time. If you are a 20 handicap and shoot 22 over par one day and 18 another, you are fine. If, however, you are a 15 handicap who hasn’t played in a year or two and you pick up halfway through the hole or throw out any score over 100, your skills are probably not club championship ready. The biggest thing you will want is consistency. The number you shoot really makes the most difference in the championship flight. Course Knowledge How well do you know the golf course? You may play in the ladies league each week with your friends, but do you know the course? Are you playing it the best way that you can? Knowing the greens and understanding where to land the ball on your tee shots and approach shots can make all the difference when trying to capture that club championship title. I encourage you to take a walk around the course and play a round where you focus on the insider or member knowledge that can really play into the round. I did this so much when playing competitive golf, and it’s amazing the way it can change your view of the course. Tournament Experience How much tournament experience have you had? If this is your first club championship, don’t be discouraged; you need to start somewhere. However, be prepared that tournament golf feels slightly different from a casual round. You have to pay a little more attention to the shots you are hitting, and every shot officially counts. A tip here is to go out and play a match against a friend before the club championship. Put something on it so you desire to win, whether it’s a glass of wine after the round or $5 make sure you are playing for something. Handicap Requirements Some country clubs will have requirements, and your handicap will have to be within a certain range for you to participate in the club championship. Check with your assistant golf professionals and head golf professional to see whether or not you would qualify to play. If you don’t, let them know you are interested, and they can help give you some steps to get on the path to participate in a ladies club championship at some point. The Importance of Practice and Training When you make the decision to participate in your ladies club championship, it’s smart to put together a practice and preparation plan. Most courses will open signup about a month or so before the start of the event. This is plenty of time to work on your game and get ready. Don’t Push the Practice Practice is great, but you can overdo it. If you are not used to practicing at all, add in one or two sessions a week for about a ½ hour each time. Practicing for too long or too many days in a row could actually have adverse effects on your game. Focus on Specific Skills Know what you are practicing. Do you struggle with a specific club? Is your short game weak when hitting out of the rough? Find the specific skills that you need to work on and focus on those instead of just hitting golf balls. In addition, when you are hitting balls on the range, ensure you are always aiming at a target. Don’t forget to throw a few balls in a bunker and practice some sand shots! If you land in the sand during one of your rounds, you don’t want to be caught off guard. Do Some Extra Walking Try to do some extra walking in the days leading up to your club championship. The extra steps are good for your health and mind, and you will have more stamina and strength when you play your official club championship round. Play A Round By Yourself It’s amazing how many lady golfers have never played a round of golf by themselves. Get out there and play golf with no socializing or spending time with friends. Get out there and just enjoy some golf on your own! This is a great way to learn about the course, focus on your game and get to know what type of player you are. Mental Preparation for a Ladies Club Championship I can and will do an entire post on mentally preparing for a golf tournament. For now, I’ll give you some top tips to ensure you are ready for the difference between tournament golf and regular play. Learn to take deep breaths after poor shots; you will improve your decision-making capability Pick a game plan for your club championship round, play it through mentally in your head, picking the clubs and shots that you want to hit Stay focused on the goal of hitting one good shot after another, don’t worry so much about score, hit each shot the best that you can Know that you will have bad holes, but learn to react to them appropriately so that they don’t turn into bad rounds Be prepared to be nervous for the event; it can throw off your yardages and your tempo, take deep breaths and focus on making a good balanced swing The Day Before the Ladies Club Championship You may want to save the day before the championship to be a practice day. Take a walk if you can, head to the putting green and get a feel for the speed of the greens, hit golf balls at the range for a half hour to an hour, and then mentally prepare for the round the next day. It’s always a good idea to pick out an outfit you feel comfortable and confident in. Look at your options and decide in advance. If you can, do some stretching to make sure you feel good. Also, take it easy on the food and drink the day before. You won’t want to have an upset stomach on the day of the event. I’ve always enjoyed a salad with some lean protein as a pre-tournament meal. The morning of the event, I focus more on hydration than anything else, but again give yourself a little protein to help you through the round. Getting the Support You Need Club championships are fun, and chances are your friends and family will want to be involved in this process with you. Make sure you also seek out the help of a golf professional if you are serious about trying to win the event. You can use golf technology to help you narrow down any issues that you might have in your game. In addition, golf professionals are a great source of encouragement. They want nothing more than to see you win. As a young player, one of the most satisfying things for me was to tell my coach that I won. You will experience that same feeling if you have a great coach to help you through this process. Good Luck, and Let Us Know How You Played! Hopefully, this information helps you feel more prepared for your ladies club championship. Playing in a club championship is an accomplishment. More women should feel less afraid of these events and more excited to participate in them. Competitive golf is a unique experience that will help you enjoy the game on a new level.
    2 points
  29. What We Tried The Lag Shot Lady 7-iron and Lag Shot Lady Driver. These training aid were designed specifically for women. Who Tried It: Britt Olizarowicz- MyGolfSpy writer and scratch golfer. I love training aids built specifically for women golfers. When I found out that Lag Shot offers a women-specific variant of their popular swing trainers, I had to give them a go! A Little Backstory I’ve tried a lot of training aids and gadgets, some for my own game and some for students I’ve worked with. There are very few (good) training aids and feedback tools explicitly built for female golfers. I took the Lag Shot Lady driver and 7-iron to the driving range along with my Foresight GC3 launch monitor. My goal was to compare how I’m hitting the ball currently with how I performed after a session with Lag Shot Lady. 0 seconds of 27 secondsVolume 0% What Is Lag Shot Lady? The Lag Shot Lady is a swing trainer built specifically for a female golfer. The clubs have a thicker and heavier graphite shaft that is designed to naturally add lag to the golf swing without you having to think about it. The clubs function like traditional golf clubs. You hit real golf balls with them. This is not just a warm-up tool. Lag Shot has been around for a while but it had a standard-size grip, longer length and slightly heavier shaft, making it a tough transition for the average female player. Although Lag Shot Lady is heavier than your current clubs, it’s not difficult to swing because of the unique weighting and flexible shaft. Testing and Results If you have never used one of these types of flexible shaft training aids, there can be a bit of a learning curve. The shaft is whippy and you will feel like you have almost no control over it on the first few swings. Having been through this before, I took it a little slow initially. Lag Shot Lady 7-iron Results Video Link After I warmed up, my process started with hitting 15 standard shots with my 7-iron. Swing speed with my 7-iron is typically around 73 mph. When I finished with my 7-iron, I hit 15 shots with the Lag Shot. Solid contact with the Lag Shot Lady 7-iron feels excellent. You can’t rush transitions, your tempo has to be controlled, you get the feel of “loading” the club and Lag Shot forces you to incorporate the lower body into each swing. On average, I hit the Lag Shot about 10 yards shorter than my standard 7-iron and the ball flight was nearly the same. The goal isn’t to hit the Lag Shot Lady far. It’s to hit solid shots. Now for the fun part. After 15 shots with the Lady Lag 7-iron, I switched back to my 7-iron and my swing speed increased to 76 mph on the very next swing. These results were quick. I thought I was hitting it pretty well before practicing with Lag Shot but I obviously have room for improvement. The extra mph in swing speed helped me gain distance. After repeating this process several times, my swing speed consistently stayed in the 75-77 mph range with the 7-iron. I think I would probably max out around 78 mph with more practice but that remains to be seen. With these encouraging results, I was ready to test the driver. Lag Shot Lady Driver Results Testing the driver was a little trickier for me. My regular driver is standard men’s length while the Lag Shot Lady driver is standard women’s length (about an inch shorter). Needless to say, I had some trouble transitioning from the Lag Shot Lady driver to my driver. The results were good when I eased up on the takeaway and slowed the backswing. The Lag Shot Lady driver absolutely improves the feeling of lag and helps women golfers understand the correct way to generate power. One thing to note is that the driver is much easier to connect with than the iron. Even if you don’t hit perfect shots with the driver, you still benefit from the feel of lag. The iron requires some precision and precise timing to hit it in the center of the face. If you are easily frustrated, keep that in mind. Overall Impressions I love training aids that allow you to hit an actual golf ball. Learning through feel is a great way to deepen understanding. Yes, you need to eventually transition from the Lag Shot to your club. However, the feel you get when striking a real ball makes this a very effective feedback tool for women. I gained speed with just one range session. I’m not sure how much more needs to be said. I’ll be on the range with the Lag Shot Lady if you need me! Who Is This For? If you struggle with consistency and lack of power, the Lag Shot Lady is a good fit. Don’t worry if your handicap is high or low. The Lag Shot works for any female golfer. However, I would recommend the 7-iron for the mid to low handicappers and the driver for the higher handicapper. If your swing is inconsistent, it takes a little while to get the 7-iron working, which may frustrate some players. If your swing speed is particularly slow, the Lag Shot Lady can become a training program/project for you. Although it’s not only a speed trainer, the extra weight in the club helps increase speed. Take 10 to 20 swings daily (with or without a ball) and gain strength. Final Thoughts and Tips The 7-iron is my favorite of the Lag Shot clubs I tried. If you are purchasing just one, start with that. The Lag Shot Lady 7-iron is $119 and the driver is $159. The combo package for the driver and 7-iron costs $249. If you feel like Lag Shot could be the secret to your overall golf game, they also offer a Triple Threat package of driver, 7-iron and wedge. This is worth considering if you have big goals for your game in 2024, just make sure to incorporate the time into your practice routine. https://lagshotgolf.com/
    2 points
  30. The Testing Opportunity As we have stated in previous Forum Member Reviews, MyGolfSpy Forum worked to involve, highlight and include several direct-to-consumer (DTC) and newer brands as part of the Member Testing Platform. INDI Golf was one of these companies. For those unfamiliar with INDI Golf, they are a relatively new brand that specialize in putters and wedges. INDI Golf uniquely offers both conforming and non-conforming wedges. Other technology and options include their “Tractionface technology” and a “scoopback design” claiming added forgiveness along with three different models with various grinds. They have wedges that aim to work for every golfer at a competitive cost. For this testing opportunity selected testers were virtually fit by INDI Golf and given a set of wedges to test and keep. Testers were limited to conforming wedges, but were also able to select stock shaft and grip options of their choosing. A INDI Golf Virtual Fitting Here is what Tester RICHL85 had to say about his fitting: “We experienced what Indi golf calls a “virtual fitting” which is essentially a questionnaire to answer the basic things like what wedges we currently play, what shaft we play in irons, distance, course conditions and divot type. In my case, I play in pretty intermediate conditions and take a small or no divot…Overall, most of the decisions were pretty straightforward. We stuck with the same lofts I’m currently playing (50, 54, and 58), 1/2" long, 1 degree upright. To match up with my irons, we also stuck with the KBS wedge shaft option. Since I don’t have a particularly steep attack angle, we are going with the FLX head in the 50 and 54, but the ATK head for the 58 degree.” As for tester Willie T had this to say: “I get a call from Zane at Indi about doing the virtual fitting. That was quick as I had sent my completed questionnaire along with a supplemental email to them the evening before…We get to talking about my game in a little more detail and I tell him about seeing Shiels' video. Long story short after a couple of clarifications we come up with the following: 50, 54, 58deg FLX S grind w/10deg bounce w/Recoil F3 Regular 820 graphite shaft and conforming grooves, standard lie.“ Tester Nunfa0 being a lefty had a bit less in terms of options, but was aptly fit into a INDI FLX S 52, 56, 60 combo with their progress grinds. The wedges came with the Dynamic Gold Spinner 115 Wedge shafts. With the fittings done, orders placed it was time to hear what our testers thought of how the INDI Golf wedges looked and of course how they performed throughout testing. H2: What Testers Said Aesthetics Tester RichL85 took note of a few things with the INDI wedges: “The first thing you notice with the Indi wedges are the grooves. It’s a unique look as most companies have gone to large grooves, whereas the Indi wedges have a lot more grooves, but they are thinner…The next visual aspect that jumps out is just the sheer thickness of the topline at the toe of the clubhead. This part is beveled off well so it’s not noticeable at address, but when you look at the clubs, there is a significant difference in the width of the clubhead at the toe when comparing near the hosel. The claim is that it adds weight to the toe, and moves the CG away from the hosel similar to how many companies use tungsten toe weights.“ Willie T added to the aesthetics commentary stating: “For me, looks wise, the clubs exude class from top to bottom! I love it when clubs are understated and look purposeful. These wedges deliver that look and then some. My initial thoughts were that the full face grooves would be somewhat distracting. The opposite was/is true as they are actually very pleasing to my eye. I found that the vertical edge of the grooves (hosel side) made a great reference to help “center” the ball on the face.” On Course Performance When it came to the on course performance there were similar positive reactions. However we also wanted testers to see if these wedges lived up to the “Kings of Spin” tag line INDI Golf uses. Tester Bmart had applied strokes gained and a variety of data points during his testing period which resulted in these comments: “The consistency in distance on approach shots with the Indi wedges is their greatest strength in my opinion and was observed through indoor testing and on course. Poor strikes tended to drop spin which aided carry and rollout to arrive close to where a good strike would drop and stop. As someone who gets their money's worth by using the majority of the club face throughout the bag, these are a big benefit to my game within 100 yards. I am growing to enjoy the 60 FLX with low (8*) bounce and a wide flange as a specialty sand club…The wedges show minimal wear through close to 10 rounds and many practice sessions including bunker work to learn how to use them out of the sand which I consider another plus.” For RichL85 the answer to the spin question was easy: “Indi wins outright with lower launch angle as promised, and quite a bit more spin.” Adding “If a player wants to be able to spin a wedge, then Indi is definitely worth a look” However in BMarts testing and data it didn’t appear as conclusive: “I have not found anything to support their spin royalty claims as spin is comparable/lower to that of major OEMs but distance control and consistency on mishits appears to exceed.“ The Final Verdict When testing was all finished we had our testers grade and state whether or not these wedges would replace their current set. With scores of 83,85,89 and 90 out of 100 it is safe to say they performed well overall for the group. Three of the four testers without question are keeping these as their new gamers and the fourth will have these in rotation with his other wedges. The biggest knock in deductions came to some grind options and availability for left handed players. This is a factor we often see with smaller brands as they build out their lineup of golf clubs. Wrapping up their reviews this is what each tester had to say. Willie T “For someone looking for a great wedge that is not flashy, that doesn’t bury you in a myriad of sole grinds, that is super reasonable in cost - the guys at INDI can be that one stop shop.“ Bmart15 “I am 100% putting these wedges into play full time. I don't think anyone would turn down an improvement of more than 1.5 shots/round due to an equipment change. The staff at Indi were very helpful discussing a gapping setup which also contributed to the improvement” RichL85 “While the court is still out on whether Indi is the undisputed King of Spin, they are putting out a very good offering that is making a serious attempt at that claim.” Nunfa0 “Will they be longer than my current set? Yes, they are longer but not crazy long. Are they as forgiving as Indi claims? From what I have seen so far, yes they are. Can I manipulate the face for the little touch shots around the green? Absolutely yes!! Are these good wedges for chipping? Oh my word yes!! I think the forgiving nature of these beauties helps a lot with that.” To see the testers full reviews and data on the INDI Golf wedges go here: Indi Golf Wedge Full Reviews
    2 points
  31. The Testing Opportunity The MacGregor Golf MT-86 series merges vintage charm with contemporary features to bring old-school flair to a modern set of clubs that still packs a punch. Photo: macg_oldschool The MT-86 series is made up of two iron models: the MT-86 Pro and the MT-86 OS. According to MacGregor, “the original MT irons were iconic, brand-defining irons that put MacGregor on the map and they were simply beautiful.” One of our testers, GolfSpy TCB, literally was able to put the MT-86s up against a classic MacGregor of the past. He found the MT-86s “visually stunning” and “a perfect blend of the decades-old legacy of MacGregor irons.” Photo: macg_oldvsnew Both the MT-86 Pro and the MT-86 OS feature foam-filled hollow-body heads and strategically placed tungsten which MacGregor says moves “the center of gravity lower and deeper in the club while also increasing MOI so off-center strikes still fly.” Lofts are around what you would expect for player’s distance irons or player’s irons. Once our testers submitted their specs, they didn’t have to wait long to get the irons in hand. Then it was time to get out on the course and see what these classically beautiful irons could do in the modern world. MacGregor MT-86 Irons Review Initial Impressions and First Swings Photo: macg_unboxing1 Equipment changes are a big deal for golfers. The look, feel and even presentation of a new set of irons can go a long way to building confidence so that is why we wanted to get immediate feedback on the MacGregor MT-86 Pro and the MT-86 OS as soon as our testers got their hands on them. While there was some concern about how the clubs were packaged in their shipping boxes, here is what our testers had to say about the irons themselves. DiscipleofPenick: “The clubs look fantastic and the classic script MacGregor logo looks as good as it ever has … for being a hollow-body iron, they aren’t that thick… and the topline and offset are not distracting.” Wely324: “The shiny finish and the overall clean look had me drooling from the get-go and made me very eager to get out on the course with them. All of the specs seemed to match up to what was ordered. Lofts and lies were within .5 degrees so I didn’t have to bend any irons.MacGregor did a great job in the looks department from both the address position, and when the MT86 irons are just glistening in the bag. They just about catch everyone’s eye when they walk past my bag. I love a chrome finish on my irons and to see MacGregor use a chrome finish like they did in the past is the cherry on top of a beautiful-looking iron. The shaping of the head is more rounded, with a nice amount of offset for a player’s iron. The MT86 squares up nicely to the ball, the face has a blasted finish that runs through the top line. At setup, the iron really inspires confidence in the player.” Hook DeLoft: “Being game-improvement clubs, they are definitely larger than the old MacGregor designs to which they pay homage, but the size is in no way off-putting. The top line and sole are not as wide as some other GI designs. I would say the offset is moderate for a GI iron. The clubs look classy and refined in the bag.” DoubleBogeyDad: “These clubs look AMAZING. I am especially taken in by the simplicity of the lines. He “took these to Golf Galaxy for some Trackman time and they got some special attention from the fitters and salespeople. I heard, ‘What are those? They look great’, ‘Is that a MacGregor? I didn’t think they made clubs any more. Can I hit one?” Which I obviously obliged.” GolfSpy TCB: “The MT86’s are visually stunning. In my opinion, a perfect blend of the decades-old legacy of MacGregor irons and new technology released by all the major OEMs. The MT86s aren’t even whispering GI in my ear. The top line isn’t overly thick and whatever amount of beef is there is very well hidden by rounded edges and clever two-tone painting/etching. Similarly, if there is a significant offset to these irons, MacGregor does a great job in masking it, giving the address position a look of a player’s club.” Photo: macg_unboxing2 The Numbers and On-Course Results The testers set out to determine a few things. How do the MT-86 irons compare to mainstream OEM options? Were they getting the same performance they would expect from other brands? Was this the return of the MacGregor brand to glory or just a re-badge of a generic head? Then, of course, the testers wanted to find out if the MacGregor MT-86 irons helped them play better golf. Photo: macg_facewithball So what were the results? Here are some comments about the performance and on-course results using the MT-86 Pro and the MT-86 OS irons. DiscipleofPenick: “Regarding the numbers, I haven’t seen any improvement in Arccos with these clubs. I haven’t noticed any distance increase, which is odd to me because the clubs are two degrees stronger than my CBs. Swing speed and spin seem to be about the same. Perhaps I am getting a higher launch off the KBS shaft vs. the DG X100 and that negates any distance I would gain from the lower lofts.” Wely324: “First thing I noticed when hitting the clubs was the sense that they were flying further and higher than my gamers,” but he also noted that they “fly with plenty of speed, height, and spin to handle the toughest of approach shots out there!” Regarding forgiveness, “these irons like to fly straight and high regardless of where you hit the ball on the face. Yes, center strikes are most rewarding with a towering ball flight, but mishits seem to also have enough legs under them to make it to the green and hold the putting surface on relatively small greens.” Hook DeLoft: “Testing on a launch monitor revealed a design that was high-launching and with more spin than other hollow-body irons I have tried in the past. For example, compared to a 2019 model TaylorMade P790, the ball speeds and launch angles were similar but the TaylorMade didn't have enough spin to hold greens very well. There was no such problem with the MacGregors. On-course performance is the ultimate test of a club and here the Macs really shine. Iron play is a weakness of my game and it is not unusual for me to hit only three or four greens in regulation. l rarely miss by a mile but I end up in the fringe to five yards off a lot. I recently hit 11 greens with the Macs and only had three or four challenging up-and-downs.” DoubleBogeyDad: Our tester’s biggest takeaway from early testing was that his old clubs were a half-inch too short and he didn’t realize that. As a result, a lot of his early sessions resulted in contact in the heel but “what was pretty enlightening to me was the smash factor difference. I was consistently missing the center of the face on the MT86 OS, as displayed by the lower smash factors across the board. THEY WERE STILL CARRYING AND STAYING ON LINE!!! Chalk one up for forgiveness.” On the course, our tester found some great results, too. “The last two rounds out, Arccos tells me I’ve gained +1.5 SG Approach in both which is 5-6 strokes better than where I was at earlier this year. Some of that is attributable to playing more this year but these irons are legit!” GolfSpy TCB: “I do feel a little more scattered from a scoring perspective when using these irons.” He noted he was going through some swing changes which could have contributed to that. Once he “adjusted to the (different) lofts, I found the MacGregor MT86 irons to be quite easy to dial in from a distance perspective. Additionally, I found the gapping from club to club was consistent, and could confidently use a 7-10 yard profile when gauging my carry distance.” Photo:AllenTool Overall Thoughts As each tester wrapped up their six-week review of the MacGregor MT-86 irons, they shared some parting thoughts. Two main areas for improvement all our testers identified were more options for custom shafts and a better unboxing experience. While it can be difficult for a small OEM to get favorable terms for shaft deals (which is excusable at this point in MacGregor’s return), they felt more protection could be used while shipping the clubs. Below are a few other highlights of our testers’ overall closing thoughts. DiscipleofPenick: “On the course, I thought the clubs performed slightly better than I expected. While I didn’t gain any yards, and I only expected to gain half a club at best, I definitely didn’t lose any distance. Additionally, the MacGregors were so much more forgiving than my CBs.” Wely324: “A set of chrome player’s irons, with offset, with forgiveness, with classic styling and shape, there isn’t many options in this category and MacGregor did a great job at filling this void in the market with the MT-86 pro irons.” Hook DeLoft: “When I received the irons, I had the lofts and lies checked. They were all over the place. I've posted the errors below. I had my local shop bend them to the specs ordered. If you decide to buy these irons, plan on spending a modest amount to have the lies and lofts bent to your specs.” He also suggested a set gap wedge be made available. Despite this, he anticipated playing the irons once he figures out how to adjust to cover the new gaps within the set. DoubleBogeyDad: “I'll start with the bad. Being DTC (direct-to-consumer), I wasn't able to go get fit for these irons. I think in general that will be a challenge for MacGregor and any other DTC lines out there. On the positive side of things, it is awesome to see MacGregor back in the game. These clubs look great, and the meaty "THWACK" you get on clean strikes is a treat.” GolfSpy TCB: “I don’t feel like I’m giving away any measurable performance (versus the mainstream OEMs) by playing the MacGregor MT86 irons. Easy to lock in distances, good gapping across the set, exceptional feel and sound resulting in confidence-inspiring golf. The only thing I can say in a negative way about these MacGregor Irons is the market perception.” In summary, “I am just enamored by the look of these irons – especially when compared to my “old school” MacGregors.” Photo:InTheBag Want to read the full reviews? Go here: MacGregor MT86 Irons Full reviews
    2 points
  32. The Testing Opportunity Bag Boy has brought a new concept to the carry bag by adding removable pockets to allow the golfer to adjust its storage capacity. They called this the Bag Boy Zip-to-Fit, ZTF for short. Here is how Bag Boy explains the ZTF: “Engineered to simplify the golfing experience, Zip-to-Fit™ functionality allows users to easily unzip and remove larger exterior pockets on the golf bag. This feature enables golfers to transform a traditional stand bag into a lightweight Sunday bag with ease and eliminates the need to own multiple golf bags.”. Key features include: Two removable pockets to cater the bag to your round Four-way organizer top with full-length individual dividers Swivel clip attachment system for easy shoulder-strap separation Top-Lok ® technology, a patented bag-to-cart attachment system MyGolfSpy wanted four testers to test, review and keep the Bag Boy ZTF bag and let us know how it performed. What Testers Said As soon as the bags landed on their doorsteps, testing started and the first impressions started rolling in. Tester OdinSnipes414 was impressed out of the gate: “The ZTF bag Is definitely a beautiful-looking bag. The zipper-teeth size and the metal badge in the middle of the bag really draw the eye. The material used on the bag is very waterproof and durable. The ZTF feature on the bag grew on me. Compared to the Sunday bag it has more pockets and holds all 14 clubs.” Tester HeathS16 took a deeper dive into the key features of the Bag Boy ZTF bag. “1. Zip-to-Fit Pockets: This is the flagship innovation for the Bag Boy ZTF stand bag. At first glance this feature is simply a way to make a golf bag lighter and smaller but after Bag Boy announced the sale of custom pockets I can see it is a way for golfers to continue to customize their bags with some very cool designs. These easy to attach and easy to remove pockets really do impact the bag's profile and weight. This feature was especially useful when traveling. My four-day golf trip involved walking the Mountain Top Course at Big Cedar 3 times and being able to remove excess weight proved VERY beneficial. 2. Top-Lok: The Top -Lok system worked very well. As mentioned I use a push cart quite often and found that this bag fits perfectly and securely into my CaddyTek push cart. 3. Sliding Shoulder Straps: The bag straps are clipped on and easily removed. The shoulder strap also slides easily to adjust to your shoulders and make an easy fit.” First impressions were solid but the real test was how these bags performed on the course. What Testers Said: On Course Carter18 had a few pros and cons.. “The bag is lighter than other bags in the category and the kickstand works well when carrying. It is designed to ride well on push carts and I had limited issues when using a riding cart. While the bag does have a water bottle pocket, it is on the small side and not user friendly when using a larger water bottle. I drink a ton of water on the course. The additional time it takes to get a large bottle in and out during a round led me to take a star here.” MrBandit noted an unusual and its intended function. “It fits just fine in the drive cart. Since it was smaller there was no issue with another bag in the cart. Getting clubs in and out was as expected easy enough, again this is more of a preference how you want to divide your clubs in the 4 slots, I have mine with woods in the back, irons in the middle and putter and wedges in the front. Preferred the individual club slots but we are just splitting hairs. One small feature that is overlooked is that there is Velcro spot for your glove for during or after the round you can just hang your glove there.“ Tester Carter18 did have part of the bag clips break. However, this was quickly remedied by Bag Boy’s customer service. The Final Verdict Overall, the Bag Boy ZTF received scores between 24 and 26 out of 30 from our testers. All of our testers said the bag would be going into their rotation, whether as their main bag or a Sunday bag with the pockets removed.. Tester HeathS16: “The Bag Boy ZTF stand bag is a solid option for those looking for a do-it-all setup. You can carry, ride or push and customize the profile and weight of your bag easily. With Bag Boy's release of custom panels you can even change your pockets out for a new fresh look whenever you would like. The only shortcomings of this bag lie in the strap system and the lack of a larger water bottle pocket. Overall, I would recommend the Bag Boy ZTF to a golfer looking to walk more and who wants some versatility with their bag setup.” Tester OdinSnipes414: “Overall this bag holds up to claims to be a multi-purpose bag with zip-off pockets to make it easy to use. It is lightweight, the straps move easily, the pockets are easily removable and the material is very durable. The legs strap into place for easy push-cart use. If you walk this is a very good bag to use. Decent pocket space ideal for the minimalist golfer. Travels well and the rain fly is easy to use. Pocket removal is easy and doesn't take much time at all. The lack of a cooler and a smaller water bottle holder is really the only downfall.“ Tester Carter18: “Bag Boy has provided a unique entry into the 4-divider light carry bag division. The Zip to Fit pockets add an interesting wrinkle and provide options when determining what to take to the range vs. playing 9, 18, etc. in either casual or competitive rounds. The aesthetic of the bag is spot on and assimilates into the arsenal of any level of player…The material used in the shoulder strap release system appears to be a weak point in its current iteration. With the removable pockets loaded down, the zipper will occasionally move if not properly seated in installation. All of the reputed features work as advertised and I would recommend the ZTF version of the Bag Boy bag especially if you already use a Bag Boy push cart.” To read their full reviews and all the details our testers shared, go to the complete write-ups HERE.
    2 points
  33. What is Forum Member Testing? MyGolfSpy offers all its community members a unique opportunity to test, review and keep a variety of different golf equipment, apps, apparel and more. Successful candidates are selected by Forum staff. Members who are selected interact, engage and write a review on the specific product while enjoying the fun of trying new gear! Member testing is vital because it gets gear in the hands of you, the golfer. Our members give honest feedback on how any product or service works for a variety of handicaps and abilities to ensure our readers are even more informed when making purchasing decisions. To learn more about how testers are selected, head here: Want to be a forum tester? The Testing Opportunity Photo: HackMotionUnboxing When we first announced HackMotion as a MyGolfSpy Forum member test, we discovered many of you had never heard of this product or what it does. However, after a little research, this became one of the most followed tests for the season. Let’s answer the basic question first: What is HackMotion? HackMotion is a golf swing analyzer and wrist angle training aid. With the golf wrist sensor and app, it provides wrist data and feedback after each swing to help golfers understand and fix their swing faults. There are three packages available ranging from $299 for the HackMotion Core to the $999 HackMotion Pro. The Core offers full swing mode feedback and analysis, the HackMotion Plus adds in a putting mode and the Pro (which is what our testers were provided with for testing) has an additional advanced analysis mode. All three packages use the same software, making it possible to upgrade from the Core to the Plus or Pro if a golfer was itching for extra data and feedback. The app is available for iOS and Android and works for both right-handed and left-handed golfers. To find out more about HackMotion in more detail outside of the reviews, you can view their product options here: HackMotion Product Compare With the basics out of the way, it’s time to get into how the test went and what our four Forum testers had to say about their experience with HackMotion. What Testers Said Photo: HackMotionApp As with other recaps, our members start with their first impressions on the product when they receive it. As this is a tech device, the unboxing itself can be a little underwhelming and more about the experience and process. This was highlighted by our tester DriverBreaker. “This has less to do with the physical product, but more to do with the entire experience. I was very impressed with the onboarding call with HackMotion. They took their time to walk through each aspect of the app, calibration, and resources. Speaking of which, I think almost as useful as the device itself is, the online resources they give you access to are invaluable. For the golf data/biomechanics nerds out there, this is as deep of a dive as you can ask for. While much of it might be overkill for the recreational golfer, I do believe that if you know the why and how, you have a better chance of executing the what. Calibration was seamless the first time out of the box and I’ve had no issues connecting it since. Very fast… This is a combo training/learning aid. You get out what you put in.” Tester Bad Golfer reiterated much of what DriverBreaker said: “My first Impressions on the HackMotion were very positive. It was packaged in a nice high-quality box and everything inside it had a spot so it wouldn't rattle around. All you needed to do to get started is to download the app and pair it to your phone through Bluetooth.” So far, the test of the HackMotion training system was off to a good start. The next phase was getting the system in use and seeing what it had to offer. Spoiler alert! It is a lot as our Tester Fongle pointed out. “Having the HackMotion has definitely motivated me towards trying to actively isolate and work on different aspects of my game, and I think with the features and information it provides it can definitely do that, but it can be hard to wade through the mountain of information it provides to get to the important data.“ Photo: HackMotionSwing Coming from a coach’s perspective, DriverBreaker had more to say about what HackMotion provides. “The numbers in the pro version are phenomenal. Flexion, extension, radial and ulnar deviation, rotation, and tempo. This data is now measurable in real time, swing after swing. No more looking and guessing where you’re at. You can measure directly. From a coach’s perspective, this is superb.“ Tester gingerbeast87 had important notes on the ease of use of the HackMotion training system. “Man alive, you couldn't find an easier device to get on and started with. Until you get to the calibration. Then. unless you are completely level, you will end up seeing incorrect numbers and potentially harm your swing.” This point of calibration was emphasized by all the testers throughout the five-week testing process. It is very important to take the time to properly calibrate the system to ensure you are not chasing the wrong data or swings. The Bottom Line Photo: HackMotionBundle We had four testers in this group with varying handicaps, abilities and training needs. However, they all came away with similar takeaways and feedback on the HackMotion system. We asked our testers to rate the product in different areas to reach a total score out of 100. When the testers had finished, HackMotion received one 80, two 83s and an 88. Impressive. Among the positive takeaways from the testing group was that HackMotion sets up easily. The app is very clean, intuitive and simple to navigate. There are a lot of tips and support through both the app and website, allowing the user to get the most out of the system. The data and information it provides were also a huge plus for our testers. They really loved the immediate feedback and the overall experience HackMotion provided. The areas where our testers felt it needed some work was the ability to change club selection during a session as this is not a current feature. The putting feature did not work as well as they had hoped. Price was a talking point as this is not cheap and it will not be an immediate fix for golfers as it still requires practice and efforts on the part of the user to improve their game. Wrapping up, Bad Golfer had this to say: “This device will give you all the information you could possibly ask for as far as what your wrists and hands are doing throughout the whole golf swing. It gives you ulnar/radial deviation, wrist flexion and extension and also rotation and even tempo of your golf swing. If your a intermediate golfer like myself I think you could definitely go with the cheaper version and not the pro version.” Tester DriverBreak gets the final word with his recommendation on who could benefit the most from HackMotion. “In short, this is a very powerful device that is easy to set up and use. The data it provides is extremely valuable in the right hands. At the end of the day, it is as useful as the user is knowledgeable on how to maximize and utilize it. Either invest in education around the device and biomechanics of the wrists in golf, or get a coach you trust to use it with and let them build a practice plan around using it. Do not just beat balls with this device without a sound plan because, like any piece of good technology, it could be wasted time if you do so.” Read our testers’ full reviews and updates throughout the testing process here: 2023 HackMotion Member Reviews Thread
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