DStar

So my 1st season back after a lengthy break and I've tried a few odds & sods to get me going. As a lefty with very little local stuff to try I've been scouring eBay for clubs to try with the knowledge that, if I don't get on with it, I should be able to shift it on without too much cost. So for the 1st proper season I'm going with: Driver: King Cobra F6+ Matrix Black Tie Stiff Shaft 3-Wood: Titleist 913F Diamana Stiff Shaft 15° Hybrid: Titleist 816 H1 21° Fubuki Stiff Shaft Irons: Mizuno MP32 4-PW True Temper S300 Stiff Shaft Gap Wedge: Cleveland CG12 52° Wedge Flex Shaft Sand Wedge: Cleveland CG15 56° Wedge Flex Shaft Lob Wedge: Cleveland CG15 60° Wedge Flex Shaft Putter: DStar Golf Custom KBS CT Tour Shaft Ball: Titleist ADX I'm starting to hit the driver fairly consistently now and seem to be up around the 300y mark. 3 wood doesn't get much use but goes well when I need it too. The hybrid is a recent addition and will see a lot of use as the course is not long but quite tight and you need to be hitting the right areas to go for the pin. MP32's are so good when hit right and my strike is improving and yardages are pretty accurate and reliable. Wedges have been in the bag since before I stopped playing and was fitted for them and are still working well. Putter is one of my own and the feel and distance is getting better but these are some of the hardest greens, locally, regarding speed and undulations. Started at 22.8, now down to 17.7 and hoping to get to 14/15 by the end of the summer..

Started playing again a few months ago and on the par 3, 3rd, hit an 8i 2 feet past the pin but span back about 15' with a direct line from pitchmark to ball right through the centre of the cup :-( Probably the closest I'll ever get.

Well done, sir

Nothing special, just a normal weekend strokeplay, and only my 2nd comp ever. Was playing off 20.3 so had 24 shots and started well with a par down the 1st. Got a bit ropey but did manage a 2 on the par 3 5th to bag a sleeve of Pro V1's Got to 13 and I was 16 over (gross) and thought I would be out of it, expecting another +5 or 6. Not sure what happened after that but managed +3 for 6 holes and ended up with a nett 66.... 2.6 off the handicap too

I've been given a Scotty headcover but don't know too much about them. Anyone know how to ID one? Thanks

Well I went with a cheap G10 and used it for the 1st time on Friday. Played like a jackass but I did hit the right distances, just the wrong directions. GPS was really helpful especially if I was off the fairway. I can see that this will help, just need to work on my swing consistency...

Sounds like a |GPS is the way to go, thanks guys

After a couple of rounds I've noticed I'm struggling with distances. The club have removed 200 & 150 marker posts and have discs in the centre of the fairway, all ok if you're in the middle of the fairway. So looking at a GPS or rangefinder, which do you recommend and why? Garmin G10 is £90 so similar price to a MiLESSEY rangefinder on Amazon.

Managed a 96. Short game was not good, to be expected really. We've got some really tricky greens and some not great reads but pace control with the new putter was good. One birdie and an Eagle putt missed. Playing again tomorrow so see how that goes..

I'm up to 6 now: Cobra, Titleist, Taylormade, Mizuno, Cleveland & DStar

I've only played 11 holes in the last 15 years and played off 18 back then. I'm playing my 1st full round today so, just for fun, what do you think I'll shoot?

I've never collected putters (or other clubs for that matter) as I've generally had a 1-in, 1-out policy. But since I've started making them I have a few different ones, 2 of which I've not even used on the course yet..

Great job, looks fantastic

I did the Titleist ball thing and it came up with AVX so, I'll give them a go..

Would you go black/black or black/chrome out of these 2? I'm struggling to choose...

Getting a bit carried away now . Decided to have a go at 'torching' one of the 304 heads and I think a fair bit of beginners luck was on hand..

Thanks Head weight is 344g. I'm looking at another version of this with weights in the rear bumpers to allow adjustment of the balance.

Had a play with the black oxide treatment we have here at work on the carbon steel head. This one will be going in the bag when we can start playing again here in the UK. Thanks for all the kind words guys, really appreciate them and any feedback:

Finally got one of each hand finished! Just need to order shafts & grips and off to the pro shop they shall go 344g, brushed 304 stainless steel..

A bit slow with updates on this as the machine has been tied up with other work... Not any more!! I'm pretty chuffed with it so far. Carbon steel, 395g at the moment but have the face machining to do so I reckon around 360g when I'm done.

It's something I'm looking into...

I'm also trying to think of the options that would make it appealing to buy. So far I've got: Material (304 or CS) Loft Shaft colour/length (using KBS CT Tour that come in a few different colours) Grip Alignment (lines/dots etc) I've also found a UK based headcover maker so could do colour options on that too. What things would you be looking for in a custom putter?

As #1 was quite successful and came out better than expected I thought I'd have a go at doing another one. After a chat with the pro he recommended that a more traditional blade would be a good one to try and sell so that's what I'm doing. I'm going to do a set of 4 this time, 2 x RH & 2 x LH in both 304SS and carbon steel, so that we can put a couple into the shop for demo. It's all programmed on the mill, I just need a window in the work-load to get them machined. I did have time to do a sample of the face machining to see how it looks as I'm trying to keep the engraving/logo's to a minimum to try and give them a clean look. I'll, hopefully, get them done in time for when we can start playing at the end of March I'll update as I get more done but, as usual, all thoughts & input gratefully received. Steve

Made by the same company that used to make Nike balls until they stopped doing equipment. Seems like a good, cheap, option...remove the , halve the price.

Thanks again for all of the kind comments guys, really appreciated and I'm glad I'm not boring you all . As the course is closed the nearest I could do to test was a 15' putt across my landing at home. Carpet is a bit lumpy and nowhere near as fast as the greens at my home course but was able to get a feel for how it putts and I'm well happy. Seems consistent for distance. I tried centre/toe/heel hits and all were very close. Tried 3-6' putts, again, fairly consistent feel & distance. So far so good... https://twitter.com/DStar_Putters/status/1355828905496739841