curtdusoleil

Third post about the Mindset B RX... I played several rounds with these balls and was generally very pleased. As I'd mentioned before, they felt very similar to the Maxfli Tour ball I normally play, so that already was a plus for me. I also commented on liking the reminder to think through each shot. I have always tried to be mindful of this, but can get lazy about it. On that... I just shot my first sub-80 round during a tournament (and won.) I've shot below 80 before, but only during recreational rounds. While I didn't play with the Mindset ball (used my normal Maxfli) I do believe the Mindset left a residual effect. It was the first time I really made sure to map out my shots fully. Particularly, visualizing the shot, which is something I'd never really done. I believe it made a huge difference. I was consistently shocked and pleased that my shots were actually doing the things I envisioned. It also kept me very focused on the shot at hand and I didn't get wrapped up one way or the other after I made the shot, good or bad. I just moved to the next and went through my routine.

For men, I love Corey Connors' swing. He has such a smooth, easy tempo. It just looks effortless. For women, Nelly. For pretty much the same reasons as Corey. Most of the women have really effortless, smooth swings.

The par 4 third, number 1 handicap hole at my "home" course, Browns Mill in Atlanta. Particularly when the tees are all the way back, but even from the whites it's a bear that everyone hates. At its longest it plays around 470. It seems simple enough, being straight ahead. But it's a very thin fairway with trees and OB all down the left with a bunker in play. The entire right side is trees and uphill the whole way. You have to hit a perfect tee shot to have any chance at the green in 2 and it's always at least a long iron or fairway wood to get on. Very easy to miss short or roll off if you make it to the green. It has bunker front right. When the pin is up, it's easy to miss into the bunker. When the pin is tucked back right behind the bunker, it really hard to get close. Bogey here feels like a par and pars feel like birdies. It really plays like a par 5. Doubles are extremely common and are a total round killer right at the beginning. On the totally other side, the par 5 tenth hole is the 18 handicap and could really be a par 4. I've eagled it something like 12 times. I can't decide if that makes up for hole 3 or they should switch 3 to a par 5 and 10 to a par 4. It would probably end up the same score differential anyway.

The main launch monitor I use is the Garmin R10. While I know it is not as accurate (particularly with spin rates) as the more expensive LMs, it has been an excellent purchase for me. First of all, you cannot beat the value. I purchased mine used, but even at full price, this is a remarkably good LM. It is easy to set up and use, gives excellent data and comes with 5 free courses on E6 for anyone using an iOS device. And while the Garmin range app isn't the best, it's perfectly suitable. It also integrates with many sims on the market, including GSPro. I have an outdoor setup, so I may have had an easier time and more accurate readings than folks with indoor setups which seem to have a few more issues. I have plenty of space from the device to ball/ball to net and no objects that create interference. Bottom line for me...I was a 14-15 handicap when I first got the R10. Within a year, I'd dropped to an 11 and have since gone all the way down to an 8. I truly believe having the ability to hit balls everyday and receive actual data about it has been a tremendous help to my game. And...it's just fun! The other LMs I have are the SwingLogic SLX Hybrid and SLX Hybrid Mini. I initially purchased the SLX Hybrid through crowd-funding. The idea is excellent. The Hybrid is a combo launch monitor, GPS and Bluetooth speaker. To get actual directional data, you also needed to use a device that clips on to your glove. Unfortunately, they had major issues with that, especially for lefties and I was never able to get directional data to work. The other data from the unit itself (distance, club speed/ball speed) seemed to be generally okay. When I tested it out at the range and on the course, it was fairly accurate but inconsistent. I ended up mostly using it for the speaker. Due to all the issues they had with the original SLX Hybrid (over the course of about a year) they discontinued that product and created the Hybrid Mini, which they gave to all the crowdfunding folks. This one paired with their Mini Sim, which attaches to the club in order to get directional data. And the Hybrid Mini itself is a very tiny unit. I was excited to be able to have such a small LM to bring out to the range, BUT... Once again, there are a myriad of issues. My first one just plain didn't work. The next one worked, but I do not think is very accurate. Numbers are very different from the Garmin and when I have taken it to the range I get vastly inconsistent data. They have had a bunch more issues between the unit itself and the phone app you can use with it. Sadly, I think they swung too big on this and missed the mark. I hope they work it out with more updates and testing, but I could not recommend this device.

Let's do this!! 1st Tie Breaker: +4 2nd Tie Breaker: Neal Shipley

UPDATE: I played a 2nd round of 9 with these yesterday and I am liking these balls quite a lot. As I'd mentioned, they are very similar to the Mafli I already play and they definitely perform as well. They feel really nice off the tee, in particular. I continue to like the visual on the ball more than a regular line. I feel very confident over my putts and was really putting well. For some reason, I started visualizing the putt line, which I had never done before. I also hit 6 out of 7 fairways, lining up my shots with the graphic. And at least once, the graphic made me take a step back and analyze my shot, when I had just gone up and started my setup. For the golfer who wants to be more mindful, these are just another tool in the bag to help. ORIGINAL POST: I just played my first round with the B RX Mindset. As far as the ball itself goes, I like it. It's very much like the Maxfli I use. Similar compression and feel, so in that way I like it. Felt good off the tee and I liked it around the greens. As far as the Mindset graphic goes... I like the fact that it's different than anything else. That's just something I enjoy. I'm also very much into the mental game and something I know makes me play better is when I take all the steps this graphic is meant to istill. Do I do it every time? No. So, it is nice to have a visual reminder to take those steps. Obviously, off the tee and on the green, it is more useful because I can make sure I see that. I also use the line on the ball to line up my drives and putts. Particularly on putts, I like that I can is the arrows but it's not as rigid as a line. So, I can focus on the dot in a more organic way and just make my stroke than being so focused on the line. Overall, I'm definitely interested to continue trying this out and see how it goes.

I'm new to the forum and I believe I applied for the test. I don't see my name in the list of testers, but I just got a dozen of the Mindset BRX in the mail. Is this the "sampling opportunity?" If so, that's awesome! I look forward to testing them out.

Even though it was only a par, this is always a really tough hole. Especially on a cold, windy day like today. Long par 3, uphill. Hit that 61-foot putt to within about 6 inches.

Only able to play 9 today, but had my first even par 9 holes ever. I've had one over, but never even. Went into the final par 5 at one under and missed an 8-footer for par. Still felt fantastic to play so consistently. 6 of 9 GiR, including both long par 3s. Hope I can keep this up!

385 yard par 4. Really narrow passage between trees off the tee to a blind fairway that drops out of view. Actually hit a tree on the tee shot and only went 168 yards. Hit a 5 wood from the rough there to about 10 yards off the green...chipped in for birdie on greens that had just been punched.

Had my best round yet yesterday. Shot a 76 at my local muni (6200 yards, 123 slope.) Amazingly, I only hit 5 fairways and 6 GIR. My short game and putting saved me. Only 23 putts and that was on already iffy greens that had been punched the day before and were a total crapshoot. I had zero expectations for the day and didn't even pay attention to my score...and that's always when things go well. Expectations are a score killer.