CM12

Cut line: +3 Tiger's score: -4, makes cut

Just got an H4 a couple weeks ago, have logged five rounds on it so far. I bought an ex-display model for $99, which I thought was a good deal. Here's my early thoughts: Likes: The data - I love looking through this stuff and seeing where in my game I need to target for improvement. The size - it's small enough to not be noticed, but the display is big enough to easily see the numbers. Multi-functionality - if I don't track my shots I still have a nice little GPS that can help dial in my distances. Price - the fact that they seem committed to no subscriptions is the biggest selling point for me. I'm so sick of subscriptions for everything, I'm happy to support a company that doesn't do that. Dislikes/things I'd change in an updated version of the H4 or to the Shot Scope platform: Battery life - it's plenty good enough for a round, and probably good enough for two. But if you forget to charge it and have played a long round, you might not make it through your next round (happened once to me). Non-standard charger - please just put a USB-C charger on this thing so I can at least use a mobile battery bank on the course if need be. The claw charger they have is somewhat finicky. GPS accuracy for distances? - not sure if this is an issue or not. There have been times when my 18 birdies GPS was substantially different from the H4, and my range finder seemed to validate the 18 birdies more than the H4. Other times things have been pretty accurate. GPS accuracy for putting - I'm sure I don't understand all the tech behind of making an accurate GPS, but if there is any way to improve this for the shot capture that would be awesome. For shots from the fairway, tee, rough, etc., it seems close enough. After all, +/- 1-3 yards probably doesn't throw your data off that much. However, when it comes to putting, 1-3 yards has a huge impact on your putt distance and whether you miss right, left, long, short. I think my putting data (other than number of putts) is likely not all that reliable. Step counter - ok this one is totally unnecessary, but it would be nice! Ability to edit data mid-round on the app - so many times I've forgotten to log my punch shot, or forgot to collect the pin, or didn't tag my drive. I know I can edit the data after the round, but sometimes I have a hard time remembering if I'm missing a shot or not. It'd be so nice if I could just add the shot on the app mid round. More powerful magnet - I guess I've never had the device fall off my belt or fall of a cart, but the magnet doesn't feel all that strong. A more powerful magnet would simply put my mind at ease. Handicap - I'm thinking something like what 8 birdies does. If Shot Scope could calculate an unofficial handicap they could maybe give insights on how you played compared to your exact handicap instead of the 0, 5, 10 benchmarks. Overall, I don't regret buying the H4 at all and plan to use it for a long time. I'm excited to build out the data for my game - it should be interesting to see what it all looks like after 20-30 rounds logged on it.

One of the worst feelings is having a tee time on the calendar days in advance, looking forward to it, preparing.....and then going out and playing terribly. Everything from from topped tee shots and approaches that you should be putting after but instead you're hitting the exact same club again, to multiple 3-putts and irons that barely found the club face. In every frustrating round there are highlights, however. I had a chip in as well as an absolute dart from a little over 120 (divot was 6 inches from pin). Ended up shooting an 88 (+17), a score that is better than I felt I played. Can't complain about a day of golf though.

Currently evaluating drivers as well. Are you looking at previous gen models exclusively?

Interesting - the Black Ops is one I haven't really had a chance to try yet. You have the regular Black Ops, not the Tour-1 version, correct? Do you feel that it's as "low-spin" as the AI TD and DS LS? Also, did you get more forgiveness as in you didn't lose much distance on mishits? Or did it reduce left/right dispersion?

After 11 years of faithful service, I'm upgrading my driver. My 913 D2 saw me through my high school and college days, and it's done well enough by me in the years since. However, I'm not getting the distance I feel I should, and I hit the ball so, so high. When I've had a chance to play on simulators I've seen backspin of anywhere from 4,000-6,000 rpm (yikes). I don't think I can blame the driver for that, but I'm a bit confused on what might be causing it. Initial thought is that I must be hitting down on the ball, but in recent sim sessions I see I'm hitting up on the ball at 4-5 degrees. So maybe the shaft? I've always had a Mitsubishi Diamana S+ Blue 62 in that club. I really don't know, but needless to say, I'm in the market for a low-spin setup. That brought me to Darkspeed LS, Ai Smoke TD, Qi10 LS, G430 LST, etc. I went for a fitting at my local shop and was fit into extra stiff shafts for the most part (I tend to generate 112-115mph clubhead speed), and the two heads that I seem to hit best are the Darkspeed LS and the AI Smoke TD, both at 9 degrees. The Darkspeed LS was coupled with a UST Lin-Q M40X White 6, and the AI Smoke TD had a Project X Denali Black 70. Both of these brought my backspin into a consistent 1,800-2,200 rpm range. I saw carry of 290-300 for both, and, for the first time in years, the ball rolled out a good 15-25 yards after landing (I'd gotten so used to seeing a divot in the fairway ahead of where my golf ball came to a stop). Both would be great choices, I'm sure. I think the Darkspeed LS is the best looking driver I've ever seen, but the Callaway looks great as well. The fitter seemed to think I hit the Callaway a little better on the sim. I'm curious, for those who tested both of these and ultimately chose one or the other, why did you choose what you did? Did one manage misses better? Was one more forgiving off the face? Longer? Straighter?

My driver is 11 years old now, and I'm finally looking to replace it. I've been trying lots of low-spin drivers such as Darkspeed LS, AI Smoke triple diamond, Qi10 LS, etc. With most of those I can get my spin in the 1800-2200 range, which is great. But with some other low spin setups I'm still close to 3000. Non low-spin drivers I'm closing in on 4000 and above. The weird thing is that I hit up on the ball by about 3-5 degrees. I'm not sure what is causing all this spin but I'd love to get it figured out. I'll probably end up buying a low-spin driver, but it'd be great to figure out why I can't keep the spin down otherwise.

Never really played Bridgestone balls before, would be curious to see how they perform.