67BUDFAN

Here's another angle to this discussion. Before buying I compared the specs between the Apex 21 and Apex 21 pro irons and decided on the 21s as I like to be forgiven at times (on the course and in life), and I was willing to accept that it would be more challenging to shape my shots with the higher offset 21s. The Apex 21s are advertised as straight, forgiving AND distance irons, while the Pro 21s are for the low handicapper that wants to be able to shape their shots (still forgiving and long, but not as much as the 21s). Hope it's ok that I am posting this (forgive me if not), but if you take a look at the lofts and the offset numbers you will see why the 21s are the "distance" and more forgiving irons (specs from the manufacturer's site).

I totally get what many say about the importance of the "look" of the club at address, and while I had tried hybrids throughout the years, I always went back to my Titleist 5 wood as I preferred its classic teardrop shape. I decided after my clubs were stolen to give the Callaway Apex 21 hybrids (2 and 4) a try as a buddy who knows my game well told me he thought I would love the MMT graphite shafts. I also bought the Apex 21 irons, and while the different look of the hybrid heads and slightly softer feel of graphite shafts took a bit of getting used to, my buddy was right as their consistent distance and accuracy have convinced me that I made the right choice for my game.

Starting out over 50 years ago my woods were a driver, 2 and 4 wood (loved my 2 wood). I then carried a 3 and 5 wood for years and grew to love them as well. As my distance has shortened a bit and I am learning to care more about accuracy than distance, I have switched out my 5 wood for the more versatile for me 2 hybrid. Also put a 4 hybrid in my bag for distances between my 2 hybrid and my 5 iron, and also for different shot making.

Interesting discussion. The power and shot making world Bryon lives in is astounding to me and far beyond my comprehension, regardless what's stamped on his 3-D printed irons. I just turned 66 and the past few years have seen a 10 yard drop on my clubs, and I admit that I'm still slowly learning to listen to one of my dad's mantras; It's not how far David, it's how many. I often wonder if in the end the pros think that way as well.

Great question atmikeyp. I think a really important lesson my dad taught me at a young age (I'm now 65) is to be kind to myself when I am playing golf (especially early in the season). We all hit bad shots and have bad starts or stretches during a round. But that's not who we are, it's not what we have always done, and it's not a given that we will keep doing it. I really appreciate the perspective Fred Shoemaker shares in his wonderful book "Extraordinary Golf" (highly recommended reading and if I am allowed to post this, watch his youtube interview with Peter Hudson https://duckduckgo.com/?q=fred+shoemaker+extraordinary+golf&atb=v317-1&iar=videos&iax=videos&ia=videos&iai=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dx4sWCof6u6A . He "simply" encourages golfers to remember that it is good to think positively about our games. For me, that means that rather than judging myself and dwelling on a poor shot/start, as I am approaching my next shot I try to remind myself that I have hit this shot before and can do it again. It's not living in a fantasy world of imaging I can do something I have never done before (or simply incapable of like hitting a 290 yard 3 wood over water). It's more learning to remind myself of what's possible because of what I am capable of and have done before. And of course also reminding myself that golf is a "wonderfully" humbling game

Personally, I enjoy the experience of escaping into the set apart world of golfing in nature (even when the course is in the middle of a city it feels so much different than walking the streets downtown). However, the "written and unwritten rules of golf" change for lots of reasons (including etiquette), and so I am open to people asking me if I am ok with them playing music. My response is to say, "I would prefer that you not since it makes it hard for me to focus". If people simply decide to play music without asking me, I tell them before I hit my first drive that I find it very distracting and that it makes it hard for me to focus when I can hear their music. If they still insist on playing their music, I tell them that I would appreciate it if they kept the volume as low as possible when I am hitting.