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Aubrey40

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About Aubrey40

  • Birthday 05/14/1970

Contact Methods

  • Twitter
    @AubreyDirkes
  • Instagram
    adirkes40

Profile Information

  • Gender
    Male
  • Location
    Philadelphia Area
  • Referred By:
    self

Player Profile

  • Age
    50-59
  • Swing Speed
    111+ mph
  • Handicap
    11
  • Frequency of Play/Practice
    Multiple times per week
  • Player Type
    Competitive
  • Biggest Strength
    Approach
  • Biggest Weakness
    Driver/Off the Tee
  • Fitted for Clubs
    Yes

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Aubrey40's Achievements

  1. I went back to my gamer putter, which has a SuperStroke2.0, and prefer the forward grip, which is still on the putter I practice with in the basement. My only excuse for not re-gripping it is inertia. When I picked up new swing grips at Golf Galaxy they didn't have the forward grip so I stuck with what I had.
  2. I was able to review a putter grip a while back. The review process made me appreciate the details of something as simple as the grip, how old habits are the equivalent of "boiling the frog" when it comes to the slippage of our games. These details are the same things I look for in the reviews of others - for me, this grip helped me feel the position of the back of my left hand - crucial for keeping putts online and my not missing to the right. If you can relate the product to its fix, it helps others. If you just say wow, I made more putts, you are a pull quote on the manufacturer's packaging.
  3. Now that I've had the Forward grip in my bag for a couple of months there is really only one thing I can say, I wish I'd put it on my gamer. I have returned to a conventional grip with the Forward Grip. Because it locks my fingers along the back spine of the putter, I can tell exactly where the back of my left hand is facing which returned my sense of feel to the putting process. While the putter grip hasn't cured my woes off the tee, it has largely cured me of my struggles with lag putts, and my typical score has dropped by a stroke or two. I hope Santa brings me another Forward Grip for Christmas, so that I can put my gamer back in the bag.
  4. Now that I've had the Forward grip in my bag for a couple of months there is really only one thing I can say, I wish I'd put it on my gamer. I have returned to a conventional grip with the Forward Grip. Because it locks my fingers along the back spine of the putter, I can tell exactly where the back of my left hand is facing which returned my sense of feel to the putting process. While the putter grip hasn't cured my woes off the tee, it has largely cured me of my struggles with lag putts, and my typical score has dropped by a stroke or two. I hope Santa brings me another Forward Grip for Christmas, so that I can put my gamer back in the bag.
  5. Player Intro. I am a 13 handicap who plays it as it lies. I fix the pitch marks others miss, or neglect to fix. I like clubs and clothes with classic looks and feels. I walk, and when a course makes me use a cart I find someone who likes to drive, so that I can walk. You might call me a traditionalist. I have always played a 36” PING Anser 2 putter. From the very first time I went shopping for a putter it has been the one that looks right to my eye, fits my swinging gate stroke, and delivers consistent results. Over time I switched from my original Anser 2 (purchased in 1992) to the newer Anser Milled version because I liked the weight and sound better than the original. About two years ago I found my stroke getting a little wristy, so I switched from the standard PING grip to a SuperStroke 3.0 Slim in an attempt to quiet my hands. I have always used a conventional grip when putting, but found that with the new grip on my putter I was leaving the clubface open and I missed right, so I switched to a left-hand low approach. This proved to be a really solid pairing for me from short range (inside 10') but I found myself with no touch on longer lag putts, either blowing it past the hole or only getting 2/3 of the way home. When my iron game is on, not a problem, but on the days when I didn't hit it close I found myself three putting more frequently than I'd like. I was about to put a PING midsized grip on my gamer when the golf gods intervened and I was selected as a Forward Grip tester. Performance Performance on the Course Describe the following: Ease of installation: Was it easy to install? Re-gripping is really a simple task, so I installed the Forward Grip on my own. With this grip, I recommend using PLENTY of solvent, because the internal grip diameter seems to be smaller than others I have installed. Feel: What are your thoughts on the grip's feel? Do you like the size? From the moment I slipped the grip out of its shipping tube I was excited. I have long thin fingers, and the butt end of the Forward Grip fit perfectly into my hands. How does the grip affect your grip pressure? Is it comfortable? The Forward Grip's triangular shape gives the fingers on your top hand a natural place to go, and for me it was a perfect fit. With your knuckles locked into one spot down the back of the shaft, I could tell exactly where the back of my left hand was pointed, and as a result I find myself gripping the club as though it were the proverbial “baby bird”. Does the grip help you align your putts better? At first I loved my old over-sized grip, but then I found myself struggling with alignment. I couldn't feel the back of my left hand, and ended up changing from a conventional grip to a left hand low approach, all so the grip worked in my hands. With the Forward Grip, I find that its shape helps lock my left hand (high again) into place and I can feel the line again without the risk of a wristy stroke. Does the grip help you make a smoother stroke? With my alignment challenges under control, and the proper grip pressure restored I am making smoother putting strokes from every distance. Does the grip help you on short putts (5' max), medium putts (10' range), long putts (20') Since installing the Forward Grip on an old PING Anser 2 (I kept my gamer Milled Anser 2 with the other oversized grip for comparison purposes), I have played a half dozen rounds and am putting better than ever. In each round played, I have dropped a second ball at a similar distance so that I could compare my gamer to the Forward Grip, and alternated which putter was used first to account for familiarity of speed and line. In 6 rounds, the results: 3-5' – I was perfect with the Forward Grip, while my gamer two putted twice. 10' – both the Forward Grip and my gamer were three putt free, and in the 40 times I had putts from this distance, I holed 10 with the FG, and 5 with my gamer. 20'+ - Here's where I saw the biggest benefit. I am two seasons into a left hand low grip on my gamer, so it isn't second nature yet, but in the 90 putts I had of 20' or more, I only three jacked once with the Forward Grip compared to once per round with my gamer. How does it compare to what you were using before? It took me a little bit of time in the basement/on the practice green to feel comfortable with the grip on a putter – with the hands “Forward” I had an initial tendency to push the toe up – and miss left. Once comfortable with the new positioning, all I can say is, “Can I have another for my gamer?” Course Score: (Out of 60 points) 55 Performance Notes How did it perform? Were you pleased? It performed as a grip should. I love it. Please compare and contrast it to what you are currently using At this point there are only two things I like more about my gamer – Tour Validation (easily fixed) and my gamer is pink. Other than that, I prefer the Forward Grip. What factors were you pleased with? The best attribute for me is the size and shape. Because it fits perfectly in my hands, the rest of the putting just seems to happen naturally. Subjective Looks & Durability Describe the following: Appearance/graphics/packaging. I wish it came in a variety of colors/patterns Short term/long term durability - will it hold up? It will hold up as well or better than other putter grips on the market. How long would you expect it to last? 200 rounds How does it compare to other putter grips you've tried? Much better. Looks Score: (Out of 25 points) 15] Likelihood of Purchase How likely would you be to purchase this accessory? Having tried it, I would definitely purchase it. LOP Score: (Out of 15 points) 15 Conclusion & Final Score It doesn't get simpler than this: If you like a conventional grip, this grip will make you a better putter. With it I have re-located the back of my top hand, my alignment is spot on and with that, I am free to sweep the ball into the hole. It's a great feeling. Total Score: (Add up all 3 categories and present a total score) 85
  6. The Questions · Handicap? (Or average score) I am currently a 13 handicap, though I have been as low as an 8. · Strengths/weaknesses of your game? My game like that of so many others' is on or off. When I'm on, the 70's are in sight, but when I'm off, so is 100. Typically the strong points of my game are the little wedge shots from 100-40 yards, and lag putting. The weakest part of my game tends to be off the tee. While I have a swing speed in the 112-115 range, my misses are both ways, and as we all know it is hard to score from the long stuff. · What do you look for in a putter grip? When I replace my putter grip I typically look for one that feels good in my hands. For me, that is typically a larger grip that helps me grip the club lightly with as little hand involvement as possible in the stroke. · Current Putter grip? My gamer grip is a SuperStroke 3.0. · What makes you love the game? My love for golf runs deep. I love that every time I grip the club it is a chance to make magic happen. I love that every time I go out, it is with friends. I love that even on the home course, every round is different. · How long have you been golfing? I started playing golf as a senior in college to fulfill a gym requirement. I taught myself how by watching tour coverage, and listening to the commentators describe how to hit each shot. 28 years later I can't get enough. · What kind of golfer are you? I am “Positive thought guy.” · What's your story? · What is in your bag? Driver – Titleist 913 D2 10.5 FW – PING G25 4 Irons – 3&4 Mizuno HP4, 5-P Mizuno JPX-825 pro Wedges – Mizuno T4 50/56/60 Putter – Anser 2 Milled · How did you choose them? I was custom fit for everything in my bag. I went into the process brand agnostic and selected the club and spec that performed the best. · What region do you play out of? I live and play in the Philadelphia region When I received the Forward Grip in the mail I immediately loved the feel. I have long, thin fingers, and in my hands it just felt right – soft texture, great dimensions, and the back rib was perfectly aligned with my center knuckles. For the first time since SuperStroke hit the scene, I was excited to try a putter grip. I installed the grip myself, which was a bit more challenging than a swing grip for two reasons. First, the hole seemed to be tighter, so I had to use more solvent than usual. Second, because of the construction of the forward grip (the hole isn't centered within the grip) I found myself fighting to slide the club on. If ease of swing grip installation is an 8, this was a 6. Once the grip was on, I couldn't wait to try it out. When I installed my gamer grip, it was to make my stroke less handsy. What I found was that while the grip felt great, with a conventional grip I struggled to feel the direction the back of my left (top) hand was facing. As a result, I ended up switching to left hand low and re learning how to putt. I love the dimensions of the Forward Grip, because in my first few strokes in the basement (back to the conventional grip) I could tell exactly where the putt was going to go. I can't wait to get it out on the course.
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