- Name is Chuck Zirkle, currently living in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina (across the river from Charleston) but my roots are still in Strawberry Plains, TN and my blood runs big orange. I went to school at UT for a short period of time in 1964-1965 before joining the Air Force and did my duty until 1971. My first job after being medically discharged was working for a sporting goods store in Knoxville, TN. Having left the fun job went in to management and became a district manager for numerous companies and covered up to five states. In 1990 I went to work for the state of South Carolina as a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist and worked with veterans for 21 years until retirement in 2011. During my state employment, member of employees professional organizational; State President (2)(Member SC Chapter Hall of Fame), District Representative (NC/SC), International Vice President and President Elect. My wife, Connye, who is a retired Guidance Counselor, have been married for 44 years on November 12th and will be heading to St Croix, St Kitts, St Maarten, Antigua, and Barbados for our anniversary. We love to travel, collect art, Broadway shows and our miniature dachshund Katie.
- I started playing golf in 1984 when we moved to Mt Pleasant. With all the opportunities to play and it be such a great golf destination I joined Patriots Point GC. Golf is a passion for me and I get involved in any way I can. In 1991, the Ryder Cup came to our area I experienced volunteerism and have been doing it for the PGA, SR PBA, LPGA, Nationwide, US Amateurs, in various capacities. Even worked as a starter and ranger at the local municipal golf course where I now play (Won the employee match play tournament) and was President of the Jenkins Links Golf Association, the muni handicap club. I have done testing for major golf companies and have been employed since 2016 as the Territorial Support Representative to the FJ Sales Representative for the Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Hilton Head/Savannah areas. My responsibilities include doing shoe fittings at pro/ams and member/member, member/guest events in our areas, as well as passing out swag. We work side by side with the guys from Titleist and sometimes assist customers with balls and wedges.
- I play golf for the love of the game. I seem to be the only sport that really challenges me and always finds a way to beat me, but rewards me and keeps bringing Chuck back. I played softball until my mid forties and my body just said, "it is time to hand up the glove." I play in a men's senior golf league on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and try to stay involved in the local amateur invitational senior tournaments. I have been trying to play three to four tournaments a year. My current GHIN handicap is 15.7 from the senior tees. Hey, after all, I will be 75 on September 10. My lowest round in all these years was a 69 and I have had 4 holes in one. I am a FootJoy Ambassador as well as a member of Team Titleist and attend any TT events that come up that I feel my health will allow me to play in and will be joining them September 12th at Pinehurst.
- In my bag: All Titleist equipment. Driver (TSi3 10.75), Fairway (TSi2 16.5), Hybrids (816 18.0 and 818 21.0), irons (T300 5-53W), wedge (Vokey SM7 58.12D). Why? Have tried most all the major brands and Titleist fits my game best including the Scotty Cameron putters. I used a number of his Newport styles before finally settling on a 2017 Newport 2 Select Chrome Notchback. The balance, the feel and the roll I can get on my Prov1 is awesome. That was the last year that model was made. When purchasing new equipment I always see a Titleist certified fitter in my area.
- My stance and grip are somewhat old school. Learned from someone who could putt the eyes out. I use the same grip I use to hit my other clubs and stand a bit over the ball. The grip I prefer is the GolfPride 104cc Pistol and just feels natural. Was taught to hit it to the hole and has worked for me. Not really dying nor past the hole. Kinda like if you hit it in the hole it goes in. Kind of a tick tock tempo and letting the putter head do all the work. My confidence level is high at most all distances. When I warm up before each round I start from 30-40 feet to get that tempo or feel, sometimes farther, depending on the speed of the greens. Really gives me that confidence I need for the day. If I can get it the one foot circle image I have in my mind, I am good to go. If I do miss, it is most likely on the high side because I read a break that was not there.
- The model that I have chosen, ER2v MidBlade – a three tiered wider heel and toe weighted blade, for this test is very close to the SC model that I have and have a lot of confidence in. May be a little wider and the bottom, but the specifications are very close. The main difference is that I have chosen a short plumbing neck which I have had in the past of precious SC putters. I am a big fan of Fujikura shafts and have them in all the heads of my metals and that is what drew me to sign up for this event. I think this will be a very interesting test and I feel with my experience in testing of products and knowledge of the game I will be able to offer some great insight. I have never played a EVNRoll putter and am truly excited and honored about being chosen to test this product.
- The pictures represent the two things that come first in my life. Family and golf. You can't have one without the other, and my wife supports me playing, volunteering and our love for travel.
FINAL REPORT:
Looks (8/10 pts)
I am not one who considers appearance when looking for a putter. I am more about feel and performance. No disrespect to the putter but it looks nice, nothing outstanding that would not catch my attention, when on a rack in a golf shop. First impression, love the shaft. I chose the EVR2 with a plumbing short neck Squareback with a 104cc grip. Instead I was sent a 140cc grip. The colors come together well. The grip has a good feel even though it is a bit oversized for me, the tack is awesome. I have shown this to other golfers I play with and most like the looks of it. The EVNRoll is on the right.
Sound & Feel (8/10 pts)
When I first took the putter to the putting green it I hated the sound and feel. It is a heavy putter and had a clunk sound. It took a while to get used to mis-hits due to the milled area not being from heal to toe as I am used to in my Scotty Camerons. Any hits outside the milled area can result in negative results and a noticeable sound. After practice and playing, I adjusted to the weight of the head, things improved. Mis-hits are noticeably pronounced. In the beginning it did affect the mental side of my game requiring me to think more about correctly striking the ball with the putter's small milled area. I like to react, not to think. Eventually everything fell into place. Our greens have been slow lately and this putter performs well on slow greens.
Basic Characteristics (19/20 pts)
I, too, spent less time on the putting greens prior to actual play. Living on the coast of S Carolina, we are in our tropical storm season (rain, rain, please go away) and being on vacation for two weeks, I had to get my time in testing when I could. I got seven rounds in with the putter and felt lucky to do so. But the little time I spent on the greens helped me prepare for playing with the putter. When struck correctly, I found it to be accurate and to have very good distance control. I feel that the Fujikura MC shaft definitely aided to the stability of the stroke in keeping on line. Did I find it forgiving? Yes, if struck in the milled area. I am a muni player (Seth Raynor style greens) who is not afraid to play the "Texas wedge" when necessary, so I used my EVNRoll from all areas, which included the fringe, rough and found it to work very well with positive results. I play on greens that are severely sloped and up hill it is a gem but down hill, with it's weight, the results are not positive. On flat greens with moderate breaks it works like a champ. As stated before, I recommend this putter for slower greens.
On-Course Performance (27/30pts)
When taking this evaluation into consideration I have to take my previous performance versus my performance with the EVNRoll. When I stood over my SC putter I always felt I could make a putt. Can I say that about the EVNRoll. No. One area that I was pleased with was from distances with the EVR2. With the weight of the head I could get the ball close to the hole making short tap ins, on slower greens. Did this lower my scores? No. Did it decrease my number of putts? During the first five rounds I averaged 2.0 putts per green, which is a high number for me, but during the last two rounds the average dropped to 1.7 per green, which is still higher than normal. NO. My normal with my SC putter is around 1.5. I really like the set up of the putter with the Squareback and truly wish that the MC shaft could have been connected to the head instead of thru the plumbing neck and screwed into the head. Am not a fan of plumbing neck shafts (use to play plumbing neck SC putters but sold all of them due to dislike of their performance) but love the Squareback which is very similar to my two notchback SC putters which are much lighter in weight. Was not familiar or heard of this brand until this test. Feel is it a worthy product.
Miscellaneous (7/10pts)
Upon receipt of the product was very disappointed because the putter was thrown in a shipping box with no packing and the box was dented and left on my door step. Fortunately it was not damaged. he order came in a reasonable time frame, but the grip I ordered was wrong. I asked for a 104cc grip and was shipped a 140cc grip. The grip is great looking and has a great feel but had to change my entire feel and tempo to test this product. Most who have seen me play with this putter admire it, like the looks and ask what brand it is. Most not familiar the brand. Love the headcover, well designed.
Play it or Trade it? (20/20 pts)
I currently have two SC Newport 2 Select Notchback putters. They are set up for faster greens and I need one for greens that run slower and think is one I will hang on to. With it's weight it will have a place and time, but will have to get the grip changed. PLAY IT.
Conclusion
I have enjoyed participating in this test. Weather has not been my friend but was able to get some time in with the product and some results. I was impressed with the Fujikura MC shaft, which I am a huge fan of their products. EVNRoll is a new name to me but think they have a product they will benefit a lot of golfers. I am one who is all about feel, alignment and tempo. In choosing the EVR2, it's heavier weight was an big adjustment for me. I feel, based on this test that this product could be a great asset for those who play public/muni courses whose greens on the slower side (8-9). Test it and consider putting it in you bag. Putters are a personal and individual choice.
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Final Reviews: Fujikura MC Shaft & Evnroll V Series Putter
Posted
- Name is Chuck Zirkle, currently living in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina (across the river from Charleston) but my roots are still in Strawberry Plains, TN and my blood runs big orange. I went to school at UT for a short period of time in 1964-1965 before joining the Air Force and did my duty until 1971. My first job after being medically discharged was working for a sporting goods store in Knoxville, TN. Having left the fun job went in to management and became a district manager for numerous companies and covered up to five states. In 1990 I went to work for the state of South Carolina as a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist and worked with veterans for 21 years until retirement in 2011. During my state employment, member of employees professional organizational; State President (2)(Member SC Chapter Hall of Fame), District Representative (NC/SC), International Vice President and President Elect. My wife, Connye, who is a retired Guidance Counselor, have been married for 44 years on November 12th and will be heading to St Croix, St Kitts, St Maarten, Antigua, and Barbados for our anniversary. We love to travel, collect art, Broadway shows and our miniature dachshund Katie.
- I started playing golf in 1984 when we moved to Mt Pleasant. With all the opportunities to play and it be such a great golf destination I joined Patriots Point GC. Golf is a passion for me and I get involved in any way I can. In 1991, the Ryder Cup came to our area I experienced volunteerism and have been doing it for the PGA, SR PBA, LPGA, Nationwide, US Amateurs, in various capacities. Even worked as a starter and ranger at the local municipal golf course where I now play (Won the employee match play tournament) and was President of the Jenkins Links Golf Association, the muni handicap club. I have done testing for major golf companies and have been employed since 2016 as the Territorial Support Representative to the FJ Sales Representative for the Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Hilton Head/Savannah areas. My responsibilities include doing shoe fittings at pro/ams and member/member, member/guest events in our areas, as well as passing out swag. We work side by side with the guys from Titleist and sometimes assist customers with balls and wedges.
- I play golf for the love of the game. I seem to be the only sport that really challenges me and always finds a way to beat me, but rewards me and keeps bringing Chuck back. I played softball until my mid forties and my body just said, "it is time to hand up the glove." I play in a men's senior golf league on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and try to stay involved in the local amateur invitational senior tournaments. I have been trying to play three to four tournaments a year. My current GHIN handicap is 15.7 from the senior tees. Hey, after all, I will be 75 on September 10. My lowest round in all these years was a 69 and I have had 4 holes in one. I am a FootJoy Ambassador as well as a member of Team Titleist and attend any TT events that come up that I feel my health will allow me to play in and will be joining them September 12th at Pinehurst.
- In my bag: All Titleist equipment. Driver (TSi3 10.75), Fairway (TSi2 16.5), Hybrids (816 18.0 and 818 21.0), irons (T300 5-53W), wedge (Vokey SM7 58.12D). Why? Have tried most all the major brands and Titleist fits my game best including the Scotty Cameron putters. I used a number of his Newport styles before finally settling on a 2017 Newport 2 Select Chrome Notchback. The balance, the feel and the roll I can get on my Prov1 is awesome. That was the last year that model was made. When purchasing new equipment I always see a Titleist certified fitter in my area.
- My stance and grip are somewhat old school. Learned from someone who could putt the eyes out. I use the same grip I use to hit my other clubs and stand a bit over the ball. The grip I prefer is the GolfPride 104cc Pistol and just feels natural. Was taught to hit it to the hole and has worked for me. Not really dying nor past the hole. Kinda like if you hit it in the hole it goes in. Kind of a tick tock tempo and letting the putter head do all the work. My confidence level is high at most all distances. When I warm up before each round I start from 30-40 feet to get that tempo or feel, sometimes farther, depending on the speed of the greens. Really gives me that confidence I need for the day. If I can get it the one foot circle image I have in my mind, I am good to go. If I do miss, it is most likely on the high side because I read a break that was not there.
- The model that I have chosen, ER2v MidBlade – a three tiered wider heel and toe weighted blade, for this test is very close to the SC model that I have and have a lot of confidence in. May be a little wider and the bottom, but the specifications are very close. The main difference is that I have chosen a short plumbing neck which I have had in the past of precious SC putters. I am a big fan of Fujikura shafts and have them in all the heads of my metals and that is what drew me to sign up for this event. I think this will be a very interesting test and I feel with my experience in testing of products and knowledge of the game I will be able to offer some great insight. I have never played a EVNRoll putter and am truly excited and honored about being chosen to test this product.
- The pictures represent the two things that come first in my life. Family and golf. You can't have one without the other, and my wife supports me playing, volunteering and our love for travel.
FINAL REPORT:
Looks (8/10 pts)
I am not one who considers appearance when looking for a putter. I am more about feel and performance. No disrespect to the putter but it looks nice, nothing outstanding that would not catch my attention, when on a rack in a golf shop. First impression, love the shaft. I chose the EVR2 with a plumbing short neck Squareback with a 104cc grip. Instead I was sent a 140cc grip. The colors come together well. The grip has a good feel even though it is a bit oversized for me, the tack is awesome. I have shown this to other golfers I play with and most like the looks of it. The EVNRoll is on the right.
Sound & Feel (8/10 pts)
When I first took the putter to the putting green it I hated the sound and feel. It is a heavy putter and had a clunk sound. It took a while to get used to mis-hits due to the milled area not being from heal to toe as I am used to in my Scotty Camerons. Any hits outside the milled area can result in negative results and a noticeable sound. After practice and playing, I adjusted to the weight of the head, things improved. Mis-hits are noticeably pronounced. In the beginning it did affect the mental side of my game requiring me to think more about correctly striking the ball with the putter's small milled area. I like to react, not to think. Eventually everything fell into place. Our greens have been slow lately and this putter performs well on slow greens.
Basic Characteristics (19/20 pts)
I, too, spent less time on the putting greens prior to actual play. Living on the coast of S Carolina, we are in our tropical storm season (rain, rain, please go away) and being on vacation for two weeks, I had to get my time in testing when I could. I got seven rounds in with the putter and felt lucky to do so. But the little time I spent on the greens helped me prepare for playing with the putter. When struck correctly, I found it to be accurate and to have very good distance control. I feel that the Fujikura MC shaft definitely aided to the stability of the stroke in keeping on line. Did I find it forgiving? Yes, if struck in the milled area. I am a muni player (Seth Raynor style greens) who is not afraid to play the "Texas wedge" when necessary, so I used my EVNRoll from all areas, which included the fringe, rough and found it to work very well with positive results. I play on greens that are severely sloped and up hill it is a gem but down hill, with it's weight, the results are not positive. On flat greens with moderate breaks it works like a champ. As stated before, I recommend this putter for slower greens.
On-Course Performance (27/30pts)
When taking this evaluation into consideration I have to take my previous performance versus my performance with the EVNRoll. When I stood over my SC putter I always felt I could make a putt. Can I say that about the EVNRoll. No. One area that I was pleased with was from distances with the EVR2. With the weight of the head I could get the ball close to the hole making short tap ins, on slower greens. Did this lower my scores? No. Did it decrease my number of putts? During the first five rounds I averaged 2.0 putts per green, which is a high number for me, but during the last two rounds the average dropped to 1.7 per green, which is still higher than normal. NO. My normal with my SC putter is around 1.5. I really like the set up of the putter with the Squareback and truly wish that the MC shaft could have been connected to the head instead of thru the plumbing neck and screwed into the head. Am not a fan of plumbing neck shafts (use to play plumbing neck SC putters but sold all of them due to dislike of their performance) but love the Squareback which is very similar to my two notchback SC putters which are much lighter in weight. Was not familiar or heard of this brand until this test. Feel is it a worthy product.
Miscellaneous (7/10pts)
Upon receipt of the product was very disappointed because the putter was thrown in a shipping box with no packing and the box was dented and left on my door step. Fortunately it was not damaged. he order came in a reasonable time frame, but the grip I ordered was wrong. I asked for a 104cc grip and was shipped a 140cc grip. The grip is great looking and has a great feel but had to change my entire feel and tempo to test this product. Most who have seen me play with this putter admire it, like the looks and ask what brand it is. Most not familiar the brand. Love the headcover, well designed.
Play it or Trade it? (20/20 pts)
I currently have two SC Newport 2 Select Notchback putters. They are set up for faster greens and I need one for greens that run slower and think is one I will hang on to. With it's weight it will have a place and time, but will have to get the grip changed. PLAY IT.
Conclusion
I have enjoyed participating in this test. Weather has not been my friend but was able to get some time in with the product and some results. I was impressed with the Fujikura MC shaft, which I am a huge fan of their products. EVNRoll is a new name to me but think they have a product they will benefit a lot of golfers. I am one who is all about feel, alignment and tempo. In choosing the EVR2, it's heavier weight was an big adjustment for me. I feel, based on this test that this product could be a great asset for those who play public/muni courses whose greens on the slower side (8-9). Test it and consider putting it in you bag. Putters are a personal and individual choice.
Final Score: 89/100
Best regards.
Chuck Zirkle