therod

My thinking is if I can put a cb shaft in and get a lighter feel, I can then add weight to the sole, getting it back to more of a standard sw and feel, yet get the benefits, even if they are minor, in forgiveness, launch, and spin.

Some stainless "blackener" from Caswell plating on an old set of Golfsmith Tour Cavities.

Refinished some heads years ago using a chemical from Caswell plating. Sandblasted them, blew them dry with air, dipped them 2xs, dried them with a towel, and sprayed them with WD-40. Here's what I ended up with.

I've got Pro 125s in my irons, and I put ProSoft inserts in them. Couldn't be happier.

I've got an Xcaliber Pro T6* that I really like. Had it in a Geek DCT. Just recently put an adapter on it and put it in my F7+. Haven't hit the F7+ with that shaft yet though. From personal experience, anything from Xcaliber is high quality stuff. Robin Arther is a shaft genius.

I know what counter-balancing does, just wondered if anyone had much experience with it. I recently bought a weight kit for my F7+, and put heavy weights in it. I was debating on putting a counter-balanced shaft in it since the head is heavier with the weights in it. I actually ordered a Kuro Kage hbp shaft to try, so we'll see. One way to find out!

I am just curious if anyone has played a high balance point shaft in their driver, and what difference it made if any. I am looking at options to try something different in my F7+, and since I have never played a counter balance shaft, I'm curious to try one.

Just curious since it was mentioned early on in this thread, has anyone tried the Kuro Kage hbp shaft?

Luke Donald -15

Edit: Zach Johnson -14

My last two drivers were a Fly-Z and an F7+. Naturally I'm curious about the F9 drivers...

I'd actually like to try some new balls. I haven't played the Cut, in any form. I also haven't played a snell. But would like to try some new balls come spring.

My Fly-Z is getting a little tired. Next spring might bring time to shop, maybe an F8+, maybe a 400 Max, maybe something else. Who knows. We'll see how things look next spring...

I've had several sets of forged KZG irons. And yes, they feel softer than anything else I've hit. The one downside to them is size. They aren't anything close to oversize, nor are they as forgiving as an oversized modern cavity. But they're not claiming them to be, either...

I would 2nd the XCaliber nod. Have a driver shaft, a set of fairways, and some TourX iron shafts. As good as anything out there and much less expensive. Debating on putting some lower launching shafts from him in a new set of fairway woods. Great guy too!

I've been eyeing a yes putter...this makes me want to try something like that on a yes.

My guess is (being an engineer) that most amateurs would not be able to find a difference between 239 and 257. That really is a minute difference, in the grand scheme. Most amateurs would also not be able to tell the difference between drivers years ago when Callaway had the non-conformer that they marketed. The longest-hitting ams, maybe. The average joe playing 18 only on the weekend? Not likely, in my opinion. It's been years since I was in the materials world of engineering, and did more of that in college than in the real world, but my instinct is ,most wouldn't be able to feel or see a difference.

And already over 50,000 views of Rick Shields' review on youtube...

I'm not really a hybrid guy, but the fairways look pretty sweet too. The Jetspeed 3-wood might also have to be on the bench next spring...

As I just posted above, the new Cobra F8 or F8+ drivers...

Looking at this driver, and reading the article here, makes me think about getting a new driver this spring. My current gamer is a Fly-Z, and that was the 1st oem driver I've bought in years. My back-up is an older PowerBilt AirForceOne, which is still a good stick. And long. But this new F8 more than interests me. And I think for a long time now, Cobra has been underappreciated, especially in the driver market. Yes, they won the most wanted award a few years ago. But they still aren't that big in the market. And they are always less $$$ than Taylormade, Callaway, Ping, or Titleist. Think I need to find me a demo day or go to a fitter this spring. Until then, I will just drewl...

I am still on the prowl for a 3wood. I keep looking at the TM RBZ Speeds at Dicks. I know they are "old" technology. But as I stated before, I am still gaming a KZG Q which is in the area of 7-8 years old. So anything is "new" to me. I do have a Jetspeed sitting in the garage that hasn't been given a fair chance. But that TM Speed just looks good to my eyes. And I never tried anything RBZ, so...

Years ago, at a demo day, I was hitting some drivers. I now don't even remember who the rep was working for, but we were talking more about shafts than heads. He seemed to catch on pretty quick that I was at least a little bit informed, so he became very interested in talking specific details. In the course of the conversation, he told me that the shafts that were sold in drivers over-the-counter were almost all generic blanks with whatever paint job they were supposed to mimic. The only actual experience I have was with a Callaway C4 years ago (a very good driver btw). I bought the driver to take with me on a vaca to Phoenix. First day (day 1 of 6), 2nd round, walking off the 18th tee talking to my cart partner. I was tapping the head of the driver on the ground as we walked and talked. We were still on the tee box, so I was tapping the head of the driver on grass while holding the grip end of the driver. While tapping the head, the shaft snapped just below the grip. I think (take that for what it's worth) that an aftermarket shaft would NOT have snapped like that. I took it home after the trip, drilled it out, and put the shaft in it I would gotten to begin with had it been an option. Did it break again? Nope. Did it perform differently? Yes. Not in length, but it seemed to be more consistent and accurate. That's my $.02

New fairway woods. Been eyeing the titanium tight lies. Just got a Fly-Z driver for a 40th b-day present. My current fairway woods are the KZG Qs, which are in the ballpark of 7-8 years old. And still very good. I still use my KZG Gemini2 from time to time. Also still a very high performing head.

Never mind the golf balls. How many sets of spikes does he need?