[Lamkin Sonar +Black - 2023 Forum Review]

Lets Go Guys... 

 

[Lamkin Sonar +Black - 2023 Forum Review]

Thanks everyone, this will be good. I have used Lamkin grips for several years, until the recent regrip. The TSR3 cam with a Golf pride CP2 which i like alot so this should be lots of fun.. Thanks again to all the moderators for all the hard work they do making this the best golf forum on the web... 

Reesedw (Dave)

[Lamkin Sonar +Black - 2023 Forum Review]

Introduction:

   First and Foremost I would like to thank MyGolfSpy and Lamkin Grips for this opportunity. My Name is David Reese (@Reesedw) I am from Monroe, WA, about 20 miles northeast of Seattle. I typically play between 30-50 rounds a yr, I have been Playing almost 30 yrs as a weekend player. Best round is a +6 78. I do not currently carry an official Handicap, I hover around a 16, averaging mid to upper 80's per round. I have been Very thankful and lucky to have been chosen for other testing opportunities in the past, including the Cobra Connect Challenge II. Using Arccos during the challenge, I dropped from playing at a 16 to as low as a 12, with 2 rounds under 80. I play a lot in E. Washington (where the weather is typically better, Less Rain) at Highlander Golf Course in Wenatchee with My beautiful Wife and Grandson @Blakedagolfer. Here They are standing on the 17th hole at Highlander.

My testing Plan:  

 I will I be testing using both on-course and range sessions(with Top Tracer Tech). I will be looking for How they feel, Look, Grip, Wear and Tear, and most importantly do they give me confidence to play my best golf. I believe Lamkin to be one of the top Golf grip Brands, I have used their grips previously and felt they were a product of exceptional quality. A grip is not most peoples first thought for club performance, they are the only point of contact a golfer has with the clubs. If you are not confidant in your grip, or they feel off you will not be comfortable and not play your best. 

About the Grip: 

Comfort, Feel, and Durability are big selling points for modern grips.  I have only Recently started to play with a grip that has less taper, A CP2 on my Driver, I am excited to see if that combined with enhanced feel and texture allows me to play with less tightness and release my true potential. 

Follow Along as I do my best to provide you a review that will answer the questions whether these grip meet mine and your expectations.. 

 

My Apologies:

Shortly after being selected for this review, My mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer that had metastasized to her hip. She entered Hospice care and was released to be cared for at my house. My wife was amazing and we took care of her until she passed. With that being said I apologize to all of my fellow testers, the moderators (as i have not been able to keep my end of the obligations up), to My Golf Spy, and last but Not least Lamkin as i let them down. I truly an sorry, I do hope you all understand. I was able to get in  5 rounds( 83, 85, 81, 87, and 88) and 1 range session No onto the completion of my review. 

***Photos would not load, kept saying server error, will try again.. 

 

Initial Impressions:                                        (10/10)

I was impressed with the look and feel right out of the box. These grip look amazing and felt super sticky when i took the plastic off.

 

Aesthetics:                                                                            (10/10)

They installed easily and I loved the simple black and white look. The grip pattern felt fantastic. These grips just beg to be swung. I also like that there is no real Alignment lines, the Lamkin printing and the pattern did not distract from the look. The pattern is felt but does not cause a distraction. 

Fit and Feel:                                                                            (17/20)

My initial observations were correct, these grips feel amazing. The reason I deducted points here are 1) the claim of less taper, I did not feel as though there was less taper. I am guessing that for someone to know if that was true would be to be involved in the design. I simply did not feel it was noticeable enough for that to really be a selling point. and 2) the initial tackiness wore off fairly quickly, after a couple of rounds I did not feel the same level of grip i felt upon installation. The grips still feel great just not the same. 

On-Course:                                                                                                     (18/20) 

These grips beg to be swung hard, they do give the feel I was looking for. I deducted points simply because these grips turned slick when wet. I was playing and we got a light rain that lasted 15 min. just enough to dampen the grass, not anything major. The grips got slick, I grabbed my towel and wiped them off and that was it. Once i got to the green i laid my wedge on the green and putted out. next hole i pulled the wedge and noticed the grip was slick, again wiped it off and moved on.. 

 

The Good, Bad, and In-between:                                                         (17/20)

As I have said these grips beg to be swung, as someone who is not long off the tee I was able to drive 2 greens in the 280yd range and have 2 drives right at 300 yd ( normally a great drive is around 280) I felt very comfortable swinging with these grips. They feel great when dry, sweat and rain make these grip slick. After playing in a light rain I played in hot humid weather and sweat made the grips slick and extra time to get them dried off enough to swing without the thought of losing the club. I have noticed more tension in my lower (Right hand) forearm, I am guessing this is do to more taper then I had with extra wraps under the lower end.. 

 

Play it or trade it:                                                                                                                  (18/20)

I really do like these grips I have really enjoyed the feel and playability of them. I would recommend these grips to anyone who doesn't play in the wet very much. To Me, the tackiness i felt when installing along with the pattern I thought these would be grips that would play well in all conditions, wet is where these grip leave a little bit to be desired. I will play these grips knowing how well they preform in dry conditions but be cautious when it rain. 

 

My final thoughts:                                                                                                                    (90/100)

Lamkin  makes great golf grips, the Sonar Black's Are no exception. I give these grips a 90/100 based solely on y experience in rain, with sweaty hands, and the fact i do not feel they have less taper than standard grips, or at least not noticeably. If you are looking for a grip that installs a feeling of going for it by all means give these grips a try, just know with moisture around (sweat or Rain) they will get slick. I hope this helps you in your decision when it comes to trying or purchasing these grips.. Thank you and Again I truly am sorry about the delay..

 

 

[How'd you play?]

So I filled in and Played a League Round for my Grandsons team at a local 9 hole course. It is 2 man scramble format. It is more of a fun semi competitive league, a lot of beer drinking.. LOL  anyhow we as a team struggle on 1st tee we warmed up and waited on the 1st tee almost 30 min. So we double the first hole, I know.. 2nd hole we bogey.. tough start.. then we reel off 4 straight Pars, ON 7 I uncork a monster drive and am 10" off the green on the drive, end up with birdie, and go Par, Bogey to finish 3 over 10 strokes clear of the other team.. had a great time grandson just played golf instead of trying to beat me, we tried to play as a team.. the kid hits it way higher and way farther then I do. and I can still send it.. 

 

Thanks

Dave

[Edel SMS and SMS Pro Irons - 2023 Forum Review]

Congrats guys, I will definitely be interested in this test.. 

[2023 Masters Pool Sponsored by Vokey Wedges]

Cut Line will be +2 

Tiger's score will -1 

[How'd you play?]

14 hours ago, Kenny B said:

Supposed to be 78º on Saturday!!

Holy crap @Kenny B, I woke up this morning on the WET side of the state to frozen snow in the ground.. I cannot wait for weather in the 70's.. let alone the Upper 70's.. Yes, Please.. 

[How'd you play?]

Got in a quick 9 with the Grandson yesterday afternoon. when I say quick we finished 9 in 1.5 hours. and we were not rushing. heck he played a 2nd ball on a couple of holes just to work on his Irons.. Weather was Insane, we played Twin Rivers in Fall City, WA at the base of the Snoqualmie Valley. So it was chilly, to start light breeze just enough to make you cold.. Grandson stuck a 9 iron to less than 3 feet on a 149 yd Par 3 and drained the putt, his first birdie on a par 3.. we both struggled with our short game. Our driving was great, I hit a drive that went 240ish and Plugged, He drove it 30+ yds past me . His did not plug so he got a little roll.. but got stuck behind a tree.. it was a great day, Until 17, it started getting windy (super cold as the wind was coming from the mountains) and heavy drizzle.. and on the 18th tee It started raining.. as we get to our balls for 2nd shot it opens up and dumps.. luckily we were on 18 but we froze our butts off the last 2 holes.. I have to say now that I have a few rounds on the Titleist TSR3 I'm loving it. worse thing is a slight fade occasionally.. but if I can plug a drive 240 I'm going to be golden when things warm up and dry out.. 

[How'd you play?]

I played Sat morning, with SWMBO at Highlander Golf Course in Wenatchee, WA. I had moments I was very happy with, and others not so much.. Windy but fairly nice, low 50's but the sun was out. The Greens are still not perfect, but rolled nicely. I on the other hand could not read a break to save my butt. must have 3 putted 4-5 times.. a couple of chucked chips and 2 lost balls added up to a nice easy 96.. not thrilled but had a lot to be happy with.. SWMBO on the other hand had 3 pars on the front 1 on the back, and shot a very nicely played 103. mind you she has only broken 100 1 time. Her Best round at this course is 102.. She wants to play better but her priority is being out side getting exercise and having fun.. So all in all it was a great day.. 

[How'd you play?]

Well I played yesterday with My Grandson @Blakedagolfer, It was cool and Damp here in Western Wa.. Started out Terrible. Tee shot on 1 was topped and went 30ft. Screw it I reloaded on the tee and blasted one into the brush on the right, Lost ball.. I finished hole 1 with a nice easy 9.. OMG it's gonna be a long day.. lol.. Parred 2 and 3, damned near drove the green on 3.. Had some struggles, but put together 4-5 pars.. Shot a nice easy 100.. knee started getting uncomfortable, on about 12.. Not bad for just over a month out from Knee surgery. 12 is about where it started raining. so now it is cold and wet.. All in all a good day with the grandson. but not how I wanted to play.. I just could not shift the weight to the left knee, YET. it will; come hopefully soon so I can trust the knee will hold up.. 

[The most memorable round of golf you ever played]

I have two that stick out, the first I played in a golf league when I worked at Boeing. Every year we would go away for our Championship tournament. I was playing well enough to be seeded into the 1st division (lower Handicap Flight). For the Tourney we played 2 different courses, we all throw $20 bucks into the pot for Long drive, KP's, Low Net, and Skins. and those are played by the 2 divisions. So after Day 1 I am sitting in 2nd place, Mind you I am a 15 and some change handicap, but low enough to be in the 1st division. We are Playing Suncadia in Cle Elum, Washington, nice resort course. Day 2 we play based on place like the pro, 1st group out is 2nd division lowest 4 players, 2nd is 1st division lowest 4 players ect. So I am in the last of 5 groups with 3 of us. the 3 of us are within 2 stokes and 6-7 clear of the next guy. I am playing well and keeping tabs on where I stand in our group, still 2nd after 9. On 10 the leader loses his ball trying to dive the green, instead of going back a re-teeing, he picks up , WTF.. that ends his tournament. It comes down to myself and our league Secretary.  In the end I win the tournament, and $220 buck in games. My buddy who I rode with was trashed in the clubhouse when i got done, so I had to drive his drunk Butt home after He made me buy drinks.. lol

2nd one Myself and Swmbo, go with another couple (Buddy from story 1 and his GF)on a golf weekend every year. we both play about the same, he'll win by a stroke or two I'll beat him by a stroke or two. So we plan it so it warm and we try to get in two rounds 1 with girls on 1 day and 1 with just us as the girls go shopping, etc.. Day 1 we are playing a nice resort course in Eastern Washington I crap the bed, after an opening round par I end up shooting a 117. I could not have hit water if I had fallen out of a boat. we have a great weekend.. Fast forward 1 month, and family vacation All the guys go play golf to the same course. I end up playing the front in -2, and shoot a 78 total.. best round of my life.. how can i shoot a 117 and turn around and shoot 78 a month later? Gotta love Golf.. 

[Which tee box to use - Bravado or Smart?]

Both scenarios are flawed IMO... Here is why, 1) how many players don't carry a handicap? or are willing to admit what their scores are. 2) IF I played from the "recommended tees" in the 1st Scenario @EasyPutter's Post I would be playing from the Gold Tees as I have not been Scoring well, but it would put me into a situation that I am not playing to my abilities, i.e. to short based on my length . In @RickyBobby_PR's post I would be playing possibly to far back, I do not currently carry an official handicap but do know where I am or are pretty close which based might put me into a situation where its just too long for my length.. and 3) We all know "that Guy" the one who will never admit they are not skilled enough or their abilities have slipped to a point where they should be playing up 1 or maybe 2 tees.. i.e. EGO.. 

In the last scenario perfect example is my FIL.. great guy (makes me golf and drink beer) Has Always Played decent golf (mid to low 90's). So he has always played the White (middle tees, not counting Champ-Black tees) well the last few of years his game has sharply fallen off, mind you he is 85 and since has only played 1-2 round the last couple years.. A long drive for him would be in the 180 yds range, which at a course we play frequently make it hard for him to clear some forced carries. Both SWMBO and I have tried to get him to move up and play off the Front Tees with her to make EVERYTHING playable.. Nope not having it " I'll be fine". So we let him play where he wants to.. 

I think there should be some ability evaluation For ANYONE, who wants to play from further back than the middle/ Second Tee box. This way if your willing to take the time to show you can or should be playing from other tees Than by all mean knock yourself out.. but if your not than you are stuck with playing front 2 tees. the Courses can allow people with a Ghin card access to other tees based on Handicap, OR if you belong to a club, your club can sign off you to play back for other coueses if warranted. but then we will end up with people playing a 9 hole course and getting Signed off to play the Back tees that have no reason to be back there except They think there cool.. 

Just my .02$.. Thanks 

[Whats your best joke?]

@cksurfdude, I like this one.. LOL

 

 

[Injury Thread]

2 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

Glad to hear the repairs and recovery went well.  Careful about thinking that aberration at the range will become your new normal.  The golfing gods have a wicked sense of humor .

Very true, I know how Fast the golf gods can slap you back to reality.. Thanks

[Injury Thread]

So back in Oct. i tweaked my left knee jumping out of the back of my Truck. Long story short torn meniscus. was supposed to get surgery mid to end of Dec. well Insurance would not approve it until 12/23. I am pretty sure they drug their feet until I would roll over to the next yrs deductible. But anyways, had surgery on 1/10. One of the tears had a piece floating inside, so the Dr. cleaned up both trears, Cleaned up the cartilage under my Femur, and removed so old scar tissue. All went well, LAst Monday had my post-op follow up and was giving the all clear to resume normal activites, just 2 weeks after surgery.. He did recommend the driving range and to let my knee dictate how much I can do.. So I told the Grandson @Blakedagolfer that we would goto the range as soon as I could.. Time to test out the knee and get in some time with my New TSR3.. the weather was beutiful clear day with a temp of right at 28*, great hahahah.. first few hit with wedge were not pretty, as I was favoring the knee not sure what to expect. Then I just stepped in and hit one without thinking, and WOW the knee felt good.. after that it was game on, LOL. once i worked my way to the driver, I was nervous. the only time I have hit it since getting it was on a bad knee.. I only hit maybe half a bucket ( not wanting to push it) Total. and about 8-10 were with driver. I wish i had picture of the face because all the strikes were center face and only 1 of those would not have hit the dead center with at least a portion of the mark.. it was just slightly high and towards the toe. and OMG that ball just launched, long high and with a slight fade. I could not be happier, considering it was freezing cold and just 2 weeks out of surgery.. Bring on Summer.. 

[Cooking]

Alright, Friday I went Hunting.. we ended up with 4 quail. So Sat I made Quail breast in the air Fryer..

I rubbed then with olive oil, then seasoned with Salt, Pepper, Onion powder and Garlic Powder. then Air fried on the "Chicken" setting for 15 min.. 

Better than I could have imagined, and throw in Mashed potatoes, and Stuffing.. Me and Father in Law enjoyed ourselves.. 

[Kenny B's Hitting Bay]

@Kenny B, that looks amazing.. I'm sure Martha (i think that's right) will enjoy her new bathroom as much as you your man-cave..... Oh wait she golf's also.. I'm sure she'll love her new She-Shed as much as Her new bathroom.. hahaha.. 

Everything looks great, congrats.. 

[Does it frustrate you?]

Heres a Novel idea, What about a card that you scan at the tee box on each hole.. Like a keycard and reader, each group has 1 card, if anyone group gets to far behind course marshal addresses it.. Not to come off like the speed police, but it would allow slow play to be addressed. If one group starts lagging behind and has not let the group behind play through it'll show up when each punch in at the next hole.. Granted people will be pissed but at least the course will be able to keep it's core players happy with sub 5.5 hour rounds.. Just a thought.. 

[Parenting and Stories]

On 10/30/2022 at 2:12 AM, GolfSpy_APH said:

We found this out a month or so ago our community has a tradition of planting a new tree for each baby that is born within the community. It is done as a little event and as a group you plant one tree together and then go to your spot where your child's tree is and plant theirs with a couple helpers. 

There is a education session about wildlife in the area and why they do it for about 10 minutes as well. 

Anyway this year there was 14 trees to be planted! A lot of the families we already knew, however a bunch we had never seen before. Our town is only 1000 or so ppl.

So Ivan now has his own apple tree with his name and birthdate tagged on it, planted in a great area where we walk by nearly every day! 

Also a little fyi the stake had to pounded in and was a lot more work then anticipated haha

 

That is amazing.. Love it.. 

My daughter just turned 15 holy crap I'm old.. When she was about 5 my grandson was 6. they were watching Bambi.. at the end when "the shooting" occurs, my grandson calmly asks "who shot Bambi?" my daughter without missing a beat says "it was probably my dad and John that's what they do." and they watched the rest of the movie like normal.. for clarification I am an avid Deer hunter and John is my hunting partner, we both have Deer on the wall, along with antlers.. just they way they interacted was so damn funny.. 

Like everyone else has said Enjoy every minute and every moment Good, and bad they all will pass WAY to fast.. Godspeed my friend.. 

[Titleist TSR Offiical Launch-MGS First Look]

21 hours ago, Golfspy_TCB said:

Looks like you are set in A1 position on the hosel... if you continue to get the right fade, you might try moving to A2 position (a little more upright which will help square the face), also not sure where you have the slider weight set in the back, but you can also move it into the H1 or H2 position to help the face release through impact.  That is the beauty of the "3" a couple different adjustments you can easily make with the wrench.  Just some thoughts for you as you get more used to the driver.  It really is beautiful!!  Golf Clubs and Guitars are like artwork to me  

I did play with the adjustments a little, but figured I would wait to make changes until I get a little more time with it.. It is beautiful.. LOL

[Titleist TSR Offiical Launch-MGS First Look]

I got out yesterday and hit a bucket of balls with it.. Got a nice little mark on the top edge near the Toe.. WTH... lol With 80% balls I was consistently carrying 200-210.. which puts me in the 240ish range.. rolling out to 260+.. The was a typical Seattle Fall day.. cool 52* with range balls.. so I'll take that all day... my SLIGHT fade seems to be a little more exaggerated.. fading now about 15yds.. from the normal 0-5.. might just be take a little getting used to, also I know i was holding back a little staying off my left knee which I tweaked which I know contributed to the Toey strike location.. .. so All in All VERY happy.. Based on the previous numbers and the numbers with current driver I gained 12yds, of carry and appeared to be more consistent with that distance.. Mind you it is a little more than 1 bucket of balls.. but Loving the driver.. 

[Titleist TSR Offiical Launch-MGS First Look]

I recieved my TSR3 Tuseday evening and was able to get some pictures last night.. I could not be happier with the driver, Mind you I have not hit it and played with adjustments but it is Beautiful.. Take a look... I will post my thoughts later in an Unofficial test post after getting it out to at least the range.. I hope you enjoy.. Dave

 

[Titleist TSR Offiical Launch-MGS First Look]

On 10/21/2022 at 8:16 PM, chisag said:

 

... Thanks, I am soooooo tempted to pick up a TSR3 10* and put in my AD-IZ S/R flex shaft. But I am hitting my Sim2 Max better than any driver I can remember. Sold my Stealth and selling my LTDx but the siren song of the TSR3 keeps calling me. 

The Cobra F8+ was the best driver I have ever played, then again I am not a club ho.. LOL.. When I am playing regularly I can still get fairly consistantly 240-250 with the occasional 270+. When i played last time (3 weeks ago, due to Hunting), I 3 drives in the 270- 280 range (total distance carrying 250ish.. So when i went for the fitting I was a little flustered that the TopTracer was only showing 200 carry.. but the ball flight with the TSR3 was beautiful, Straight and High carrying over the 200yd sign easily.. my strike pattern was slightly toe side (half a ball toward the toe), with all strikes in a verticle line with the highest one just slightly above center.. The fitter reiterated when I expected that it was my swing for the day, as the strike pattern on my own driver was slightly toe side ( not quite as much).. @chisag, if nothing else Try it.. I loved everything about it immediately.. 

[Titleist TSR Offiical Launch-MGS First Look]

After winning the Presidents Cup give away. I went to A fitting for the TSR line of drivers. My current Driver Cobra F8+ Hzrdus Red shaft went with me.. I was at the Puetz Golf in North Seattle (they have a driving Range).  I explained why I was there (I wanted them to tell me which club would be best not me tell them what I thought I needed) and I was set-up in a bay and given some balls (Titleist Range balls) to warm up with. It is a TopTracer Range. SO I hit a few balls with current driver and the TopTracer was off, I know faily close my distance's.. On the range they have a sign at 200yds (used range finder to check) and I was consistently flying over it.. It was showing carry of 198-203 total distance of 212-216 as my balls were clearing the Sign on the fly.. That is when Beckett (who helped) me also said I would lose about 5yds from the Range balls and are losing about 10 from TopTraceras we can see it flying over the 200 yd sign.. 1st off I hit the TSR2 with a Hzrdus Blk stiff shaft 60g, felt good but ball was Ballooning and I was losing about 10 yds. with the same ball speed (134ish avg) as with MY club. Then I grabbed the TSR3 with same shaft. 1st ball was "carrying" 210 with a total yds of 228, Strike was a little toward the toe... hit a few more, club felt great, then the wind picked up a little cutting across the range left to right.. after about 5 more balls all carrying 210-215 with total yds from 228-235. He told me to hold on he had another shaft to try based on what he was seeing from my swing and my ball flight.. So I try the Hzrdus Red CB 50g to try to get more carry and speed. I hit 3 balls all carrying right at 213 total yds in the 224 range, BUT all 3 shots were 20yds to the right. He then grabbed Tensie 1k Black and still was not getting the carry as i was with the Hzrdus Blk.. so we swapped the Hzrdus Blk back in and lofted up the club to try to gain more carry, in the 205-212 range but all were to the right.. he then adjusted the club and had me hit a few more. Boom right off the bat 220 carry dead straight total yds at 238.. next 3 shots were 225 carry 242 total, 224 carry 238 total, and 227 carry 245 total.. I then grabbed My cobra driver hit 3 with it and best I could do was 221 carry and 234 total.. It was shocking to see the difference. All in all I gained 4-6 mph ballspeed (140ish avg) (with Range balls) approx. 10-12yd carry.. at the end I asked him if there is anything different he might try, his reply was "honestly I think the only thing I would do is tweak the club head AFTER You have gotten used to it and know what it will do with my swing and speed. I do not think there is a better combination for you right now.."  SO that is what I went with  TSR3 9* Head, Hzrdus Blk 4G 60g Stiff shaft, with CP2 Pro grip.. Hope this help others looking at these clubs.. 

[Car Of Your Youth]

On 10/14/2022 at 4:01 PM, TheOther1 said:

I bought this 1975 Mustang II Mach I from the cash I earned working as a dishwasher/busboy, just after getting my license.  By the end of that year, I had to go to traffic school and my parents insurance company dropped me from the policy.  It was just so fun to go fast!  I also dumped a lot of money into that 302, Edelbrock manifold, Holley carb, 5 angle valve grind, custom cam, custom built C4 transmission and torque converter, high volume oil pump, deep sump oil pan, hooker headers, 2.5" straight exhaust, etc.   I did all of the work myself except for the valve grind and the transmission.    Even as an adult, I ended up spending a lot of money on Pirelli tires for that thing.  I had that car until 2000, though not aa a daily driver.

Later on, at about 17, I had a 2 wheel version of a death machine, a 1982 Yamaha Seca Turbo 2.  That 650 would outrun 750's all day long.  And, of course, any Harley.    I still have the scars from that bike, we tried really hard to kill each other.  

I loved both of these vehicles!!

Love the Mustang, I had 2 both coupes. my second one had a 302 that I built up to 350-375 hp.. Way to Fun... would run as low as 14.1 in 1/4 mile.. and Top out around, Hell I have no idea as the speedo stopped at 120.. lol