Alf. S

Nope they have velcro.

Headcovers arrived this morning

Date 06/08/2023 Course Name Bathgate GC Gross Score 77 Course Handicap 9 Gross Strokes over/under par 6 Net Score to Par -3 Net Score 68 Net Birdies or better 6 Longest Drive 281

The Review - June 2023 Craftsman Headcovers – Official MGS Forum Review by Alf. S Intro Iron covers seem to divide the golfing community, there are lovers and haters. I’m not sure many of the haters will get past my intro but here goes. I’m a 62-year-old retiree based out of the central belt in Scotland between Glasgow and Edinburgh conveniently placed for golf, with St Andrews, East Lothian (Muirfield), South Ayrshire (Troon and Turnberry) and Angus (Carnoustie) all with in a 2-hour drive. My home course is parkland and is The West Lothian Golf Club which sits above the Firth of Forth giving views over Fife, all the way down to the Bass Rock and up to the hills of the Trossachs North of Stirling. My work background was programme management in microelectronics so I am a technophile with attention to detail. I play on average 3-4 rounds a week; weekly competition, bounce game with friends and I’ll try and get a couple of rounds by myself when the course is quiet. I have been playing social golf since my early teens but for the last 20 years I have played competitively. On the course I like to look good, and I like my clubs and my bag to look good. I mostly use an electric trolley when I play and have a selection of cart bags that I use throughout the year, I match my woods covers, putter cover, towel, rangefinder case and hybrid headcovers to the bag. Yes, I’m really that pedantic. Below is my current setup with the Srixon iron covers out of retirement for the duration of the review. During the testing I will be looking at · The look of the headcovers with my 3 different bag setups. · How easy they are to get on and off the clubs. When hitting an iron, I usually slide the head cover onto my umbrella handle, does it fit? · Are they secure on my clubs and is the closing mechanism good quality? · Water ingress and trapping of water on the clubs. Every time I buy new irons, I buy a new set of iron covers, usually neoprene with the manufacturer’s logo. They stay on my clubs for about 2 weeks then go back into the garage, they will then come out on an annual basis only to be returned to the garage after 2 weeks. I can do all the testing in the world on these but ultimately it will come down to the look and useability of the headcovers for me to decide if they will become part of my bag setup. For the test I want Craftsman to convince me that I want to keep them on my clubs. First Impressions (500 Words) (9 out of 10) I went for the Colorful Embroidery Number Iron Head Cover Set Craftsman were also good enough to also provide me with a set of wedge covers Colorful Embroidery Protective White Leather Wedge Iron Headcover 52° 56° 60° They arrived as promised securely wrapped and in A1 condition. On unwrapping and first inspection all the covers were in perfect condition. Comparing them to the neoprene covers I currently have they are far superior in quality and design. With the iron set you get 7 iron covers (3i to 9i) and 5 wedges (PE, AW, SW and 2 x LW) which should support most iron set ups. I’m afraid to say, not mine which uniquely has a 52 and an AW. But this was basically the reason for asking for the wedge set. Putting these slight niggles aside my initial impressions are very positive and award them 9 out of 10. Aesthetics (19 out of 20) If you are using Iron Covers then good aesthetics will be a mandatory requirement in choosing the right covers. Craftsman do not disappoint on this measure. The standard set contain 3i to 9i, PW, AW, SW and two LW in a variety of colours that makes it easy for you to identify the clubs in your bag and are striking visually. On close inspection the SW iron cover had some loose threads With the quality and options for the headcovers I would rate these 19 out of 20, deducting 1 point for the SW loose threads. The Numbers (18 out of 20) How do you rate something that in terms on the effect on your game is minimal. The main question would be do they protect your clubs from pings and water. The covers are made of polyurethane (PU) leather which makes them durable and water resistant with the padding the clubs are very well protected. The fit on most clubs was very good but like most iron covers when you get to the wedges they can look a bit mis-shape, and this is the case with Craftsman. Like most head covers care is needed to dry the clubs before putting the headcover back on or storing the clubs or you could end up with rust. On the times I used them which was about 10 times over the month and 3 wet days this was not an issue. The next area I looked at was how they fitted in with my bag set ups. Here are just a few pictures of them with a myriad of covers and bags I have. I use cart bags on my electric trolley on the Powakaddy Dritech which is a 14 way bag but is the smallest bag the clubs did feel a little cramped. My favourite was the third one above with the black and red Callaway wood covers. Fort this section I have given the covers 18 out of 20. Main deduction being the mis-shape on the wedges and the volume they take up. Practice makes…? (20 out of 20) In this section I’m marking the practicality of the iron covers and their use on the course. The use of iron covers should be part of your normal routine, if it isn’t then you run the risk of misplacing and causing unnecessary delays to your playing partners. My normal routine would be: 1. Select club and remove from bag. 2. Remove headcover and place on umbrella handle. 3. Check face of club and clean if appropriate 4. Play shot. 5. Clean face 6. Replace headcover and club in bag. With the colour and large numbers on the covers it makes it easy to identify the club in the bag. The securing of the covers is through Velcro tabs which looks a bit flimsy but in experience have been found to be robust and secure in their application. On the course I could not fault the covers and have marked then 20 out of 20. Anecdotally I have send a couple of these covers in lost property at the course which I will put down to human error. The Good, the bad, the inbetween (20 out of 20) If you like iron covers you will love these. I’m not a total convert but I love they way they make my bag look. I think I would have liked to have a total white option available . Play it or Trade it? (5 out of 10) After all the praise I’m giving them I am still on the fence on using iron covers, they haven’t convinced me to use them 100% of the time and they will probably come out for the season start and special occasions when I play. Like the old ones they will stay on my clubs for a couple of week then be put away again. Conclusion (91 out of 100) These are quality iron covers that without going down the leather alternative, should be considered as the top of the market.

Date 05/29/2023 Course Name West Lothian Golf Club Gross Score 76 Course Handicap 9 Gross Strokes over/under par 5 Net Score to Par -4 Net Score 67 Net Birdies or better 6 Longest Drive 270 Broke out of the doldrums. Lovely day today with 70'F and light winds. Course is getting more fiery by the day. Hit a sweet 7i into the 1st thinking I was going to be putting for birdie, ball ran thru the back, leaving a tough chip that I duffed for a double.

Date 05/28/2023 Course Name West Lothian Golf Club Gross Score 88 Course Handicap 9 Gross Strokes over/under par 17 Net Score to Par 8 Net Score 79 Net Birdies or better 4 Longest Drive 270 The score doesn't really tell the story. Blustery day (westerly upto 30mph) with the course playing dry and hard. With the west wind I always find the course plays harder, long par 4s play into the wind and the shorter ones down wind. Lots of long irons, hybrids and 3w for approaches which meant scrambling was at a premium, unfortunately for me I seemed to short side myself 90% of the time which made it impossible to get close even summoning my inner Phil. After 2 months of struggling with poor ball striking the last 2 rounds have been very positive. Although not scoring I have a least the foundations to build back and optimistic.

Was playing with my son and his ex-marine mate at my home course, where it happened to us. 3rd is 320yd par 4 ball rolls thru the green when we are putting, 4th lands in the greenside bunker, 5th again 340 yd dogleg ball flies over the dogleg and lands on the green on the full. We wait on the 6th tee for them and say they can play thru since they have nearly hit us 3 times, the guy starts to argue with me about playing thru and tries to say that the balls were no where near us. Meanwhile the ex-marine is asking "can i just hit him". Needless to say this was the last we saw of them.

I have 2 tubes and one shag bag. The tubes take 20 balls each and the shag bag about 80. The shag bag I tend only use in the yard for chipping and getting my chipping rhythm repetition, i.e I will hit 80 balls to build my confidence up and down the yard for about an hour. The tubes I use differently 1. For warm up I will use one tube will 2 core balls, hit 5-10 drives, 5-10 7i. These I hit from different tees so the balls endup 60 to 30yds short of the practise green. I then pitch the 20 balls onto the green. Then chip the ones that miss the green. 2. I fill the 2 tubes with coloured Callaway Supersoft or Wilson Duo balls, 10 of each colour. I can then hit 10 balls, change something and hit another 10 and hopefully see the dispersion and distance difference when I collect them. 3. I fill one tube with my gamer ball, this is mainly for short game practise or gapping practise

Sorry just saw this. Do you still want some info?

Date 05/23/2023 Course Name West Lothian Golf Club Gross Score 77 Course Handicap 9 Gross Strokes over/under par 6 Net Score to Par -3 Net Score 68 Net Birdies or better 6 Longest Drive 260 I've been having a bit of a hard time on the course both mentally and physically. Walked off after 8 on Saturday after 4 lost balls and a litany of bad shots; slice pulls, tops, shanks. After some soul searching over the weekend back out yesterday. Burnt it up on the front but back 9 was a trial.

I think you've had a brain fart, with a net score of -55 under?? LOL

Date 05/14/2023 Course Name West Lothian Golf Club Gross Score 82 Course Handicap 9 Gross Strokes over/under par 11 Net Score to Par 2 Net Score 73 Net Birdies or better 2 Longest Drive 275 Not posted a score for a while due to having played gash and also a lot of matchplay. Played yesterday and starting to hit it a bit better. Highlight was my par on 17 pulled my drive left and it rebounded of the boundary wall leaving me a hanging lie with 200yds in. Pulled my 3h left again hit the wall and ended just off the green. Then lipped out the birdie putt.

Date 04/13/2023 Course Name West Lothian Golf Club Gross Score 78 Course Handicap 9 Gross Strokes over/under par 7 Net Score to Par -2 Net Score 69 Net Birdies or better 5 Longest Drive 0 After playing on Tuesday like I'd never held a club was out again today with a respectable 78. Played well except for a blip on 3, 4 and 5. Driving cost be the 2 doubles and single bogey. Lost ball on 3 with a cut in to the gorse, pull on 4 into the ditch for a penalty and push at 5 blocked out by the trees and didn't take my punishment.

To add to the praise from the group to @Golfspy_TCB, really enjoy competing in this and has probably kept me completing rounds when I would have NR'd or packed in so that I can record a score. Thanks

Date 03/31/2023 Course Name West Lothian Golf Club Gross Score 71 Course Handicap 6 Gross Strokes over/under par 7 Net Score to Par 1 Net Score 65 Net Birdies or better 3 Longest Drive 280 Crashed and burned, 1 over for the front 9, then putting went cold. Putting for birdies on 10 and 14, 3 putted with lip outs on both. The 16th has been a funny hole for me, hole in one at the end of January, since then I have put 3 balls OB in the last 5 rounds. We are now on the Summer course for my final round tomorrow so these tight, punitive par 3s will be no more. SO I'll have a new excuse next week.

Date 03/27/2023 Course Name West Lothian Golf Club Gross Score 74 Course Handicap 6 Gross Strokes over/under par 10 Net Score to Par 4 Net Score 68 Net Birdies or better 5 Longest Drive 283 Another day of good hitting but stupid mistakes costing me. Although the course is still on the short setup, there are a few holes that are really punitive if you make a mistake. Double on 6 and triple on 8 made it no way back. Anyway a really nice spring day with little wind for an afternoon means I shouldn't complain. We are suppose to be moving to the Summer layout this week with the first competition on Saturday. Reports are that at least 2 of the Summer only holes are still pretty soft so it remains to be seen.

Date 03/23/2023 Course Name West Lothian Golf Club Gross Score 76 Course Handicap 5 Gross Strokes over/under par 12 Net Score to Par 7 Net Score 71 Net Birdies or better 4 Longest Drive 271 Great start, parred the 1st 4, unlucky bogey on 5, then wheels fell off with a lost ball on 6 and 10 and lost interest. Trouble really started in the car park, my 8 year old Powakaddy wouldn't power up so had to use a push trolley. We have a couple of big hills so by the time I reached the top of 14th I was absolutely shattered. Finished bogey, triple, par, birdie, par.

Snow then waterlogged today and forecast looking horrible. Aaargh

My tuppence worth. Players competitiveness wax and wane and IMO with the exception of Cam Smith and perhaps DJ they would not strengthen the field. We can debate all we like about the strongest/toughest field or not but at the end of the day the LIV golfers have their massive pay outs and joined for this reason alone, It irks me somewhat that some of the LIV players are still eligible to play on the European events and they turn up only for the flag ship events, depriving up and coming players the opportunity to secure playing rights and get their biggest purse of the year. What are people like Poulter going to do with the $100k for making the cut, buy another Ferrari?

Suppose to be playing in 40 minutes. I guess that's not going to happen!

I'm scheduled to play tomorrow and Saturday and I'd be up for it but snow is due to hit the course over the next 2 day. If you can't get anyone else then I can be your 1st reserve

The handicap convienor back home says my informal winter handicap is 6 dead which would give me 7 at Golf del Sur so if you can alter my score I think that would be best.

Well done took me nearly 50 years for my first, last April, which sounds similar to yours seeing it drop. Then got a second 4 weeks, It is a crazy game. You’ve not got to try and drop your story into every conversation for the next 2 years enjoy

On holiday in Tenerife, played 3 rounds so far. I tend to play twilight rounds, first 2 rounds were at Amarilla, found it really tough, especially on the greens. Moving from slow winter greens to slick Bermuda grass was really tough, 5 x 4 putts in the first round. Yesterday moved to Golf del Sur and got on much better. Spent 45 minutes on the practise green, still hit a couple of stinking irons but on the whole a pretty good round of 76, with a final hole birdie.

Date 03/01/2023 Course Name Golf Del Sur Gross Score 76 Course Handicap 9 Gross Strokes over/under par 4 Net Score to Par -5 Net Score 67 Net Birdies or better 6 Longest Drive 270 Dilemma: this is off season so all competitions are non qualifiers I.e don’t get recorded as WHS scores. Back home we have a competition where we informally play off an adjusted handicap. At the moment with a slope rating of 106 that is 5. I’m now on holiday and played yesterday at Golf del Sur, SR = 130 which off my official WHS h/c gives me 9. Feel a bit of a fraud claiming 5 back home and jumping to 9 yesterday. I’ll leave to @Golfspy_TCBto decide the solution.