BMart519

Played first round of the year last weekend and got up and down for par on first hole. Starting the year by simplifying my short game. I’ve dropped the Indi 60 as I never use it other than green side. It had worse proximity and up/down rate than the 56. I am also testing using the 56 as much as possible for short game after practicing with it indoors most of the winter and comparing to the 52 and 60. These wedges continue to shine on full and half length shots putting me close from 50 and 75 yards. But I couldn’t resist picking up the back to back most wanted winner - Milled Grind 3 for 40% off after seeing the Indis score so low for spin in the 2023 test. At some point the Indis will get worn enough that I will need a new 56 as my most lofted wedge for short game anyway. I could definitely see using the 52 longer term since it is mostly used from 80-110.

If you look at the MGS ball test results for 2021 and 2023, then filter the data in the charts by lowest spin you will see differences in Ball speed between the (soft balls) Tour BRX and RXS, Taylormade Tour Response, AVX, vs the ball speed for the Pro V1x Left Dash which is the hardest/fastest ball on the market. Those ball speed differences are from the softer ball being compressed more and losing energy and therefore distance. But if those balls drop your spin with driver by 500 rpm, that gain may offset most of the loss of lower ball speed while theoretically flying straighter from low spin. It requires on course testing to see how it holds up for your swing and equipment. I went through this last year when I was swinging close to 110 MPH and struggle with direction control. The Tour Response being notably lower spin than "Tour" level balls was also noticeably straighter. The only downside was difficulty stopping on firmer greens with long approaches. At 120MPH you will likely see significant improvements to driving distance with the Left Dash to take advantage of that speed. But those softer balls are usually another level below the left dash in terms of spin. Which may benefit your approach play and reduce spinning balls off the green.

Try the AVX and see how it performs. The TM Tour Response is even lower spinning and could work if your swing speed is under 110MPH with driver (Pro V1X left dash works good for high speeds and warm temps). The 2021 Ball Test had interesting results from the previous generation Z-Star if you can find some. It was similar in spin to the AVX off driver/irons but spin on the 55 yard wedge shot it was around middle of the pack with the Pro V1. Also depends on the strengths and weaknesses of your game. If short game is a weakness, picking a ball to help there is probably a poor strategy vs something that will benefit all of your full swing shots.

I have done a lot of experimenting with balls, used to predominantly play Bridgestone but also got along well with Srixon Z star as a low spin option. After the MGS ball testing I ordered some Left Dash balls for maximum potential distance (and needing higher flight) along with the Taylormade Tour Response as lowest spin urethane ball (and later the AVX). Fade/slice is also my miss with driver. The Left Dash/AVX are my main balls for 2024 with the Pro V1 as backup for very firms greens if I need extra stopping power, or the Tour Response if the greens are very slow or I am playing bad and don't want to lose expensive balls. Here's what I have found: - the low spin balls like AVX (Tour Response, especially) tend to go a bit straighter off the tee, the lower flight and/or spin also helps on tee shots into wind which can make them play a similar distance to the left dash (driver SS tops out at 107 for me, likely more around 103-105) - had my best round last year with the Tour Response - very straight, stayed out of trouble, the extreme low spin adds 5-10 yards distance to irons (which can offset driver loss in some situations), only downside is they won't work well on firm greens. Began testing the AVX last year as a small step up in terms of low spin urethane ball and saw positive results. Especially like these 2 in windy conditions where getting the ball on the ground quicker can be a benefit. - when it is hot, (over 70) you can see more separation in distance and this is where the left dash really starts to shine. They do perform well into a head wind with the low-mid spin. I have hit multiple 250 yard tee shots with 19 degree hybrids using left dash, it is definitely one of the longest balls made.

Chipping practice these days consists of shots off my basement carpet as it has been -20C or colder for more than a week. Really liking the 52 for simple bump and run type shots with no wrist hinge. Working to engrain the feel of 4-12 yard chips in 2 yard increments both through ladder drills and hitting random numbers. Exciting times...

I abandoned 1 course, it seemed like they didn't have enough space to finish all 18 holes. There is 25 yards of width between dense treed areas for the entire length of multiple par 4's. The trees themselves are not thick, so you don't get favorable bounces back into play or the ball dropping straight down. 90% of the time it is a lost ball for anything slightly offline. The 13th hole is 400 yard par 4 from middle tees playing straight into the prevailing wind. At 25 yards wide, I've been able to lose a ball with every possible club down to a 6 or 7 iron on either the tee shot or approach. Fairway is 15 yards wide the whole way except where it widens behind some trees so it is easier to roll behind them requiring a punch out. Average score is 6.2 (including many improper drops at point of entry)... Followed by a 90-100 yard par 3 that you could possibly tee off with a putter. 17th hole is a 270 yard par 4 down wind. Your best play is to try to drive the green next to a pond as at least that is a drop from red stakes and the fairway pinches to 10 yards wide at narrowest LOL. Widest part of hole is 100-140 yards from the tee, which is again roughly 25 yards wide between forested areas and you would hit your approach through a 15-20 yard window or over the edge of trees 50 yards in front of you. These holes combined with a couple other holes that are gimmicky and don't appeal to me when the rest of the course is a links style made me realize it wasn't worth my money because I don't enjoy my time playing there versus other places and only went because it was the cheapest course kept in good condition with fast greens in the area. Which still required a 45 minute drive.

I have my gamer - a custom fit Edel. Then I have 1 backup if I get in a slump or need a new look with different alignment. Shockingly, it usually reinforces that the properly fit putter performs better and I need to work on setup and fundamentals if I am having trouble aiming and making short putts with the Edel. Their weighting always seems to produce the best distance control and least 3 putts. I used to keep 2 backups, but 1 was more sentimental as I had sub-30 putts with it. Eventually gave up the dream and sold it off (was a cheap TM).

When I read this I interpret it as only 10% of pros found this club to perform better than their gamer.

I have 8 approach shots from 150-200 per round with 30% GIR according to Shot Scope. So option #1 takes me from 2.4 GIR to 6 GIR for an increase of 3.6 GIR/round from 150-200. My up/down overall average was 24%, 3 putt% was 14% ... Applying both of those would have me saving about 2.3 shots per round. 7.7 shots/round under 25 yards with average proximity of 15ft and 35% up/down rate. Assuming 6ft proximity results in 50% up and down, that is only saving 1 shot/round. Actual savings would be less as the 7.7 shots under 25 yards would shrink to around 5.7 with the higher GIR. BONUS: I could also justify playing longer tees to have more approaches from 150-200. Which would reduce my index over time on top of saving the 2.3 shots/round above.

I got rid of my V2 around May or June of 2023. It was noticeably worse than the V2 at picking up shots and would miss 5-10 per round. The new functionality and better battery wasn't worth it. It does sound like newer firmware has helped others with the X5.

Have you done a TPI assessment or other physical exam to see whether you can physically achieve the amount of side bend you need not to extend while swinging at full speed?

Where did you find the numbers? I used to like the MGS MOI and CG report but have trouble finding hard data since that report stopped.

I would be playing the 2nd tees from back at 360. The fairway narrows down to about 40 yards at 120-130 from the hole between the giant trap on right and hill/fescue on left. I'm hitting a driving iron or hybrid off the tee intending to get it out there 220-240. DI even more likely if the winds are up. Aiming directly at that knob or just right of it. Saw some stat the other day (likely Stagner) that once you are within 150 or 130 from the hole you are close enough that it doesn't make sense to take on sand. So that is my logic for not pushing driver up farther.

Key thought: high hands... or following through to head height regardless of backswing length so you don't decelerate. Read the book by James Sieckmann: Your Short Game Solution Great technique in here on sand shots, I often re-read at the beginning of season as a reminder. Lots of great stuff on any aspect of golf with a wedge in your hand.