BNewton51

Great setup! Looking very clean and ready to go low.

I think the discussion has some relevancy and even more so, when is enough enough? OEM's charge the price they can because as they market their goods people line up by the millions to continue to buy them. I liken Golf Equipment to Automobiles or a true comparison. Most folks don't need a new car these days until they hit 2-300K miles, and even then there are plenty of situations well taken care of cars go well beyond that. BUT, we see it all the time that people cycle through automobiles every 2 or 3 years regardless of need because the new product has some new fancy shiney buttons, or does something that they're current model doesn't do particularly well. The simple fact is that most good equipment isn't a one or two season purchase. Truly, if taken care of it can last you almost damn near a lifetime. Well, except for Drivers and woods these days because as they are hollow they do tend to degrade over time. I suspect these new pushes towards hollow irons we will see a new avenue for OEMs to utilize the same mentality and push even harder towards new gear all the time. In my thoughts, and I haven't played them in MANY MANY years, if you purchase a new set of true Muscle Back Blades you will see that those irons will last you a lifetime without question. There won't be an opportunity where you will see an OEM come out and say that a newer blade does something different or better than the older ones. Can't improve much upon a hunk of metal tbh. Perhaps you would need to change shafts and logically the grips, but not much past that on those. Well, I suppose the grooves will wear out. That much is true. But there are companies that specialize in refinishing clubs to restore them... though you would I suppose theoretically lose some weight etc. And here I am rambling again... Sorry. So, I'll sum it up in this... I agree that every OEM should have a model that fits every price point and gives people what hey desire at what they can afford. Unfortunately, I guess, the OEMs don't really care much for peoples wants, and we're complicit in that we continue to buy new stuff without even so much as questioning if we really should or need too. That's the saddest component to the hold question / discussion you raise. But we are on MGS and we all are equipment nuts so... there is that!

wow, when you said changed.... That's overwhelming! Beautiful set up there! Definitely a big fan of the SIM. It's been amazing for me. I didn't go the three wood yet, but man it's awful tempting. Tough to kick the epic flash out though. Have to admit, though, those Hogans were !!! Such a quality club.

Especially in days like these where we are all confined to homes and NOT freely out and about...

Most people will talk about consistency, you shouldn't do xyz, etc... I'm of the opinion, and that's just it - it's merely an opinion as it relates to my game, the less variables I can add to the game and my swing the better off I am. So in that sense, no I don't switch my grips at all on puts but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. If it's working for you, and like you said you're just pondering at this point, then keep at it. BUT, be realistic with the results and don't just persist unless it gives you tangible better results. Might be a better idea to just go all one way or the other and work on that for a month or a couple rounds and then compare your numbers. The data will NEVER lie to you. Hope that helps! Play well!!!

not so sure I'd be able to do that... The summers would get awful hot when I get in my typical ruts.

I think that's the general feeling, honestly. Most of my circle of friends considering this move like I am have said the same. Sure it would be awesome to have that trackman and full blown indoor set up, but would you really get your monies worth at $40-50K to get it set up properly? Especially when you could maybe put out less than $3-4K and build your own custom cheaper option that pretty much provides you with EVERYTHING you need to practice effectively, fairly know your numbers, and give you the ability to focus on things to improve? The ROI of the more expensive option just does NOT seem worth it to me.

Wouldn't that be over the aforementioned $500 limit? Great choices though.

Right there with ya brotha! 23rd has never been kind to my Christmas haul!

Greetings everyone! Not sure I had ever filled in the new member forum, but thought I'd revisit now. Loved my interactions with everyone thus far in the forums so.. Anywho... answers to the questions I'm Bob from PA. How long have you been playing golf? What’s your handicap or normal score? Picked up the game around 21 and have been playing for the past 26 years. Currently playing to a 4, but that like all of us goes up and down depending on my practice and round counts. Typically shooting mid 70's with a low round of 68. What do you love about golf? I grew up in athletics and did pretty well for myself in the game of football. As an All Star Nose Tackle and OL went on to play in college. Unfortunately, that was cut short my first year due to a bad tear in my right shoulder. Leaving the game, I still remained extremely competitive and wanted to find something I could continue to do to satisfy that need. Golf was my grandfathers game, as well as my uncles so it was logical to venture on. I'd say the complexity of getting better, learning the fundamentals and the fact that one never does perfect the game have been my fundamental draw. Add in trying to constantly do better than the last round and or beating an opponent; I was hopelessly hooked on the game from the start! What brings you to MyGolfSpy? Do you already know any other Spies? I've talked to a few so far and thoroughly enjoy being on a site and in forums with likeminded individuals that share my passion and enthusiasm for the game and gear! That was probably what hooked me most. You can read the so called experts and watch a million YouTubers (I do that as well sadly) but to talk to normal guys and gals that share your same passion is far more meaningful. I also love to post and write up thoughts on gear and the game. Where are you from? What is your home course? Originally I'm from Central Pa. The Harrisburg region to be specific. I've never really left the area because of family and work. Truly enjoy the area and it's been wonderful to raise my children here. Home course wise, I have three that I play with regularity. First is Sunset Golf Course. No, it's not Augusta... but for those whom have lived near and grew up on the River all their lives it's got the best views around. It's also where I learned to play the game. The second would be Dauphin Highlands. Great track but the conditions are questionable most days. The other course, probably my favorite, is Royal Manchester. What an amazing track. Links style with fescue that would make you curse like a sailor and limp out after attempting to flail one out. What are the best and worst things about golf in your region? Best would be the multitude of courses available to play within a very short drive. There are just so many courses to play and all within 30-40 minutes, or less, from each other. Worst, it's obvious... I'm from Pa. It's the cold winters. They're definitely a bit brutal. What do you do for a living? I work for the Commonwealth of Pa. How’d you pick your user name? My name and my football number. That's all for now. Look forward to continue to chat with all of you! It's been an absolute pleasure thus far. Thanks! Bob

Welcome to the Mizuno brotherhood @FrankieButterKnife! Look forward to hearing how you feel about them once you get them all set up proper.

That's great information! I guess I've resigned myself to the fact that unless I want to spend $20-30K on a something along the lines of a trackman (though I know I'm probably in FAR more than that for a trackman) I'm no doubt going to miss out on some of the bells and whistles. The thing for me to measure is how much do I actually want to invest in it when in fact I'm just using it for indoor training / practice during the winter cold months. And by that I mean anything under 30 I'm pretty much not playing. Above freezing I will still get out there. The 5 course are definitely nice, but I'd be curious what the actual investment is to buy more? Skytrack runs on the same model I guess, but I've only heard negatives on them as their model doesn't particularly provide any valid stats of worth that can be truly trusted. If all else fails, of course, I'll just continue to hit balls into the net! Or as I like to refer to is as the Cheap Mans Trackman!

Obviously, clubs themselves are a key component of our game. I think by default that we are all here on MGS we all get it. However, I'm a strong believer that the best thing to invest in is improving our swing. My first stop would be setting up a couple sessions with a trusted pro and working on your AOA. Couple tweaks may actually provide you the results you're looking for at the same or a little less of a cost than adding a new club. (Gesh I never thought I'd actually say don't just go buy something... Heaven help me) Being steep isn't necessarily the worst thing. Thousands of scratch golfers have steep swings but still persist playing the same clubs. Their key is learning on how to manage their swings and make them work with some slight modifications to both the swing and probably lie angles. Just my $.02. I suffered from a steep'ish / flying elbow issue for a while and am now strongly from the inside with a much shallower path. BUT that took me a couple years to work through swing refinements and a LOT of patience by my Pro and myself.

That's a great question! Probably the most logical answer for me would be just a gift card somewhere for practice or even if something equipment wise comes up. Maybe a new bag. But honestly, the equipment is in a good place for me right now so I think the most valuable gift would be something that better allows me to get more quality range / practice sessions in. One of the local clubs has an amazing practice center and they always run a deal for $275 that you get unlimited practice balls and access to their bunkers / green complex. That would be probably my selection. Happy Christmas to you and yours everyone! Hope santa finds all your golfing equipment desires!

Not sure if he has shared any input with you @RollingGreens but curious if he's finding it to be accurate? If he's happy with the data it provides him or is it missing key components of data that one would typically be looking for? I have read in my research the Mevo+ offers the ability to have different ranges and or some courses you can play indoors as well. While I'm looking for something to augment my winter practice indoors, I'm going to spend I want to make sure the value proposition is there. Sorry for the additional questions.

Awesome Brotha! Tour fitter experience, you flat out couldn't do any better for your game tbh! But your comment about the last 10 years doesn't surprise me. I actually heard the same thing this year during our Club Championship. We were comparing newer clubs (Mizuno to his PXG) A good friend of mine got an entire bag I think he said when they had the military discount going on, special pricing I believe. He said hands down it was the best move he's made in years! Though that was in regard to the irons. The woods were another story. He wasn't completely sold on them yet and contemplating switching back to some of his others. I suspect that was probably that new club reaction that we all get in the first season. Good stuff bro!

I used to be the same but the past two seasons I've played two brands in my wedges. (Callaway and Taylormade) I've finally come to my senses and will be going one brand this upcoming season. But I do get the OCD piece cause I'm fairly the same.

PXG sure does have an ever growing fan base! Everyone I know who has made the switch to them has commented that they are outstanding! What made you give them a shot?

The homer in me would promote Mizuno irons. Truly "nothing feels like a mizuno!" However, I am not a fool enough to think that everyone will feel the same or think that there isn't other very viable options. My best advice to save some money is to go to one of the many many sites that have slightly used clubs or close outs. If you buy the previous years close out irons on say a 2nd swing type site, you often will see them listed in a 9.5 condition or 9. They're brand new but they list them as such because they typically were a demo set or whatever. When I bought my 919's they were a 9.5 set but came in the plastic wrapping around the heads. They just happened to be close outs. So the moral of the story is get fit, but look at those with your numbers or free modifications to them and go that route. You'll save a couple hundred on the set. (My 919's were obviously listed at 1224.99 but I got them at 875 with free customization and a retrofit after 30-45 days of play) Whatever you get, enjoy the ride. Definitely an exciting time to buy new clubs! Play well!!!

Really hoping you post and in depth review of your finds from it. Would love to hear it as I'm considering them as well.

Beyond jealous of those Miura's! I mean the rest of the bag looks fantastic, but the irons...oh those lovely soft beauties! I'd love to hear your reactions to those and how they're playing for you. I keep seeing a lot more people switching over to the TSI woods... Lots of good things I'm hearing about them. And OBVIOUSLY I'm a huge fan of those wedges... Just switched over to the full set of them (was playing two of the three wedges in my gamers as MG2's) murdered out. Definitely a fan. Play well!

of course, I didn't bring into play the range finder, bag, umbrella, etc.. That would probably up my number by a few if I do.

I read, I believe on MGS, a long time ago the philosophy I've always ascribed too when I've played my best. No one brand has all the right answers for anyones game. I've currently got 4 brands represented but that can fluctuate in all honesty because I do switch out clubs frequently. There was a time recently from top to bottom I went with Callaway clubs. Woods, irons, wedges and odd putter. That was a forced set make up and honestly it hurt my game overall. In the end, clubs are tools. You gotta have the right tool to be able to score your best. That's what I've gone back too and my scores are reflective of that now as well.

From my perspective, there are two very big mistakes that the "average" golfer makes. And by that I am not associating a handicap to "average", nor an experience factor to be considered. First big mistake most average golfers make is they don't get fit for the right equipment for their game. Ergo, they are not playing to their top potential because the fit between equipment and player is off. I personally have some friends that fall into this category. One that comes to mind insists he still plays an X shaft in everything tipped 1 inch. He's 54 years old. Now, it's possible that this would fit someone of his age and playing ability (he plays to about a 5) but frequently during any given round he can be seen struggling to square the face and his tempo is all over the map as the round goes on. No doubt the weight of the clubs are getting to be a bit much for him to handle. Secondly, the other biggest mistake most golfers make that I've seen is not knowing their distance. "We have a 300 yard par 4 trick hole that you can easily drive boys... I'm just gonna carry it on the green." Never seems to fail that his 240 yard carry distance isn't resulting in 60 yards of run... especially in wet'ish conditions. We all like to think we smash the ball on par with the pros. Obviously EGO plays a huge role in that. BUT, I think you will only play your best golf when you finally become accepting of your own unique reality and play to it. I find that the more I own what I can and can't do realistically, my scores plummet down towards even par or below. The moment I get a bit cocky and start trying to do things outside of my skillsets, well you know how that story goes. So for me, I think that's a tale that we all can see or think about from our golf experiences as a HUGE mistake most golfers make. It's a great question and I'm definitely looking forward to reading the responses to this thread. We can learn a lot from others shared experiences. Play well!!

what's your current big stick? I've tried a lot of them and have to say I settled on the SIM and I would definitely NOT change a thing! That Driver has all the characteristics one could want in a driver (i.e. length, consistency, great ball speeds, low'ish spin, etc..) and then some! Haven't been this consistent off the tee with anything else in a LONG time!