Willie T

Day 103 (26 Apr 24) - played Minnesott today, with a slight twist. Focused on using the Edel SMS 7i that I am longer term testing. The rule - all approach shots were to be with 7i, unless I was in trouble and needed a wedge. The club came thru especially on the par 5 13th - nailed both approaches to GIR and a 7’ putt for birdie. Also had opportunities for short punches and some flighted down bump and runs. Overall a not so solid scoring round, but man it was fun exploring shot making potential….

25 Apr update- today was a focus on the Edel 7i day. From long approaches to shorter bump and runs - worked the iron to really get a stronger feel. The club did not fail and showed its stuff especially on 13 (a par 5). Driver off the tee had me about 275 out. As I typically hit a solid 7 somewhere in the 140 range, I figured 7 - 7 and it would be at worst an up and down for par, at best birdie. The iron did not fail as I nailed the third to 7’ left/pin high - the only birdie of the day. Good fun with this club as it was solid in all the scenarios it was is in today…

Rob, great question....When I started, I had probably a dozen or more "plus" any found balls during the course of the round. Lately, I have pared way back - to, like you, 2 in the pocket and may a half dozen total in the bag. That does change when I'm in "testing" mode as I will have a sleeve "each" of the varied brands on the testing block that day, but like I said for regular play, its gonna be around 6 total for the bag. As far as dings, scuffs go - I will play a ball to death - it has to be pretty beat up before I retire it to the shag bag. I really need to let go sooner, yet when a ball plays well I like to keep it in the game as long as I can still find it or until the dimples go flat....

TJ - I took Versa out the other day and it was very much as you described. For both Millie and Versa to be Seven style putters, they are so different. Is it the white hot (Versa) versus milled (Millie)? Anyway glad to see you are still rolling along with your AI ONE.

Day 102 (25 Apr 24) - Worked with the Divot Board again today. Set the board up where I had a card just behind the ball to reinforce ball first contact Following are a series of swings (actually 3 in a row) where contact steadily inproved. For DTL visuals, set up the grandson's toy field goal about 10yds out - the goal was to start the ball (hard foam) just right of the posts and have it draw back to the center. Overall, a good drill day.

Day 101 (24 Apr 24) - Easy afternoon with the wedges in the backyard. Worked on “not decelerating” thru down swing…

Gotcha - we gapped mine well as the SLDR PW is 46deg, so the 50deg GW slides in nicely. If I go a degree or two stronger, say to 44deg on PW, the 50 will still gap ok….glad to see you’re still able to get some rounds in.

I played several different setups - depending on what we’re doing. For the men’s group scramble it’s R580 driver (yup that old) 10.5deg, R580 5w (18 deg), Tommy Armour 845s Silver Scot irons (usually just 3-5-7-9-PW-SW) and putter. The 5w is extremely versatile off the tee or deck. The next set is just for fun set - SLDR 10deg driver, SLDR 3HL wood (17deg), Callaway Edge 3h (20.5 deg), Callaway X series irons…The primary set is Ping G400 SFT driver 10deg, set to 9.4 - senior flex; G410 3w (lofted 1deg up, 1deg flat) - senior flex; G400 hybrid trio 3,4 5; followed by SLDR irons 6-PW, Indi wedges, AIOne putter. All that to say the 3HL SLDR fairway is a hitting machine off the tee or deck, the G410 now that I’m playing it 1deg flat is very similar as both gap nicely (about 15 yards behind the driver). The 3hybrid(s) cover the next gap pretty well, etc. The recent banter on the pro community’s move to 5w/7w really speaks more to the distance gains we’ve seen in clubs in general, the better ball striking, and overall performance of pros is likely leading us to think the 3w is to go the way of the 2w, 1i - no longer a needed club. In the end it really comes down to the individual player’s wants and skill set - what works best for me may be a disaster for you…for example I love hitting hybrids and pe my son can’t, but can drill a longer iron or fairway like no one’s business.

Now that’s having the right “mindset” for sure….it’s so “next level” in terms of feel when the planned shot executes perfectly. A couple of quick questions: How are they paring up with the Haywood irons - in terms of feel, gapping, etc? Are you seeing any drop off in terms of spin control, etc? Lastly how has the fall weather been in NZ?

Day 100 (23 Apr 24) - Played in monthly church men’s super ball 9 hole event - used a 9 club setup (driver, 5w, 3,5,7,9 irons, PW, SW, putter)…always makes for fun shot making when you’re in between clubs….fun day of course management (and better yet playing golf with my grandson!)

Congrats to the test team….have heard a lot about these shafts….will be a fun test to follow

Congrats to all the testers! Going to be fun to see if this driver smokes what you’re currently gaming!

Day 99 (22 Apr 24) - morning round at local course. Another day focused on comparing the Mindset against a couple other balls I use from time to time. Great day of focused routine and making sure ball striking was as consistent as possible…

Interesting that you note that Rob, I’ve found that the Bridgestone does similarly in my testing thus far. Today I played the same “scuffed” ball from Saturday and it lasted all 18 holes….none the worse for wear. With yesterday’s rain, the greens were more receptive so it was a good day to see how well the balls stuck on the green as I did put into play for “feel” comparisons a Callaway ERC Triple Track as well a Pro V-1. The Mindset seems to hop and release whereas the PV-1 was more hip and super stop (one hole to 4”) while the Triple Track was somewhere in the middle.

Jamie, Garmin Appraoch S20 user along with the Garmin Golf App on my IPhone….very basic compared to the new stuff….still I’ve found it to be fun and a great basis for tracking my clubs thru the bag.