Skulled Birdies

Jonathan San Francisco, CA Tour Exotics EXS 220 Pro 6.7 108 TSi3

Jonathan / San Francisco, CA Miura K Grind 52 & 58

Yes. In fact, in some cases because I have no expectation, I can outdo myself on my weak side. It really helps bring the frustrations you feel on the course to your home practice sessions.

Here are mine. I started on 5/19. Results were almost immediate. I was using the swing speed radar: Level 1 5/19 5/21 5/23 5/25 5/27 5/29 6/1 6/4 6/6 6/8 6/9 6/11 6/16 6/15 Light 104 112 115 Normal 94 5.32% 99 5.32% 94 -5.05% 103 9.57% 94 -8.74% 90 -4.26% 102 13.33% 113 10.78% 117 3.54% 107 -8.55% 112 4.67% 113 0.89% 117 3.54% 121 3.42% Reverse 78 -2.56% 76 -2.56% 84 -10.53% 97 15.48% 91 -6.19% 83 -8.79% 95 14.46% 102 7.37% 103 0.98% 107 3.88% 111 3.74% 116 4.50% 113 -2.59% 118 4.42% Step-Change 104 1.92% 106 1.92% 101 4.72% 104 2.97% 103 -0.96% 95 -7.77% 106 11.58% 105 -0.94% 109 3.81% 104 -4.59% 111 6.73% 115 3.60% 123 6.96% 129 4.88% Step-Change Reverse 85 2.35% 87 2.35% 91 -4.60% 95 4.40% 88 -7.37% 88 0.00% 100 13.64% 97 -3.00% 105 8.25% 102 -2.86% 105 2.94% 105 0.00% 111 5.71% 124 11.71% Normal 94 0.00% 94 0.00% 99 -5.32% 104 5.05% 101 -2.88% 106 4.95% 107 0.94% 114 6.54% 116 1.75% 109 -6.03% 122 11.93% 114 -6.56% 125 9.65% 123 -1.60% 455 1.54% 462 469 503 477 462 510 531 550 529 561 563 589 615 % Change 1.54% 1.52% 7.25% -5.17% -3.14% 10.39% 4.12% 3.58% -3.82% 6.05% 0.36% 4.62% 4.41% Medium Normal 84 11.90% 94 11.90% 87 7.45% 95 9.20% 89 -6.32% 103 15.73% 102 -0.97% 105 2.94% 109 3.81% 104 -4.59% 111 6.73% 105 -5.41% 109 3.81% 118 8.26% Reverse 74 25.68% 93 25.68% 81 12.90% 81 0.00% 91 12.35% 80 -12.09% 86 7.50% 102 18.60% 105 2.94% 104 -0.95% 105 0.96% 105 0.00% 106 0.95% 118 11.32% Step-Change 93 -6.45% 87 -6.45% 86 1.15% 99 15.12% 91 -8.08% 103 13.19% 103 0.00% 103 0.00% 110 6.80% 109 -0.91% 106 -2.75% 112 5.66% 113 0.89% 115 1.77% Step-Change Reverse 70 8.57% 76 8.57% 76 0.00% 88 15.79% 87 -1.14% 94 8.05% 98 4.26% 101 3.06% 101 0.00% 102 0.99% 105 2.94% 106 0.95% 110 3.77% 112 1.82% 321 350 330 363 358 -1.38% 380 6.15% 389 411 425 419 427 428 438 463 % Change 9.03% -5.71% 10.00% -1.38% 6.15% 2.37% 5.66% 3.41% -1.41% 1.91% 0.23% 2.34% 5.71% Heavy Normal 78 14.10% 89 14.10% 81 8.99% 96 18.52% 91 -5.21% 92 1.10% 100 8.70% 102 2.00% 99 -2.94% 101 2.02% 101 0.00% 105 3.96% 116 10.48% 109 -6.03% Reverse 64 17.19% 75 17.19% 71 5.33% 92 29.58% 74 -19.57% 74 0.00% 88 18.92% 92 4.55% 99 7.61% 101 2.02% 101 0.00% 102 0.99% 107 4.90% 114 6.54% Step-Change 82 2.44% 84 2.44% 88 -4.76% 100 13.64% 91 -9.00% 91 0.00% 94 3.30% 97 3.19% 101 4.12% 101 0.00% 103 1.98% 109 5.83% 115 5.50% 108 -6.09% Step-Change Reverse 61 16.39% 71 16.39% 69 2.82% 84 21.74% 68 -19.05% 63 -7.35% 87 38.10% 96 10.34% 92 -4.17% 95 3.26% 103 8.42% 109 5.83% 106 -2.75% 108 1.89% 285 319 309 372 324 -12.90% 320 -1.23% 369 387 391 398 408 425 444 439 % Change 11.93% -3.13% 20.39% -12.90% -1.23% 15.31% 4.88% 1.03% 1.79% 2.51% 4.17% 4.47% -1.13% Numbers are erratic in some places because some days I didn't feel as strong as others. Some just piss me off because my left handed swing was as or more efficient than my normal. Overall I am very happy. I really do recommend people take it easy as when you first start and warm up. You don't want to go in cold swinging as hard as you can even if it's only 39 swings each time. I have taken a day or two extra for rest when I didn't think I "had it" or when my back still tight after warmup. I don't want to set myself back before I started.

For me, short answer: yes Long answer: hell yes I went from topping out at 108 to 118 and I'm 4 weeks in. I'm piping in above where I used to be able to hit it at the range. Irons are also 1/2 club longer. Looking forward to seeing where I am after the end of the first program. I do feel however I need to start some sort of workout regimen to get flexibility and strength consistent with my gains. It does help work on mechanics because there's a noticeable difference in club weight and you can really feel the load changes so you're forced to pay attention to the mechanics.

Jonathan/San Francisco, CA: 440 SS: 108-115

Literally my words with a sh*t eating grin while hitting it. Straight ropes.

I'm in the fortunate position of kid in a candy store with free tasters. I've had success with Taylormade in the past so right now I'm looking at the Milled Grind, Honma TW-W4 and Cobra MIM. Taylormade is a bit firm and clicky but it sets up well to my eye, haven't yet tried the Honma but it scores really well the previous MGS wedge test in the areas I care about, spin and dispersion. I've also had my eye on the Cobra MIM wedge. I've already got it set up to hit these when the clubs I ordered arrive. Also gonna try and test the drivers.

Thanks for the sentiment. I am getting them replaced right now through insurance but things are just starting to normalize the bay area that I'm able to go out and get fitted. Right now I'm building the set. I didn't want to get my heart completely broken again so I'm breaking up my clubs a bit. I got the Honma TW737 V 5-10 irons. Clubs are little stronger which I like for my gaps distances. Filled in Mizuno MP-20 HMB for 4-2 irons which should be ready next week. Gonna get fitted for either the Ping G10, EXS 220 or the EXS 220 Pro. Need a 50 and a and 56 which I'll bend to a 55 and I have a 60. I used to really like the whippy feel but as I've gotten better with my timing I don't need that whippy feel to get there and I get a penetrating flight that runs forever. It also helps since I've upped my swing speed but realistically with my build and frame I'm never gonna be able to squeeze out enough to need an x-stiff. Getting fitted taught got me used to the importance of numbers and dispersion. I switched to graphite because it was stupid how much tighter it is compared to any of the steel shafts. I'll post a pic of my set when I'm there. Keep it in the short grass.

Greens and weirdly hot dogs. The only time I find myself eating a hot dog is on the golf course and I've been fortunate to only eat decent hot dogs. But the quality of the greens are my only metric. A crappy place isn't going to have an all of a sudden stellar green, a mediocre course layout can have a great grounds crew and tight greens and if you're paying $90+ on a round the greens are expected to be great. We spend most of our time on or around the greens anyway so I want the place I spend most of my time to be have the best conditions possible. You can come back and practice, get the feel for with or against the grains, really practice your short game on good greens.

How'd you play?

Jonathan / California 9.5 Not, Mizuno MP 20 HMB 2-3 irons Ability to flight shots low but generally a piercing mid trajectory shot, currently waiting to get the EXS 220 but you just released you pro model this week so I wanna do a side by side.

Ditto on that and congrats. Where was your hole in one? I got mine in Napa at Chardonnay on hole 5, short par 3 126 yard pin.

For reals? I've had my superspeed training set going into my 3rd week now and I'm definitely starting to feel the mechanical differences in my swing transitioning from "harder" to "faster" and totally messing with my yardages. I was able to test the HZRDUS Yellow vs. the 4T Ventus shafts with the EXS 220 just now and the conter balance on the HZRDUS made the weight feel amazing and also lowered the spin significantly. Just a great performing numbers wise and loading at the top felt right. Side by side the Ventus felt too whippy. I had already had made the conscious decision it was my next driver but now the issue is the EXS 220 Tour model comes out next week with a smaller head, moveable weight and deeper face to help with reduce spin so I wanna give it a throw first. My swing wasn't 100% when I hit it today but was still able to pipe a few over 300 topping out at a max distance of 310, 112 mph swing speed and 162 max ball speed. Spin was up 500-750 rpm comparatively from the last time I was hitting the Ventus but the few I got out there were sub 2000 rpm. If I can drop the spin even lower it's gonna get hard to swing with a constant erection. Initially I went because I needed to fill in some clubs I had to order to replace my Miura's that were stolen. I got the Honma TW737 V 10-5 that I got bent 2 degrees flat and ordered 4-2 iron of Mizuno MP-20 HMB. They match the progression of loft with the Honma's best. I was skeptical with a hollow club but Mizuno hits it out of the park in the feels and performance.

Face is HOT. It feels like you can't miss and when you do it still goes a mile. It's my next driver. However, I would like to try it with the HZRDUS Yellow Shaft before I make that decision. I hit it with the 4T Ventus and loved it but want to see if I can squeeze out another few mph's with the HZRDUS.