What Have You Bought Lately? (CHA - Club Ho's Anonymous)

[MattF]

6 hours ago, Grand Stranded said:

I’m playing pretty well lately, but I need to solve what is becoming an issue with my bag setup between my driver and 4 hybrid.

My 16.5 3HL has worked as well as any FW has for quite a while, but my swing speed has slowed the past 7 years to a point where I’m getting about 15 less yards than I did when I bought it.

I’ve recently replaced my 5 iron with a 5 hybrid, and it’s been a revelation. I also replaced my 3H with a HW, but it’s giving me the same distance as my 4H (they are both 20*) and I need more than that from a FW.

I want to get a 5W to gap above the 4H, but that would get me very close in yardage to the 16.5* 3HL. If I were to put a 15* 3W in the bag, it would have to be a very forgiving and high launching one as FW’s have never been my strength. I’ve come to a point where I need to get better with them though as my 3H isn’t giving me the carry distance it should. It’s become a “certain type of course” club.

I’ve been looking at reviews, and the Big Bertha 21 3&5 woods seem to fit the bill for a weak FW player such as myself. I can get them at a very good price, but I can’t demo them. (I’ve never even seen one). They seem to be bordering on the extreme, with shallow, offset heads and slightly shorter shafts.

Has anyone here had any experience with them, and am I on the right track thinking of buying them?

Have a serious look at the Callaway Apex UW. They're like a hybrid and fairway had a baby. I bought a 5 and 7 a couple of weeks ago and these things are going to end up being weapons for me.

I got the previous model (not much difference from the just released new one that I can tell) for 35% less than retail through Callaway Pre Owned.

[SteveGH7]

10 hours ago, Grand Stranded said:

I’ve been looking at reviews, and the Big Bertha 21 3&5 woods seem to fit the bill for a weak FW player such as myself. I can get them at a very good price, but I can’t demo them. (I’ve never even seen one). They seem to be bordering on the extreme, with shallow, offset heads and slightly shorter shafts.

Has anyone here had any experience with them, and am I on the right track thinking of buying them?

I bought the new Big Bertha 23 3 wood (which should be pretty similar to the 21 version), and I am really liking it.  I do not use it much from the fairways, but off the tee it is easy to hit and packs a punch.  I also have the Stealth 2 HD fairway for my 5 wood, and that one I love to hit off the fairway.  And I am typically not a strong fairway player.  The only "issue" with the Stealth 2 HD is it's not as far as other 5 woods I've hit.  The Big Bertha though does seem to have plenty of distance.

[ole gray]

1 hour ago, SteveGH7 said:

I bought the new Big Bertha 23 3 wood (which should be pretty similar to the 21 version), and I am really liking it.  I do not use it much from the fairways, but off the tee it is easy to hit and packs a punch.  I also have the Stealth 2 HD fairway for my 5 wood, and that one I love to hit off the fairway.  And I am typically not a strong fairway player.  The only "issue" with the Stealth 2 HD is it's not as far as other 5 woods I've hit.  The Big Bertha though does seem to have plenty of distance.

 

I was fitted for the Big Bertha 23 Driver and it's a freaking cannon! 

[fozcycle]

On 8/18/2023 at 3:13 PM, StrokerAce said:

not sure many people know this but Jack was had his clubs counter weighted

 

Jack also used to sell counter weighted grips

[chisag]

17 hours ago, Grand Stranded said:

I’m playing pretty well lately, but I need to solve what is becoming an issue with my bag setup between my driver and 4 hybrid.

My 16.5 3HL has worked as well as any FW has for quite a while, but my swing speed has slowed the past 7 years to a point where I’m getting about 15 less yards than I did when I bought it.

I’ve recently replaced my 5 iron with a 5 hybrid, and it’s been a revelation. I also replaced my 3H with a HW, but it’s giving me the same distance as my 4H (they are both 20*) and I need more than that from a FW.

I want to get a 5W to gap above the 4H, but that would get me very close in yardage to the 16.5* 3HL. If I were to put a 15* 3W in the bag, it would have to be a very forgiving and high launching one as FW’s have never been my strength. I’ve come to a point where I need to get better with them though as my 3H isn’t giving me the carry distance it should. It’s become a “certain type of course” club.

I’ve been looking at reviews, and the Big Bertha 21 3&5 woods seem to fit the bill for a weak FW player such as myself. I can get them at a very good price, but I can’t demo them. (I’ve never even seen one). They seem to be bordering on the extreme, with shallow, offset heads and slightly shorter shafts.

Has anyone here had any experience with them, and am I on the right track thinking of buying them?

 

... Here is the thing. The modern ball spins less off fairway woods making it harder for the ball to stay in the air. Fairway woods have gotten larger making the more difficult to launch from the fairway. Many of us have lost swing speed as we have aged. Those three combined make a 3 wood and for most a 4 wood (3HL) more difficult to hit from the fairway. Most will hit a 5 wood and even a 7 wood farther than a 3HL. The head is smaller and of course they have more loft making them easier to elevate from the fairway. Many in the fitting profession consider todays 5 wood yesterday's 3 wood. 

... The 2nd part is more difficult and a conundrum for quite a few of us. Playing similar lofts can work with a 21* 7 wood and a 22* 4hy because the 7 wood has a longer shaft. But we each have our own unique style and some produce more or less spin, higher and lower trajectories, prefer hitting a hybrid over a fairway wood or th other way around and a myriad of other differences and preferences so there is no easy answer other than getting fit or going through trial and error. It is one of the few times I prefer the latter as playing a club under pressure trying to reach a par 5 in two with water right or left can have an effect on your play more than standing in one spot and dialing in a hybrid/fairway wood. 

... The "new" category of course  is the "hybrid hybrid" like the UW. I still have my original Super Hybrid but made the mistake of getting the 17* loft and I hit it the same distance as my 5 wood. A 19* would have been perfect and would replace my 7 wood. I would prefer a hybrid and a 5 wood combo as it gives me the best of both worlds but right now the 7 wood is working well so gonna stick with it for awhile. No easy answer to your question but lots of really good options. 

[cksurfdude]

13 hours ago, Grand Stranded said:

Has anyone here had any experience with them, and am I on the right track thinking of buying them?

Picked up a new BB23 9W with a Kai'Li Red shaft .. mostly as an experiment, have not used it all that much on the course yet.

I know this isn't the loft you're thinking of, but the head is very forgiving and very easy to hit, the face has some punch to it so yeah this FW can def help you send the ball. It does have a little bit of offset / draw bias so be aware of that.

The shaft imho is awesome, I love it, and .. wish I'd gotten the Red (instead of the Blue) in the Paradym X driver! 

 

11 minutes ago, chisag said:

Playing similar lofts can work with a 21* 7 wood and a 22* 4hy because the 7 wood has a longer shaft. But we each have our own unique style and some produce more or less spin, higher and lower trajectories, prefer hitting a hybrid over a fairway wood or th other way around and a myriad of other differences and preferences so there is no easy answer other than getting fit or going through trial and error.

Agreed on the 3W for slower swing speed players - e.g. why even carry a club you can't / don't like to hit? So maybe 4W but 5W can be (ie. YMMV) a better choice.

Imo the Apex UW can be a possibility BUT make sure it has a shaft that works for you - the ones I've seen listed are for the "better" players with heavier and/or stiffer flex shafts vs what I like to use.

On a different note I'd picked up a Cleveland Hy-Wood earlier this year - like it, don't totally love it (yet?), but it does do the job of advancing the ball when I have a long .. and open, no real trouble .. shot. 

[Grand Stranded]

This is going to sound a bit crazy, because I agree totally with @chisag and @cksurfdude about 3Ws, and players with declining swing speeds. But have you ever just set a club down to the ground and known you will hit it well? I just had that feeling this morning… but here’s the rub. It was a RH model so I wasn’t able to demo  it.

That’s not the end of the world though, because like Chisag, I’d prefer to test them on the course instead of in a store.
I’m no pro, but I can hit any club fairly well after a few swings off a mat. The real test comes on the course when you’re under pressure. 

Even if they give me comparable distances to the 16.5* 3HL and 3H I have in the bag now, I’d much prefer the higher ball flight and extra carry these will supposedly give me. Any distance gains would be a bonus.

Ah well… Nothing ventured, nothing gained?

 

Edited August 27, 2023 by Grand Stranded

[Jim Akers]

New Titleist T200 irons. Went to a regular shaft and dropped down 25 grams of shaft weight.

 

verdict is out. Like them and fitting went well but not hitting them as consistently as my old AP3’s.

[ole gray]

New Titleist T200 irons. Went to a regular shaft and dropped down 25 grams of shaft weight.
 
verdict is out. Like them and fitting went well but not hitting them as consistently as my old AP3’s.

If your fitting brought different specs as your AP3 irons it will definitely be a process


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[Byrnzee]

Found a really good deal on a Ping iCrossover driving iron. I’ve seen the great reviews and research from MGS and have been interested in adding a driving iron to my bag for a while now. Seemed too good to resist! Excited to try it out when it arrives hopefully this week

[KOG]

On 8/21/2023 at 7:40 PM, KOG said:

Another callaway preowned impulse buy. They had a Bettanardi bb1  in Avg condition for $89. No picture or anything confirming the model I figured if I didnt like it, reselling it for 120 or so would be easy. Ill let you know what arrives. The description was this years model so Its kinda a mystery

Ok so I got the mystery bettinardi from Callaway Preowned. I was labeled the 2018 but its previous 2017 as they still had the honeycomb milling and 2018 they changed to current milling. Its got more dings than Id like even though it looks ok here. Already started refinishing it and got out most of the dings as seen. Not a fan of the green so all thats going as is paint. Ill share when done. Still happy with a $89 Bettinardi. Really does feel great.

However,  I also got a new in plastic TP Delmonte I'm loving for $99 at same time. So this is in the bag till I finish refinishing. Very solid putter well balanced and the insert gives a great roll and feel.

 

[MattWillGolf]

Came across some humor from Rock Bottom Golf. It seemed appropriate for this thread.

[BallsLeon]

The purchase from my PXG fitting arrived over the weekend, Gen5 0311XF 7 wood.
Had a chance to play yesterday, and it was really working for me. Was making solid contact all day from tee and all types of lies (may have been better out of the rough than my irons yesterday ). Solid purchase .

[Grand Stranded]

On 8/27/2023 at 6:08 AM, MattF said:

Have a serious look at the Callaway Apex UW. They're like a hybrid and fairway had a baby. I bought a 5 and 7 a couple of weeks ago and these things are going to end up being weapons for me.

I got the previous model (not much difference from the just released new one that I can tell) for 35% less than retail through Callaway Pre Owned.

I drool over those Callaway UW’s, but i don’t think they’re available in LH?

[KOG]

2 hours ago, Grand Stranded said:

I drool over those Callaway UW’s, but i don’t think they’re available in LH?

I love my 21* UW

[Bang60]

I bought this hoping it works for me if not I will sell lol... Dallas golf shipping wonder how long I have to wait to play with it..

 

Anyone using it and you like ee...?..

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Rouge white came in today. Hit some whiffles in the park. Liked the feel and didn’t feel like I had to over swing. Will see how its maiden voyage goes. Gonna try for tomorrow 

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

4 hours ago, Grand Stranded said:

I drool over those Callaway UW’s, but i don’t think they’re available in LH?

They have 19*. I think the new version the 19 and 17 are available in lh

[rkj427]

36 minutes ago, Bang60 said:

I bought this hoping it works for me if not I will sell lol... Dallas golf shipping wonder how long I have to wait to play with it..

 

Anyone using it and you like ee...?..

You may want to check out the Mizuno Long Game testing currently going on.........................

 

[MattF]

17 hours ago, Grand Stranded said:

I drool over those Callaway UW’s, but i don’t think they’re available in LH?

They are. There's a 19° with a Black Smoke 5.5 shaft "like new" (meaning brand new) on CPO right now.

And as @Vegan_Golfer_PNW said, the new version is available for order on the Callaway website in lefty.

[KOG]

On 8/27/2023 at 11:32 PM, KOG said:

Ok so I got the mystery bettinardi from Callaway Preowned. I was labeled the 2018 but its previous 2017 as they still had the honeycomb milling and 2018 they changed to current milling. Its got more dings than Id like even though it looks ok here. Already started refinishing it and got out most of the dings as seen. Not a fan of the green so all thats going as is paint. Ill share when done. Still happy with a $89 Bettinardi. Really does feel great.

However,  I also got a new in plastic TP Delmonte I'm loving for $99 at same time. So this is in the bag till I finish refinishing. Very solid putter well balanced and the insert gives a great roll and feel.

 

 

Ok So pretty happy with the refinish and got all dings out.

Got a new blue and white grip to replace the green and for paint fill and went blue and white as well.

So the extra $20 for grip (can resell original lime green one for same) cost for the Bettinardi was just under $100

 

[IndyBonzo]

Has anyone tried both the UW and the Paradym or Paradym X hybrids, and is there a meaningful difference?  I heard in an online review (I think James Robinson) that they may be essentially the same?  

I love the Paradym X hybrids btw.  Surprised they did not do better in the MGS testing, but that's why we play what works for us.

[KOG]

4 minutes ago, IndyBonzo said:

Has anyone tried both the UW and the Paradym or Paradym X hybrids, and is there a meaningful difference?  I heard in an online review (I think James Robinson) that they may be essentially the same?  

I love the Paradym X hybrids btw.  Surprised they did not do better in the MGS testing, but that's why we play what works for us.

Yep. No offset for the utility wood which is good if you pull hybrids. If you hit hybrids fine, I dont think you really "need" a UW but for me, half an inch shorter shaft than my 7 wood and just as long and handles low shots under trees so no actual hybrids for me currently in the bag and no need for my 7 wood.

[StrokerAce]

hopefully the purple isn't too bright... was all they had left by the time I got there.

[KevB_44]

Thank goodness for a supportive wife....   

 

a month or better ago on a whim after the MGS article on the Ping iCrossover, I got one to replace my hybrid which was hot and cold, but mostly cold and a reluctant selection when looking at a shot and my 5 iron had become so good I didn't hesitate and favored it over the hybrid for sure.  I felt perhaps that iCrossover would get me just a little more distance and the "iron shape" was a better fit for me.  It was a better fit and it did all the right things. As the story goes, i started to favor this over my heavenwood and started to see the same 220 yards.  Although the flights were different and I got a draw from the heavenwood and a fade from the Ping, I started to see the gap between my 3Wood and either of these options, particularly since the 3 wood was really starting to be reliable.....  so yeah---went and got a TSr 5 wood to match the 3 wood and replace the heavenwood. I haven't played a round with it, but I am liking what I see at the range. 

I think I may have mapped out the long section pretty well now with the 5 iron at 200, crossover 220, 5 wood at 235, 3 wood 250...  I fortunately don't need to play a ton of long shots but the 5 iron works well on long Par 3's and is put to work on Par 5s or if I don't hit a great driver off the tee.   I think now though on a par 5 where I am a little short with the 5 iron, I have some real options and I am also looking forward to using some of these options off of the tee more where I need to avoid a trap or water.   

 

I think I am done with my bag  (...for now...)

[Syks7]

Couple decent sales yielded a couple new items.

Bought a 12x36 CCE hitting strip to save my wrists from the concrete floor of my garage.  So far so good.  Durable and it does have a nice feel to it.  Wouldn't quite call it a fully real feel like claimed, but you can get a much better read on heavy contact with it.  Definitely no skipping into the ball.

To get myself out of my head when playing and not focused on data I also pulled the trigger on a shot scope H4.   No more manual data tracking.  

[GolfSpy_APH]

Well pulled the trigger on a G425 Max. Had a round today and the Cobra still just isn't filling me with any confidence. Even with a change to one of my favorite shafts. 

So let's see what happens! Maybe this will provide me the forgiveness I am looking for.

[Nick_D]

6 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Well pulled the trigger on a G425 Max. Had a round today and the Cobra still just isn't filling me with any confidence. Even with a change to one of my favorite shafts. 

So let's see what happens! Maybe this will provide me the forgiveness I am looking for.

Didn't you have a G430 recently? Any reason going with the G425 over G430?

[GolfSpy_APH]

24 minutes ago, Nick_D said:

Didn't you have a G430 recently? Any reason going with the G425 over G430?

I did and loved it. A friend who plays a lot more and competitive wanted to buy it so I sold it to him. Shouldn't have in hindsight, but oh well! 

[KC Golf]

5 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

I did and loved it. A friend who plays a lot more and competitive wanted to buy it so I sold it to him. Shouldn't have in hindsight, but oh well! 

APH, the charity and kindness Mod of the Year!