What equipment are you thinking about?

[SteveGH7]

21 hours ago, Josh Ross said:

All this talk about fairway woods got me thinking. When I first got serious about golf, I carried a 4 wood with 16.5 degrees of loft. It was a TaylorMade V Steel and I loved that thing. I love my Cobra 3 wood, but if I go to 4 wood loft it closes the face. What fairways out there are you people liking that are 3HL or 4 wood? I've seen TaylorMade and Callaway with those options, any other good ones that people are liking?

I have the 16.5 TSR2 and really like it so far.  Looks good and great feel.

[cnosil]

Was thinking about a putter.....I know frequent thought in my head.    Today I was serious;  took some old clubs to trade in and was going to get a different look; definitely mallet maybe a 2 ball or 7 style.  This is going to be my experiment putter and will probably end up with some kind of upgraded shaft.   Hit putts with the various putters and couldn't find anything I liked.  The best was probably the Ping Anser PLD;  yes I know it is a blade but I tried it because I remembered it seemed to have a little hotter face when I tried it during most wanted testing.  I remembered correctly.   

What did I buy?  nothing.    It's sad when the only equipment you really want is a new putter and can't find anything.  

[chisag]

4 minutes ago, cnosil said:

Was thinking about a putter.....I know frequent thought in my head.    Today I was serious;  took some old clubs to trade in and was going to get a different look; definitely mallet maybe a 2 ball or 7 style.  This is going to be my experiment putter and will probably end up with some kind of upgraded shaft.   Hit putts with the various putters and couldn't find anything I liked.  The best was probably the Ping Anser PLD;  yes I know it is a blade but I tried it because I remembered it seemed to have a little hotter face when I tried it during most wanted testing.  I remembered correctly.   

What did I buy?  nothing.    It's sad when the only equipment you really want is a new putter and can't find anything.  

 

... Not surprised as I think "perfect" putters are the most difficult to find. I hold my putter very lightly and if the balance is right for me, the putter head flows on a perfect arc. If the balance is off, the head wanders off my line. If I had lead tape and could modify some, I might be able get a good balance but honestly it is rare to find a putter that is perfectly balanced for my stroke. More than any other club, I think a putter should just feel right on every level and of course that is different for every golfer. Good luck in your search!  

[KOG]

On 4/28/2023 at 1:31 PM, Josh Ross said:

All this talk about fairway woods got me thinking. When I first got serious about golf, I carried a 4 wood with 16.5 degrees of loft. It was a TaylorMade V Steel and I loved that thing. I love my Cobra 3 wood, but if I go to 4 wood loft it closes the face. What fairways out there are you people liking that are 3HL or 4 wood? I've seen TaylorMade and Callaway with those options, any other good ones that people are liking?

I stand by Exotics being the best deal in Fairway woods and hybrids. They have a 16.5 degree model 43" fixed head that is probably one of the easiest to hit. Plus you can find them for very cheap. I highly recommend the exs 220 fw and hybrid line. I havent tried any of their newer exotics line but I do have an Exotics E8 16.5 I grabbed for $50 or so off ebay and its a great club with stock legit speeder shaft. Face is square on these. If you can locate the Exotics XJ1 4 wood, thats a gem. I have the 18 degree 43" XJ1 5w and love that club. They wanted $500 for them when they released and have air speeder stock shafts

Edited April 29, 2023 by KOG

[Josh Ross]

4 minutes ago, KOG said:

I stand by Exotics being the best deal in Fairway woods and hybrids. They have a 16.5 degree model 43" fixed head that is probably one of the easiest to hit. Plus you can find them for very cheap. I highly recommend the exs 220 fw and hybrid line. I havent tried any of their newer exotics line but I do have an Exotics E8 16.5 I grabbed for $50 or so off ebay and its a great club with stock legit speeder shaft. Face is square on these.

Yeah I've had good experience with Exotics, my last three fairways were all from them before I moved to Cobra. Had the EXS 220 driver before my current one as well. Definitely gonna give their new stuff a look.

[KOG]

8 minutes ago, Josh Ross said:

Yeah I've had good experience with Exotics, my last three fairways were all from them before I moved to Cobra. Had the EXS 220 driver before my current one as well. Definitely gonna give their new stuff a look.

Yeah I was editing because I forgot about the XJ1 line. Those feel really special. I had the EXS driver and found that better for me than the EXS 220 head. The EXS 220 driver flew way too high even at 9* for me. Still use the EXS once in a while. The EXS 220 FW was the easiest 15 degree I hit and maintains that high trajectory but its perfect for a 3 wood. Replaced GBB Epic 3 wood which was also good but the shape was not as aesthetic pleasing to me or easy to launch. The newest line does look very nice also.

Edited April 29, 2023 by KOG

[DriverBreaker]

Finally got a pair of the FJ Tour Alphas.  I have hit some balls in them in the garage and they’re everything I’ve hoped for.  Need to test them on the course, but extremely stable in the swings I’ve taken.  Hard to get outside your feet in these.  That little bit of extra in the wider spike placement and the plastic heel cup is just phenomenal.

[bekgolf]

On 4/28/2023 at 4:18 PM, Ben Joest said:

Update: 

I tried one out today. It was fun to hit. However, I’m not sure where it would fit into my bag. By design, it isn’t long enough to overtake the driver and it is harder to hit off the deck than the 3w. There are a couple of shots it would be ideal for, but for the price I can’t see it. Off to the next infatuation…

https://shop.touredge.com/collections/pre-owned-fairways

 

I recently picked up a C721 3 wood from the CPO site above.  Hands down it's the best 3 wood that I've owned and it was right around $100 in almost new shape with a great shaft.

[StrokerAce]

I'm tired of missing 5-6 foot putts. really tired. I need something; anything to make it stop.

[cksurfdude]

7 hours ago, cnosil said:

Was thinking about a putter.....I know frequent thought in my head.    Today I was serious;  took some old clubs to trade in and was going to get a different look; definitely mallet maybe a 2 ball or 7 style.  This is going to be my experiment putter and will probably end up with some kind of upgraded shaft.   Hit putts with the various putters and couldn't find anything I liked.  The best was probably the Ping Anser PLD;  yes I know it is a blade but I tried it because I remembered it seemed to have a little hotter face when I tried it during most wanted testing.  I remembered correctly.   

What did I buy?  nothing.    It's sad when the only equipment you really want is a new putter and can't find anything.  

Hey if you're still looking by the time of the June NC trip I can bring along the MLA mallet I still have and still practice with - to me, it feels much firmer on contact vs other putters, so I umm assume that translates to a slightly higher ball speed..?

[cnosil]

3 minutes ago, cksurfdude said:

Hey if you're still looking by the time of the June NC trip I can bring along the MLA mallet I still have and still practice with - to me, it feels much firmer on contact vs other putters, so I umm assume that translates to a slightly higher ball speed..?

Thanks.  I'll let you know, but I have tried MLA putters in the past and wasn't that impressed. 

[chisag]

16 hours ago, StrokerAce said:

I'm tired of missing 5-6 foot putts. really tired. I need something; anything to make it stop.

 

... You and me both! I am really looking forward to summer and a change of golf courses. My home winter course is just so maddenly difficult to read this spring. The changing grass plays a role but mostly just frustrating because you have to hit perfect putts for speed and line. I have consistently played: say a 6 footer an inch outside the hole and it doesn't break. Then take another putt and play it dead center and it breaks 6 inches and completely out of the hole. We did this several times last round after I missed 5 birdie putts and a slight difference in speed changes the line. And a very slight change in line changes the break. I have never played greens that are so speed/line specific where just changing the line by an inch or 2 causes a completely different break or no break at all. 

[Josh Ross]

Well, the family surprised me with a birthday dinner since my birthday falls on this upcoming Tuesday and we're busy all week. Took the opportunity to swing by the PGA Superstore and try all these 4 woods out against my current clubs. 

Using a GC Quad, I hit my Cobra LTDx 3 and 4 hybrid, my Cobra Speedzone 3 Wood and Big Tour 3 Wood, and quite a few different fairway woods. A very unsuspecting contender came out on top so the bag is about to get a change.

21 degree 4H was going 233-235, 19 degree 3H was going 235-238, 14.5 degree 3 wood was going 245-260 but really low and inconsistent, and 13.5 degree Big Tour was going 270-275 with better launch. The surprise was the Callaway UW 19 degree that was launching with ease and going about 250-255. It felt unbelievable and is definitely replacing my LTDx 3H.

Looks like the Big Tour will fill the gap between driver and UW for now but man, that Callaway was easy distance and fun to hit. Haven't gotten along with any of their clubs in years so I was surprised.

[Rickp]

9 hours ago, cnosil said:

Thanks.  I'll let you know, but I have tried MLA putters in the past and wasn't that impressed. 

Interesting, I’ve been struggling with putting lately and I put the MLA in my bag for Monday.  

[cnosil]

45 minutes ago, Rickp said:

Interesting, I’ve been struggling with putting lately and I put the MLA in my bag for Monday.  

MLAs big thing is their alignment system; which isn't where I really struggle.  Looking for something that will help with speed control...basically a little more get up and go with the same stroke I am currently making.   This is the biggest reason I disliked the LAB putter also;  just couldn't convince myself to make a big enough swing.  

[Rickp]

33 minutes ago, cnosil said:

MLAs big thing is their alignment system; which isn't where I really struggle.  Looking for something that will help with speed control...basically a little more get up and go with the same stroke I am currently making.   This is the biggest reason I disliked the LAB putter also;  just couldn't convince myself to make a big enough swing.  

I have no problem with speed/distance, been struggling with alignment.  
The LAB putter is intriguing.

[Josh Ross]

32 minutes ago, cnosil said:

MLAs big thing is their alignment system; which isn't where I really struggle.  Looking for something that will help with speed control...basically a little more get up and go with the same stroke I am currently making.   This is the biggest reason I disliked the LAB putter also;  just couldn't convince myself to make a big enough swing.  

That's interesting about the LAB, when I'm on slower to average greens I seem to come up a few inches short way more often with my Directed Force. For some reason I can't always give it enough gas either. But I'm friends with Bill Presse (LAB inventor) on Facebook, and he has posted recently that the Directed Force is his go to on slower greens and the Link.1 he uses on quicker greens. In my limited use with the Link.1, I feel that I would be the opposite.

[Rickp]

5 minutes ago, Josh Ross said:

That's interesting about the LAB, when I'm on slower to average greens I seem to come up a few inches short way more often with my Directed Force. For some reason I can't always give it enough gas either. But I'm friends with Bill Presse (LAB inventor) on Facebook, and he has posted recently that the Directed Force is his go to on slower greens and the Link.1 he uses on quicker greens. In my limited use with the Link.1, I feel that I would be the opposite.

I’m liking the Link.1 for my alignment issue.

[cnosil]

1 hour ago, Josh Ross said:

That's interesting about the LAB, when I'm on slower to average greens I seem to come up a few inches short way more often with my Directed Force. For some reason I can't always give it enough gas either. But I'm friends with Bill Presse (LAB inventor) on Facebook, and he has posted recently that the Directed Force is his go to on slower greens and the Link.1 he uses on quicker greens. In my limited use with the Link.1, I feel that I would be the opposite.

I even saw the distance issue when I was testing all my putters on my ExPutt over the last week.    My Odyssey, TM, and Seemore would get closer and past the hole and the LAB would come up significantly short.    I had set the green speed at 9 which seems comparable to the courses I play.  

[Fred Mitchell]

23 hours ago, cnosil said:

Was thinking about a putter.....I know frequent thought in my head.    Today I was serious;  took some old clubs to trade in and was going to get a different look; definitely mallet maybe a 2 ball or 7 style.  This is going to be my experiment putter and will probably end up with some kind of upgraded shaft.   Hit putts with the various putters and couldn't find anything I liked.  The best was probably the Ping Anser PLD;  yes I know it is a blade but I tried it because I remembered it seemed to have a little hotter face when I tried it during most wanted testing.  I remembered correctly.   

What did I buy?  nothing.    It's sad when the only equipment you really want is a new putter and can't find anything.  

Roll the new cleveland frontline elite with the all in shaft if you get a chance. I went into the store with the purpose of buying best putter regardless of price and thought I found it when I found the Scotty Cameron Phantom 12, best part wa they had their demo model which was mint marked at 330$ but as promised I tried anything that looked close to the right fit when I got to the Cleveland Elevado Elite I was lights out, and even though I only saved 30 bucks over the Scotty , I didnt buy a putter for a fashion show I bought it to sink putts. 

[Fred Mitchell]

21 hours ago, DriverBreaker said:

Finally got a pair of the FJ Tour Alphas.  I have hit some balls in them in the garage and they’re everything I’ve hoped for.  Need to test them on the course, but extremely stable in the swings I’ve taken.  Hard to get outside your feet in these.  That little bit of extra in the wider spike placement and the plastic heel cup is just phenomenal.

Agreed , played 2 rounds and some range time with my new exact same pair but the heel has a bite on me during break in , maybe carry some large bandaids just in case, better safe than sorry.

 

[Javs]

2 minutes ago, Fred Mitchell said:

Agreed , played 2 rounds and some range time with my new exact same pair but the heel has a bite on me during break in , maybe carry some large bandaids just in case, better safe than sorry.

 

I recommend trying the SQAIRZ Bolt shoes. Even more stable than the Footjoy and no blisters!

Edited April 30, 2023 by Javs

[Fred Mitchell]

17 minutes ago, Javs said:

I recommend trying the SQAIRZ Bolt shoes. Even more stable than the Footjoy and no blisters!

Not big on buying a shoe I cant try on and I get blisters from new shoes sometimes if im not carefull, heel spurs I guess. I wish I could find Squarz to try on but they are a unicorn.

 

[cnosil]

2 hours ago, Fred Mitchell said:

Roll the new cleveland frontline elite with the all in shaft if you get a chance. I went into the store with the purpose of buying best putter regardless of price and thought I found it when I found the Scotty Cameron Phantom 12, best part wa they had their demo model which was mint marked at 330$ but as promised I tried anything that looked close to the right fit when I got to the Cleveland Elevado Elite I was lights out, and even though I only saved 30 bucks over the Scotty , I didnt buy a putter for a fashion show I bought it to sink putts. 

I liked the All-in shaft but wasn't that sold with the Cleveland putters.    As a most wanted tester,  I get to test most putters in the market and there aren't that many with a hot face.  

[sirchunksalot]

I'm thinking about grips to put on the Cobra's. I'm getting the Forged Tec X Black with KBS TGI 75 graphite shafts that are black and red. Currently they're going to have Golf Pride Tour Velvet black grips but I'm wanting to go with the black/red combo. It's simply aesthetics on my part because I think they'll look so good. 

I've narrowed it down to two choices:

Golf Pride MCC

Iomic Sticky Black Army 2.3

I'm leaning Golf Pride because I know what to expect and leaning Iomic because they just look so good. 

 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

1 minute ago, sirchunksalot said:

I'm thinking about grips to put on the Cobra's. I'm getting the Forged Tec X Black with KBS TGI 75 graphite shafts that are black and red. Currently they're going to have Golf Pride Tour Velvet black grips but I'm wanting to go with the black/red combo. It's simply aesthetics on my part because I think they'll look so good. 

I've narrowed it down to two choices:

Golf Pride MCC

Iomic Sticky Black Army 2.3

I'm leaning Golf Pride because I know what to expect and leaning Iomic because they just look so good. 

 

Based solely on the fact that I have never played iomic, I would lean golf pride. However, there is some validity to trying the iomic, because the entire bag is trying something new.

[Javs]

2 hours ago, Fred Mitchell said:

Not big on buying a shoe I cant try on and I get blisters from new shoes sometimes if im not carefull, heel spurs I guess. I wish I could find Squarz to try on but they are a unicorn.

 

SQAIRZ has a great return policy and will replace shoes until you get a great fit. They also offer free replacement cleats for the life of the shoes. 

[Javs]

5 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

I'm thinking about grips to put on the Cobra's. I'm getting the Forged Tec X Black with KBS TGI 75 graphite shafts that are black and red. Currently they're going to have Golf Pride Tour Velvet black grips but I'm wanting to go with the black/red combo. It's simply aesthetics on my part because I think they'll look so good. 

I've narrowed it down to two choices:

Golf Pride MCC

Iomic Sticky Black Army 2.3

I'm leaning Golf Pride because I know what to expect and leaning Iomic because they just look so good. 

 

I have been a Golf Pride MCC fan. I love those grips. They perform and hold up great. However, if you go with the Iomic grips then I am very interested in your feedback!

[Muckinfiddle]

2 hours ago, Javs said:

I recommend trying the SQAIRZ Bolt shoes. Even more stable than the Footjoy and no blisters!

I have the sqairz and don't find them as comfortable as my FJ exwide Alphas. Toe bed is not as spacious as I would like. I wore the Alphas yesterday for the first time and I think they are my new go to in x wide for my flippers.

[Rickp]

8 minutes ago, sirchunksalot said:

I'm thinking about grips to put on the Cobra's. I'm getting the Forged Tec X Black with KBS TGI 75 graphite shafts that are black and red. Currently they're going to have Golf Pride Tour Velvet black grips but I'm wanting to go with the black/red combo. It's simply aesthetics on my part because I think they'll look so good. 

I've narrowed it down to two choices:

Golf Pride MCC

Iomic Sticky Black Army 2.3

I'm leaning Golf Pride because I know what to expect and leaning Iomic because they just look so good. 

 

I’ve been using the MCC +4 for a few years now.  With the +4 I’m able to use Std