Shankster’s “Modern Classic” Project

[Shankster]

Shankster’s “Modern Classic” Project

 

‘Nifty this ones for you’

 

Ok ladies and gentlemen. I have a few things up my sleeve for this year. Starting with my driver. I can’t stand 460cc balloons, so I bought a 235cc Callaway “mini” driver, when I started playing in the mid 90’s this was just a Driver. Technology and whatnot has “improved” the game. Equipment quality has improved for sure, but what has the 400 yard drives done for the game? At least that’s what companies want us to think. The MGS crew does an excellent job at weeding out the BS and giving us straight up results, which I thoroughly enjoy, I mean who doesn’t want data that is actually useful? The marketing teams just want us to think bigger, better, faster, this place proves or disproves that. Perfect!

 

I am not against technology at all, I welcome it... but I also am a history buff. I came across some iron and woods specs from the 70’s I believe, and the average driver loft was 11 ish degrees. Yes times have change, and with the added tech we know that 11° is not for everyone. Can you imagine if Jack, Arnie, or Seve had the technology we have today? They probably would have over analyzed it just like it is done today. Or maybe they’d have been even better, but one thing can be said, the artistry has somewhat diminished and there are a bunch of robots out there. Did you see social media go nuts when Tiger “Duck Sliced” that wedge at the WGC? That’s artistry and people loved it. Yeah, 400 yard drives are cool, but stuff like that can’t be made on a trackman, that’s pure vision and well... art. (Would have been cool to see that ball flight data though!)

 

The combo set thread has me thinking, and analyzing some of the data I pulled from my last sim session, I have a pretty good idea what my plan for a set is. I’ve always looked past Callaway, mostly because I don’t like their marketing, and that one time when I broke a Big Bertha driver demo. Anyways, I am looking for a loft and lie machine and dial my clubs in myself... oh no that’s not a good idea you say? Well I don’t think a standard set with standard lofts and lies from the factory will ever fit me.

 

From what I’ve gathered they fit you for one club right?

 

So, as a “Mechanic”, or as I prefer a “Technician” it’s time for me to tune up my golf clubs. I really don’t care what the numbers say on the bottom, although I’ve brought it up before, it’s just a number... middle aged dogs can learn new tricks. It’s the loft I’m looking for. So classic clubs mostly had a 51°/52° Pitching Wedge, and 4° increments all the way up to around the 3 iron which was around 24°, a 2 iron was 21°/22° (modern 3 and 4 irons), so we’ll get over the numeral they decide to boost ego’s with on the bottom.

 

Come on Shankster get to the point!

 

Well, ok you asked for it. I will be building this “Modern Vintage” over the course of the summer, to include steel shafts for the fairways and the driver.

 

Callaway Mini 1.5 (set to 11°) 43.5”

SLDR TS (set to 14.5°) 42” (for now)

Callaway Apex MB 4-GW (same as a vintage 2-PW loft wise)

56, 60 wedges (need to test some bounce options)

PING Anser TR 1966

 

Reason for the set GW is because I really don’t use the 52° for anything but full shots. I feel a square soles set matching club will do better for this.

 

Will adjust loft and lie on each club to achieve proper gapping and neutral ball flight if I can find a loft and lie machine that won’t break the bank. If the MB’s don’t work in the longer irons I’ll replace them with some goo filled, hollow irons or have even considered more hybrids or a 7 and 9 wood, equivalent of classic 4 and 5 woods. But after reviewing the ball speeds from my last session, I think my irons are too hot in the mids, and too low in the highs and lows. As Dang3rtown would agree, it’s time to scoop the mids, and even out the progression of ball speed. Maybe even up the treble if needed.

 

As I was writing this I stumbled upon MOI matching sets. There isn’t a tone of info out there on it, but it is sort of like the one length stuff. You pick your favorite club, say the 7 iron and measure the moi of that club, you then adjust length as needed to achieve the same MOI from 1 iron all the way down to wedges. So your .5” increments might be more or less to get that right, so your long irons will get shorter and your short irons might get a little longer. The magic number seems to be .4” increments. More to come on this later after more research is done.

 

Obviously a fitting will be first in line, if not just to find the right shafts for me.

 

I’ve also been inspired to make a swing change, thanks Joe. I’ll have a thread on that journey too.

 

Hope you enjoyed this. I’ll be posting updates in this thread.

 

“Driver” is due here tomorrow 2/27/19

 

 

 

 

[PING Apologist #9]

4 minutes ago, Shankster said:

 

Shankster’s “Modern Classic” Project

 

‘Nifty this ones for you’

 

Ok ladies and gentlemen. I have a few things up my sleeve for this year. Starting with my driver. I can’t stand 460cc balloons, so I bought a 235cc Callaway “mini” driver, when I started playing in the mid 90’s this was just a Driver. Technology and whatnot has “improved” the game. Equipment quality has improved for sure, but what has the 400 yard drives done for the game? At least that’s what companies want us to think. The MGS crew does an excellent job at weeding out the BS and giving us straight up results, which I thoroughly enjoy, I mean who doesn’t want data that is actually useful? The marketing teams just want us to think bigger, better, faster, this place proves or disproves that. Perfect!

 

I am not against technology at all, I welcome it... but I also am a history buff. I came across some iron and woods specs from the 70’s I believe, and the average driver loft was 11 ish degrees. Yes times have change, and with the added tech we know that 11° is not for everyone. Can you imagine if Jack, Arnie, or Seve had the technology we have today? They probably would have over analyzed it just like it is done today. Or maybe they’d have been even better, but one thing can be said, the artistry has somewhat diminished and there are a bunch of robots out there. Did you see social media go nuts when Tiger “Duck Sliced” that wedge at the WGC? That’s artistry and people loved it. Yeah, 400 yard drives are cool, but stuff like that can’t be made on a trackman, that’s pure vision and well... art. (Would have been cool to see that ball flight data though!)

 

The combo set thread has me thinking, and analyzing some of the data I pulled from my last sim session, I have a pretty good idea what my plan for a set is. I’ve always looked past Callaway, mostly because I don’t like their marketing, and that one time when I broke a Big Bertha driver demo. Anyways, I am looking for a loft and lie machine and dial my clubs in myself... oh no that’s not a good idea you say? Well I don’t think a standard set with standard lofts and lies from the factory will ever fit me.

 

From what I’ve gathered they fit you for one club right?

 

So, as a “Mechanic”, or as I prefer a “Technician” it’s time for me to tune up my golf clubs. I really don’t care what the numbers say on the bottom, although I’ve brought it up before, it’s just a number... middle aged dogs can learn new tricks. It’s the loft I’m looking for. So classic clubs mostly had a 51°/52° Pitching Wedge, and 4° increments all the way up to around the 3 iron which was around 24°, a 2 iron was 21°/22° (modern 3 and 4 irons), so we’ll get over the numeral they decide to boost ego’s with on the bottom.

 

Come on Shankster get to the point!

 

Well, ok you asked for it. I will be building this “Modern Vintage” over the course of the summer, to include steel shafts for the fairways and the driver.

 

Callaway Mini 1.5 (set to 11°) 43.5”

SLDR TS (set to 14.5°) 42” (for now)

Callaway Apex MB 4-GW (same as a vintage 2-PW loft wise)

56, 60 wedges (need to test some bounce options)

PING Anser TR 1966

 

Reason for the set GW is because I really don’t use the 52° for anything but full shots. I feel a square soles set matching club will do better for this.

 

Will adjust loft and lie on each club to achieve proper gapping and neutral ball flight if I can find a loft and lie machine that won’t break the bank. If the MB’s don’t work in the longer irons I’ll replace them with some goo filled, hollow irons or have even considered more hybrids or a 7 and 9 wood, equivalent of classic 4 and 5 woods. But after reviewing the ball speeds from my last session, I think my irons are too hot in the mids, and too low in the highs and lows. As Dang3rtown would agree, it’s time to scoop the mids, and even out the progression of ball speed. Maybe even up the treble if needed.

 

As I was writing this I stumbled upon MOI matching sets. There isn’t a tone of info out there on it, but it is sort of like the one length stuff. You pick your favorite club, say the 7 iron and measure the moi of that club, you then adjust length as needed to achieve the same MOI from 1 iron all the way down to wedges. So your .5” increments might be more or less to get that right, so your long irons will get shorter and your short irons might get a little longer. The magic number seems to be .4” increments. More to come on this later after more research is done.

 

Obviously a fitting will be first in line, if not just to find the right shafts for me.

 

I’ve also been inspired to make a swing change, thanks Joe. I’ll have a thread on that journey too.

 

Hope you enjoyed this. I’ll be posting updates in this thread.

 

“Driver” is due here tomorrow 2/27/19

 

 

 

 

 

Best of luck to you Bud! Can't wait to see you flesh this all out and then get after it out on the course...Cheers!

[revkev]

Not at all the equipment that I would choose for myself but I'm happy for you - good luck with your new bag and your quest for a new swing.  I'm still struggling to find my old one - it was so simple - I'm almost there, too.  The first step for me was getting in good enough physical condition to try and go find it. 

When one of our pros looked at me on the range today and said, "You're half the man you used to be."  And then two of the other ones have ordered SuperSpeed sticks I think I'm on to something.

So you're reworking your set and I'm reworking my body -

Here's to both of us!

[Shankster]

Thanks Rev. I’ve been working on my conditioning too. I’m a year into my shoulder recovery and I feel like I am better than before. Even my PT started making me do golf specific training when I go twice a week now.

[Shankster]

Best of luck to you Bud! Can't wait to see you flesh this all out and then get after it out on the course...Cheers!

Thanks! Going to be a busy year, with moving, and all that but I’m ready for the challenge.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Good luck with it all and looking forward to following along with the progress of the set!

[null]

Very cool, I'll definitely be following along. 

 

But why the steel shafts in the woods?

[Shankster]

Very cool, I'll definitely be following along. 
 
But why the steel shafts in the woods?

Graphite is for fishing poles.

It’s a cheap test. Unless I can find a 100+ gram graphite shaft.

[deejaid]

It isn’t that easy to find steel fairway wood shafts these days, believe me.

Good luck with the new set up. Should be a fun project.


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[PMookie]

Graphite is for fishing poles.

It’s a cheap test. Unless I can find a 100+ gram graphite shaft.

You ought to reach-out to my buddy Robopti on here. He can tell you all about what long-drive guys found with steel shafted drivers!


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[robertson153]

Graphite is for fishing poles.

It’s a cheap test. Unless I can find a 100+ gram graphite shaft.

It’s not a 100g but I do have an 85g driver shaft that’s up for trades.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[hckymeyer]

Only 13 clubs?

[Shankster]

Only 13 clubs?

Yeah. Leaving that open for another wood, driving iron, or wedge. Depends on how the distances go with that set up. I’m guessing it will be a 5 wood or hybrid. Or similar lofted driving iron.

[Shankster]

It isn’t that easy to find steel fairway wood shafts these days, believe me.

Good luck with the new set up. Should be a fun project.


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Found a Nippon shaft on the tourspec site.

[tommc23]

I'm interested in seeing how this works for you

[Shankster]

I'm interested in seeing how this works for you

Me too. Should be fun, I can’t really mess it up too bad I don’t think.

Taking the new “driver” to the college on Friday hopefully. This will be the key point for me. Hope it works because I don’t see anyone releasing smaller headed drivers anytime soon.

[bens197]

This is cool. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try another driver, take a look at the TM 200 Steel if you can find one. I played one with a DG X100 for about two months in college while my PING TiSi was being repaired for a cracked face.

 

I then cracked the TM head but loved how it setup and it felt sooooo good.

 

 

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[Shankster]

This thing is amazing!!

[JohnSmalls]

18 hours ago, Shankster said:

100+ gram graphite shaft.

Time to get a load of lead tape.  Speaking of which, lead tape + graphite equals steel...doesn't it?

[Shankster]

Time to get a load of lead tape.  Speaking of which, lead tape + graphite equals steel...doesn't it?

Something like that. The shaft on it now is a 60gram S. Feels a bit stouter than that. Need to find my adjustment tool, the previous owner had it set up at the 14° Draw setting.

[00sportsman]

This is really cool.  Good luck on the project.  I'll be anxiously awaiting updates.

[Berg Ryman]

Always a fan of anything Shank posts and this is a really cool idea. Keep on keeping on!

[Shankster]

Well. That sucks. It is only 41” long. Listing didn’t say length... son of a! Why didn’t I ask?!

Now I have to get a new shaft.

[tommc23]

27 minutes ago, Shankster said:

Well. That sucks. It is only 41” long. Listing didn’t say length... son of a! Why didn’t I ask?!

Now I have to get a new shaft.

Way to go

[bens197]

Well. That sucks. It is only 41” long. Listing didn’t say length... son of a! Why didn’t I ask?!

Now I have to get a new shaft.

I mean, who wants someone else’s stock anyways

Now you get to start fresh!


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[fozcycle]

Keep it up Shankster, and btw, make sure your ferrules are orange.


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[Shankster]

New shaft should be on the way today. I decided against the steel shaft. Picked up a Aldila Green 75 3 wood shaft which will put it back to stock length.

But... I’m going to test it against this one. It plays at 41” which is the same length as my hybrid.... one of the most accurate long clubs in my bag, so maybe a 11° 41” driver is the golden ticket?

How much distance will I lose? A few days and we will find out.

Keep it up Shankster, and btw, make sure your ferrules are orange.


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Orange ferrules? Adds speed?

[Shankster]

Ok, got the new shaft installed. I’ve always got along great with the Aldila Green. Got the Sim booked for Friday. I have good feelings about this thing, took a few swings outside smacking a tee.

I’ll update this thread with the numbers.

[Shankster]

Simulator was double booked! I have it set up for Tuesday, and going to call tomorrow for a Friday.

Also, there has been a change of plans in my set make up... go figure right?

Don’t worry though, same type of clubs.

Going to The Mall of America the last weekend in March for a short spring break trip with the kids... just so happens there’s a PGA Super Store near by. Planning on booking a fitting, which will have its own thread maybe.

Stay tuned...

[Shankster]

Quick update. My simulator time for today was canceled for golf team practice. Oh well, they promised me Friday.

 

Also pulled the trigger on a wedge, I’ll be doing up a review on it when I get it, if I like it there will be 2 more of its kind getting added to the bag. Can’t wait for this one!