Nuttiest Thing I May Ever Do

[BIG STU]

Ok here goes-- This may be the craziest thing I may ever attempt. Everyone that has been on here a while knows I retired from big money matches and comps some time ago but I need to challenge myself. 

There is an older course here called Eagle Nest that has lengthened itself to 8100 yards at sea level!!!!  Now I used to work there and love the course and it is a challenging course anyhow. What I want to do is try to break 100 from the tips using vintage equipment as in Persimmon woods and vintage irons putter and all. I am serious on this I have even posted on WRX in the classics forum. I will ask the same question I asked there--- Am I a candidate for the rubber room? It will be tough knowing the course but I want to try hey in reality may shoot 110 but I am going to try . I did shoot 72 there 15 years ago from the black tees at 7400 yards with Mac blades and persimmon but I am a realist enough to know I have aged and do not practice and play as much 

[STUDque]

You going full in with balata too? If you can't find any, I'm sure Chrome Soft will do

Good luck on this challenge! I hope you give it more than one shot if you don't do it the first time. 

[perseveringgolfer]

off a 5 h/cap I'd be surprised if you didnt break 90. Persimmon woods still go well, vintage putters def still work well, so it depends what bladed irons you use and even they are fine at the 7-8-9 wedge end of the set.

Good luck, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[PlaidJacket]

This will be interesting and fun to watch. Yea, I think you can break it. Maybe not on your first pass but I think you can do it. Everyday is different in this game.

Give it a shot or two Stu and good luck.!!

[BIG STU]

3 hours ago, GolfSpy STUDque said:

You going full in with balata too? If you can't find any, I'm sure Chrome Soft will do

Good luck on this challenge! I hope you give it more than one shot if you don't do it the first time. 

I have quite a few Balata balls but more than likely try it with either the Wilson 50 or Bridgestone Lady ball. Those are my 2 persimmon balls. Going to play the ball down and putt everything out full tournament rules

[BIG STU]

3 hours ago, perseveringgolfer said:

off a 5 h/cap I'd be surprised if you didnt break 90. Persimmon woods still go well, vintage putters def still work well, so it depends what bladed irons you use and even they are fine at the 7-8-9 wedge end of the set.

Good luck, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Well I am not really a 5 anymore because I do not practice or play as much anymore. In reality a 8 or perhaps 9. But I do play vintage blades as a norm. I do not get but around 220 or so with persimmon driver any more. Vintage putters I can putt with them when I can not putt with anything else. Actually right now I am using a old Spalding TP Mills #3 blade in the front line bag. I do not think I will play my normal 80 Mac VIPs because they are mainly my front line clubs. I have it narrowed down to one of my sets of 1962 CF 4000s , My 1957 Diamondbacks or my 1952 Toski Mighty Mites. I had thought about my 1954 Hogan Precisions but I want to do it with Macgregor equipment mostly in the bag.

This will not be a overnight thing I will have to knuckle down and practice some seriously. My time frame is July or August. Believe it or not I can still hit blade long irons but on this round that is what a persimmon 5 wood is for at 21* and believe it or not I still have a persimmon Macgregor Louise Suggs 6 wood ( 24*) that I hit too

[deejaid]

8100 yards...wow! I looked up Eagles Nest South Carolina and looked at the scorecard. I don’t see the 8100 tees but I do see that #17 is a 616 yard par 5!

I think you’ll break 100 as it really depends more on the number of greens you can hit and your putting and short game.

220 off the tee with a persimmon driver will leave you some long approaches on long Par 4’s. You might be looking at bogey on many of them. There must be some long Par 3’s in an 8100 yard course so you might be hitting driver there too.

I think you’ll do it no problem Stu, but better you then me!


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[JohnSmalls]

You’ve got the game to do it. Go get that score big fella! 

[BIG STU]

3 hours ago, deejaid said:

8100 yards...wow! I looked up Eagles Nest South Carolina and looked at the scorecard. I don’t see the 8100 tees but I do see that #17 is a 616 yard par 5!

I think you’ll break 100 as it really depends more on the number of greens you can hit and your putting and short game.

220 off the tee with a persimmon driver will leave you some long approaches on long Par 4’s. You might be looking at bogey on many of them. There must be some long Par 3’s in an 8100 yard course so you might be hitting driver there too.

I think you’ll do it no problem Stu, but better you then me!


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They do not have the new cards out from what I can gather. I do know the 18th which was a hard par 3 to begin with will be around 255 yards over water. Since I only hit persimmon around 220 or so it will be a layup. Yep I will have to lay heavily on my wedges and putter. I think that #17 was lengthened to around 650 or so. I worked up there briefly about 13 years ago and that course was a bear then and I could hit the ball halfway decent. But it is not like I am going to try it next weekend. I am going to seriously practice to do it like I would when I played comp. For me it is a challenge and I need to challenge myself for personal reasons because I have always pushed myself and frankly life and golf has gotten dull for me lately

[BIG STU]

1 hour ago, JohnSmalls said:

You’ve got the game to do it. Go get that score big fella! 

Thanks man---- One thing you can relate too that old Tommy Armour putter will be in the bag--- That was the one I had in the bag when you played with me. 

[BIG STU]

Sorta practiced with the preliminary stuff this afternoon. this equipment list is not etched in stone since I have so much stuff. I am leaning towards Macgregor since I am a Mac man. I really do not want to use my VIP blades since I hit them all the time now. But this is what I practiced this afternoon. 

Driver--- Toney Penna Model 12 persimmon DG black label regular

4 wood Macgregor Custom Tourney

6 wood Macgregor Louise Suggs ladies shaft

Irons 2 thru 11 iron 1962 Macgregor FC-4000s Pro Pel 2 regular

SW 52* Macgregor FC-4000 Toney Penna

Putter PGA Tommy Armour IM-5 remake

This may change according to how my back holds out with the irons--- Those irons are a little heavier and stiffer than my VIPs with the Hogan Apex #2 senior shafts or my 54 Hogan Precisions that have the old TT green band regular shafts. 

[HardcoreLooper]

Stu - You got this.  I have faith in you.  But I do think it'll depend upon how you try to play the golf course.  Assuming you don't do worse than 36 putts, that means you have 99-36=63 shots to cover that 8100 yards.  8100/63=129 yards.  You only need to average 129 yards per shot to get around the golf course.  If you're willing to pitch and putt for pars, two-putt for bogeys, and take doubles out of play, you're a lock.  

[Berg Ryman]

Pulling for you Big Stu. You've got the game and the course know-how to make this happen!!!

[BIG STU]

15 hours ago, HardcoreLooper said:

Stu - You got this.  I have faith in you.  But I do think it'll depend upon how you try to play the golf course.  Assuming you don't do worse than 36 putts, that means you have 99-36=63 shots to cover that 8100 yards.  8100/63=129 yards.  You only need to average 129 yards per shot to get around the golf course.  If you're willing to pitch and putt for pars, two-putt for bogeys, and take doubles out of play, you're a lock.  

Yep that is sorta the way I have hashed it out in my mind------ Rely mainly on the 8 iron down and the putter. Another thing I have run up in my mind is if the course is hard and dry hitting the 1 iron or 2 iron off some tees. Yes I can still hit a 1 or 2 iron. Rolls a lot more than a persimmon driver for me

[PlaidJacket]

34 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

Yes I can still hit a 1 or 2 iron. Rolls a lot more than a persimmon driver for me

So, when are you going to make a run at it? This will good and I'm watching. 

[BIG STU]

Just now, PlaidJacket said:

So, when are you going to make a run at it? This will good and I'm watching. 

Probably July-- Like I said I need to practice the persimmon some more

[PlaidJacket]

Sounds good Stu.

I've always wondered how long it might take me to begin hitting a "wood" again decently. I'm going to guess probably not as long as I think. The biggest issue I think would be a loss of distance. ?

[BIG STU]

1 minute ago, PlaidJacket said:

Sounds good Stu.

I've always wondered how long it might take me to begin hitting a "wood" again decently. I'm going to guess probably not as long as I think. The biggest issue I think would be a loss of distance. ?

Yep loss of distance and also you have to tee it a little more forward and sorta wait on it with the swing

[STUDque]

So Stu, now that you're back, I must know if you've given this a shot yet!!! If so, how did it go?

[perseveringgolfer]

On 5/24/2019 at 8:32 PM, BIG STU said:

Probably July-- Like I said I need to practice the persimmon some more

only 1 day left in July - you done it yet?

[BIG STU]

OK update I will attempt it in September the week of labor day when I am on vacation. I have the bag pretty well set and is as follows

Driver Power Bilt Citation persimmon #3 shaft which is stiff but frequencies out as regular

2 wood ( may change) 1957 Macgregor persimmon shaft unknown

4 wood 1955 56 Macgregor Keyhole shaft unknown but checks regular

Irons 2 thru PW 1980 Macgregor VIP Hogan Apex #2 shafts yep the famous Machogans

SW Year unknown Macgregor LRA forged 56* S-400

Putter-- year unknown Ping Anser bent to my specs stock Pingman grip

Balls will be a mixture of Maxfli HT 100s and Ttileist Professional balata 100s if they hold out we will see. If I have to go modern on the ball end then it will be the TM project A or Srixon Soft Feel. Those Project As are darn near cheating they go like hell off the persimmon woods and I have not had any problems stopping them on a green. I ended up with 3 doz free and have been playing them in my vintage practice. I also have 3 new Palmer Balatas still in the sleeve. I have been only hitting short irons and putting with the balata balls since they are hard to come by these days. I had entertained the thoughts of playing my Maxfli Aussie blades but I felt it was not in the scope of things since they were made in 2000 2001. I had also entertained the thought of playing either set of Mac FC 4000s circa 1963 or my 1957 Diamondbacks but I am getting a little long in the tooth and short in the back to swing those heavy Pro Pel Shafts anymore. I played the 57s Saturday on my home course at 6800 yards and the combo of heavy shafts and the heat I ran out of gas about hole 15. But I did soldier on and finished with an 80 on punched greens. Man did my back hurt. Told the wife no more heavy stiff shafts for me. I have went back to the old Anser putters since I have so many of them about 10 in all and the one in the front line bag and the vintage bag are both bent up to my specs and identical. I still may go with my old blade Tommy Armour that John Smalls knows about. The 2 wood the jury is out on it I have never hit it. May pull it out and put one of my numerous 1 irons in. I knew all along the irons would have to be Macgregor. But 99% of the bag is set

[fixyurdivot]

On 5/19/2019 at 4:43 AM, BIG STU said:

I will ask the same question I asked there--- Am I a candidate for the rubber room?

Not at all.  It actually sounds like fun.  A retro gear golf challenge.  Not unlike hunters who still opt for black powder and conventional bow and arrow.  Good luck.

[BIG STU]

Well the challenge has been put on hold due to the weather. Was on vacation so I have practiced hard so far this week. Got the arsenal together to do it

Driver Power Bilt persimmon 

2 wood 1952 Macgregor Cloverleaf

4 wood Macgregor MT2

irons 2 thru PW 1980 Macgregor VIP Hogan Apex shafts

SW Macgregor LRA 56*

Putter Macgregor Ironmaster IM-6 (1957)

[golfertrb]

Well the challenge has been put on hold due to the weather. Was on vacation so I have practiced hard so far this week. Got the arsenal together to do it
Driver Power Bilt persimmon 
2 wood 1952 Macgregor Cloverleaf
4 wood Macgregor MT2
irons 2 thru PW 1980 Macgregor VIP Hogan Apex shafts
SW Macgregor LRA 56*
Putter Macgregor Ironmaster IM-6 (1957)

That's a great bag. I always liked the Apex shafts and the Macgregor MT2. I've never hit the Cloverleaf but I'm familiar. When do you think you may be able to play? I know weather is an issue.


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[BIG STU]

10 hours ago, golfertrb said:

 

That's a great bag. I always liked the Apex shafts and the Macgregor MT2. I've never hit the Cloverleaf but I'm familiar. When do you think you may be able to play? I know weather is an issue.


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Right now it is up in the air. The course I am going to play is up in North Myrtle Beach. Traditionally they get more rain in these events than we do. Plus the coast of NC sticks out more and they will get a lot of rain and all their water drains due South right to us. I do not know how well that course drained. The 2 months I worked there was in the summer during a drought. I hit my Mac CF-4000s MT-2 irons the other day but those Pro Pel shafts are getting a little stiff and heavy for me these days for a full round. 

[golfertrb]

Right now it is up in the air. The course I am going to play is up in North Myrtle Beach. Traditionally they get more rain in these events than we do. Plus the coast of NC sticks out more and they will get a lot of rain and all their water drains due South right to us. I do not know how well that course drained. The 2 months I worked there was in the summer during a drought. I hit my Mac CF-4000s MT-2 irons the other day but those Pro Pel shafts are getting a little stiff and heavy for me these days for a full round. 

Well I sure hope you are able to do it. I understand on the shafts - I went lighter last year for the first time for thr same reason. I'm playing Modus 105 now - they are extremely precise. They took some time to get used to but now I'm only good for swinging my old irons with Modus 130 for 9 holes. What's the difference in weight between the Hogan Apex and the Propel Action?


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[BIG STU]

18 hours ago, golfertrb said:

 

Well I sure hope you are able to do it. I understand on the shafts - I went lighter last year for the first time for thr same reason. I'm playing Modus 105 now - they are extremely precise. They took some time to get used to but now I'm only good for swinging my old irons with Modus 130 for 9 holes. What's the difference in weight between the Hogan Apex and the Propel Action?


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Precise weight I do not know. But the old Pro Pel shafts are heavy as heck and the wall section is stiff. The Hogan Apex shafts were way ahead of their time and are lighter. The ones I am playing are #2s which is a senior flex shaft. Frequencies out around what a soft tipped R-300 would. 

[golfertrb]

6 hours ago, BIG STU said:

Precise weight I do not know. But the old Pro Pel shafts are heavy as heck and the wall section is stiff. The Hogan Apex shafts were way ahead of their time and are lighter. The ones I am playing are #2s which is a senior flex shaft. Frequencies out around what a soft tipped R-300 would. 

There's no doubt the Apex Shafts were ahead of their time. Bernhard Langer still plays them or at least did up until a few years ago. There was quite a number of guys who hoarded those shafts and played them in whatever heads they were contracted for. Great shafts - been years since I played them but I could go back to them without any issues. 

[BIG STU]

5 hours ago, golfertrb said:

There's no doubt the Apex Shafts were ahead of their time. Bernhard Langer still plays them or at least did up until a few years ago. There was quite a number of guys who hoarded those shafts and played them in whatever heads they were contracted for. Great shafts - been years since I played them but I could go back to them without any issues. 

I won a bet on that a few years back---- We were sitting at Founders Club in Pawleys SC one day waiting out a thunderstorm. As usual a couple of guys were ragging me about my blade Macs. Something was brought up about Langer because he was leading the event on TV at the time. I mentioned the fact he was playing blade Hogan Apex 3 4 and 5 irons. I  got called out for BS. Made a $50 bet. One of the whiz kids got it up on the phone and his face dropped. I was right. I had seen it on WRX a few nights prior and I knew anyhow. Yep he had Apex #5s in his Adams irons he was playing at the time too which are very stiff

[golfertrb]

On 9/7/2019 at 5:43 AM, BIG STU said:

I won a bet on that a few years back---- We were sitting at Founders Club in Pawleys SC one day waiting out a thunderstorm. As usual a couple of guys were ragging me about my blade Macs. Something was brought up about Langer because he was leading the event on TV at the time. I mentioned the fact he was playing blade Hogan Apex 3 4 and 5 irons. I  got called out for BS. Made a $50 bet. One of the whiz kids got it up on the phone and his face dropped. I was right. I had seen it on WRX a few nights prior and I knew anyhow. Yep he had Apex #5s in his Adams irons he was playing at the time too which are very stiff

What a great bet to win! Langer's bag is nuts and I love it. I saw were he was playing Hogan Apex in the long irons all the way to Taylormade RSI PW! I love it - he plays what works. 

You are SO right about the stiffness of the #5's. I went to college in Lakeland, Florida (mid 90's) and I had a friend who did the club work for Andy Bean. Andy was in his early 40's at the time and still playing full-time on the PGA Tour. He is a big guy and loved all of his stuff SUPER stiff and my friend had put a set of irons together for him with Apex 5's tipped and asked me if I wanted to hit them. I was 25 or so and thought I was hot stuff and I thought "that guy's 20 years older than me I can handle his irons" - WRONG! It was like swinging rebar - I couldn't feel a thing. My driver swing speed at the time was 112-115 but they were way to stiff for me. I know they were tipped but man that made an impression. I had a friend who played Hogan Apex irons with 4's in them and I thought those irons felt just about perfect but he would not part with them no matter how hard I tried.