ncwoz's WITB

[ncwoz 2,834]

Well folks, debated not posting but figured I've gotta start somewhere! It's a bit of a hodge podge, but here's my current load out:

Driver: TaylorMade R9 SupterTri (Fujikura MotoreF1 65 shaft)

3W: Callaway X2 Hot (Aldila Tour Green 75 Tx shaft)

Irons (PW-2): Ping Eye 2

Wedges (52 & 60): Mack Daddy 2's

Putter: Ping Cushin

Being that my wife and I still have college loans breathing down our necks I'm on a bit of a budget. This in mind, I'm wondering if anyone has advice on what would be most worth upgrading next? There's not really a club in here I can't stand, and don't want to go buy something that will only be a marginal difference from what I've got. Hit me with what you think!

[BIG STU 11,165]

Personally I would not change a thing if you hit those well---- That is a classic set up ---- I would not hesitate to game that set up in a heartbeat---- It does not need to be new or the latest and greatest to hit good---

[MDGolfHacker 8,735]

I agree with Big Stu.  Unless you are lacking in an area (distance, or wedge play, etc), I wouldn't change for changes sake.

 

MDGolfHacker

[HardcoreLooper 5,534]

There were several years after college where I really had no money for golf, so I feel you on this.  You'll find that on this forum, you can't go wrong following @BIG STU's advice.  A few things I'd add:

1. Think of any golf purchase in terms of greens fees.  I always felt better keeping seasoned gear in the bag knowing that a new driver would cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 rounds of golf.
2. If you're itching for that new club feel, slap on a new grip.  It's amazing how a new grip will make you feel so much better about a club.
3. If there's a local Goodwill in/near an affluent neighborhood, swing by it as much as you can.  Sooner or later you'll find a treasure.

[ncwoz 2,834]

8 hours ago, HardcoreLooper said:

• Think of any golf purchase in terms of greens fees.  I always felt better keeping seasoned gear in the bag knowing that a new driver would cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 rounds of golf.
• If you're itching for that new club feel, slap on a new grip.  It's amazing how a new grip will make you feel so much better about a club.
• If there's a local Goodwill in/near an affluent neighborhood, swing by it as much as you can.  Sooner or later you'll find a treasure.

Totally makes sense, thanks for the tips! I'm sure my wife will also appreciate it as well haha. And I definitely agree with getting new grips. The irons were given to me with ~20 year old grips, and getting them regripped last year was a game changer.

[jlukes 16,735]

I think dropping your 2 iron and 3 iron and getting a 19 degree hybrid and 56 degree wedge would really round out your bag and give you better versatility and gapping 

[SmoothG 239]

Your clubs will definitely get you around the course so while at this point I don't think its necessary to update anything I would add either a 5 wood or hybrid in the 18-22* range.  This will be much easier to hit than a 2 iron.  

[BIG STU 11,165]

18 hours ago, HardcoreLooper said:

There were several years after college where I really had no money for golf, so I feel you on this.  You'll find that on this forum, you can't go wrong following @BIG STU's advice.  A few things I'd add:

1. Think of any golf purchase in terms of greens fees.  I always felt better keeping seasoned gear in the bag knowing that a new driver would cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 rounds of golf.
2. If you're itching for that new club feel, slap on a new grip.  It's amazing how a new grip will make you feel so much better about a club.
3. If there's a local Goodwill in/near an affluent neighborhood, swing by it as much as you can.  Sooner or later you'll find a treasure.

Exactly great advice

[BIG STU 11,165]

9 hours ago, jlukes said:

I think dropping your 2 iron and 3 iron and getting a 19 degree hybrid and 56 degree wedge would really round out your bag and give you better versatility and gapping 

Actually those old Eye 2 long irons are easy as punch to hit and you can get them to kick a little higher by adding about 4 to 6 grams of lead tape down low inside the cavity. By SOP I only carry 12 or 13 clubs and sometimes if I know it is going to be windy on a certain course I will play that day I will slip an old Eye 2 2 iron I have bent back to 19* into the bag. I also have several blade 1 and 2 irons but for some reason I can crank that old Eye2. Like several beloved clubs it has a nickname "DA Deuce"

[ncwoz 2,834]

22 hours ago, SmoothG said:

Your clubs will definitely get you around the course so while at this point I don't think its necessary to update anything I would add either a 5 wood or hybrid in the 18-22* range.  This will be much easier to hit than a 2 iron.  

13 hours ago, BIG STU said:

Actually those old Eye 2 long irons are easy as punch to hit and you can get them to kick a little higher by adding about 4 to 6 grams of lead tape down low inside the cavity. By SOP I only carry 12 or 13 clubs and sometimes if I know it is going to be windy on a certain course I will play that day I will slip an old Eye 2 2 iron I have bent back to 19* into the bag. I also have several blade 1 and 2 irons but for some reason I can crank that old Eye2. Like several beloved clubs it has a nickname "DA Deuce"

Yeah, I'm with you on that one. I understand that hybrids are typically more forgiving for a higher handicapper like myself, but I actually really like using my 2 iron off the tee when I'm really trying to hit a fairway, especially when the wind kicks up. Maybe I'll keep my eye out for a solid used 5W to add to the artillery tho

[BIG STU 11,165]

7 hours ago, ncwoz said:

Yeah, I'm with you on that one. I understand that hybrids are typically more forgiving for a higher handicapper like myself, but I actually really like using my 2 iron off the tee when I'm really trying to hit a fairway, especially when the wind kicks up. Maybe I'll keep my eye out for a solid used 5W to add to the artillery tho

 

IMHO any eye2 is as forgiving as it gets

[HardcoreLooper 5,534]

8 hours ago, BIG STU said:

IMHO any eye2 is as forgiving as it gets

The Eye2 long irons were the original hybrids.  We used to "borrow" them from the demo bags in the shop where I worked all the time.  My boss would get annoyed, but then he'd laugh.  At least half of the members' bags had BeCu Eye2s in them.  

[Kanoito 3,101]

19 hours ago, ncwoz said:

Yeah, I'm with you on that one. I understand that hybrids are typically more forgiving for a higher handicapper like myself, but I actually really like using my 2 iron off the tee when I'm really trying to hit a fairway, especially when the wind kicks up. Maybe I'll keep my eye out for a solid used 5W to add to the artillery tho

 

You are not alone. I prefer long irons over hybrids.

That 3W is money. I still game it!

[revkev 25,702]

Im going to strongly disagree with several people whom I respect and say driver needs to go ASAP.

 

10 years old? You are leaving tons of strokes out there regardless of how well you’re hitting it.

 

The rest of your gear is fine (assuming putter fits you)- I could put my old Eye 2’s in the bag, just take an extra club on each shot and be fine (modern irons have stronger lofts)

 

You have four ways to go with driver depending on what you want to spend.

 

1. Cheapest option is to make your best guess at what will fit you and buy last years Ping G400 - it will run between 200-250 new.

 

2. Do trufit for $7 here and get the driver it recommended SS. The problem is that could be a $550 driver.

 

3. Get fit (100) and then find a used driver that is similar to what you were fit for. (Between 300-600)

 

4. Go all in and get fit and buy what the fitter recommends. (500-750)

 

Good luck -

 

BTW you may want to check out the recent blog case study as verification of what I’m writing.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

 

[GB13 7,784]

I have to agree with Rev here. Personally, I'd go with option 2, and then if TGF recommends a driver out of your price range, I'd look at a used club with similar characteristics. The nice part about TGF is it gives you a pretty good idea of what to look for, but doesn't cost an arm and a leg. 

[HardcoreLooper 5,534]

10 hours ago, revkev said:

Im going to strongly disagree with several people whom I respect and say driver needs to go ASAP.

 

10 years old? You are leaving tons of strokes out there regardless of how well you’re hitting it.

 

The rest of your gear is fine (assuming putter fits you)- I could put my old Eye 2’s in the bag, just take an extra club on each shot and be fine (modern irons have stronger lofts)

 

You have four ways to go with driver depending on what you want to spend.

 

1. Cheapest option is to make your best guess at what will fit you and buy last years Ping G400 - it will run between 200-250 new.

 

2. Do trufit for $7 here and get the driver it recommended SS. The problem is that could be a $550 driver.

 

3. Get fit (100) and then find a used driver that is similar to what you were fit for. (Between 300-600)

 

4. Go all in and get fit and buy what the fitter recommends. (500-750)

 

Good luck -

 

BTW you may want to check out the recent blog case study as verification of what I’m writing.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

 

Rev - I liked your post because you're correct, and now I'm going to disagree with it.  The cheapest among your options is $200.  I don't know quite where our recent grad lives, but if it's near Grand Rapids, he could buy two five-round discount cards (https://www.sweetdeals.com/grand-rapids/9001484-2019-grand-rapids-golf-card) and have money left for an eleventh round.

You are 100% right that he is costing himself yards with the R9.  But he will be costing himself rounds by spending $200 of his golf budget on a new club.  I remember the days when I had to think long and hard about spending money on greensfees.  So if the R9 doesn't make him want to quit playing golf, my recommendation is to play all of the golf he can right now.  New clubs will come when the well-earned raises change the economics.

 

[GolfSpy_CS 2,547]

Well folks, debated not posting but figured I've gotta start somewhere! It's a bit of a hodge podge, but here's my current load out:

Driver: TaylorMade R9 SupterTri (Fujikura MotoreF1 65 shaft)

3W: Callaway X2 Hot (Aldila Tour Green 75 Tx shaft)

Irons (PW-2): Ping Eye 2

Wedges (52 & 60): Mack Daddy 2's

Putter: Ping Cushin

Being that my wife and I still have college loans breathing down our necks I'm on a bit of a budget. This in mind, I'm wondering if anyone has advice on what would be most worth upgrading next? There's not really a club in here I can't stand, and don't want to go buy something that will only be a marginal difference from what I've got. Hit me with what you think!

 

I highly recommend getting fit for a putter. Unless you are putting around 30-32 putts per round, this is a upgrade that can seriously help scores.

 

I went from putting 36-39 putts per round with my previous putter(s) to having 31 putts be my highest with my custom fit putter.

 

Just my 2 cents.

 

Of course if you hit everything well just save the money and play more golf!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[BIG STU 11,165]

On 6/7/2019 at 8:47 AM, revkev said:

Im going to strongly disagree with several people whom I respect and say driver needs to go ASAP.

 

10 years old? You are leaving tons of strokes out there regardless of how well you’re hitting it.

 

The rest of your gear is fine (assuming putter fits you)- I could put my old Eye 2’s in the bag, just take an extra club on each shot and be fine (modern irons have stronger lofts)

 

You have four ways to go with driver depending on what you want to spend.

 

1. Cheapest option is to make your best guess at what will fit you and buy last years Ping G400 - it will run between 200-250 new.

 

2. Do trufit for $7 here and get the driver it recommended SS. The problem is that could be a $550 driver.

 

3. Get fit (100) and then find a used driver that is similar to what you were fit for. (Between 300-600)

 

4. Go all in and get fit and buy what the fitter recommends. (500-750)

 

Good luck -

 

BTW you may want to check out the recent blog case study as verification of what I’m writing.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

 

I kinda understand where you are coming from on the R-9 but some folk hit those and the r-7 driver better than they do newer stuff. I know there is a certain crowd at a neighboring course that play those drivers along with Eye2 irons and those old farts are some pretty good sticks------ But I will concede that may not apply to the general golfing public--- Just one of those things----- I know a few weeks ago it was raining and we were riding around and stopped at the PGA store---- I did some driver demos with the newest stuff--- Then I went to the car and got my 3 year old Homna G1 x and was putting up better numbers with it than any of my new stuff----- The guy scratched his head and told me he would stick with what I had--- Told him I planned to

[revkev 25,702]

I kinda understand where you are coming from on the R-9 but some folk hit those and the r-7 driver better than they do newer stuff. I know there is a certain crowd at a neighboring course that play those drivers along with Eye2 irons and those old farts are some pretty good sticks------ But I will concede that may not apply to the general golfing public--- Just one of those things----- I know a few weeks ago it was raining and we were riding around and stopped at the PGA store---- I did some driver demos with the newest stuff--- Then I went to the car and got my 3 year old Homna G1 x and was putting up better numbers with it than any of my new stuff----- The guy scratched his head and told me he would stick with what I had--- Told him I planned to

3 years is a lot different than 10 in regards to drivers though. Particularly if the three year old driver were well fit. Chances are you’d see very little gain. But ten years? The difference in technology and fitting capability in that time frame is significant. I’d be stunned if he didn’t pick up 15 yards and some accuracy also.

No argument on the irons - Eye2’s work so long as he doesn’t mind that modern irons are a club and a half stronger. :)






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[BIG STU 11,165]

I would agree that my 3 year old driver was well fit for me. That Homna driver has so many adjustment it is scary. Those drivers do not adjust like anything else made trust me. It took me 6 months to adjust that thing. It is a PITA to do range adjustments. I would mess with it from time to time and then get frustrated and put it up. It also takes a special wrench not a standard adjuster wrench because one of the adjustments involves a concentric bushing. Trust me I have the weights and instruction manual. I did a lot of workbench adjustments with that thing along with a manual protractor gauge.

Ping eye 2s---- Yep most of them are what I call traditional lofts starting with the PW from 47 to 50*. A friend of mine on WRX who lives up the road from me in NC is a old school expert taught me some things on eye2s. Starting with the PW different patent numbers have different lofts and sole grinds too according to the year made. Also stock numbers on lies on the color codes are funky too. Instead of like say a standard lie on a PW is 64.5 Ping will be at say 64.75 and instead of regular progression in 1/2 degrees between clubs it can vary on certain clubs as much 3/4 *. Crazy  I had found 2 sets of Eye2s on the piles at work. One set I kept because it had Apollo multi step shafts which I like. I sold the other set. I got to messing with those things and reverse engineering them which is my thing. My bud took me to school so to speak on those things. I forgot what color code mine were but I bent them up to my specs anyhow. They do hit good and like you say they do not hit any further than any of my blade Macgregors.