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Blades vs. Game Improvement - Where's the Data?


HardcoreLooper

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5 minutes ago, HardcoreLooper said:

Every so often we seem to get into the blades vs. GI irons make you a better player debate, but do we have any data?  What if we did something similar to the Cobra Connect Challenge, fitting with a bunch of golfers that are currently playing game improvement irons into blades?  And just like the CCC, we'd want them to use Arccos or Shot Scope (or even a strokes gained spreadsheet) to set a baseline with their GI clubs and track their progress with the new equipment.   

Could be an interesting experiment.

I think this would be a very interesting experiment!  Then, how much of the improvement is down to practice? 

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Wilsonlogo20Clemson.png.eee77a65568179cdcfb783c9a3e68f4b.png Staff Model CB 5-PW |  DG 120
:titleist-small: Vokey SM7 (50, 54, 58) | DG 120
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1 hour ago, JohnSmalls said:

I think this would be a very interesting experiment!  Then, how much of the improvement is down to practice? 

I agree.  This would be very interesting.  Also, how much improvement can be placed on a change in mentality when using the blades?  Speaking personally, GI irons (what I use) can promote a thought train of, "It doesn't have to be a well struck ball, the club will make up for it."  

Driver: Cobra Speedzone 10.5 Mitsubishi AV Blue S flex

Wood: Cobra Bio Cell 3-4 Grafalloy Pro Launch Blue (low launch original version) S flex

Hybrids: Taylormade GAPR 3 KBS graphite shaft

              Strata 4 and 5 hybrids R flex

Irons: Strata 6-PW R flex

Wedges: Texan Classics 52, 56, 60 R flex

Putter: Odyssey Red Ball mallet

Ball: Srixon Q Star Tour

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5 hours ago, JohnSmalls said:

I think this would be a very interesting experiment!  Then, how much of the improvement is down to practice? 

I think practice is the bigger influence in game improvement. I’m not a fan of the club categories for this reason but from a manufacturer standpoint it’s necessary marketing thing to help sell clubs.

Driver: PXG 0811 X+ Proto w/UST Helium 5F4

Wood: TaylorMade M5 5W w/Accra TZ5 +1/2”, TaylorMade Sim 3W w/Aldila rogue white

Hybrid: PXG Gen2 22* w/AD hybrid

Irons: PXG Gen3 0311T w/Nippon modus 120

Wedges: TaylorMade MG2 50*, Tiger grind 56/60

Putter: Scotty Caemeron Super Rat1

Ball: Titleist Prov1

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Would be an interesting experiment, but my guess is that the time allocation would be difficult as well as the protocol. 6 months with each set? Turf and weather conditions? Probably want some going blades to GI and GI to blades. Handicap levels?

I would propose the experiment be done on a simulator. Have the player rotate through a series of clubs, similar to most wanted, and evaluate distance and dispersion for the various types of clubs. Clubs would have same shaft, swingweight, grips, etc to isolate the head as the difference. Even when rotating through clubs Players will adapt to each club even with the limited swings before switching; I know I do when doin most wanted testing.

I kind of play around with this when I test for MGS. For my warmup and when I hit clubs after testing I pick a mixture of blades and GI clubs, don’t mess with the SGI, and hit balls. I can hit the blades ok, but the drop off in performance is evident on poor strikes. GI clubs less so. I can hit the blades and given enough practice time working on ball striking I could make them playable.

As said above practice becomes key. I could improve my ball striking with SGI clubs as well. As a lower handicap golfer improvement, in theory, should take less time than a higher handicapper. Throw in some lessons and it would probably let be faster. Given the amount I practice, I’ll stick to a bit of forgiveness but it would be fun to try something like the ping blueprint or Srixon z-forged for a round.

Driver:  :ping-small: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven
Fairway: :titelist-small: TS3 15*  w/Project X Hzardous Smoke
Hybrids:  :titelist-small: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype
                :titelist-small: 915H  24*  w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype        
Irons:      :honma:TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite
Wedge:  :titleist-small: 54/12D, 60/8M w/:Accra iWedge 90 Graphite
Putter:   :taylormade-small:TM-180

Testing:   SPGC_logo.jpg

Backups:  :odyssey-small: Milled Collection RSX 2, :seemore-small: mFGP2, :cameron-small: Futura 5W

Member:  MGS Hitsquad since 2017697979773_DSCN2368(Custom).JPG.a1a25f5e430d9eebae93c5d652cbd4b9.JPG

 

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I don't see this as being practical really. Personally, I wouldn't want to go back to playing blades again. Ever.! Secondly, I wouldn't want to waste my playing time to try and prove or disprove a point. I don't apply for any MGS freebies or give away - tests, etc. Not my thing. So for that reason.... I'm out.

I have a great fitted set of irons that serve me well. Cavity-back, thin face and fairly narrow sole, slight offset. I see far too many guys playing irons that are not suited for their ability. ie... blades or near blades. I also don't understand the fascination with blades. (been there done that back when that was all that were available) For most players even more elite amateurs ... they're too difficult to hit effectively. Hell... not even that many TV golfers play blades anymore.

My Sun Mountain bag currently includes:   TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png 771CSI 5i - PW and TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png PFC Micro Tour-c 52°, 56°, 60 wedges

                                                                               :755178188_TourEdge: EXS 10.5*, TWGTLogo2.png.06c802075f4d211691d88895b3f34b75.png 929-HS FW4 16.5* 

                                                                                :edel-golf-1: Willimette w/GolfPride Contour

 

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Interesting proposal.  I agree with @cnosilthat test protocol would be challenging.  How much of the "debate" is image vs. reality is a question I have.  The common argument is that forged blades provide the highest degree of feel and ball flight workability.  I guess we need only look through the players bags across the various tours to see which is played more.  Perhaps that data exists though I've not seen it. I mean they (and their teams) spend gobs of of time fitting and evaluating irons.  Unless image is skewing their choices, it stands to reason they are gaming the irons that both LM and range hitting say they should. 

While I'm pretty confident that my two fittings have me playing the correct category of irons, I'll openly admit that having a set of small profile clubs in my bag, with "forged" stamped on them, is a desire... and probably not for the right reason (I don't think I'm going out on a limb here in saying that applies to a large number of amateurs). A couple months ago I attended a PING demo for the sole purpose of testing their iron series against my G410's - which PING lists as a GI but others consider a SGI. After warming up with my irons, I hit the i500's, i210's, and Blueprints.  I found the i500's and i210's very comparable in distance to each other and only the i500 yielding a minor amount of additional carry. The BP's were simply to unforgiving and even well struck shots (maybe every third) did not yield more carry.  I attempted draw and fade hits with each and the BP's were better but also very unforgiving.

The i500's look like blades and are stamped forged... as of now, they would best fit that image want... but there are many more "blades" to try, so the quest continues. 🙂

 

:ping-small: G410 Plus, 9 Degree Driver 

:ping-small: G400 SFT, 16 Degree 3w

:ping-small: G400 SFT, 19 Degree 5w

:srixon-small:  ZX5 Irons 4-AW 

:ping-small: Glide 2.0 56 Degree SW   (removed from double secret probation 😍)

:EVNROLL: ER5v Putter  (Evnroll ER5v Official Review)

:odyssey-small: AI-One Milled Seven T CH (Currently Under Product Test)

 

 

 

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48 minutes ago, chisag said:

Play the most forgiving irons you can effectively play.

Most forgiving or most exacting?  Don't most players who can routinely hit center point play MB irons - for enhanced ball flight control?  I'd love to see some statistics on irons used across the tours (not yet found a fairly current, comprehensive site).  I've read a couple of GD articles saying that nearly 75% of tour players have at least one GI category iron in their bag; often a longer iron.  They describe the i500's and a players category iron... some argue its not... which brings up another aspect to this discussion 😜.

:ping-small: G410 Plus, 9 Degree Driver 

:ping-small: G400 SFT, 16 Degree 3w

:ping-small: G400 SFT, 19 Degree 5w

:srixon-small:  ZX5 Irons 4-AW 

:ping-small: Glide 2.0 56 Degree SW   (removed from double secret probation 😍)

:EVNROLL: ER5v Putter  (Evnroll ER5v Official Review)

:odyssey-small: AI-One Milled Seven T CH (Currently Under Product Test)

 

 

 

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44 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

Most forgiving or most exacting?  Don't most players who can routinely hit center point play MB irons - for enhanced ball flight control?  I'd love to see some statistics on irons used across the tours (not yet found a fairly current, comprehensive site).  I've read a couple of GD articles saying that nearly 75% of tour players have at least one GI category iron in their bag; often a longer iron.  They describe the i500's and a players category iron... some argue its not... which brings up another aspect to this discussion 😜.

 

... Most forgiving they can effectively play.  I agree with you that being exact is certainly part of the equation for better golfers, and the better you are the more importent it is in the equation. Someone like Tiger that basically shapes every single shot needs complete control of his ball flight, and since he hits the center almost every single time, the most forgiving iron he can effectively play is an MB. OTOH take Bubba Watson who also curves every single shot but he played more forgiving S55's because he does not hit the center like Tiger. 

... Using myself as another example, I am around the center of the face most of the time so I play my Z Forged MB's on occasion, basically for a change and they are fun. But I have bad days when my back is stiff and my contact suffers with some shots. It may be only a few but those few can mean the difference of hitting my P790's low on the toe and landing a little short and right of my target 200yds away or landing in the water with that same contact using my ZF's which are much more penal in the mid and especially the long irons. I also need complete control of my trajectory as I flight most of my irons shots and my P790's allow me to do that. I will work the ball left or right to get out of trouble and if really swinging well on any given day, I will also work the ball to far left or far right pin placements. The difference between me and Tiger is I will work the ball from the far side of the green and hope to end up in the middle where Tiger will work the ball from the middle and try to end up next to the hole. Since this is rare for me and I tired to copy Tiger, my miss would be a short side and I just can't take that chance. But most off the time I don't work the ball, I just go at my target with a desirable trajectory. Too much of a GI and of course a SGI makes it harder to control my trajectory. Yes, I can do it but since I don't need the extra forgiveness and it is more difficult to work my trajectory with GI/SGI's a Players Iron is the most forgiving I can play effectively

Driver:     :taylormade-small:  Qi10 10.5* ... Ventus Red Velocore 5R
Fairway:  :cobra-small: Aerojet 3/5 ... Kai'li Blue 60R
Hybrids:  :ping-small:      430 Hybrid 22*... Steelfiber 780Hy 
                  :taylormade-small:  DHy #4 ... Diamana LTD 65r 
Irons:       :titleist-small:         '23 T200 5-Pw ... Steelfiber i95r
Wedges:  :taylormade-small: Vokey 50*/54*/58* ... Steelfiber i95r
Putter:     :cobra-small:  Sport-60 33" 
Ball:           Maxfli     Maxfli Tour

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I'd love to see some statistics on irons used across the tours (not yet found a fairly current, comprehensive site). 


Most comprehensive and accurate: http://darrellsurvey.com

Too bad you can’t easily get access

Driver:  :ping-small: G400 Max 9* w/ KBS Tour Driven
Fairway: :titelist-small: TS3 15*  w/Project X Hzardous Smoke
Hybrids:  :titelist-small: 915H 21* w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype
                :titelist-small: 915H  24*  w/KBS Tour Graphite Hybrid Prototype        
Irons:      :honma:TR20V 6-11 w/Vizard TR20-85 Graphite
Wedge:  :titleist-small: 54/12D, 60/8M w/:Accra iWedge 90 Graphite
Putter:   :taylormade-small:TM-180

Testing:   SPGC_logo.jpg

Backups:  :odyssey-small: Milled Collection RSX 2, :seemore-small: mFGP2, :cameron-small: Futura 5W

Member:  MGS Hitsquad since 2017697979773_DSCN2368(Custom).JPG.a1a25f5e430d9eebae93c5d652cbd4b9.JPG

 

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46 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

Most forgiving or most exacting?  Don't most players who can routinely hit center point play MB irons - for enhanced ball flight control?  I'd love to see some statistics on irons used across the tours (not yet found a fairly current, comprehensive site).  I've read a couple of GD articles saying that nearly 75% of tour players have at least one GI category iron in their bag; often a longer iron.  They describe the i500's and a players category iron... some argue its not... which brings up another aspect to this discussion 😜.

A lot of the titleist staff are in Ap2/t100. The TM staff seem to have gravitated to some form of the p730 except for day. I think Callaway has players all over the spectrum from older MB’s or player cavity up to the new x forged and maybe cf19 pro.  Mizuno staff and non seem to be in jpx line. Ping I think blueprints are the choice on Pga and i210 on lpga

edit: the various brands have their staff listed on their site and what they have in the bag. One can “easily” go thru and see what’s being used

Driver: PXG 0811 X+ Proto w/UST Helium 5F4

Wood: TaylorMade M5 5W w/Accra TZ5 +1/2”, TaylorMade Sim 3W w/Aldila rogue white

Hybrid: PXG Gen2 22* w/AD hybrid

Irons: PXG Gen3 0311T w/Nippon modus 120

Wedges: TaylorMade MG2 50*, Tiger grind 56/60

Putter: Scotty Caemeron Super Rat1

Ball: Titleist Prov1

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Are we talking strict blade/MB by design? Or are clubs that are almost blades or blade like ok? I would suggest looking at the Maltby ratings and picking some numbers. Say anything in this range is a GI and anything in this range is a blade. 

Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple diamond 10.5 Ventus black TR 6x

3 wood ; Callaway Paradym triple diamond 15 degree, Ventus black TR 7x

Apex UW 19 degree, Ventus black TR 8x

Utility Iron: Mizuno Pro Fli Hi 4 utility, Ventus blue HB 90X

Irons: Callaway Apex MB 5-PW, KBS $ taper 130x

Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw 50, 54, 58, KBS $ taper 130x

Putter: Wilson Staff TM22, hand torched, KBS cutter putter shaft, Super stroke Pistol GT 1.0

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8 hours ago, cnosil said:

Would be an interesting experiment, but my guess is that the time allocation would be difficult as well as the protocol. 6 months with each set? Turf and weather conditions? Probably want some going blades to GI and GI to blades. Handicap levels?

I would propose the experiment be done on a simulator. Have the player rotate through a series of clubs, similar to most wanted, and evaluate distance and dispersion for the various types of clubs. Clubs would have same shaft, swingweight, grips, etc to isolate the head as the difference. Even when rotating through clubs Players will adapt to each club even with the limited swings before switching; I know I do when doin most wanted testing.

Now that you mention it, the MGS team could probably do this analysis with the Most Wanted testing data if they have enough testers hitting both blade and GI irons.

 

4 hours ago, chisag said:

Play the most forgiving irons you can effectively play.

I happen to believe you, but there are plenty of people around saying that hitting blades makes you a better ball striker.  MGS loves to play the role of mythbuster; this is another opportunity to do it.  Whether they do a forum test or use Most Wanted testing data, I'd love to hear something based on data. 

And I know that there are going to be people whose games are outliers and don't fit the model, but there are outliers in every situation.  

 

 

What's in the bag:
Driver - :cobra-small: F8 - Aldila NV Blue 60 ( S )
3 Wood (13.5*) - :titleist-small: 980F 
4 Wood (18*) - :cobra-small: F8 - Aldila NV Blue 60 ( S )
3 Hybrid (19*) - :taylormade-small: RBZ
4i - PW - :wilson_staff_small: D7 Forged - Recoil 760 ( S )
52* - :cleveland-small: CBX
58* - :cleveland-small: CBX Full Face 2
Putter - :ping-small: Craz-e
Bag - :1590477705_SunMountain: 2.5 (Blue)
Ball -  :titleist-small: AVX
Instagram - @hardcorelooper
Twitter - @meovino
Facebook - mike.eovino

 

 

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On 2/19/2020 at 4:06 PM, HardcoreLooper said:

... but there are plenty of people around saying that hitting blades makes you a better ball striker.  

 

... I found these and couldn't resist! 🤣


 

Screen-Shot-2017-03-21-at-14.26.42.png

 

Screen-Shot-2017-03-21-at-14.32.42.png

Driver:     :taylormade-small:  Qi10 10.5* ... Ventus Red Velocore 5R
Fairway:  :cobra-small: Aerojet 3/5 ... Kai'li Blue 60R
Hybrids:  :ping-small:      430 Hybrid 22*... Steelfiber 780Hy 
                  :taylormade-small:  DHy #4 ... Diamana LTD 65r 
Irons:       :titleist-small:         '23 T200 5-Pw ... Steelfiber i95r
Wedges:  :taylormade-small: Vokey 50*/54*/58* ... Steelfiber i95r
Putter:     :cobra-small:  Sport-60 33" 
Ball:           Maxfli     Maxfli Tour

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6 minutes ago, silver & black said:

I'll throw this in the mix. My ex brother in law could only play with blades. He was/is maybe a 12 handicap. He could not hit a cb iron to save his life. Give him a blade iron and he could get around a golf course just fine.

So...............?

Too many get caught up in handicap and what club a certain handicap range should play. Everyone gets to their handicap differently. Some can’t hit driver but can hit irons well and maybe so so or ok at short game and putting.

 

Driver: PXG 0811 X+ Proto w/UST Helium 5F4

Wood: TaylorMade M5 5W w/Accra TZ5 +1/2”, TaylorMade Sim 3W w/Aldila rogue white

Hybrid: PXG Gen2 22* w/AD hybrid

Irons: PXG Gen3 0311T w/Nippon modus 120

Wedges: TaylorMade MG2 50*, Tiger grind 56/60

Putter: Scotty Caemeron Super Rat1

Ball: Titleist Prov1

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4 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Too many get caught up in handicap and what club a certain handicap range should play. Everyone gets to their handicap differently. Some can’t hit driver but can hit irons well and maybe so so or ok at short game and putting.

 

That's why the best way to do this test would be comparing the change in strokes gained approach for each individual. 

What's in the bag:
Driver - :cobra-small: F8 - Aldila NV Blue 60 ( S )
3 Wood (13.5*) - :titleist-small: 980F 
4 Wood (18*) - :cobra-small: F8 - Aldila NV Blue 60 ( S )
3 Hybrid (19*) - :taylormade-small: RBZ
4i - PW - :wilson_staff_small: D7 Forged - Recoil 760 ( S )
52* - :cleveland-small: CBX
58* - :cleveland-small: CBX Full Face 2
Putter - :ping-small: Craz-e
Bag - :1590477705_SunMountain: 2.5 (Blue)
Ball -  :titleist-small: AVX
Instagram - @hardcorelooper
Twitter - @meovino
Facebook - mike.eovino

 

 

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13 hours ago, RickyBobby_PR said:

Too many get caught up in handicap and what club a certain handicap range should play. Everyone gets to their handicap differently. Some can’t hit driver but can hit irons well and maybe so so or ok at short game and putting.

 

Agree 100%

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I think we have to take the ego part out of clubs.  Egotistically, when we have blades, we are saying to the golfing community (whoever is on the tee box) that I am a great golfer...maybe so maybe no.  I am gaming the JPX900 forged irons, I tested the PING G410's.  In my mind I am having a hard time egotistically as well.  In my opinion, the Mizuno's are a better club, for a better player (which I WANT TO think I am) but when playing the PING's I had really good results.  So I should be happy to just play the Ping's, but I'm not.  I go back and forth every couple of rounds with the PING's and the Mizuno's to see if one can start to stand out but they don't.  They are both pretty similar.  So it's obviously the person swinging and not the equipment.  Do I want to play blades or a blade look (Miznuo MP20 HMB or the TM760) sure, but simply for the ego side of things.  Do I want the forgiveness of a GI iron absolutely!!!  So really I guess it all boils down to what do you want more, a lower score or someone saying to you, "nice sticks".  

   Driver:  :callaway-small: Epic Flash Sub Zero Hzdrs Smoke x flex 70g

3 Wood:  :titelist-small: 917 w/ Diamana Whiteboard stiff

5 Wood : :callaway-small: Epic Flash 18* Hzdrs Smoke stiff

4 Hybrid: image.png.cf6ab25979c6727ff31e6cc6f719636c.png TSi3 Hzdrs Smoke X flex

     Irons:  :callaway-small: 5-7  Apex forged 19 w/ Modus 120 X

                         9-A Apex Pro 19 w/ Modus 120 X

Wedges:  :callaway-small: MD5 52&56 Jaws Dynamic Gold wedge flex

    Putter: :titelist-small: Scotty Cameron Phantom 5.5 34"

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2 minutes ago, ballplayer002003 said:

I think we have to take the ego part out of clubs.  Egotistically, when we have blades, we are saying to the golfing community (whoever is on the tee box) that I am a great golfer...maybe so maybe no.  I am gaming the JPX900 forged irons, I tested the PING G410's.  In my mind I am having a hard time egotistically as well.  In my opinion, the Mizuno's are a better club, for a better player (which I WANT TO think I am) but when playing the PING's I had really good results.  So I should be happy to just play the Ping's, but I'm not.  I go back and forth every couple of rounds with the PING's and the Mizuno's to see if one can start to stand out but they don't.  They are both pretty similar.  So it's obviously the person swinging and not the equipment.  Do I want to play blades or a blade look (Miznuo MP20 HMB or the TM760) sure, but simply for the ego side of things.  Do I want the forgiveness of a GI iron absolutely!!!  So really I guess it all boils down to what do you want more, a lower score or someone saying to you, "nice sticks".  

 

... Honestly ballplayer, I don't think it is the golf community as much as talking to yourself. I have been paired up with strangers that have admired my game or score waaaaaaaay more than anyone that admired my clubs. It has been my experience that about 95% not only don't care what I am playing, they don't even notice. When it comes to my ego, I find it more rewarding to hear "great shot!" much more than "nice sticks!" Not once in my life has anyone ever said something like  "You hit your 5 iron 193yds with a beautiful high trajectory that was right at the flag, hopped and stopped right next to it for a 1 foot birdie putt! Just think how much more rewarding that would have been if you used an MB instead of your P790!" 😳  I just don't understand the desire to play any club that penalizes your ability to hit your best shots and post your lowest score. (Of course this doesn't apply to those that really don't care about score and play clubs for the sheer enjoyment of hitting them) 

Driver:     :taylormade-small:  Qi10 10.5* ... Ventus Red Velocore 5R
Fairway:  :cobra-small: Aerojet 3/5 ... Kai'li Blue 60R
Hybrids:  :ping-small:      430 Hybrid 22*... Steelfiber 780Hy 
                  :taylormade-small:  DHy #4 ... Diamana LTD 65r 
Irons:       :titleist-small:         '23 T200 5-Pw ... Steelfiber i95r
Wedges:  :taylormade-small: Vokey 50*/54*/58* ... Steelfiber i95r
Putter:     :cobra-small:  Sport-60 33" 
Ball:           Maxfli     Maxfli Tour

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Just now, chisag said:

 

... Honestly ballplayer, I don't think it is the golf community as much as talking to yourself. I have been paired up with strangers that have admired my game or score waaaaaaaay more than anyone that admired my clubs. It has been my experience that about 95% not only don't care what I am playing, they don't even notice. When it comes to my ego, I find it more rewarding to hear "great shot!" much more than "nice sticks!" Not once in my life has anyone ever said something like  "You hit your 5 iron 193yds with a beautiful high trajectory that was right at the flag, hopped and stopped right next to it for a 1 foot birdie putt! Just think how much more rewarding that would have been if you used an MB instead of your P790!" 😳  I just don't understand the desire to play any club that penalizes your ability to hit your best shots and post your lowest score. (Of course this doesn't apply to those that really don't care about score and play clubs for the sheer enjoyment of hitting them) 

+1 to that!  I've been gaming the Cleveland Launchers for 3 seasons and not a peep from anyone about my clubs.  At least to my face anyway.  Just picked them up today after pimping them out with Steelfiber shafts.  It will be like playing lawn darts with these this year.

Wedgie

 

Driver - XXIO X Driver 9.5

:cleveland-small: - Launcher Turbo 2 hybrid

:cobra-small: - F9 One Length 3-L

:EVNROLL: - ER 1.2

Top Flite Gamer

Play Right

 

 

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6 hours ago, NiftyNiblick said:

I would think that knowing which style of club that you more enjoy playing should take precedence over any data accumulated.

It depends upon what brings you enjoyment, doesn't it?  For me, shooting the lowest score possible is what brings me enjoyment, so I want to play the clubs that help me shoot the lowest scores possible.  If other golfers play for other purposes, then by all means they should play the clubs that maximize their enjoyment.

What's in the bag:
Driver - :cobra-small: F8 - Aldila NV Blue 60 ( S )
3 Wood (13.5*) - :titleist-small: 980F 
4 Wood (18*) - :cobra-small: F8 - Aldila NV Blue 60 ( S )
3 Hybrid (19*) - :taylormade-small: RBZ
4i - PW - :wilson_staff_small: D7 Forged - Recoil 760 ( S )
52* - :cleveland-small: CBX
58* - :cleveland-small: CBX Full Face 2
Putter - :ping-small: Craz-e
Bag - :1590477705_SunMountain: 2.5 (Blue)
Ball -  :titleist-small: AVX
Instagram - @hardcorelooper
Twitter - @meovino
Facebook - mike.eovino

 

 

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So I will use me as an example. I grew up playing blades and that is what I played most of my life. A few years back I talked myself into I can’t play blades anymore since life happens and I don’t practice so I started trying to find a balance of the look I want and some forgiveness. I found that in my Titleist TMBs that I played for most of the last few years. When I got fit this year for my PXGs I told the fitter I wanted to stay away from blades and do a P and T combo set. He took one look at the wear on my irons and told me to just hit the STs and they were money. Now I have zero confidence in that style iron as a 4 and 5 iron and possibly a 6 iron. The fitter made a comment that I have now heard a few times in the past two months that style of clubhead is irrelevant to results if you have confidence in your clubs. For me I could hit a full set of blades but why have three clubs in the bag that I just don’t “think” I can hit well? Long post but to me it all comes down to being confident in whatever you play.

I watched this video today and the fitting was kind of what I went through in my last fitting. The video is a bit long but worth the watch.





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WITB 2024

   Qi10 LS 9* HZRDUS RDX Smoke Blue 60g 6.5

   M5 15* Evenflow Black 75g 6.5

   Sim Ti 22* HZRDUS Red 75g 6.5

   Sim2 Rescue 22* Diamana Thump 100x

   X Forged CB 5 - PW MMT 105 TX 

   Jaws Raw 50*, 54* & 58* TTDG "OG" Spinner

   Toulon Madison BGT Fire 34.75"

   Z Star Diamond

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17 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... Honestly ballplayer, I don't think it is the golf community as much as talking to yourself. I have been paired up with strangers that have admired my game or score waaaaaaaay more than anyone that admired my clubs. It has been my experience that about 95% not only don't care what I am playing, they don't even notice. When it comes to my ego, I find it more rewarding to hear "great shot!" much more than "nice sticks!" Not once in my life has anyone ever said something like  "You hit your 5 iron 193yds with a beautiful high trajectory that was right at the flag, hopped and stopped right next to it for a 1 foot birdie putt! Just think how much more rewarding that would have been if you used an MB instead of your P790!" 😳  I just don't understand the desire to play any club that penalizes your ability to hit your best shots and post your lowest score. (Of course this doesn't apply to those that really don't care about score and play clubs for the sheer enjoyment of hitting them) 

Very true, unfortunately I have worked at courses around my area where guys would buy the latest and greatest EVERY SINGLE YEAR.  They wanted the attention on the tee box of look at me, look at my clubs and everything I can afford.  They were never worried about score.   I couldn't agree with you more about the nice hit comment instead of the nice sticks!  My friends don't care what I play with just who wins the round.  

   Driver:  :callaway-small: Epic Flash Sub Zero Hzdrs Smoke x flex 70g

3 Wood:  :titelist-small: 917 w/ Diamana Whiteboard stiff

5 Wood : :callaway-small: Epic Flash 18* Hzdrs Smoke stiff

4 Hybrid: image.png.cf6ab25979c6727ff31e6cc6f719636c.png TSi3 Hzdrs Smoke X flex

     Irons:  :callaway-small: 5-7  Apex forged 19 w/ Modus 120 X

                         9-A Apex Pro 19 w/ Modus 120 X

Wedges:  :callaway-small: MD5 52&56 Jaws Dynamic Gold wedge flex

    Putter: :titelist-small: Scotty Cameron Phantom 5.5 34"

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my hdcp dropped quite a bit when i moved out of the SGI category to the CB 712 club......also the fat soled approach wedges are horrible and i saved a ton of strokes on the course with my vokeys.... play what works, not what marketing tells you to play.....test em all and buy what works for you regardless of hdcp.

Golf is cool

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5 hours ago, Tsecor said:

play what works, not what marketing tells you to play.....test em all and buy what works for you regardless of hdcp.

EXACTLY!!!

Driver: :mizuno-small: ST190 9.5* Fujikura Atmos Blue 5S
Fairway Wood: :mizuno-small: ST190 15* Fujikura Atmos Blue 6S
Hybrid: :mizuno-small: CLK 17* Fujikura Speeder EVO HB
Irons: :bridgestone-small: J40 CB (3-PW) Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: :taylormade-small: Milled Grind 2 54* & 58* Dynamic Gold S200
Putter: :odyssey-small: Tri-Hot 5k Two 34"
Bag: :titleist-small: Players 5 Stand Bag
Ball: Maxfli Tour

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I thik it'll depend on what one thinks makes them a "better" golfer. For me, it's the objective score. As subjective as everything is with feel, sound and looks, it all comes down to your true final score, no mulligans, no gimmes, counting penalties true:  how many actual strokes it took for you to get the ball from the tee-box into the cup each hole. If I'm playing a match against someone with my GI irons adn higher launching shafts and more forgiving wedges and they have blades and I beat them, then that day, to me,  I am the better golfer. You can work the ball this way and that all you want, but if you can't put it all together for an entire round from tee-box to green, then it doesn't really matter.

What's in my  :cleveland-small: bag:

Driver :  :cobra-small: F9 10.5, Fujikura Speeder 757 TR 

Fairway  :cobra-small: F9 15.5° Aldila Rogue White 80X

Hybrid:  :cobra-small: King F7 18° KBS Tour PROTO Hybrid 95 S+

Irons:   :srixon-small: z585 4i - 6i,  z785 7i-PW, Nippon Modus 120X

Wedges:  :cleveland-small: CBX  50.11, 55.11, 60.10  TT DG S400 Black

Putter:  post-53756-150768041262.jpg Honey Badger 34" 

Ball:  :srixon-small: Q-Star Tour

 

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