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Cobra Connect Five-Pre Challenge Chatter-Testers Announced.


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1 hour ago, gavinski91 said:

I'll echo what others have said - with the link I leave my phone in the bag entirely. I've been keeping score on a paper scorecard (strokes, putts, penalties) as a backup, and you can use the button on the Link to set the pin location on the green so you don't have to remember that. So at the end of the round I just have to double check the number of putts on each hole, add penalties where necessary, and maybe edit a few shots (like change what Arccos thought was a putt to a chip if it was from off the green).

Thanks for the tip with setting the pin location from the link! Will definitely do that next round.

Cobra Connect 5 participant 

 :ping-small:  G410 Plus, w/ X stiff 75 g Project X Evenflow Black shaft driver / :cobra-small: Radspeed w/ Smoke RDX Blue 70S shaft

 :cobra-small: Big Tour 3 wood/ 5 wood w/ Fujikura X F3 60S shaft

 :cobra-small: 4 Hybrid w/ Project X Catalyst 80S shaft

:cobra-small: Copper MIM Tour Irons w/ KBS $ Taper Balck 120S shaft

:cobra-small: Snakebite 50, 54, and 58 wedges w/ KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 125S shaft

:scotty-small: Newport 2.5 putter

:Snell:MTB X golf balls

RH, Alabama

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6 hours ago, txgolfjunkie said:

I've had Arccos for over a year and I like the stat tracking. I don't find it too distracting, but like others have said, the link is great to have if you don't want your phone in your pocket. I used to think the Apple watch was the key to ditch the phone and still free up bluetooth to play music over a speaker, but it kept missing shots and not advancing to the next hole some times. The link runs off its own GPS so it's tracking the shots and allowing you to leave your phone in the cart. I've only played one round with the link and it only missed one shot. They only reason I checked the app is because I wanted to get yardages that weren't picked up easily with the laser. 

If you want to have PGA-esk stats kept on your round, then Arccos is your go-to. It is definitely the system for data junkies. 

I agree with this 1000% I have been an Arccos user since their Arccos Driver days. I love it! The link and their SG data has been such a giant leap forward.so much so that my coach and I have been able to structure lessons and practice around the weaknesses that Arccos has shown in my game. Truly a wonderful tool, but it can be expensive. 

Driver:  :titelist-small: TSi3 Tester Check out the Review HERE

2-Iron- :Sub70: 699-U

5-Wood:  :Sub70: Pro (18*) 

Irons :  :ping-small: i210 4-PW

Wedges:  :cleveland-small:  RTX-4 50* and 54* RTX-3 *58

Putter::1332069271_TommyArmour: Impact No. 3

Ball:  MAXFLI TOUR 

Tracked by: :Arccos:  

Bag: BagBoy ZTF Stand Bag (REVIEW HERE)

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1 hour ago, jlukes said:

Hoping to be able to put these on some clubs soon

 

BDFBB8D0-6E1C-4A57-93E8-9DDD0A1CBB9B.jpeg

Ooh those look good - what color bag did you go with?

Driver - :cobra-small:Radspeed XB, Aldila Rogue Silver 70-S
3 Wood - :cobra-small:Radspeed, Aldila Rogue Silver 70-S
5 Wood - :cobra-small:Radspeed, Fujikura Motore X F3 6-S
7 Wood - :PXG: 0341x Gen 4, Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw Blue 75-S

Irons - :mizuno-small:Pro 225 4-5, 223 6-PW, KBS $-Taper 120
Wedges - :cobra-small:King Cobra Snakebite 52° & 58°, KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 S
Putter - :odyssey-small: Stroke Lab Black Ten 35"
Ball - :callaway-small: Chrome Soft X LS

Powered by :Arccos:

2020 ExPutt Official Review | 2021 Cobra Connect Five Participant | 2023 SuperSpeed Official Review

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11 hours ago, jlukes said:

Hoping to be able to put these on some clubs soon

 

BDFBB8D0-6E1C-4A57-93E8-9DDD0A1CBB9B.jpeg

 

58 minutes ago, jlukes said:

image.png.c8f70f42fc0eca87b4136a9471106187.png

Oh that combo is going to look sick. Can't wait for everything to show up for some pics. 

In my  :wilson_staff_small:  carry bag:
:mizuno-small: ST-X 10.5* Kai'li Blue R Flex
:mizuno-small: ST-Z 15* Kai/li Blue R Flex
:mizuno-small: ST-Z 4h Linq Blue R Flex
:cleveland-small: Launcher 5h
:cleveland-small: Launcher CBX 6i-PW
:cleveland-small: CBX 54* & 58*
:cleveland-small: Huntington Beach #10
:bridgestone-small: e12 Contact
CURRENTLY TESTING - Mizuno Long Game

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Another round in the books. Beginning to like the arrcos system for tracking. Still can’t get any distance off the tee. 

F9A0FBB2-B2A7-4683-9E04-AFCB3C6F7794.jpeg

Driver  :ping-small: G425 9* Hzrdus Smoke Green Small batch 6.5 70g

Fairway Wood:   image.jpeg.b9b42744cb10f0524500549b74545dd7.jpegCobra Radspeed Big 3 Hzrdus Smoke Black 6.5

Hybrid:  image.jpeg.c5ec9f74aa563ad0246ab686b1c35eeb.jpegCobra Aerojet 5 Wood Hzrdus Smoke Black 6.5

Irons:     :titelist-small: T200 (4-AW) AMT Black Stiff Shafts 

Wedges:  :cleveland-small: Tour Rack 56* 60*

Putter:   :cameron-small: Scotty Cameron Golo 5

Right Handed 

Pittsburgh, PA

 

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25 minutes ago, Brian A said:

Another round in the books. Beginning to like the arrcos system for tracking. Still can’t get any distance off the tee. 

F9A0FBB2-B2A7-4683-9E04-AFCB3C6F7794.jpeg

Maybe no distance but still gaining strokes with driving which is a positive if you add distance it will only go higher. 

Driver: :titelist-small: TSR3 8 Ventus Red TR 8X

Fairway: :titelist-small: TSi2 16.5 Ventus Blue 8X 

Hybrid:  :taylormade-small: Sim 2 - 19 Hybrid Tensei Orange 90TX

Irons:  :taylormade-small: P790 4-5 P7MC Raw 6-PW MMT 125TX

Wedges: :vokey-small: SM8 50.10F, 54.10S - X100 & 58.04T S400

Putter: Lajosi DD201

:titelist-small: Pro V1X Left Dash

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43 minutes ago, LeftyMatt89 said:

Maybe no distance but still gaining strokes with driving which is a positive if you add distance it will only go higher. 

I played the slice a bit more consistently today. Interesting to see how normally my putting is good, was off today and it shows

Driver  :ping-small: G425 9* Hzrdus Smoke Green Small batch 6.5 70g

Fairway Wood:   image.jpeg.b9b42744cb10f0524500549b74545dd7.jpegCobra Radspeed Big 3 Hzrdus Smoke Black 6.5

Hybrid:  image.jpeg.c5ec9f74aa563ad0246ab686b1c35eeb.jpegCobra Aerojet 5 Wood Hzrdus Smoke Black 6.5

Irons:     :titelist-small: T200 (4-AW) AMT Black Stiff Shafts 

Wedges:  :cleveland-small: Tour Rack 56* 60*

Putter:   :cameron-small: Scotty Cameron Golo 5

Right Handed 

Pittsburgh, PA

 

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14 minutes ago, B.Boston said:

Rationalization:  If I could just it it 5-10 yards further with my driver my approach game would be soooo much better. 🤣

Haha that’s so funny. From someone who can hit em far occasionally it’s all about approach and short game for my score. As long as drive doesn’t go OB I have a decent shot that day haha

Driver: :titelist-small: TSR3 8 Ventus Red TR 8X

Fairway: :titelist-small: TSi2 16.5 Ventus Blue 8X 

Hybrid:  :taylormade-small: Sim 2 - 19 Hybrid Tensei Orange 90TX

Irons:  :taylormade-small: P790 4-5 P7MC Raw 6-PW MMT 125TX

Wedges: :vokey-small: SM8 50.10F, 54.10S - X100 & 58.04T S400

Putter: Lajosi DD201

:titelist-small: Pro V1X Left Dash

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1 hour ago, txgolfjunkie said:

I'm noticing a trend with among us in the Cobra Connect Challenge...

Arccos: Y'all need to work on your damn irons and wedges.

Us: Can't wait to bomb it off the tee!

Arccos: Irons! Wedges!

Us: This 3W from the fairway is going to be the best!

Arccos: *facepalm*

Us: Bombs! 

It is comical that most of the rounds we've posted, we've lost shots on approach and short game. Glad we're all in the same boat, regardless of handicap. 

Haha it has been the story of my golf game for the past 2 years.  However - if we hit it further, our approach shots become shorter and then the likelihood of hitting it closer increases.  Hitting it closer means less reliance on s***** chipping

Big brain stuff (or at least that's what I keep telling myself)

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2 hours ago, txgolfjunkie said:

I'm noticing a trend with among us in the Cobra Connect Challenge...

Arccos: Y'all need to work on your damn irons and wedges.

Us: Can't wait to bomb it off the tee!

Arccos: Irons! Wedges!

Us: This 3W from the fairway is going to be the best!

Arccos: *facepalm*

Us: Bombs! 

It is comical that most of the rounds we've posted, we've lost shots on approach and short game. Glad we're all in the same boat, regardless of handicap. 

And what’s strange is that’s where I’ve always felt like I kept myself in the game and arrcos is telling me I don’t… 

Driver  :ping-small: G425 9* Hzrdus Smoke Green Small batch 6.5 70g

Fairway Wood:   image.jpeg.b9b42744cb10f0524500549b74545dd7.jpegCobra Radspeed Big 3 Hzrdus Smoke Black 6.5

Hybrid:  image.jpeg.c5ec9f74aa563ad0246ab686b1c35eeb.jpegCobra Aerojet 5 Wood Hzrdus Smoke Black 6.5

Irons:     :titelist-small: T200 (4-AW) AMT Black Stiff Shafts 

Wedges:  :cleveland-small: Tour Rack 56* 60*

Putter:   :cameron-small: Scotty Cameron Golo 5

Right Handed 

Pittsburgh, PA

 

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... We all have our own ideas on how to play our best or more accurately how to shoot our lowest scores. I am of the opinion  that driving is the least important. Obviously really poor driving is an issue if you are in the woods, water or OB but if you hit the ball reasonably well off the tee missing your target by 33% but hit accurate irons you have a much better chance of scoring well than if you hit accurate drives and miss your iron shots by 33%. Aiming down the left side and ending up in the first cut on the right side probably won't hurt you much and you can even still birdie the hole. Aiming at the pin on the left side and missing into a deep bunker/thick green side rough on the right side can cost you 1 or more strokes. 

... We have all hit a HUGE drive only to hit a bad approach shot and feel like we wasted our drive. OTOH hitting a poor tee shot that ends up 15 yds shorter than normal in the light rough or first cut can turn into a birdie with an accurate iron. Hitting the ball close to the hole with your irons is the easiest way to lower your score. He!! you can birdie from another fairway with a great iron shot while a great drive sets you up, but assures you of nothing. I am not saying driving it long and straight is irrelevant and pretty sure all my really low rounds came when I was driving it really well but it is the least important of the 3 elements to score as long as the other 2 elements are excellent. Hitting irons close, getting up and down from around the green/lagging long putts to tap in and finally driving. It is one of the reasons good players view par 5's as birdie holes. 

... A poor drive on a par 5 can easily be overcome by a good layup and still birdied with a great approach shot. A great drive that is followed by a lay up in the rough, bunker, water or woods is much more difficult to overcome. Hitting a short iron approach into the lip of the bunker or short sided is another recipe for a bogie or worse. And of course a bad chip/pitch/putt can mean a double while an excellent chip/pitch/putt can mean birdie or at least save par. 

... Personally I get the most satisfaction out of hitting an iron into tap in range, especially if it wasn't a perfect yardage. But like everyone, there is something that taps into my caveman instincts when I hit a huge drive and set myself up to reach a par 5 in 2. I get the long ball allure and by all means continue to improve your driving ability ... just spend much more time on your irons and your short game and watch your index drop. 

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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Hit bombs, everything else will catch up like 57 Heinz

Check out my reviews:

:ping-small:  G710 Irons Official Review I :Fuji: MC Shaft & :EVNROLL: V Series Putter Official Review

:cobra-small: 2022 Forged Tec's Official Review I Logo.png.7f297574516267afc6959b36be364cf9.pngNitron Push Cart Official Review

WITB:

Weapons of grass destruction (link to WITB)

:ping-small: Traverse is filled with all this shiny metal and tracked by :Arccos:

:cobra-small: RadSpeed 8* - MotoreX F1 6X :taylormade-small: SIM 3W - Project X HZRDUS Green

:titleist-small: U505 Driving Iron 17* - Project X HZRDUS Black :cobra-small: SpeedZone 4H - Project X HZRDUS Black

:cobra-small: 2022 King Forged Tec's 4-PW - KBS $ Tape 130 :titelist-small: 48 (SM8), 52 & 60 (SM7) - Nippon Modus 125 S 

:EVNROLL: ER2VI :titelist-small: PROV1X #19 

Are you a veteran? Check out the Veterans Golf Association (VGA) Thread!

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I believe it was Lee Trevino that said "Drive for show, putt for dough"

Driver: :titelist-small: TSI3 - 10*, Hzrdus Smoke 6.0 Stiff

Driver: :taylormade-small: Stealth Plus - 10.5*, Oban Kiyoshi Purple O4Flex-65 Grams Purred
3 Wood: :taylormade-small: SIM - 15*, Graphite Design Tour AD DJ5 Stiff
Hybrid: :titelist-small: TS3 - 19*, Hzrdus Smoke 6.0 Stiff
Irons: :titelist-small:  5 - PW T150, with Nippon Zelos 7 Reg, 4 iron - U505 with Project X HZRDUS Black Stiff

Wedges: :titelist-small: Vokey SM 8 - 50*, 60* Standard Wedge Shafts

Wedge: :taylormade-small: Milled Grind 3 MG3 56* S200 shaft

Putter:  :scotty-cameron-1: Studio Select Newport 1.5        
Putter:  :scotty-cameron-1: Phantom X 5.5
Ball: :titelist-small: Pro V1x

 

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You guys are funny.  Arccos just SCREAMS at me - QUIT GETTING PENALTIES OFF THE TEE!!!  Me - hold my beer.  Hits it in the woods, losing a ball.  DOH!

But seriously, my 63* wedge hits the most GIR and is the 3rd most hit club in the bag.  So that's important info.  Also, off the tee I lose the most shots.  I just bought a MGS favorite - the G410LST to try out.  Can't wait until it arrives.  I've never really got along with the M4 driver.

 

 

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@jlukes well it seems like we found out why you went with the 7-wood... You were just ahead of the curve.

57E0E30E-3075-4193-B14C-F879727A8B10.jpeg.cad83132ce637236f776c01fd46a4c92.jpeg

Cobra Connect 5 Competitor - Team Chad

  • :cobra-small: King Radspeed 10.5* w/ Hzrdus RDX Blue 60 6.5 tipped 1/2" - Peacoat/Red
  • :cobra-small: King Radspeed Big Tour 3 Wood w/ Hzrdus RDX Blue 70 6.5 Tipped 1/2"
  • :cobra-small: King Radspeed Tour 5 Wood w/ Motore X F1 70 X Flex 
  • :cobra-small: King Utility 4 21* w/ Tensei Pro White 100 X Flex
  • :cobra-small: King Tour MIM Copper Irons 5-G w/ AMT White X100 Onyx
  • :cobra-small: King MIM Black Wedges 55* & 60* w/ AMT White X100 Onyx
  • :taylormade-small: Spider SR
  • :titelist-small: Pro V1x Left Dash
  • Lefty
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Me:  bombs drive.  7i approach shot, chunks it. 

Arccos:  you should have taken one more club!  Look how much you're leaving short!!  

Me:  But I ch...

Arccos: 6i next time!  please! for crying out loud! 

 

next time:  

Me:  bombs drive.  7i approach shot.  eh, maybe I try the 6, it's just about a perfect 7.  

Me:  Chunks it. 

Arccos:  you should have used the 5i!!!!!   You just keep leaving it short! 

 

reads stats: 

"you're losing strokes because of distance off the tee"  

 

:cobra-small:   RADspeed 10.5, :projectx: Evenflow Riptide CB 6.0s

:cobra-small:  Bio Cell 3/4w, :projectx: PXV 6.0s; AMP 3h 19deg Aldila RIP R.  Bio Cell 4h 22.5deg :projectx: PXV R. 

:titleist-small:          2021/22 T200 5-7, T100 8-P (bent 1deg strong), :projectx: LZ 5.5 

:cleveland-small:      CBX-2 50/11 

:taylormade-small:   ATV 56/16deg 

:1332069271_TommyArmour:  Impact No.3 Align putter

:Arccos:     Caddie for tracking.     

:titelist-small:            Pro V1X balls

 

Previous forum tests:

2019: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus 4 grips, Lynx Black Cat 5-PW.    2020:  :skycaddie: LX5 Watch.    2021:  :1332069271_TommyArmour: Impact #3 Align putter

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4 minutes ago, knightsofnii said:

Me:  bombs drive.  7i approach shot, chunks it. 

Arccos:  you should have taken one more club!  Look how much you're leaving short!!  

Me:  But I ch...

Arccos: 6i next time!  please! for crying out loud! 

 

next time:  

Me:  bombs drive.  7i approach shot.  eh, maybe I try the 6, it's just about a perfect 7.  

Me:  Flushes 6i and flies the green by 20 yards into the woods

 

 

reads stats: 

"you're losing strokes because of penalties"

 

BOLD are the changes that would make it valid for me.

Driver:  :callaway-small:Epic Speed 9* (set -1) MMT 70X
3W:bridgestone-small: Tour B JGR Recoil 760ES
3H, 4H: :bridgestone-small: Tour B JGR 19*, 23* Recoil 780ES
4-AW:bridgestone-small: Tour B JGR HF2 Modus3 Tour 105
SW: :cleveland-small: RTX Zipcore Black Satin 54*
LW:Sub70: TAIII Black 58*
Putter:ping-small: Scottsdale TR Senita
Bag: BigMax Dri Active Lite
Ball:taylormade-small: TP5x or :titleist-small: AVX (yellow)
Pushcart: BigMax iQ+

Testing Complete, Final Review PostedSub70 TAIII Forged Wedges

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53 minutes ago, knightsofnii said:

Me:  bombs drive.  7i approach shot, chunks it. 

Arccos:  you should have taken one more club!  Look how much you're leaving short!!  

Me:  But I ch...

Arccos: 6i next time!  please! for crying out loud! 

 

next time:  

Me:  bombs drive.  7i approach shot.  eh, maybe I try the 6, it's just about a perfect 7.  

Me:  Chunks it. 

Arccos:  you should have used the 5i!!!!!   You just keep leaving it short! 

 

reads stats: 

"you're losing strokes because of distance off the tee"  

 

Haha this is so true! It’s like every good drive is followed by a chunk! 
 

Glad I’m not the only one! 

Driver  :ping-small: G425 9* Hzrdus Smoke Green Small batch 6.5 70g

Fairway Wood:   image.jpeg.b9b42744cb10f0524500549b74545dd7.jpegCobra Radspeed Big 3 Hzrdus Smoke Black 6.5

Hybrid:  image.jpeg.c5ec9f74aa563ad0246ab686b1c35eeb.jpegCobra Aerojet 5 Wood Hzrdus Smoke Black 6.5

Irons:     :titelist-small: T200 (4-AW) AMT Black Stiff Shafts 

Wedges:  :cleveland-small: Tour Rack 56* 60*

Putter:   :cameron-small: Scotty Cameron Golo 5

Right Handed 

Pittsburgh, PA

 

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30 minutes ago, Brian A said:

Haha this is so true! It’s like every good drive is followed by a chunk! 
 

Glad I’m not the only one! 

It's true... all of it...

 

Screenshot_20210615-131842.jpg.d395e8483055e78316f88edef1bbe4b5.jpg

 

Screenshot_20210615-132108.jpg.018f3694fceade288b184b73bf45320e.jpg

:cobra-small:   RADspeed 10.5, :projectx: Evenflow Riptide CB 6.0s

:cobra-small:  Bio Cell 3/4w, :projectx: PXV 6.0s; AMP 3h 19deg Aldila RIP R.  Bio Cell 4h 22.5deg :projectx: PXV R. 

:titleist-small:          2021/22 T200 5-7, T100 8-P (bent 1deg strong), :projectx: LZ 5.5 

:cleveland-small:      CBX-2 50/11 

:taylormade-small:   ATV 56/16deg 

:1332069271_TommyArmour:  Impact No.3 Align putter

:Arccos:     Caddie for tracking.     

:titelist-small:            Pro V1X balls

 

Previous forum tests:

2019: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus 4 grips, Lynx Black Cat 5-PW.    2020:  :skycaddie: LX5 Watch.    2021:  :1332069271_TommyArmour: Impact #3 Align putter

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6 minutes ago, knightsofnii said:

It's true... all of it...

 

Screenshot_20210615-131842.jpg.d395e8483055e78316f88edef1bbe4b5.jpg

 

Screenshot_20210615-132108.jpg.018f3694fceade288b184b73bf45320e.jpg

The only caveat is you are comparing to a zero handicap. If you are around 15 maybe compare it to an10 handicap because I bet you’re very close to getting to positive or net zero strokes gained compared to a handicap close or goal of like a single digit 9nhandicap. 

Driver: :titelist-small: TSR3 8 Ventus Red TR 8X

Fairway: :titelist-small: TSi2 16.5 Ventus Blue 8X 

Hybrid:  :taylormade-small: Sim 2 - 19 Hybrid Tensei Orange 90TX

Irons:  :taylormade-small: P790 4-5 P7MC Raw 6-PW MMT 125TX

Wedges: :vokey-small: SM8 50.10F, 54.10S - X100 & 58.04T S400

Putter: Lajosi DD201

:titelist-small: Pro V1X Left Dash

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1 minute ago, LeftyMatt89 said:

The only caveat is you are comparing to a zero handicap. If you are around 15 maybe compare it to an10 handicap because I bet you’re very close to getting to positive or net zero strokes gained compared to a handicap close or goal of like a single digit 9nhandicap. 

Thanks!  I literally just realized, seconds before you hit submit, that I can change it to say, a 14 or other handicap besides 0 or pro.  🤣

 

:cobra-small:   RADspeed 10.5, :projectx: Evenflow Riptide CB 6.0s

:cobra-small:  Bio Cell 3/4w, :projectx: PXV 6.0s; AMP 3h 19deg Aldila RIP R.  Bio Cell 4h 22.5deg :projectx: PXV R. 

:titleist-small:          2021/22 T200 5-7, T100 8-P (bent 1deg strong), :projectx: LZ 5.5 

:cleveland-small:      CBX-2 50/11 

:taylormade-small:   ATV 56/16deg 

:1332069271_TommyArmour:  Impact No.3 Align putter

:Arccos:     Caddie for tracking.     

:titelist-small:            Pro V1X balls

 

Previous forum tests:

2019: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus 4 grips, Lynx Black Cat 5-PW.    2020:  :skycaddie: LX5 Watch.    2021:  :1332069271_TommyArmour: Impact #3 Align putter

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On 6/14/2021 at 8:03 PM, chisag said:

... We all have our own ideas on how to play our best or more accurately how to shoot our lowest scores. I am of the opinion  that driving is the least important. Obviously really poor driving is an issue if you are in the woods, water or OB but if you hit the ball reasonably well off the tee missing your target by 33% but hit accurate irons you have a much better chance of scoring well than if you hit accurate drives and miss your iron shots by 33%. Aiming down the left side and ending up in the first cut on the right side probably won't hurt you much and you can even still birdie the hole. Aiming at the pin on the left side and missing into a deep bunker/thick green side rough on the right side can cost you 1 or more strokes. 

... We have all hit a HUGE drive only to hit a bad approach shot and feel like we wasted our drive. OTOH hitting a poor tee shot that ends up 15 yds shorter than normal in the light rough or first cut can turn into a birdie with an accurate iron. Hitting the ball close to the hole with your irons is the easiest way to lower your score. He!! you can birdie from another fairway with a great iron shot while a great drive sets you up, but assures you of nothing. I am not saying driving it long and straight is irrelevant and pretty sure all my really low rounds came when I was driving it really well but it is the least important of the 3 elements to score as long as the other 2 elements are excellent. Hitting irons close, getting up and down from around the green/lagging long putts to tap in and finally driving. It is one of the reasons good players view par 5's as birdie holes. 

... A poor drive on a par 5 can easily be overcome by a good layup and still birdied with a great approach shot. A great drive that is followed by a lay up in the rough, bunker, water or woods is much more difficult to overcome. Hitting a short iron approach into the lip of the bunker or short sided is another recipe for a bogie or worse. And of course a bad chip/pitch/putt can mean a double while an excellent chip/pitch/putt can mean birdie or at least save par. 

... Personally I get the most satisfaction out of hitting an iron into tap in range, especially if it wasn't a perfect yardage. But like everyone, there is something that taps into my caveman instincts when I hit a huge drive and set myself up to reach a par 5 in 2. I get the long ball allure and by all means continue to improve your driving ability ... just spend much more time on your irons and your short game and watch your index drop. 

I hear you - it is satisfying to hit a nice approach shot.  Especially with OB right, a cliff left with a very high uphill tee shot...  But like you said, it's important to be in play - so there's two par 5s after that hole - where I hit 5w on one then just a 6 iron on the other and still made par one one of them and the other was a stupid stupid lipout... the iron play is what helped me to make par as driver is so difficult on those, especially on the second par 5 as it's sooooo narrow.

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On 6/14/2021 at 11:03 AM, chisag said:

... We all have our own ideas on how to play our best or more accurately how to shoot our lowest scores. I am of the opinion  that driving is the least important. Obviously really poor driving is an issue if you are in the woods, water or OB but if you hit the ball reasonably well off the tee missing your target by 33% but hit accurate irons you have a much better chance of scoring well than if you hit accurate drives and miss your iron shots by 33%. Aiming down the left side and ending up in the first cut on the right side probably won't hurt you much and you can even still birdie the hole. Aiming at the pin on the left side and missing into a deep bunker/thick green side rough on the right side can cost you 1 or more strokes. 

... We have all hit a HUGE drive only to hit a bad approach shot and feel like we wasted our drive. OTOH hitting a poor tee shot that ends up 15 yds shorter than normal in the light rough or first cut can turn into a birdie with an accurate iron. Hitting the ball close to the hole with your irons is the easiest way to lower your score. He!! you can birdie from another fairway with a great iron shot while a great drive sets you up, but assures you of nothing. I am not saying driving it long and straight is irrelevant and pretty sure all my really low rounds came when I was driving it really well but it is the least important of the 3 elements to score as long as the other 2 elements are excellent. Hitting irons close, getting up and down from around the green/lagging long putts to tap in and finally driving. It is one of the reasons good players view par 5's as birdie holes. 

... A poor drive on a par 5 can easily be overcome by a good layup and still birdied with a great approach shot. A great drive that is followed by a lay up in the rough, bunker, water or woods is much more difficult to overcome. Hitting a short iron approach into the lip of the bunker or short sided is another recipe for a bogie or worse. And of course a bad chip/pitch/putt can mean a double while an excellent chip/pitch/putt can mean birdie or at least save par. 

... Personally I get the most satisfaction out of hitting an iron into tap in range, especially if it wasn't a perfect yardage. But like everyone, there is something that taps into my caveman instincts when I hit a huge drive and set myself up to reach a par 5 in 2. I get the long ball allure and by all means continue to improve your driving ability ... just spend much more time on your irons and your short game and watch your index drop. 

The other part of this is that poor iron players generally do not feel comfortable with a 4i, 5i, sometimes even a 6 iron. So there seems to be added importance to get within a certain distance to hit at least a 7 iron for the approach. Everytime you are left 160, 170, 180 out, the mantra becomes, "if I could only hit my driver 10, 20, 30 yards further, then I would be able to attack/birdie/par this hole." And that's what gets worked on.

And its not just on the tee. You see guys hitting 3 wood off the deck from a bad lie from 310 out because they want that 8 iron in there hands instead of the 6 iron for the 3rd shot. And they top it, and end up making a mess of an easy par 5 that they hit a decent drive on. Classic deficiency leading to bad decision making. 

The reality is that if you are a poor 6 iron player, you are likely a poor 8 iron player as well, the loft is just masking it better. Put in the work to become proficient and confident in your 5, 6, 7 iron. They are true weapons on the course. As @chisag alluded to, a great iron shot can erase a bad drive, and a bad iron shot can erase a great drive. 

 

GARSEN GRIP TESTER

  • Driver: PING G400 MAX, Ventus Blue 6x
  • Woods: COBRA F6 Baffler AD DI 8S
  • Hybrid: CALLAWAY Apex Pro, Ventus Blue 8s
  • Irons: SRIXON ZX5 mk2 5-6, ZX7 mk2 7-PW, Modus 120x
  • Wedges: EDEL 50 C grind, 54 V grind, CLEVELAND 60 RTX6 Low
  • Putter: YES Abbie!
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