To fill or not to fill (paint fill) opinions needed

[azstu324]

I just picked up this super slick looking set of forged CB iron heads and put together what I anticipate to be my 2022 iron set. The company ERG is definitely of the more obscure and unknown in the golf equipment industry. They're kind of in the DTC category but really cater to individual club builders and component shops to sell to club builders. So far I couldn't be happier with the purchase and the overall fit, finish, feel, and performance. I'll probably do a review on the clubs separately at some point as I feel they definitely warrant some forum attention. 

I've done some number paint fill in previous clubs that were DBM finish and it looked really nice. My current but possible previous set I left alone because they just checked all of the aesthetic boxes for me and I just didn't want to mess with their look in any way. Being an inherent tinkerer with an innate ability to not leave well enough alone, I'm considering adding some paint fill to the numbers on these ERG's. As you can see, these are about as simplistic and pure looking as a CB style club can get and I really love that about them. The back side paint fill is minimalistic but is done in a gloss black. The numbers however are more of a flat or oxide black and I'm considering using some gloss royal blue to just make the numbers pop a little. The blue would also match the accented butt caps on my Lamkin Sonar Pro grips so there's some purpose to the Royal blue color as far as color scheme. 

So the question is, do I leave things be and just keep the clubs as classic and simple looking as possible? Or do I add a little bit of paint fill to the numbers to give them some zip?

I'm really torn about which way to go hence why I'm asking the forum for opinion. Ultimately if I do the paint fill, I could always remove it later but it's just the work going into removing the fill if I end up not liking it. 

Here are the clubs as the glue was curing on my work table

The sole with the #'s

Back side of club

Here is the grip 

[edingc]

I was never a fan of colored club numbers. Not sure why, but either black or white for me.

That being said, I'd remove the fill from the backs to ghost them out and then hit them all with a green Scotchbrite pad for the satin finish treatment!

Build looks really nice, by the way. You have me interested in these heads, I was looking at them the other day after you posted.

[cnosil]

I am pretty basic in my tastes.  I like black numbers and would say don’t change anything.  

[azstu324]

1 hour ago, edingc said:

I was never a fan of colored club numbers. Not sure why, but either black or white for me.

That being said, I'd remove the fill from the backs to ghost them out and then hit them all with a green Scotchbrite pad for the satin finish treatment!

Build looks really nice, by the way. You have me interested in these heads, I was looking at them the other day after you posted.

I'm really leaning toward leaving the paint so I think just your 2 comments have pushed me further in that direction. 

I've also considered going the satin route with these. I like the chrome but it can be brutal in the AZ sun sometimes. I might just wait and see how the finish holds up before I decide to make any permanent changes. 

1 hour ago, edingc said:

Build looks really nice, by the way. You have me interested in these heads, I was looking at them the other day after you posted.

Thanks man! So far, to be considering these over my beloved Maltby TS-1's, to me definitely says something. At first I just thought about doing a fun project and at $100 for the set of brand new heads (essentially new clubs since I had the shafts lying around) just seemed like a no-brainer.. but now after spec'ing the clubs out to my loft, lie, and SW preferences, and hitting them, I'm realizing that these are some seriously great clubs! I think the overall profile is perfect for my eye. Heel to toe is notably shorter than the TS-1's. Top line is about the same at medium-thin. Offset is there but it's minimal and actually is slightly more confidence inspiring. At address, everything just squares up nicely to my eye and for the kind of club that they are, they are quite forgiving. I've easily hit all shapes of shots with all of the clubs so the workability of a CB/blade is definitely there. 

All that said, I've only had these at the range and hitting bays at PGATSS. I'm yet to play a round with them and plan to get out Saturday to play an "iron only" round. I'm guessing that the turf interaction will be similar to my Maltbys being that they have a pretty decent amount of bounce and camber on the sole which I also really like. The leading edge on the shorter irons PW - 8 is just slightly rounded to ensure better contact and movement through the grass. PW is more pronounced but not off putting and actually blends well with the shape of my Maltby TSW 50* wedge. The longer iron leading edge starting with the 7i squares up a little more with each club through 5i. 

I'll definitely post an "unofficial" review after a few rounds so stay tuned.