2024 What is safe in your bag? What's on the chopping block?

[Shank Aaron]

1 hour ago, BNewton51 said:

I mean, I may know a guy that knows a guy to help with all those moving parts!!  Oh, wait a second...

In any event, yes we ALL do know you... You'll be shifting to something new REAL soon.  

Am I THAT predictable, or do I just have a label now? 

 

To your point, yeah. I left the Titleist line off of the list by mistake. I'm definitely interested in the T-150, or maybe a 150/200 combo. Of the list, the only clubs I've actually hit are the T200's, and as hard as I tried, I just couldn't find anything bad worth saying about them. 

[Shank Aaron]

1 hour ago, BNewton51 said:

Scotty Cameron Super Select 5 Flowback - Custom Shop done in Copper and Black - SAFE  WHAAAAT?!?!? The QB8 got voted off the island?!?!?!? Say it ain't so!!

But there's another Spy here that as always has a way of twisting my arm and acting like a Narcotic pusher... I won't name any names, but you know who you are!  I HATE those kinds of guys. You know the types. Always got some really cool stuff to dangle in front of you knowing you're in club ho rehab. Those guys are the debbil. 

 

[BNewton51]

10 minutes ago, Shank Aaron said:

Am I THAT predictable, or do I just have a label now? 

 

To your point, yeah. I left the Titleist line off of the list by mistake. I'm definitely interested in the T-150, or maybe a 150/200 combo. Of the list, the only clubs I've actually hit are the T200's, and as hard as I tried, I just couldn't find anything bad worth saying about them. 

I mean, come on bro... I wouldn't class it as Predictable... But I reckon we can probably say the "tinkerer" label probably fits best... Or something like that.

[BNewton51]

7 minutes ago, Shank Aaron said:

 

Oh, no... The QB8 is JUUUUUSSSSTTT fine...  More of a collector piece.  But it does make an appearance quite often.  Kind of a go too when I feel like my Feels are off....

Listen, man.... I'm in recovery!  What can I say!

 

[Beakbryce]

It's all good. But then...

At the beginning of this year I wasn't really looking for any new clubs. Lucked into deals for 8-9-PW when the Rogue ST irons went on sale with an additional military discount. Then I was just fooling around and took the Odyssey questionnaire on what putter I would play and ended up buying an Eleven. 

Thank you to the Gods of my ancestors and the Putting Gods! That putter and the new clam shell grip I found online at the same time has cured my yips. Actually making some good putts.

Maybe a GBB 19 5 hybrid? 

[Indy_Oz]

After returning to golf 18 months ago (after 20 years) everything in the bag was bought (and in some cases also replaced at least once) in that time. So my wallet says everything is safe for 2024... ha ha. But the analytical engineer and constant tinkerer in me isn't content. So...

Definitely safe: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS driver, TSR2 3-wood, Stealth+ 3H, TM P790 5-6i, TM P7MC 45*PW, TM MG3 50* & 56*. Balls (TM TP5x... I have enough of those alone for the next year or more as long as I don't get worse!lol)

Probably Safe, but not 100%... : Callaway Rogue ST Max 7W, TM P790 2UDI, P790 7-9i, Sik DW C2.0 putter.

On the chopping block: TM MG2 TW 60*. For my usual courses and conditions, I need at least one wedge to be low bounce and low at address on firm ground and hard packed bunkers. MG4 60* with the new 7* LBV sole has my attention right now.

My irons were not fitted. They were loaners from a friend and I eventually bought them from him. However, I'm going to get a fitting to make sure I have correct shaft length and head lie on irons and wedges. I also want to see if other shafts on the 2UDI, 3W and 7W would be better suited.

While the 50* and 56* wedges are safe, I plan to switch shafts on at least the 50* to match the irons as the 50* is almost always a pretty full shot.

I thought the Sik putter was 100% safe until recently. It rolls nicely and has great feel. But I tried a Scotty Phantom X7 and that thing felt and rolled amazing. I really didn't want to like it, but it's the best feeling putter I've picked up. I tried a few other mallets that were nice, but not as nice as the X7. Before I seriously consider finding one, I need to do a proper back to back comparison at a putter fitting.

[Fred Mitchell]

On 11/29/2023 at 8:33 PM, No3PuttLaLa said:

Specifically in the 58, a little more bounce. I have a relatively steep angle of attack and find my current 60° RTX digs more than I would like. 

Quick check of the Cleveland site and the RTX 6 in 60 degree comes in 3 different bounces 6 -10-12 so if you are familiar with the RTX and like it sticking with old faithful in a more suitable bounce seems like worth considering. Just 2 cents worth advice , good luck

 

[Shank Aaron]

26 minutes ago, BNewton51 said:

I mean, come on bro... I wouldn't class it as Predictable... But I reckon we can probably say the "tinkerer" label probably fits best... Or something like that.

Yeah, I get that.....

 

25 minutes ago, Beakbryce said:

It's all good. But then...

At the beginning of this year I wasn't really looking for any new clubs. Lucked into deals for 8-9-PW when the Rogue ST irons went on sale with an additional military discount. Then I was just fooling around and took the Odyssey questionnaire on what putter I would play and ended up buying an Eleven. 

Thank you to the Gods of my ancestors and the Putting Gods! That putter and the new clam shell grip I found online at the same time has cured my yips. Actually making some good putts.

Maybe a GBB 19 5 hybrid? 

If I'm not mistaken, our military discount also applied to their pre-owned site as well. 

[Fred Mitchell]

2 hours ago, CLenahan said:

Driver: Callaway Mavrik.  Safe, for now.  Working well the last few rounds.

3 Wood: Getting cut, hard to hit well and doesn't fit a gap in the bag.

5 Wood: Mizuno ST-Z. Safe, solid 215 club, easy to hit from the tee, fairway, or rough.

Irons: Titleist T300 5-PW.  Safe, very safe, easy to hit, long, and fitted new last summer.

Wedges: Mizuno T22 52, 56, Vokey 60.  Mizuno's safe, Vokey may be leaving by virtue of being a 60, and I have come to terms with it being a liability lately.

Putter: LeanLock Blade/ Oddyssey Strokelabs One.  Still back and forth, LeanLock has been working better lately.

Looking to add a hybrid to my bag to possibly fill out the top between 5 Iron and 5 wood a little better.

As a man that is still in a love hate with hybrids I bought a well used TaylorMade DHY utility off of ebay but instead of a 2 or 3 for driving iron I got a 5 DHY and after a little time adjusting to where to put the ball in my stance I am liking it and ordered a 4 DHY from TaylorMade also. JUST FOR ME its better than anything except maybe a an actual hybrid out of the rough the 5 DHY is considerably longer than my T300 5 iron and gaps well with the Pingo 7 wood and the knock of harder to flight up in the air is true so stopping on the green unless I run it up there isnt smooth but I have never hit a ball off of any club that gets more run out, I have never hit them side by side into a hard wind but my money is on the 4 DHY off the tee into a hard wind distance wise versus my driver plus if I need to hit something long under trees its a got too club as well. Maybe get lucky and find someone local who would let you try one out

[rarce_torres]

Always, always the putter.  I am rotating a Bettinardi 8w and a Scotty Cameron Phantom 5 s.  My putters are always on the chopping block.

[Beakbryce]

19 minutes ago, Shank Aaron said:

If I'm not mistaken, our military discount also applied to their pre-owned site as well.

I work with one of their reps when I am buying clubs and he said not on the pre-owned site. That may have changed. Regardless, I always ask. Also AARP membership, best looking guy in my neighborhood, golf nut, MGS tester, and anything else I can think of! 

and, before you ask, the best looking guy in my neighborhood gets the biggest laugh! 

[Fred Mitchell]

51 minutes ago, Shank Aaron said:

Yeah, I get that.....

 

If I'm not mistaken, our military discount also applied to their pre-owned site as well. 

Veteran, what is this veteran thing you speak of? Former QM1/SS USN at your service sir.

[Shank Aaron]

45 minutes ago, Fred Mitchell said:

Veteran, what is this veteran thing you speak of? Former QM1/SS USN at your service sir.

Sent you a PM, bud. 

[Toddlemm]

My 3 wood is not save this year. Will be looking for something better performing from the deck. All the rest are save except the TM 58 sand wedge I purchased 3 months ago. It is heavier than any other wedge I have in the bag or the garage.

[squirrel211]

The things that I am looking for better options are:

- 3 Wood

- Wedges?

- 4 Iron?  Maybe a different iron?  Maybe a 7 Wood?

- My bag itself

- Wedges

 

 

[JRapp314]

Everything is always on the chopping block. If it’s better it goes in.  However, there is one thing that will forever be safe on my bag.  The Groove It golf brush.  Has a built in water reservoir with the best bristles, and the magnetic clip makes it easy to access.  It’s super easy to use and my club grooves have never been cleaner.  It will always be attached to my bag. 

[berkeleybob]

A big change for me might be my Mizuno JPX 900s. I don’t know that I’ve ever felt 100% comfortable with them. We’ll see how it goes in the next few months.

[Darwin Capwill]

The only club I might change is my driver. I bought a new PXG 0311 gen 5 for Christmas. Gonna try it out and see if it will replace my 2017 Taylormade M1 driver

[tdc1]

Completely safe:  Cleveland 3+ Hy-Wood.

Pretty safe:  Irons, putter.

Only safe due to replacement cost:  Hybrids and driver (although shaft may change).

Actively looking to replace: sand and lob wedges.

 

 

[ILMgolfnut]

On 12/27/2023 at 8:21 AM, ILMgolfnut said:

My Mizuno ST-X driver , which I bought in mid-2022, is adjustable, and last night I got out the wrench and adjusted it for the first time. Increased the loft and the draw bias, which should produce more spin, according to the info I found. I'm driving down to Myrtle Beach today, where my son lives, and will try it out there. 

 

Back from Myrtle. The tweaked driver got the workout today; used on all 14 multishot holes. I hit 5 fairways, which isn't super but is better than my usual 2-3, with all but one a baby fade or a baby draw. The blame for the rest falls on the swinger, not the implement. Also, if the 7th hole was playing to the scorecard yardage (no rangefinder or GPS readily available), I hit my drive 230 yards on level ground (this is Myrtle; there ain't no downhill holes, although there was somehow one hole that the green was about 20 feet above the fairway). I haven't hit one 230 in about 30 years. I think the tweaked Mizuno will remain tweaked, although I definitely need to keep working on that swing.

Edited December 29, 2023 by ILMgolfnut

[Billy-Bo-Jim-Bob]

The only thing changing in my bag this year are the iron shafts. I’m going lighter and softer. Making a move from X100 to KBS $-Taper. Keeping the S400’s in the 54 & 58. They just feel so solid and balanced it not worth the risk of change. 

All else is A-OK!

[guillo2]

20 hours ago, hoppman said:

Irons SAFE, ZX5 MKii 6-p,driver safe, Rogue st max LS, Cleveland wedges safe, TSR3 4wd mostly safe, Odyssey Tri hot 5K two putter definitely safe, Cobra 3,4,5, LTDx hybrids mostly safe, the 4 definitely is, jury still out on 3 and 5.

There are some other clubs waiting in the wings in case. 

Back surgery in January could change how I feel about these clubs, all shafts stiff. 

 

Best wishes on the surgery. Quick healing and a speedy recovery 

[Toddlemm]

14 hours ago, Darwin Capwill said:

The only club I might change is my driver. I bought a new PXG 0311 gen 5 for Christmas. Gonna try it out and see if it will replace my 2017 Taylormade M1 driver

Should have gone with the Gen6 driver. More MOI

[Julius]

I am pretty confident to upgrade the driver this year.  I play a PING G400 MAX but am looking to see if a new driver/shaft combo will make a meaningful difference.  I might also consider the putter (currently I play an EVNRoll), but also for this I would want to go through a fitting which I never did for the putter before, but I believe it likely worth it.  Everything else is ok for now. 

[The Stig]

Paradigm triple diamond driver is safe, current Vokey wedges are on the block as I want to explore different grinds to suit Florida winter course conditions.

[Middler]

Nothing on the chopping block, all safe...

[Beakbryce]

On 12/27/2023 at 3:09 PM, squirrel211 said:

My bag itself

Look at Sun Mountain. Good time of year to buy last years model. Good prices.

[RCGolf]

My TSI3 10* with my Tour AD XC-5S is safe until the next line of Titleist drivers are released next year. I’ve put everything on the market against it, not even really close. I think it’s the 10* head with a super lightweight, yet super stable tip section, shaft. Just high launching bombs straight down the middle. Everything else (maybe the SM9’s are safe) is on the chopping block. 

[Big moose]

My driver, hybrids and putter are keepers. My 3 and 5 wood are ok. My irons, I am either looking for different shafts or new irons. 

[Beakbryce]

So, the whole bag was safe, right? Pulled the trigger on a Paradym X 5 hybrid to maybe better fill the only kind of gap in my bag. I have a heaven wood and a 4 hybrid at about the same degree lofts but use the 4 for low shots and wood for high shots. Additionally, the longer shaft on the heaven wood results in a 10 yard difference. The problem is the next club down is a 6 hybrid so have been trying, with mixed success, to choke down on the 4 hybrid to cover the yardage gap. Hence the 5 hybrid. Callaway pre-owned has a 24% off sale going and I found one with the shaft in my 6 hybrid that I really like.

Time of year means it isn't shipping for a few days. Stand by for a mini review and how the gapping works going forward.