After Hours Spy Saloon

[GaryF]

First, thanks for all of the info and advice from @funkyjudge, @chisag and others! I didn’t have a lot of time today but went to the range and after warming up with my PW, hit about 18 drives. Didn’t really notice anything much different. Started with a couple of my pull/draws that is typical but then got my swing better oriented.  The club felt good and got at least my average carry (214) but hard to tell exactly.  There was a flag at 196 and one behind it at 240, and I was carrying the 196 easily.  A number seemed to carry past the mid point and a couple that bounced out near the 240 so feels like  have a new, broken-in driver.

Truth be told, I was never fit for this driver.  For years I only played with a 3w then my son in law gave me an old Cleveland hi-bore driver with a stiff shaft.  I hit it ok but never really knew how to swing properly. I finally bought this Fushion 2016 model in 2019 off the shelf at pgatss ($199).  I never really hit it all that well but better than an older ping model and TM M6.  After purchasing, I had a lot of remorse and finally took a couple lessons.  They completely revamped my swing and I started studying what swing mechanics should be.  I stuck with what I was taught and started to play on the fairway alot.  Over time, I gained distance…..and while getting all new clubs the past 2 months, I love this driver. Not sure what optimum numbers should be but was getting averages of 214 carry, 2250 back spin, launch around 13.2, peak height 25 yards, descent 34*, total distance 236. 

[chisag]

3 minutes ago, GaryF said:

I didn’t have a lot of time today but went to the range and after warming up with my PW, hit about 18 drives. Didn’t really notice anything much different.

 

... When it comes to equipment, some have a heightened sense of feel and some lucky players have very little feel. We hear players say things like "The ball felt too clicky off the putter" or "the shaft felt like a telephone pole/noodle!" I have always been envious of those that base their opinions on performance only and feel rarely enters into it. And then sound can be part of the equation as well. So hearing you didn't really notice anything much different with an $18 fix is a really nice bonus. I hope you enjoy your golf trip! 

[GaryF]

5 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... When it comes to equipment, some have a heightened sense of feel and some lucky players have very little feel. We hear players say things like "The ball felt too clicky off the putter" or "the shaft felt like a telephone pole/noodle!" I have always been envious of those that base their opinions on performance only and feel rarely enters into it. And then sound can be part of the equation as well. So hearing you didn't really notice anything much different with an $18 fix is a really nice bonus. I hope you enjoy your golf trip! 

Thank you.  Some things I notice and others I don’t.  When getting fit for my woods my fitter had me try ping G430 HL that had a very light shaft and while I had some amazing hits (he kept me borrow for a few days), the just felt whippy and I didn’t feel I could control the shots.  I can feel the difference with some balls so have settled on the Srixon Q-star and the 2022 z-star.  When I get a goid drive, I know immediately by feel.  As for sound, if you’ve ever hit a Cleve hi-bore, anything else is wonderful.  It has the loudest, most disgusting sound that gets looks when on the range.  I’ve read where some can feel the head and its location but I can’t.  I just take my swing, trust it knowing it’s there. 

[chisag]

2 hours ago, StrokerAce said:

speaking of Deadwood, anyone checking out Justified Primeval? 
Justified is on my list of top shows ever and I'm a big Tim Olyphant fan. I've been watching it and so far it seems average.

 

... I am a huge Olyphant fan as well. But I would say slightly above average, yet far from the original. Plus it is shot in Chicago and I'm pi$$ed it wasn't filming there when I lived and worked in Chicago. 

[funkyjudge]

55 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... I am a huge Olyphant fan as well. But I would say slightly above average, yet far from the original. Plus it is shot in Chicago and I'm pi$$ed it wasn't filming there when I lived and worked in Chicago. 

Have you guys seen Olyphant in The Mandalorian?

[GolfSpy_BEN]

As much as I like Deadwood and Seth Bullock. Raylen Givens will forever be my favorite character of his. That show was criminally underrated. Walton Goggins was so freaking good as Boyd Crowder

[chisag]

23 minutes ago, funkyjudge said:

Have you guys seen Olyphant in The Mandalorian?

 

... Of course. 

[JohnSmalls]

1 hour ago, Ben Joest said:

As much as I like Deadwood and Seth Bullock. Raylen Givens will forever be my favorite character of his. That show was criminally underrated. Walton Goggins was so freaking good as Boyd Crowder

RAYLEN GIVENS! I have been trying to think of that for a few days. Thank you

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Any strong opinions for or against Steelfiber iron shafts? Looking at the 110g in a stiff flex

[chisag]

18 minutes ago, Ben Joest said:

Any strong opinions for or against Steelfiber iron shafts? Looking at the 110g in a stiff flex

 

... My favorite irons shafts. 110 in s-flex will play very similar to a DGX100 and it's a pretty stout shaft. Depending on how you swing, Steelfibers are 1/2 to 1 full flex stronger. Heavy hitters 1/2 flex and smooth swingers 1 full flex. I play i95 r-flex in my MIM Tours and my current MG2 wedges and i80 r-flex in my current irons. Fwiw I played the Recoil 95 s-flex in several irons including the King Tours before re-shafting with i80's and they are very similar to Steelfiber r-flex for my swing. 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

4 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... My favorite irons shafts. 110 in s-flex will play very similar to a DGX100 and it's a pretty stout shaft. Depending on how you swing, Steelfibers are 1/2 to 1 full flex stronger. Heavy hitters 1/2 flex and smooth swingers 1 full flex. I play i95 r-flex in my MIM Tours and my current MG2 wedges and i80 r-flex in my current irons. Fwiw I played the Recoil 95 s-flex in several irons including the King Tours before re-shafting with i80's and they are very similar to Steelfiber r-flex for my swing. 

I’ve always played steel, but I am interested in trying the steelfibers for my next set of irons. Steel wise I have been playing variations of Project X in a 6.0 stiff i.e. LS, LZ, & just the standard. I’ve also had KBS Tour 120 stiff and C-Taper 120 stiff. Lastly I played a modus xstiff, but they were too stiff. 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

 

3 minutes ago, Ben Joest said:

I’ve always played steel, but I am interested in trying the steelfibers for my next set of irons. Steel wise I have been playing variations of Project X in a 6.0 stiff i.e. LS, LZ, & just the standard. I’ve also had KBS Tour 120 stiff and C-Taper 120 stiff. Lastly I played a modus xstiff, but they were too stiff. 

Also, my average club speed with a 7iron was 93mph when I was at the range yesterday. I’m guessing I would be a stiff flex, but obviously a fitter could help me dial that in.

[KC Golf]

1 hour ago, chisag said:

 

... My favorite irons shafts. 110 in s-flex will play very similar to a DGX100 and it's a pretty stout shaft. Depending on how you swing, Steelfibers are 1/2 to 1 full flex stronger. Heavy hitters 1/2 flex and smooth swingers 1 full flex. I play i95 r-flex in my MIM Tours and my current MG2 wedges and i80 r-flex in my current irons. Fwiw I played the Recoil 95 s-flex in several irons including the King Tours before re-shafting with i80's and they are very similar to Steelfiber r-flex for my swing. 

I’m curious about Steelfiber as well.  I didn’t realize the flex was that much firmer.  I am interested in what specific shaft weight and flex most LPGA players game with Steelfiber and why so many use it?

I currently use a KBX Tour Lite and I like it, but I used a Recoil F4 before as well.  

[cnosil]

9 hours ago, Ben Joest said:

 

Also, my average club speed with a 7iron was 93mph when I was at the range yesterday. I’m guessing I would be a stiff flex, but obviously a fitter could help me dial that in.

Keep in mind While swing speed is consideration it probably isn’t the most important.  Someone who swings 93 with a smooth transition will probably fit into a different shaft/flex than someone that swings 93 with and aggressive transition.  

[GolfSpy_BEN]

25 minutes ago, cnosil said:

Keep in mind While swing speed is consideration it probably isn’t the most important.  Someone who swings 93 with a smooth transition will probably fit into a different shaft/flex than someone that swings 93 with and aggressive transition.  

I do. Ultimately, I would let the fitting/fitter determine which shaft/flex works best for my current game. 

[GaryF]

9 hours ago, Ben Joest said:

 

Also, my average club speed with a 7iron was 93mph when I was at the range yesterday. I’m guessing I would be a stiff flex, but obviously a fitter could help me dial that in.

That SS sounds amazing for a 7i, I can’t even imagine that.  What kind of carry do you get? 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

10 minutes ago, GaryF said:

That SS sounds amazing for a 7i, I can’t even imagine that.  What kind of carry do you get? 

Under average conditions, it carries around 170 +\- 5 yards, depending on strike

[chisag]

11 hours ago, KC Golf said:

I’m curious about Steelfiber as well.  I didn’t realize the flex was that much firmer.  I am interested in what specific shaft weight and flex most LPGA players game with Steelfiber and why so many use it?

I currently use a KBX Tour Lite and I like it, but I used a Recoil F4 before as well.  

 

... I would only be making an educated guess but I see a lot of i80 Steelfiber shafts on the LPGA. I know there are some 70gm shafts in the mix and a few i95's. Several use the FC series as well that has slightly softer tips in the long irons. But how they break down and who plays what would need Lisbeth Salander to get to the bottom of those stats. 

... To be fair, you will still see several other graphite shafts on the LPGA and I have not played a poor performing graphite iron shaft. It just comes down to feel which of course is subjective. Kuro Kage with Tini technology or wound wire in the tip were really nice. KBS TGi are used on the Tours and performed well but I found them a little crisp in contrast to Recoils that  I found just a hair too dampened. Both are excellent shafts and I actually loved the feel of the Recoils before I played Steelfibers which again for my swing and personal preference just hits the sweet spot for feel. And to confuse the issue further, the Recoil Prototypes I have in my Z Forged MB's feel closer to Steelfiber than the regular Recoils but they are silly expensive and hard to find. I have played quite a few graphite iron shafts over the years and Aldila VS Porto 100's and NV Pro 105's shafts are also personal favorites but discontinued and hard to find. 

... In the end, most all of the after market graphite iron shafts available in heavier weights will outperform steel imo, but which one is best for your swing will come down to personal preference. Steelfibers get the feel right for the majority of better players because they straddle the difference between steel and graphite with the best of both worlds, but give me a group at a fitting and some will certainly prefer Recoils or KBS, and Project X Catalyst and Mitsubishi MMT's I have hit but never played. 

[chisag]

5 hours ago, cnosil said:

Keep in mind While swing speed is consideration it probably isn’t the most important.  Someone who swings 93 with a smooth transition will probably fit into a different shaft/flex than someone that swings 93 with and aggressive transition.  

 

... Well said.   I like to say it isn't how fast you swing but how you swing that is the most important fitting parameter. I have seen 90mph swings that are short and quick fit into an x flex and 100mph swings that are long and smooth fit into an r flex. 

[GaryF]

Today I was able to get to the range to work on adjustments with my new Ping G430 Max 5h, 7w and 4/5w. I have been struggling with finding my optimum setup, ie, ball and hand position.  I’m hitting the 5h maybe 1 ball forward of center, the 7w slightly forward of that, and same, maybe slightly more forward of that for the 4/5w.

On a positive note, I felt more comfortable today with consistently solid ball contact.  Majority of hits are starting left, then a moderate, sometimes strong draw.  Then I laid down an alignment rod which has convinced me I’m aiming left of target.  So that helped with the first issue, but I’m still getting a stronger draw than I’d like.  

The head has some adjustments regarding loft and lie, but I forget which will help alleviate a draw, but I’m thinking the appropriate adjustment would be flatter?
 

[KC Golf]

6 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... I would only be making an educated guess but I see a lot of i80 Steelfiber shafts on the LPGA. I know there are some 70gm shafts in the mix and a few i95's. Several use the FC series as well that has slightly softer tips in the long irons. But how they break down and who plays what would need Lisbeth Salander to get to the bottom of those stats. 

... To be fair, you will still see several other graphite shafts on the LPGA and I have not played a poor performing graphite iron shaft. It just comes down to feel which of course is subjective. Kuro Kage with Tini technology or wound wire in the tip were really nice. KBS TGi are used on the Tours and performed well but I found them a little crisp in contrast to Recoils that  I found just a hair too dampened. Both are excellent shafts and I actually loved the feel of the Recoils before I played Steelfibers which again for my swing and personal preference just hits the sweet spot for feel. And to confuse the issue further, the Recoil Prototypes I have in my Z Forged MB's feel closer to Steelfiber than the regular Recoils but they are silly expensive and hard to find. I have played quite a few graphite iron shafts over the years and Aldila VS Porto 100's and NV Pro 105's shafts are also personal favorites but discontinued and hard to find. 

... In the end, most all of the after market graphite iron shafts available in heavier weights will outperform steel imo, but which one is best for your swing will come down to personal preference. Steelfibers get the feel right for the majority of better players because they straddle the difference between steel and graphite with the best of both worlds, but give me a group at a fitting and some will certainly prefer Recoils or KBS, and Project X Catalyst and Mitsubishi MMT's I have hit but never played. 

Chisag,  this is exactly the feedback I was looking for. So thank you for that. 
BTW, That’s an impressive set of iron shafts. I have a set of those Recoil prototypes and I like them. I bought them used from someone who had them in his PXGs.
I did get the new Recoil shaft as a demo with my Haywood CB 7 iron and I agree with you they aren’t very lively, your view that they feel dull is right. I don’t seem to like the feel of it as much as the prototype but I was thinking it was the head but it’s clearly the shaft. So thank you for that. 
But I think I need to try some SteelFibers to see if they are better. Which weight would you recommend I try the 70 in the long irons and 95 on the scoring clubs?
i have a smooth swing so I like the feel of  graphite over steel these days. 

[DoubleBogeyDad]

27 holes in this afternoon at our golf weekend. 45 tomorrow, 45 Saturday, maybe 9 Sunday morning before we get on the road.

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Favorite singers 

notice I said favorite, not best singers. A list of the best singers is boring and arbitrary to taste. I’m far more interested in everyone’s favorite singers. I’ll start with a few:

Levon Helm - absolutely sang the hell outta everything he sang. Even at the end, when he was close to succumbing to throat cancer. Go back and listen to The Mountain. The inflection and character in his voice will give you chills

Etta James - I gave serious thought to including Mavis Staples, but the way Etta sings I’d rather go blind and Sunday kind of love gets me right in the feels

Otis Redding - Sam Cooke was a better singer, but for me he was too good, too precise. The tone of Otis’ voice told a tale within the song. The growls, the moans, the whines, all of it wrapped up in one powerful presence. 

[chisag]

3 hours ago, KC Golf said:

But I think I need to try some SteelFibers to see if they are better. Which weight would you recommend I try the 70 in the long irons and 95 on the scoring clubs?
i have a smooth swing so I like the feel of  graphite over steel these days. 

 

... Hard to make that call without seeing your swing. Depending on your age and swing speed, I probably wouldn't recommend going under the i80's that are 85gms uncut. I have a smooth swing and anything lighter I lose my rhythm and timing. I also would not mix shaft weights in the set, you can always go with the FC* Steelfibers in 80 gms. Again not knowing your swing I am not saying i70's or 70FC's shouldn't be considered because some really like very light weight irons shafts, but unless you are older and slowing down I would be a little leery of going with shafts that weigh less than 85gms.  



* No two golfers are alike and no golf shaft is one-size-fits-all. The SteelFiber FC "Flight Control" graphite iron shafts combine the advanced composite technology of SteelFiber with variable tip stiffness–delivering a higher ball flight in the mid and long irons while maintaining the classic SteelFiber launch in the scoring irons.

[chisag]

7 minutes ago, Ben Joest said:

Favorite singers 

notice I said favorite, not best singers.

 

... Thank you for that as there is usually no such thing as "best". I mean it would be hard to argue with Adelle but otherwise it is still pretty much personal preference. Gonna have to think on this one, but interesting topic! 

[KC Golf]

1 hour ago, chisag said:

 

... Hard to make that call without seeing your swing. Depending on your age and swing speed, I probably wouldn't recommend going under the i80's that are 85gms uncut. I have a smooth swing and anything lighter I lose my rhythm and timing. I also would not mix shaft weights in the set, you can always go with the FC* Steelfibers in 80 gms. Again not knowing your swing I am not saying i70's or 70FC's shouldn't be considered because some really like very light weight irons shafts, but unless you are older and slowing down I would be a little leery of going with shafts that weigh less than 85gms.  



* No two golfers are alike and no golf shaft is one-size-fits-all. The SteelFiber FC "Flight Control" graphite iron shafts combine the advanced composite technology of SteelFiber with variable tip stiffness–delivering a higher ball flight in the mid and long irons while maintaining the classic SteelFiber launch in the scoring irons.

All great suggestions to consider.  Thank you!

[TSauer]

Since music got brought up again...

This may not be up most some of your all's alley, but this song has been making its rounds and I've seen it everywhere the past few days so I figured I'd share it. Those of you who like the Childers-esque music may enjoy it. Those of you who don't, I'm prepared for the memes.

 

[GolfSpy_BEN]

For lack of a better place to put it, I’m sharing this for all my favorite left handed spies:

@GolfSpy_APH @Jnoble89 @TSauer

[TSauer]

4 minutes ago, Ben Joest said:

For lack of a better place to put it, I’m sharing this for all my favorite left handed spies:

@GolfSpy_APH @Jnoble89 @TSauer

[GolfSpy_KFT]

1 hour ago, Ben Joest said:

For lack of a better place to put it, I’m sharing this for all my favorite left handed spies:

@GolfSpy_APH @Jnoble89 @TSauer

Must....resist....spending money.....