Arias Golf Canada TB-30 Chipper! 2024 Forum Review

Bulldog · February 14

6 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Another question for the testers while I'm thinking of it...

Zero offset- plus for you guys? Do you prefer that look or style? Compared to offset (I would imagine taking your 5 iron or something to compare would be interesting)

I like the zero offset. Because my irons are single length, the offset is same for every club - 2mm. For me the visual difference is barely discernible. Because the chipper uses more of a putting style swing, I would think that a larger offset would be distracting.

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7 iron on top, Arias chipper on bottom.

GolfSpy AFG · February 14

8 minutes ago, Bulldog said:

I like the zero offset. Because my irons are single length, the offset is same for every club - 2mm. For me the visual difference is barely discernible. Because the chipper uses more of a putting style swing, I would think that a larger offset would be distracting.

7 iron on top, Arias chipper on bottom.

I have a similar question concerning the lie angle. Is it tough to adjust to given how upright the lie angle is? In other words, if it encourages a more putting-stroke action, does the club kind of put you into that based on how upright it is, or do you find yourself having to be conscious and deliberate about your setup with it?

Bulldog · February 14

7 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Another question for the testers while I'm thinking of it...

For the Chipper to earn a permanent spot in your bag what does it have to do? Of course this is built to help with those who struggle around the greens and that it should help simplify the short game area. However being a specialty club, it still takes up a slot of your allotted 14.

Where or what club would it replace or kick?

Ultimately, the chipper has to consistently get shots closer to the hole than my usual chipping method. The club replacement logic reminds me of a driver fitting I had a couple of months ago. The fitter watched me hit my current driver, and checked the Trackman data. Finally, he said, "I can give you 3 or 4 more yards with a new driver." I said thanks and left feeling good about keeping my driver (and my wife was happy to hear it too...).

I struggled a bit with which club to remove from my bag to make room for the chipper. I settled on the 5 hybrid. I normally carry a single length 4, 5, and 6 hybrids. The 5 is used the least, and I think the 4 and 6 can cover for it. Of course, there may be times in the future that I get really frustrated with another club and yank it as punishment.

Bulldog · February 14

16 minutes ago, GolfSpy AFG said:

I have a similar question concerning the lie angle. Is it tough to adjust to given how upright the lie angle is? In other words, if it encourages a more putting-stroke action, does the club kind of put you into that based on how upright it is, or do you find yourself having to be conscious and deliberate about your setup with it?

This is almost no change for me. My chipping technique for a few years has been to hold the shaft more upright and hit towards the toe of the wedge. That puts the shaft angle pretty much like the Arias chipper (and my putter). The biggest difference is now I can hit off the center of the club face versus the toe.

BigMacQue · February 14

7 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Another question for the testers while I'm thinking of it... Well questions.

Zero offset- plus for you guys? Do you prefer that look or style? Compared to offset (I would imagine taking your 5 iron or something to compare would be interesting)

For the Chipper to earn a permanent spot in your bag what does it have to do? Of course this is built to help with those who struggle around the greens and that it should help simplify the short game area. However being a specialty club, it still takes up a slot of your allotted 14.

Where or what club would it replace or kick?

As for offset I'm rather ambivalent. I've not noticed, yet, that the zero offset makes any difference to me. I've used the club in five rounds now, I've hit it in actual play 9 times, with currently about a 44% success rate and I honestly have not noticed the offset at all.

This club will have to replace my 43 degree Titleist T400. I had a 98 yard tee shot on the par 3 number 5 at Silverthorn yesterday and used the Titleist - not confident in the chipper yet to try that. The argument to be made is it worth space to use a club that is pretty specialized - all while we're all carrying both a driver and a putter that most guys would probably consider specialized clubs.

GolfSpy_APH · February 14

10 minutes ago, BigMacQue said:

As for offset I'm rather ambivalent. I've not noticed, yet, that the zero offset makes any difference to me. I've used the club in five rounds now, I've hit it in actual play 9 times, with currently about a 44% success rate and I honestly have not noticed the offset at all.

This club will have to replace my 43 degree Titleist T400. I had a 98 yard tee shot on the par 3 number 5 at Silverthorn yesterday and used the Titleist - not confident in the chipper yet to try that. The argument to be made is it worth space to use a club that is pretty specialized - all while we're all carrying both a driver and a putter that most guys would probably consider specialized clubs.

Using the chipper for anything more than chipping around the greens I think would be a no go for me. The nice part is I normally carry 13 clubs so have the open if I wanted to.

Bulldog · February 14

Arias Chipper test update - An un-fun day, sometimes it's not you, it's the course...

BigMacQue · February 15

8 hours ago, GolfSpy AFG said:

I have a similar question concerning the lie angle. Is it tough to adjust to given how upright the lie angle is? In other words, if it encourages a more putting-stroke action, does the club kind of put you into that based on how upright it is, or do you find yourself having to be conscious and deliberate about your setup with it?

Funny you should mention that .... I really didn't notice the lie angle at first but lately I've been keenly aware of it. Frankly it's changed my stance and my swing - I'm wanting to test the chipper just as it came to me so that other than the added length it's pretty much a standard configuration.

I realized that I was hitting heel or toe and then took a good look at it and found that I was addressing the ball as if I had one of my clubs and with my lie angle.

Now that I've adjusted to it, I don't feel like it's an issue, it's just a matter of how you hold, stand and swing the club.

Rob Person · February 15

I realize this is an apple's to oranges comparison , but here's a video of me using a different brand/style chipping putter. Now, in thicker turf, it actually performs better. But with winter grass, most of the plush rough is dormant.

I know they recommend to use the TB30 chipper with a putting stroke, but has anyone tried different techniques to maximize the clubs usage potential?

Bulldog · February 15

10 hours ago, Rob Person said:

I realize this is an apple's to oranges comparison , but here's a video of me using a different brand/style chipping putter. Now, in thicker turf, it actually performs better. But with winter grass, most of the plush rough is dormant.

I know they recommend to use the TB30 chipper with a putting stroke, but has anyone tried different techniques to maximize the clubs usage potential?

Kind of reminds me of Brandt Snedeker’s pop stroke putting technique. I’ll give it a try next time I’m on the practice green.

BigMacQue · February 15

10 hours ago, Rob Person said:

I realize this is an apple's to oranges comparison , but here's a video of me using a different brand/style chipping putter. Now, in thicker turf, it actually performs better. But with winter grass, most of the plush rough is dormant.

I know they recommend to use the TB30 chipper with a putting stroke, but has anyone tried different techniques to maximize the clubs usage potential?

Very little so far. I've tried a few swings that I would normally use on a wedge from a relatively short distance, with mixed success. I want to try some bunker shots but it looks like I'm going to have to go to the practice green to do that ... I've not been in a bunker on the course in over a week.

BigMacQue · February 16

I spent all day yesterday in the car, driving to North Georgia, and didn't play Wednesday due to some family tasks and prepping for the trip. We'll be in N GA for a week so I'll get to play at least one different course and maybe two, and can also take advantage of a great practice area at a third course.

I'm still struggling with club control when in a round. I can go to the practice area and get this club to do exactly what it's supposed to and exactly what I want it to do after I warm up with it a bit. That's my clue: before I head out on the course I'll practice with this club for a bit, because so far my control and accuracy has suffered during round play. Its important to say this: this is not the clubs fault, it's mine. I've worked hard on my short game with the clubs I have and introducing a new club is taking a little more time. It's just that op's to hit in round play are few and far between so I'm not really into a groove with it.

When it comes to distance control my go to is two things - shorter swing and choke up on the club. This club is only 35 inches long so choking up really isn't an option, I've tried it and I look like I'm playing with a ten year olds set of clubs. So any distance control is wholly within the swing.

More to follow. I'll have it out at least twice and likely three times this week.

Bulldog · February 18

I went out to a different course with a dedicated short game practice area. Here are some observations:

It looks like there is a sweet spot in the balls' flight to roll ratio. I haven't measured it yet, but I'm going to investigate it further.
I tried the "pop stroke" technique where the club head pops the ball than quickly decelerates. I have buddies who use this method both in putting and chipping. I've tried it in putting previously with no real improvement. When I tried it with the chipper my distance control was all over the place - short and long. I think this is a personal preference.
Now for the surprise - I tried using the chipper on the green for longer distances. I got the idea from a partner I played with last week who uses a hybrid on the green for long putts. It worked amazingly well for me. I was careful to check to see if there was any damage to the green and there were no marks or scrapes. I will definitely experiment further with this.

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Edited February 18 by Bulldog

GolfSpy_APH · February 18

It is such a unique product and I am sure can and will be extremely helpful for many who struggle around the greens making everything just a lot simpler!

BigMacQue · February 19

I played a round yesterday and used the chipper 7 times on 18 holes. I was within 3 feet of the hole twice, 6 feet of the twice and outside of 6 feet the remaining three shots. So my in-round average with the chipper was slightly higher than the 44% I had been experiencing, within 6 feet 57% of the opportunities to use it.

I went to a practice green today, at a course I’ve never played and never practiced on, and hit 60 balls - 3 Titleist Pro V1’s 20 times. I hit from about 6 feet off the green to a target around 12 feet on the green, so roughly 18 to 20 feet, with 20 swings. I tried to hit out of a bunker 20 times but gave up after 12 swings. I just don’t like this club in the bunker. I used the remaining 28 shots from 25 feet off the green to a target that was another 25 onto the green, so around 50 feet.

From the short target I put 12 of 20 shots within 6 feet of the pin, about 60%.

From the bunker I holed out on one shot, but only put 3 of the other 11 within six feet of the hole. A 25% success rate.

The long target was the best. Of the 28 times I swung the club, 19 ended up within 6 feet of the pin, for a 68% success rate.

I believe that within this clubs intended use I’m getting better with it, and I also like Bulldog’s idea of lofting a few on the green towards the hole - although I seem to be more accurate with this club when I have a little more distance to cover. I am going to try his idea though.

Next round is Tuesday, more to follow.

Rob Person · February 19

Did you find that using a chipping stroke is easier than a putting stroke? You got quite a bit of height put of the ball too!

BigMacQue · February 19

Just now, Rob Person said:

Did you find that using a chipping stroke is easier than a putting stroke? You got quite a bit of height put of the ball too!

I'm probably using kind of a hybrid stroke at this point. Definitely a putting grip, and my stroke is fluid based on where I'm going with the ball. I started using a stroke that was all putting, to mixed results, then moved to an all chip stroke again to mixed results. Now my stroke is a bit of both.

No problem getting height on the ball or hitting it low, depending on the need. The club works very well and seems very responsive to need. The only thing I'm still completely in the dark on is spin control. That's on my to-do list.

Rob Person · February 19

For the testers, 3 questions.

1. How consistent is distance control with the chipper? (ability to control landing zones and rollout)

2. Has the face of the chipper caused any markings on rhe balls?

3. Have you tested using different types/softness of balls?

BigMacQue · February 19

11 hours ago, Rob Person said:

For the testers, 3 questions.

1. How consistent is distance control with the chipper? (ability to control landing zones and rollout)

2. Has the face of the chipper caused any markings on rhe balls?

3. Have you tested using different types/softness of balls?

1. The best distance control I have is my swing - I have not been able to choke up on the club. So my swing is either longer or shorter, sweeping like a chipper or swinging like a putter, to control distance. I have had some issues with distance control, but they are all due to my gaining control of the club, not the club's design.

2. No, none, not at all.

3. I've used Maxfli SoftFli's and Titleist Pro V1's. I see little difference, as I've not used this club to swing away from any real distance other than with a bucket of range balls.

GolfSpy AFG · February 21

On 2/19/2024 at 8:31 AM, BigMacQue said:

1. The best distance control I have is my swing - I have not been able to choke up on the club. So my swing is either longer or shorter, sweeping like a chipper or swinging like a putter, to control distance. I have had some issues with distance control, but they are all due to my gaining control of the club, not the club's design.

2. No, none, not at all.

3. I've used Maxfli SoftFli's and Titleist Pro V1's. I see little difference, as I've not used this club to swing away from any real distance other than with a bucket of range balls.

Interesting stuff. I think what @Rob Personis maybe getting at with the ball question, or at least what he reminded me of, is whether or not you can get any check or appreciable spin on it with this club. (Which of course you wouldn't be able to do with a cheaper ionomer ball.) I know the prescription for the club is to apply a putting stroke, which would mean all bump and run and no real spin, but if you wanted it to check up a little more do you feel you could do it with this club...maybe trap it a little more and hold the loft open through impact?

Rob Person · February 21

5 minutes ago, GolfSpy AFG said:

Interesting stuff. I think what @Rob Personis maybe getting at with the ball question, or at least what he reminded me of, is whether or not you can get any check or appreciable spin on it with this club. (Which of course you wouldn't be able to do with a cheaper ionomer ball.) I know the prescription for the club is to apply a putting stroke, which would mean all bump and run and no real spin, but if you wanted it to check up a little more do you feel you could do it with this club...maybe trap it a little more and hold the loft open through impact?

To a degree yes, but watching the previous videos posted, it made me think of distance control. Land the ball at X, and predicting the rollout path.

BigMacQue · February 21

8 hours ago, Rob Person said:

To a degree yes, but watching the previous videos posted, it made me think of distance control. Land the ball at X, and predicting the rollout path.

I get that Rob, but Hayes does raise an interesting question and spin control is one that I've tried to work on.

The quick answer: no appreciable difference between softer balls and others. In addition, no appreciable spin control that I've noticed yet. I've tried opening the club face and rolling the ball up the face, but I'm finding that the small club face doesn't seem to help me control spin. I have one documented shot - I'm going to put up a post later this morning from yesterday's round - that shows the ball came to a dead stop, but as you'll see in that post it's via odd circumstances. On a whim, I hit the ball out of a steep bunker with the chipper, and digging it out of the sand seemed to spin the heck out of the ball.

BigMacQue · February 21

Good morning, time for a little update. I played a round at Brasstown Resort yesterday and had, to the point, mixed results. I do want to reiterate this: any mixed results are at my hands, not because of the club.

I tried to push my use of the club a bit during this round, rather than simply settle for around the green, just to see what I could do with it. While I'm on that vein, let me answer a few questions/comments: Putting stroke or chipping stroke? Depends on your lie. Grip? Again depends on your lie. Spin? None that I've been able to appreciably duplicate, yet.

I posted a few comments in the pics below, otherwise they should be fairly self-explanatory.

First shot of the day, with no range to warm up on, so this one got away from me a bit.

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This is about 65 yards out, I thought, “why not try it?”

btown_5.jpg.be5a6a4f2cb6a8d921eb85db1fd0dec2.jpg

btown_6.jpg.4ccdcef2c000f1e532f387908fcfab39.jpg

btown_7.jpg.0b5d9a8fc29d18b3d74748dfd9c2dacd.jpg

What can I say? I couldn’t resist. This is the only time I've noticed any real spin on the ball at all, and it's obviously due to digging it out of the sand. This was my first time in a bunker in days, so I thought I'd give it a whack ..... what the heck.

btown_8.jpg.5d54b20be4399ecf022641611ec3ebd5.jpg

Bulldog · February 22

On 2/18/2024 at 6:55 PM, Rob Person said:

For the testers, 3 questions.

1. How consistent is distance control with the chipper? (ability to control landing zones and rollout)

2. Has the face of the chipper caused any markings on rhe balls?

3. Have you tested using different types/softness of balls?

1. The chipper is consistent with distance control. Of course, it's dependent on the skill of the golfer. For me, the difference between having the ball land on the green and roll out, and landing short of the green is massive.

2. No markings on the ball. The swing speeds are typically pretty low.

3. I play MaxFli Tour X exclusively. The only other balls I've used with the chipper are range balls. The local course with the best short game practice facility requires that you use their range balls only in the short game area.

One other note - I did try some full swings (80%) on the range. Nice trajectory and very straight. I couldn't judge roll out because the ground is still very soft because of all the rain we've had lately. Honesty, I can't see much reason to use a full swing with the chipper.

Bulldog · February 24

Had a chance to let the local head pro try the chipper this afternoon. He had never heard of Arias. He was intrigued by the chipper and the zero offset. He hit a few shots on the range. He said he really like the weight and feel. We discussed the pros and cons of chippers, and where they are more likely to be used.

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Rob Person · February 24

14 minutes ago, Bulldog said:

Had a chance to let the local head pro try the chipper this afternoon. He had never heard of Arias. He was intrigued by the chipper and the zero offset. He hit a few shots on the range. He said he really like the weight and feel. We discussed the pros and cons of chippers, and where they are more likely to be used.

Did he say if it would be something that should be in the bag? Did he try all types if shots with it?

Bulldog · February 24

14 hours ago, Rob Person said:

Did he say if it would be something that should be in the bag? Did he try all types if shots with it?

No, he said it could benefit some but others wouldn't need it.

Hit hit about five shots to a pitching net about 30 yards away.

Bulldog · February 29

The weather finally cleared and I was able to play yesterday. Over the course of 18 holes, I was able to try the chipper 4 times. Two of those were actual conventional, green side chips, and the other two were experiments from places where I would not be likely to try it normally.

The first green side chip was just off the green, long, down sloping, and breaking hard left. This would be a putter shot for me normally. I used a putter swing, but came up very short. At least the line was good.

DC94B176-896E-4CE5-9E7D-7F0177A48154_1_105_c.jpeg.4b68f11c2be0844d750a1a0aee2fee18.jpeg

Perfect setup for the chipper, but I left it short.

The second green side shot was ideal for the chipper from about ten feet off the green, going uphill. The speed was good but I misread the break and ended up about ten feet to the side of the cup.

For the experimental shots, one was from the rough, which is moderately long. The club hung up and the ball didn’t go anywhere.

The second was from the top of a mound about 40 yards from the pin. Again, the club couldn’t get through the grass and the ball ended up bouncing off the cart path curb.

33A636D6-16A9-4644-A467-DDCFE874314D_1_105_c.jpeg.fde50118cb259df36e34093fb0f0c07c.jpeg

This one didn't work out.

The chipper's dilemma is that you might chip a lot in one round and, like this day, have almost no chips.

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Rob Person · February 29

Thanks for that information. It answers my question from a week ago on thick rough!

BigMacQue · February 29

Good morning, it’s been a few days since posting for various and sundry reasons, but I did manage to get some videos yesterday.

Since last Wednesday I’ve played four rounds. On two of those I never chipped once; I was hitting greens from anywhere inside of 150 and didn’t need to chip one time. I did toss around Bulldog’s idea of using the chipper on the green but I was putting so well that I just used the putter.

On one of the other two rounds I used the chipper three times with a 100% success rate, success being defined as within six feet of the pin. Unfortunately I was by myself and couldn’t video capture any of those star-studded, stellar moments.

Yesterday my grandson and I played a new course, and I managed to capture some work with the chipper, the videos are below. Two out of three were successful, with one of them putting the ball within a foot of the hole - even I couldn’t miss that putt. The one that didn’t get to the green was my fault. The video doesn’t really show the topography well and I misjudged getting over a dip in the course.

Here’s the work from yesterday:

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