Stix Golf Sets - 2024 Forum Reviews

[Roof]

These clubs are very interesting. I can’t wait to read how they perform on the golf course.

 

[Mack6123]

I bought the complete 2022 set and I can say it’s a huge upgrade to the 20 year old set I was given to see if I would enjoy golf. I am very new to the sport but I enjoy how easy it is to tell where I made contact at. I also like the sizing info they provide 

[GolfSpy_APH]

The golf industry has witnessed the emergence of numerous new brands, each striving to carve out its own niche and distinguish itself. Stix is one such brand, and we are excited to have them participate in MyGolfSpy Forum member testing.

About Stix:

Stix was founded on the premise that good, quality golf clubs should be affordable while still delivering top performance. Their minimalistic design approach is engineered to offer excellent quality, impressive aesthetics, and performance to match.

They provide a variety of options for golfers to enter the game or upgrade their current sets, offering complete sets, drivers and woods, irons, wedges, and putters. The Stix lineup covers the needs of many golfers from top to bottom while maintaining low prices and being much more affordable than larger brands.

Please welcome and congratulate our testers!

@Rob Person - Stix Golf Perform Graphite

@climberboy2000 - Stix Golf Perform Steel

@Matumbo - Stix Golf Play Series

@ZJeb67 - Compete Driver

[Rob Person]

 TL/WR, just scroll to the bottom.

Before we get into about me, allow me to start with just some of how I feel about being selected for this amazing testing opportunity presented by Stix and MyGolfSpy. 

Simply put, this describes ALL of my emotions. 

Stix offers a basic online fitting process on the website. Want to try it? You can CLICK HERE.

It was a few simple questions that nearly anyone looking to buy clubs should be able to answer, regardless of your abilities. 

I was fit into the Perform series, graphite shafts, cut .5" shorter.

 

 

*ALSO OF NOTE* This is not the first time MGS has been involved with Stix clubs.

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For those new to the site, welcome to MyGolfSpy forums! It's more than just a website full of random numbers and data. For me it is an amazing community full of wonderful and knowledgeable people. It is truly one of those places that you can get so much more than you hoped for, if you so desire.

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ABOUT ME:

My name is Rob (in case my screen name didn't make it obvious) I am only a few days from turning 51, and this is kind of the coolest NOT a birthday present, present!!!

I started off as a golf hack a merely 2 years ago, and today I am still a hack   but with a better understanding of my abilities.

 CLICK RIGHT HERE!

 

Part of my goals for 2024 is to be more consistent, break 90, and become a better golfer overall. Ive accomplished just 1 so far,  and that was breaking 90 only a short time ago this year.

My clubs are branded Foremost 551. They are over 25 years old, and still sturdy as ever! They are HEAVY though. I struggle the most with my irons. I can't say for sure if it's them or me that is the real reason I can't play the 4-8i well at all. And this is where the true testing will be paramount in discovering that out!

 

A few leading goals/questions I have asked myself has been:

Will graphite shafts be better or worse for me?     Will new irons afford me more consistent strikes and distance control vs. my over the hill irons?    Can an "entry level" set of Stix perform to today's standards as well as they claim?   And finally , can they endure the punishment I am about to unleash on them?

I am fortunate enough to work at a Golf course part time, just so I can support my golf habit without bending the wallet too much, which is probably the only reason why the lady boss tolerates what she calls a silly addiction. It truly is a top notch course, with grass range and practice areas, and pristine putting greens!

This is where most of the action will happen!

I was extremely blessed and fortunate to be a part of a big putter test last year, The Odyssey AI-ONE putters test (click to read if interested)  This was my first real testing opportunity,  and I learned so much from the experience. Ive also tested out some secret titleist balls, the Bridgestone sample test (going on now), and written a few personal reviews on items I've owned for golf.

 

I truly hope to provide for you, the MGS family, a quality and informed review of these irons! I will make it as fun as possible for everyone to enjoy too!

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TL/DR : I am Rob, working towards becoming a mid-handicapper, testing the Stix Perform series irons, 90% on course and practice areas, hoping to prove that these clubs are suitable for almost anyone!

 

So buckle up ladies and gents, because....

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May 11, 2024

This test is officially underway!!!

As I mentioned on a later post, I was extremely surprised when I got a notification that a package arrived! I was not at home and kind of bummed that I missed the opportunity to record the clubs being delivered! Oh well, it still made my day!!!

I've created a Playlist on YouTube where I will be uploading videos as this test progresses forward.  I have become fond of this method, as I am more of a visual interaction type of person, and feel it's the best way to help others be involved as well. So hop on board and I hope you enjoy the ride!

I will be posting pics, answering questions,  and providing thoughts and feedback as well, and as much hard data as I am able to obtain along the way!

Here is a helpful tip for watching...

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Stix Perform series clubs- Final Review, June 27th, 2024

As usual, I am the last one to complete my review, however I do hope that throughout this test,  that I have shared enough information, answered all questions, and provided everyone with just a little bit of video entertainment! One of the most challenging things about giving a total  summation,  is always wondering if you've left anything out. So without further adieu, I present my final review!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: 

SInce I did this in a video format last month, here is a brief recap. THE STIX PERFORM CLUBS LOOKED GREAT OUT OF THE BOX AND IN ITS OWN BAG!  All the clubs compliment each other well.

The following were some questions I proposed in the beginning:

Will graphite shafts be better or worse for me?     Will new irons afford me more consistent strikes and distance control vs. my over the hill irons?    Can an "entry level" set of Stix perform to today's standards as well as they claim?   And finally , can they endure the punishment I am about to unleash on them?

Aesthetics: 17/20

The black pvd finish on the irons has actually grown on me. I like looking at them in the bag! Despite having a hard time seeing the irons identification stamp, I was concerned that the finish would not last and that you would be left with a set of clubs that looked aged and worn out. And in the short time of use,  I was not wrong. 

These look like I've been playing them for years! But don't let this deter you from playing them! Upside down in the bag, you don't notice the paint wear.

I deducted 2 points for the finish wearing, and of the 1 point for having to color fill the stamps to see them.

The Numbers: 20/20

I paid for a sim session at Dicks sporting goods a few weeks ago, knowing they wouldn't be able to give me any digital or printed data. Unfortunately my recording of the session numbers had an issue and I was not able to recover any of it but 3 minutes of the 60⁰. What I do know is that whether or not it's a different loft, lie, or the from the lighter graphite shaft, I am averaging 10-15 yards more across the board with the Stix Perform irons. With my steel shafted older irons, my 7i, if I hit it good, was about 135-140. The Stix 7i I am consistently getting 145-155 yards.  And across all irons, I am seeing the same trending results. 

These truly Perform for me!

On the Course: 20/20

If you have been following along, you have seen the results already. But here is a recap for those who have not.

I'm impressed.  I had no expectations about the Stix going in. I only read what was on the website, did their intro fitting,  and wanted to rely on real-world results. Amd boy did I get that from these! I only recently broke 90 a few months back, and have been hovering in the upper 80s since then.

With the longer distance of the irons, the reliability and consistency of the 4 hybrid as my fairway club, and even the well balanced putter, I have dropped another 4 strokes off my handicap. To say these have made an impression is an understatement!

The driver has taken me a bit to get acquainted with, but found a better groove with it the last few rounds, and recorded some drives, that for me, were very good. I found myself using the Perform 3 wood at the tee box more often though, as it was reliable with a 200 yard distance, and always in the fairway. Neither the driver or the 3 wood are fixed shafts, and lack the ability to be adjusted.

The GOOD,  the BAD, and the IN BETWEEN :  19/20

The good- Having never been formally fitted, and knowing these were a DTC brand, I would urge everyone to not look past these sets!

I have Gamed every single club in this bag,  and there has not been one instance where I said "these clubs suck!" After a few range sessions, and a few rounds, I was able to settle into the clubs distances, and focus on the course playing. The driver, 3w, and 4hy have been very durable throughout the hell I have put them through. The faces barely show any signs of wear, and the mishits, while not totally forgiving, are not atrocious either.  The 4hy is something I would have never used before this test. Now, I look for an excuse to hit it every chance I get !

The Bad- the finish on the irons is wearing off quickly. While not a deal breaker, just be mindful if you choose a color coated set of clubs. This also applies to the stamping in this category. Definitely room for improvement on something so simple as a color full.

The IN Between-

The putter cover- I GUESS I could have put this in the bad, but covers are a dime a dozen these days, and very affordable to replace.  The cover, after only 6 weeks, has started to shred on the inside. Specifically around the closure flap. The hard plastic inside the liner has protruded out, and in doing so, has marked up the putters front edge. 

The bag- This is my first stand/carry bag. While it holds the clubs, it does not hold them in place. Constantly chattering and banging into each other. I remedied this by picking up some club shaft holders that clip onto the dividers. This eliminates 90% of the inappropriate touching  

If it had full length liners between the 5 dividers, perhaps it would reduce the amount of grip grab.

The pockets are sufficient,  and there is enough storage to facilitate an average amount of course necessities.  I did not try utilizing any of the side pockets for additional storage items, as I wanted to keep the bag light as possible. No spot for an umbrella either.

I've had to re-arrange the clubs as well, depending on if I want to ride a cart, or use a push cart/carry. The double carry strap is a bonus!

It does have a velcro tab to hang a glove, and 2 loops to clip accessories to as well. 

PLAY IT OR TRADE IT!- 20/20

I am definitely playing most of the Perform clubs. I've increased my swing speed by 3-5mph due to the stiff, lightweight, graphite shafts, have had amazing consistency both on the fairways and on the greens!

What's IN- the 4hy-60⁰ are going in my bag! Each club has earned its spot independently. 

What's OUT- the driver and 3w. I have a driver and 3w that I enjoy using, and recently acquired the matching hybrids just prior to this test. All are adjustable,  and have the shafts to match my needs.

It's not to say I won't use them occasionally,  or goodness forbid I need them to replace mine. I wouldn't hesitate to use these 2 clubs at all!

The Maybe- the Stix stand bag. I'm on the fence on whether I will use it full time. It has alot of advantages over my ancient and massive riding cart bag. But its also lacking some features I've grown accustomed to. i will pull it out occasionally I believe though, perhaps when I start vart walking in the cooler months?

Conclusion- 96/100

In recent years DTC brands have really stepped up! Like many, I lumped these in with the same entry level, off the rack, big box store sets. This is not the case with these Perform clubs. Are they as affordable as those sets? Absolutely.  With Stix you are getting more! They price between $600-899, depending on which series clubs you choose.  You can save some money by choosing the No Bag option, as well as look at their clearance/used offerings on the website. With the recently released (and MGS forum tested) Compete driver,  i suspect Stix will be moving onto making other woods and hybrids adjustable too! They offer the Perform clubs in steel or graphite shafts, and you can get the heads in black coated or stainless as well.

Thank you goes to Stix for providing all of us these sets to test out!  Thank you to MGS for selecting me for this review opportunity! And THANK YOU Spies for following along!

 

Edited June 28 by Rob Person
Final review added!

[climberboy2000]

Welcome all MyGolfSpy followers...what an amazing website and love the opportunities for everyone to contribute.  Thank you for allowing me to test the new STIX clubs and I will do my best to present a thorough review.

With that said, let me introduce myself...

I grew up in southern California enjoying just about everything from camping to waterskiing to karate to golf.  I grew up playing in youth tournaments, not that I was really any good.  Didn't really practice a lot, just played in the heat and did a lot of walking.  

Fast forward to college and I played occasionally but had a lot of other passions.  Spent my college years climbing, camping, hiking, fishing and enjoying life.  Now as life has shifted my main passions are golf, climbing and running.  Between the 3 it keeps me in shape and sane! A few pics of life outside golf.

A couple of years out of college I started with a cheese company and have been here 26 years now.  If you eat cheese on a burger, there is a good chance it's made by my company and my facility if you are on the west coast.

15+ years ago I mostly played in charity tournaments, had a wicked slice and wasn't really improving much.  Then about 10 years ago I joined our Men's League at one of the best public courses in northern Utah...Birch Creek Golf Course.  Once I started playing at least once a week, taking lessons, etc... I started to see improvements.  Golf is like any other sport, you need to practice!  Now I have a membership at our local indoor range and play a couple mornings a week along with Men's league, charity tournaments, local Senior Am events, etc...  Below are some pics to give you a feel for my local course and the incredible views we get every day...the snow pic was actually taken late July a few years back  

I also am the director of a local charity event that is one of the largest in our valley.  We have people come in from many states and have a waiting list every year.  It's our 20th year of putting this on and helps many in our community through the funds we raise.  So due to this event, my office looks like a golf shop and everyone who stops by oohs and aahs as they look through the 5 bags of new clubs I buy for the tournament.

 

Being in northern Utah means that winter time is tough to get outside.  The indoor membership this year has been great at keeping my swing going and actually helping me improve.  It was also nice when I was able to test the new Callaway Chrome Tour balls for MyGolfSpy.  And if you didn't read my review, this ball is equal to a ProV1!  Definitely worth trying out for your game.

Our men's league has over 500 members and we are able to play Mon-Thur anytime.  And due to a large league, the payouts are nice, so I'm able to switch out different clubs every year with the winnings.  Right now I'm playing the Mizuno 225 Pro irons and love them.  Looking forward to putting these STIX clubs through the tests and hoping they will help me play well over the next couple months.  Finally here are a couple shots of another incredible course I get to play every year.  Hit em straight!

 

THE STIX CLUBS have arrived.  Initial reaction is that they look sweet (all black), feel good in the hands and swing weight feels good.  Numbers are a little hard to see with the naked eye (they show up much better on camera).  Below are some pics and a more thorough review in the main thread.

 

Final Review of the STIX Perform Series Steel/Stift Shaft Clubs

6/21/24

STIX Golf Sets – 2024 Forum Review

 

Intro

First of all, let me say thank you to MyGolfSpy and STIX for this opportunity to test the STIX Perform Series Steel clubs.  I’ve been playing most of my life and have had many sets of clubs (currently play Mizuno 225 Pro irons, Titleist woods, Scotty putter), so I’m always game to try out something new, especially if it might help my game.  I spent quite a bit of time indoors hitting these and getting the feel before I took them on course.  But then I’ve been playing them exclusively on course for over a month now.  When I would first tell people that I’m testing STIX clubs, most golfers would look at me like “ok, there is no way they are as good as the name brands”.  So my goal with this testing was to put them up against the name brands and see how they perform.

 

First Impressions (17 out of 20)

The STIX website touts these clubs as “meticulously engineered with forgiveness in mind”, “boosts confidence on the course” and “enhance overall playability”.  They also talk about the “stunning design” and “perfect for 99% of golfers”.  Upon first unboxing, I would agree that they have a great design and the black look appeals to most golfers.  And after first hitting them in the simulator I was immediately intrigued as the swing weight felt great in the hands.

 

Aesthetics (8 out of 10)

The STIX Perform series have a sleek black finish, which most anyone who has picked them up have commented on how good the irons look.  The polished black appeals to the eye and the weight of the irons feel very balanced in your hands.  The woods also have an appealing look, although to a lot of golfers, who are used to different colors, weights, adjustments in drivers, may overlook it as too plain.  There are no adjustments/weights to any of the clubs. 

This view of the bag is what everyone first sees and why I get a lot of comments, because they do look good!

At first glance, the putter seems to be very blocky, and not as appealing as a lot of the name brand putters.  But once you start putting with it, you realize that it has good weight distribution and feels good in the hands.  The grip is oversize, which allows me to get my hands evenly placed for a good putting stroke.

This is the putter after a couple months of use.  Still looks great, clean crisp face.

The one thing that STIX does need to change with all their irons is the numbering on the clubs.  It is very hard to read sitting in the bag and one really has to look to find the right club.  An easy fix would be to color in the numbers and/or change the font and placement of the numbers.

The sound as the ball impacts the face is very similar to a lot of cavity back irons.  It has a crisp “clack” off the face and you can tell immediately if you’ve hit it well. 

 

The Numbers (9 out of 10)

So I spent a lot of time in the simulator hitting these alongside my Mizuno Pro 225 irons that I’ve had for about 2 years. Right out of the gate I could tell that they were going to give the Mizuno irons a challenge. 

At first, they felt very similar in distance, accuracy, forgiveness, etc…  But the more I hit them, I started to see that I was actually getting a little more distance out of the STIX irons.  During a SIM session, hitting 21 balls with each club, I was actually hitting the STIX 7 iron 12 yards further than the Mizunos.  And my accuracy/dispersion was better with the STIX.

As far as time in the SIM, I spent more time hitting the driver and the irons.  I really would put this driver up against any driver out there.  Even though it is a “stock” shaft and there are no adjustments on the driver, once I got used to it, I was hitting it just as accurate and long as my current Titleist TSi3 driver.  The ball “pings” off the driver well and feels very similar to the TSi3.  In that if I hit the sweet spot I get more distance, if I hit off the toe with a good club path it goes straight and often longer, and of course if I open the face I slice it.  It has a balanced feel and the stiff shaft is perfect for my swing.

So you can hear the sound of the ball coming off the club, here are a couple videos of a driver and 9 iron.

The Putter: Initially I wasn’t impressed with the putter or the cover.  Right out of the box, the putter looks a little “boxy” and the cover is very flimsy (another area for STIX to improve).  But once I started putting with it, I soon grew to like the weight and feel.  It is actually very balanced.  A friend recently picked it up and commented “this feels really good”.  I have found that it is easy to control the distance of my putts, whether they be short or long lag putts.

 

On-course (18 out of 20)

I’ve been using the STIX clubs exclusively to play all my rounds (Men’s, UGA tournaments, Scrambles, etc..) for the past month.  And after playing somewhere around 8-10 rounds, I may just play these the rest of the season.  Every day of golf is different, at least for us amatuers!  So I’ve had some great rounds and some not so great rounds with the STIX clubs.  But those not so great rounds were not really due to the clubs.

I’ve been particularly impressed on how well they hit out of the rough.  There have been numerous instances where I’ve hit a ball out of the rough and it goes 10+ yards than I would have normally hit my irons.  The irons cut through the rough and I’m very confident when I step up to the ball that if I hit my swing the club will perform.

The driver has also performed well on course.  I’ve had some of my longest drives with the STIX driver at my home course.  Just the other day, I was driving well and every drive was straight down the fairway 250-275.  After hitting this driver for the past few months, I feel confident that I can step up to the tee box and hit a great drive.

The #4 hybrid is also a great performing club.  The balls punches off the face, whether on the tee box, in the fairway or the rough.  Yesterday, playing the Senior Am I was 225 from the center of the green and thought I would just punch it up in front of the green.  Well, it rolled right past the guys putting on the green.

I haven’t talked much about the wedges, but I’d put them up against any of the big brands any day.  The ball pops off the face and I’ve been able to work with them well around the green.  Distances even seem to be a little longer than my Callaway or Vokey same degree wedges.  I’ve felt that my chipping around the green has improved the last month, and whether it’s the practice or the wedges, I love how they perform. 

And finally the putter.  As I stated above, after practicing with it a little I’ve grown to like the weight and feel of it.  I’ve actually been putting well with it.  The last two Fridays (Men’s US Open and Senior Am) at my home course the greens were rolling fast and the pins were tucked.  When I look back to my putting ratio for last year/early this year I was closer to 2.00 putts/hole.  The last three rounds I was closer to 1.8 putts/hole (and with more difficult greens/hole placements).

The only club I’d switch out of the bag is the 3-wood.  I’ve struggled to hit it well and has cost me too many strokes.  A lot of the time I’d rather pull the hybrid out and be a little shorter than try to hit the 3 wood.

The Good, the bad, the inbetween (18 out of 20)

I love the fact that you can order a complete set of clubs (bag included) and right of the box they perform just as well as my fitted clubs.  On the STIX website you only have to make a few decisions (steel vs. graphite), (Regular vs. Stiff), (Bag vs. no Bag), (Short vs. Std. vs. Tall) and (Right vs Left).  It’s easy for someone just getting into golf or even someone who has played for a long time to not have to make many decisions and be able to play immediately.  And this set will last someone for years as they continue to work on their game.

Other than I have yet to see how the black holds up on these clubs I don’t have anything bad to say.  Picture above shows a couple months wear, which is mostly white marks from balls.  The Driver below is pretty indicative of how the woods hold up.

STIX can improve the putter cover with padding and just making it beefier.  The headcovers for the woods/hybrid are not as good as the high end clubs, but were just fine.

 The 3 wood might just be me and my swing.  I did chip the paint on the putter, not sure how I did that as it’s down on the lower shaft.  I’ll have to update down the road on how they hold up.

 

Play it or Trade it? (20 out of 20)

I’ve been playing these for Men’s and other tournaments for the past month.  I played a Senior Amatuer yesterday with the STIX clubs and took 3rd in my division (hence won enough for another club or two at the pro shop).   I would play these anytime, whether in tournaments, money games or for Men’s League.  I have no intention of trading these clubs and will probably keep playing them for a while this summer.  For fun, I’ll occasionally pull out my regular set and see how I play with them.  Have a lot of tournaments coming up in the next couple months so hopefully they win me some more money.

 

Conclusion

Whether you are a seasoned golfer or just getting into the game, the STIX Perform series is a great full set of clubs that can help your game.  Ordering is easy and when the box arrives you are ready to head to the course with everything you need, except for balls and tees (maybe STIX should throw a few in the bag to get you started).

The clubs have a sleek, black look that is visually appealing and are weighted well.  After a few swings you can already tell that they make solid contact and performance is on par with more expensive clubs.

Priced at $999 for a complete set of clubs and bag is about 1/3 the cost of what it took to put my bag of name brand clubs together.  I have already recommended these clubs to multiple people, especially those who said they have teenagers wanting to really get into golf.

So if you’re in the market, pick up a set, hit the course and you won’t be disappointed as the birdies start sinking!

 

Final Score (95 out of 100)

Edited June 25 by climberboy2000
Final Review STIX Perform Series

[Matumbo]

Intro - May 7, 2024

 

STIX Golf Play Full Set Series  – Official MGS Forum Review by Matumbo

First of all, I want to thank MGS and the Forum Mods for this awesome and unique testing opportunity. Also thank you to STIX for making this possible. This will be my first test/review and I am planning to give it my all. Hopefully you find this review helpful and thanks for taking the time to read.

About Me

I’m Matt, I’m 34 years old and live in Rochester, NY. I am married and have two daughters and love spending time with them. We go fishing, camping, bike rides, and they will occasionally accompany me golfing.

 

Besides one or two times playing golf when I was 16, I only started golfing since around August 2022. I ended up joining a local club and have been golfing quite a lot since. I’ve taken a few lessons recently and have just started feeling comfortable with my swing. I’m gaining distance and accuracy and really excited for this season.

 

 

I joined MGS in July of 2023 after doing some research into golf equipment and kept seeing the forum appear in my search results. I felt that MGS gave honest reviews based on actual data and that the reviews, etc. are unbiased.

My Game

I haven’t been playing golf too long, but have fallen in love with the game. I walk 95% of the time and love being out in the fresh air and will often play 9 holes after work during the week and play most weekends when time/commitments allow.

 

 

I am still a high handicap (~32) and have yet to break 100. My closest 18 so far has been a 101 (50 front, 51 back). I am confident my handicap will come down and I will have great improvement this season.

While my handicap is still high, my swing speed has increased dramatically and I need at least stiff flex in my clubs. I’ve had and used regular flex and they are typically too whippy for me. Since there’s only the one flex option, I’m interested to see how the flex of these clubs works with my swing and how accurate the claim is that these clubs are “Built for 99% of golfers”. I may not fit in with the 99% as I am 6’ 4” tall. I did the wrist to floor measurement and based on that, I should have about a 1/2” extra in my clubs, though my current set is all standard. I have switched recently to jumbo grips in my clubs and have loved them the past few weeks since I’ve had them.

 

 

Testing

I’m very interested in testing these out and putting them through the paces. I’ve seen many ads for these and never really gave them much thought. I have done some cursory research on them in the past and more recently once I got this news and thought that what they say they offer sounds great. My first set of clubs was a Top Flite set from Dick’s. I guess for what they are (sub-$300 starter clubs) they got the job done, but given the amount I played my first year and the improvements in my game since then, I don’t think these clubs were a good buy personally (I felt I grew out of them too quickly). My hope with STIX, especially given the higher price point, is that they will perform better and would be able to stay with me longer as I improve.

I don’t have a full plan for testing yet, but that will come. I do plan to test alongside my current clubs at my range and on-course. I will try to get to a simulator and get some time and data of my current clubs vs. STIX.

************************************************************************************

Unboxing and Initial Thoughts - May 12, 2024

Happy Sunday everyone and Mother's Day to all of the Mothers out there. I received my STIX Thursday evening and very badly wanted to open the box right away and check through everything, but knew I wanted to do a full video of the opening, unboxing, and first thoughts so had to wait until I had the time to do that.

The box arrived by UPS while I was out (one guess as to do what I was doing - **hint** rearrange the letters: LGFONGI). If you guessed GOLFING, you were correct. The box arrived in decent shape except the top of the box was open (tape was undone). 

 

 

I am very excited to get these out on the range and the course to see how they perform. My initial impression of them so far is high. The quality looks to be there and I didn't notice any QC issues, scratches, etc. which I have seen mentioned in other reviews. The stand bag seems like good quality and some nice pockets. It is on the small size which could be a pro or con depending on what you're looking for exactly. 

Full unboxing and initial thoughts video below. More pictures and videos to come!

First small range session with the STIX clubs.

I wasn't able to spend too much time today golfing or at the range, but I was able to get a few hits in with each club (except the putter). Starting the with wedge (56 degree) they all felt pretty good to hit. I moved my way to the pitching wedge and then the 6 iron. I handled it like a warm-up session. I didn't notice too much of a difference with the regular flex vs. stiff flex in the irons. The ball seemed to go much higher in the air than my current gamers. I use a 60 degree wedge, but it seemed like the STIX 56 degree and the pitching wedge went miles high compared to it. Further testing needed for this.

I then went to the woods. The set comes with a 4 hybrid, 3 wood, and, of course, the driver. I started with the 4 hybrid. I could definitely feel the difference in flex here. My first hit of the 4 hybrid was awesome! I could really hit this thing - better than my current 4 hybrid. I hit a few and noticed it seemed easier to hit than my current club. I've never been able to hit woods all that great, but this was probably one of the easiest hybrids I've ever tried. I pulled out my current hybrid to compare and couldn't hit it well. To be fair, I don't practice with my woods that much since I've always had problems with them. 

I then pulled out the STIX 3 wood and had a pretty easy time hitting this as well. I tested against my current 3 wood and has similar results as with the 4 hybrid. I did notice that these two clubs again seemed to go much higher in the air than what I'm used to. I'm wondering if this is by design or if I'm just "imagining" it for some reason (though I don't think so). These will definitely need further testing. If nothing else, STIX seems to have found something with these clubs. Too early to tell for sure, but with just a few hits I felt very confident.

The driver was a bit different. I did get some good hits with it, but I don't think it held up against my current driver. I definitely felt the lighter flex here and that wasn't great. I like the look of the driver and think I could get the hang of it after using it more. I wish there was some adjustability to it, but I think that goes with the "beginner" set. 

Stay tuned as there's lots more to come. I am planning to take them out tomorrow for a 9-hole testing. I think this will be a good starting point on testing the real-world performance. 

Intro - May 7, 2024

 

STIX Golf Play Full Set Series  – Official MGS Forum Review by Matumbo

First of all, I want to thank MGS and the Forum Mods for this awesome and unique testing opportunity. Also thank you to STIX for making this possible. This will be my first test/review and I am planning to give it my all. Hopefully you find this review helpful and thanks for taking the time to read.

About Me

I’m Matt, I’m 34 years old and live in Rochester, NY. I am married and have two daughters and love spending time with them. We go fishing, camping, bike rides, and they will occasionally accompany me golfing.

 

Besides one or two times playing golf when I was 16, I only started golfing since around August 2022. I ended up joining a local club and have been golfing quite a lot since. I’ve taken a few lessons recently and have just started feeling comfortable with my swing. I’m gaining distance and accuracy and really excited for this season.

 

 

I joined MGS in July of 2023 after doing some research into golf equipment and kept seeing the forum appear in my search results. I felt that MGS gave honest reviews based on actual data and that the reviews, etc. are unbiased.

My Game

I haven’t been playing golf too long, but have fallen in love with the game. I walk 95% of the time and love being out in the fresh air and will often play 9 holes after work during the week and play most weekends when time/commitments allow.

 

 

I am still a high handicap (~32) and have yet to break 100. My closest 18 so far has been a 101 (50 front, 51 back). I am confident my handicap will come down and I will have great improvement this season.

While my handicap is still high, my swing speed has increased dramatically and I need at least stiff flex in my clubs. I’ve had and used regular flex and they are typically too whippy for me. Since there’s only the one flex option, I’m interested to see how the flex of these clubs works with my swing and how accurate the claim is that these clubs are “Built for 99% of golfers”. I may not fit in with the 99% as I am 6’ 4” tall. I did the wrist to floor measurement and based on that, I should have about a 1/2” extra in my clubs, though my current set is all standard. I have switched recently to jumbo grips in my clubs and have loved them the past few weeks since I’ve had them.

 

 

Testing

I’m very interested in testing these out and putting them through the paces. I’ve seen many ads for these and never really gave them much thought. I have done some cursory research on them in the past and more recently once I got this news and thought that what they say they offer sounds great. My first set of clubs was a Top Flite set from Dick’s. I guess for what they are (sub-$300 starter clubs) they got the job done, but given the amount I played my first year and the improvements in my game since then, I don’t think these clubs were a good buy personally (I felt I grew out of them too quickly). My hope with STIX, especially given the higher price point, is that they will perform better and would be able to stay with me longer as I improve.

I don’t have a full plan for testing yet, but that will come. I do plan to test alongside my current clubs at my range and on-course. I will try to get to a simulator and get some time and data of my current clubs vs. STIX.

************************************************************************************

Unboxing and Initial Thoughts - May 12, 2024

Happy Sunday everyone and Mother's Day to all of the Mothers out there. I received my STIX Thursday evening and very badly wanted to open the box right away and check through everything, but knew I wanted to do a full video of the opening, unboxing, and first thoughts so had to wait until I had the time to do that.

The box arrived by UPS while I was out (one guess as to do what I was doing - **hint** rearrange the letters: LGFONGI). If you guessed GOLFING, you were correct. The box arrived in decent shape except the top of the box was open (tape was undone). 

 

 

I am very excited to get these out on the range and the course to see how they perform. My initial impression of them so far is high. The quality looks to be there and I didn't notice any QC issues, scratches, etc. which I have seen mentioned in other reviews. The stand bag seems like good quality and some nice pockets. It is on the small size which could be a pro or con depending on what you're looking for exactly. 

Full unboxing and initial thoughts video below. More pictures and videos to come!

 

First small range session with the STIX clubs.

I wasn't able to spend too much time today golfing or at the range, but I was able to get a few hits in with each club (except the putter). Starting the with wedge (56 degree) they all felt pretty good to hit. I moved my way to the pitching wedge and then the 6 iron. I handled it like a warm-up session. I didn't notice too much of a difference with the regular flex vs. stiff flex in the irons. The ball seemed to go much higher in the air than my current gamers. I use a 60 degree wedge, but it seemed like the STIX 56 degree and the pitching wedge went miles high compared to it. Further testing needed for this.

I then went to the woods. The set comes with a 4 hybrid, 3 wood, and, of course, the driver. I started with the 4 hybrid. I could definitely feel the difference in flex here. My first hit of the 4 hybrid was awesome! I could really hit this thing - better than my current 4 hybrid. I hit a few and noticed it seemed easier to hit than my current club. I've never been able to hit woods all that great, but this was probably one of the easiest hybrids I've ever tried. I pulled out my current hybrid to compare and couldn't hit it well. To be fair, I don't practice with my woods that much since I've always had problems with them. 

I then pulled out the STIX 3 wood and had a pretty easy time hitting this as well. I tested against my current 3 wood and has similar results as with the 4 hybrid. I did notice that these two clubs again seemed to go much higher in the air than what I'm used to. I'm wondering if this is by design or if I'm just "imagining" it for some reason (though I don't think so). These will definitely need further testing. If nothing else, STIX seems to have found something with these clubs. Too early to tell for sure, but with just a few hits I felt very confident.

The driver was a bit different. I did get some good hits with it, but I don't think it held up against my current driver. I definitely felt the lighter flex here and that wasn't great. I like the look of the driver and think I could get the hang of it after using it more. I wish there was some adjustability to it, but I think that goes with the "beginner" set. 

Stay tuned as there's lots more to come. I am planning to take them out tomorrow for a 9-hole testing. I think this will be a good starting point on testing the real-world performance. 

 

The Review (June 25, 2024):

 

STIX Play Series Set

 

Hello fellow Spies,

 

Thanks for following along this review journey. I hope you have so far found it helpful and informative. Happy to answer any specific questions you may have or try to test something a specific way you may find helpful, so please reach out and let me know.

 

For my testing, I had a few questions in mind for this specific test.

 

1. Are these worth the money? Some other full beginner sets cost less, while other cost more.

2. How do these DTC clubs compare to the “big brands” in terms of value, cost, quality, etc.

3. Specific comparisons to my first set of clubs: Top Elite XL full set from Dick’s. Cost vs. quality comparison.

4. Do these work for me. As previously mentioned, I am 6’4” tall and have been playing for just about two years now.

5. Would I spend my money on these? Would I buy these over other options?

 

Some claims made by STIX about these clubs.

 

1. Great for beginners

2. Premium materials from top to bottom

3. Designed for forgiveness & confidence

4. Built for 99% of golfers

5. All the performance for a fraction of the cost

 

Unboxing/First Impressions (**17/20 points**):

The box arrived safe and sound (mostly). The box was open at the top, but not sure if this was a packing error/problem with STIX or the delivery company. Everything in the box was fine and the whole set (bag and clubs) were wrapped and sealed in a plastic bag. This made me feel confident that nothing fell out or was lost with the top of the box having been opened.

Each club was individually wrapped in plastic wrap around the shafts and bubble wrap around the heads. This seems like decent protection of the clubs during shipment and I see no problems with the clubs. A bit of a hassle to get off, but not a huge deal at all.

Pulling the clubs out I found them to be high quality. I have looked into STIX clubs before as I’ve seen ads about them. I was not a huge fan of what I saw in the pictures online. I thought they looked a bit cheap and just overall not aesthetically pleasing to me. The pictures online do not do them justice and they look much better in person.

The irons had some nice weight to them. The grips on these feel really nice as well. I think they would be similar to Golf Pride velvet grips. They feel nice in my hand and offer a good amount of control/non-slip. I really like the look and feel of the 56 degree wedge. I felt very comfortable with it.

Stix set compared to current gamers:

The woods all felt very nice as well and had the same grips. They come in a black color which I have my doubts about the longevity about this color. I’ve seen other manufacturers with similar color and it seems to rub off after a few hits. I currently have TM M4 woods that are a similar color and the face has a silver color now. No big deal as this doesn’t impact the performance and I expect the clubs to get some wear on them after some hits. The woods all have a red dot as alignment on top of the club which I think looks great.

At first look, the head covers seem adequate. They are not anything amazing and don’t have much padding, but seem like they will do a decent job of protecting the heads as intended. They don’t have any sort of closure on the woods covers and seem to slip on and off easily (maybe a little too easily as I did have the hybrid cover fall off during a round and couldn’t find it). Maybe some elastic or something like some other head covers I have would help alleviate this issue.

-2 points for the above head covers. As this is a first impression, I I was not very pleased with these at first glance.

The putter has a nice shine to it on the bottom. I think this finish may make blemishes more apparent especially as this part may touch the ground as you’re putting. The grip is a smaller grip with a flat front. Same feel/material as the other clubs. The head cover for the putter is a bit different. It has a velcro closure and even less padding than the others. It should protect it from minor bumps and bruises, but may not help much with hard hits or drops. I liked the weight of the putter and the design of it.

-1 point for the putter head cover as well.

The stand bag seems of good quality. No issues with the legs coming out and holding itself up. It has four dividers. Top is divided in four and there are two dividers for the top and bottom to keep those clubs separate. The side-by-side divider doesn’t have a full length divider so clubs can get tangled that way. The zippers all work well and I don’t see issues with those. It’s a smaller bag, but it still offers plenty of storage. I don’t usually carry my bag but this was cute comfortable when I tested it out on my back. There is no glove holder as comes standard on many bags.

Aesthetics (**9/10 points**) 

The clubs look really good. As stated above, I initially didn’t like the looks based off of the pictures on the STIX website. I felt they looked a bit cheesy/low quality. Once I got these in hand and saw them in person, that view completely changed. These really do look great!

The overall look of the set looks great in the bag. I really like the white lettering on the black bag with the red accents of the zipper pulls. The bag looks sleek and everything really comes together nicely as a full set.

There’s nothing really flashy about the set as a whole. Simple black numbers label the irons. The black is easy enough to read against the silver of the irons when trying to pull out a club, but I don’t think there’s anything that’s going to attract much attention. I like the addition of the red at the bottom of the irons. I don’t think it serves a purpose, but it’s a nice touch that looks good and adds a little something extra.

Generally, I like the shape/appearance of the clubs. My one problem would probably be the driver head. It’s a very large design, something that isn’t exactly my preference. This is a very personal preference and I recall that my first full set (Top Flite) had a similar head design. As I’ve gotten more confident with driver, I’ve preferred a bit of a sleeker head shape which this is not.

-1 point for the driver. 

I like the look of the putter. It’s got a matte finish on the top and a shiny finish on the bottom. The red alignment aid nearest to the front of the putter is really helpful. This is my preferred type of alignment for a putter, so this works great for me. The milled face looks and feels great and the weight of it is awesome. I like a bit of a heavier putter and I definitely think this is on the heavier side at 430g according to the STIX website (heavier than all my current putters). This is probably the “flashiest” of all of the clubs given the shiny bottom and general looks of it. The sound of the putter is much different than my Curren “insert” putters. I’ve never used a milled faced putter before and the sound of this was great and really enjoyable. It’s more of a “tick” sound than the tap sound I get from my insert.

The driver is titanium and because of that, has a louder sound than what I am typically used to. It’s not overly loud, but definitely noticeable. It’s got a noticeable “Thwack” sound. Not sure what best to compare it to, but I think it’s common enough that most people can hear this type of driver hit in their head. Not a bad thing, just different than some other clubs out there.

The shape of the hybrid and the wood are really great. I felt confident with the hybrid in my hand, which is different than how I typically feel as I am not a great hybrid or wood hitter. I was able to hit the hybrid and the 3 wood really well, especially compared to others that I’ve tried and even what is currently in my bag. I have been getting better with them, but after using the STIX hybrid and wood, I’ve gained more confidence with these and pull them out more on the course than I normally would have.

The irons and wedge all sound great. I get a nice sound and feel from a crisply hit shot. The wedge and irons have a nice weight to them. I like to feel a bit more weight near the head and these have that.

The grips are nice and offer a good deal of control and comfort. I’ve gotten used to jumbo grips and these seem maybe even a bit smaller than some of the standard grip sizes that have come stock on my other clubs. May be since I’ve been using the jumbos for a while now, but I don’t think so.

The Numbers (**10/10 points**):

When playing these clubs on the course, I could use the same club as with my normal set. These are a degree or two stronger lofted than my gamers, but I didn’t notice much difference in carry.

My dispersion seemed very similar with these clubs overall. I didn’t notice anything stand out as far as missing targets, coming up short/long, or bad mishits. The clubs are generally very forgiving and I could hit my targets just as well as my gamers.

Current Driver Dispersion:

STIX Driver Dispersion:

 

Overall, the STIX set flew higher than my current set. I noticed this especially with the 3 wood and the hybrid. Nothing too crazy, but definitely noticeable. Could also be due to the difference in shaft flex attributing at least in part to this higher flight.

Since these are targeted at new golfers, I think they lean a bit more towards being forgiving. I was able to shape shots with them which is something relatively new to me. I was on the range and would hit a draw, then a fade, then switch back to a draw with ease. While I don’t think this is something a brand new golfer will be doing, it’s good to know that as a beginner golfer progresses, this shot shaping is possible.

As for the putter, I think this is one of the biggest highlights of the whole set. I found it incredibly satisfying both sound and feel wise to hit putts on the green. Using a tee gate, I was able to hit through it and at my target with ease. As stated before, I really liked the head weight.  It took some practice to get some distance control, but once I got used to it, it worked great. I felt a lot more confidence with this putter than my current gamer. The shaft is able to provide stability for my stroke.

On-Course (**17/20 points**):

Using these on-course, I didn’t notice any real adjustment period. I could go out to the course and use these just like my normal set. I shot very similar scores my first time out with the STIX set. I haven’t seen a marked improvement in my scores/game, but that’s probably user error more than anything

My one real problem was with the driver. Again, I didn’t have much confidence with it standing over a ball. I felt the driver shaft to be a bit too whippy for me. I’m still relatively new to golf, but my swing speed warrants at least a stiff shaft. I noticed myself trying to compensate a bit by slowing down and this doesn’t always work out well.

-2 points for the driver

Driving isn’t always a problem for me, but I can be inconsistent, so I want a driver that I feel very comfortable with. My miss tends to be right (slice) and I can slice this driver like any other. There are several areas on my course that are OB to the right. Knowing that and not having the confidence with this driver makes me a bit tense.

I also typically use a 60 degree wedge from the sand. Since this set comes with a pitching wedge and a 56 degree wedge, the latter was my new sand wedge (I typically carry a 54 degree and 60 degree, the latter for sand and the former for basically everything else). I could get this out of the sand, but it did take some getting used to.

I did run into a couple of issues using this set on-course. First, the bag did not fit onto my push cart properly. My cart has top and bottom stretch cables that wrap around the bag and connect to each other. With the STIX bag, the cables were too large to fit around and the bag was not secure. May be just my specific cart, but I would think this is pretty standard size and may be a problem for others. I’m not taking any points away for this since I’m sure there are push carts that this bag would fit just fine.

Second, the hybrid head cover fell off several times as I was walking around. I didn’t touch it at all, but just from the movement of the cart and walking around the course, it fell off 3-4 times. I was able to notice it and put it back on each time until at one point I noticed it was missing and didn’t see it anywhere. I retraced my steps a bit and couldn’t; find it. A few days later, someone did end up finding it and turned it in to the pro shop and I got it back.

-1 point for the head cover

I don’t think either of these problems are deal-breakers, but small annoyances. I think the head cover part would be an easy fix by STIX and should be addressed by them.

Overall, performance on the course was great. Although, I didn’t have great experiences with the driver, it was serviceable and mostly my fault/user error. I find myself pulling out the 3 wood and hybrid more with this set than with my gamer set. I find them to be very forgiving and I can actually hit them fairly well and keep them in play.

I didn’t have much experience with STIX before receiving this set. I looked at the website a few times before this test came about, but I wasn’t a fan of the looks and kind of wrote them off. I was at one point thinking about possibly trying out a wedge or the putter at some point in the future as they looked promising. After receiving this set and using it for the past while, I can say for sure that these are high quality and can perform just like any other well-known company.

If I could change anything, I would love to see some custom options to this set. I get the reasoning that this is a very beginner focused set and the thought is limit this set to what it is to make the selection easy. Giving options for adding additional clubs to the set or changing certain options may be a good feature to add. Not making these offerings really seems inline with most beginner sets though. I would also love to see some adjustability with the driver. Again, geared for beginners so may not be typical, but would be nice to see.

The Good, the bad, the inbetween (**20/20 Points**):

After testing these clubs out for quite some time now, I am really impressed by the quality. This was a major concern I had with STIX as a whole. DTC clubs and generally, have come a long way and shouldn’t be overlooked. I’ve had apprehension about going with a DTC manufacturer, but having done this test, I am more open to it as a whole now. Let’s go back to some of my initial questions/testing thoughts that I had at the beginning.

1. Are these worth the money ($699)? Some other full beginner sets cost less, while others cost more.

 - Yes. There are sets that cost less and “big brand” sets that cost more. These are a good value in the middle range. The quality and performance of these is much better than what I’ve seen out of other beginner sets. The only other one I’ve used has been the Top Flite XL form Dick’s and these blow them away. Although I never gamed them, I’ve seen some of the higher cost beginner sets in person and these are of very similar quality.

2. How do these DTC clubs compare to the “big brands” in terms of value, cost, quality, etc.

 - I think the value is definitely here given the cost and quality of these. Compared to “big brand” clubs that I own and have owned, these are right on par with them at a lower cost.

3. Specific comparisons to my first set of clubs: Top Flite XL full set from Dick’s. Cost vs. quality comparison.

 - Quick comparison to my first beginner set. The cost of the Top Flite set (regular price is $399.99, but are usually on sale for under $300) vs. cost of my STIX set ($699). I basically stopped using my Top Flite set within a couple of months of playing. I could see myself still gaming my STIX set after a couple of years. The initial cost is obviously quite a bit more, but if I started with the STIX set, I don’t think I would have felt the need to upgrade as quickly. Even if I need to supplement the STIX set after a while with a few clubs (a wedge or two and a long iron or something), I could still be gaming the STIX set, but don’t feel like I could still be using the Top Flite set.

4. Do these work for me. As previously mentioned, I am 6’4” tall and have been playing for just about two years now.

 - Yes! These work fine with my height and experience. I’ve been toying with the idea of trying to add some length to my clubs, but don’t think it’s completely necessary. These work just fine as-is with my height.

5. Would I spend my money on these? Would I buy these over other options?

 - Some claims made by STIX about these clubs.

1. Great for beginners

2. Premium materials from top to bottom

3. Designed for forgiveness & confidence

4. Built for 99% of golfers

5. All the performance for a fraction of the cost

I think STIX backs up these claims. This is a great beginner set. The materials are great and I’ve seen great performance from them. Some other beginner sets I’ve seen can cost double what STIX costs. I don’t think there is any real difference between these sets that would justify this cost difference. These are really high quality clubs, made with premium materials.

Play it or Trade it? (20/20 Points):

For this section, consider that all things are equal and you’re choosing whether or not you would put these clubs in play for a big tournament or money game.  Do they help you play your best? Or are they just nice to have?  Do you think the asking price is fair for the product?  Finally, what type of golfer do you think this product would fit the best?  If it’s not you, explain why and try to identify the type of golfer that can benefit the most from it.  

I would play some of these clubs and trade some of these clubs. The putter could definitely find a place in my bag. I love the weight, the feel, and the sound of it. I also get great performance out of it and have been searching for a putter that gives me more confidence. 

The hybrid and 3 wood are also a great addition to my bag. I've had a hard time finding woods that work well for me, but these clubs perform really well. I am able to hit them well and have confidence standing over my shot. 

The wedge is another club from this set that I could place in my bag. I have a fair amount of confidence with the included 56 degree wedge. I typically use a 54 degree wedge, so would have to make some changes with my other clubs.

In Conclusion:

These clubs are high quality and perform very well. This is a great beginner set and should last a new golfer quite some time before they feel the need to upgrade. I really enjoyed using the 3 wood, the 4 hybrid, and the putter. While I had some problems with the head covers and bag, I don't think this is enough to detract from what this set, and STIX as a whole, offer. 

I would definitely consider ordering some other clubs down the road. After testing out this set and seeing what STIX has to offer as far as quality and performance, they would be a great choice to try some other clubs out as mine age (specifically thinking about other wedges). 

I'll post updates as I get out on the course more with these. Please let me know of any questions. I hope this helps out if STIX are on your radar!

Edited June 26 by Matumbo

[ZJeb67]

Stix Golf Compete Driver – Official MGS Forum Review by Zjeb67

Good Morning!

Fact check: I’m not a millionaire, but I feel like one being selected as a tester.  No yacht either, but I own a canoe.
I’m Joe, a lifelong southeast Michigander (Detroit and environs). 
I have one wife, two dogs and three (adult) kids.
(Old pic, I have much more grey hair now)

For decades, while the kids were growing up, I was a once a year or less golfer. 
After a dismal outing at the annual school friend outing, I decided to get better.
I joined a work league in 2023 and really got bit by the golfing bug. 

To paraphrase Axl Rose:

“I used to golf a little but a little wouldn't do it
So the little got more and more
I just keep tryin' to golf a little better
Said, a little better than before”

Practicing quite a bit on the backyard simulator has improved the swing speed from low 90s to low 100s. On a couple outdoor rounds I was actually able to shape a fade with my driver.  This is new and uncharted territory, before a consistent strike would be enough.

I plan on testing the Stix Compete Driver on my weekly work league, and at the driving range and in the backyard sim with my SC4 launch monitor.  I’ll compare this to the Callaway WD RH MAVRIK 22 DR 9.0 GR STF I bought in March.  Between the speed increases and the stiffer flex, drives have gone from 190-200s to 215-230s.

Things I’m looking for are distance, shot consistency, ability to find the center of the club face and if I can replicate a fade shot. 
Who knows, maybe I’ll even learn how to hit a draw. 

While I had not heard of Stix before, I am absolutely thrilled to be a tester.  The driver titanium and graphite combo might just be the medicine my golf game needs.  Looking to improve  fairways hit and I will stay with this driver as I’m valuing precision first and distance second. 
(Is it possible I’m matured from the John Daly grip it and rip it school of thought?!?!?)

Ran the first compare session here

June 1 range session

June 5 quick practice

 

Stix Compete Driver - Final Review

First Impressions (20 out of 20)
Sleek, sleek, sleek!  This club is an extremely eye pleasing combo of black carbon fiber and titanium (space age!).  Mirror black finish mated to their premium black graphite shaft (loft adjustable) looks every bit my intended club nickname “stealth bomber”. The crowning touch, if you’ll forgive the hyperbole; the head cover is as nice or nicer than any driver head cover I have encountered.  Black leather or leather like material, soft as butter with raised Stix and logo stitching. While this might be an outdated phrase, it’s the Cadillac of head covers. 

Aesthetics (10 out of 10) 

The Stix 8-10 degree 460cc titanium driver: 

Again, the look of this club is outstanding, all black with a small red accent for clubface center and another for the loft on the hosel.  I believe the term the kids use is “murdered out”, meaning all black or black with minimal accents. Regardless, this aesthetic is sharp! The Stix logo on the club head is there, and maybe a bit understated so as to not take away from the mirror like finish. Looks wise I would match this against any driver on the market, elegant but not over the top.  I liken it to early Apple products when they got the form perfectly aligned with function.  I almost feel bad for the rest of the clubs in the bag.  They might feel like Cinderella's ugly stepsisters. Also, did I mention the headcover!  

The Numbers (8 out of 10)

I would have loved to be the tester who could consistently hit a driver high/low/draw/fade whenever I desire.  However, that is not me.  I’m a mid-fifties, higher handicap (than I like) duffer striving to improve.  But enough about me.  What do you think about me ?  During my testing, I would frequently hit the Stix Compete Driver and also hit a Callaway and Kirkland for comparison, both at the driving range and in the backyard sim using my SC4 launch monitor.  A downside of the launch monitor is the lack of side spin numbers.  Hard to tell draw vs slice.  The upside was swing speed, ball speed and distance. 

For my swing I did decide to adjust the Stix Compete to the 10 degree/-1.5degree setting to offset my slice tendencies.
I found the Stix accuracy, distance and forgiveness as good as I can hit a driver.  It neither exceeded nor fell below the drivers I was hitting as controls.  I would say about 50% of my hits were center clubface and 50% between center and heel.  I will rate the club high on forgiveness as I still got good results without a perfect center club face strike.  

On-Course (15 out of 20)

 

The Stix Compete Driver was as good as any other driver I’ve done a round with.  The look is outstanding, the feel is smooth and measured with a forgiving clubface.  My quality of play across any driver leads to a wider dispersion than I would like.  Again, I see this with all drivers I have played with.  I found the driver to be a very  solid competitor.

The Good, the bad, the in between (18 out of 20)
The look, the adjustability, the included wrench, oh, and did I mention the headcover? The Stix Compete Driver hosel adjustment is both loft and lie combined.  Some other high end clubs have independent adjustments.  I think for a club of this caliber the 2 way adjustable hosel would be a nice addition

Play it or Trade it? (15 out of 20)

I will be using this driver on my golfing journey.  I keep striving toward consistent center clubface strikes and a workable fade.  If I get there this club will live up to my stealth bomber nickname.

 

Conclusion

The Stix Compete driver is a top shelf option.  For my skill and testing it can “compete” (see what I did there?) with any other driver.  It looks outstanding, is adjustable, swings very nicely and comes with a second to none headcover.

Final Score (86 out of 100)

Edited June 26 by ZJeb67
Final review

[Northern Monkey]

Congratulations testers @Rob Person I’ll be interested to see how you find the graphite shafts compared to steel

[sirchunksalot]

Congratulations testers!

[Josh Parker]

Congrats testers!  

Can't wait to see how these perform!

[rkj427]

Congratulations to this great group of testers!

Looking forward to the comments and reviews, and how these Stix products work for them.

[SDunne]

Big congrats @Rob Person @climberboy2000 @Matumbo @ZJeb67 I've been following these guys on social media for a while and seem like an interesting outfit - keen to see how you get on with them, how they perform and how the black holds up!

[GolfSpy_KFT]

Congrats testers!

[GolfSpy_BEN]

Congrats to the testers! 
 

looks like @Matumbo and @ZJeb67 are off to a great start with their intros already posted! Well done, gents. Now the fun begins!

[Notjustduffin]

Can't say I'm not disappointed but congrats to the testers

[Preeway]

Congrats, testers. Solid group here and looking forward to your results from these complete sets. 

[donyell94]

Congrats Testers. @Matumbo excited for you review as I am also 6'4 and typically need extra length on my clubs. 

[jbern]

Congrats testers! This one should be awesome to watch as a lot of people have interest in getting something simple, that just performs and looks good. Have fun with this test!

[Rob Person]

I'm excited! I will have my intro up soon.! On duty at the moment. Thanks for your patience!

[TJ Hall]

Congratulations testers!  Looking forward to seeing how these clubs work for you!

[Shrek74]

7 hours ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Please welcome and congratulate our testers!

@Rob Person - Stix Golf Perform Graphite

@climberboy2000 - Stix Golf Perform Steel

@Matumbo - Stix Golf Play Series

@ZJeb67 - Compete Driver

Congrats testers!! I'm really curious as to how these work for everyone. They've had a very positive showing on the interwebs and YT, so really curious to see how they do in your testing. Good luck to all!

[3Putt4Double]

Congrats to the testers and @rob person, we are expecting top notch results.. No pressure

[JAYER38]

Congrats to all the Testers! Very excited to hear the feedback and the trials you all put these thru. Stay out of the Stix tho haha

[Michael.Sandoval33]

Congrats testers!!

I like the fact that there are 4 different sets of Stix clubs that they are providing. Will definitely be a well-rounded testing process. 

[ZJeb67]

9 minutes ago, Michael.Sandoval33 said:

Congrats testers!!

I like the fact that there are 4 different sets of Stix clubs that they are providing. Will definitely be a well-rounded testing process. 

Just the Driver for me.  
And that's plenty 
Testing 12 clubs might be exhausting!

[William P]

Congats Testers!

Looking forward to hearing how these perform.

[russtopherb]

Congrats all! Looking forward to seeing how these compare with your gamers.

[poprocksncoke]

looks like a good group... Congrats testers!!!

[snoopy79]

Awesomeness! Congrats to the testers. Will be interesting to see how these stix stack up. See what I did there?

Edited May 7 by snoopy79

[Golfspy_CG2]

Congrats Testers, I did not know a lot about these clubs until they came up for our Testing opportunity.   Will follow it with interest.