On Recessions and Casualties
One would think that after all the years I've spent around financial types, and all the recessions I've seen in my 50+ years that I'd get used to it. But when one forms emotional ties with their golf equipment, and eventually the companies that make it (in some sort of weird gnostic hope of figuring out each and every club's deep dark secrets) the deaths of the companies still cause some sort of deeper sense of loss for me than most people. I was a big MacGregor Fan. What a great idea--lets bring them back from the brink. A proud tradition, and all that. Hell even Greg Norman couldn't save them.
More recently, however, a name that's been very near and dear to my heart for years, with several clubs in and out of my bag over the past several seasons struck deeper than most. Oh sure I felt bad for Orlimar, but Jesse Ortiz did seem to land on his feet. That 420 driver he designed was part and parcel of the cult of golf underground. What a great club, which, until very recently, could hold its own with anything coming of the newer assembly lines. I had one of those, and I did have a set of Orlimar Irons in the bag. Lots of us had an old TriMetal or two, or three in the bag. We all mourned the loss of that company. They looked like they had made it, but recessions do cruel things to sporting goods companies.
I realize I tend to be more of a Nickent freak than most. I remember them when Michael Lee was CEO and Hoeflich was still hacking it out at TaylorMade before the big defection from that company sent him to Nickent and some of their better club designers to Adams. I used to shoot a set of Hyper Forged Irons and had the matching Hyper Forged Woods. No one could believe the quality of those products---and Callaway was so impressed they hired Nickent to due their castings for them. Most people were already playing Nickent Clubs and didn't even know it. Remember the Super Concorde brand of fairway woods? They were the most popular fairway wood in golf history. (It looked like a Trimetal Clone mixed with a dash of Adams Tight Lies. It hit further, straighter and better than either of the other two--and at 1/2 the price.) The success of the Super Concorde line financed the Hyper Forged line, which took over from the exceptionally well built--though somewhat funky looking Musketeer line of irons and Great Hawk Woods.
Most people never really became aware of Nickent till 2005 when their 3DX line of hybrids took the Nationwide Tour by storm, and became the number 3 Hybrid on the PGA Tour. They showed themselves to be a superior club to the competition in every way, and it wasn't until the aforementioned TaylorMade Designers hooked up with Adams that there was any real serious competition in the hybrid market. The Arc Wedges, though never a real commercial hit are still in my bag, and lots of people are scarfing up the 4DX Tour Clubs. The 4 DX Driver which eventually became "The Evolver" was not only one of the most revolutionary clubs to hit the market, but it was also what sounded the death knell for Nickent.
One need only remember that Nickent built their foundation as a value company. (Sort of on The Tour Edge Line of Logic) Unfortunately, though The Evolver was absolutely revolutionary in the sense that one could switch out shafts on theor own based on course and weatehr conditions (Sort of like a DIY Tour Van) it came at a hefty price. At $500 for a Nickent driver, tools and shaft it wasn't exactly a gyp--but during a recession the demand for such a luxury just wasn't there. They had bet a lot of the farm on this concept---and when they didn't pay there tour staff--the PGA said--Your van is no longer welcome on any of our premises. A $500 driver is a hard sell for any company when the nation finds itself in the midst of such a nasty recession--but for a value company--well.....
I will mourn the passing of Nickent more than most. I have 3 Arc Wedges in my bag, my back up driver is a 3DX Square for days when I suffer from CHS(Can't Hit Shit), my previous driver was a 4DX Tour Prototype, and I carry the 3 and 5 4DX Fairway Metals in my bag (with a 7 on reserve.) I really am sadder than most to see them go, as they always gave me something to write about at Epinions. They offered, until their recent miscue and demise, real value for the money. Guess I'll have to continue to plug Tour Edge, and Wilson Staff.
Some other soon to be victims of this recession, according to my sources, are Rife Putters, Heavy Putters, and Yes Putters. All of them seem to be a little deep in inventory, but at least they're still getting lots of display space (at least Rife is) at the big box golf stores. (Something Nickent rarely if ever achieved). I used to have to really source their stuff. I guess I'll keep this last generation alive as long as possible, but I will surely miss the opportunity to write reviews on new products that blow the doors off the competition--especially on a dollar spent vs. actual performance basis.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
For Long Term Results----Go Short!
Well, ever since the heart attack, power has been right out the window as far as my game is concerned. I haven't posted here lately, as I've felt I was under rehab, and there was little I could add to anyone's game while I was busy rebuilding my own. Then the fun started.
Putting With A Purpose
I retooled with a new putter after checking my actual stroke on video vs. the stroke I thought I had. The ever faithful Nike Oz--always a good steady putter, if nothing absolutely fabulous, was replaced with a Scotty Cameron "Detour." I haven't had a 3 putt in over 3 months. So impressed was I that I bought another as back up. No--I'm not made of dough, but for some reason, the Big Clunky Detour Mallet has not proved to be as popular as other Scotty Models. Though it fits my semi-pendulum/semi-arc hybrid stroke perfectly, I guess there are others out there who just don't care for it's rather gargantuan, and seemingly unwieldy proportions. For that I am grateful, as the original MSRP of $1000 for both of mine, makes my less than $200 investment seem like an incredible bargain. As I said---I haven't 3 putted since.
Lesson 1----Tape your actual putting stroke and review it. It just might surprise you. Many tour pros who thought they were pure Pendulum Stroke Putters, with Pure Straight Back and Straight Through Piston-like strokes, have found that they are indeed Arc Stroke putters. Their latent cases of yips are actually being caused by the subliminal conflict of consciously attempting one technique while the unconscious mind is well aware of their actually utilizing another. Of course their subconscious tussles a bit with the conscious, their timing eventually becomes unglued, and the split second of hesitation grows longer and more frustrating with each failed attempt at birdie.---Don't do this to yourself----It ain't worth it! Tape it, laser it, do what you have to do, but take it from me---knowing that I'm off the green in two putts max takes a lot of pressure off my game.
Chipping Away At It
There was a time when I was incredibly proud of my 60 foot flop shot. Yeah that's right--60 FEET. Trouble was, this is a high maintenance shot, and most off the green chip shots don't grant you that extra fluffy lie that is so necessary for that mortar like lob that stops on a dime, or even backs it up on occasion. Nope, most off the green lies on Muni and even some of The High Priced Daily Fee Courses can be pretty scruffy. I needed a shot that I could pull off at lots of micro manageable distances, and I soon had it.
To get something consistent I went with a dead quiet lower body. No more slow hip turn and then timing the firing at the moment my hip turned my front knee. (It really works quite well--I promise--trouble is--due to timing issues--it is a high maintenance shot.) I found that by keeping the lower body absolutely quiet, and just focusing on keeping my weight slightly forward, I could take a nice slow and steady "dead hands" (as Dave Pelz would say) back swing to 9 o'clock, just before the wrists hinge, and do this time and again--even in my sleep. I soon found that by doing this at level playing fields, my wedges went 64*--30 feet, 58*--45 feet, 54*--60 feet, 50*--80 feet, PW 105 feet. The consistency was astounding.
Lesson 2---A consistent back swing leads to consistent distances. All I had to do was pace off the distances. Going uphill from uphill lies sawed a little off, and downhill shots required I club down roughly 1-- 1 1/2 clubs depending upon steepness of angle and green speeds. Armed with such knowledge, my game has become deadly accurate from off the green, and my up and down percentages have literally skyrocketed. Do yourself a favor---figure out a consistent back swing that you can repeat w/all your wedges.
Strength From A Neutral Party
So often the game of golf is counter intuitive. I had often fought a slice from having a slightly open shoulder position. Even though I eventually corrected my over the top move, my strong grip and closed face at impact compensations remained, unbeknownst to me, part and parcel of my swing. They were simply ingrained into my setup, to the point that I never really thought about it. I loved the draw I got off the tee box, but never quite connected it with the bad tendency I had at times of pulling my approach shots at critical points in my game. Hell--I was even pulling my Wedge Shots left, and just not connecting the dots. Fortunately, let's give credit where credit is due.
I read an article written by Jim Furyk, whose accuracy and consistency I have always admired. He was preaching about the fact that, " an overly strong grip can even be the root cause of a slice." I may never adapt his double overlap grip, but I will certainly stay with a more neutral grip from now on. As I said--power is no longer part of my game. This more neutral grip has me clocking it straight down the fairway time after time. I cannot thank Mr. Furyk enough. My more efficient drives, shooting from the short grass--even at the expense of a few yards, are so much more effective than hitting out of the rough. (Let's not even talk about hitting out of the trees, taking water drops, blasting out of fairway bunkers, etc....)
Lesson 3--- Check your grip! Just because last season's grip seemed to work, doesn't mean it doesn't need a tune up. Had I tuned mine annually I probably would have gradually weakened my grip instead of having to conduct a massive overhaul after this season's heart attack. Remember that Lord Byron took the grip to heart before embarking on his professional career. Ben Hogan had to change his grip in order to save his career. I doubt anyone reading this is better than either of those two. Hell--even Tiger has adapted a flatter swing more like Hogan's, and Lord Byron's consecutive wins record might be the only record Tiger never breaks. If these guys consider giving the grip an annual tune up as a vital part of the game---I'd listen to them.
Putting With A Purpose
I retooled with a new putter after checking my actual stroke on video vs. the stroke I thought I had. The ever faithful Nike Oz--always a good steady putter, if nothing absolutely fabulous, was replaced with a Scotty Cameron "Detour." I haven't had a 3 putt in over 3 months. So impressed was I that I bought another as back up. No--I'm not made of dough, but for some reason, the Big Clunky Detour Mallet has not proved to be as popular as other Scotty Models. Though it fits my semi-pendulum/semi-arc hybrid stroke perfectly, I guess there are others out there who just don't care for it's rather gargantuan, and seemingly unwieldy proportions. For that I am grateful, as the original MSRP of $1000 for both of mine, makes my less than $200 investment seem like an incredible bargain. As I said---I haven't 3 putted since.
Lesson 1----Tape your actual putting stroke and review it. It just might surprise you. Many tour pros who thought they were pure Pendulum Stroke Putters, with Pure Straight Back and Straight Through Piston-like strokes, have found that they are indeed Arc Stroke putters. Their latent cases of yips are actually being caused by the subliminal conflict of consciously attempting one technique while the unconscious mind is well aware of their actually utilizing another. Of course their subconscious tussles a bit with the conscious, their timing eventually becomes unglued, and the split second of hesitation grows longer and more frustrating with each failed attempt at birdie.---Don't do this to yourself----It ain't worth it! Tape it, laser it, do what you have to do, but take it from me---knowing that I'm off the green in two putts max takes a lot of pressure off my game.
Chipping Away At It
There was a time when I was incredibly proud of my 60 foot flop shot. Yeah that's right--60 FEET. Trouble was, this is a high maintenance shot, and most off the green chip shots don't grant you that extra fluffy lie that is so necessary for that mortar like lob that stops on a dime, or even backs it up on occasion. Nope, most off the green lies on Muni and even some of The High Priced Daily Fee Courses can be pretty scruffy. I needed a shot that I could pull off at lots of micro manageable distances, and I soon had it.
To get something consistent I went with a dead quiet lower body. No more slow hip turn and then timing the firing at the moment my hip turned my front knee. (It really works quite well--I promise--trouble is--due to timing issues--it is a high maintenance shot.) I found that by keeping the lower body absolutely quiet, and just focusing on keeping my weight slightly forward, I could take a nice slow and steady "dead hands" (as Dave Pelz would say) back swing to 9 o'clock, just before the wrists hinge, and do this time and again--even in my sleep. I soon found that by doing this at level playing fields, my wedges went 64*--30 feet, 58*--45 feet, 54*--60 feet, 50*--80 feet, PW 105 feet. The consistency was astounding.
Lesson 2---A consistent back swing leads to consistent distances. All I had to do was pace off the distances. Going uphill from uphill lies sawed a little off, and downhill shots required I club down roughly 1-- 1 1/2 clubs depending upon steepness of angle and green speeds. Armed with such knowledge, my game has become deadly accurate from off the green, and my up and down percentages have literally skyrocketed. Do yourself a favor---figure out a consistent back swing that you can repeat w/all your wedges.
Strength From A Neutral Party
So often the game of golf is counter intuitive. I had often fought a slice from having a slightly open shoulder position. Even though I eventually corrected my over the top move, my strong grip and closed face at impact compensations remained, unbeknownst to me, part and parcel of my swing. They were simply ingrained into my setup, to the point that I never really thought about it. I loved the draw I got off the tee box, but never quite connected it with the bad tendency I had at times of pulling my approach shots at critical points in my game. Hell--I was even pulling my Wedge Shots left, and just not connecting the dots. Fortunately, let's give credit where credit is due.
I read an article written by Jim Furyk, whose accuracy and consistency I have always admired. He was preaching about the fact that, " an overly strong grip can even be the root cause of a slice." I may never adapt his double overlap grip, but I will certainly stay with a more neutral grip from now on. As I said--power is no longer part of my game. This more neutral grip has me clocking it straight down the fairway time after time. I cannot thank Mr. Furyk enough. My more efficient drives, shooting from the short grass--even at the expense of a few yards, are so much more effective than hitting out of the rough. (Let's not even talk about hitting out of the trees, taking water drops, blasting out of fairway bunkers, etc....)
Lesson 3--- Check your grip! Just because last season's grip seemed to work, doesn't mean it doesn't need a tune up. Had I tuned mine annually I probably would have gradually weakened my grip instead of having to conduct a massive overhaul after this season's heart attack. Remember that Lord Byron took the grip to heart before embarking on his professional career. Ben Hogan had to change his grip in order to save his career. I doubt anyone reading this is better than either of those two. Hell--even Tiger has adapted a flatter swing more like Hogan's, and Lord Byron's consecutive wins record might be the only record Tiger never breaks. If these guys consider giving the grip an annual tune up as a vital part of the game---I'd listen to them.
Monday, August 3, 2009
After A Heart Attack My Bag and Game Get An Overhaul
Two weeks ago I got the surprise of my life. I had just finished the best 9 holes I have ever played at my local course--(there are 3 sets of 9 and this 15 capper played holes 18-27 at 2 over), and I was looking forward to both a good dinner, and a well earned good night's sleep. While driving back home across the local dam I blacked out (we would later find out it was a heart attack) and totaled my car. In a matter of minutes I was whisked away to the hospital where I spent the rest of the week and eventually had 2 stints put into my Left Circumflex (aka The Widow Maker) Artery. Needless to say, walking 27 in 100+ degree heat is not part and parcel of my current prescription, and the resultant weight loss has led to yet another swing shape. My old clubs, which I had been re-shuffling, and re-shafting already (in a desperate attempt to break 80 on at least a semi-regular basis) were definitely on the way out. I was soon going to have to slow down the swing and make it more compact. I did a lot of soul-searching and after re- reading many of my past reviews I eventually switched to the easiest clubs to hit I could find. The season that began as, "The Year to Become a Single Digit Handicapper ", (9 over looked so in the bag back in April) quickly evolved into, " The Year I Switched to Old Fart's Clubs. "
My OLD RELIABLE IRONS
I was proud of my TaylorMade R7 Xd's. These were incredible irons at the time they first came out. They were so far ahead of their time that TaylorMade actually ended up discontinuing them and splitting up the design into two separate models. The Super Hot Titanium Faces went to The New Burner Irons, while the Balance went to the latter day R7 Irons in various shapes and forms. I had one of the off mini-tour sets with the DG Shafts in them. From the time I had purchased these clubs my score dropped regularly. Eventually, this last season, they would be re-shafted with those very rare and hard to find "Blue Thunder" shafts. I was clocking those things but good, and I was actually able to work them both left and right. I had also become adept at opening up the face full bore as well as closing it off and hitting escape shots from almost anywhere with the 6 Iron. These were some of the best game improvement irons ever made. I had been trying Mizunos from time to time just because I thought I would eventually want a workable iron with that famous forged feel to get into single digit territory, but that purchase was to be at least another season or two down the road. I was going to wear those R7 XD's out. Alas, the forged fantasy was not to be.
DRIVER
Mating a driver to my swing has been a long involved process. I currently switch between 2 Drivers, as they tend to be clubs practically tailor made to my rather eclectic swing. On days when I really feel, "in the zone", and want to work one across the fairways I pull out my 9* Nickent 4 DX Tour Spec with a special Prototype Aldila NV Shaft. It is a tremendously lethal combination. I've hit some real screamers with that driver, and managed to steer some real game winners down narrow bottle necks, and around dog legs of both the left and right variety. Sadly, I sincerely doubt I have the oomph left to get the most out of this somewhat elitist set up. The shaft is now a little on the stiff side for me, and this particular head is more about working the club than it is about forgiveness. I will miss this mini tour weapon of mass destruction.
On days when my swing is not quite there, I reach for my 10* LaJolla 450 w/Purple Ice Shaft. The head on this club is very forgiving, and the shaft makes sure that I can rip it w/confidence. This is the club that lets me run with the pack even when I'm having issues with my swing on any given day. Heel and toe hits still go straight w/minimal distance loss. Sweet spot shots come roaring out of the gate and split fairways in half as if the ball were a cruise missile on a mission. Sadly, The Purple Ice Shaft is now, similar to the Aldila NV Prototype, just beyond the reach of my current swing speed.
Fortunately--the Nickent Arc Wedges and Nike Oz Putter remain constants in a bag full of variables, but that's only because they are already exceptionally easy clubs to hit. I'm amazed that neither of these ever really took off or received the recognition they so richly deserved. Meanwhile, what little workability I had worked so hard to obtain is going to prove to be hard to maintain. Let's not even talk about trying to step it up a notch and go to thinner weaker lofted forged irons. Getting a more slicked out driver that I can work both left and right and play with the trajectories on is also out of the question. So considering the tremendous hit that my budget is about to take thanks to heart surgery, I had to go to my local pro shop, call in some favours, and remind certain folks that the clubs they wanted to be first in line to purchase were now available. After all was said and done, I walked out devoid of the very irons and drivers I had worked so hard to build around my own personal swing, but I was now in possession of the absolute easiest clubs to hit known to mankind.
Wilson Di-9 Irons.
These are just incredibly easy to hit. My swing is slower and more compact but you'd never know it from the distance. Admittedly they aren't anywhere near what you would call workable. They're pretty easy to hit a draw with, but a high cut takes quite a bit of work. Still that's not what they're in my bag for. These have to be the highest,longest, and straightest irons I've ever hit. The urethane medallion on the back sure makes them feel good too. No they're not the Mizuno forged feel I dreamed about back in April, but they're a helluva lot more forgiving to my new swing. If you've ever gone through a swing change or two, much less a total overhaul, you know what a gift forgiveness can be. I'm already hitting these steel shafted behemoths longer and straighter than the R7 XD's ever went---even with the Blue Thunder Shafts. These are the best thing in game improvement clubs since the original Adams Idea irons. Anyone who is in need of distance, straight ball flight, and good feel needs to give these a serious look. I was so impressed I bought them. I just have to get used to the idea that maneuvering the ball is now more a matter of long and straight than it is about finessing it left and or right.
Nickent 3 DX Square Driver
I first hit this driver over a season and a half ago. It was The Dawn of the Block-Heads and I thought this was going to be another square headed wannabe. I was impressed with it back then, but I already had drivers I could hit that far, and work like a job, unlike this straight flying distance monster. Still--it impressed me. I never forgot how good it felt, or how long and straight it was. It had to be the easiest driver I had ever hit. Well--after the go round with my heart I decided --hey I could live with long and straight. I'm not getting any younger, and working the ball left and right can be a stressful situation when rebuilding a swing. These clubs can be had on the cheap too. If you can live with the aluminum baseball bat sound, they're the easiest long and straight driver in the business. I'll be hitting the course again tomorrow, and though I don't see myself working any left or right dog legs I see several fairways getting split straight down the middle. I'm gong to have to learn to milk all the extra distance this one can give me, as I'll no longer be hugging tree lines while steering it around the corners.
All in all, knowing that I can put it on auto pilot and go long and straight is going to be a bit of a relief after going through such a drastic swing change. I'm willing to bet that the time I've got invested in the wedges and putter will help me enough on the up and down front to achieve that single digit status. Fortunately easy long and straight paired with the familiarity of my short game clubs has a lot of promise. If you are in the market for a set of irons sporting one of the fairest prices in the business right now---don't overlook the Di-9's. They are the easiest hitting iron of all time. Between the low price, the extra distance, and the high and straight shot pattern, they truly remind me of the original Adams Idea set that re-ignited the hybrid craze as well as the games of many a weekend hacker. If you need a very good driver on the cheap--don't forget the Nickent 3DX Square--It is equipped with the UST V2 Shaft, and this thing hits it longer and straighter than just about anything else out there on the market. Considering the closeout pricing vs. the distance and quality of components --this one's like stealing.
My OLD RELIABLE IRONS
I was proud of my TaylorMade R7 Xd's. These were incredible irons at the time they first came out. They were so far ahead of their time that TaylorMade actually ended up discontinuing them and splitting up the design into two separate models. The Super Hot Titanium Faces went to The New Burner Irons, while the Balance went to the latter day R7 Irons in various shapes and forms. I had one of the off mini-tour sets with the DG Shafts in them. From the time I had purchased these clubs my score dropped regularly. Eventually, this last season, they would be re-shafted with those very rare and hard to find "Blue Thunder" shafts. I was clocking those things but good, and I was actually able to work them both left and right. I had also become adept at opening up the face full bore as well as closing it off and hitting escape shots from almost anywhere with the 6 Iron. These were some of the best game improvement irons ever made. I had been trying Mizunos from time to time just because I thought I would eventually want a workable iron with that famous forged feel to get into single digit territory, but that purchase was to be at least another season or two down the road. I was going to wear those R7 XD's out. Alas, the forged fantasy was not to be.
DRIVER
Mating a driver to my swing has been a long involved process. I currently switch between 2 Drivers, as they tend to be clubs practically tailor made to my rather eclectic swing. On days when I really feel, "in the zone", and want to work one across the fairways I pull out my 9* Nickent 4 DX Tour Spec with a special Prototype Aldila NV Shaft. It is a tremendously lethal combination. I've hit some real screamers with that driver, and managed to steer some real game winners down narrow bottle necks, and around dog legs of both the left and right variety. Sadly, I sincerely doubt I have the oomph left to get the most out of this somewhat elitist set up. The shaft is now a little on the stiff side for me, and this particular head is more about working the club than it is about forgiveness. I will miss this mini tour weapon of mass destruction.
On days when my swing is not quite there, I reach for my 10* LaJolla 450 w/Purple Ice Shaft. The head on this club is very forgiving, and the shaft makes sure that I can rip it w/confidence. This is the club that lets me run with the pack even when I'm having issues with my swing on any given day. Heel and toe hits still go straight w/minimal distance loss. Sweet spot shots come roaring out of the gate and split fairways in half as if the ball were a cruise missile on a mission. Sadly, The Purple Ice Shaft is now, similar to the Aldila NV Prototype, just beyond the reach of my current swing speed.
Fortunately--the Nickent Arc Wedges and Nike Oz Putter remain constants in a bag full of variables, but that's only because they are already exceptionally easy clubs to hit. I'm amazed that neither of these ever really took off or received the recognition they so richly deserved. Meanwhile, what little workability I had worked so hard to obtain is going to prove to be hard to maintain. Let's not even talk about trying to step it up a notch and go to thinner weaker lofted forged irons. Getting a more slicked out driver that I can work both left and right and play with the trajectories on is also out of the question. So considering the tremendous hit that my budget is about to take thanks to heart surgery, I had to go to my local pro shop, call in some favours, and remind certain folks that the clubs they wanted to be first in line to purchase were now available. After all was said and done, I walked out devoid of the very irons and drivers I had worked so hard to build around my own personal swing, but I was now in possession of the absolute easiest clubs to hit known to mankind.
Wilson Di-9 Irons.
These are just incredibly easy to hit. My swing is slower and more compact but you'd never know it from the distance. Admittedly they aren't anywhere near what you would call workable. They're pretty easy to hit a draw with, but a high cut takes quite a bit of work. Still that's not what they're in my bag for. These have to be the highest,longest, and straightest irons I've ever hit. The urethane medallion on the back sure makes them feel good too. No they're not the Mizuno forged feel I dreamed about back in April, but they're a helluva lot more forgiving to my new swing. If you've ever gone through a swing change or two, much less a total overhaul, you know what a gift forgiveness can be. I'm already hitting these steel shafted behemoths longer and straighter than the R7 XD's ever went---even with the Blue Thunder Shafts. These are the best thing in game improvement clubs since the original Adams Idea irons. Anyone who is in need of distance, straight ball flight, and good feel needs to give these a serious look. I was so impressed I bought them. I just have to get used to the idea that maneuvering the ball is now more a matter of long and straight than it is about finessing it left and or right.
Nickent 3 DX Square Driver
I first hit this driver over a season and a half ago. It was The Dawn of the Block-Heads and I thought this was going to be another square headed wannabe. I was impressed with it back then, but I already had drivers I could hit that far, and work like a job, unlike this straight flying distance monster. Still--it impressed me. I never forgot how good it felt, or how long and straight it was. It had to be the easiest driver I had ever hit. Well--after the go round with my heart I decided --hey I could live with long and straight. I'm not getting any younger, and working the ball left and right can be a stressful situation when rebuilding a swing. These clubs can be had on the cheap too. If you can live with the aluminum baseball bat sound, they're the easiest long and straight driver in the business. I'll be hitting the course again tomorrow, and though I don't see myself working any left or right dog legs I see several fairways getting split straight down the middle. I'm gong to have to learn to milk all the extra distance this one can give me, as I'll no longer be hugging tree lines while steering it around the corners.
All in all, knowing that I can put it on auto pilot and go long and straight is going to be a bit of a relief after going through such a drastic swing change. I'm willing to bet that the time I've got invested in the wedges and putter will help me enough on the up and down front to achieve that single digit status. Fortunately easy long and straight paired with the familiarity of my short game clubs has a lot of promise. If you are in the market for a set of irons sporting one of the fairest prices in the business right now---don't overlook the Di-9's. They are the easiest hitting iron of all time. Between the low price, the extra distance, and the high and straight shot pattern, they truly remind me of the original Adams Idea set that re-ignited the hybrid craze as well as the games of many a weekend hacker. If you need a very good driver on the cheap--don't forget the Nickent 3DX Square--It is equipped with the UST V2 Shaft, and this thing hits it longer and straighter than just about anything else out there on the market. Considering the closeout pricing vs. the distance and quality of components --this one's like stealing.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Guerin Rife IMO Putter/ Croquet Mallet With Wings
Yet another product that I would like to be posting on epinions.com, but once again, the correct product links evade me. This is a very, Very, VERY, interesting putter as it is not only deadly accurate, but it also straddles the lines of legality per USGA Rules as concerns "Conforming Putters." If you are a pendulum putter, don't care for the new craze towards "HEFTIER putters, and really can't buy in to the radical claims of massive forgiveness as regards putters which brag about their exceptional MOI (Moment of Inertia/ which is supposed to prevent twisting of the club face) then you need to check this putter out. You also need to check out the trainer that came out along with it. The trainer, sold separately, is illegal for use in competition. Simple as that! The putter itself, should it get the recognition it so richly deserves, may very well spark new USGA Rules and Regulations as regards putter specifications and what defines a conforming and or non-conforming putter.
Let's start with those very rules and regulations as they currently stand and the construction of this new putter. Basically, in order to prevent people from using croquet mallets, cylinders on a stick, block-heads, etc., the rule reads that a"A putter must measure longer from heel to toe than from front to back." (So despite all those great new cylindrical putters and one handed putting techniques [also illegal] you see for sale on ebay, remember--it must be wider than it is deep.) Now as to this putter's construction, it is barely wider--- 4.75" heel to toe ---than it is deep 4.60 " face to back. Meanwhile let's get into the reasons for these dimensions vs. the more standard measurements of the high MOI putters this thing is out to replace.
A High MOI Putter is going to put as much weight as possible as far back as possible, and to the outer perimeters of the club. This helps prevent club face twisting throughout the stroke. Now arguably, the benefits of this type of construction are obvious when talking about a driver, and even when referring to game improvement irons where heel toe weights on the back and sole are now standard issue. However, as the clubs get shorter and more controllable, the benefits of such weights offer diminishing returns. When one gets down to the flat stick/putter, it also becomes an argument about technique as well as club length. If you are an ARC Putter, than you already have a natural twisting of the club face built into your stroke. If you are a really good ARC Putter, then similar to good iron players who shoot blades, you will shun the heel and toe weighting as a clunky and useless addendum to your stroke. Such weights may actually be counter productive to your stroke.
If you are a Pendulum Putter, however, heavy MOI Weighting offers a certain stability to the straight back and straight through piston like motion of your putting stroke. I know this empirically as a Pendulum Putter who has a Center Shafted Nike OZ T-130 in the bag. Those two tungsten plugs on the rear heel and toe of my putter have helped me guide that baby through many a putting contest. Their design was perhaps one of the best in the high MOI Field as this putter has remained in my bag despite many a side by side shoot out vs. many more expensive, and supposedly better makes and models. Up until the arrival of this IMO the Nike has won her place in my bag time and again vs offerings by Odyssey, Never Compromise, Heavy Putter, Cleveland, Bettinardi, etc...The reasons were simple. The design's simplicity helped correct miss hits, and often prevented them mid stroke. The IMO, however, is a different animal altogether.
The design premise here is not to correct or forgive a miss hit, but to prevent it from happening in the first place. Instead of planting a huge chunk of weight as far back and outside as possible--85%--NOT A MISPRINT---85% of the club head's weight is placed center line behind the sweet spot. This is where the play on words comes in. IMO (Inline Momentum) vs. MOI (Moment of Inertia). The wings, which are used to help this thing meet USGA Regulations by making it wider (just barely) heel to toe, than it is deep, front to back, are hollowed out aluminum, and represent a meager 15% of the club head's weight. It's a very ingenious idea, and as one who was a firm believer in MOI, I just had to see what this thing could do.
In a side by side vs. The Mighty OZ she not only held her own--she opened up a Costco Sized Can of "Whoop Ass" and really let her rip. At 3-6 feet it was a dead heat. At 8-10 feet the IMO began to show that she was a shade more accurate with a consistent 90% average vs. 85% for the OZ. In the 12-15 foot range it got very interesting as the IMO Held up at 87.5% while the OZ dropped to 75%. By the time we hit the 20 and 30 foot range it was all over. The IMO just flat out ruled by a 2-1 margin. That's saying a lot, as The Mighty OZ has been in my bag for several years.
The available trainer to this putter is basically the shaft and 85% center piece minus the wings. It's not even close to legal, but it will sure help you develop a feel for this putter quickly. That's important, as this putter definitely feels a little different than most of today's offerings. I would actually recommend buying both, as that is what I plan to do. It's really a matter of common sense. If you can prevent something bad from happening in the first place (miss hit), than you don't need an excessive amount of antidote (MOI) for a poison you haven't taken. IMO proves that an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure---maybe even more.
Let's start with those very rules and regulations as they currently stand and the construction of this new putter. Basically, in order to prevent people from using croquet mallets, cylinders on a stick, block-heads, etc., the rule reads that a"A putter must measure longer from heel to toe than from front to back." (So despite all those great new cylindrical putters and one handed putting techniques [also illegal] you see for sale on ebay, remember--it must be wider than it is deep.) Now as to this putter's construction, it is barely wider--- 4.75" heel to toe ---than it is deep 4.60 " face to back. Meanwhile let's get into the reasons for these dimensions vs. the more standard measurements of the high MOI putters this thing is out to replace.
A High MOI Putter is going to put as much weight as possible as far back as possible, and to the outer perimeters of the club. This helps prevent club face twisting throughout the stroke. Now arguably, the benefits of this type of construction are obvious when talking about a driver, and even when referring to game improvement irons where heel toe weights on the back and sole are now standard issue. However, as the clubs get shorter and more controllable, the benefits of such weights offer diminishing returns. When one gets down to the flat stick/putter, it also becomes an argument about technique as well as club length. If you are an ARC Putter, than you already have a natural twisting of the club face built into your stroke. If you are a really good ARC Putter, then similar to good iron players who shoot blades, you will shun the heel and toe weighting as a clunky and useless addendum to your stroke. Such weights may actually be counter productive to your stroke.
If you are a Pendulum Putter, however, heavy MOI Weighting offers a certain stability to the straight back and straight through piston like motion of your putting stroke. I know this empirically as a Pendulum Putter who has a Center Shafted Nike OZ T-130 in the bag. Those two tungsten plugs on the rear heel and toe of my putter have helped me guide that baby through many a putting contest. Their design was perhaps one of the best in the high MOI Field as this putter has remained in my bag despite many a side by side shoot out vs. many more expensive, and supposedly better makes and models. Up until the arrival of this IMO the Nike has won her place in my bag time and again vs offerings by Odyssey, Never Compromise, Heavy Putter, Cleveland, Bettinardi, etc...The reasons were simple. The design's simplicity helped correct miss hits, and often prevented them mid stroke. The IMO, however, is a different animal altogether.
The design premise here is not to correct or forgive a miss hit, but to prevent it from happening in the first place. Instead of planting a huge chunk of weight as far back and outside as possible--85%--NOT A MISPRINT---85% of the club head's weight is placed center line behind the sweet spot. This is where the play on words comes in. IMO (Inline Momentum) vs. MOI (Moment of Inertia). The wings, which are used to help this thing meet USGA Regulations by making it wider (just barely) heel to toe, than it is deep, front to back, are hollowed out aluminum, and represent a meager 15% of the club head's weight. It's a very ingenious idea, and as one who was a firm believer in MOI, I just had to see what this thing could do.
In a side by side vs. The Mighty OZ she not only held her own--she opened up a Costco Sized Can of "Whoop Ass" and really let her rip. At 3-6 feet it was a dead heat. At 8-10 feet the IMO began to show that she was a shade more accurate with a consistent 90% average vs. 85% for the OZ. In the 12-15 foot range it got very interesting as the IMO Held up at 87.5% while the OZ dropped to 75%. By the time we hit the 20 and 30 foot range it was all over. The IMO just flat out ruled by a 2-1 margin. That's saying a lot, as The Mighty OZ has been in my bag for several years.
The available trainer to this putter is basically the shaft and 85% center piece minus the wings. It's not even close to legal, but it will sure help you develop a feel for this putter quickly. That's important, as this putter definitely feels a little different than most of today's offerings. I would actually recommend buying both, as that is what I plan to do. It's really a matter of common sense. If you can prevent something bad from happening in the first place (miss hit), than you don't need an excessive amount of antidote (MOI) for a poison you haven't taken. IMO proves that an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure---maybe even more.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Metal Madness To The Ninth Power
Though it is rare that I get attached to a club, it does seem to happen from time to time, and usually for very good reasons. When I decided almost a decade ago to resurrect my game after having given it up back in the day when Woods were made of wood, most balls were wound, with the "performance ones covered in Balata, and 2 1/8" tees were considered "The Tall Ones"--even for the driver, I became keenly aware of how much the game had changed. Lofts were getting stronger on both the new-fangled metal woods, and the irons.
Back in the day 13* was often the actual loft on a wooden driver. Funnier still, that same driver was usually 43.5" in overall length vs. today's 45-46" and 9* of loft. You only had 2 choices of shaft--regular or stiff. Back then all shafts were steel. Nowadays the irons and wedges are a full 2 1/2-3 clubs stronger in lofts. Yesterday's 48/49* Pitching Wedge is now anywhere from 41*-44*, and strong as an old 7/8 iron. Maybe that is why I felt so comfortable with a 7 Iron when I came back to the game. It was, afterall, the same loft as my trusty old 5 Iron. Better still, it had a much larger head, and a shorter overall length. Because of these factors my 7 Iron was my favourite club for the first 2 years I came back to the game.
It wasn't too long after I rejoined the game, that Adams Golf resurrected Harry Vardon's favourite club--the hybrid. There's a lot to be said for hybrids. I myself fell under their spell for several seasons, and still recommend them for most people as a long iron replacement. They are by far easier to hit than the 2 and 3 irons they replace, and they are quite versatile as well. I packed them as replacements for my 2,3,4 and 5 irons and was exceptionally happy with how well they helped an old duffer like me cut my handicap. Sadly, the sweeping motion of my basic swing still favoured the motion necessary for swinging a fairway metal succesfully, and I have since returned to them instead. Years ago, back in the days of Balata Balls and Wooden Woods, if anyone had suggested I'd be packing a 9 wood I would have laughed hysterically. But today's 9 Wood is the same loft as the 7 Wood of days gone by. Back in the day, however, if a middle aged guy like me used to lose consistency with his 5 Iron--out came the 7 Wood. Since today's 9 Wood is yesterday's 7 Wood/5 Iron, it's no wonder I've fallen in love with this crazy club.
After watching David Toms use a 5 Wood as a utility club, long distance pin-seeker, chipper, etc.. I began to wonder if the same concepts could be applied to a 9 Wood succesfully. --Trust me--they can! If I need a funky fringe chipper--away we go. Anything in the fairway from 165-185 yds is fair game for this club, depending on the type of swing I prefer to put on her. The standard issue is a nice easy 85% Swing from 175 out. The ball will fly very high, and plop down softly on the green. Ball position is a key factor in working this club, and makes working this club a whole lot easier than club face rotation etc...If you really want to find a different spin for your game, possess a more sweeping stroke than most, and find that hybrids just don't do it for you--I highly reccomend both the 7 and 9 Wood. They sound ridiculous in this day and age of hybrid mania--but if you can find one--give her a swing!
Back in the day 13* was often the actual loft on a wooden driver. Funnier still, that same driver was usually 43.5" in overall length vs. today's 45-46" and 9* of loft. You only had 2 choices of shaft--regular or stiff. Back then all shafts were steel. Nowadays the irons and wedges are a full 2 1/2-3 clubs stronger in lofts. Yesterday's 48/49* Pitching Wedge is now anywhere from 41*-44*, and strong as an old 7/8 iron. Maybe that is why I felt so comfortable with a 7 Iron when I came back to the game. It was, afterall, the same loft as my trusty old 5 Iron. Better still, it had a much larger head, and a shorter overall length. Because of these factors my 7 Iron was my favourite club for the first 2 years I came back to the game.
It wasn't too long after I rejoined the game, that Adams Golf resurrected Harry Vardon's favourite club--the hybrid. There's a lot to be said for hybrids. I myself fell under their spell for several seasons, and still recommend them for most people as a long iron replacement. They are by far easier to hit than the 2 and 3 irons they replace, and they are quite versatile as well. I packed them as replacements for my 2,3,4 and 5 irons and was exceptionally happy with how well they helped an old duffer like me cut my handicap. Sadly, the sweeping motion of my basic swing still favoured the motion necessary for swinging a fairway metal succesfully, and I have since returned to them instead. Years ago, back in the days of Balata Balls and Wooden Woods, if anyone had suggested I'd be packing a 9 wood I would have laughed hysterically. But today's 9 Wood is the same loft as the 7 Wood of days gone by. Back in the day, however, if a middle aged guy like me used to lose consistency with his 5 Iron--out came the 7 Wood. Since today's 9 Wood is yesterday's 7 Wood/5 Iron, it's no wonder I've fallen in love with this crazy club.
After watching David Toms use a 5 Wood as a utility club, long distance pin-seeker, chipper, etc.. I began to wonder if the same concepts could be applied to a 9 Wood succesfully. --Trust me--they can! If I need a funky fringe chipper--away we go. Anything in the fairway from 165-185 yds is fair game for this club, depending on the type of swing I prefer to put on her. The standard issue is a nice easy 85% Swing from 175 out. The ball will fly very high, and plop down softly on the green. Ball position is a key factor in working this club, and makes working this club a whole lot easier than club face rotation etc...If you really want to find a different spin for your game, possess a more sweeping stroke than most, and find that hybrids just don't do it for you--I highly reccomend both the 7 and 9 Wood. They sound ridiculous in this day and age of hybrid mania--but if you can find one--give her a swing!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Back To The Metals
For the past 5 seasons, I have been a firm believer in hybrids. They offered good distance, more accuracy than my fairway metals, and seemed to be more versatile. Then something funny happened on the way to a new season. The local golf pro noticed that my shoulder turn was no longer as complete as it once had been. Stranger still, the swing plane itself had actually grown a bit steeper. This steepness was hidden to me, as my iron and wedge contact remained crisp. The real giveaway was with my inconsistent contact with both the driver and the lone remaining fairway metal in my bag. The hybrids helped mask this growing problem as their swing has always been a sort of half long iron half higher lofted metal concoction. The natural forgiveness of the hybrids, and their tendency to play more like an iron than a metal also helped mask the increased steepness of my swing plane.
The local pro--who has never--and I do repeat never--been wrong in his advice (unlike the advice of several teachers whom I suffered under) was to get my club inside sooner, and relearn the art of sweeping the ball. Instantly my driving came back around, and the lone fairway metal soon became the fairway cannon it had once been. Eventually, my irons started to gain a full club length as well. I began paying more attention to Paddy Harrington's swing as he even sweeps his mid irons. On better days I was soon hitting the ball a full 2 club lengths better. The fact that both the woods and the irons were hitting right on the mark was more than exciting to me. I've already dropped 5 strokes this season. But suddenly--my hybrids became very inconsistent. As both the metals and the irons were spot on, I decided I'd simply dump the hybrids and revert back to more fairway metals.
The hybrids helped me learn to shape long distance shots, and because of that, I am now more accurate with my fairway metals than ever before. They're not quite the lazers that my hybrids once were, but man are they consistent. I like the feel and results of this more sweeping swing, though occasionally I do miss my hybrids. They were once the pride and joy of my golf bag. Nowadays I understand why David Tom's uses his 5 Wood for so many differnt types of shots and strokes. I also appreciate why Vijay carries a 9 Wood. I'm even beginning to understand why Hogan's favourite club was a 4 Wood. Perhaps we were too quick to sell the fairway metal down the river in exchange for the promise of the hybrid.
The local pro--who has never--and I do repeat never--been wrong in his advice (unlike the advice of several teachers whom I suffered under) was to get my club inside sooner, and relearn the art of sweeping the ball. Instantly my driving came back around, and the lone fairway metal soon became the fairway cannon it had once been. Eventually, my irons started to gain a full club length as well. I began paying more attention to Paddy Harrington's swing as he even sweeps his mid irons. On better days I was soon hitting the ball a full 2 club lengths better. The fact that both the woods and the irons were hitting right on the mark was more than exciting to me. I've already dropped 5 strokes this season. But suddenly--my hybrids became very inconsistent. As both the metals and the irons were spot on, I decided I'd simply dump the hybrids and revert back to more fairway metals.
The hybrids helped me learn to shape long distance shots, and because of that, I am now more accurate with my fairway metals than ever before. They're not quite the lazers that my hybrids once were, but man are they consistent. I like the feel and results of this more sweeping swing, though occasionally I do miss my hybrids. They were once the pride and joy of my golf bag. Nowadays I understand why David Tom's uses his 5 Wood for so many differnt types of shots and strokes. I also appreciate why Vijay carries a 9 Wood. I'm even beginning to understand why Hogan's favourite club was a 4 Wood. Perhaps we were too quick to sell the fairway metal down the river in exchange for the promise of the hybrid.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
SRIXON Z-Star Review
Normally I post my equipment reviews on http://www.epinions.com/ long before I say anything about the products anywhere else. Sadly, I've been trying to get a product link for this golf ball for well over 3 months, and I've just decided to go ahead and bite the bullet, and write this ball's first review here. If the ball continues to live up to expectations---I believe I will not be the only one writing such a review. For now--suffice it to say--this is the only Tour Level Ball Worth The Money at this time.
Let's face it--TaylorMade and Bridgestone both changed the formulations on their balls--guess they just couldn't stand success. The new Callaway IX is pretty much just an updated Strata Tour Ace. --Not a bad idea really, but once again--Joe Six Pack needs to pack "An average driver swing speed of 100+ MPH" in order to make a 4-piece Urethane covered ball reach it's fullest potential. That basically eliminates the new Bridgestone B330 and B330-S Models for the vast majority of golfers. TaylorMade and Titleist kind of blew it with their new formulations as well. The Pro V1 is now firmer than ever, and quite a bit shy of the legendary spin available on the earlier models. The TaylorMades are actually quite an improvement over the old TP Red and Black--but that really isn't saying much. ---The jury is still out on the new Nikes. I've gone back and forth with them, but still haven't made up my mind yet. Considering the prices they want, however, such indecision on my part is practically an indictment in and of itself as to whether or not I think they are truly worth it.
Let's face it--TaylorMade and Bridgestone both changed the formulations on their balls--guess they just couldn't stand success. The new Callaway IX is pretty much just an updated Strata Tour Ace. --Not a bad idea really, but once again--Joe Six Pack needs to pack "An average driver swing speed of 100+ MPH" in order to make a 4-piece Urethane covered ball reach it's fullest potential. That basically eliminates the new Bridgestone B330 and B330-S Models for the vast majority of golfers. TaylorMade and Titleist kind of blew it with their new formulations as well. The Pro V1 is now firmer than ever, and quite a bit shy of the legendary spin available on the earlier models. The TaylorMades are actually quite an improvement over the old TP Red and Black--but that really isn't saying much. ---The jury is still out on the new Nikes. I've gone back and forth with them, but still haven't made up my mind yet. Considering the prices they want, however, such indecision on my part is practically an indictment in and of itself as to whether or not I think they are truly worth it.
New Spin On Some Old Spin
Thanks to the 85 compression rating (I'm impressed--as Srixon has historically stuck w/a 90 compression rating--even on their supossedly "Soft-Feel" balls) these balls feel vaguely familiar. Could it be the reincarnation of the original Pro V1??!! You remember the one! It too sported an 85 compression rating, and it could spin itself backwards up the wrong side of Mount Rainier. That's what made the Pro V1 such a great ball when it first came out. Not only could it spin as well as the old wound balata balls it was replacing--but it flew further too! As golf continued to evolve into it's newer "Bomb and Gouge" format--the Pro V1 begin to lose a little spin in favour of gaining even more distance. Eventually, after the 3/4th tweaking-- it did become at least 10+ yards longer than the original. Sadly, thanks to the newer emphasis on distance, and the latest reformulation as mandated by an old Callaway lawsuit---the Pro V1 no longer feels as soft, nor spins as well as it once did. --I simply can't see paying big bucks for a dozen glorified distance rocks.
BUT WHAT IF...... you could get back all of that old spin? Better yet, what if you could regain that softer, slightly clingier feel? Here's the real deal... What if you could have all that spin and feel of the old model, with all the distance of the newer model? Would you be willing to play a ball that sported "The SRIXON Moniker?" I mean, I know they have the lamest commercials in the business. The entire URX 333/HRX 333, Z-UR, ZUR-C, ZURS, etc.. history always offered a ball that charged you full price just to play an also ran. I'm afraid that if you don't try these however--you may never realize what a great ball you are passing up.
One needs to remember that back in the day--when Dunlop of all companies, owned the Maxfli name, it was this very same Sumitomo Rubber Company (SRIXON) that developed --The Black Max. Yes--That Black Max. One of the very few balls that actually ran neck and neck w/the Pro V1 for the first few iterations of that ball. I won't bore you with all the corporate machinations as to how Sumitomo lost the Maxfli contract after their factory burnt to the ground--the Adidas TaylorMAde debacle, or any of the rest of that. They had to make a name for themselveds on their own--but after having developed The Black Max--albeit many moons ago, and for another company-there was no doubt that they could eventually come up with another winning formula.
DRIVER
This ball feels very familiar off the driver. It is long, soft, and informative. It spins pretty quickly too--(sidespin as well--just like the original Pro V1 and the old Precept U-Tri- Tour.) If you're still sporting major swing flaws of the over-the top variety--this may not be the ball for you. You'll probably start serving up more slices than Toni's Pizza Parlour. If, however, you sport a technically sound, and semi-repeatable swing---man are you in for a trip down memory lane. Would you like to work it left to right off the tee box?---Hey--just go for it--This ball will work it like a full time job--24/7. (Works similar to the old Black Max and Precept U Tri Tour--only easier.) Want a long and straight monster right down the pike?---Remember when that soft feeling Pro V1 was actually called a distance ball? ---This one will remind you of why that was.
METALS/LONG IRONS/HYBRIDS
Distance is definitely a good thing, but trajectory has a lot to do with it in more ways than one. This ball has a tendency to play just to the high side of the spectrum. It still flies low enough for a 2 iron stinger when necessary, but if you need to manipulate your 5-Wood to play a high cut similar to a 7 wood--and don't trust your hybrid swing well enough to avoid --"The Dreaded Balloon Shot" then this could be your ball. By the way--the trajectory of this ball is so true--climb--gradual rise--apex--flat line--equally gradual descent, that you can use your hybrids as the multi purpose utilitarians they were meant to be. Whether acting as a Long Iron, Distance Recovery Shot, or even an odd ball Hybrid/Chip---this ball is ammenable to the task.
MID-IRONS
So you want to go pin seeking from long distance, but the latest models of golf balls just don't seem to have that good old-fashioned backspin anymore?......Let's not even mention the fact that golf courses are using less water during this recession, and it was already a fairly rare occasion for the muni and daily fee greens to provide a soft enough landing for the ball to do The Magic Backwards Dance from wedge shots--much less long distance. Fear not oh beleaguered one. This ball will bring back the one hop stops and backward dances that used to only be achieved w/wound Balata Balls and 34* 5 Irons. If you've got the swing and accuracy--having to aim for the middle of the green, and hope for a lucky break is no longer the rule of the day. This ball will go that distance. This ball will provide that spin. This ball will check up. The only other time I've seen a ball mimic the old Balata types this well was the old Wilson I-Wound. This time, however, you won't have to give up the distance like you did with The I-Wound.
SHORT IRONS/WEDGES
This ball is a lazer. It flies high w/out getting stratospheric--unless of course--that's what you want. You can now hit a succesful flop w/out having to invoke Lefty's name in vane, after watching yet another unsuccesful rendition of the shot he's made famous go dancing across the green. Want to stick a low flying spinner from a bad lie in a greenside bunker?---Just go for it. This is the first ball I've felt comfortable just trusting in roughly 7 years. How about that dreaded 1/2 wedge from the rough?---Not a problem. Let the USGA re-regulate the grooves on wedges. Srixon may have the answer to the lost spin by providing a ball that generates such spin from a different source--the ball itself!
FLATSTICK
This ball does two of my favourite things that I've come to expect from supposedly tour level balls in this price range. The audible cue is a soft--yet distinct "MUTED CLICK." It lets you know it's there, but it doesn't anounce itself in such a verbose fashion that you begin to over-associate the ball's sound with it's feel. (We do this w/drivers all the time--and that's one of the major reasons why the composite drivers flopped so badly.) The tactile cue is an ever so slight clingy feel off of the putter's face. The really good balls--like this one--tend to time the audible sound with the actual tactile feel almost simultaneously. This is a true tour level ball that takes all the best from both the old school and the new school. SRIXON's Best ball since the original Black Max! Quite possibly--at least for my swing-the best ball of the year.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Trust, Relax, and Crush It vs. Analysis Paralysis
No doubt that the inverted "K" is where it's at for me, but a certain caveat remains.."Relax you ninny--and don't over-analyze!" Here's the results of the test run, and it speaks multitudes as to why one needs to practice something to the point that it becomes instinct, and trust is no longer an issue. Let me just say, that as someone who sports a 15---the initial results of the front nine lead me to encourage any and all mid-cappers who are in need of easier distance, and a less strenuous stroke to consider this one. I have fought switching to an around the body swing vs. "The Reverse C" for a long time. I'm glad to say that common sense and my lower back are about to win the argument. The time has come to surrender and trust--and here's why.
Hole 2 is another par 4 but plays out to 377 yards. Once again, the false angles from the tee-box come into play, and literally aim you to the right, where a slice sends you off the grounds and out of bounds. Once again I crushed one 260 + with a baby draw leaving me a 1/2 wedge to the green. I remembered over shooting the approach on the last hole, relaxed a bit, and bagged a par.--This built up my confidence for numero 3 which is 160 yard par 3 w/nothing but water between the tee box and the green. I took out my 150 stick, thanks the the tail wind, and popped her right next to the pin which was set front left. A quick 1 putt, and I had just bagged my first birdie of the season.
Number 4 represents a driver opportunity for those who are certain of their ability to work the ball left. At roughly 235 yards, dead center in front of the geen, there is a gigantic "hazardous waste" bunker so full of gourse that a Scotsman would be proud. It is as deep as they get. None the less there is a narrow strip of fairway that runs left of this hazard and up towards the left hand side of the green. Miss this narrow strip and you land in the water on the left. --This "K" stance had me running it up the narrow strip for one of only 1/2 dozen times I've ever pulled that shot off in my life. The ball went left of green and a simple chip seemed to be the order of the day. I went up--got a little too excited, and fluffed the chip to the fringe. One Texas wedge and a one putt later I was marking another par on my card. "This is unfreakin' beleieveable." I'm telling myself as I stride to the longest par 4 on the course.
Number 5 is 467 yards of pure meanness for those lacking a baby draw in the arsenal. On the right runs a nice long body of water--hidden behind a tree line--for the entire length of the hole. On the left is a line of bunkers and trees that warn you that--"A draw is welcome--but a hook ensures a bogey at best." Worse yet--for the first 180 yards on the left hand side runs the same water hazard that was on your right on the previous hole.---"OUCH!" The drive went my way. Baby draw to the left--in the fairway, and well ahead of the first two "sucker bunkers." Too much excitement eventually led to a bogey but it was obvious that this was the new way for me to swing. Hole 6 was a par as were 7 and 8, but all that excitement led to a bogey on number 9. Still--I bagged my best nine ever----37 on a nine w/a par of 35. I was so excited going into the turn that I almost had to go change my underwear.
--Nothing Breeds Confidence Like Success--
Hole number one is a nasty booger of a 405 yard par4. The false angles off this highly elevated tee box do not suffer slicers gladly. A miscue leads to the woods on the right, and your ball is lost forever to the squirrels. I stepped up, "Set The K", and gave her a firm yet relaxed rip. I landed her 260 down the fairway, with a slightly strong baby draw. 145yards in from the left w/a back center pin is a lot easier than 165 in from the right. Especially since this fairway tends to have a little less hardpan on the left hand side. I was so confident that I stepped up to my second shot w/a short iron and still blew it past the green. I quickly chipped up and two putted for bogey. --Didn't mind bogey after seeing the distance potential of the new driver stance.
Hole 2 is another par 4 but plays out to 377 yards. Once again, the false angles from the tee-box come into play, and literally aim you to the right, where a slice sends you off the grounds and out of bounds. Once again I crushed one 260 + with a baby draw leaving me a 1/2 wedge to the green. I remembered over shooting the approach on the last hole, relaxed a bit, and bagged a par.--This built up my confidence for numero 3 which is 160 yard par 3 w/nothing but water between the tee box and the green. I took out my 150 stick, thanks the the tail wind, and popped her right next to the pin which was set front left. A quick 1 putt, and I had just bagged my first birdie of the season.
Number 4 represents a driver opportunity for those who are certain of their ability to work the ball left. At roughly 235 yards, dead center in front of the geen, there is a gigantic "hazardous waste" bunker so full of gourse that a Scotsman would be proud. It is as deep as they get. None the less there is a narrow strip of fairway that runs left of this hazard and up towards the left hand side of the green. Miss this narrow strip and you land in the water on the left. --This "K" stance had me running it up the narrow strip for one of only 1/2 dozen times I've ever pulled that shot off in my life. The ball went left of green and a simple chip seemed to be the order of the day. I went up--got a little too excited, and fluffed the chip to the fringe. One Texas wedge and a one putt later I was marking another par on my card. "This is unfreakin' beleieveable." I'm telling myself as I stride to the longest par 4 on the course.
Number 5 is 467 yards of pure meanness for those lacking a baby draw in the arsenal. On the right runs a nice long body of water--hidden behind a tree line--for the entire length of the hole. On the left is a line of bunkers and trees that warn you that--"A draw is welcome--but a hook ensures a bogey at best." Worse yet--for the first 180 yards on the left hand side runs the same water hazard that was on your right on the previous hole.---"OUCH!" The drive went my way. Baby draw to the left--in the fairway, and well ahead of the first two "sucker bunkers." Too much excitement eventually led to a bogey but it was obvious that this was the new way for me to swing. Hole 6 was a par as were 7 and 8, but all that excitement led to a bogey on number 9. Still--I bagged my best nine ever----37 on a nine w/a par of 35. I was so excited going into the turn that I almost had to go change my underwear.
--And Then--The Meltdown--
With the absolute gut cinch promise of the best round of my life now in front of me--I wanted to make sure I repeated everything about that driver swing that I had on the front nine. Talk about your rookie mistakes! Thus began the meltdown from hell. While I was busy making sure that I had enough back tilt in my right shoulder, and "just enough" forward knee bend, in my right knee--I neglected to recall the fact that trusting all my previous practice rounds and letting the new swing go on auto-pilot is what got me there in the first place.
It started innocently enough w/a strong fade (hidden slice) off the 10th tee box. "Well," says I after a two putt for bogey, "I started the front nine with a bogey, and look how it turned out. "
The next hole was a par 3 which I managed to somehow manage a miracle chip in for par after a lousy tee shot long, and a fluffed first chip. --Sadly,--that was to be the last par of the day.
The next hole was a short par 4 where my mental micro-management led to a blocked shot and a bogey. "Too much knee bend," says Captain Idiot while torpedoing his own game. Next up--a 560 yard par 5. "Oh I better get that knee bend just so, and watch that shoulder tilt. I'm going to need a little more boring trajectory to get that type of yardage." Please don't even remind me of the drive into the woods, the mediocre recovery, yet another fluffed chip, and the resultant triple bogey. Eventually I limped back to the club house from the 18th w/a 45. That gave me an"82" for the round which the unobservant might not think too badly of for a guy who usually cards 85-91. The fact of the matter is that the front nine tells us differently.
Not even the eternal optimist inside of me believes that I could have bagged another 37 on the back nine, yet I am absolutely positive that bagging a 42 was more than within my reach that day. That would have allowed me to card a 77 and resulted in me beating my currently very best round of 78 by a stroke. Once I got back out to the range it was easy to see that the micro-management led to a very exaggerated and unnatural "Inverted K"--which made starting the club head back square or inside, a shaky possibility at best. Lesson learned---once the swing has been grooved--you have to trust it. I had to learn to trust my line on putts to overcome a bad case of the yips--and this is a similar mental process. Trust--it ain't easy--but that's golf.
Till Later,
Bernie
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
"The Inverted K"
Tomorrow marks the first solid test run on a rebuilt stance. Due to age concerns, Arthritis, Bursitis, and all the other "Itis Brothers", I am in the process of relinquishing my much beloved "Reverse C" finish and follow through, and switching to the much easier on the middle-aged joints "Inverted K" adress w/around the body follow through. I have been working on this conversion for several months now, and I am just beginning the process of trying it at full speed. During the experimental stages I had to revert to soft -medium feel 2-piece balls, and give up on my stash of the old 3-piece Bridgestone B330-S balls, in order to keep a respectable distance off the tee w/a slower swing. I have currently regained most of my old swing speed and look forward to what looks like a lot of added distance, a straighter ball flight, and some relief for ye olde Lumbar.
In the meantime, with the recession in full bloom, I realize that there are a bunch of folks out there like me--mid-cappers on a budget, that would do well with good 2 piece balls, at least until we find our real grooves in mid-season. Please no groans or tomatoes from "The Peanut Gallery." Long before there were respectable 3 piece budget balls flooding the market--there were high performance 2-piece balls. Many of the makers are bringing back some old favourites rather than risk building new products and ad campaigns from scratch. I've currently reviewed 2 of the ones I've found to my liking while rebuilding my swing. You'll find full length in depth reviews on the "Nike Power Distance Power Soft", and the newly resurrected Precept EV Extra Spin at http://www.epinions.com/ Simply punch in the names-- and when the reviews come up feel free to read them. Better yet--you may even join.---We can always use good writers there--and who knows. Like me--you could find it to be great fun, and another outlet for your personal Trials, Tribulations, and Victories on the golf course.
Till Later,
Bernie
In the meantime, with the recession in full bloom, I realize that there are a bunch of folks out there like me--mid-cappers on a budget, that would do well with good 2 piece balls, at least until we find our real grooves in mid-season. Please no groans or tomatoes from "The Peanut Gallery." Long before there were respectable 3 piece budget balls flooding the market--there were high performance 2-piece balls. Many of the makers are bringing back some old favourites rather than risk building new products and ad campaigns from scratch. I've currently reviewed 2 of the ones I've found to my liking while rebuilding my swing. You'll find full length in depth reviews on the "Nike Power Distance Power Soft", and the newly resurrected Precept EV Extra Spin at http://www.epinions.com/ Simply punch in the names-- and when the reviews come up feel free to read them. Better yet--you may even join.---We can always use good writers there--and who knows. Like me--you could find it to be great fun, and another outlet for your personal Trials, Tribulations, and Victories on the golf course.
Till Later,
Bernie
Sunday, April 12, 2009
----WELCOME!!!-----
If you are reading this, there's a good chance you read a lot of my reviews on www.epinions.com That is where I post a lot of golf equipment reviews on a fairly regular basis. I feel it is in many a golfer's better interest to get honest opinions from a disinterested 3rd party. Especially if that disinterested 3rd party is like them.
I am your average mid-capper who has a semi-repeatable swing, shoots to a 15, and works constantly to shave a couple of strokes a year off the old score card. This year the dream goal is to break 80 on a semi-regular basis before the season is over. Now that my flexibility is back after a long Winter's Hiatus, it actually looks like it could happen. I'll be happy however, if I get down to 82's on a regular basis for now.
Please feel free to hit the link to epinions and scour my reviews where I post under the monniker Berniez40 . In the meantime I'll be organizing the "Links To The Links" to try and make it easier for you to access opinions on equipment via club type, ball, etc. I'd love for you to come by, leave a friendly post, if so inspired, and wax philosophically in your own right.
All The Best,
Bernie
I am your average mid-capper who has a semi-repeatable swing, shoots to a 15, and works constantly to shave a couple of strokes a year off the old score card. This year the dream goal is to break 80 on a semi-regular basis before the season is over. Now that my flexibility is back after a long Winter's Hiatus, it actually looks like it could happen. I'll be happy however, if I get down to 82's on a regular basis for now.
Please feel free to hit the link to epinions and scour my reviews where I post under the monniker Berniez40 . In the meantime I'll be organizing the "Links To The Links" to try and make it easier for you to access opinions on equipment via club type, ball, etc. I'd love for you to come by, leave a friendly post, if so inspired, and wax philosophically in your own right.
All The Best,
Bernie
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