The Golf Thread - 2016!
Discussion
SpeckledJim said:
It's all a bloody swizz.
Just so that someone testing a new set notices the 7 iron goes 5 yards further than his existing one and thinks that is in some way 'better'.
Daft.
Precisely. When I went to try to get my existing irons adjusted the chap dealing with me brought out a Ping 7-iron, and smugly pointed out how far further it went than my existing 7-iron. I then got my 6-iron out and hit it just as far, with a nicer flight and shed loads more feel. Just so that someone testing a new set notices the 7 iron goes 5 yards further than his existing one and thinks that is in some way 'better'.
Daft.
With my irons, I find consistency of distance to be far more important - with my current set, I know a well hit 6-iron will go about 165 yards in still conditions, so can work around that. If one goes 165 and the next goes 180, then that is going to cause some issues imo.
bodhi said:
SpeckledJim said:
It's all a bloody swizz.
Just so that someone testing a new set notices the 7 iron goes 5 yards further than his existing one and thinks that is in some way 'better'.
Daft.
Precisely. When I went to try to get my existing irons adjusted the chap dealing with me brought out a Ping 7-iron, and smugly pointed out how far further it went than my existing 7-iron. I then got my 6-iron out and hit it just as far, with a nicer flight and shed loads more feel. Just so that someone testing a new set notices the 7 iron goes 5 yards further than his existing one and thinks that is in some way 'better'.
Daft.
With my irons, I find consistency of distance to be far more important - with my current set, I know a well hit 6-iron will go about 165 yards in still conditions, so can work around that. If one goes 165 and the next goes 180, then that is going to cause some issues imo.
bodhi said:
Just been into American Golf to order another wedge (gone for the 50 degree Engage Square to replace my PW) and we got onto the discussion of club lofts (as you do), and he mentioned something I frankly couldn't believe. He was quite shocked that the 50 was to replace my PW, as apparently, on a modern set, the PW is closer to 43 degrees, opposed to the 49 of my current one.
43 degrees??? On a bloody Pitching Wedge?
No wonder the pros are hitting 5 irons around 220 yards, it's because their 5 iron is what I would term a 3 iron......
Tour pros won't be using clubs with lofts anything like your average club amateur. They'll more than likely be using lofts much closer to what people might consider "traditional". Not all of them but mostly. Jordan spieth uses cavity back titliest AP2 irons that are a little stronger lofted, but not as much as my AP1s. What i don't know is whether he's had those irons bent to a different loft to suit his game. 43 degrees??? On a bloody Pitching Wedge?
No wonder the pros are hitting 5 irons around 220 yards, it's because their 5 iron is what I would term a 3 iron......
I remember reading about Darren Clarke bring asked what lift his 7 iron is. His reply..."I don't care. It goes 195 yards."
It's also a lot to do with how high today's game improvement irons launch. A really forgiving iron with most of the weight low in the club head tends to launch higher than a bladed club with the CoG more on the club face. Because of that manufacturers have been able to strengthen lofts and still maintain a usable ball flight. Looking at how high players like Jason day hit the ball, I can't imagine how high he'd hit a set of Ping G irons!
Where it becomes a bit of a con is when manufacturers gradually strengthen the loft of newer versions of the same club and then market them as "our longest irons ever!!!!!". Well, duh! Taylormade are particularly bad for marketing tactics like this.
It's even worse with drivers. Most drivers have been maxed out for ages. The limits to which they can be manufactured haven't changed in forever. Callaway are always claiming "OUR HOTTEST FACE EVER!!!". in a way they're not lying, because the limit for a driver face has been a 0.83 coefficient of restitution for ages. It's just a bit misleading for the uninitiated.
If you buy a new driver and it goes further, then it fits your swing better. They haven't magically found a way to make a new driver built to the same specs go further.
Played a lovely course last night.
Morley Hayes just outside Derby.
Really good looking course.
Tricky too.
Only £16 on the twighlight deal.
www.morleyhayes.com/golf/
Morley Hayes just outside Derby.
Really good looking course.
Tricky too.
Only £16 on the twighlight deal.
www.morleyhayes.com/golf/
Abbott said:
It is always beyond me why fellow players sometimes ask what did you take. As you say, I know how far I usually hit each of my clubs and that has no relationship to how anyone else might hit thiers.
I understand why my regular weekend playing partner asks. He's generally 2 clubs shorter than me, so if I've just hit an 8 iron pin high, he knows a 6 iron is the right club.Why anyone who doesn't know how their yardages compare to yours would ask you is just a mystery.
Dan_1981 said:
Played a lovely course last night.
Morley Hayes just outside Derby.
Really good looking course.
Tricky too.
Only £16 on the twighlight deal.
www.morleyhayes.com/golf/
I played there back in April. It was wet as you like! Can imagine it being nice in the summer.Morley Hayes just outside Derby.
Really good looking course.
Tricky too.
Only £16 on the twighlight deal.
www.morleyhayes.com/golf/
Rosscow said:
Dan_1981 said:
Played a lovely course last night.
Morley Hayes just outside Derby.
Really good looking course.
Tricky too.
Only £16 on the twighlight deal.
www.morleyhayes.com/golf/
I played there back in April. It was wet as you like! Can imagine it being nice in the summer.Morley Hayes just outside Derby.
Really good looking course.
Tricky too.
Only £16 on the twighlight deal.
www.morleyhayes.com/golf/
Except for the numerous lakes & ponds.....
Only spot of boggyness was near the 10th(?) green - a pond seperates the two greens - think it's the 10th & 17th.
Other than that it was lovely.
Whether you love him or hate him, I thought it would be worth mentioning that Youtube golf guru Mark Crossfield has now made it on to the TV! 'Golf Juice' starts Sunday at 2 pm on one of the Sky Sports channels. I'll be setting the planner* to record it to see what it's like.
- Can't watch live because the British GP will be on.....this is still Pistonheads after all!
boxsey said:
Whether you love him or hate him, I thought it would be worth mentioning that Youtube golf guru Mark Crossfield has now made it on to the TV! 'Golf Juice' starts Sunday at 2 pm on one of the Sky Sports channels. I'll be setting the planner* to record it to see what it's like.
I saw that. Great to see that we finally have a show to mirror the US (albeit with a british take). I thought it started yesterday? I'll definitely be recording. I actually find him and lockey a great double act! Have been following them for a while now, so good to see their hard work has paid off! - Can't watch live because the British GP will be on.....this is still Pistonheads after all!
HaplessBoyLard said:
Tour pros won't be using clubs with lofts anything like your average club amateur. They'll more than likely be using lofts much closer to what people might consider "traditional". Not all of them but mostly. Jordan spieth uses cavity back titliest AP2 irons that are a little stronger lofted, but not as much as my AP1s. What i don't know is whether he's had those irons bent to a different loft to suit his game.
I remember reading about Darren Clarke bring asked what lift his 7 iron is. His reply..."I don't care. It goes 195 yards."
It's also a lot to do with how high today's game improvement irons launch. A really forgiving iron with most of the weight low in the club head tends to launch higher than a bladed club with the CoG more on the club face. Because of that manufacturers have been able to strengthen lofts and still maintain a usable ball flight. Looking at how high players like Jason day hit the ball, I can't imagine how high he'd hit a set of Ping G irons!
Where it becomes a bit of a con is when manufacturers gradually strengthen the loft of newer versions of the same club and then market them as "our longest irons ever!!!!!". Well, duh! Taylormade are particularly bad for marketing tactics like this.
It's even worse with drivers. Most drivers have been maxed out for ages. The limits to which they can be manufactured haven't changed in forever. Callaway are always claiming "OUR HOTTEST FACE EVER!!!". in a way they're not lying, because the limit for a driver face has been a 0.83 coefficient of restitution for ages. It's just a bit misleading for the uninitiated.
If you buy a new driver and it goes further, then it fits your swing better. They haven't magically found a way to make a new driver built to the same specs go further.
That would also explain why when I go away and have to use rental clubs, and end up with Taylor Mades, I spend the first 6 holes sending my approach shots 30 yards through the green....I remember reading about Darren Clarke bring asked what lift his 7 iron is. His reply..."I don't care. It goes 195 yards."
It's also a lot to do with how high today's game improvement irons launch. A really forgiving iron with most of the weight low in the club head tends to launch higher than a bladed club with the CoG more on the club face. Because of that manufacturers have been able to strengthen lofts and still maintain a usable ball flight. Looking at how high players like Jason day hit the ball, I can't imagine how high he'd hit a set of Ping G irons!
Where it becomes a bit of a con is when manufacturers gradually strengthen the loft of newer versions of the same club and then market them as "our longest irons ever!!!!!". Well, duh! Taylormade are particularly bad for marketing tactics like this.
It's even worse with drivers. Most drivers have been maxed out for ages. The limits to which they can be manufactured haven't changed in forever. Callaway are always claiming "OUR HOTTEST FACE EVER!!!". in a way they're not lying, because the limit for a driver face has been a 0.83 coefficient of restitution for ages. It's just a bit misleading for the uninitiated.
If you buy a new driver and it goes further, then it fits your swing better. They haven't magically found a way to make a new driver built to the same specs go further.
Anyway we have our Club Championship at the weekend, can't say I'm too confident as I haven't broken 80 in a medal this year, and the guy who plays off 2 is normally a shoe in for it, but lets see how we go. Went up the range last night and just about every shot went exactly where I wanted it, so let's see.
Took my dad out for a round on Saturday, glorious day, albeit a bit windy. Didn't play too well but reminded me why i love the game, we don't often get to do 18 holes together and the joy he got from playing together was obvious, he didn't stop smiling all day! It probably helped he had quite a good round!
kentlad said:
I saw that. Great to see that we finally have a show to mirror the US (albeit with a british take). I thought it started yesterday? I'll definitely be recording. I actually find him and lockey a great double act! Have been following them for a while now, so good to see their hard work has paid off!
Well, after looking forward to it, I found it a bit disappointing and was amazed how quiet MC was for him!Anyway, now looking forward to the main event this week....the Open!
Can't pick a winner but Garcia, Lowry and Grace are my top three for a top 5 place.
boxsey said:
Well, after looking forward to it, I found it a bit disappointing and was amazed how quiet MC was for him!
Anyway, now looking forward to the main event this week....the Open!
Can't pick a winner but Garcia, Lowry and Grace are my top three for a top 5 place.
I know what you mean. Maybe he'll grow into the show as it progresses. Anyway, now looking forward to the main event this week....the Open!
Can't pick a winner but Garcia, Lowry and Grace are my top three for a top 5 place.
Can't wait for the Open to start. I was at St Andrews for the Friday last year. Cracking day! Saw Tom Watson play his final open and saw Faldo make birdie on the 17th!
I'm going for Stenson to finally nab his first major. Have a feeling, this could be his tournament!
Got any tips for spectating Kentlad? I'm off to Troon this Sunday, tickets and parking all sorted.
I've no idea what to expect really, is it best to just move around the various different grandstands or can you see some action watching from the ground? Should we pick a group and try and follow them or just stay put and wait for a few groups to pass through?
Really looking forward to it now, praying to the Sun gods for no rain though
I've no idea what to expect really, is it best to just move around the various different grandstands or can you see some action watching from the ground? Should we pick a group and try and follow them or just stay put and wait for a few groups to pass through?
Really looking forward to it now, praying to the Sun gods for no rain though
Blaster72 said:
Got any tips for spectating Kentlad? I'm off to Troon this Sunday, tickets and parking all sorted.
I've no idea what to expect really, is it best to just move around the various different grandstands or can you see some action watching from the ground? Should we pick a group and try and follow them or just stay put and wait for a few groups to pass through?
Really looking forward to it now, praying to the Sun gods for no rain though
We wandered around aimlessly until the groups we wanted to see played, then we picked a spot which we could see the most amount of holes from and watched from there. St Andrews is an awful course to spectate on, somehow i think Troon might be slightly better. I'd pick a par 3 close to a par 4/5, that way you'll hopefully see a variety of different shots and should see a few birdies. Definitely don't stay in one place all day though, go and see the course and try and time it with groups you want to see! Hope the weather is good for you!I've no idea what to expect really, is it best to just move around the various different grandstands or can you see some action watching from the ground? Should we pick a group and try and follow them or just stay put and wait for a few groups to pass through?
Really looking forward to it now, praying to the Sun gods for no rain though
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