The Golf Thread - 2017!

[kentlad]

I'm in for the Shire!

[bodhi]

Sign me up as well!

[Dislip2001]

That's great guys , let's see if we can anymore takers and try and arrange a date that suits everyone ( that could be the tough bit ) but we've got a while and I think it would be best to wait until the traditional hollow tinings done and the greens are running nicely . We never play on temporary greens or mats which I think speaks volumes for the condition of the course and the greens are sand based which means they drain well , and can get quick in the summer I could even ask the owner if they could iron the greens before we play to make them super quick , come on guys and girls let's see if we can get some more and make it a great day of summers golf cheers in advance, be in touch Craig

[GTO-3R]

Tried this little number out last night with varying shafts. It really is epic





Was getting a far better flight than my current driver and off centre hits still went well. Going to have a dabble with an M2 to compare but I can't see how it will be better than this tbh.

[rsbmw]

At £400+ I'd hope it's good!

[bodhi]

For that price I'd also hope they'd put the head on the shaft the right way round

[GTO-3R]

bodhi said:

For that price I'd also hope they'd put the head on the shaft the right way round

A very good mate is a Callaway dealer so I wont be paying near the retail cost fortunately!!!!

[bodhi]

Although if you look at the price in the context of the original Great Big Bertha, which was £500 iirc, they're fairly reasonable

Will be very interested to hear how you get on, what's your current driver? And is that the Sub Zero or the "regular"?

[Blaster72]

That's a sub zero in his photos (it's on the shaft sticker).

Edited by Blaster72 on Thursday 2nd February 19:21

[GTO-3R]

bodhi said:

Although if you look at the price in the context of the original Great Big Bertha, which was £500 iirc, they're fairly reasonable

Will be very interested to hear how you get on, what's your current driver? And is that the Sub Zero or the "regular"?

My current driver is the Razr Fit Xtreme like this one...



It's got a stock S flex shaft which feels a bit like a fishing rod but goes ok. The new Epic is on a different level completely. It was the sub zero I tried and will be taking on the course on Sat so will know more then

[Rosscow]

Tiger withdraws with back spasms.

The big comeback is never going to happen I'm afraid.

[DuncanM]

Rosscow said:

Tiger withdraws with back spasms.

The big comeback is never going to happen I'm afraid.

I don't want to believe this, but

[SpeckledJim]

DuncanM said:

Rosscow said:

Tiger withdraws with back spasms.

The big comeback is never going to happen I'm afraid.

I don't want to believe this, but

It was always a fairy tale. The game has moved on, and with his lost momentum and physical frailty, it was never really on.

Shades of Schumacher's ill-advised return to F1.

[DuncanM]

SpeckledJim said:

DuncanM said:

Rosscow said:

Tiger withdraws with back spasms.

The big comeback is never going to happen I'm afraid.

I don't want to believe this, but

It was always a fairy tale. The game has moved on, and with his lost momentum and physical frailty, it was never really on.

Shades of Schumacher's ill-advised return to F1.

He's changed his swing to alleviate pressure on his back, it's a real shame because he still has so much talent.

[bodhi]

Rosscow said:

Tiger withdraws with back spasms.

The big comeback is never going to happen I'm afraid.

I agree it isn't looking too great, but it is still early, and if anyone can do it it is probably Tiger, so hope he carries on with it. I'm not optimistic at this stage, but I do genuinely think he has at least 1 major left in him if he can get on top of his game again.

As an aside, thought I'd share my new driver Won't outperform an Epic or M1 (or even my old Covert), but feels better than all of them, and puts am impressive amount of topspin on the ball. Wouldn't carry it all the time, but may come out in summer when the fairways are really running.




The 90's Boron (!!!) shaft means it is interesting keeping it straight, it has got me thinking about putting together a "Classic" bag however. Already have this and an original TaylorMade Burner and a Wilson 8802, add in a set of TP-9's or Hogan Apex and I reckon that could be quite a large amount of fun

[Blackpuddin]

Does anybody know anything about Callaway X Series N416 irons? Club shop guy is trying to interest me in a set at £329 to replace my old Ping Eye 2s. He showed me the difference in shaft flexiness. I had no idea my Pings were particularly stiff but apparently they are compared to modern clubs. At last an excuse for being rubbish! But he was pretty positive on the Callaways, reckoned they would seem like child's play for me after the Pings, which sounds appealing I must admit. I can't find any reviews online, they're quite new he says? I play off 17.

[bodhi]

Blackpuddin said:

Does anybody know anything about Callaway X Series N416 irons? Club shop guy is trying to interest me in a set at £329 to replace my old Ping Eye 2s. He showed me the difference in shaft flexiness. I had no idea my Pings were particularly stiff but apparently they are compared to modern clubs. At last an excuse for being rubbish! But he was pretty positive on the Callaways, reckoned they would seem like child's play for me after the Pings, which sounds appealing I must admit. I can't find any reviews online, they're quite new he says? I play off 17.

First of all I wouldn't be too swayed by the price, as a quick Google shows many places offering them for the same price. However, if it's your local pro he should be able to let you try them first?

Eye 2's were brilliant irons - I had a set of the copper ones - and the head design would probably pass mustard in 2017, but shaft Technology has moved on a long way since 1996, so the Callaways are definitely worth trying.

Just hang on to your Eye 2's, as their value will go up. They are getting a following already...

[HaplessBoyLard]

Personally I'd be wary of anyone pushing a particular set of clubs.

If you play off 17, you're in the handicap range where I'd say its worth getting fitted for a set of irons.

Go to a local pro who specialises in fitting and stocks various manufacturers.

It'll probably cost a few quid for the fitting, and you might end up preferring a set of clubs that cost a bit more, but once you're done you shouldn't need to change those clubs for 10 years plus.

It's well worth it.

[bodhi]

Well we managed to get a game of golf in on our annual trip to Santa Barbara, played the Sandpiper (https://www.sandpipergolf.com/) this morning and had a thoroughly excellent day. Conditions were perfect for golf - not too warm, no wind and a little overcast. They've has a few downpours recently so the course was a bit wet in places, but nothing compared to what we're used to at this time of year back in Blighty.

First experience of a US links course, and whilst it didn't really compare to St Andrews etc, it was a lovely course with impossibly hard greens (around 11 on the stent - downhill putts tended to run off the green if you hit them slightly too hard), good rental clubs too. All very recent Titleists (915 Driver, AP2's etc) with proper shafts - they haven't convinced me to get rid of the Blades, but I may look at a 917 when I get back, as it was one of my best days off the tee in a while.
Ended up with an 82 - with 6 3 putts.....

[CVP]

Has anyone tried the Cobra or Sterling single length irons yet? I must admit I am intrigued and will definitely be giving them a try.

I re-started playing last summer having had a not insubstantial near 20 year layoff (used to play off 9) when life and finances kind of got in the way. I'm enjoying it immensely now and just need to get out there and make some decent scores.

For once I did the sensible thing and thought after such a long time, some lessons might be a good idea. Seeing yourself on video for the first time is quite horrific. What you thought was a half reasonable swing looks like someone gave an overactive orangutan a golf club for the first time! Been working with Ian Clark down in New Malden for quite a few sessions now and the swing is definitely improving to a reasonable standard but consistency of strike with the 4 iron is still something that annoys me and hence am going to give the single length a whirl to see what they are like at the long end of the bag.

Chris