The Golf Thread - 2017!
Discussion
CVP said:
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
Hi Chris,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
I really like the idea of the single length irons, however what I have seen so far in reviews, suggests that the 4 and 5 iron basically got he same distance.
You'd be much better off going single length up to 5, and then a hybrid imo.
Good luck getting back into this brilliant game
bodhi said:
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...
But mainly I'm feeling happy about it as the clubs I've now got feel so much nicer.I don't have the space or conditions to keep old clubs lying around. In all honesty I don't think I was good enough to play the Pings. When I hit them nicely they were smashing but I feel with these new ones I'll have an increased chance of playing to my handicap (or better) and have an easier time of it in the process.
Have to say the chaps at AG were very good, no pressure selling, no up-selling either. The set I liked the best on a blind test also turned out to be the cheapest by an absolute mile, which was a result. Plus I got back what I paid for the Eyes many years ago.
Can't wait to try them on the first midweek 9-hole knock on Thursday, warming up to a two day jaunt at St Pierre this weekend.
Edited by Blackpuddin on Monday 6th February 15:37
Blackpuddin said:
Interesting thanks Bodhi, in some ways I wish I'd read this before today as yesterday I traded the Eye 2s in for a new set of irons at American Golf! But mainly I'm feeling happy about it as the clubs I've now got feel so much nicer.
I don't have the space or conditions to keep old clubs lying around. In all honesty I don't think I was good enough to play the Pings. When I hit them nicely they were smashing but I feel with these new ones I'll have an increased chance of playing to my handicap (or better) and have an easier time of it in the process.
Have to say the chaps at AG were very good, no pressure selling, no up-selling either. The set I liked the best on a blind test also turned out to be the cheapest by an absolute mile, which was a result. Plus I got back what I paid for the Eyes many years ago.
Can't wait to try them on the first midweek 9-hole knock on Thursday, warming up to a two day jaunt at St Pierre this weekend.
You've gotta tell us what you bought! But mainly I'm feeling happy about it as the clubs I've now got feel so much nicer.I don't have the space or conditions to keep old clubs lying around. In all honesty I don't think I was good enough to play the Pings. When I hit them nicely they were smashing but I feel with these new ones I'll have an increased chance of playing to my handicap (or better) and have an easier time of it in the process.
Have to say the chaps at AG were very good, no pressure selling, no up-selling either. The set I liked the best on a blind test also turned out to be the cheapest by an absolute mile, which was a result. Plus I got back what I paid for the Eyes many years ago.
Can't wait to try them on the first midweek 9-hole knock on Thursday, warming up to a two day jaunt at St Pierre this weekend.
Edited by Blackpuddin on Monday 6th February 15:37
I tried Ping G graphite, Callaway XR, Cleveland 588 MT Face Forged and one other club which I can't remember. Best distance/dispersion was Ping with Clevelands very close, feel of those two was also very similar, both lovely. Pings were approx £550. Clevelands were £149. No brainer really. The Clevelands (which I believe are made by Srixon) were £450 when they came out. AG (Salisbury at least) is doing a special on them. Got £130 in p/ex for the Pings, 3 to SW, so paid £20 for the Clevelands. Kept my Ping 1 iron.
Have bought a Cleveland 588 adjustable driver online to go with them, based on reviews and my experience with the irons. AG doesn't do them, thought it was worth a gamble at £80. They really are amazing value. Now looking for a hybrid to go between that and my 5 wood. Cleveland did a 588 one called a Gliderail which again has been very well reviewed. Not many about online but I've got my sights on an 18 at £40, it's a stiff shaft which is the only thing holding me back but I'm not sure if the difference between regular and stiff is such an issue with hybrids.
Have bought a Cleveland 588 adjustable driver online to go with them, based on reviews and my experience with the irons. AG doesn't do them, thought it was worth a gamble at £80. They really are amazing value. Now looking for a hybrid to go between that and my 5 wood. Cleveland did a 588 one called a Gliderail which again has been very well reviewed. Not many about online but I've got my sights on an 18 at £40, it's a stiff shaft which is the only thing holding me back but I'm not sure if the difference between regular and stiff is such an issue with hybrids.
Edited by Blackpuddin on Monday 6th February 20:50
Blackpuddin said:
I tried Ping G graphite, Callaway XR, Cleveland 588 MT Face Forged and one other club which I can't remember. Best distance/dispersion was Ping with Clevelands very close, feel of those two was also very similar, both lovely. Pings were approx £550. Clevelands were £149. No brainer really. The Clevelands (which I believe are made by Srixon) were £450 when they came out. AG (Salisbury at least) is doing a special on them. Got £130 in p/ex for the Pings, 3 to SW, so paid £20 for the Clevelands. Kept my Ping 1 iron.
Have bought a Cleveland 588 adjustable driver online to go with them, based on reviews and my experience with the irons. AG doesn't do them, thought it was worth a gamble at £80. They really are amazing value. Now looking for a hybrid to go between that and my 5 wood. Cleveland did a 588 one called a Gliderail which again has been very well reviewed. Not many about online but I've got my sights on an 18 at £40, it's a stiff shaft which is the only thing holding me back but I'm not sure if the difference between regular and stiff is such an issue with hybrids.
That's amazing to get them for £20! They look pretty good, I like Cleveland. Get yourself some tasty Cleveland wedges from ebay Have bought a Cleveland 588 adjustable driver online to go with them, based on reviews and my experience with the irons. AG doesn't do them, thought it was worth a gamble at £80. They really are amazing value. Now looking for a hybrid to go between that and my 5 wood. Cleveland did a 588 one called a Gliderail which again has been very well reviewed. Not many about online but I've got my sights on an 18 at £40, it's a stiff shaft which is the only thing holding me back but I'm not sure if the difference between regular and stiff is such an issue with hybrids.
Edited by Blackpuddin on Monday 6th February 20:50
Yes I've been looking at the RTXs, not sure whether to get the cavity back ones or the blades, decisions decisions. Have a random second hand pair at the moment, Ping Gorge 58 and Mizuno Trusty Rusty 59 (good gapping there, hmm!), could do with a 54 at least I guess.
Edited by Blackpuddin on Tuesday 7th February 09:00
Blackpuddin said:
Yes I've been looking at the RTXs, not sure whether to get the cavity back ones or the blades, decisions decisions. Have a random second hand pair at the moment, Ping Gorge 58 and Mizuno Trusty Rusty 59 (good gapping there, hmm!), could do with a 54 at least I guess.
I have an RTX CB 54 which is great, but very heavy swinging compared to my 588TT graphite shafted irons. Not a massive issue, but it took me a while to get used to it. Edited by Blackpuddin on Tuesday 7th February 09:00
It's also very solid feeling and I strongly suspect that the difference between it and the blade variants is cosmetic only.
k
klootzak said:
Blackpuddin said:
Yes I've been looking at the RTXs, not sure whether to get the cavity back ones or the blades, decisions decisions. Have a random second hand pair at the moment, Ping Gorge 58 and Mizuno Trusty Rusty 59 (good gapping there, hmm!), could do with a 54 at least I guess.
I have an RTX CB 54 which is great, but very heavy swinging compared to my 588TT graphite shafted irons. Not a massive issue, but it took me a while to get used to it. Edited by Blackpuddin on Tuesday 7th February 09:00
It's also very solid feeling and I strongly suspect that the difference between it and the blade variants is cosmetic only.
k
Blackpuddin said:
That's good info Klootzak thanks. I think the reason I like the Cleveland 588s is the light shafts which make the heads feel heavy. That gives me confidence to swing slower rather than trying to lash it. Also I'm thinking this would be my primary bunker club. Maybe the weighty feel would suit the bunkers at my club which have a thin layer of very heavy sand on a firm base.
Sound similar to the bunkers where I play, so yes it would probably work well for you. I also find that the heavy feel makes little, quarter-swing chips from around the green a doddle. Just let gravity do the job.The only issue is the difference in feel between the 54 and the TTs. It's not hard to get used to, but if you want (or need) consistency across all your irons you may be better off getting the matching MT DW (50 Degrees I think).
k
Rosscow said:
Tiger pulls out of the next 2 tournaments, citing back injury.
Hmmmm......
I don't know how to feel about Tiger. On one hand it's hard to see someone who was so clearly the best struggle to even swing a club properly. The interview he did with Peter Dawson was a real eye opener, his swing looked extremely wooden and could clearly see he was swinging to protect his back.Hmmmm......
I think he needs to either retire and concentrate on his course designing or at least leave the game for another 12-24 months to fully allow his back to recover.
After a 6 year gap, I finally have a new club... Yesterday I had my induction as an Artisan at New Zealand Golf club in West Byfleet, Surrey after 3.5 years on the waiting list.
It's fabulous course (played it many times with a good friend who's an Artisan), incredible value for money (both subs and bar fees), and a really top bunch of blokes (only 50 members)... just need to get my game up to scratch now.
3 cards due over the coming weeks *gulp*
It's fabulous course (played it many times with a good friend who's an Artisan), incredible value for money (both subs and bar fees), and a really top bunch of blokes (only 50 members)... just need to get my game up to scratch now.
3 cards due over the coming weeks *gulp*
Chris Stott said:
After a 6 year gap, I finally have a new club... Yesterday I had my induction as an Artisan at New Zealand Golf club in West Byfleet, Surrey after 3.5 years on the waiting list.
It's fabulous course (played it many times with a good friend who's an Artisan), incredible value for money (both subs and bar fees), and a really top bunch of blokes (only 50 members)... just need to get my game up to scratch now.
3 cards due over the coming weeks *gulp*
Wow, looks like a great place to play! It's fabulous course (played it many times with a good friend who's an Artisan), incredible value for money (both subs and bar fees), and a really top bunch of blokes (only 50 members)... just need to get my game up to scratch now.
3 cards due over the coming weeks *gulp*
Good luck with the 3 card
When you said New Zealand club, I thought oh great, you can get a game with Cheddar
Chris Stott said:
After a 6 year gap, I finally have a new club... Yesterday I had my induction as an Artisan at New Zealand Golf club in West Byfleet, Surrey after 3.5 years on the waiting list.
It's fabulous course (played it many times with a good friend who's an Artisan), incredible value for money (both subs and bar fees), and a really top bunch of blokes (only 50 members)... just need to get my game up to scratch now.
3 cards due over the coming weeks *gulp*
Welcome to Artisan Golf! You just can't beat it!! I'm an Artisan member at Rye Golf Club.It's fabulous course (played it many times with a good friend who's an Artisan), incredible value for money (both subs and bar fees), and a really top bunch of blokes (only 50 members)... just need to get my game up to scratch now.
3 cards due over the coming weeks *gulp*
As you say, incredible value. Cheap golf, cheap beer. We have 80 members (although ours are split over 2 courses).
Out of interest, what do you pay per year and what work do you have to do on the course?
DuncanM said:
Wow, looks like a great place to play!
It's a fantastic course - and a proper old school golf club. It's not long at c.6,000 yards, but only par 68. Pretty testing - Narrowish fairways, 10 yards of heather, then forest on most holes... can be a real ball eater if you have a bad day off the tee!Rosscow said:
Welcome to Artisan Golf! You just can't beat it!! I'm an Artisan member at Rye Golf Club.
As you say, incredible value. Cheap golf, cheap beer. We have 80 members (although ours are split over 2 courses).
Out of interest, what do you pay per year and what work do you have to do on the course?
Is there a secret Artisan handshake? As you say, incredible value. Cheap golf, cheap beer. We have 80 members (although ours are split over 2 courses).
Out of interest, what do you pay per year and what work do you have to do on the course?
Around £500. Duties are 2hrs of divotting and removing saplings from the heather every couple couple of weeks from April to September. My last club was Foxhills, and I was paying nearly £2.8k there over 5 years ago (and £5 a pint!)... so even though it's restricted playing, it's amazing VFM.
We also get to play some fabulous courses in Artisan club matches - most of the old/famous Surrey courses are on the rotation.
Been a long wait to get in, but I'm finally in and obviously chuffed to bits
Chris Stott said:
DuncanM said:
Wow, looks like a great place to play!
It's a fantastic course - and a proper old school golf club. It's not long at c.6,000 yards, but only par 68. Pretty testing - Narrowish fairways, 10 yards of heather, then forest on most holes... can be a real ball eater if you have a bad day off the tee!Rosscow said:
Welcome to Artisan Golf! You just can't beat it!! I'm an Artisan member at Rye Golf Club.
As you say, incredible value. Cheap golf, cheap beer. We have 80 members (although ours are split over 2 courses).
Out of interest, what do you pay per year and what work do you have to do on the course?
Is there a secret Artisan handshake? As you say, incredible value. Cheap golf, cheap beer. We have 80 members (although ours are split over 2 courses).
Out of interest, what do you pay per year and what work do you have to do on the course?
Around £500. Duties are 2hrs of divotting and removing saplings from the heather every couple couple of weeks from April to September. My last club was Foxhills, and I was paying nearly £2.8k there over 5 years ago (and £5 a pint!)... so even though it's restricted playing, it's amazing VFM.
We also get to play some fabulous courses in Artisan club matches - most of the old/famous Surrey courses are on the rotation.
Been a long wait to get in, but I'm finally in and obviously chuffed to bits
Yeah that's really good - we have to divot the fairways but we are split into 4 groups and each group does it 3 times a year. Only takes a couple of hours each time so nothing really.
Foxhills is nice - do you know Roger Hyder? He used to be the Golf manager there. Lovely guy. But like you say - £2800 a year is just crazy money!
We also get to play some lovely courses for our matches - Royal St. Georges, Royal Ashdown Forest, Littlestone, Royal Blackheath, etc.
We're extra lucky as there are no playing restrictions on the Jubilee course, so we can actually play golf whenever we like.
Old Course has restrictions but they're not too bad really - Through the turn by 9.30am and off the course by 11, we can tee off between 12 and 1pm and then anytime after 4pm.
You've joined a very select and lucky few - well done!!
Rosscow said:
Haha, no secret handshake that I've discovered yet!!
Yeah that's really good - we have to divot the fairways but we are split into 4 groups and each group does it 3 times a year. Only takes a couple of hours each time so nothing really.
Foxhills is nice - do you know Roger Hyder? He used to be the Golf manager there. Lovely guy. But like you say - £2800 a year is just crazy money!
We also get to play some lovely courses for our matches - Royal St. Georges, Royal Ashdown Forest, Littlestone, Royal Blackheath, etc.
We're extra lucky as there are no playing restrictions on the Jubilee course, so we can actually play golf whenever we like.
Old Course has restrictions but they're not too bad really - Through the turn by 9.30am and off the course by 11, we can tee off between 12 and 1pm and then anytime after 4pm.
You've joined a very select and lucky few - well done!!
As I understand it from my induction, we are teams of 3 for each hole (ex par 3's)... and we do a couple of hours every 2 weeks one evening in the week... it's a bit of a social with a few beers after.Yeah that's really good - we have to divot the fairways but we are split into 4 groups and each group does it 3 times a year. Only takes a couple of hours each time so nothing really.
Foxhills is nice - do you know Roger Hyder? He used to be the Golf manager there. Lovely guy. But like you say - £2800 a year is just crazy money!
We also get to play some lovely courses for our matches - Royal St. Georges, Royal Ashdown Forest, Littlestone, Royal Blackheath, etc.
We're extra lucky as there are no playing restrictions on the Jubilee course, so we can actually play golf whenever we like.
Old Course has restrictions but they're not too bad really - Through the turn by 9.30am and off the course by 11, we can tee off between 12 and 1pm and then anytime after 4pm.
You've joined a very select and lucky few - well done!!
I know (knew) Roger - he was Golf Director when I was there. I enjoyed my time at Foxhills as I played in a Swindle with a great group of guys, and I still think Longcross is one of the best courses I've played. But Foxhills isn't a golf club, it's a Country Club, and I always found it frustrating when we came in from a round at 12ish and couldn't get a seat in the bar as it was full of 'ladies that lunch' from the tennis club or gym.
I'd probably still be there but for a shoulder injury that stopped me playing for a couple of years (and ultimately ended up with me having surgery and a long lay off golf).
Our inter-club matches are like a who's who of famous courses - Swinley, St Georges Hill, the 3 W's, etc. I've played most of these in the past, but now I'll get to play them more
Our restrictions are off the 1st tee by 8.30, off the course by 11 on weekends... I don't mind this as I like to get out early and get back. Week days are much less restrictive, and there's a roll-up on a Monday with fish and chips.
Have had some vouchers through for everyone's favourite golf Discount retailer - got around £150 so looking to finally replace my slightly tired looking bag. I would normally go for the lightest Nike Carry Bag I could find, but obviously with them pulling out I have to look elsewhere. Think I have it down to 2, am looking at:
Sun Mountain - http://www.americangolf.co.uk/gps-bags-equipment/c...
(Although the one they had in store was the 4.5, same bag but with a 14 way divider, same price though.
Ping - http://www.americangolf.co.uk/gps-bags-equipment/c...
Anyone used either, or have anything else worth looking at? Only list of requirements I can think of are:
- Lightweight
- Dual Strap
- Carry bag
- Blue preferred
- Can be bought through American Golf.
Sun Mountain - http://www.americangolf.co.uk/gps-bags-equipment/c...
(Although the one they had in store was the 4.5, same bag but with a 14 way divider, same price though.
Ping - http://www.americangolf.co.uk/gps-bags-equipment/c...
Anyone used either, or have anything else worth looking at? Only list of requirements I can think of are:
- Lightweight
- Dual Strap
- Carry bag
- Blue preferred
- Can be bought through American Golf.
Rosscow said:
I love Sun Mountain gear and their bags/trolleys are always top of the list for me.
Have had the Sun Mountain tour bag and V1 Speed Cart for over 3 years and still works well and looks great.
This was my thinking as my last non-Nike bag I got on really well with was from Sun Mountain, so I am now the proud owner of a Sun Mountain Four 5 bag in blue. Have had the Sun Mountain tour bag and V1 Speed Cart for over 3 years and still works well and looks great.
Compared it in store to the Hoofer - the Hoofer was noticably heavier, yet smaller at the same time.
I also noticed in store they had a set of Nike Vapor Pro Combos up at £349, down from £699. Soo tempting, but a) I'm getting married this year and I would be murdered for spending that on clubs b) the long irons looked a bit chunky for my liking. So will wait for after the wedding, there seem to be a few sets of the Vapor Pros (the bladed ones) on Golfbidder, so will invest then.
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