Golf - 2021

[bodhi]

kiethton said:

Thoughts turn to the return and the set of irons I plan on upgrading....

I'm watching youtube videos/reading reviews and going around in circles. I play off a 7 handicap (5.2 index) and need an upgrade as I'm currently playing with a set of hand-me-down 2014 AP2's, built to my brother's spec.

Currently being torn in multiple directions but thinking of either:

Srixon ZX7's (perhaps ZX5's with higher irons)

Mizuno 921 (likely the forged)

Mizuno MP20 (likely the HMB's)

Ball striking has always been quite good (played with titlist X-blend before the AP2's) - issue I have is ballooning/high ball flight which is a bugger into wind. I no only play for fun a few times a week, want a good blend of feel and forgiveness - I don't care too much for distance and would prefer more traditional lofts......

Any thoughts on the above options?

Of those I would be looking at the Srixon's first to be honest, getting some cracking reviews and they have always made a quality iron - great feel, and usually quite low spin which will help the ballooning issue. Put them together with a low spin shaft like the C-Taper, you should see some pretty impressive results imo.

I am actually considering getting myself a new 4 iron to use off the tee on tight par 4's, the ZX7 is one I've been looking at. Also considering the TM P770 and Titleist T100S, both of which are also supposed to be excellent.

[CustardOnChips]

bodhi said:

kiethton said:

Thoughts turn to the return and the set of irons I plan on upgrading....

I'm watching youtube videos/reading reviews and going around in circles. I play off a 7 handicap (5.2 index) and need an upgrade as I'm currently playing with a set of hand-me-down 2014 AP2's, built to my brother's spec.

Currently being torn in multiple directions but thinking of either:

Srixon ZX7's (perhaps ZX5's with higher irons)

Mizuno 921 (likely the forged)

Mizuno MP20 (likely the HMB's)

Ball striking has always been quite good (played with titlist X-blend before the AP2's) - issue I have is ballooning/high ball flight which is a bugger into wind. I no only play for fun a few times a week, want a good blend of feel and forgiveness - I don't care too much for distance and would prefer more traditional lofts......

Any thoughts on the above options?

Of those I would be looking at the Srixon's first to be honest, getting some cracking reviews and they have always made a quality iron - great feel, and usually quite low spin which will help the ballooning issue. Put them together with a low spin shaft like the C-Taper, you should see some pretty impressive results imo.

I am actually considering getting myself a new 4 iron to use off the tee on tight par 4's, the ZX7 is one I've been looking at. Also considering the TM P770 and Titleist T100S, both of which are also supposed to be excellent.

I got a ping G400 4 iron. Its so easy to hit. In loft terms its a 3 iron, almost 2 iron in old money. I get a nice mid flight with a great trajectory from it.

I tried the driving iron tyle clubs and can't get on with them off the deck.

My next club up is then a 3 hybrid with the loft knocked down to 17*

Edited by CustardOnChips on Thursday 4th March 13:58

[kiethton]

Fitting booked - went with the Gatwick Golf Stidio in the end, far more reasonably priced and seem to do all that the others do for a fraction of the cost (£100) - a little more conveniently located too

[bodhi]

CustardOnChips said:

I got a ping G400 4 iron. Its so easy to hit. In loft terms its a 3 iron, almost 2 iron in old money. I get a nice mid flight with a great trajectory from it.

I tried the driving iron tyle clubs and can't get on with them off the deck.

My next club up is then a 3 hybrid with the loft knocked down to 17*

Edited by CustardOnChips on Thursday 4th March 13:58

I've found the same with Driving Irons, great off the tee but not so much off the deck, and one thing I really hate to see is offset. I've used blades on and off since I started playing in the 80s when there wasn't much else, so it's not really something I've ever managed to get used to.

I've had a look at the P770 in American Golf and it definitely looks like something I can get used to, and from reviews the performance looks pretty good - it's just finding somewhere that will let me try just the 4 iron.

[fourstardan]

I do like the Srixon irons, not sure if they are forged?

[bodhi]

fourstardan said:

I do like the Srixon irons, not sure if they are forged?

Yep forged in Japan. Criminally underrated brand imo, the Drivers aren't the best but the irons are fantastic, am seriously considering a set when I come to replace my Nikes.

[CustardOnChips]

bodhi said:

fourstardan said:

I do like the Srixon irons, not sure if they are forged?

Yep forged in Japan. Criminally underrated brand imo, the Drivers aren't the best but the irons are fantastic, am seriously considering a set when I come to replace my Nikes.

If I hadn't recently bought some new Pings I'd be all over a set of Srixons. That and I'm awful and need all the help my G400s give me.

[Rosscow]

kiethton said:

Thoughts turn to the return and the set of irons I plan on upgrading....

I'm watching youtube videos/reading reviews and going around in circles. I play off a 7 handicap (5.2 index) and need an upgrade as I'm currently playing with a set of hand-me-down 2014 AP2's, built to my brother's spec.

Currently being torn in multiple directions but thinking of either:

Srixon ZX7's (perhaps ZX5's with higher irons)

Mizuno 921 (likely the forged)

Mizuno MP20 (likely the HMB's)

Ball striking has always been quite good (played with titlist X-blend before the AP2's) - issue I have is ballooning/high ball flight which is a bugger into wind. I no only play for fun a few times a week, want a good blend of feel and forgiveness - I don't care too much for distance and would prefer more traditional lofts......

Any thoughts on the above options?

I tried the Srixon Z785's before I went for the MP20 MMC. They were very very good, but the Mizuno just had the edge for me.

Out of interest I didn't like the MP20 HMB as much - just didn't have the feel IMO.

[kiethton]

Rosscow said:

kiethton said:

Thoughts turn to the return and the set of irons I plan on upgrading....

I'm watching youtube videos/reading reviews and going around in circles. I play off a 7 handicap (5.2 index) and need an upgrade as I'm currently playing with a set of hand-me-down 2014 AP2's, built to my brother's spec.

Currently being torn in multiple directions but thinking of either:

Srixon ZX7's (perhaps ZX5's with higher irons)

Mizuno 921 (likely the forged)

Mizuno MP20 (likely the HMB's)

Ball striking has always been quite good (played with titlist X-blend before the AP2's) - issue I have is ballooning/high ball flight which is a bugger into wind. I no only play for fun a few times a week, want a good blend of feel and forgiveness - I don't care too much for distance and would prefer more traditional lofts......

Any thoughts on the above options?

I tried the Srixon Z785's before I went for the MP20 MMC. They were very very good, but the Mizuno just had the edge for me.

Out of interest I didn't like the MP20 HMB as much - just didn't have the feel IMO.

Interesting, thanks - this is all from youtube viewing - haven't worked in the sector for 12 years now (uni job at whats now American Golf) and everything has really moved on!

Would add that its not just the irons - my current gapping is awful - lofts go:

9* Driver
13* 3-wood
21* hybrid
24* 4 iron

so have a big gap at the top and 3 wedges.....

Hoping to also get the shaft in my new-ish mavrik checked as a new shaft is a whole lot cheaper than a whole new club!

[Rosscow]

kiethton said:

Interesting, thanks - this is all from youtube viewing - haven't worked in the sector for 12 years now (uni job at whats now American Golf) and everything has really moved on!

Would add that its not just the irons - my current gapping is awful - lofts go:

9* Driver
13* 3-wood
21* hybrid
24* 4 iron

so have a big gap at the top and 3 wedges.....

Hoping to also get the shaft in my new-ish mavrik checked as a new shaft is a whole lot cheaper than a whole new club!

My current bag:

9* driver (ST200 G)
15* 3 wood (ST200)
18* 3 hybrid (Ping G)
22* 4 (MP20 MMC irons)
25* 5
28* 6
32* 7
36* 8
41* 9
46* PW
50* GW (7* bounce) (T20 wedges)
54* SW (8* bounce)
58* LW (4* bounce)

The only one I'm not that happy with now is the 3 hybrid, I'll probably swap that for an ST 5 wood (the ST200 3 wood is unreal!).

[bodhi]

Rosscow said:

My current bag:

9* driver (ST220 G)
15* 3 wood (ST220)
18* 3 hybrid (Ping G)
22* 4 (MP20 MMC irons)
25* 5
28* 6
32* 7
36* 8
41* 9
46* PW
50* GW (7* bounce) (T20 wedges)
54* SW (8* bounce)
58* LW (4* bounce)

The only one I'm not that happy with now is the 3 hybrid, I'll probably swap that for an ST220 5 wood (the ST220 3 wood is unreal!).

Very similar to mine, I go:

9.5 - Driver (TS4)
15 - 3 Wood (917F3)
19 - Hybrid (818 H2)
23 - 4 iron (Vr Pros)
.
.
47 - PW
Then 50 / 54 / 58 on the wedges, still with my Nike Engages.

Biggest gap is probably between the Hybrid and 4 iron which is 20 yards or so. The H2 Hybrid plays more like a long iron than a wood, with a nice piercing trajectory, and also means I can choke down on it a bit if I need to take some distance off.

[CustardOnChips]

Bugger!

[kiethton]

CustardOnChips said:

Bugger!

Doesn’t look too clever - what club is that?

[CustardOnChips]

kiethton said:

Doesn’t look too clever - what club is that?

Ping G series driver. But with all the paint stripped off.

[CustardOnChips]

Westwood in with a great chance of winning here.

Anyone else already fed up of the idiots screaming after every shot. They are even worse than normal after Bryson has hit.

[Andy 308GTB]

CustardOnChips said:

Westwood in with a great chance of winning here.

Anyone else already fed up of the idiots screaming after every shot. They are even worse than normal after Bryson has hit.

He had to step back from a few shots and go through the routine again after the 6th, because of the idiots. I hate them. At the Masters they would be ejected.

Westie one behind but he's rock solid. Bryson more likely to make a mistake?

[lastexile69]

Terrible luck for Westy on the 18th

Great performance from Lee though and once again proves his undoubted (and under appreciated outside of Europe) talent IMO. The longevity of his career at the top level can't be over estimated. I wish he had won the Major that his career deserves before now, but if he has one of those weeks where his chipping and putting turns up (tee to green he is solid) he could certainly still do it.

Bryson irritates me at times and I'm not a fan of his approach to the game but fair play he was gracious and respectful in his post round interview. Seemed genuinely emotional.

Also agree the return of the knuckle dragging American crowds and their beer fuelled moronic yelling after (and during in some cases) every swing not something that's making a welcome return.....

[bodhi]

lastexile69 said:

Terrible luck for Westy on the 18th

Great performance from Lee though and once again proves his undoubted (and under appreciated outside of Europe) talent IMO. The longevity of his career at the top level can't be over estimated. I wish he had won the Major that his career deserves before now, but if he has one of those weeks where his chipping and putting turns up (tee to green he is solid) he could certainly still do it.

Bryson irritates me at times and I'm not a fan of his approach to the game but fair play he was gracious and respectful in his post round interview. Seemed genuinely emotional.

Also agree the return of the knuckle dragging American crowds and their beer fuelled moronic yelling after (and during in some cases) every swing not something that's making a welcome return.....

Agreed on Westy - I was never his biggest fan if I'm honest, but I am building more and more respect for him the longer he carries on at the highest level. If his putting was a bit better he'd easily have a couple of majors now - and I'd struggle to say he doesn't deserve it based on his undoubted talent. Having said that, that was a ballsy performance on 18, first to find the green after that break off the tee, then to hole that putt to force Bryson to hole his.

As for Bryson, safe to say I'm still not really a fan. Even though his approach is highly effective, it's completely missing the artistry and feel part of the game, which made people like Seve, Phil and even Tiger so fun to watch. He also has the ugliest swing on Tour by a country mile. Can't argue with his results mind. Even though pound for pound Rory is longer, and as opposed to Bryson I could watch him hit Drivers all day. Rory also had the greatest 7 I've ever seen yesterday

[Noodle1982]

18 holes booked for 2pm on Tuesday!

I'm hoping my home course knows something that I don't as they have opened their online booking for rounds from Monday onwards.

Don't let me down drakeford!!!!

[CustardOnChips]

Noodle1982 said:

18 holes booked for 2pm on Tuesday!

I'm hoping my home course knows something that I don't as they have opened their online booking for rounds from Monday onwards.

Don't let me down drakeford!!!!

Must be an error, as that's 2 weeks early. Or they just thought fk it we'll open.