The Golf Thread - 2018!

The Golf Thread - 2018!

Author
Discussion

JamesNotJim

Original Poster:

755 posts

185 months

Monday 19th February 2018
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Well, we are well into the new year. Time for a new Thread.

Hurry up good weather. I've got scores to settle from a poor end to last season.

Grobag

110 posts

134 months

Tuesday 27th February 2018
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Thought I'd give this one a bump seeing as it slipped onto page 2, see if it can take over from the 2017 thread!! Don't think many of us will be out at the weekend, even if the snow doesn't arrive the ground's gonna be like concrete. So better off contemplating potential upgrades to go in the bag for this season!

Anybody else got any purchases in mind!?

Driver - demo'd the new M3 last weekend, thought it was good but dunno if it's enough better than the current sldr to justify the price! So mulling that one over for now.
3 wood - still happy with the M1, so it's staying for this year.
Hybrids - titleist 816's and the most recent of my kit, happy with them.
Irons - titleist 714cb's, looking to change them and got a fitting booked for next week. Gonna try my best to do a blind test and go with what the fitting data says rather than what I think I want!!
Wedges - vokey sm5's, happy with them, treat them to a new grip and they'll be good to go.
Putter - scotty fastback, had it for years, it works for me and no need to change........ but our pro shop starts stocking evnroll putters next month, which coincides with my birthday!! Dunno, might give one a go, but in the full knowledge that it would be a non-essential purchase!!

So irons are the main change, theory is get them in March and hopefully bed them in ready for the better weather and the never ending quest to get lower! Anybody else got new new kit on the radar?


Grobag

110 posts

134 months

Tuesday 27th February 2018
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Thought I'd read it through....... wtf is new new kit confusedhehe

JamesNotJim

Original Poster:

755 posts

185 months

Tuesday 27th February 2018
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Bag is pretty settled.
Although, I have a custom Scotty being built. Should
Be here late next week.
Also quite fancy giving the Rogue driver a try, but with a 3 wood shaft. Doubtful it’ll beat my current G30 for accuracy though

Grobag

110 posts

134 months

Tuesday 27th February 2018
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Custom Scotty sounds good, what have you gone for?

JamesNotJim

Original Poster:

755 posts

185 months

Wednesday 28th February 2018
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Grobag said:
Custom Scotty sounds good, what have you gone for?

Just a little tease for now.

yorky500

1,715 posts

190 months

Wednesday 28th February 2018
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First time posting in this here forum:

Current set-up is:
D, 3W and 5W: Taylormade M2's
Irons: Mizuno JPX900's (4 - SW)
Putter: Odessy

I bought the above set-up in April last year after my ex-gf sold/broke/burnt my old set. Up to April last year I had not played for 10 years so it was a good excuse to get back in to golf.

Potential upgrades/new additions for this year:
- Rescue wood/iron
- Gap wedge

Current handicap is 12

HaplessBoyLard

1,546 posts

187 months

Friday 2nd March 2018
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Picked up a new shaft for my Epic driver today. Turns out when I bought it last year it had a shaft fitted that was over an inch too short. The shop I bought it from were good about it and swapped it out for the correct one.

No reason to let the bad weather stop me giving it a hit:



Strike pattern was pretty good by the time I finished. This is my last 5 balls:



I’ve just booked our summer trip too. 2 nights, 3 rounds. First day we’re playing The Notts Golf Club at Hollinwell, then we’ve staying at The Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club and playing both the courses there.

https://www.nottsgolfclub.co.uk

https://www.thenottinghamshire.com/golf/

Anyone played them?

I should hopefully have my new MP18 blades by then. I’m just waiting on confirmation of the funding contribution from our work sports lottery then I’ll be getting a fitting.

Edited by HaplessBoyLard on Friday 2nd March 13:23


Edited by HaplessBoyLard on Friday 2nd March 13:25

Blue62

8,746 posts

151 months

Friday 2nd March 2018
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I've played Hollinwell quite a bit Hapless, it is spectacular but on a few occasions I've played there in open events they have been protecting the greens and they've been sluggish, which has left a bad taste, it's also quite traditional so be wary of the dress code in the bar. Don't know the other course you're playing but for me the pick would be Sherwood, followed by Coxmoor, all within a spit of Hollinwell.

HaplessBoyLard

1,546 posts

187 months

Friday 2nd March 2018
quotequote all
Blue62 said:
I've played Hollinwell quite a bit Hapless, it is spectacular but on a few occasions I've played there in open events they have been protecting the greens and they've been sluggish, which has left a bad taste, it's also quite traditional so be wary of the dress code in the bar. Don't know the other course you're playing but for me the pick would be Sherwood, followed by Coxmoor, all within a spit of Hollinwell.
I might well be playing a competition at Coxmoor in May if I can, but I’ve got a feeling work is gonna get in the way of that one.

I’d like to play the others you mention, but the reason I went for the Nottinghamshire is they have 2 courses on site. We like a few drinks of an evening, and driving to other courses first thing in the morning isn’t the best idea. We’re playing The Notts on the first day on the way to the hotel, so won’t have got stuck in to the beers by then!

We’ve done the Belfry twice and Celtic Manor in the last 3 year’s due to the ease of having all the courses on one site.

I doubt we’ll hang around at Hollinwell after the round. We’ll need to go and get checked in st the hotel. I’ve heard great things about it, and have watched Crossfield’s YouTube vlog there, so I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully the greens will be cut properly.

Edit...just check the website for the Notts and final Open qualifying is the week before we go, so we should get the course in great condition hopefully.

Edited by HaplessBoyLard on Friday 2nd March 20:23

Juanco20

3,212 posts

192 months

Friday 2nd March 2018
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Was on the simulator today and my swing speed with 3 wood was quicker than driver. 117mph vs 114mph average

Driver was still going about 10 yards further but couldn't understand why swing was slower

HaplessBoyLard

1,546 posts

187 months

Friday 2nd March 2018
quotequote all
Juanco20 said:
Was on the simulator today and my swing speed with 3 wood was quicker than driver. 117mph vs 114mph average

Driver was still going about 10 yards further but couldn't understand why swing was slower
Trying too hard with the driver possibly? A lot of people really try and give their driver a whack, but tense up and lose a lot of speed.

I’m not sure I’d worry if I had that swing speed. It’s more than enough to over power a normal course. I hit no more than 6i into most greens on my course. A lot of holes I’m hitting PW or less, and I top out at about 106mph with driver. I’d be chipping for my second a lot of the time with your speed!

JamesNotJim

Original Poster:

755 posts

185 months

Friday 2nd March 2018
quotequote all
Juanco20 said:
Was on the simulator today and my swing speed with 3 wood was quicker than driver. 117mph vs 114mph average

Driver was still going about 10 yards further but couldn't understand why swing was slower
If they are usable on course swings. clap

Do you feel comfortable with the driver in hand? if there was a tight driving hole, which club would you reach for?
You often see people hold back due to comfort levels.

Juanco20

3,212 posts

192 months

Friday 2nd March 2018
quotequote all
JamesNotJim said:
Juanco20 said:
Was on the simulator today and my swing speed with 3 wood was quicker than driver. 117mph vs 114mph average

Driver was still going about 10 yards further but couldn't understand why swing was slower
If they are usable on course swings. clap

Do you feel comfortable with the driver in hand? if there was a tight driving hole, which club would you reach for?
You often see people hold back due to comfort levels.
My on course swing is completely different than practice. I get too snatchy and quick with the takeaway and the swing is immediately off to a bad start. Working on a repeatable routine at the moment that will hopefully help

My swing today was generally around 1 degree in to out with a face around 2 degrees closed so most were drawing and landing just left of the centre line. Problem with driver is that i really struggle to stand with shoulders square, it just feels all wrong and I naturally adjust to being more open before swinging.

On a tight hole I would be using one of my hybrids. 23 degree was carrying about 230 and 18 degree around 245 today and I'm quite straight with them on the course.

Blue62

8,746 posts

151 months

Saturday 3rd March 2018
quotequote all
HaplessBoyLard said:
I might well be playing a competition at Coxmoor in May if I can, but I’ve got a feeling work is gonna get in the way of that one.

I’d like to play the others you mention, but the reason I went for the Nottinghamshire is they have 2 courses on site. We like a few drinks of an evening, and driving to other courses first thing in the morning isn’t the best idea. We’re playing The Notts on the first day on the way to the hotel, so won’t have got stuck in to the beers by then!

We’ve done the Belfry twice and Celtic Manor in the last 3 year’s due to the ease of having all the courses on one site.

I doubt we’ll hang around at Hollinwell after the round. We’ll need to go and get checked in st the hotel. I’ve heard great things about it, and have watched Crossfield’s YouTube vlog there, so I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully the greens will be cut properly.

Edit...just check the website for the Notts and final Open qualifying is the week before we go, so we should get the course in great condition hopefully.

Edited by HaplessBoyLard on Friday 2nd March 20:23
The time I played Holinwell and was disappointed with the speed of the greens was a week or two before they hosted an event (might have been the Brabazon) as they were being protected, I hope you have better luck. The layout is very good with some terrific golf holes, especially on the back.

Rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Monday 5th March 2018
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Fantastic golf in Mexico last night, so happy that Mickelson won!

Not a fan of Justin Thomas or Tyrell Hatton.

Juanco20

3,212 posts

192 months

Monday 5th March 2018
quotequote all
Rosscow said:
Fantastic golf in Mexico last night, so happy that Mickelson won!

Not a fan of Justin Thomas or Tyrell Hatton.
I can't stand to watch Hatton. He blames everything but himself when it's going wrong, bet he was a nightmare as a child

bodhi

10,333 posts

228 months

Monday 5th March 2018
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Not a massive fan of JT myself, but his second into 18 was impressive! Probably still an element of luck there, but not a bad way to finish.

I was actually rooting for Hatton towards the end, as I'd seen how much he was winding up the commentators - I'm always the one who will root for the guy everyone hopes loses smile

Fair play to Phil tho, not the sort of course you'd expect him to do well at, and that putt in the playoff deserved to drop.

Must admit with Tiger back, JT and JS hitting form, Lefty not going away and DJ being DJ the Masters is looking mighty tasty this year. Just need Rory to get his finger out now..

HaplessBoyLard

1,546 posts

187 months

Monday 5th March 2018
quotequote all
bodhi said:
Not a massive fan of JT myself, but his second into 18 was impressive! Probably still an element of luck there, but not a bad way to finish.

I was actually rooting for Hatton towards the end, as I'd seen how much he was winding up the commentators - I'm always the one who will root for the guy everyone hopes loses smile

Fair play to Phil tho, not the sort of course you'd expect him to do well at, and that putt in the playoff deserved to drop.

Must admit with Tiger back, JT and JS hitting form, Lefty not going away and DJ being DJ the Masters is looking mighty tasty this year. Just need Rory to get his finger out now..
Bubba is hitting form too. A win recently and a good finish in Mexico. He definitely knows his way round Augusta.

bodhi

10,333 posts

228 months

Tuesday 6th March 2018
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Just realised I got a bit carried away with what happened in Mexico and missed the real important business - golf kit smile

Driver - Had a Nike Vapor Fly for Xmas off the wifey so this will be staying for the season - it's performing pretty well, just have a concern the shaft is a little soft (it has a Blueboard 60 S+ at the mo), so if I lean on it it has a tendancy to go right. Interested in seeing what other shafts are out there, but finding a fitter who doesn't want to sell me a new Driver is challenging. I have found an Oban Devotion on eBay for £150, which is mighty tempting given how much OBan shafts retail for.

Fairways - Vapor Fly here too, only change will be to drop the 5 wood for a 2 iron when it gets a bit drier.

Irons - Still got my 13 years old Nike Blades, keep thinking about changing but they are still performing so in no real rush. I have spotted some lovely Vega VM-01's in a local store which are utterly divine to hit, so if the finances work out later in the year I may splurge. Am keeping the Nike 1 iron in the bag whatever, as it's the most accurate club I have and is perfect for getting out from under trees.

Wedges - Sticking with my trusty Engages, just need to settle on either 50, 54 and 58, or 50 and 56 (my 9 iron is 45 degrees for reference). The 50/56 combo has worked well over winter, I may need more options. At the minute I'm liking the extra choice at the top of the bag instead.

Putter - have a Scotty Cameron Del Mar, great feel and rolls the ball beautifully, so can't see it going anywhere unless I put my old Yonex blade back in. With this I need to more settle on a grip and stick with it, as currently I use conventional, left hand low and the claw depending on speed of greens and length of putt. Still averaging less than 30 putts per round though, so I may stick with the lucky dip smile