Blade users thread (NO DEBATING CLUBHEADS! NO Buy Sell Trade!)

[Bigmean]

NR, and anyone else with tons of irons in the bag, I have come to this conclusion, I don't care to have but 3 options over 200 yards, including driver and 3 wood. I don't understand the need for a large dedication to a top end yardage that you never see and when you do, you are not likely n]knocking down the flag anyway, and would probably take a par all day from that spot, which can be made in many ways.

 

So my non flyer lie, no wind top distances would be 200 for a 5 iron, and like 188 6 and like 178 7 etc. I hit my hybrid like 210-225 with a little bit of feel effort, but from that range choking up and slowing down and stepping on it moves the yardages a lot without much effort to do so. So yes par 3s and wind, pose problems, no arguments there, but I feel like par 3s are more often than not over 210 if over 200. I carry a 4 iron, least used in bag but I use it as needed. I could really make the argument for having 3 woods/hybrid, 6 irons starting at 5 ending with pw, and 3 wedges, and having an open rotating spot for what conditions or a course may ask. Maybe it is a 3 iron skipping 4, or 4, dependent on par 3s or something, I am not a fan of 4 wedges, but maybe someone is or that is the call. Someone fond of like a 50/54/58/62 getup could convincingly to me argue that will effect their score more than carrying a 4 iron. Or carrying a 3 and 4 and a 52/58 or whatever. From a sheer math standpoint it is hard for me to care too much about shots over 200 yards that are not par 3 tee shots. Par 5 approaches for me go 3 ways, no brainer we are going, slap up a 3 wood or hybrid go find it and make a good chip/pitch, what do I need to hit to have 100 in and what side do I need to be on. So more options of likelihood and more math means really in all those par 5 situations mean less chances of needing a 3/4 iron there.

 

I don't know, I still have my let go of the 4, I don't plan on it soon, but I can see that side of the argument much more than the argument to get a 3. Make sense?

[DeNinny]

Biggie, I am a short knocker so I rely on having even yardage gaps at the longer end of the bag because I have those longer shots more often.

 

Also when you have to learn partial shots with wedges anyway and at some point it is inevitable to take a huge "gap" between putter and your shortest wedge, the way I see it is that you might as well accept the short end of the bag as where your gaps are because it is going to happen there anyway.

 

And yeah I understand that more wedges has advantage in filling gaps at the shorter end, but just like you say you can manage gaps with the way you hit your hybrid to go shorter, a good wedge player can make his 115 yd pw go 100 yds by the same technique as your hybrid at the long end. And be just as accurate with that shot as, say, using a full swing gap wedge.

 

Also this may not apply to you, but I find multiple wedges can be confusing and almost provide too many options when it comes to the partial shots.

 

I love this discussion because of all the pros and cons of any "answer". It really boils down to where you want to take your gaps based on what clubs you are most comfortable with to 'manage' it.

[NRJyzr]

Biggie, there are all kinds of ways to break an egg. :)

 

It's all about what you do with your wedges and how you approach the low end of the bag. Some folks like carrying wedges with 4° gaps down to the 60°-62°. Some like 5° gaps (I'm one of these). Some like 6° gaps, and fewer wedges. And, as mentioned earlier today, there are some who go 50-58 or even 50-60.

 

In my case, I almost never take full swings with a SW or LW, and don't do it that often with a 53°. It's a lot of partial swings for me. It seems to work pretty well with the 5° gaps, and has even worked well when I've done 50/58. For me, it depends on the conditions of the shot at hand.

 

And, my course has a couple par 3s on the back nine that can give some fun shots. #13 is 175 from whites, 200 from blues, and #16 is 196 from whites and 218 from the blues. Both face south, and we get a healthy number of south wind days. This is where the 17/18 iron or hybrid slot is handy (5w goes too high for me).

 

When I was a longer hitter, I'd carry a 4w on top of 2-LW, old school lofts. Damn aging.

 

Ultimately, it's personal preference. Season to taste. There's no wrong way (except for using Titleist, of course, LOL).

[NRJyzr]

Piggy backing on my above post...

 

There have been a few times where I've toyed with the idea of slapping together a set of irons with 5° gaps from 21° to 46°, adding a 17° 1 iron, and then going 50/54/58/62 at the wedge end of the bag. The 17° club, of course, is because I just can NOT go without something in that slot. I'm beginning to wonder if it's genetically coded, LOL.

 

That would be 11 irons/wedges; add the driver, putter, and 3 wood and there's your full bag. All kinds of short shots covered, even if you're like me and don't like to hit full wedges, and the extra degree between the longer clubs (that may or may not need tight gaps) gives you enough bag flexibility to cover the full range of lofts without having to worry about having to drop club X to carry club Y.

 

Can also be done by using even 4.5° gaps all the way from 17° to 62°.

 

Might have to mess with club lengths to do this, and it could even be somewhat tough finding a set of irons that would allow you to effectively do this. But....

 

Just wallowing in the world of alternative bag makeup for a moment....

[DeNinny]

So NRJ, with your even loft gap method, do you find yourself uncomfortably 'between' clubs often? And *if* you went to a 5* loft gap do you think this issue would get worse?

[NRJyzr]

So NRJ, with your even loft gap method, do you find yourself uncomfortably 'between' clubs often? And *if* you went to a 5* loft gap do you think this issue would get worse?

 

With the 4° gaps, the only place in the bag I can run into any possible issue is going from the 4 iron to the 3i and then 2i. Or 1i for that matter (this is the 17° or 18° slot, doesn't matter what number is on the sole). Instead of being 10-12 yds, it might be 12-15 yds. At the distances this would be coming into play, I don't find it a problem.

 

Everywhere else in the bag, I have normal gaps.

[Nard_S]

Quick question for you blade lovers out there and just interested

What was your last score you posted?

Feel free to brag or even vent your frustration!

 

Last 2 rounds, gross 88 & 87. Been hovering in the 80's forever, the good ones 81-84, bad 86-89

 

They are the first rounds in 7 months and I've been on the long quest of a swing revamp for more than twice that.

 

What's strange is that on the range it is easy to execute better mechanics but on the course it is still touch and go. The Neanderthal returns and I get all arms and hands while the body watches all too much.

Bottom line: syncing of arm speed and body speed on course inhibits good scores right now. Every facet of swing is better save for that. Which in itself is not much.

 

Yesterday's round was encouraging though, the good reflected well on the range work and the best part mental game never checked out.

 

Game is fun right now.

[braincramp52]

I know they're not blades but I just picked up a set of 1999-2000 Hogan Apex Plus irons for $105. I had them back in 2000 and I can't wait to hit them again.

[DeNinny]

So NRJ, with your even loft gap method, do you find yourself uncomfortably 'between' clubs often? And *if* you went to a 5* loft gap do you think this issue would get worse?

 

With the 4° gaps, the only place in the bag I can run into any possible issue is going from the 4 iron to the 3i and then 2i. Or 1i for that matter (this is the 17° or 18° slot, doesn't matter what number is on the sole). Instead of being 10-12 yds, it might be 12-15 yds. At the distances this would be coming into play, I don't find it a problem.

 

Everywhere else in the bag, I have normal gaps.

 

Right. So this is all at 4* loft gaps, but now based on this, where you don't have a small gap between all clubs, *if* you the took that same bag and put 5* loft gaps, what that would do is create a *slightly* bigger gap between ALL your clubs. It's 'normal' now at 4*, so by going to 5*, doesn't it stand to reason that this just increases the gap between clubs a little more?

 

My point is based on the premise that at any given loft, you have a generally speaking fixed +/- around an average or typical shot distance. And this does not change by loft angle. So weakening or strengthening lofts doesn't change this range, it only shifts the middle of it.

[DeNinny]

Quick question for you blade lovers out there and just interested

What was your last score you posted?

Feel free to brag or even vent your frustration!

 

Last 2 rounds, gross 88 & 87. Been hovering in the 80's forever, the good ones 81-84, bad 86-89

 

They are the first rounds in 7 months and I've been on the long quest of a swing revamp for more than twice that.

 

What's strange is that on the range it is easy to execute better mechanics but on the course it is still touch and go. The Neanderthal returns and I get all arms and hands while the body watches all too much.

Bottom line: syncing of arm speed and body speed on course inhibits good scores right now. Every facet of swing is better save for that. Which in itself is not much.

 

Yesterday's round was encouraging though, the good reflected well on the range work and the best part mental game never checked out.

 

Game is fun right now.

 

Been an 80s hoverer for several years now. It is tough to get lower than that. You can know what you need to do to get there, but repeating it over and over with consistency seems to be my bigger issue. Part of the fun is figuring it out, but man, when you don't, but know you have the potential to go low, that taxes my definition of fun.

 

Edit: What also taxes my definition of fun is oppressive PNW RAIN. OMFG it was just getting sunny all day this week and it is pouring now. Oh well, got the black borons in the bag, so it is not all bad.

[joe chum]

I'm basically with Biggie in the bag makeup mindset. I go driver, 4w, then either hybrid or DI, then 3-PW, GW, SW, P. I actually want to get a 7w to replace the DI/hybrid spot because I just dont really like hybrids and have always loved fairway woods. I'm a short knocker with DeNinny, as a 260 yd drive for me is like absolutely smashing it. My norm I think is more like 230-240. It depends on course makeup though. When I was still stationed in Omaha and a member of the base course, I used the hybrid as my 3rd club slot just because when I played the tips, there were 2 par 3s that it was the perfect club for, in addition to a few par 4s where the tips were way back and it would be perfect for my second shot.

 

Also, my short game has always been my strength. I will go to the course and just practice chipping for hours when I have free time because I just really love it. I love being able to visualize a flop, bump and run, low checky pitch, etc and execute it. So not having a ton of options at the top of my bag is fine for me. With only 2 options, I can take those clubs to the range and practice them and get to a certain comfort level with them. That enables me to at least throw my 2nd shot (or 1st on a par 3) close to the green and trust my short game to get up and down. Since I spend more time practicing chipping than anything else, I'm comfortable with all of my wedges. I have different sets of irons and match different loft wedges to match them, so anything from 47, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58; I have all of them and am comfortable with all of them.

 

I think I'm channeling my inner DeNinny with this super long post LOL. But the shortened version of my rationale: only 2 clubs at the top of the bag between driver and irons, that enables me to get comfortable and accustomed to these 2 clubs. Strength has always been my short game, so I trust my up and down game. I arrange my bag accordingly.

[NRJyzr]

So NRJ, with your even loft gap method, do you find yourself uncomfortably 'between' clubs often? And *if* you went to a 5* loft gap do you think this issue would get worse?

 

With the 4° gaps, the only place in the bag I can run into any possible issue is going from the 4 iron to the 3i and then 2i. Or 1i for that matter (this is the 17° or 18° slot, doesn't matter what number is on the sole). Instead of being 10-12 yds, it might be 12-15 yds. At the distances this would be coming into play, I don't find it a problem.

 

Everywhere else in the bag, I have normal gaps.

 

Right. So this is all at 4* loft gaps, but now based on this, where you don't have a small gap between all clubs, *if* you the took that same bag and put 5* loft gaps, what that would do is create a *slightly* bigger gap between ALL your clubs. It's 'normal' now at 4*, so by going to 5*, doesn't it stand to reason that this just increases the gap between clubs a little more?

 

My point is based on the premise that at any given loft, you have a generally speaking fixed +/- around an average or typical shot distance. And this does not change by loft angle. So weakening or strengthening lofts doesn't change this range, it only shifts the middle of it.

 

It definitely would increase the gaps a little more. I have 12-13 yard gaps now, going to 5° would possibly put me at 15 yard gaps.

 

I admit it's purely theoretical, and I've never tried it. Causes a fair number of compensations, including possibly having to skip an iron in a set. And, variables in the actual assembly of the clubs, involving length and/or flex.

 

Honestly, it would maybe be more of a pain in the behind than it's worth. Had to throw it out there, though. LOL

[joe chum]

As a follow-up to my previous question re: lessons, I have another question for anyone that has taken lessons. What's the best way to find a coach? I have done some online searches, but it seems that there isn't exactly a plethora of golf instructors in Alaska... LOL

[Kingcat990]

As a follow-up to my previous question re: lessons, I have another question for anyone that has taken lessons. What's the best way to find a coach? I have done some online searches, but it seems that there isn't exactly a plethora of golf instructors in Alaska... LOL

 

Find the pretentious country club in your area and call them up. They will most likely have a pro. Try and schedule the pro on the side, cash under the table.

[DeNinny]

So NRJ, with your even loft gap method, do you find yourself uncomfortably 'between' clubs often? And *if* you went to a 5* loft gap do you think this issue would get worse?

 

With the 4° gaps, the only place in the bag I can run into any possible issue is going from the 4 iron to the 3i and then 2i. Or 1i for that matter (this is the 17° or 18° slot, doesn't matter what number is on the sole). Instead of being 10-12 yds, it might be 12-15 yds. At the distances this would be coming into play, I don't find it a problem.

 

Everywhere else in the bag, I have normal gaps.

 

Right. So this is all at 4* loft gaps, but now based on this, where you don't have a small gap between all clubs, *if* you the took that same bag and put 5* loft gaps, what that would do is create a *slightly* bigger gap between ALL your clubs. It's 'normal' now at 4*, so by going to 5*, doesn't it stand to reason that this just increases the gap between clubs a little more?

 

My point is based on the premise that at any given loft, you have a generally speaking fixed +/- around an average or typical shot distance. And this does not change by loft angle. So weakening or strengthening lofts doesn't change this range, it only shifts the middle of it.

 

It definitely would increase the gaps a little more. I have 12-13 yard gaps now, going to 5° would possibly put me at 15 yard gaps.

 

I admit it's purely theoretical, and I've never tried it. Causes a fair number of compensations, including possibly having to skip an iron in a set. And, variables in the actual assembly of the clubs, involving length and/or flex.

 

Honestly, it would maybe be more of a pain in the behind than it's worth. Had to throw it out there, though. LOL

 

So this is fundamentally why I accept my loft gaps the way they are. I really don't like being between clubs. And in general I don't like clubs overlapping in terms of distance either. So my overall strategy is to have whatever loft gaps necessary such that the max distance of one club is right at the minimum distance (again on average and not including really bad miss hits) of the next club up. And if that happens to be 4* for short irons and 3* for longer clubs, then I'm fine with that. I'm basically trying to just make every full swing approach shot as easy as possible for as many clubs as possible, so my thought is to have PW-3W almost completely covered with perfect gapping where club distances don't overlap and also the max of one matches up the min of the next longer one. This way, I have all clubs to cover all my approach shots that are full swing. And then when I find myself between clubs, I simply choose whether or not I want to go for max distance with the shorter club or min distance with the longer one.

 

And to me the distance doesn't matter, what matters more is to minimize the issue of being caught between clubs on a shot. And then, unlike joe chum's reasoning, I take the gaps in my wedges BECAUSE that is more where my skill lies at this game and so I can just use my skill to hit the partial shots.

 

LOL I am not going anywhere today because it is pouring out and decided "it's just not fun" to go out to play. So LOL throw as much $hit out there and see if it sticks! I'll read it and comment!

[joe chum]

As a follow-up to my previous question re: lessons, I have another question for anyone that has taken lessons. What's the best way to find a coach? I have done some online searches, but it seems that there isn't exactly a plethora of golf instructors in Alaska... LOL

 

Find the pretentious country club in your area and call them up. They will most likely have a pro. Try and schedule the pro on the side, cash under the table.

 

There actually isn't a country club in Anchorage. The most expensive course is Anchorage GC. I guess I can give that a shot, thanks for the tip.

[Nard_S]

Quick question for you blade lovers out there and just interested

What was your last score you posted?

Feel free to brag or even vent your frustration!

 

Last 2 rounds, gross 88 & 87. Been hovering in the 80's forever, the good ones 81-84, bad 86-89

 

They are the first rounds in 7 months and I've been on the long quest of a swing revamp for more than twice that.

 

What's strange is that on the range it is easy to execute better mechanics but on the course it is still touch and go. The Neanderthal returns and I get all arms and hands while the body watches all too much.

Bottom line: syncing of arm speed and body speed on course inhibits good scores right now. Every facet of swing is better save for that. Which in itself is not much.

 

Yesterday's round was encouraging though, the good reflected well on the range work and the best part mental game never checked out.

 

Game is fun right now.

 

Been an 80s hoverer for several years now. It is tough to get lower than that. You can know what you need to do to get there, but repeating it over and over with consistency seems to be my bigger issue. Part of the fun is figuring it out, but man, when you don't, but know you have the potential to go low, that taxes my definition of fun.

 

Edit: What also taxes my definition of fun is oppressive PNW RAIN. OMFG it was just getting sunny all day this week and it is pouring now. Oh well, got the black borons in the bag, so it is not all bad.

 

Yeah I arrived at the logic that I needed a complete revamp of swing to do it. From toes to finger tips, I worked all of it and tried to ingratiate proper mechanics and internalize the why's of it. If anything, I learned a lot about how little I knew. :). Really spent a long time in the desert of putting this and that right ( two steps forward, one back) but in time things started coming together and clicking. Looking back I am quite surprised that I even came close to breaking 80 the dozens of times I have. On the range, the new crappy is a lot better than the good of yesterday. On the limited course experience I have had (work has been heavy) in the past year, when I trust and have good tempo, I score in fine fashion. When mental state reverts to less than trust old Neanderthal golfer guy shows up, arms go faster than body, then body goes faster arms and the suckage is huge. The point is breaking through to new lows seems to take an upgrade of the mental, the physical and oddly enough the spiritual. All three are co-dependent in the endeavor. Feel real good about where I am at right now, but then again till I actually post sub 80's rounds.........................talk is cheap.

[wmblake2000]

As a follow-up to my previous question re: lessons, I have another question for anyone that has taken lessons. What's the best way to find a coach? I have done some online searches, but it seems that there isn't exactly a plethora of golf instructors in Alaska... LOL

 

I took in person and online lessons from Monte Scheinblun who is active in the instruction area. I found his on-line to be very helpful so if finding someone locally is too hard I would easily recommend this. It'll get you pointed in a helpful direction.

[bervin]

Well I played yesterday and really put my game together much better than I have in recent rounds. Was striping the new big stick and new (both used but new to me) 3 wood. Felt like I couldn't miss my lines. Iron play was excellent with my MP-62s. I even made a few 25+ footers. Ended up shooting 70 at a much more difficult course than the one I regularly play. But on one approach shot from 178, I struck my 7 iron perfectly and the ball seemed to knuckle through the air. I think it is officially time to move on from these irons. The long irons are still great but the grooves on the short irons are now at a point where they are truly effecting performance. Hope to pick up the CG1s ASAP!

 

Anyone else play/playing any golf this weekend?

[ClubHoNumeroUno]

I played Torrey Pines-South Course for the first time this Tuesday. I shot 78 with a triple bogey on the 12th hole. I teed off at 3:30pm and came in at 7:45pm basically in the dark. I had 8 birdie putts and 2 eagle putts and only made one birdie. It was a bad day on the greens but a very good ball-striking day. The only birdie I had was on the 18th hole. Not complaining, I had a great time at a great course and shot a pretty decent score for myself on a windy afternoon.

[bervin]

^^ That's awesome! I've always wanted to play Torrey! Forgive me for my lack of knowledge, but is the south course the tour course? 78 on a course like that is awfully strong in my book. Especially when you aren't holing putts!

[wmblake2000]

Not playing this weekend. One of the luxuries of my life is I can play weekdays.. cheaper, faster. Played in tournament Thursday. I have been gearing for this a while - had to play the blacks, 6850 yard par 71. Started great. Par, par. The second hole is, in some people's mind, the hardest hole in all of LA City courses. 460, trouble all around the green. Par is a great score. Next hole, par 3 pushed tee ball, Good lie, easy pitch. I did a TC Chen, double hit it. No one saw, I had to wrestle with my conscience and called the penalty. Let the hole with a sweet little 6 and the rest of the round sucked. Threw a nice little 90 at it. I had been 80+/- 2 for 6 weeks playing courses over 6500. Ugh. Golf is a harsh mistress. Which is why we love it.

 

New set of Mizuno mp59's ready to try this morning - got the heads new, put Modus 105s in them - I still am skeptical that the Modus 120s that I really like in my Honmas is optimal, so now I can test these shafts out. I am going to build a digital swing weight next week and really start paying attention to the details of all clubs. I like having control over my clubs.

[ClubHoNumeroUno]

^^ That's awesome! I've always wanted to play Torrey! Forgive me for my lack of knowledge, but is the south course the tour course? 78 on a course like that is awfully strong in my book. Especially when you aren't holing putts!

It is the one that they play on the weekend and the one that the '08 U.S. Open was played on. I played from the taupe tees. Those are the furthest tees you can play unless you get "special permission" from the pro shop to play the tournament tees. The North Course was closed for aeration that day and I'm sure it'll be bumpy for a while. I really consider it a strong round having never played the course. My scrambling game was impeccable that day. I had 32 putts on the day.

 

FWIW: I play the 2014 TM Tour Preferred MB irons w/ DG X7 shafts. Standard lie and 1/2" short of Titleist MB specs.

[Exactice808]

So after 2 years, and being #9 post in this thread.....

 

Im back at it again......

 

first off.....$129 for this practically brand new "used" set sitting there smiling @ me..... 6-PW... $129

 

next... 6.0 PX Rifle..... what the hell never had them wanted to try them

 

took to my builder and just got it back today to try out tomorrow........

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures still dont do them justice along with the fact they were more dirty from the fitter having to bend the things back 5*....

 

Jeebus...1.5" extension, and upright 3*, he had to cut them back down and bend 2* flat from standard for me.... They guy that had this must have been 6'8".....

 

 

 

 

 

CANT FREAKING WAIT TO TRY THEM!!!!

 

Update! Had a chance to play them.... I know its a honey money stage....but DDDAAAAMMMNNNN!!!!!

 

I have hit many blades in my life...but it has to be the combination of the shaft and shape design of these cobras.... this things feel amazing......

 

I literally, no joke, nuked a 6iron over a par 3 yesterday (170 yards to pin, 180 over the green LOL).... dead on a wire. perfect flight, didnt feel like there was a ball there on impact, perfect.......any ways..... I have nuked my nike blades a couple of times and it never felt "this" soft.......

 

 

If you ever have a stupid chance like I did, for a cheap set.... I HIGHLY recommend them.... and for whatever reason was never a fan of Project X Rifles...but these.......theses..... WOW!!!!!

[Bigmean]

congrats on your new discovery, but this would be the least surprised group here by your findings :)

 

 

Speaking of not all feels the same, what are the blades crews thoughts on these:

 

http://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/p554598301

 

http://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/q154778299

[DeNinny]

Oh Biggie you are trolling me hard with that $hit. (Edit: before you deleted it...I saw what you did...)

 

Exactice, those Cobras have a good design. Notice how the muscle reaches that apex on the backside. That is making the sweetspot section of the muscle the thickest. When you hit the ball with all that reinforcement and thick metal behind it, you will compress the ball SOLIDLY and it will feel as if it was almost nothing at all...

 

BUT...(LMAO) all that said, they also do have a small cavity around the muscle itself, so that automatically disqualifies them as blades. Please start your own thread, brah. You are posing in the Blade users thread. (I keed. :taunt: )

[DeNinny]

Quick question for you blade lovers out there and just interested

What was your last score you posted?

Feel free to brag or even vent your frustration!

 

Last 2 rounds, gross 88 & 87. Been hovering in the 80's forever, the good ones 81-84, bad 86-89

 

They are the first rounds in 7 months and I've been on the long quest of a swing revamp for more than twice that.

 

What's strange is that on the range it is easy to execute better mechanics but on the course it is still touch and go. The Neanderthal returns and I get all arms and hands while the body watches all too much.

Bottom line: syncing of arm speed and body speed on course inhibits good scores right now. Every facet of swing is better save for that. Which in itself is not much.

 

Yesterday's round was encouraging though, the good reflected well on the range work and the best part mental game never checked out.

 

Game is fun right now.

 

Been an 80s hoverer for several years now. It is tough to get lower than that. You can know what you need to do to get there, but repeating it over and over with consistency seems to be my bigger issue. Part of the fun is figuring it out, but man, when you don't, but know you have the potential to go low, that taxes my definition of fun.

 

Edit: What also taxes my definition of fun is oppressive PNW RAIN. OMFG it was just getting sunny all day this week and it is pouring now. Oh well, got the black borons in the bag, so it is not all bad.

 

Yeah I arrived at the logic that I needed a complete revamp of swing to do it. From toes to finger tips, I worked all of it and tried to ingratiate proper mechanics and internalize the why's of it. If anything, I learned a lot about how little I knew. :). Really spent a long time in the desert of putting this and that right ( two steps forward, one back) but in time things started coming together and clicking. Looking back I am quite surprised that I even came close to breaking 80 the dozens of times I have. On the range, the new crappy is a lot better than the good of yesterday. On the limited course experience I have had (work has been heavy) in the past year, when I trust and have good tempo, I score in fine fashion. When mental state reverts to less than trust old Neanderthal golfer guy shows up, arms go faster than body, then body goes faster arms and the suckage is huge. The point is breaking through to new lows seems to take an upgrade of the mental, the physical and oddly enough the spiritual. All three are co-dependent in the endeavor. Feel real good about where I am at right now, but then again till I actually post sub 80's rounds.........................talk is cheap.

 

What has helped me start to understand the swing and see a path to getting to the next level has been my exploration of the physics of the swing. I was lucky enough to tap the brain of one of WRX's best swing analysts, my buddy Reasonability, and he taught me a lot about the mechanics of a good swing and so from that I was able to derive the physics of why those good swings are good. And OMG it has been so helpful for my own swing. Last season one of my goals was to learn how to recover my swing in the middle of a round. I accepted the fact that I would somehow lose it, so all last season I just focused on how to turn that around before the round ended and figure out what caused it to go wrong. And without that foundational science of the ideal swing, I would have failed this goal. Instead I met it and I actually can fix my swing issues for the most part eventually during the round, and now from that learning I have a path and new goal of maintaining that good swing throughout the round.

 

The physics NEVER lies to me on both the club design level and swing level now, and I trust it completely. LMAO wmblake calls it zealotry. I call it engineering confidence. The game is so crystal clear to me from the physics perspective and that is helpful in troubleshooting my own swing. Causes and effects are confirmed and understood now. And so now it really is up to me to just execute the proper actions. And I feel like I'm getting there finally. Basically, I'm on the path of owning my own swing and I love it. I love the game even better as well.

 

And LOL as to actual scoring, I was actually a lower index at 7.5 about 4 years ago and back then I know my swing is nowhere near what it is now in terms of quality and consistency, but back then my short game was at its peak and I practiced it incessantly. Now at 9.5, my swing is better and overall game really is better, but I just don't have that same precision short game that I used to have. But that too is coming around. The main improvement for me has been on my bad rounds. This doesn't affect index that much because bad rounds are thrown out of the equation, but it does indicate that I'm getting better. A really bad round for me is 92ish, whereas before, even with a lower index, I would shoot 98ish on a bad day. Most of the time, though, my bad days are shooting 88ish. And all of this is because now I can recover my swing when it goes to shite.

 

Just shot 41 on my front nine. I'm done for the day, but man the Porn Stars performed again for me today and just hitting my reliable fade was working well. And I'm still loving the 2i. One of my better shots was a 180 yard GIR on a par 3 into the wind. I hit my usual cut and it went right of the pin but stayed on the green pin high and 15 feet away. Made par.

[oxtail]

Quick question for you blade lovers out there and just interested

What was your last score you posted?

Feel free to brag or even vent your frustration!

 

I've only had time to play a little bit after exam weeks (and it feels like it's always exam week, ugh). Spaced over 4-5 weeks, my last three rounds were 86, 78, 96, on the same course. I used a slightly different bag for each round:

86: Macgregor woods, hogan 59 sabers, Nike wedges, Tad Moore putter

78: Nike woods, same except Australian blades in 9-7i, Wilson wedges, Wilson palmer putter (1962 I think? Gothic script heel shafted HB style)

96: 7 club set: cobra wood driver (I hate this thing, was just giving it a chance), Macgregor 3 wood, 3 6 9 hogan irons, Nike 60, Tad Moore putter.

[Bigmean]

Oh Biggie you are trolling me hard with that $hit. (Edit: before you deleted it...I saw what you did...)

 

Exactice, those Cobras have a good design. Notice how the muscle reaches that apex on the backside. That is making the sweetspot section of the muscle the thickest. When you hit the ball with all that reinforcement and thick metal behind it, you will compress the ball SOLIDLY and it will feel as if it was almost nothing at all...

 

BUT...(LMAO) all that said, they also do have a small cavity around the muscle itself, so that automatically disqualifies them as blades. Please start your own thread, brah. You are posing in the Blade users thread. (I keed. :taunt: )

 

I only didn't want it to be taken wrong, in my mind it was light hearted but may not have read that way and I didn't want that is all.

[Mr.Bond]

Play a combo set of 714 CB/MB. I'm a 6 handicap and have always hit them like butter. Lately my swing has gone to s*** and I look like an absolute hacker. That's the choice you make playing blades I suppose. Still won't get rid of them