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

[Sir edward of putternut]

Decided to go a little "old school" today. I'm kind of digging the bag. Any idea where I could get some sweet leather head covers in the same color brown?

 

 

 

They'd look good with the 20th anniversary brown Winn grips too

[Sir edward of putternut]

Well no catchy, at least we can spot a good deal.....they didn't sell......seller stopped suction and resisted with a raised the price like 10,000yen ???? I mean no one was buying them at previous, but not sure who YSwave is but I think a big store? I bought a AD DI shaft from them with titliest adaptor for I kid you not like 4800 or 6400 or something stupid, I was terrified and it came in perfect.....

 

The AD-DI and DJ shafts can be had pretty cheap around here now. 4,800 would be a real bargain, and 6,400 would be pretty good. I picked up my AD-DJ 8x for the 7w for around 6,400, which included the cost of fitting it into the 7w head.

 

Anyway, dropped by the shop today to try some irons. Hit a Tourstage X-blade 909 with Modus 120 stiff, Cleveland 588MB with DGS300, and Mizuno MP-69 with DGX100. The X-blades are beautiful, but felt the worst. Maybe the shaft, as I don't like the Modus 120. The Clevelands were nice, and I love that low fat muscle pad design. Plus, they are a bit unusual. But the real surprise was the MP-69 set. I was never impressed with them before, but these felt fantastic. It may have helped that they had my favourite shaft and lovely thick non-tapered grips. Price-wise, though, the Clevelands were the best.

 

Not that I need any more irons....

I'm considering satinize g my 588s or removing the badging or both....what were they asking for them?

Someone here posted the satin 588s and I think they look spectacular

[mahonie]

Decided to go a little "old school" today. I'm kind of digging the bag. Any idea where I could get some sweet leather head covers in the same color brown?

 

 

 

They'd look good with the 20th anniversary brown Winn grips too

 

Not sure if this is what you're looking for:

 

http://clubshields.com/

[BCULAW]

Decided to go a little "old school" today. I'm kind of digging the bag. Any idea where I could get some sweet leather head covers in the same color brown?

 

 

 

They'd look good with the 20th anniversary brown Winn grips too

 

Agreed, but I Actually put some old victory green grips on them. Was feeling a bit Hoganish.

[BCULAW]

Decided to go a little "old school" today. I'm kind of digging the bag. Any idea where I could get some sweet leather head covers in the same color brown?

 

 

 

They'd look good with the 20th anniversary brown Winn grips too

 

Not sure if this is what you're looking for:

 

http://clubshields.com/

 

Actually looking for driver, FW, and hybrid covers in that baseball glove tan leather color.

[mahonie]

Decided to go a little "old school" today. I'm kind of digging the bag. Any idea where I could get some sweet leather head covers in the same color brown?

 

 

 

They'd look good with the 20th anniversary brown Winn grips too

 

Not sure if this is what you're looking for:

 

http://clubshields.com/

 

Actually looking for driver, FW, and hybrid covers in that baseball glove tan leather color.

 

These guys may have something more in that line...kangaroo leather looks nice:

 

https://headgeargolf.com/leather-head-covers/

[Bigmean]

I got 8 watchers on the vegas, I sorta hope a few are serious. The one downside to jdm stuff is moving it here.....it is funny what jdm things sell over here and why don't. I think I need to work out a business venture with no catchy of some sorts....:)

[Sir edward of putternut]

Bridgestone tour b irons sets....really like the look, very srixon mates with Tourstage(I know).

Anyone gaming the mbs here?

Since enjoying the j40cb with the nippons I've been very interested on bridgestone/Tourstage offerings. Some of their older mbs look just classic a LA mp 4/mp 33 Hogan apexy. Interesting design. I bet they feel absolutely solid when pured

[BCULAW]

Decided to go a little "old school" today. I'm kind of digging the bag. Any idea where I could get some sweet leather head covers in the same color brown?

 

 

 

They'd look good with the 20th anniversary brown Winn grips too

 

Not sure if this is what you're looking for:

 

http://clubshields.com/

 

Actually looking for driver, FW, and hybrid covers in that baseball glove tan leather color.

 

These guys may have something more in that line...kangaroo leather looks nice:

 

https://headgeargolf.com/leather-head-covers/

 

Fantastic!! Thanks so much!

[Shawn Paul]

These have been working nice for me.

[DeNinny]

Decided to go a little "old school" today. I'm kind of digging the bag. Any idea where I could get some sweet leather head covers in the same color brown?

 

 

 

They'd look good with the 20th anniversary brown Winn grips too

 

Not sure if this is what you're looking for:

 

http://clubshields.com/

 

LOL those are iron chaps.

[Kingcat990]

The bridgestones look like they were influenced from the RAC mb's

[duffer987]

The bridgestones look like they were influenced from the RAC mb's

 

You mean like Tiger was influenced by MJ kind of way... or in a good way? ;)

[Bigmean]

Played my 14s yesterday, even better range was closed so dove in head first.. I mishit probably 1/3 of my iron shots, but I seemed to be sorta stright with them. Shot an 82 with 3 doubles, and 3 missed birdies inside 15ft. One was like 6 ft. Anyway, I figured out early I am a club shorter by almost a full club, but that was easy enough except my pw I was hitting far.....anyway, I hit them pretty striaght, and even though it felt like I was Mis hitting them all day, I hit 10 greens and converted 1 out of 4 really makable birdie looks, the chipping was TERRIBLE. I caught two greenside bunker shots thin (both doubles) and I really struggle with the chip yips becuase once I start off not good, it is in my head. That first thin shot sealed deal for the next....I dunno, with irons really the score is the same, but the it is most definitly like driving truck to work instead of the s class, but I don't mean that in a bad way as there were quite a few good irons mixed in. I think in 2 weeks I could be right back to speed with them.

[kaaayelll]

Yes, CPT are counterbalanced and Japan only. I've liked the S200 version quite a bit.

 

I'm surprised you guys don't keep your clubs clean. The finish lasts a whole lot longer when you're not compressing sand and dirt between it and the ball. Mine get cleaned after every shot for consistency of performance and to maintain condition. My stuff generally looks great for a really long time and reselsl quite well.

 

Well, you have so many sets that none ever really look played :D

Hey,I've sold my Epon P2 and MP4.? After I move the raw Vegas (never did shaft up more than the 6i, N) and maybe my Cobra King Ltd and [double maybe] Crazy MB, I'll be in perfectly reasonable territory. ? At this point, I'd be more than happy to satisfy my desire for variety with a few sets each of BB and Masda finished differently. ?

[rcain1us]

I will finally get these onto the course this weekend..

 

I've built myself a set of MB 714's

 

 

 

with a recently acquired set of ADDI 115x shafts

 

 

 

Range tests have been pretty good, hopefully my yardages will be similar to my old Apex MB with just a little less stress on the elbow.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

So I went to the local secondhand golf shop today to take another look at the MP-69s that I have been stalking--more on those in a minute. They had some interesting stuff in today...some nice Srixon 925 and 945 blade sets, a couple of Akira cast blade sets (very nice, but not cheap), a set of Callaway prototype blades with the TT Memphis shaft, a nice-looking Tourstage X-blade combo set (unfortunately with a shaft and price tag I don't like), a beautiful set of Yonex Ezone MBs...which I used to own, a set of original King Cobra blades for about 100 bucks, and then the prize: a set of MOZ blades with Modus 120 TX shafts. At 70,000+ yen they aren't cheap, but they really are "mint". I asked the guy about them and he was a bit cagey about where they came from but said they might as well be new. Not a mark on them. Unfortunately, they can't be tested out in the net (to keep them pristine), but they do look really nice at address.

Anyway, I had another go with the MP-69s, and asked them to keep them aside for me while I make a decision...but I think I'm going to buy them. Basically, aside from the finish, these are the specs I would go for if I ordered a custom set. Just not sure if I should sell an old set for peanuts, or hang on to what I've got and add a fifth set.

[Jonesy]

I wish my local golf shop had stuff like that in it...

[ryanv16]

I learned how to play on Ping i3 blades, moved to i20s in 2009 which was a mistake because they were light and clunky, then to the Titleist 712 MB. To this day, still my favorite MB out there and a tested quite a few. I really liked the long irons, specifically the 3 iron, in 712; i'm not sure what the specs, but there was an appearance of more offset and maybe a degree (more) closed on the face compared to the 714 MB. As such, was easy to compress and effectively make it a shortened 2 iron that could still climb. Compared to the 714, and I can admit this is entirely subjective, I felt like I knew where that 712 muscle section was on the club throughout the swing and I was able to get very consistent divot patterns. The topline was thin, but not a knife. Though contradictory, I found them to be more confidence inspiring when i first tested than the shiny chrome AP2s (maybe because i grew up playing blades).

 

In reflection, i would say I've hit shots with that set that I have a hard time pulling off with the AP2s. However, the standard deviation of contact with MBs was wide with very high upside and very high downside. AP2s limit that standard deviation. I disagree with the masses on MBs; I think most people should play or try them. There is nothing like that feel and there is no doubt that consistency is needed. Tournament level players or those competing in the 'men's league buy in'? Sure, the 'players GI' makes sense. For the rest, is your life going to change if the MBs cost you a stroke or two between 75-85, 80-90 etc? I have zero regrets playing the MBs for years. The only reason why I moved away is because i go through phases where I don't swing for 2-3 months followed by phases where I practice 3 months straight...and players GI doesn't hurt during either period.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

I wish my local golf shop had stuff like that in it...

 

Today was a good day...Actually, there's more stuff in there that's fairly amazing (the latest Miura CBs, OnOff CBs, RomaRo blades and CBs) but most of it is with shafts that rule them right out for me, such as NSPRO 950s or SR flex graphite shafts.

 

In reflection, i would say I've hit shots with that set that I have a hard time pulling off with the AP2s. However, the standard deviation of contact with MBs was wide with very high upside and very high downside. AP2s limit that standard deviation. I disagree with the masses on MBs; I think most people should play or try them. There is nothing like that feel and there is no doubt that consistency is needed. Tournament level players or those competing in the 'men's league buy in'? Sure, the 'players GI' makes sense. For the rest, is your life going to change if the MBs cost you a stroke or two between 75-85, 80-90 etc? I have zero regrets playing the MBs for years. The only reason why I moved away is because i go through phases where I don't swing for 2-3 months followed by phases where I practice 3 months straight...and players GI doesn't hurt during either period.

 

This is way I think about it, too. I'm not playing for cash or anything, just enjoyment, and hitting a blade flush is far more enjoyable than hitting any other club flush. I don't flush every iron shot in a round, but when I do it makes it all worthwhile.

Plus, a slight confession here: my misses are really bad. I either flush it, or hit it low and out of the heel. The other miss is fat. That's it. It doesn't make much difference what iron I'm hitting, because the club that makes a thin heel shot fly straight, true, and long hasn't been invented. Yet.

[DeNinny]

In reflection, i would say I've hit shots with that set that I have a hard time pulling off with the AP2s. However, the standard deviation of contact with MBs was wide with very high upside and very high downside. AP2s limit that standard deviation. I disagree with the masses on MBs; I think most people should play or try them. There is nothing like that feel and there is no doubt that consistency is needed. Tournament level players or those competing in the 'men's league buy in'? Sure, the 'players GI' makes sense. For the rest, is your life going to change if the MBs cost you a stroke or two between 75-85, 80-90 etc? I have zero regrets playing the MBs for years. The only reason why I moved away is because i go through phases where I don't swing for 2-3 months followed by phases where I practice 3 months straight...and players GI doesn't hurt during either period.

 

This is way I think about it, too. I'm not playing for cash or anything, just enjoyment, and hitting a blade flush is far more enjoyable than hitting any other club flush. I don't flush every iron shot in a round, but when I do it makes it all worthwhile.

Plus, a slight confession here: my misses are really bad. I either flush it, or hit it low and out of the heel. The other miss is fat. That's it. It doesn't make much difference what iron I'm hitting, because the club that makes a thin heel shot fly straight, true, and long hasn't been invented. Yet.

 

The technology of a blade is such that those flush shots are MORE accurate with them as compared to a 'forgiving' design. This is why ryanv16 hits some shots with his blades that he can't as well with AP2s. The same 'technology' that made his AP2s 'forgiving' on mishits is what makes them LESS precise on flushed and worked shots.

 

In my experience and opinion, I play blades exclusively now not only because of that sweet feel on flushed shots but also because they make me focus on my GOOD ball strikes over my mishits. To me, the mindset of playing 'forgiving' clubs puts me in the space of worrying about my mishits, but with blades my focus is on the golf that I WANT to play: flush hits and ultimate ball control. To me it is an optimist vs pessimist approach to your game and gear to support it. I like to support and enhance the things I'm doing right with my swing rather than covering up what I'm doing wrong. I play the clubs of the golfer that I WANT to be, then I go and strive to be that golfer. And so far, I keep shooting personal bests and scoring lowest when I have blades in my bag. I wouldn't play in a money game without them. With me I get the bladey bliss feel AND my best golf. It is a no brainer to play blades in my world view.

[Bigmean]

The thing is, I just don't believe that they do cost you a stroke or 2, at least if you are under 85 to begin with. I don't see it. I will get the V4s or some exotic Japanese CB at some point, maybe my winter project build, I just am not sure that irons (Like when I played my mizunos the other day) really effect scores of you are lower. Interesting note, my boy who can't break 90, got some mizunos, I don't know, they may as well be blades, really player type CB, and ditched his taylormade monstrosities. He shot the best 9 I have seen him ever (43) when we p,ayes last and his drives and putting distance control kept him from breaking 90. Anyway, he is playing a touch better with them than R7 irons or whatever they were.

 

I played in a scramble today. Not a dream team ringer type, but a random work one. I brought one of my installers who I use part time on certain projects because he is an awesome guy, we were paired up with 2 other ransoms for this company we all have an affiliation with.....free golf, why not. I forgot how freaking easy scrambles are. When I say the 3 guys I played with couldn't break 100 100/100 times, it is being conservative. However we got super lucky in that when I blew drives someone found a fairway and same with approaches. We finished -11, and I was thinking er max on the range. Yes we had 4 mulligans, and of course I wasted one of my best wedge days ever on a stupid scramble (I put 5 shots from 55-105 to inside 5 or 6 ft, just flagged it all day with SW) but man, it just worked out to where without fail someone hit a shot when needed. It was a lot of fun and o got to see a private course I never played. It was meh, and greens while very manicured were also like shells world of golf slow. I really got super lucky and joined a sorta hidden gem for the summer. My greens are legit, best I have played all summer long, and I have played now 4 courses that are 25-150k to join. I am parking myself there for as long as they keep it reasonable. Best grand I have spent on golf, really. Just an old Florida golf (not country) club that has the winter crowd that pays for everything with high fees and runs killer summer deals to keep cash flow up when they are gone. No luxury, no frills, and a serious board and dope head greens keeper. I am starting to get sad that it ends in month and I have to shut it down....and the greens have been getting better by the week with season coming up. I was talking to a year long member the other day and he said they roll 12+ for season.

[Bigmean]

Roger, what are the MOZ blades? You have mentioned some Japanese blade I have never heard of and have my utmost full attention LOL.

 

And oh yeah, playing the Miuras a day after playing my mp14s was pretty neat with it fresh in my mind. I really should just stick up on these things for life instead of ho'ing anything. Sometimes I almost wonder if I am a bit mistaken from use and if they really aren't THAT much "better".........they are. It was weird for the mp14s to feel like a stranger and the Miuras were the old shoe. The feedback difference on slight mis hits (I am talking greens but a groove thin, a bit to the toe, small misses but acceptable results) is striking, almost as striking as the feel on solid shots. 2 years later and I love this set more than the first time on the range where I couldn't stop smiling. They are not just some sexy feel, they are a comfortable reliable tool that has th added bonus of utter impact luxury. Like if a rolls Royce and a 2500 diesel pickup truck had a baby. I may have to make the call to not F around and if I do eventually get cbs, just get the 57s.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Well, from what I could find, MOZ appeared to be a brand name used by a golf workshop run by a bloke called Ishihara, who seemed to have finished his 18 holes on this earth in 2006. After that, Kenmochi seems to have taken over or resurrected the brand. They make mostly wedges, but there are some rare iron sets. Here's a site with a few pictures, but none like the ones I saw yesterday.

http://blog.livedoor.jp/goji_da_tsuji/archives/51899473.html

Bonus: Kenmochi Norio (?) seems to come from a line of swordsmiths in Okayama prefecture, and may be a swordsmith himself. So you can cut the turf with irons crafted by hands that wrought steel for cutting ninja flesh (well, sort of).

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

I also tried another new brand today: Mystery. The shop had an oldish (previous model) forged muscle cavity back iron (wnc-903, IIRC), and I gave it a go. The shafts were unlabelled but probably X100, judging by the stepping. They felt very nice, soft yet solid. The shop also had a Mystery driver in, with a KuroKage X-flex (VERY rare around these parts). It was 46" long, and I had trouble finding the centre, but when hit right it felt pretty good. I then tried some other boutique label driver, the name of which escapes me right now, but that was REALLY nice. I could spend hours in that shop trying all the drivers. One thing, though. The pricier boutique labels tend to have softer shafts, as though it's only rich ojisan who can afford them.

 

Oh yes, tried the Titleist 917 driver today at a different shop. Couldn't hit it for the life of me. A lot to do with my swing woes, but also that is one unforgiving club. I was getting 700-800rpm of swing on shots I thought I struck pretty well. Carry 180, rolling out to 205...thanks, but I'll stick to my 5-year Ping G20.

[Sir Slicealot]

Went out and played 18 today with two thirds of a game. Front nine was all drive and approach and second nine was no drive and an amazing short game (for me) and a steady approach. In the front nine I was nailing the drives and hit one 320 yards. I got to hit my two iron after I had an obese shot with my hybrid and it was a beauty! I duck hooked my driver and it ended up on a sweet lie for the one iron which was exactly what I needed to get back in the game, a low bullet that screamed through a gap in the cedars and well up the fairway. I was fortunate to hit some great shots today, but could only string one good hole together, which was a par 5 where I missed a long birdie for par. I committed the sin of thinking out loud of where I was and jinxed myself. Oh well, I'll work on my short game and coke back stronger next time. At least my MP-29 long irons were flawless today...nailed them on both shots...?.

[Bigmean]

Kenmochi I know. He has a really nice looking blade like CB, and wedges I heard were nice. All that small name stuff is just so good, and you have so much of it over there. Mystery I have seen some sets of and some head shapes from muziik that look nice, I think they just finish catalog heads? There is a muziik putter I have been watching I like the looks of. Have you ever hit golden ratio blades? I am about to lay in bed and surf auctions to put me to sleep since I was up wayyyyyy too late last night and all night with a daughter that was throwing up, poor girl, so I am going to bed early tonight. I don't think I can sneak in a round my vega auction ends so hopefully that is exciting and they fetch a few bucks more than I started them at...

 

Fwiw, I love my 913 3 wood to death, but the 923 was okish for me and I have not liked any of the 915 drivers I have hit. They don't even feel good like 913 did. I Can't get along with the new titliest woods.

 

 

 

[Shooter__McGavin]

Lots of Mp33 chatter on here. I played MP33 for a long time and have made the switch over to Titleist 690 MB which I think is a good comparison. Have to say I really prefer the 690's (from my own experience) softer and much better feel with 690's. I like the clean setup of the MB's as well and found MP33 had a bit of an awkward looking P/9 offset.

 

 

Both are fantastic irons but damn do these ever look good ... :to_become_senile:

 

[aspooner]

This game is so frustrating. I finally took the time to get on a launch monitor for a couple hours. (Btw that's too long. I was exhausted before I finished and it showed in my shots). Anyway, hit my irons great. I hit my expected yardages per club and dispersion was very good for me. But once I got to the driver. I couldn't carry past 255yds. My 3w averaged 245yds club and ball speed was better than the driver. Dam&$$! I bought a 915 D2 head to compare against my D3 head to see which worked better and couldn't make a comparison between 235yd drives. WTF!!!!!!

 

Back to the positives. My mb001s are the bomb. It is nothing like the feel and consistency of hitting pured 5i online and striping your number +\- 2 yds for 5 swings in a row. Also wish I done this club marking a while ago. I'm now really confident of how far the ball will go with each club, and how far it'll go on my predominant miss. If you haven't done it I highly recommend. With all this info I now know I have to work on my launch angle, 3 to 5 degrees too high. I have the tour striker practice club, so I'll hit the practice range and play tomorrow.

[BCULAW]

Lots of Mp33 chatter on here. I played MP33 for a long time and have made the switch over to Titleist 690 MB which I think is a good comparison. Have to say I really prefer the 690's (from my own experience) softer and much better feel with 690's. I like the clean setup of the MB's as well and found MP33 had a bit of an awkward looking P/9 offset.

 

 

Both are fantastic irons but damn do these ever look good ... :to_become_senile:

 

 

I actually prefer the 690s over the 33s as well. Like you, I thought the 33 percent and 9 iron were just difficult to look at from address and never felt very precise with them. Plus, the 690s had one of the best sole grinds EVER! I had a 2-P set at one time that was an absolute joy to play with.