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

[Forged4ever]

On 8/7/2024 at 9:38 PM, horgo99 said:

Gday @Forged4ever, thanks for your response mate!

 

Mind if I pick your brains a little more mate? I’m looking to grab a set of blades to see what they are like/practice with (having never played with a proper set before) so not necessarily looking to spend too much straight up - might down the track hunt down a decent set of older mizzys from Japan, but see what happens. Currently in my area, I see the Hogans listed above as well as some Golden Rams and some Miz T-Zoid Pros currently available. The mizzys and hogans are listed for $250-300, and the Rams for about $100 (I’ve attached a few photos of both sets). Any recommendations on what’s best out of these guys? The Nagles are still there, but they need a bit more TLC to get up to playing with…
 

FWIW - I’m a 3-4hcp, currently playing miz JPX forged 923 with KBS tour X shafts. 
 

appreciate any input mate - everybody here will know more on this topic then me, but keen to learn! Cheers

Hey Brotha, how goes it👊

 

All of the irons that you've mentioned are excellent choices, though obviously I'm partial to Mizzy, however I was gifted a set of Ram Tour Grind(Vibration Matched) from Tom Watson and though I only bagged em twice, when we Played together over a weekend, they were superb irons. I'm talkin right there with Mizzy 37's & Staff Tour Blades.

 

They're around here somewhere and I'll post em when I find em, lol. 

 

Also pictured are my Staff Tour Blades, which I Played from the early 70's, when I Played my Grandmother's set of cut down Dynapowers(she was a 4-Time State Am Champion), then the Tour Blade from '76-88, when I went to Mizzy. The Tour blade with only "Staff" on the face back(1st pic) was a BDay gift from Pete and were from the Tour Custom shop. I also included the last set that I bagged in 2012 when I won the trophy in my avatar. They replaced the Mizzy 68's and are the Watts LE Fg59 Tour Blade, I believe are their greatest modern MB, to this very day and including their latest release. Friggin incredible iron!!!

 

At the bottom is from a Mac Tourney Custom set that I won from a kid at Oakmont(logo on face back), when we'd Play for the irons in our bag. He tried to buy em back twice, through he was a jerk-off and I just kept em to spite him😂😂. I also won a custom Mac/Penna driver off him, lolol

 

You can't go wrong with any of your choices listed, though probably the easiest of the circa 1990's-early 2000 Mizzy blades to hit would be the 33's, and you can get a nice set for about $300, give or take.

 

Let us know what ya choose🤙

 

My Best,

Richard 

 

Edited August 14, 2024 by Forged4ever

[JungleJimbo]

On 8/8/2024 at 9:38 AM, horgo99 said:

Gday @Forged4ever, thanks for your response mate!

 

Mind if I pick your brains a little more mate? I’m looking to grab a set of blades to see what they are like/practice with (having never played with a proper set before) so not necessarily looking to spend too much straight up - might down the track hunt down a decent set of older mizzys from Japan, but see what happens. Currently in my area, I see the Hogans listed above as well as some Golden Rams and some Miz T-Zoid Pros currently available. The mizzys and hogans are listed for $250-300, and the Rams for about $100 (I’ve attached a few photos of both sets). Any recommendations on what’s best out of these guys? The Nagles are still there, but they need a bit more TLC to get up to playing with…
 

FWIW - I’m a 3-4hcp, currently playing miz JPX forged 923 with KBS tour X shafts. 
 

appreciate any input mate - everybody here will know more on this topic then me, but keen to learn! Cheers

 

those Mizuno T-Zoid Pros = the "dogs bollocks" (or the "mutt's nuts" 🐶🥜🔩🍒)... i.e. really nice.

 

[JungleJimbo]

7 hours ago, Bigmean said:

Hey guys, remember that time I sorta bought like $1000 from Japan cause I wanted a 2 wood and things escalated and I texted my wife thank you for the best birthday present ever, it’s everything I wanted to smooth that over?

 

I am texting this message about 12 yards away from her closet where said box from japan remains unopened after she signed for it yesterday and is in fact going to wrap it and not let me touch it until my birthday.  
 

At this point I should clarify that we are married about 20 years, both hate presents and gift obligations and she is purely doing this because me having to wait more than a week with this stuff in my own bedroom is killing me.   
 

Timing is good though, i havent been playing with some health things that I hopefully am cleared of Thursday but who knows.  Still, I am dying to build this 2 wood and just see it.  This club is either going to be super cool or a big waste.

[Ruska]

On 4/19/2024 at 12:22 AM, PedronNiall said:

 

We bid you welcome, brother. The blade is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be... unnatural. Fear not the power as it takes hold.

 

🙌 love this! As a Star Wars fan with Star Wars themed accessories in the bag this is the perfect answer to why I play blades. Mizzy 221 here

[horgo99]

10 hours ago, Ruska said:

🙌 love this! As a Star Wars fan with Star Wars themed accessories in the bag this is the perfect answer to why I play blades. Mizzy 221 here

Haha this just makes me think of….

Mishits lead to frustration. 
Frustration leads to anger. 
Anger leads to big scores.
Big scores lead to eBay/BST!!!

 

or maybe more accurately for this thread…

 

Me: What is it???

HoleInWan Kenobi: ahh yes. Your father’s blades. This is the weapon of a skilled ball striker.  Not as clumsy or random as a players distance blaster; an elegant weapon from a more civilised time.

I’m sure we could go on…

 

[Ruska]

2 hours ago, horgo99 said:

Haha this just makes me think of….

Mishits lead to frustration. 
Frustration leads to anger. 
Anger leads to big scores.
Big scores lead to eBay/BST!!!

 

or maybe more accurately for this thread…

 

Me: What is it???

HoleInWan Kenobi: ahh yes. Your father’s blades. This is the weapon of a skilled ball striker.  Not as clumsy or random as a players distance blaster; an elegant weapon from a more civilised time.

I’m sure we could go on…

 

GOLD!

[Moarbutter]

On 8/7/2024 at 9:38 PM, horgo99 said:

Gday @Forged4ever, thanks for your response mate!

 

Mind if I pick your brains a little more mate? I’m looking to grab a set of blades to see what they are like/practice with (having never played with a proper set before) so not necessarily looking to spend too much straight up - might down the track hunt down a decent set of older mizzys from Japan, but see what happens. Currently in my area, I see the Hogans listed above as well as some Golden Rams and some Miz T-Zoid Pros currently available. The mizzys and hogans are listed for $250-300, and the Rams for about $100 (I’ve attached a few photos of both sets). Any recommendations on what’s best out of these guys? The Nagles are still there, but they need a bit more TLC to get up to playing with…
 

FWIW - I’m a 3-4hcp, currently playing miz JPX forged 923 with KBS tour X shafts. 
 

appreciate any input mate - everybody here will know more on this topic then me, but keen to learn! Cheers

 

 

Hi and welcome to the intoxicating feeling of playing blades, you will FOR SURE next go back. Of the sets listed, my $.02 is going to be the Rams. For $100 for a punt to see if you like playing blades, I feel like that one's a no brainer.

 

The only thing I'm going to caution you for is that from your use of the word "Mate", I'm going guess that you're in Australia. If that's the case and you're living in Australia, then hitting blades for the first time during the winter is going to be a very not fun experience. It's GREAT for teaching clean contact since classical conditioning works WONDERS, but catch it thin and you will feel that buzz for a LONG time. That being said if I'm off base and it's summer where you are -disregard this entire paragraph. 

 

If you want to spend a bit more, I would highly recommend checking out the Japanese auctions at https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp while the yen isn't quite as weak as it was earlier in the year, it's still relatively weak right now, and you can get some some screamer deals on there for some really fantastic Japanese blades

[mocokid]

On 8/14/2024 at 1:05 AM, Forged4ever said:

Hey Brotha, how goes it👊

 

All of the irons that you've mentioned are excellent choices, though obviously I'm partial to Mizzy, however I was gifted a set of Ram Tour Grind(Vibration Matched) from Tom Watson and though I only bagged em twice, when we Played together over a weekend, they were superb irons. I'm talkin right there with Mizzy 37's & Staff Tour Blades.

 

They're around here somewhere and I'll post em when I find em, lol. 

 

Also pictured are my Staff Tour Blades, which I Played from the early 70's, when I Played my Grandmother's set of cut down Dynapowers(she was a 4-Time State Am Champion), then the Tour Blade from '76-88, when I went to Mizzy. The Tour blade with only "Staff" on the face back(1st pic) was a BDay gift from Pete and were from the Tour Custom shop. I also included the last set that I bagged in 2012 when I won the trophy in my avatar. They replaced the Mizzy 68's and are the Watts LE Fg59 Tour Blade, I believe are their greatest modern MB, to this very day and including their latest release. Friggin incredible iron!!!

 

At the bottom is from a Mac Tourney Custom set that I won from a kid at Oakmont(logo on face back), when we'd Play for the irons in our bag. He tried to buy em back twice, through he was a jerk-off and I just kept em to spite him😂😂. I also won a custom Mac/Penna driver off him, lolol

 

You can't go wrong with any of your choices listed, though probably the easiest of the circa 1990's-early 2000 Mizzy blades to hit would be the 33's, and you can get a nice set for about $300, give or take.

 

Let us know what ya choose🤙

 

My Best,

Richard 

 

I luv the first staff, the "jerry pate" blade a la 1976. Could never hit those tourney customs, those are golf eye candy porn. Let's see that Penna driver Richard!

[Moarbutter]

JOYOUS DAY!!!!!!! I've been searching for a not outrageously priced set of Miura BB 2.0s for the better part of a year, and finally found a set for $2,600 from Aus on ebay. I think my finger broke the sound barrier smashing the "Buy Now" button. No idea how long they're going to take to get here, but they are CLEAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNN - https://www.ebay.com/itm/266954789509?_nkw=miura+baby+blades&itmmeta=01J5K0S0P1FAT3BN7JS3FABGVQ&hash=item3e27bed285:g:-JMAAOSw~5ZmuG-d&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKlBwoG6yoWlzoE9aqT6R8WJ0YmLKZ%2FqzvbMGDE3DnVzjIvqe93JEQCsunFDXZ1N5bINQ1QyzHOnficugTfbdvoCOEEQv3wH79NT%2Fbb6fScx31CVT1GICJQPoZJrbCHOy2r9hq6sgmSc7goUEspFmOKi60mHjywp4H38raIcpAoyplrHcmuVdZMSzJGIuv5Khz3deyIYk2RYRjqO9kLYjVUe1g43MWxFn4LtnUiAN5b0OSUGdTRKWVHCfttLVza1I0r4EOrAxPXe%2FJkWYUsoMNlrshoMxioRK3MeOsRuWCc2dQ%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR46L5OCsZA

 

The KBS X flex either tour or $-tapers that are in them are just about as bad of a shaft can get for me, so they're definitely going to have to go, but I'm SUUUUUUUPER pumped for them to arrive

[horgo99]

10 hours ago, Moarbutter said:

 

 

Hi and welcome to the intoxicating feeling of playing blades, you will FOR SURE next go back. Of the sets listed, my $.02 is going to be the Rams. For $100 for a punt to see if you like playing blades, I feel like that one's a no brainer.

 

The only thing I'm going to caution you for is that from your use of the word "Mate", I'm going guess that you're in Australia. If that's the case and you're living in Australia, then hitting blades for the first time during the winter is going to be a very not fun experience. It's GREAT for teaching clean contact since classical conditioning works WONDERS, but catch it thin and you will feel that buzz for a LONG time. That being said if I'm off base and it's summer where you are -disregard this entire paragraph. 

 

If you want to spend a bit more, I would highly recommend checking out the Japanese auctions at https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp while the yen isn't quite as weak as it was earlier in the year, it's still relatively weak right now, and you can get some some screamer deals on there for some really fantastic Japanese blades

@Moarbutter wow just re-reading this…definite excessive use. I’ll chalk it up to being massively over tired in combination with being an Aussie. Apologies and thanks for pulling me up on it…mate 😂

 

Appreciate the input! I’ll check out that auction link later today when I get home - any brands or models you can recommend to look out for? Unfortunately the seller with the Rams seems to have disappeared-unsure whether it was a legit ad or sold or what. 

In the meantime, don’t suppose anyone here knows anything about Daiwa Advisor DG273, Stan Thompson Pro Motion, PGF Aristocrat or Mizuno MS-801 iron models?

Edited August 19, 2024 by horgo99

[Moarbutter]

23 hours ago, horgo99 said:

@Moarbutter wow just re-reading this…definite excessive use. I’ll chalk it up to being massively over tired in combination with being an Aussie. Apologies and thanks for pulling me up on it…mate 😂

 

Appreciate the input! I’ll check out that auction link later today when I get home - any brands or models you can recommend to look out for? Unfortunately the seller with the Rams seems to have disappeared-unsure whether it was a legit ad or sold or what. 

In the meantime, don’t suppose anyone here knows anything about Daiwa Advisor DG273, Stan Thompson Pro Motion, PGF Aristocrat or Mizuno MS-801 iron models?

 

Here's a couple links to 2 different Maruman Conductor Pros - https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n1148313221 and https://www.ebay.com/itm/305706881841?itmprp=cksum%3A3057068818416232e63db6f04ad890a34a03da620abe|enc%3AAQAJAAABgP9d%2BMZSXlztIfYFu3kI%2B7ft0VcQix7rTrUVdiJwc2upzwLfM%2B2UEqu0ZqdXqu2qWe6up6s9MSEY%2BWikIwEh4xLkizL%2BG%2Fyhg6cdW4xfkbb75erVQBYYISNxGN1au%2BE0eJ778JYYSAyLJRupNiZky3B2UHpMsaEp7JRgW9fuueOszPlG9eCPE4mSzJx4EejjZE0v1xx3s4HgKujjhEB3s6lbzVpgpTNGx9kGfRk%2BBDzR%2B%2Bffe6TWMrBaLc8POz%2F2oPLdvDMnZ%2FHBsxaVUaqR5WvvlLhnNNGdqNDD0YKu93wWqXF9D1ucmUCGk6L4Qm8TkonuT8Y1inwCWEcrYXrKY47VSiI%2F5EyQF2aD4%2BNAcALpAT%2Bnsd9OlvLz2FrYktOQ%2BxnIdyaVbpDUFGuJPduJo8El4XnJU00YURUvb8QCFmpDJiRk8Lv5pI6LyH%2Bcrds5e1SlBEzd60ZYGlDSWoyoEM1tHf%2BK%2Bo6QXEElmvuRldDMZzbfvDN%2FjpoT2XGQ8tE5wA%3D%3D|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A2332490&itmmeta=01J5PMW7RHHHCTGSZER3JN81MK that are both listed for a song. I think @Nard_S plays conductor pros, but I can't really find a ton about them, so I can't opine. Here's a set of Kyoeis - https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/q1148103387 Again, I haven't played this one, but I do have a set of Kyoei KCM that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE. You can also throw a rock and hit any Mizuno blade from the past 20 years and it'll be great, but there's so much information and opinions available, I'll let you dig through to figure out which one you think you'd like. I would also dig through the JDM forum to see if you find anything else you like there, then try to find it on yahoo.jp. Google translate is definitely your friend on that one. Just remember that if you are going to buy one of the yahoo.jp listings that you want to go through buyee.jp to do it. 

[Nard_S]

5 minutes ago, Moarbutter said:

 

Here's a couple links to 2 different Maruman Conductor Pros - https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n1148313221 and https://www.ebay.com/itm/305706881841?itmprp=cksum%3A3057068818416232e63db6f04ad890a34a03da620abe|enc%3AAQAJAAABgP9d%2BMZSXlztIfYFu3kI%2B7ft0VcQix7rTrUVdiJwc2upzwLfM%2B2UEqu0ZqdXqu2qWe6up6s9MSEY%2BWikIwEh4xLkizL%2BG%2Fyhg6cdW4xfkbb75erVQBYYISNxGN1au%2BE0eJ778JYYSAyLJRupNiZky3B2UHpMsaEp7JRgW9fuueOszPlG9eCPE4mSzJx4EejjZE0v1xx3s4HgKujjhEB3s6lbzVpgpTNGx9kGfRk%2BBDzR%2B%2Bffe6TWMrBaLc8POz%2F2oPLdvDMnZ%2FHBsxaVUaqR5WvvlLhnNNGdqNDD0YKu93wWqXF9D1ucmUCGk6L4Qm8TkonuT8Y1inwCWEcrYXrKY47VSiI%2F5EyQF2aD4%2BNAcALpAT%2Bnsd9OlvLz2FrYktOQ%2BxnIdyaVbpDUFGuJPduJo8El4XnJU00YURUvb8QCFmpDJiRk8Lv5pI6LyH%2Bcrds5e1SlBEzd60ZYGlDSWoyoEM1tHf%2BK%2Bo6QXEElmvuRldDMZzbfvDN%2FjpoT2XGQ8tE5wA%3D%3D|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A2332490&itmmeta=01J5PMW7RHHHCTGSZER3JN81MK that are both listed for a song. I think @Nard_S plays conductor pros, but I can't really find a ton about them, so I can't opine. Here's a set of Kyoeis - https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/q1148103387 Again, I haven't played this one, but I do have a set of Kyoei KCM that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE. You can also throw a rock and hit any Mizuno blade from the past 20 years and it'll be great, but there's so much information and opinions available, I'll let you dig through to figure out which one you think you'd like. I would also dig through the JDM forum to see if you find anything else you like there, then try to find it on yahoo.jp. Google translate is definitely your friend on that one. Just remember that if you are going to buy one of the yahoo.jp listings that you want to go through buyee.jp to do it. 

The Conductor Pro series went for almost 2 decades, Pre 2000, they were made by Miura, and there were 3X & 4X series. The 3's had more length & lower height. the 4 series more boxy, taller & shorter length. the difference is not all that much, like 2 mm. Anything that is stamped with "sole" on it has a 4 way cambered profile on sole. Post 2K, Maruman had Endo start to make them, not sure exact year, so if you want Miura go with Conductor Pro CX-3 or CX-4 series. I have SX model, Cx-41's, Cx-31's and CS1 (which were model made for Curtis Strange). By far my favorite is the SX which looks like a bigger BB, it was supposedly modeled after the original Dunlop Aussie blade that Woosnam was fond of.

[NRJyzr]

Last year, got together with a fellow WRX member from the Classic folders.  We were hitting a bunch of old gear.  The important point of that relates to weight.  I've been playing lighter shafts the last couple years, these older sticks were almost universally shafted with DG.  And I had little problem.

 

Of course, we can't act on anything too quickly, LOL.  

 

Just came home from a quick driving range trip with the wife.  For this trip, I took two clubs with me, a 4i & 8i of my Ram FX Nickel set, which have DGS300.  Let's see how that went.

 

It was actually quite lovely, to be honest.  I felt like I was hitting the ball online a lot easier with the heavier sticks.  And even better, I didn't feel like the shafts were too much for my dwindling swingspeed.

 

I'm seriously contemplating taking them on the course for this weekend's rounds, including a Men's Club event.  I was hitting them that decently.  

 

Was also fun hitting Ram Tour Grinds again.  😁

 

I won't be hitting 200 yard 5 irons anymore, those days are a decade gone.  I just want "straight" and reasonably accurate...

 

Edited August 20, 2024 by NRJyzr

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

My golf recently has been....interesting.

 

My tee game is a bit off, and I've been paying for small misses with cart path bounces into the trees and stuff.

 

My irons are good. In my last two rounds, playing Mizuno Directed by T Ohara then MP4s, my irons and wedges pretty much kept me alive. I hadn't played the MP4s for a while, so it was good to get back to them and realise just how well suited I am to them.

 

Then there's my putting. 

 

I have had the yips.

 

39 putts in both the last two rounds, including several misses within 2ft. In the last two rounds, I have 3-putted four birdie putts from within 10ft.

 

Think I've figured it out. Some practice putting with my eyes shut (not looking at the hole and imagining the line) has helped me get back to a better putting stroke.

 

 

[Bigmean]

Congrats!!!! I know it has been a long time you have wanted these, and HOLY SH$T is $2600 in another country a slamming deal for these things now??????😬

On 8/18/2024 at 6:47 PM, Moarbutter said:

 

The KBS X flex either tour or $-tapers that are in them are just about as bad of a shaft can get for me, so they're definitely going to have to go, but I'm SUUUUUUUPER pumped for them to arrive

Edited August 21, 2024 by Bigmean

[Bigmean]

@No_Catchy_Nickname 39 putts is yips territory for sure, unless you are hitting 18 GIR, in which case congrats on the worst 75 you could possibly shoot hahaha.

 

Serious note, as you may remember I sucked at putting and went to work in college and turned it into a passion let alone the best part of my game.  
 

This was the best drill starting as someone who hated hitting the ball to 8 ft cause I missed that putt before I got to the green.   
 

every session is the same, 2 balls, dropped at random 12-50ft from a hole.  Just keep giving yourself different looks across those ranges and you have to finish out.   To me this simulates 2 things, the random looks you get on course, and one (ok 2 it’s practice) shot at a read/speed/make like on course then it’s over.  
 

Go to a practice green a lot, 3x a week is preferable, for an hour only, like working out.   First week, goal is to have balls stop hole high.   Don’t care if they go in or are wide a foot.   That’s it for 3 sessions.  Speed speed speed.  I still contend speed and speed control is what good putting is about.  
 

Then the next week, finding lines with speed goal still to be hole high.   Screw a foot past hole, bad advice I will say why later.  You are also making sure with marks in green and all that that the ball is going on the line you see in your head.  Dgaf about your mechanics, all you are proving this week is that the ball goes where you see, if it isn’t change your setup until it is.  
 

3rd week.  This Jack quote changed my putting life.   PUTTING IS AN ATTITUDE.   Say it.   Say it again.  You need to not just believe it, you will prove to yourself it’s true.   You have spent 2 weeks getting your speed and reads locked in, you probably made some bombs in that time, there is NO reason every putt you hit can’t go in.   Third week you are now intensely trying to make EVERYTHING.   Same drill, but now you are playing stroke play ball a vs ball b.   Each one wants to win, each putt of the 2 from the same spot now means one shot to make it.

 

Oh yeah, the whole always hit it hole high?  When you know you are making putts you stand over, they generally have a foot by the hole built into them when on course and it just works out.   Yeah I do leave my share in the jaws short, but putting isn’t fair, lots of little things affect it.   Get yourself to a mental place where you are not aggressive (hole high) but you are just trying and believing you can make anything and everything.  It’s a controlled attack.

 

I hope that makes sense but essentially the above and a lot of green time turned me into someone who was scared to have 8 ft for birdie into someone who still misses an 8 ft birdie but makes a 28 ft par on the next hole.  See when you make enough putts in practice out to 30ft, and boy do I when I practice, you start to see putts as the same.  Like I would of course rather have 8 ft than 20ft, but to me, they are all just “looks”.   I can miss putts and it doesn’t rattle me, length doesn’t rattle me, you just see them as chances you are excited to get.

 

Again, putting is an attitude!!!!!!

 

Edit- my putting has been a bit meh lately too, a lot of just laughable breaks and I’m averaging 3 hardcore lip outs a round, and my speed has had some hiccups, scores are same but I know I have been mailing it in some.  I was just thinking about needing to do my tune up which is the above but in 3 sessions.  Anyway, I hope it works.

Edited August 21, 2024 by Bigmean

[Bigmean]

Getting this Loop shaft ready to trial in driver and I just glued up my 2 wood, which, the head looks awesome and I am super stoked about it.  It is like a shallow face 2000s driver, best I can describe.   The shaft in that is heavy, 90 some grams, but I think that is worth a try on an already weird club to have.  
 

I am pretty stoked to get my small blades in the crazy’s and the Vega CB’s I got into the roddios I have.   I hope the small blades come out good, I was always terrified to mess with them like they would lose their magic, it took the Kyoei kicking them out of bag and the reshafting of those making them better for me to have the guts to finally break them down.  

 

 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

4 hours ago, Bigmean said:

@No_Catchy_Nickname 39 putts is yips territory for sure, unless you are hitting 18 GIR, in which case congrats on the worst 75 you could possibly shoot hahaha.

 

Serious note, as you may remember I sucked at putting and went to work in college and turned it into a passion let alone the best part of my game.  
 

This was the best drill starting as someone who hated hitting the ball to 8 ft cause I missed that putt before I got to the green.   
 

every session is the same, 2 balls, dropped at random 12-50ft from a hole.  Just keep giving yourself different looks across those ranges and you have to finish out.   To me this simulates 2 things, the random looks you get on course, and one (ok 2 it’s practice) shot at a read/speed/make like on course then it’s over.  
 

Go to a practice green a lot, 3x a week is preferable, for an hour only, like working out.   First week, goal is to have balls stop hole high.   Don’t care if they go in or are wide a foot.   That’s it for 3 sessions.  Speed speed speed.  I still contend speed and speed control is what good putting is about.  
 

Then the next week, finding lines with speed goal still to be hole high.   Screw a foot past hole, bad advice I will say why later.  You are also making sure with marks in green and all that that the ball is going on the line you see in your head.  Dgaf about your mechanics, all you are proving this week is that the ball goes where you see, if it isn’t change your setup until it is.  
 

3rd week.  This Jack quote changed my putting life.   PUTTING IS AN ATTITUDE.   Say it.   Say it again.  You need to not just believe it, you will prove to yourself it’s true.   You have spent 2 weeks getting your speed and reads locked in, you probably made some bombs in that time, there is NO reason every putt you hit can’t go in.   Third week you are now intensely trying to make EVERYTHING.   Same drill, but now you are playing stroke play ball a vs ball b.   Each one wants to win, each putt of the 2 from the same spot now means one shot to make it.

 

Oh yeah, the whole always hit it hole high?  When you know you are making putts you stand over, they generally have a foot by the hole built into them when on course and it just works out.   Yeah I do leave my share in the jaws short, but putting isn’t fair, lots of little things affect it.   Get yourself to a mental place where you are not aggressive (hole high) but you are just trying and believing you can make anything and everything.  It’s a controlled attack. hope that makes sense but essentially the above and a lot of green time turned me into someone who was scared to have 8 ft for birdie into someone who still misses an 8 ft birdie but makes a 28 ft par on the next hole.  See when you make enough putts in practice out to 30ft, and boy do I when I practice, you start to see putts as the same.  Like I would of course rather have 8 ft than 20ft, but to me, they are all just “looks”.   I can miss putts and it doesn’t rattle me, length doesn’t rattle me, you just see them as chances you are excited to get.

 

Again, putting is an attitude!!!!!!

 

Edit- my putting has been a bit meh lately too, a lot of just laughable breaks and I’m averaging 3 hardcore lip outs a round, and my speed has had some hiccups, scores are same but I know I have been mailing it in some.  I was just thinking about needing to do my tune up which is the above but in 3 sessions.  Anyway, I hope it works.

 

Lack of practice is probably part of the problem. Until June, I was putting in practice time on a proper putting green at least once a week, but since June it's been difficult to do that.

 

That said, I can also feel my left hand trying to guide the club head. Definitely a yip. Practised yesterday using the shoulders and spine more in the putting stroke, as well as my eyes shut drill. Seems to be working.

 

But, yeah, practice is important. Problem is, the nearest place I can practise on a proper putting green is nearly an hour away.

 

 

[Bigmean]

12 hours ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

Lack of practice is probably part of the problem. Until June, I was putting in practice time on a proper putting green at least once a week, but since June it's been difficult to do that.

 

That said, I can also feel my left hand trying to guide the club head. Definitely a yip. Practised yesterday using the shoulders and spine more in the putting stroke, as well as my eyes shut drill. Seems to be working.

 

But, yeah, practice is important. Problem is, the nearest place I can practise on a proper putting green is nearly an hour away.

 

 

I’m telling you, screw mechanics!!!  I mean be sound enough to roll consistently but that’s all you need.  

 

In putting to me it is this simple.   Speed control, start it on the line you see no matter the mechanics you have, and you seeing yourself making it.   That’s it.

 

It’s golf, there isn’t a one fit for all, but if you practice speeds and reads even 1-2 times a month, the next best thing to do is use that knowledge to “see” your lines then ignore all mechanics and bullxxxx and just go make the putt.  Any technical thoughts happen before the line comes to you.  After that, if you are addressing the ball, the only thoughts should be about how this is going in. Be excited for the opportunity to make it.
 

 I know that sounds like BS, and of course you miss way more putts than you make so it is counterintuitive to believe you will make everything, but in the  moment you believe all of them are dropping.  If you can get there, it’s an awesome place to be mentally in the greens.

 

I think the real secret sauce is that your brain will micro manage your mechanics for you if you are that locked into making what you “see”.   Your brain will subconsciously help make that line in the same way you pull puts breaking right because your brain overrides your read and thinks it needs more or whatever other instances where brain takes over in a swing to subtly override things to achieve a desired outcome.

 

Thanks for attending my 2 part Ted talk on putting secrets revealed 😂

[Bigmean]

On deck!

 

Im pretty excited for both of these sets.  I hope these shafts feel like crazy driver shafts.   The outcome of this is pretty much going to determine if my Small blades become a token set I play for fun a few times a year or fight for their spot back…..the Vega CBs just need to be good enough to get my cb spot from my shingos that are missing a 5 iron and I let my kid use to play, so that bar is much lower than the main bag.   The reality is that I am building that set to just add more convincing evidence to the possibility I am a selective hoarder….

 

Also, if you haven’t bought a grip removal tool, boy am I sooo dumb for not having done so until now.   It pays for itself in 2 grips and works amazeballs.   If you tinker like me it is a must cause grips an out of control cost of building a set….I want to tell everyone to get one, but I think I’m the idiot who didn’t already know😂

[Moarbutter]

On 8/21/2024 at 6:52 PM, Bigmean said:

Congrats!!!! I know it has been a long time you have wanted these, and HOLY SH$T is $2600 in another country a slamming deal for these things now??????😬

 

Thanks! Yeah, I know that's absurd, but the cheapest I've found them for previously was $3,500. You can get them on eBay for crazy custom plating for $5k-$6k. I wanted them closer to $2k, but I just hadn't seen anything even close to that for the last ~8 mo. so I just figured screw it and pulled the trigger.

[Moarbutter]

Re: the putting talk, @Bigmean, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you on the screw mechanics mentality - although I totally agree with your overall mentality. I agree that the end goal needs to be to make your brain comfortable and quiet so that you can just completely trust your brain to handle all of the minute adjustments that need to be made. However, for me personally and the way that my brain works, I needed to chase mechanics and focus on HOW I was putting to find a putting stroke that I felt comfortable with. Once I had found a swing that I could mechanically trust, it allowed my brain to quiet down and put mindlessly.

 

The other thing that I did that helped was that I watched this putting lesson  and establishing a routine over my putt that really helped me out. The primary things that I took from it were to draw the line on my ball, putting to a point, practicing to help me establish speed feels, and most importantly walking off every putt that I make. When I walk up to the green, the very first thing I do is to pace off my putt (obviously taking care not to step on anyone's line) before walking with purpose back to my ball and then reading the putt. From that read, I will figure out how much to adjust the distance by and the rule of thumb I use is to add or subtract a foot for every inch above or below my ball that the hole is and factoring in the break. Say I think that I need to start the ball 2 feet out left and the hole is 6 inches above the ball and I paced it off to 28 feet. That means that I pick a point that is two feet left and 6 feet past the hole. I then visualize the put starting on that line and rolling at that pace to check to see if I think that looks right. If I "make" that putt in my mind, then I set up next to the ball, make a practice stroke for 34 feet, set my putter down behind the ball in line with the line on the ball, take my stance around my putter, take a quick look at the hole to visualize my putt going in, look down and take my stroke for 34 feet. 

What I'll say is that the whole goal of me doing all of that work is to get my mind quiet while it is making that putt and to put my entire soul into being quiet and focused over that putt. I just know that the way my brain works is that I have to have "logically" figured out what I need to do in order to get my brain to be quiet. If I tried to just trust it, my brain would be constantly trying to figure out what needed to happen and used to be very loud over my putts. I've been able to drop my putts per round from ~36-38 down to ~30-32, with the occasional round in twenties by doing this system.

 

It's for sure not for everyone, and I love the way that you have figured out the practice for you, but I wanted to throw my $.02 in about putting mechanics

 

EDIT: @No_Catchy_Nickname re: the lack of practice, I've found that practicing on carpet at home has really helped me out with making a clean stroke. It has highlighted any hook or cut spin I put on the ball which used to affect my start line horribly. I don't know if it works for everyone, but it's something I can do at any point throughout the day on those days I'm working from home. I for sure won't detail the number of 3 minute breaks I'll take to stand up and "stretch my legs". I definitely don't leave my putter and a couple balls out and hit a couple putts to varying distances randomly throughout the day.

Edited August 23, 2024 by Moarbutter

[boggyman]

Put my FG17s “BACK”in the bag after 3 rounds with brand new 790s. Went from an 88 with the 790s to a 74 with the 17s!! Won $45 to boot! Traded off the 790s for a new set of all hybrid Clevelands that’ll be sold off eventually! 

Edited August 23, 2024 by boggyman

[Bigmean]

@Moarbutteryeah I guess by screw mechanics what I meant is this, and I probably agree to disagree even knowing my take on this is full of holes from a logical standpoint…. 

 

To me, All you need to do is consistently start the ball on your line in whatever fashion works for you, starting on the line you see in your head is all your stroke needs to do mechanically.  
 

Why are tester 3-6’ putts so hard? It’s mental.  That is the distance we putt the  “least free” .   We expect to make them, we become obsessed with the blade being square at impact to assure we make them and just don’t send them freely like a  2 footer or 20 footer.   If you have any mechanical thoughts, those mechanics are more likely to break down when focus on them and not just making ball go in hole and letting your body send it.

 

I know, this is some zen hippie crap, but in my experience this has been game changing.  There is also probably a reason that Bob rotella is the putting guru and I believe he is huge on mental approach.

 

 

 

[blades_are_life]

On 8/23/2024 at 6:20 PM, boggyman said:

Put my FG17s “BACK”in the bag after 3 rounds with brand new 790s. Went from an 88 with the 790s to a 74 with the 17s!! Won $45 to boot! Traded off the 790s for a new set of all hybrid Clevelands that’ll be sold off eventually! 

790s feel like a clumsy kiddie tool if you are used to an elite quality solid forged iron.

[boggyman]

8 hours ago, blades_are_life said:

790s feel like a clumsy kiddie tool if you are used to an elite quality solid forged iron.

Indeed…..

[OnlyBuilt4ScottishLinks]

The game (especially lately) certainly doesn’t call for these, but I just couldn’t help myself.  First round with them is on Monday.  

[Nard_S]

On 8/24/2024 at 6:53 AM, Bigmean said:

 

Why are tester 3-6’ putts so hard? It’s mental.  That is the distance we putt the  “least free”

I do a thing where a 6 footer is mentally a 3 footer by seeing a cup in between and go back of cup with it.

 

I practice a lot of "technical" stuff in practice but never play that way, make it point to be all visual & intuitive. Feel speed & visualize ball's path and see what part of cup ball drops.

[craz-e]

18 hours ago, OnlyBuilt4ScottishLinks said:

The game (especially lately) certainly doesn’t call for these, but I just couldn’t help myself.  First round with them is on Monday.  

 

The Blueprint T's are something special. Enjoy

[Bigmean]

I am fresh off an 83 with 3 chunked chips and save for a 20 footer captain putting advice over here couldn’t make anything, so thank god any chips that didn’t insta bogey me were mostly very tight.   So I decided today is a good day to start this.  Hopefully they all go plug and play D2.