PureDivots WITB with lots of pictures

[PureDivots]

I haven't done one of these in a number of years, but after breaking 70 for the first time the other day I felt it was justified as this is the most dialed in my bag has ever been. I have been chasing the dragon like most WRXers for the last 6 years trying to find the perfect setup, I've come to realize it doesn't exist plain and simple. I place a high value on how a club looks and feels as well as how it performs, but recently I've made some sacrifices in looks to edge out some more performance. Anyways here's my bag for the moment. 

 

 

 

Driver: Titleist TS3 9.5* with a Diamana BF 60x untipped at 45" 

 

This driver and shaft are the longest standing club in my bag. I've tried to replace the shaft with Ventus Blue, Ventus Red, Tensei 1k Pro Orange, but so far nothing has been able to beat the performance on the course. I don't like the sound and feel of drivers and woods that have carbon crowns. To me they feel dead and don't provide much feedback.  For the shaft I am obsessed with the way it feels and loads, nothing I've tried is as smooth with such a noticeable controlled kick. This setup shines for me in driving accuracy, which is my greatest strength. I know this is not optimized for distance and with TSR coming I might look into geting fit around the Diamana BF with a new TSR head to try and pick up some distance. 

 

 

 

3 wood:  Titleist TSi2 15* with a Diamana BF 70TX untipped at 42.25"

 

I hate hate hate 3 woods they are my arch enemy. That being said after trying a bunch of different ones of the years this one has been decent, I like the forgiveness of the TSi2 and as I said with the driver I'm obsessed with the Diamana BF. I don't envision replacing this anytime soon as I've finally got some confidence in this spot of my bag even if its just a tiny bit. 

 

 

 

 

Hybrid:  Ping G410 19* with Ping Tour 85x at 39.5" 

 

What can I say about this club it's my favorite club in the bag, my safety blanket. I don't know what magic Ping is doing with their hybrids, but no matter what I do with this club it wants to fly straight. Hit it a mile out on the toe and it will only go 10 yards left and 5 yards short. Combine that forgiveness with playing it about 0.75" short of standard I have the confidence to do it all with this club, high, low, cut, draw, anything! I have only one complaint and it's that sometimes it goes too straight when you need to escape with a big banana slice or hooking draw.

 

 

 

Irons: Mizuno JPX 921 Forged 4-GW with Blackout Project X LZ 6.5 and Mizuno BB&F at Standard L/L/L   

 

I have always played solid forged irons dating all the way back to the Mizuno MP-52 as my first real set of big boy irons. I have ventured out into Srixon z545 and Ping i200 briefly, but that it. Recently though I've come to terms with the fact that I just plain stink at hitting irons compared to the rest of my game and it is by fair my biggest weakness. So enter the JPX 921 Forged these have been a real game changer for me. They are still workable and fly the way I want, but they just have that little extra pop and forgiveness that helps elevate my iron play up closer to the rest of my game. Compared to the z545 I tried in the past these irons don't produce the random low spin flyer from any lie that I had an issue with, distances are consistent. I won't lie and say the feel nearly as good as the Srixon z785s that I had before cause they just don't, but I am ok with that trade off. It helps that the BB&F ferrules with the Blackout LZ just look incredible, I get more questions about them then anything else in my bag. 

 

 

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 Raw 50*/12F 54*/10S 58*/08M Project X LZ 6.5 at Standard L/L/L 

 

I have experimented with other wedges outside of Vokeys, but I just always come back. I know what I'm getting and know they work. The 58* and 54* are locked in for the foreseeable future. Currently the 50* is on the bench for the JPX 921 Gap Wedge, but that might change depending on the conditions and course. I love the look of rusty raw wedges and don't think I will ever be able to play anything else. 

 

 

 

Putter: Odyssey Tri Hot 5k Double Wide at 34" Ping Midsize Cord Grip

 

This is the newest addition to the bag. I have been struggling with putting all season. The issue would change from one round to the next between speed or alignment. I have always been a milled blade person, but have recently tried a number of mallets like the Scotty Cameron Phantom X5 and while it helped with alignment and there was noticeable forgiveness compared to by blade I found that occasionally I would get what I call a "hot one" that came out super fast and blew by the hole. These Tri Hot 5k putters are something special I get the noticeable forgiveness of a mallet, but with the consistency that comes with my preferred blade style. Again like the irons this one is a bit of a trade off when it comes to looks and feel as I can't stand the red stroke lab shaft, but when the ball is going in the hole it doesn't matter. 

 

 

Grips:  Golf Pride Standard MMC White with 2 wraps and logo down

 

My go to grip is normally the Tour Velvet Cord .580, but you can't get them anymore so I had to settle. I do not know how anyone plays a non corded grip in the middle of the summer and holds onto the club. 

 

 

 

Ball: Yellow Srixon Z Star XV

 

Not much to say about the Srixon ball itself, it's a solid ball that flies the way I want and got them for a great deal. As far as playing yellow goes I will never go back. I have bad eye sight and it's nearly impossible for me to track a white ball over 100 yards. I have come to love the yellow and think it saves me strokes when I might have lost my ball otherwise. Plus, it is saves time because it's easy to find in the rough and know it's your ball. Simple black dot to mark. 

 

 

Other Putter:  Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport 2, Custom Lajosi DD201 Longneck 

 

The Scotty is the first high end putter I ever got and while I haven't seriously used it in a long time I won't get rid of it for nostalgia reasons. 

 

The Lajosi had been my game for two years or so, but as mentioned my putting has been horrible so it is on the bench. Also I am not sure face balanced works for me anymore. 

 

 

 

Bag: Ping Hoofer 14 (can't remember the year)

 

The only reason I mention this is because of my flat out hatred of this bag. If you want club tangle this bag is the one for you. Ping should be embarrassed, I don't think the new Hoofer 14s have been any better. The only reason I haven't replaced it is I've yet to find a bag with all the features I want. If you know of a stand bag that has 14 way dividers, full length dividers, cart strap pass through, a magnetic rangefinder pocket, a better putter slot dnd fully removable straps please let me know.  

 

 

Edited August 11, 2022 by PureDivots

[JDTex]

Nice bag! You have kept that Newport in fantastic shape. 

[akap4surf]

Awesome setup!! What kind of headcovers are those? They look great!

[PureDivots]

3 hours ago, JDTex said:

Nice bag! You have kept that Newport in fantastic shape. 

Thanks! I absolutely baby my putters if one was to get a dent on the topline I might die. I'll bring it still in the headcover greenside with my wedge when I have a chip shot that way its not sitting exposed on the ground. 

Edited August 12, 2022 by PureDivots

[PureDivots]

3 hours ago, akap4surf said:

Awesome setup!! What kind of headcovers are those? They look great!

Thanks! They are HeadGear golf, If i remember right I bought them from a member here. My main playing partner has  ones from Stitch and I prefer the quality of the HeadGear.

 

Edit: found the link to them 

https://headgeargolf.com/product/top-grain-leather-classic-style-blackwhite-headcover-set-with-checkered-flag-fleece/?v=ae551853b692

Edited August 12, 2022 by PureDivots

[WiscoLefty]

Great bag and nice little putter stash. 

[PureDivots]

14 hours ago, WiscoLefty said:

Great bag and nice little putter stash. 

Thanks! I’ve had a bunch of putters over the years and this is all that remains. The ones that carry an emotional connection plus the gamer. I won’t be surprised if a new one enters the fold at some point because I get the itch though. 

[WiscoLefty]

1 hour ago, PureDivots said:

Thanks! I’ve had a bunch of putters over the years and this is all that remains. The ones that carry an emotional connection plus the gamer. I won’t be surprised if a new one enters the fold at some point because I get the itch though. 

I’m doing the same thing trying to unload some putters but always have my eye open for the next shiny new flat stick. 

[gentles]

Sweet bag. I just picked up a lajosi in a very similar shape with a copper plated finish and a sight dot. 

[PureDivots]

On 8/18/2022 at 4:44 PM, gentles said:

Sweet bag. I just picked up a lajosi in a very similar shape with a copper plated finish and a sight dot. 

Long neck? If so I've seen the pics and its a beauty. Kari makes some of the best putters around. Extremely underrated.

[TreqJosh]

Love the bag and couldn't agree more about the Hoofer - if you find a 14 way bag with those specs - be sure to post it!

[PureDivots]

Rogue ST Max LS 10.5 has arrived to try out this weekend. I'm hoping it ends up being a lower spin head than the TS3 and then higher loft allows me to launch it higher. Sticking with my favorite shaft for the time being. Had to add some lead tape to bring the head weight up. Also went for a grip change on the putter, Cord DFX feels really nice. 

[PureDivots]

Just a quick update. I think the Max LS is staying. I ended up turning it down a degree in loft and it hits the flight window I really like for the moment. Ball speed feels up compared to the TS3 and with all the talk about consistent spin across the face as the industry hot topic this year I think its true. Ive had several bad swings out of the heel and the ball just doesnt go as far right as I think it would, it goes right then just holds on. I might mess around with a different shaft maybe a Ventus TR Red or Blue. In the past I've found Ventus shafts just launch higher than you would think without tons of spin. Also I switched back to the ping midsize cord grip on the putter, it just seems to work the best. 

[Aprovenz]

Amazing bag. Super funny with the driver... I absolutely LOVE my TS3 as well, can't find anything to beat it out. In classic tinker fashion just picked up a Rogue ST LS to try and beat it out. I hope I get the same success as you! 

[PureDivots]

7 minutes ago, Aprovenz said:

Amazing bag. Super funny with the driver... I absolutely LOVE my TS3 as well, can't find anything to beat it out. In classic tinker fashion just picked up a Rogue ST LS to try and beat it out. I hope I get the same success as you! 

So far its just been a hair better, I would have no problem putting the TS3 back in. Only other thing I will consider is the TSR. 

[Aprovenz]

34 minutes ago, PureDivots said:

So far its just been a hair better, I would have no problem putting the TS3 back in. Only other thing I will consider is the TSR. 

My TS3 is the only club I won't get rid of. Even if I replace it in the bag. I'm just way too comfy with it. Not sure why I'm searching for better, but here we are!

[CoachCraigie]

Great bag!

[CPGolf14]

Like the TS3 with lead tape!

[MGN01]

Great set up.  Love the irons and thanks for comparing with the Srixon z545s.  I am looking to put Srixons in the bag next.  Thanks.

[Nelson.br.1515]

Love that Tri-hot 5k!

[tilrifz]

Really solid bag overall. That Lajosi long neck is a beaut. 

[PureDivots]

11 hours ago, Nelson.br.1515 said:

Love that Tri-hot 5k!

It continues to impress me everytime I play. Without a doubt can say I’m making more putts. 

[PureDivots]

Minor update the Rogue Max LS is probably headed to the chopping block. While the flight and everything seemed solid I could not for the life of me stop it from going right. I think I’ll just hold out for now with the TS3 until I can get my hands on a TSR 

[Katke87]

On 8/11/2022 at 10:00 PM, PureDivots said:

Thanks! They are HeadGear golf, If i remember right I bought them from a member here. My main playing partner has  ones from Stitch and I prefer the quality of the HeadGear.

 

Edit: found the link to them 

https://headgeargolf.com/product/top-grain-leather-classic-style-blackwhite-headcover-set-with-checkered-flag-fleece/?v=ae551853b692

Terrific sticks. Also love those headcovers. I've bought a few Stitches over the years, and their leather keeps getting thinner and thinner. HeadGear uses a thicker leather and thicker lining. Also like the leathers that Cru uses; as good as Dormie but half the cost.

[PureDivots]

1 hour ago, Katke87 said:

Terrific sticks. Also love those headcovers. I've bought a few Stitches over the years, and their leather keeps getting thinner and thinner. HeadGear uses a thicker leather and thicker lining. Also like the leathers that Cru uses; as good as Dormie but half the cost.

The quality is alot better than Stitch. I was shocked at how thin the Stitch ones are.

[jfrank]

The Odyssey Double Wide with the cord grip is a great setup.  I'm a fan.  That Rogue head seemed super forgiving - I hit my buddy's recently and it went crazy long even thought it was a little toey.  I still prefer my old 913, so I'm with you on the gamer change.  The TSR looks amazing.

[PureDivots]

1 hour ago, jfrank said:

The Odyssey Double Wide with the cord grip is a great setup.  I'm a fan.  That Rogue head seemed super forgiving - I hit my buddy's recently and it went crazy long even thought it was a little toey.  I still prefer my old 913, so I'm with you on the gamer change.  The TSR looks amazing.

 

The Tri-Hot 5k just keeps performing and I don't see a reason to take it out of the bag.

 

Rouge was a good driver, but just didn't do enough for me to drop the TS3 and then not go to TSR at some point. 

[bertsbogeys]

I am the in same boat on the carbonwoods. Been playing the M4 for a while now and have tried SIM and Stealth, both feel so dead off the face. Not sure what to upgrade to next, TSR is at the top of my list to try 

[PureDivots]

1 hour ago, bertsbogeys said:

I am the in same boat on the carbonwoods. Been playing the M4 for a while now and have tried SIM and Stealth, both feel so dead off the face. Not sure what to upgrade to next, TSR is at the top of my list to try 

Only big brand options for an all metal driver are Titleist and Ping G430 Max. 

[PureDivots]

Went and did a driver fitting for the first time in several years and learned alot about my driver swing. Basically I am doing everything possible to put spin on the ball, open face, negative club path and hitting slightly down on it. I expect these to get more back to neutral as the season picks up and my swing gets better. I always start the year with a worse swing then find a groove. 

 

I tested four drivers and here are the takeaways:

 

TSR3 9* Hzrdus Black 6.0 - Felt and looked great but spun too much 

 

Mizuno STZ- 230 9.5*  Hzrdus Black 6.0 - Felt alittle dead and had a super open face which I didnt like looking at. Short lived and the numbers I can't even remember 

 

Srixon ZX5 MKII LS  9.5* (might have been turned down) Hzrdus Blue 6.0 - Low spin monster and the lowest I tested. Overall though I didnt love the looks and sound. Ball speed was solid. 

 

Ping G430 9* set to 8* Tour Black 2.0 65S, Hzrdus Black 6.0 and Rogue White 70S -  Even with the heavier head that took about a mph off my club head speed it was the best in ball speed by 2-3 mph. This thing was crazy fast out of the bottom of the face which is my normal miss. Spin was being managed and it felt and sounded awesome. 

 

 

So at the end of the day I have a G430 LST wiht the Tour Black 2.0 on order and couldn't be more excited. I saw an increase of about 15 yards in carry and I expect that to only go up as my swing gets better.