Is no particular reason reason enough to buy a GT3?

[sfdoddsy]

For the past few years I've been playing various iterations of the Ping G430 with good results. Before that I had good results with numerous others. My numbers from my first ever Trackman session with a Callaway GBB in 2016 are basically identical to those of every other driver I've been fitted for, swing speed aside.

 

I've long accepted that minor advances in technology do nothing to stem the major ravages of advancing age. 

 

Nevertheless I'm going to buy a Titleist GT3 tomorrow.

 

I've been trying (and failing) to find a single reason justifying the move. I don't think I'll hit it any better. I don't think it looks any better. I'm not a Titleist fanboy. I like the Titleist adapter, but have no issues with the Ping one.

 

Maybe sound? 

 

I moved from my long term PXG irons to Clevelands earlier this year for what seemed like valid reasons, even if those reasons were likely spurious. And when I change putters and wedges I do so in the forlorn hope there will be a difference.

 

I think there is no reason for most people to change drivers (or any other club), but that's not quite the same as doing it for no reason.

 

I'm sure there are others who no longer even bother trying to justify their whims. And I'd love to see manufacturers drop their pretences too.

 

I would never buy the new Callaway Paradym AI Max Fast Driver because its mere presence in one's bag shrieks of gullibility.

 

But I might be tempted by one marketed as: The new Callaway Driver. Why the heck not.

 

[grochol17]

Just tell yourself that you're buying the GT3 to put the 430 on notice that it needs to keep behaving.

[stryper]

If you want to do it, that’s a reason all by itself…and that’s reason enough. 

[Springsteennut]

Your money, spend it you got it.

[PNWGuy]

This is the GT3 I want.

 

[AdExec]

I just did. Perfectly happy with my original sim going into the 5th year of it. Still trying to find the next unicorn. QI10 LS felt great, sounded great, and flew great but still spun up too much on mishits. GT2 was close, but launched and spun a little too much in general. GT3 9* incoming to see if it’s the magic head. 

[getitdaily]

Biggest reason not to is because if you're going titleist...gotta go gt2

[95124hacker]

Retail spending helps grow the economy. Go for it!

[Onohediint]

On 11/20/2024 at 7:07 AM, sfdoddsy said:

For the past few years I've been playing various iterations of the Ping G430 with good results. Before that I had good results with numerous others. My numbers from my first ever Trackman session with a Callaway GBB in 2016 are basically identical to those of every other driver I've been fitted for, swing speed aside.

 

I've long accepted that minor advances in technology do nothing to stem the major ravages of advancing age. 

 

Nevertheless I'm going to buy a Titleist GT3 tomorrow.

 

I've been trying (and failing) to find a single reason justifying the move. I don't think I'll hit it any better. I don't think it looks any better. I'm not a Titleist fanboy. I like the Titleist adapter, but have no issues with the Ping one.

 

Maybe sound? 

 

I moved from my long term PXG irons to Clevelands earlier this year for what seemed like valid reasons, even if those reasons were likely spurious. And when I change putters and wedges I do so in the forlorn hope there will be a difference.

 

I think there is no reason for most people to change drivers (or any other club), but that's not quite the same as doing it for no reason.

 

I'm sure there are others who no longer even bother trying to justify their whims. And I'd love to see manufacturers drop their pretences too.

 

I would never buy the new Callaway Paradym AI Max Fast Driver because its mere presence in one's bag shrieks of gullibility.

 

But I might be tempted by one marketed as: The new Callaway Driver. Why the heck not.

 

This is GolfWRX…no reason is the best reason to get new clubs around here.

[Nickb333]

On 11/20/2024 at 1:02 PM, Springsteennut said:

Your money, spend it you got it.

When I ran a small winery, one of my favorite lines was “your money, your mouth”.

If you believe a $300 bottle tastes better than a $30 bottle, I'll personally load your car with as many cases as you’d like. 

[sfdoddsy]

Well aren't I feeling a tad embarrassed?

 

After loudly proclaiming that one may as well buy a driver on a whim because they make no difference, I did indeed buy a GT3 on a whim. And immediately proved myself wrong.

 

My two (competition) rounds with it over the past couple of days produced my worst driving in a long long time. Taking a couple of provisionals so I could hit the G430 LST alongside resulted in a return to form.

 

The GT3 did sound better. But my cussing soon drowned that advantge out.

 

Obviously the golf gods (sponsored no doubt by the golf manufacturers) were offended by my mockery. And whilst I may be sceptical, I am still superstitious. So I have already flipped the GT3 (for a slight profit thanks to Black Friday deals) :).

 

To complete my penance I am seriously considering buying the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max driver I mocked earlier. It is still stupidly (over)named. But maybe the gods will get a giggle from total humiliation and grant me a brief respite from the ravages of age.

 

What do I have to lose?

 

 

[getitdaily]

6 minutes ago, sfdoddsy said:

Well aren't I feeling a tad embarrassed?

 

After loudly proclaiming that one may as well buy a driver on a whim because they make no difference, I did indeed buy a GT3 on a whim. And immediately proved myself wrong.

 

My two (competition) rounds with it over the past couple of days produced my worst driving in a long long time. Taking a couple of provisionals so I could hit the G430 LST alongside resulted in a return to form.

 

The GT3 did sound better. But my cussing soon drowned that advantge out.

 

Obviously the golf gods (sponsored no doubt by the golf manufacturers) were offended by my mockery. And whilst I may be sceptical, I am still superstitious. So I have already flipped the GT3 (for a slight profit thanks to Black Friday deals) :).

 

To complete my penance I am seriously considering buying the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max driver I mocked earlier. It is still stupidly (over)named. But maybe the gods will get a giggle from total humiliation and grant me a brief respite from the ravages of age.

 

What do I have to lose?

 

 

Told you...

 

Zero reason to buy gt3. Gt2 is the better driver, by a mile.

[mvvraz]

On 11/23/2024 at 4:26 PM, getitdaily said:

Told you...

 

Zero reason to buy gt3. Gt2 is the better driver, by a mile.

I came from the TSR2, took the GT2 and GT3 out on the course and could not find a single reason to go to the GT2. Spun way way too much and flew too high, it felt like it was closer to the TSR1 than the TSR2 

 

The GT3 felt like a great intermediate between TSR2 and TSR3, I have been in love with it for the past few months 

[AdExec]

Just played a pre turkey day celebration 9 holes with the new GT3 and I’m calling it now. This thing is a certified BOMBER with the Tensei 1k pro blue. First driver I’ve hit that can match the original Sim in distance and potentially beat it. (wet over seeded fairways currently so all carry). 
 

Sounds good. Feels good. Flies good. Looks good. 

[PeterJP]

Fascinating post and internal process there, sfdoddsy. It brings to mind a question: if you (or me, or anyone on golfwrx) can't actually trust our own thoughts processes and ability to emotionally regulate our wants and desires -- since, as you say, we tend to easily accept if not actually embrace i) spurious arguments, ii) forlorn hopes, iii) marketing-and-advertising excesses, pretenses, and sheer fraudulence iv) passing whims of every kind, and v) our own personal past experiences with all of the above -- how can you or I trust that even the question your asking right now has in itself any validity and rationality to support it? See what I mean? 

 

Or, to put it briefly:  If a tree falls in the forest we buy a GT3 and no one is there to hear it it doesn't work for us any better than an old GBB, does it still make a sound is there anyone left around here who can notice? 

 

Edited November 28, 2024 by PeterJP

[sfdoddsy]

On 11/29/2024 at 8:32 AM, PeterJP said:

Fascinating post and internal process there, sfdoddsy. It brings to mind a question: if you (or me, or anyone on golfwrx) can't actually trust our own thoughts processes and ability to emotionally regulate our wants and desires -- since, as you say, we tend to easily accept if not actually embrace i) spurious arguments, ii) forlorn hopes, iii) marketing-and-advertising excesses, pretenses, and sheer fraudulence iv) passing whims of every kind, and v) our own personal past experiences with all of the above -- how can you or I trust that even the question your asking right now has in itself any validity and rationality to support it? See what I mean? 

 

Or, to put it briefly:  If a tree falls in the forest we buy a GT3 and no one is there to hear it it doesn't work for us any better than an old GBB, does it still make a sound is there anyone left around here who can notice? 

 

Indeed.

 

I've been a member of this august site from its early days 20 years ago when it was formed as a reaction to the industry sucking up of the big golf publications.

 

We believed in shafts and technology and science and evidence. And proceeded to selectively use this to justify our constant equipment churn.

 

I was perhaps wrong that the GT3 would be no different from other drivers. For me it was worse.

 

Fortunately I was able to sell it for more than I paid. 

 

So I decided to double up and bought the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max I mocked in my original post. I'm hitting it much better than the GT3. I like the sound and feel better too.  In 2 of my last 3 rounds I've broken my handicap.

 

But there is no difference at all on Trackman (or on the course) to the ten year old GBB I referred to or indeed the Mavrik, the Cobra LTD, the TSR2, the Ping G430, the PXG 0811 or any of the other drivers I have had good times with. Except that age has reduced my swing speed so I don't hit it as far.

 

We all know this. The manufacturers know this. The pros know this. The reviewers know this. Yet we willingly join the collective disbelief.

 

Since joining Golfwrx in 2006, I've gone through literally dozens of putters, drivers, irons, shafts and wedges, plus a whole bunch of hybrids and woods. Based on Trackman and on course results, the only move that actually made a real difference was going from blades to more forgiving irons. And of course I went back to blades quite a few times anyway.

 

Despite knowing and accepting this, and my obvious (and annoying) smugness about the gullibility of golfers, I have no doubt that next year, or next month, or even next week, I will once again pointlessly throw money at someone for a new toy.

 

Failing to do so would be an admission that my golfing failures are somehow my fault.

 

And that is a step too far for most of us at Golfwrx.

 

So I'll continue to pretend to believe manufacturers' claims that each generation of drivers has added 5 yards despite abundant evidence that driving distance (non-pro) hasn't changed in years. And that my ability to still hit a 7 iron 160 yards is due to the magic of AI rather than said 7 iron having the same loft as my old 5 iron. And that each of the hundreds of shafts at Club Champion is actually somehow unique despite producing identical results on Trackman. And that Trackman can actually predict what happens on the course despite numerous fittings indicating otherwise. And that a prettier/bigger/smaller/steelier/uprighter/inserted/non-inserted/black/not-black/whatever putter can improve my putting despite having tried all these variations without success. And that spending $1500 on a new driver and shaft to lower spin is somehow wiser than spending $2 on a different ball.

 

And on and on.

[njmack]

2 hours ago, sfdoddsy said:

Indeed.

 

I've been a member of this august site from its early days 20 years ago when it was formed as a reaction to the industry sucking up of the big golf publications.

 

We believed in shafts and technology and science and evidence. And proceeded to selectively use this to justify our constant equipment churn.

 

I was perhaps wrong that the GT3 would be no different from other drivers. For me it was worse.

 

Fortunately I was able to sell it for more than I paid. 

 

So I decided to double up and bought the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max I mocked in my original post. I'm hitting it much better than the GT3. I like the sound and feel better too.  In 2 of my last 3 rounds I've broken my handicap.

 

But there is no difference at all on Trackman (or on the course) to the ten year old GBB I referred to or indeed the Mavrik, the Cobra LTD, the TSR2, the Ping G430, the PXG 0811 or any of the other drivers I have had good times with. Except that age has reduced my swing speed so I don't hit it as far.

 

We all know this. The manufacturers know this. The pros know this. The reviewers know this. Yet we willingly join the collective disbelief.

 

Since joining Golfwrx in 2006, I've gone through literally dozens of putters, drivers, irons, shafts and wedges, plus a whole bunch of hybrids and woods. Based on Trackman and on course results, the only move that actually made a real difference was going from blades to more forgiving irons. And of course I went back to blades quite a few times anyway.

 

Despite knowing and accepting this, and my obvious (and annoying) smugness about the gullibility of golfers, I have no doubt that next year, or next month, or even next week, I will once again pointlessly throw money at someone for a new toy.

 

Failing to do so would be an admission that my golfing failures are somehow my fault.

 

And that is a step too far for most of us at Golfwrx.

 

So I'll continue to pretend to believe manufacturers' claims that each generation of drivers has added 5 yards despite abundant evidence that driving distance (non-pro) hasn't changed in years. And that my ability to still hit a 7 iron 160 yards is due to the magic of AI rather than said 7 iron having the same loft as my old 5 iron. And that each of the hundreds of shafts at Club Champion is actually somehow unique despite producing identical results on Trackman. And that Trackman can actually predict what happens on the course despite numerous fittings indicating otherwise. And that a prettier/bigger/smaller/steelier/uprighter/inserted/non-inserted/black/not-black/whatever putter can improve my putting despite having tried all these variations without success. And that spending $1500 on a new driver and shaft to lower spin is somehow wiser than spending $2 on a different ball.

 

And on and on.

 

Amen to that!

 

Putting has always been my weakness. After a brief lesson on the greens, my final three rounds of the year totaled 31, 29, and 31 putts. I even drained a few from 20+ feet. Felt great about it--did it keep me from buying a putter last weekend because I thought a single-bend profile would better suit my stroke? Absolutely not lol can't wait till that thing shows up.

[stryper]

On 11/28/2024 at 3:15 PM, AdExec said:

Just played a pre turkey day celebration 9 holes with the new GT3 and I’m calling it now. This thing is a certified BOMBER with the Tensei 1k pro blue. First driver I’ve hit that can match the original Sim in distance and potentially beat it. (wet over seeded fairways currently so all carry). 
 

Sounds good. Feels good. Flies good. Looks good. 

Missed this post earlier, and I agree.  This is the setup I was fit for, and all I can say in terms of both Titleist fitting and function is:

 

 

[RoyalMustang]

On 11/20/2024 at 3:12 PM, PNWGuy said:

This is the GT3 I want.

 

 

that's an RS! Not just a mere "GT3". 

 

I had a 991.1 GT3 set up as a track car. It was a hell of a ride but we downsized to a smaller track prepped Cayman S. I learned, as everyone does, that it's more fun to drive a slower car fast than a faster car slow. Plus, 3 pedals vs. 2 on the GT3: it's a better driving experience.  

[bigdriveandy]

On 11/23/2024 at 9:18 AM, sfdoddsy said:

Well aren't I feeling a tad embarrassed?

 

After loudly proclaiming that one may as well buy a driver on a whim because they make no difference, I did indeed buy a GT3 on a whim. And immediately proved myself wrong.

 

My two (competition) rounds with it over the past couple of days produced my worst driving in a long long time. Taking a couple of provisionals so I could hit the G430 LST alongside resulted in a return to form.

 

The GT3 did sound better. But my cussing soon drowned that advantge out.

 

Obviously the golf gods (sponsored no doubt by the golf manufacturers) were offended by my mockery. And whilst I may be sceptical, I am still superstitious. So I have already flipped the GT3 (for a slight profit thanks to Black Friday deals) :).

 

To complete my penance I am seriously considering buying the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max driver I mocked earlier. It is still stupidly (over)named. But maybe the gods will get a giggle from total humiliation and grant me a brief respite from the ravages of age.

 

What do I have to lose?

 

 

You are making it super hard for me to move away from my GT3 into a G430 LST.... I came from a G400 Max and since having the GT3 in my bag all my driving stats have gone downhill.

[Rbsiedsc]

On 11/23/2024 at 6:18 AM, sfdoddsy said:

Well aren't I feeling a tad embarrassed?

 

After loudly proclaiming that one may as well buy a driver on a whim because they make no difference, I did indeed buy a GT3 on a whim. And immediately proved myself wrong.

 

My two (competition) rounds with it over the past couple of days produced my worst driving in a long long time. Taking a couple of provisionals so I could hit the G430 LST alongside resulted in a return to form.

 

The GT3 did sound better. But my cussing soon drowned that advantge out.

 

Obviously the golf gods (sponsored no doubt by the golf manufacturers) were offended by my mockery. And whilst I may be sceptical, I am still superstitious. So I have already flipped the GT3 (for a slight profit thanks to Black Friday deals) :).

 

To complete my penance I am seriously considering buying the Callaway Paradym AI Smoke Max driver I mocked earlier. It is still stupidly (over)named. But maybe the gods will get a giggle from total humiliation and grant me a brief respite from the ravages of age.

 

What do I have to lose?

 

 

I’m just curious what club you took out of the bag to accommodate two drivers

[ParadiseGolf]

I was in the g425 max and hit it very well. I got along w the turbulators look for alignment.
 

Then I wanted my bag to be full Titleist so I recreated my shaft and Headweight setup in a tsr2. I missed horribly and here’s my learning: the alignment marks were throwing me off. 

I was finding heel and wayward shots in the tsr2. I fixed this by imagining the silver tsr 1/4” further toe side. Found pure shots again and ~10yds total increase. 
 

I must’ve been using the toe side large turbulator to aim or something. 
 

Hope this helps someone!