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Need sound advice on TM-v-Cally

post #1 of 6
12/27/12 at 4:50pm
Thread Starter 

Okay...I confess...I didn't look through ALL of the threads to see if this question has been already been asked or not. Truthfully, I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to the question/dilemma I have. But here goes nothing...

 

I'm a 0.7 handicap who uses TM R7 TP irons (bought new in 2007). Before the TM's, I used Top-Flite Tours from 1994 (OLD school!). I have $1000 in Mens Club Winnings to spend before the end of the year on new irons. Everything but my irons are set. 

 

I'm considering the Rocketbladez Tour Irons as well as the 2013 Callaway X Forged. BOTH will be a step-up from what I'm currently using!

 

The dilemma...I can't hit either of them before the end of the year, so whatever decision I make, it will be based on assumptions and advice. I've hit the standard RocketBladze as well as the current X Forged. The RB did as advertised, as the 7-iron was about 10-15 yards farther than my current R7 TP 7-iron. The X Forged was about 5 yards further. Both clubs have COMPLETELY different feels to them.

 

Any advice on how to move forward? Thoughts? Suggestions? 

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post #2 of 6
12/27/12 at 5:44pm

Tough question since you have to make a decision before the end of the year (can you even spend it on the Cally's before the end of the year since they will not be out until after the first?)...   If you are dead set on one of these sets, I would go with which ever set is the most appealing to you.  

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post #3 of 6
12/27/12 at 6:04pm

You might start by taking a look at the company web sites and spec sheets:

 

http://taylormadegolf.com/TaylorMade/RocketBladez-Tour-Irons/DW-JN938,en_US,pd.html

 

The Callaway site, as near as I can tell, does not have any specs up for the 2013 Forged irons.

 

If you can find the Forged specs, you  might look at the comparative lofts. TM has led the charge in recent years for ever-stronger lofts.

 

The RBZ-T irons have an unusual loft progression of 5* between 9i and PW, then 4.25* between 8i through 5i, then drops to 3.25* between 5i and below. Even in a pro club, TM has delivered a 19* 3i (shades of Ping). Marketing promo says 3i through 7i has flight enhancement technology to help get the ball up.

 

The stock shaft is a KBS Tour / flighted model (S.flex version = 120 gr.). The flighting will give a little extra lift on the longer irons, and prevent the short irons from ballooning.

 

Can you compare the two iron models on a launch monitor, preferably outdoors? Given you're a scratch golfer, I assume you have enough clubhead speed that you could go with either one. Depends on which head and shaft combos come closest to your ideal trajectory. If you're leery of "too strong" lofts, Callaway might be the way to go.

 

Get some data to help you make your choice. Don't rush this one.

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post #4 of 6
12/27/12 at 6:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by WUTiger View Post

You might start by taking a look at the company web sites and spec sheets:

http://taylormadegolf.com/TaylorMade/RocketBladez-Tour-Irons/DW-JN938,en_US,pd.html

The Callaway site, as near as I can tell, does not have any specs up for the 2013 Forged irons.

If you can find the Forged specs, you  might look at the comparative lofts. TM has led the charge in recent years for ever-stronger lofts.

The RBZ-T irons have an unusual loft progression of 5* between 9i and PW, then 4.25* between 8i through 5i, then drops to 3.25* between 5i and below. Even in a pro club, TM has delivered a 19* 3i (shades of Ping). Marketing promo says 3i through 7i has flight enhancement technology to help get the ball up.

The stock shaft is a KBS Tour / flighted model (S.flex version = 120 gr.). The flighting will give a little extra lift on the longer irons, and prevent the short irons from ballooning.

Can you compare the two iron models on a launch monitor, preferably outdoors? Given you're a scratch golfer, I assume you have enough clubhead speed that you could go with either one. Depends on which head and shaft combos come closest to your ideal trajectory. If you're leery of "too strong" lofts, Callaway might be the way to go.

Get some data to help you make your choice. Don't rush this one.
Cally's website says the 2013 X-forged lofts are: 3i-21*, 4i- 24*, 5i-27*, 6i-30*, 7i-34*, 8i-38*, 9i-42*, PW-46*   The stock shaft is a Project X PXI shaft. I don't see anything on Cally's website that gives the weight, etc but the Project X website says the shaft is 108gr on the 5.0 and 5.5, 112gr on the 6.0, and 117gr on the 6.5..
Edited by teamroper60 - 12/27/12 at 7:03pm
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post #5 of 6
12/28/12 at 11:17am
Thread Starter 

Spent an hour at i-Fit Golf last night (a converted Golf Etc) with the owner (a buddy). My hope was some professional advice would help matters as well as some actual swing data.

 

So...some findings:  We compared my 7-iron (R7 TP) versus the RocketBladez standard 7-iron. I took 10 swings with each.

 

R7 TP averaged 161 with a high of 166 and a low of 154

 

Rocketbladez averaged 178 with a high of 182 and a low of 176.

 

Conclusions: I still wish I could hit a TOUR version but the rocketbladez standard was just too "hot" and I couldn't move it at all. It goes straight as an arrow. Yes...it feels a bit "springy as well".

 

I then took my 6-iron and compared it versus the current X Forged and a newcomer to the game, the Adams CMB Forged.

 

R7 TP averaged 170 with a high of 176 and a low of 165 with a somewhat inconsistent ball flight

 

X Forged averaged 175 with a high of 180 and a low of 171. Feels GREAT coming off the face.

 

Adams CMB Forged averaged 177 with a high of 179 and a low of 176. 10 shots all within 3 yards of each other with very consistent ball flight

 

Conclusions: Very impressed with the Adams CMB Forged...so much that I think it's moved to the top of my list. Again, I WISH I could hit the 2013 X Forged before I make my purchase :(

 

Anybody have any thoughts based on this info? Any Adams CMB Forged owners here?

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post #6 of 6
12/28/12 at 3:16pm

I don't have any experience with the '13 X forged or Rocketbladez.  At a 0.7 handicap, I'd probably suggest either the CMB or the X-Forged.

 

I've hit the CMB and read numerous reviews... Thanks to a little Christmas bonus, these will be going in my bag for 2013.

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