Tried a Persimmon Wood for the First Time

[DCCarpenter]

I just started playing golf this summer and had noticed a bunch of references to blades and persimmon woods on the forums as well as several people mentioning Goodwill had golf clubs. I had to see for myself what both played like.

All this spurred my first ever trip to a Goodwill on my way back from work today, I picked up a Wilson 7 iron blade and a Wilson 3 fairway wood for $4 total. It was getting dark when I parked at home but I really wanted to try out the fairway wood, I teed up a ball and launched one into my field (thankfully I live on 10 acres). Impact felt good and it made a cool sound, I couldn't see where it went with the twilight but it felt like I flushed it.

Anyone who played one of these fairway woods, what kind of distance did your average run of the mill golfer get on them? Any better or worse off the fairway grass than newer 3 woods? 

 

[Bonvivant]

I've got a decent amount of experience with them, mostly in my youth (I'm only 33 but didn't grow up rich so had old clubs) and some in my adult years. I find them harder to hit off the turf than modern stuff because they feel like they sit so high (tall face), but still can put a good strike on it most of the time. Distance suffers a decent amount on anything that isn't right out of the screws, but they are a blast to play.

When I got back into golf 4 years ago, I decided to buy new/used stuff that was more modern, but I always loved the look of the blade irons. I picked up a set of the original Nike forged blades on ebay so I could have something with modern grips/shafts but still get the look I liked behind the ball.

I hope you enjoy toying around with the new sticks. It's fun if you and a buddy can both get a full set each and play a "vintage" round. I have a friend and we do this about once a year. Clubs from they 70s or earlier, but we use modern balls.

Edit*

I forgot to mention about the loft of the irons. Don't try and compare the distance of the 7 iron to a modern set, as it is going to be anywhere from 1-3 clubs weaker in loft depending on your modern set. It's common to see PW of the old set at 49-51 degrees. Modern SGI irons have PW in the 38-40 degree range. Quite the difference.

Edited November 12, 2021 by Bonvivant
addition

[Carl3]

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There are videos out there showing pros hitting vintage clubs

 

Edited November 13, 2021 by Carl3

[Vinsk]

24 minutes ago, Carl3 said:

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There are videos out there showing pros hitting vintage clubs

 

That last swing was 111mph? Damn…I need that TrackMan.😮

[steelied]

Grew up on “woods”, blades and balatas. Shocking that I stuck with it. Much, much harder for the average hack. 🤣

Did buy some Mizuno blades awhile back when I was playing 3/4 times a weeks. Feel is amazing but the distance loss can be punishing when you miss even by a little bit. 

I do remember reading something to the effect that modern balls and persimmon do necessarily get along? 

[DCCarpenter]

I took the Persimmon 3 wood and the Wilson 7 blade out to the driving range and to play 9 holes. Results were a bit muted because my back has been bothering me but neither were unplayable.

I didn't notice a huge difference between the 7 iron blade and my old Alpha cavity back 7 iron. The Wilson 7 iron is about 1" shorter than the Alpha and has a different loft as Bonvivant mentioned. I would say I hit it about as far as my 9 iron. The Alpha has a graphite shaft and the blade has a steel shaft so there is that difference going as well.

My miss is usually to top a shot or hit it fat rather than be off center so if a shot is going to be bad it'll be bad with the blade or with the cavity back it seems. I've used the alignment tape and sprays and I'm pretty good making contact in the center.

The Persimmon wood was going well off the tee and deck for the 3 or 4 shots I hit at the range each way with it. I started strong off the deck at the course with it but I think as I got tired and eased up due to my back bothering me my results fell off a cliff with it. With the steel shaft on it I've got to be fresh and feeling good , much like my utility iron, to use it properly. Even before I got tired my Ping G425 5 wood was outhitting it distance wise , about 10 yards more on average I'd say.