Time for an Upgrade

[ragontona]

Hey,

Newbie here, long time reader, first time poster.

I've been playing off and on for about twenty years, more so in the past ten. I don't play nearly as much as I'd like to (about 6-10 times per season), but I still manage to maintain a decent handicap. It's been as low as 8.9, but lately I hover in the 11-14 range.

Game-wise, I'm strong with the fairway woods, iffy with the driver, pretty decent ball-striker, but my short game isn't great. Decent roller of the ball, but still manage a couple of three-putz per round. Pretty consistently in the low to mid 80's, score-wise.

My current set make-up:

Driver: Taylor Made R360XD 9.5* - stock S graph shaft
3 wood: Callaway Steelhead III - M10 steel shaft
5 wood: Callaway Steelhead - M10 steel shaft
Hybrid: Taylor Made Rescue Mid 19* - stock S steel shaft
4-PW: Titleist DCI (the originals!) - Dyn Gold S steel shaft
SW/LW: Adams Watson Gunmetals (which I just got, and I'm pretty sure I don't like)
Putter: Taylor Made Rossa Tour (Daytona, 33")
Preferred Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Usual Balls: Titleist NXT Tour/Nike TA2 Spin

Fittings have indicated that I'm a standard lie, standard length, stiff shaft kinda guy. With the driver, I'm looking to possibly go up to a 10.5* to help with consistency.

Right now, I'm mainly interested in upgrading the Driver and Irons. Looking to jump up to a 460cc clubhead, but I'm not looking to spend a lot ($200 or under). Interested in perhaps the new Cleveland Launcher 460, or the Tour Edge JMAX Carbon 460. Any experience with these clubs, or any others that fit the bill?

For the irons, I prefer a mid-sized head, relatively thin (but not blade-thin) topline, and moderate offset. I like to work the ball a little bit, but am not consistent enough to hit a tour-level iron. Have hit (and liked, to varying degrees) the Ping i5, Callaway X18 Pro Series, Mizuno MX-23, and Mizuno MP-30. Thinking about the Titleist 735CM, but concerned that the level of offset may not be enough for my hackiness. I'm a high-ball hitter, looking to maybe bring down the ball flight a little bit for better control.

Anyone with these sticks care to share their opinions?

[cmarkmyers]

Unfortunatly I cannot help you with any of your questions, but I am interested in your comment about not liking the Watson wedges. From a price standpoint they seem really hard to beat. And I have no idea how much input Tom actually had in the design of those, but assuming he had some then you would think they would perform well (for the price). So, what gives?

Oh wait, the Nike NDS driver is $150 now I believe. I have one, but I am a beginner so I have no idea if it is a decent club or not. I will say that I can hit this one (13* loft) from time to time and I could never hit anything with a lower loft.

[ragontona]

The Watson Gunmetals are a great value for the money, and really aren't bad clubs. I guess my gripe with them is that they're not forged, so I'm losing some feel around the greens. On full wedge shots, they perform quite well though. I haven't put the gap wedge in play, as I don't want to pull any other club out of my bag.

(As a point of reference, I used to have Cleveland 588 Gunmetals, but they were quite old and worn-out. I got the Adams as an impulse/value buy on eBay for about sixty bucks. After playing with a classic, the Adams just don't hold up for me at this point in my game. I'm still going to give them time though -- in a couple of months, I may love them.)

However, I'd definitely recommend the Adams Gunmetals for a beginning golfer, as they're a great buy. But be warned that the heads are a little on the smallish side, they're a little heavy, and you're definitely going to want to regrip them... the stock grips are pretty sad.

[Guest]

Give the Titleist 704.CB's a try (Dynamic Gold Lite shafts too), it's one heck of an upgrade from the old DCI's (I had the same original set as you)...

Happy Hunting!

G59

[flap]

Go on Rock Bottom Golf and shop away.Taylor Irons or Drivers or Callaway drivers Nike woods all at good prices.And they are a good company.

[ragontona]

Give the Titleist 704.CB's a try (Dynamic Gold Lite shafts too), it's one heck of an upgrade from the old DCI's (I had the same original set as you)...

I was looking at those too, though I haven't hit them yet. Will definitely look into an on-course demo...

[ragontona]

Buddy of mine just called and said he just demo'd the Sasquatch. He loved it. Funny thing is that he was the biggest Sasquatch-hater in the world until he took it out on the course. So... I guess I'm gonna have to add yet another driver to try out.

Anyone here rocking the 'Squatch?

[ragontona]

Alrighty!

Spent a few hours today demo'ing various irons and drivers again. I think I'm pretty much decided: the Callaway X-18 Pro Series irons and the Nike Sasquatch.

Yeah, it's gonna look like the Golf Digest Hot List threw up in my bag.

[Donald MacKenzie]

If you change your mind and go back to looking at the Cleveland 460 drivers, grab last year's model. They brought out a new version this year that is a fairly incremental improvement over last year's model, and the older one is discounted now. FYI. Good luck with whatever you buy!