Cleveland Niblick

[smith5606]

Forgive me for resurrecting an old thread but I am wondering if anyone has tested (or bought) this club in the last few months? What do you use it for? What did it replace in your bag?

Please don't laugh at this thread. I am as much a traditionalist as anyone but I am intrigued by this club. I am rationalizing my interest, I know, by thinking that at least this modern "niblick" is consistent with the historical niblick - a more or less 9-iron used for approach shots.

Would someone please satisfy my curiousity so I don't have to go into my golf shop and ask to see you one. I'm sure I would be roundly abused by the locals and my ego is much too fragile to withstand that.

[PiKapp23]

I do not own one and, like you, I'm not sure my ego could take the abuse from my golf mates if I did purchase one. I have hit it in the golf store, though, and I actually liked it. Just for the heck of it I tried it on the big practice green (by the putters). I just hit a bunch of chips with it to see how it felt and how the ball came off. I actually holed several chips from about 15-20 feet with it, using it almost like a putter. I then took it to the back and hit a few partial and full shots on simulator. I have to say I kind of liked the ball flight (of course, it's just a simulator, so who really knows). I was able to hit a full swing with it about 100 yards (I think I was using the 43* model - there is also a 39*).

The intended purpose for it is primarily chipping and maybe some short running pitches. The loft equates to about a 8/9/PW (depending on your set), but shaft is shorter. It's almost the same thing as the newish Odyssey chipper except the Niblick has a grooved face (Zip grooves at that). Several years ago there were several chippers on the market, but they just disappeared. Now Cleveland and Odyssey are attempting to ressurrect the category. If these sell well we might see some of the other manufacturers with models. They're always looking for things to sell us equipment suckers on. Besides my aforementioned ego, I also would hesitate to buy one because I'm not sure what I would take out of the bag. I'm a pretty good chipper and I think these were really designed for those people who struggle with that part of their game.

[obsessedgolfer]

I would love to own a club like that, I mean it is so versitile. I really have no need for it though because I am great with my lob wedge.

[keb]

I like to hit lob wedge shots which would limit the use of this club. I think it would be nice when playing on windy days which are often in ND. The shorter shart also would be nice for shots around the green.

[meenman]

This club was one of my gifts from my wife for xmas.

I will say it does not look that bad in person vs. what I have seen of it online.

At this point it will be replacing my 9 iron for this weekend and from there I will have to judge what is going to disappear.

[keb]

This club was one of my gifts from my wife for xmas.

How did you decide on the 37 rather than 42 degree club?

[meenman]

How did you decide on the 37 rather than 42 degree club?

It was kind of decided for me - my wife wasnt sure which way to go.

I never fully asked for the club, but I guess she caught me doing a ton of research on it.

[smith5606]

I had an opportunity to use the 37* in exactly the conditions I bought it for - a "typical" 30+ MPH windy Kansas day. I used it for knockdown approaches, a bump and run, a couple of pitch shots in the 20 yd. area, and a chip or 2. It was wonderful. I am very impressed. I know that there is going to be alot of nay-sayers out there but just remind them about all of the grief that the first players who used big-headed drivers, graphite shafts, oversized irons, hybrids, etc. took. I think that Cleveland might be on to something really big.