My New Clubs Makeover.....................

[Franky]

Hey all!
I'm new here, and been reading some very informative threads on equipment, great stuff here! Anyways, broke my driver last fall, and while trying new drivers, pretty much decided to get new stuff.
My bag as it sits right now is this:
Driver? TMade F-7 425 stiff and Callaway F-3 Fusion stiff (Demos)
3 Wood Jack Nickalus
5 Wood Junk
Irons 2-SW Tommy Armour 855's graphite stiff
Lob RAC 52* Black Wedge graphite
Putter Oddessey

I went to T Made and Callaway demo days last week. Taylor Made had a launch monitor, and I found out this:
Swing speed 94
TM F-7 460 12.7*launch > 2960 spin rate
Cal F-3 460 10.9*launch > 3100 spin rate

Some yahoo at a store last year told me my swing speed was 96-98 on the computer? Could I have lost 4mph in one season? WTH?

Was thinking to get some hybrids, to take care of my 2,3,4 irons that dont go anywhere(no distance) 3 iron=185, 4 iron=175 yds.

Demo-ing the Taylor Made Dual Rescue 16* & 22* with stock stiff graphite shafts. Also the Sonartec 15* & 17* with stock stiff graphite shafts. These are in my bag as we speak.

I hit the r7 CGB MAX Taylor Made irons, and the rep told me I should be in a regular flex for irons. They felt whippy, but good, and the balls seemed to go 10-15 yards further than with the stiff shaft? That blew me out ot the water.

In the past I have played about 10-25 times per year. Although I dont have an "established" handicap, I would say I'm about a 10-12.
Would love to hear any and all comments as I have been searching this forum for ideas, and have gotten alot. But not all specific to me
Thanks ahead for your replies.........

Franky

[sungho_kr]

shafts for irons determine the feel. Go with nippons stiff if you think the regulars are to whippy. Also the r7 425 is a good club but have you ever hit the r5 draw. You can whack it as hard as you want and you get a consistent number with low spin and high launch. Samething with the nike sasquatch. Another good one is the king cobras(wierd sound though). If your going to get a good driver, just get a last year model head and a shaft that "fits" u.

[Candycane]

I would highly recommend at least one hybrid. They are much more forgiving than any 2, 3, or 4 iron I have ever hit. I have two Nike CPR hybrids, 18* and 21*. I have taken out my 5 wood (same loft as the 18* hybrid) and my 3 and 4 iron (to add more wedges). I have never regretted removing those clubs. The hybrids are a good investment in my opinion.

[Franky]

Hey thanks you two! Any others?
Franky

[BigAl5150]

I would highly recommend a hybrid. I took out my 5 wood and 3 iron and put in a TaylorMade 19* Rescue mid. Super easy to hit!

[NM Golf]

Hybrids are a good idea. Once considered only for older players and high handicappers they have found their way into a lot of tour bags these days.

As far as the shafts on your clubs go, with a swing speed of 95 mph you sit right on the divider between regular and stiff shafts. Most shaft manufacturers suggest around 85-95 mph regular flex, and 95-105 mph Stiff flex. (Mind you those numbers can be a bit different depending on the shaft type) Because of that it is really up to you on whether you go with reg or stiff. The general rule is less stiff = better distance and more stiff = straighter. That is why you hit the regular shafted iron a little farther. So you should decide what feels better, and if distance or accuracy is more important to you. Hope this helps.

[Shigeki]

Hybrid clubs are definitely recommended. Way easier to hit than long irons & consistent as well, just about the best of both worlds!! Although some folks have already mentioned some brands, I'd say take a look at hybrids made by Kasco. They've been around a while as well, except not too many people have heard of them. You mentioned trying out a Sonartec club, and that's also another company that's been around but just recently gained popularity. Wish you all the best in your search!!

[sole wolf]

Demo some of the Adams A2 as well if you are trying the Hybrids. I almost bought that set just because of the hybrids.

I just got some TM LT's and love them.

I also added the RAC Y Cutter wedges to the bag and they have become my money clubs in a matter of 2 weeks.

My swing speed is about the same as yours and I went with the R flex. I went with Erik's advice... better to think nice controlled swing over I need to swing hard.

[Franky]

Excellent stuff guys, THANK YOU!
Couple of questions.................
sungho_kr
Also the r7 425 is a good club but have you ever hit the r5 draw. You can whack it as hard as you want and you get a consistent number with low spin and high launch...............
I was told you want a spin rate at or near 3000, not too low or high? I hit the 425 at the demo days, and the rep told me I hit them too low and did not get enough spin as compared to the TM 460 I actually prefer the look of the smaller head, but he claims I will hit straighter and farther with the 460?


sole wolf
I just got some TM LT's and love them.......................
Did you try any of their other irons before you bought those, and what did you pay for yours?
sole wolf
I also added the RAC Y Cutter wedges to the bag and they have become my money clubs in a matter of 2 weeks....................
Which wedges (degrees) did you get?

Great comments, heading to try some more of these clubs..........

Franky

[xian]

Since we're on the subject, I have a question. People usually talk about hybrids replacing long irons (i.e., ditch your 1-3 or 1-4 irons), but it has always been unclear to me why some people to use fairway woods and some use hybrids. For example, I am unclear why people might prefer a 19* hybrid to a 5-wood or vice versa. I know the advantages of hybrids over long irons, but am uncertain what the pros and cons for hybrids are when comparing them to fairway woods.

[sole wolf]

the best deal I found for new, regular or stiff flex shafts, LT's was 529 and 20 shipping. I still have this guys number if you are interested. You can find some better deals on EBAY if you are patient. I actually paid much less then that but stumbled on a great deal. I also tried out;

Callaway X-14 (used), X-18, Big Bertha
TM R7, OS, OS2
Mizuno MP30
Nike Slingshot and the OSS
Adams A2

Wedges, listed in my signature. These are the newer Y Cutter's.

[Old Tom]

Well, I think there is increasingly an overlap between hybrids and fairway woods as the hybrid clubs become more available in a wider range of lofts. Typically, a 3-hybrid is around 21* loft which is the equivalent of a 7-wood. So you still might carry a 3-wood and 5-wood, then step down to a 3 and 4 hybrid replacing your long irons.

I recently dumped my fairway woods in favor of a "strong" 2-hybrid with 16* loft that I find I can hit more consistently and longer from fairway lies than I could hit my old 5-wood.

Hybrids are more compact and with a lower center of mass than a typical fairway wood, making them generally easier to hit and producing a higher trajectory than a comparable fairway wood.

I think in the future we'll see less and less fairway woods in play.

[NM Golf]

  xian said:

Since we're on the subject, I have a question. People usually talk about hybrids replacing long irons (i.e., ditch your 1-3 or 1-4 irons), but it has always been unclear to me why some people to use fairway woods and some use hybrids. For example, I am unclear why people might prefer a 19* hybrid to a 5-wood or vice versa. I know the advantages of hybrids over long irons, but am uncertain what the pros and cons for hybrids are when comparing them to fairway woods.

The decision between a hybrid or a fairway wood is largely a choice based on personal feel. In general, the better player (higher swing speeds) would be better off with a hybrid and the higher handicapper (lower swing speeds) better off with a fairway wood. Fairway woods tend to be more forgiving and easier to get in the air. The hybrid is easier to work left and right and tends to have a more penetrating ball flight. One thing they both have in common is they are a heck of a lot easier to hit than long irons. My personal experience is that I hit a 5 wood way too high so I am currently in the market for a hybrid. My advice for someone else would be hit both and choose the one that feels the best.

  Old Tom said:

Hybrids are more compact and with a lower center of mass than a typical fairway wood, making them generally easier to hit and producing a higher trajectory than a comparable fairway wood.

This goes against all I have read and experienced concerning Hybrid v. Fairway wood. The deeper center of gravity in a fairway wood should produce a higher dynamic loft than a hybrid, and the bulge face and deeper CG should also make it more forgiving. I know that is definately the case with me and everyone who I play with.