LostSquirrel

I am not much of a fan of the hybrids - I just don't like the feel and I see no advantage to having them in my bag. My distance flattens out after my 5iron, with the hybrids gaining negligible distance. I gave away my old set (with 3 & 4 irons) too soon in the season to tell if there was any increase in yardage with the 3i & 4i. So instead, I end up reaching for the 5W, swinging with less heat. I noticed that Corba makes a 7W AND 9W. The 9W appears to only be available as the Women's S3 Max. My driver, 3W & 5W are S3 Men's (R flex, -1" at the factory). A couple questions: Do you suppose it would make sense to replace my 3H & 4H with 7W & 9W? In other words, would this be an "even exchange" in playability, or would I suffer terribly in deeper grass? Aside from the difference in shaft (which I will have Cobra swap to R-flex -1" to match the S3 Men's), is there anything else that would make the club women's-specific?

Can't wait for next week's newest arrival!! I have a new driver on the way. :) I had a fitting on the July 4th, and the guy was pretty helpful. Measured swing speed averaged at 89.5mph (I am fairly aggressive; I consistently hit 200yds with my #3w last week). I tried about a half dozen different makers, but the one club that really stood out and simply felt good was the Cobra S3. It's being custom made at Cobra -1", but the anticipation is killin' me! I was really surprised by Callaway - no matter what shaft I tried, it seemed too "mushy" like a marshmallow. The Burner felt like a boat during the transition from backswing to downswing, like it was just floating there for a second. And I really didn't care for the feedback produced by Cleveland, Ping or Titleist. I went in to the fitting stating that I really didn't want to know who the maker was, or the price tag associated with it - I was determined to get a driver that felt good. And the Cobra did just that - it just felt like solid, explosive impact each time.

@Angera: Reliability in clubs, and so far, they have proven to dash any sense of worry. I absolutely don't think of these as cheap items as my original concern. The earliest I can get some pics posted will be tomorrow, but nonetheless I'm glad to share. I greatly debated the GX922 or the TRXv11, but I'm glad I went with the this particular TRX series, as the loft of the GX922 and even the earlier TRX's are greater. Of all my swing problems, suprisingly I certainly don't have loft issues.

Clubs arrived the other day, and between tornadoes and car issues, I finally got out today to hit a bit. First off, they appear to be really well made. Grips are right (putter straight), and there are no signs of sloppy craftsmanship here whatsoever. The irons play very nicely. I am quite pleased with their responsiveness. I can really "feel" the ball, but it isn't an uncomfortable feel. I have a lot more control, and can really see the flight's response to my changes in input. Yardage was where I should be, at about 150 yards with a 6 iron, but I really struggled with the hybrid. I just cannot believe how much more consistently "on center" I am striking the ball (looking at strike marks on club head) and how straight the flight paths are! Now THIS is a properly fit set - lie, length and flex. What a difference! I am glad I got the Lamkin Perma-wraps - they are comfortable and help me recall grip position by feeling the notches, which will be an excellent tool to help develop consistency. Now, my experience with the hybrid is another story. My 3H was going about the same distance as the 6i and lacked the control I had with the iron today. Now I'm not saying I had much control with my old 3 iron before, but the hybrid has a completely different feel that I'm not sure I actually like. I guess I can say it lacks the "punch" and smoothness I expected with that much club mass. At the end of the range session, I could feel myself getting lax with my swing, and I really lost all control with the hybrid. I will try again tomorrow. I had a blast with my new putter on the green, though! It was the first time I tried a mallet-style, and I really did quite well with it. It didn't take long at all to get accustomed to it. The Winn grip is excellent - very supple and tacky, but not too gushy. Sorry I don't have any big-brand comparisons to make for you, but at least over my old set, the GigaGolf TRXv11 is a vast improvement. Overall, I am happy with my purchase, and see these irons lasting a good while. Actually, I like them so much that I'm willing to trade my favored wedges in on a GigaGolf set.

I recently discovered an anti-blister spray, Blistop. It is supposed to work for hands and feet by creating a thin, flexible patch over the skin. I used it during my 24-hour Relay for Life walk, and finished without a single blister on my heel (where I'm really prone).

Thanks... can't wait for the clubs to get here! My bag beat them, and it should jump off a brown truck any minute now. I'll definitely let you know how they play.

Thanks, shindig! I actually just ordered an Ogio Vixen bag for under $95 on Amazon (new, shipped). Simple, light cart bag. I checked them out at our local Golf Headquarters this afternoon, and they were pretty nice, but about $50-60 more to buy locally. A huge upgrade for me! lol! If GolfHQ would have come down even a little (it is a 2009 model!), then I would have actually preferred to keep my business local.

Thanks for the feedback! I've ordered the following: TRX V.11 irons 5-9 - mostly due to their indicated lofts (the V11's have a slightly different loft angle than the TRX Ions or MRs). TRX Hybrid 3 & 4 - just to try a hybrid out. Hybrids and irons have Lamkin Perma-wraps. I like the feel of a wrap and think the smooth grips are just too 'flat'. UST HDX-80 graphite shafts in A flex (but after being cut down to my size, they will inherently stiffen up to a A-R). Last bucket was back at 120yds with the 6i. Also going to try their mod 14 putter. Winn Medalist grip. I already have wedges that I like and I'm going to keep. I'm also going to hack a while longer with my Orlimar driver. Not a bad feel to it, but I want to first stop making divots that resemble the work of a backhoe before I buy a GOOD keeper. I'm honestly afraid I'll crack it open one of these days. (but wait... aw shucks, that's an excuse to buy yet another driver, isn't it???) ;) If anything else, I'm just going to be pleased to try out the feel of graphite. I'm not looking to these as Miracle Sticks, but even mediocre clubs with appropriate flex, lie and length should be a huge improvement over ill-fitting hand-me-downs. Bill, GigaGolf's fitter/service person, was very great to work with over the phone. I received my order confirmation, production and shipment emails, and delivery is scheduled for Monday. Now I have to update my bag - it is old, cracked pleather, and an embarrassment. Definitely will be a cart bag - I'd rather reserve my energy for my swing rather than a long walk. And finally, I treated myself to a new glove today - FJ StaCooler.

I'm scheduling lessons next week, but in the meanwhile, I have a question you may be able to answer for me now.... During my follow through on a full swing, I tend to bounce the club shaft off my back. One or two little taps is what happens, and it usually strikes toward the center of my left shoulder blade. Is this wrong? Perhaps my follow through is too exaggerated? Does this cause any adverse conditions in a normal swing? My swing now feels 100% better than it did when I had to stop playing 10 years ago, even with this little 'hiccup'! I will try to get a video of my swing posted soon.

Just when I thought I was all set and ready to check out a few higher-end clubs, now my dear hubby has decided he wants to enter the game (that's excellent in the long run, but sucks financially up front!!!!). Because of his new interest, it looks like I have to be even more creative with my new set. So, I've peeked into GigaGolf: GX922 (Callaway X-22 clone), GXz driver (10.5* loft), and GX2 3 Hybrid. Regular flex graphite shafts -0.25" (I must have grown since college!), -1* lie, with Lamkin Perma-wraps (I am used to grasping a bulgy tennis wrap - the regular smooth ones feel too straight to me). I figure since they are shorter shafts, they loose some of the flex with length, so a R flex cut down will fall somewhere between a S and R. Alternatively, there is the TRX series, which may be considered more "game improvement" than the GX series???? (TRX=GI vs. GX=SGI)? The more I look at it, the TRX (Burner clones, with graphite shafts) might be the more lasting route - not quite as "beginner" as the GX922s - and sound like they could allow me to shape later on in my game development. I've heard some very positive things about GigaGolf's playability (perhaps not so much for reliability) and would be willing to give it a try, even if they last only one season. For the price, I can tell if graphite is really for me or not without much worry. Plus, I'm not a status person - my game should speak for itself (good or bad), not the brand stamped on the hosel. Yes, I seem pretty hung up on graphite. The main reason is for vibration transfer - my hands ache after a round, and that's one reason I didn't stick around the game before (as well as lack of time). One very kind member made a very good suggestion about lightweight steel shafts. Do these feel any less "buzzy" than standard steels, perhaps a compromise between graphite and steel? So, bottom line is this: anyone have any experience with GigaGolf, particularly the TRX or GX series?

I'm not going to waste my time on a box set now. I'm heading to a couple pro shops to get fitted again tomorrow. I went out to the range today and hit a big bucket with my old set: 6 iron and driver, but I could just about have thrown the driver further than I was striking the ball! lol! I had a handfull of really, really solid shots wth the 6i, and another player said he wanted me on his team (words of encouragement I will hang onto all season!). I actually shot the 6i consistently at 130yds (10 yd gain). The driver was horrible. Slicing nearly every shot. I couldn't keep consistent in ANY way. A couple really nice drives, but only about 150yds. Even though the irons aren't that comfy, I might just pick up some decent drivers/hybrids and wait a little longer on the irons. I'll head back to the range tomorrow, then the pro shops afterward.

Both, actually. They were my grandfathers clubs (Arnold Palmers) that I brought to a shop and asked if I should buy new or have fit to me. I had no opinion, either way, and would have been just as content with a shiny new set. After a bit of measurement and discussion, though, the fitter decided that we should just cut them down because they seemed to suit me "just fine" at the time. I was very athletically built, so I had a bit of upper body strength and feel for kenestheis then (collegite shot put/discus thrower). This was before the internet age, so I knew very little about the clubs or my needs, and placed my trust in the fitter (independent shop, no course affiliation).

According to my last notes at the range (eons ago!), I could carry 120 yds with a 6 iron, and 170 yds with a 5 wood, stiff flex. Now the major problem is, the impact really hurts. At the end of a round, my wrists were killing me! I refuse to make a whole round with those clubs again, so I have yet to get out on the greens. Like I said, I had my share of mishits then, so I'm not sure if I could say I was decent then, just OK. Now I keep topping the ball, striking really flat. Now I am wondering if I measure correctly at petite, but really need regular lady's length? Or perhaps I'm not fully extending the arms through the swing or am straightening up my stance midway (which I know I did before). Regardless, I need to invest in some lessons to analyze it. Are there any exercises or anything I can do to minimize the soreness? BTW, thanks for the well wishes on the Relay - I DID walk the full 24 hours (honoring the 10 minute breaks each hour, plus 6 hours in campsite setup prior!) Not too shabby for being about 40lbs overweight and having no prior conditioning. Our team did really well in a lot of categories with our 50's theme, and, IIRC, our county Relay was top in the nation for the number of survirors.

Good point. I'd love to "fill in" with much better clubs, but if they are so vastly different in loft & lie, then it would probably be more confusing to have non-sequentially playing clubs in a squential numerical order. If that's the case, I would probably be better off changing all irons at once and then driver/hybrids at a later date. I was pretty disappointed with the reliability reports I've read of the Callaway Solaire. I honestly didn't check out the Mizunos.. I know my swing speed has slowed down a bit - I'm really feeling it trying to muscle the ball now and end up topping a LOT (big no-no; how embarassing and agrivating!!!!). I probably was correct at the time to use the stiff flex, but definitely not today! I'm planning on scheduling a few lessons again. All in all, I guess I'm still nursing the notion of the box sets for their value which rests in my fear of a lack of play time and comfort. I'm looking to fill a hideously tall order: special fitment, clubs that are forgiving to my performance and comfort, and low cost. Another point I just noticed was the weight of the Tour Edge seems to be exceptionally alluring - much more so than their flirty graphics. I can certainly overlook the aesthetics for something as light and forgiving as they claim. After our Relay for Life this weekend, I plan to do some visiting to local shops and hope to nail it down. Wish me luck for another 24 hour walk! Last one I did was in 2006.

It's been about ten years since I last got on a green - and I want to get back in the swing of things! I still have my original set that was a hand-me-down which I had sized to fit me. Fits like a glove, but I hate feel of the set. I measured at -0.5". My prior experience is pretty minimal, only two seasons (with league play) and about two dozen lessons. Anyway, I recall my fair share of mishits on those old steel (stiff flex) irons brought a bit of physical discomfort. I am a shorter female (5'4 1/2" in shoes) and unfortunately also ten years older. With that in mind, I am really interested in moving to a graphite set now for both comfort and performance (hopefully). I am considering two sets, Tour Edge Moda Silk or Adams Tight Lies Plus, for my re-entry set. Is this a mistake in getting a better set too soon? I hate to buy a low-grade graphite beginner set and then work my way up to a game improvement set because I don't think my reaquaintance period is going to be too bad. The Tour Edge is right at my last fitted size (driver is perfect at 43.5" length). The Adams driver is 44". However, I probably can't slide the extra $100 past my hubby for the better fitting clubs at this time (nor do I care for the frilly colors of the Tour Edge). We have things backwards - I'm the one that always has expensive hobbies. Now, here is the meat of my quandry: is that 0.5" extra length of the Adams going to be terribly detrimental to a reentry player? Or is it just a matter of choking down a smidgen?