tigerwoo

Everyone has different experiences with clubs and I have had the completely opposite experience than the quoter above. I bought a set 3 months ago and can only comment on how much they have helped me improve my game! I replaced my beloved Mizuno MP29 blades that I had for 8 years for a set of these (which was tough to do) because I was looking for a set that would help me out with a few game-improvement shots per round allowing me to break the 80's barrier a bit more often. Well I have played 9 rounds with them and I've shot 5 rounds in the 70's (two 76's, 77, 78, 79) and 4 82's. During my Mizuno era... I would shoot in the 70's a half a dozen times in a given year. Now looking back at my rounds I'm trying to gauge whether or not it was really the irons that helped me score low or if it was just an overall improvement in my game/swing and I have to say it was a little bit of both. I've had to buy an additional 'gap' wedge because the stock PW in the CG4 is lofted a little stronger (46 degrees) than traditional PW's (48/49) so my gap between my 52 gap wedge and this PW was a little too large. I hit the CG4 PW 140 yards vs 130 yards with my Mizuno PW. Essentially, I've realized 10 to 15 yards on all my CG4 irons vs my Mizuno's. That builds confidence, trust me. I also don't hit perfect shots 100% of the time and those times I've hit it a little fat or thin with the CG4's have definitely been less severe than with my Mizuno's. I can honestly say that these clubs have helped me save at least 2 or 3 strokes per round since I have had them in my bag. For a golfer with my handicap that can mean shooting 79 or 81. Which sounds better to you? You'll be getting different responses I'm sure but I wanted to let you know that I've had nothing but positive experiences with my CG4's. I too bought them at a discount price of $299 on eBay, brand new. Even better value! In addition to that, Golf Digest had these clubs on thier hotlist winning a Silver designation. I don't know how they test their clubs but I am sure they know a little more than we do since golf is their specialty. To comment on the CMM technology... yes it's not forged technology so the softness and buttery feel you have with a forged blade cannot truly be mimicked. But I tend to think that it does feel pretty darn good. It too gets a little scratched and or dinged with use but I had that 'problem' with my Mizunos'. If you want your clubs to always look like they are new then stay away from anything forged or this CMM technology.

As a beginner golfer I think the main thing you want to do is to make contact with the ball and have it go as straight as possible. All other factors you should not even consider until you start hitting a few more fairways and even more importantly a few more greens in regulation. When you are at that level balls that have a bit more spin can play a huge factor on how close to the pin you can actually get. On the flip side, balls that spin more when you are a beginner can also be very detrimental as it can magnify your mistakes (bigger slices or hooks). 'Rock-flites' spin less because they are so hard and don't compress and in fact, I play with them in the winter months here just to get that added distance and because of the moist greens during winter season there is hardly any roll after it hits the green. So for now, work on contact and direction of the ball. This should be done without compromising your wallet. I.e the cheapest, decent condition balls you can get. When I was a beginner I was losing at least a half a dozen balls per round. Today, because I am much straighter (and smarter???) I can play 1 ball a few rounds before it gets retired or lost (on average). If I'm playing ProV1's that cost $5-$6 per ball... I generally don't get upset because I know the round of golf will still be far more expensive than the cost of lost balls.

So pull out the 9iron instead and pitch it with that!? At least that'll take away any psychological effect of having the PW in your hand and allow you to make the proper stroke without grimacing and holding the grip really tight. A 20 yard pitch is never really easy anyways so play a little runner up onto the green with the 9 or 8 or even 7!? Golf is hard enough physically... you might as well get the mental side working for you and not against you. Once you've re-established some confidence try hitting the PW and 60 again at the range and work it out. Cheers.

I have a TM Rescue Mid in the 4 hybrid (22*) and at first I tended to draw every shot between 10 and 15 yards. The offset is definitely an 'issue' for people with good swings. When I put it in my bag about 2 years ago my swing was not as 'good' as it is now. Instead of buying a new Tour version with no offset I decided to adjust to it and over time playing with it on numerous occasions as well as hitting hundreds of balls at the driving range I have found that when I have the clubface slightly open at address I can hit a nice 5 yard draw on a consistent basis.

Well I can see why you're wrapping it up this early... after all you live in 'Winterpeg' and the snow is falling already isn't it? Dude, come on... that's very depressing why you're quitting this early. I'm making plans for a golf trip in September which is like one of the most beautiful months to play golf! Indian summer isn't even here yet!??? I see that you carry one wedge other than your PW. Are you trying to hit that with a full swing most times? If so a 60 degree can be quite temperamental when a full swing is required. Depending on the bounce of the club it can be quite fatal! You need another wedge. Perhaps a 54 or 56 depending on what your PW loft is. Make sure the bounce is also the right one for what you want out of it. Since you've saved like $700 by buying a membership and not playing piece meal like alot of us do... you might as well invest in a good wedge with the 'savings'.

It's likely that it was a difference in the shaft and how it was installed that made the difference over the actual head difference. I went to a custom golf shop where they had a frequency tool to measure the 'stiffness' of the shaft and I was amazed at what I saw. Not all shafts are equally balanced nor are they weighted consistently! I had purchased a UST Proforce V2 stiff shaft to replace my stock Taylormade shaft and I didn't because of what I saw. The technician placed my Taylormade in a grip vise aligning it square and pulled the head back to get the clubhead to vibrate back and forth along the 'target line'. Firstly, he told me that the frequency of 260 was perfect for my swing speed (I had been on a swing/launch monitor earlier) secondly that the shaft was aligned and installed perfectly as the back and forth vibrations were linear along the target line. When he put in the UST Proforce shaft... things were different. Frequency was 244 which meant that it was not as stiff as the Taylormade and thus would have to cut the shaft an inch or more to get it to 260 and the kicker was that it was not weighted equally! Instead of a linear pattern it was vibrating back in forth along a more elliptical pattern. ! This could obviously impact the kick of the shaft in the wrong direction and send the ball off target! Anyways, I learned a great deal at this custom golf shop. I recommend that everyone take their clubs and have them analyzed.

I had a debate with a few friends who don't golf and generally they think that PGA Tour golfers are a bunch of unfit people who couldn't make it in any other sport so they chose golf as their profession. Obviously Tiger Woods (and a whole slew of others) are the exception but they obviously see the likes of John Daly, Craig Stadler, 'Lumpy' and some LPGA professionals (Laura Davies comes to mind) that has impacted their judgement. Regardless of how these people 'look' I truly feel that they are all athletes and if they had picked another sport such as baseball or even hockey they'd be pros at that too! Golf is definitely not a sport where your heart rate is elevated to fat burning levels but does a sport have to be? I once saw John Daly throw a golf ball at one of those glass targets you need to break on 'Big Break' and he had an arm that I thought could have passed for Roger Clemens!? Back in the day I played baseball, the best players/athletes were the pitchers. Ok, maybe I'm pushing it but it is still very evident that John Daly is indeed an athlete... or at least at the bare minimum althletic despite his beer belly. He even hit the target glass and shattered it on his first throw!? He missed it on all previous attempts with his golf club... so perhaps he actually missed his true calling? I also know alot of people who were never athletes in school nor are they athletic individuals who play golf and when they swing a golf club this fact usually becomes very evident. The swing is either too mechanical or very unnatural. Many of have loads of determination and can be good golfers but you know a good 'natural' swing when you see one. Not to say of course that the golf swing is a natural movement! Any thoughts?

Sorry, but I have another thought to add. Or rather questions: 1) Are you atheletic? 2) Do/did you play other sports and were you at least great at them? I.e. not a bench warmer. 3) Can you skillfully peel an apple in one long strand! 4) Do you choke under pressure or do you welcome it? I.e. if your life depended on it could you sink that 10 foot putt 9 out of 10 times? Or would your heart be beating so fast it would measure on the ricter scale? 5) Do you like challenges? If so, this thread will only help you achieve your goals!

Think of it the same way as going from a blade to a game improvement iron or perhaps a maximum game improvement iron with full cavity back, bigger head and extra wide sole. You will increase your chances of hitting the ball on the sweet spot. Thus increasing your distance. Plus, the drivers heads and shaft combinations these days have lowered the spin rates on the balls thus allowing a 'straighter' hit with less left-right dispersion. So you should not be stunned what so ever. It should have been an expectation.

I live in North Vancouver which is essentially at the foot of the coastal mountains so golf courses around my home are a bit hilly to my liking (and short). I like to let the big dog eat... so where I go to have him fed is Northview GCC where the Air Canada Championship PGA Tour stop was held a few years back until it lost its sponsorship. http://www.northviewgolf.com But my favourite course near home is up in the Okanagan (4-5 hr drive) called Predator Ridge home of the 2000 Skins Game that I attended (Weir, Mickelson, Garcia, Couples). http://www.predatorridge.com

Why stop your goals at scratch for the year? If you're going to put in the time and effort you might as well go for the gusto! I.e. make it a career! Because it is obvious that you have the time to do this and factors such as family/work etc are not in the equation... so go for it! I wish I could do it... and I'm pretty sure I could get down to scratch level or better if I devoted the time but I'd be sacrificing alot (my son's development and relationship with wife) and the pressure of having to make something at the end of it (i.e. money) would likely kill this dream .

My buddy and I both shot a 76 yesterday at Northview on the Canal course (an Arnold Palmer design). It was a 'special' day because it marked the 2nd year anniversary since my buddy shot his best ever 70 after which time he's struggled for 2 years to break 80!? He also had a recent 2 day personal instruction that changed some swing flaws so he was quite happy to see instant results! We played as a twosome and it was a bit slow as there was a twosome ahead of us and a foursome ahead of them. So after playing the 13th hole we looped back and played holes 11, 12 and 13 again just for fun. To make it even more interesting we played with each others' bag of clubs! My buddy has been complaining that I've been hitting it 1 to 2 clubs longer than he has since I got my new irons and we wanted to prove that. He has a set of mixed Pings with S59's in the PW to 8 iron and I5's from 7 to 5. I play with Cleveland CG4's. After our 3 hole experiment, it did prove that my Clevelands were longer. But perhaps only 1 club. My swing adds another half club! Bragging rights... One other interesting observation was that his Pings were shredding the outer cover of our Titleist NXT Tour balls! That has to be the difference... more spin with his irons thus less distance. Perhaps interesting enough to open a new thread?? Anyways, it was a very good day... we both played well on the same day and we got 3 extra holes out of it on one of our favourite courses. Cheers.

Stance width = shoulder width... bottom balanced with top. Makes complete sense to me!

This 4th tip from the previous post is my 1st tip and was what turned my game around. I applied this a few months back as I had noticed Trevor Immelman's right elbow attached to his right side during the entire swing. He's got a great swing! It has lead to straighter more consistent shots and has helped me shoot mid to high 70's for 5 consecutive rounds when normally I'd break the 80's barrier once every 5 rounds or so.

I think if you want to get down to a scratch level or even below 6 you really have to 'think' about the mechanics behind a good golf swing as well be able to visualize it and make adjustments on the fly. Without that, you could be on a train wreck towards a big score even though you've played even par for the first 9 holes. At least that's my experience. Now to have the time to really understand the swing means sacrificing other things. For me, that is other sports that I have enjoyed playing in the past to allow me to focus in on golf. I have to sacrifice time away from these sports (baseball/hockey) because I have a wife and a child that require some attention once in a while... I think if I was able to practice my putting a bit more rather than winging it as I have been doing while on the golf course I could bring my index down a few notches. I still 3 putt on average once/twice a round and you really need to eliminate those to be a scratch golfer. Also, if I could practice more on shaping the ball, I think I'd be closer to the pin on my approach shots and thus make more putts and eliminate those nasty 3 putts. One improvement can impact improvements to another areas. So all in all... it's just TIME you need! I'm sure if everyone had won the lottery we'd all be pretty close to scratch golfers one way or another! Mind you, natural ability/athleticism and/or sheer determination are also great assets in lowering your scores faster than the next person without them.

I use to top at least once or twice a round using my woods in the past. Be it with my fairway wood off the deck or my driver off the tee. I don't do this anymore and it's mainly because I now keep my body QUIET throughout the swing. What I mean by that is I use to transfer my weight from front to back and back to front during my swing with a more pronounced lateral movement. Essentially I was 'swaying' from left to right and right to left. This can be a powerful move IF your timing is bang on, IF it isn't you end up behind the ball which tends to result in a thin shot with a wood. By staying 'QUIET' the weight transfer is all in the coil of the body as you swing back and through. A drill that I used was to practice swinging with a mirror in front of me until I could keep my head steady and level throughout my swing. No lateral movement whatsoever! Doing this has allowed me to produce a swing that allows the clubhead to come back to essentially the exact spot as it was at address and thus produce (most of the time) some outstanding shots. Next time you watch a PGA tour event, watch the super-slow-mo cam they have on players during their swing on certain holes. Most of them will not move a single body part outside of the arms and shoulders.

I ALWAYS tee it up. Lower if I play it slightly back in my stance to play a lower more boring shot usually into a head wind or tee it up a little higher along the left heal if I want to hit it on an upswing to give it a little more height off the tee.

A Dr. Jekyl/Mr Hyde round again. Shot a 46 on the front with 2 doubles and 2 three putts... then turned it around on the back with a 36 with 3 birdies, 3 pars and 3 bogeys. 82 total on a 71.9/128 rated course. Front nine was hard to get into a groove because I had just finished work, rushed to the golf course and rushed to the first tee. Heart was pumping hard for the first 4 holes... so tried dowsing it with beer... made me even more jittery

The swing itself should be mechanically the same for both iron and driver where if you stood there without a club and pretended to swing, that swing would be the same. The only difference is that you are sweeping the ball off the tee with your driver and hitting down on the ball with your irons. But this difference really is due in part by where the ball is teed up in relation to your stance. A driver should be teed up inline with your left heel (right-handed player) and on iron shots the ball teed/placed just left of center of your stance. A technique specific to these 'large-headed' drivers would only be that the ball is teed up a little higher than with smaller headed drivers used in the past. I tee it up so that the top half of the ball is above the crown of the driver at address.

Yes, that would be the perfect drill.

I see that you posted a new video of yourself and what is glaring is that you are definitely casting your club to the outside on the downswing thus producing an out to in swing which then results in a slice. I can see it quite clearly from the looping video. Also, to add to it you have a flying left elbow which can aid to casting the clubhead on the downswing. You really need to close that gap between your left elbow and your left side on the downswing. This will help you pull the club down as your first move on the downswing and help generate a more inside out path rather than casting to the outside for an outside in.

As long as you try and make the same swing on each club you test I think you can gage whether or not you are getting any variance in ballflight. I started thinking more about this because I recently tried my buddy's Callaway X360 driver in a 10 degree and I forget what shaft was on it but it was definitely a more boring trajectory than mine and I outdrove myself by 10 to 30 yards on a few hits. I didn't quite like the way it felt but how can you argue with more yardage??? Now this driver is on sale here for $238 Canadian at Golftown... so this thread may all be a moot point really.

you mean do I hit it an inch behind the ball? yes, if I think there is some sand there to be pushed into the ball and NO, if there is no sand. I try to hit the ball first just like a chip... it's a tough shot especially if your dealing with a steep faced bunker shot at which time you have alot of wrist hinge and to get the ball up fast you need to keep the club face open at and after impact.

Cleveland CG4's for about 2 months now and have scored 5 rounds in the 70's with them when previous to having them I scored 5, 70's rounds in an entire year. These clubs have saved me at least 2 to 3 strokes per round and I am quite amazed by them each and every round. I'm getting forgiveness that I have not ever had as well as added distance which is also just fueling more confidence in me. I had to get a 49 degree gap wedge though to feed the hole that I had between my PW (45 degrees) and 52 degree. I've posted replys in the 'Blade or Cavity Back' thread stating this. But those posts were early on when I first got these clubs... with a few more rounds under my belt I am a firm believer in game improvement irons (with feel).

I forgot to mention that the reason why I am even thinking about reshafting my club other than wanting to lower the launch angle and spin rate is that I really love the 'feel' of the clubhead. I have tried other clubs from Callaway, Cleveland and Titleist and I have yet to like the feel of any of them that I tried. Perhaps I will have to sacrifice this feel for the two things that I want... or rather 3 things if you include more distance!? If I can squeeze out another 10 to 20 yards on my drive I'm sure I'd shut up about all this while reaching in for one of my scoring irons for my approach!