hawkeye

Have bought several clubs - on ebay and The Golf Warehouse. On eBay i'd always make sure they deliver via USPS - which means the club will come via the internal post of the country (Ireland in my case). Anything coming via courier (UPS, Fedex etc) will be subject to customs in Ireland. The item may have to be new but this wasn't the case when I bought 2ndhand golf balls. Try to get the seller to mark the item as "a gift" if possible to avoid this (I do this when buying all the time)

Driver 270 3wood 255 5 wood 235 3 iron 215 4 iron 202 5 iron 190 6 iron 178 7 iron 166 8 iron 154 9 iron 140 PW 128 54 110 58 90 A good exercise - I've been thinking about having another wedge instead of the 3 iron seeing as how I don't use it much and the gaps in the wedges are quite big. Maybe 47, 51, 55, 59 combo.

surprised you haven't changed your sig yet! I have no Titleist clubs anymore :( cool name, "i

Just got the Ping Piper (Karsten) and can't praise it enough. I've had Odysseys (blade and 2 ball) - they make good putters too. I'd go with Ping though because the ball goes on line much easier when I hit it.

I think he wants "titty" on it though seeing as how he plays mostly Titleist! The X86 is a nice bag, i had the X76, was lovely too. I prefer Ping bags - a little lighter and better stand, but that's just me.

i much rather the look of the 7 Limited - i'll try both if i get a chance. The 2007 Burner is still great - still love it though.

I consider my 5wood to be a 4 and a half wood really, it's got a strong loft (17.5) - as does my 3 wood (14.5). I've heard it been recommended to some people that they should have a 4 wood instead of a 3 and a 5 to make room for a wedge (and also, if they hit the driver everywhere and go for few parr 5's in 2 - it makes sense to have a 4-wood, something more forgiving and easier to hit than a 3 metal)

Best memory is being the sign-boy in Payne's group for the first 2 days of the 1998 European Open at the K-Club. He played pretty badly, stumbling to double figures (I had to take out the "+" sign on the scoreboard when 9 over became 10 over!) but he and his caddy were pefect gentlemen, chatting away to all the people involved in our group, players, caddys, tv people, policemen - he was happy to be there. The year after he passed away, my father brought me to Waterville in Co. Kerry where he used to come each year, and he was a hero in the town. Photo's of him having pints with the locals, playing music till all hours in bars, and of course the bronze statue of him on the course - was a magical experience. I'll never forget his old-school fashion sense on the course (i will be getting an outfit or two of his myself soon!) and of course, when he gave out to some of the American crowd for heckling Monty at a Ryder Cup or two. What a gentleman. Also, Zinger rolling up his trouser at Paynes funeral was very touching, as was the bagpipes at the Tour Championship in 1999.

I absolutely agree with your set makeup - a lot of golfers could learn from this set up. A 64 degree wedge would be most useful if you can pull it off. (though be aware of overusing it - something I see a lot in higher handicaps)

Yep - i've heard as much too. I'm going to try both though. The 2007 Burner is awesome, i've upgraded all my clubs except my irons this winter - I love the Burner but might try something if I can demo it!

Nice idea - don't think i'd use it, though it might be a present for the parents this Xmas!

have you tried the Redwood?

Taylormade new drivers - R7 Limited and Burner 2009

I've always played with them. Rain is a small problem, only rarely does it bother me (wear a peaked cap or a rain hat - or both). Every couple of years when my eyes get worse I struggle to see the ball landing in winter (it's darker and duller) and when i'd get new specs, I could see everything much better. I'm short sighted but reading greens became a lot easier too. I have tried contacts but hated them, I am considering laser eye surgery so i can wear normal sunglasses (for driving etc. as well as golf).

Galvin Green Gore Tex is brilliant. I play in terrible weather in Ireland and it's always in the bag, the trousers are especially great - I wear them instead of trousers in the summer if it's wet, and over trousers in the winter for warmth and the high possibility of getting wet. If you want to splash out on good gear, it's the best you can get in this country.

Interesting article - though it won't be for everyone. I have just ordered a strong 3 wood and strong 5 wood (14.5 and 17.5) - The 5 wood goes 230 and the 3 wood goes 250. Maybe I could do without the 3 iron though I like it as an alternative off the tee. Wedgewise, I'm comfortable hitting 3/4 shots and 1/2 shots, but maybe a 47, 51, 55, 59 combination (currently have 47,54,58) would better suit my game. However, this would mean removing a club from the bag. I'll see how the new 5 wood goes and if i've room for a 3iron. Thanks for sharing!

Just ordered a TaylorMade Burner 2008 T3 - Tour Launch, 14.5 degrees, 60gram RE-AX shaft. I've had the T5 in the bag for a few weeks on demo, it goes seriously through the air, can't wait to get the T3 now!

I quite like the dull thud that the Karsten putters make, i'm not fond of "loud" putters, especially when u have to whack the ball (on slow greens here!) They're nice simple putters.

I dress from the inside-to-out (well this is how I think anyway) Thermal long sleeve t-shirt (UnderArmour), long-johns (underarmour or any cheaper equivilant). Then a polo shirt - the tighter (closer to base layer) the better. Then either 1 or 2 sleeveless jumpers - one snuggish one will do. Over these (depending on rain/wind) - either a jumper, a soft shell/windproof top/fleece, or a full on fleece or waterproof jacket. Either wear trousers and long johns, waterproof trousers and long johns, or combination of all 3, depending on weather/wind/rain. A good pair of shoes with thick socks helps too! Also, a really warm hat and a pair of golf mittens are essential - the mittens are great for pulling a cart, or even carrying your bag, keep your hands warm. (a trick i learned - put them on when raking a bunker, the rakes can be ice cold/wet/sandy and the mittens work a treat!). I have Ping ones, they're fantastic, have individual finger slots, fleece lined and all. I'll play any weather, if it's too cold to play in Ireland, the courses will be closed.

Jeev Milka Singh uses a 6 degree driver! just read it in a golf mag

I voted Adidas. I have 2 pairs, the 360's and 360 II's. I also have Dryjoys Pro and Aqualites (but rarely use them). I am looking at getting Puma's next.

I fitted myself on the Ping website (having a standard posture and young/flexible body this made sence - the shop I got the irons from did the measurements and got same results). There's more to it than height though, as has been mentioned. Arm length (more specifically, distance between hands to ground) plays an important part. I am 6'1" - I got Blue dot (+0.75) with +1/2 longer irons. The pro at my home club has the same stats as me but goes for Black dot (standard lie) because he prefers to hit the ball with a little draw. You made a good choice deciding to get fit!

I had to get new irons as an 11 handicap as a 15 year old (my Seve Slazenger's hand-me-downs were snapping in 2!) - I considered blades and could sorta hit them but some good advice was given to me - If you're going to come down in the handicap stakes - get something middle of the road first, and if you get to 5 handicap, try blades if you want. Others will disagree but I took that advice and it was the best way to lose shots for me. Anyway - I'd be looking at AP2's, MP62/57, Ping i10, CG Reds, TM R7TP - boardering on players irons but room for forgiveness. When you get halfway to scratch, maybe go for a players iron or blade (but remember you don't have to!)

Wow sounds great - I have a high ball flight but when I try my pro's Ping 7.5 driver it goes inches off the ground! - he hits it reallly high though. He could probably do with a 5 degree! +4 dude wow

Lovely putters - well made. The C-grooves - yeah they make it roll nicely, I got similar results from Taylor made AGSI+ with theiy 14 grooves. Now I use a putter with no grooves or insert. On the green's I play in general, it makes no difference. I was going to get a Tracy putter (named after Refief Goosen's wife - Goosen's contract with Taylormade means he can't put his name on other clubs) but the Ping holes more putts :)