jimbo2007

I'm in the process of getting a new set of irons, and currently leaning towards the Ping i5's. As you can see, i'm a mid-capper and have always been a regular flex shaft guy given my swing speed and tempo. One thing I have noticed (felt) are the Ping's lighter (than others i've demo'd) swing weight. The Pings were D0's vs. D1 and D2 on some of the others. My question is what are the performance impications of higher or lower swingweights? I can tell that with the higher swingweights I have a better sense of where the head is, but can't say that is an influence in my decision. I hit the i5's remarkably accurately...does the lower swingweight cost me distance or just provide me less feel for where the head is during my swing? Thanks in advance for any enlightenment.

bump...anyone?

Forcing you to think about each and every shot you play is one hallmark. Deciding on the safe play or the aggressive play...and having an option between the two is definately a hallmark in my eyes. I've become something of a student of Ross and Tillinghast over the last few years, and living in the north-east i have had the opportunity to play some of their courses, and both were masters at that...and didn't need to move a lot of dirt to do it either. After playing Bethpage Black, reflecting on the round with the foursome, we all commented how you needed to be focused and have a game plan on every shot, and if you didn't you paid for it. Variety in holes in terms of length, in terms of shots they require you to play is a factor as well. Seeing the task at hand in front of you I think is a hallmark as well...tricked up holes do nothing for me, regardless of the reputation of any modern designer. Huge exception to this are some of the links I have played overseas...Lahinch and Ballybunion...which were built with the land that they had...blind shots and unique approaches over dunes were just a byproduct of the land. In terms of current architects, I tend to like Coore and Crenshaw. They seem to be minimalists, who put it all out in front of you and force you to think.

My ratio is about 1:8 My father bought me my first putter when I was a teen. I'm pretty sure it was a Macgregor cheapie, couldn't have cost more than $20. I used it until 3 years ago when I think the glue just dried out and the head fell off. 22 years I used it and I felt like I could roll the ball in from anywhere. Decided to bring myself into the 21st century when the thing fell apart on me and got me a center shafted odyssey which I used for two years, but which never did it for me. Picked up a Yes Tracey this year, which I love and which has finally put to rest my remorse over not regluing my first putter.

I've tried a search which didn't turn up anything, so apologize if this if this has been thoroughly answered already. Looking to move up from my RAC OS's, and among the clubs I demoed this weekend at the range, I really liked the Ping i5's. They were a bit shorter than my OS's, some of which I can chalk up to the TM lofts being juiced about 1.5 degrees as it relates to the six iron, but they were just really accurate for me and very consistent in terms of distance I didn't have an i10 to be able to compare to, and my question is whether the i10 is going to be comparable in its ease/difficulty to hit. I know it has a bit more of a players profile in terms of topline, a bit smaller head, but the rep says that it will be comparable in its forgiveness, and just a tad easier to get up in the air. Anyone out there who can verify? Thanks, Jim

I agree with the above, recognizing that Arizona golf is for the most part, target golf. Having said that, I played Talking Stick (North) there last year. It is a Coore/Crenshaw design. Typical to their style it is not flashy at all. It is not target golf, and the more I look back on it, the more and more impressed I was with the design. Not a house in sight either as it is on an indian reservation. Definately worth a try.

Update on my search. I hit the Ping i5's and Taylor Made R7's this weekend. I really liked the i5's. I was shockingly (for me) accurate with them and very consistent with distance. One thing I notice though is that I seemed to be almost a full club shorter with them then my current RAC OS's (first generation). I know part of that is the loft differential. My RAC 6 iron is 29 degree vs 30.5 degree for the i5, but that wouldn't account for the whole difference. I wonder if anyone else has found that with the i5's. Otherwise I LOVED them. Will look to throw Mizuno MX-25's (i think the MP-57's might be too much club for me) and Srixon I-701's (if i can find them) into the mix this weekend.

I took some time off this summer while in between jobs and really worked on my game. Much better ball striker now. Have taken my handicap down from close to 30 a couple of years ago to 17. Currently play RAC OS's but feel that I may be ready for something with a little less offset that I can grow into. Will look to demo over the weekend and already have my eyes on the Ping i5's and maybe the Taylor Made R7's. I'm looking for something I can grow into, but something that still has a level of forgiveness, because while a better ball striker these days, I know I am not ready for blades. Any comments on the above choices and anything to add to the list to demo would be great. Thanks...

http://www.ramseycountryclub.com/golf.php# Short...but tight and very challenging...

I believe when all is said and done, Tiger will be considered the greatest. Surpassing Jack in terms of Majors is just a matter of time, and I consider Tiger to have, overall, a more complete game than Jack had. Having said that, in terms of impact on those of us who love the game, something tells me that the emotions felt by the fans when Jack played his last rounds (ala St. Andrews) will always be greater than the impact on fans when Tiger packs it in.

I am a controller at a specialty finance company in Manhattan...