TopWalker

May depend if your iron play is a strength or weakness in your game. If the latter I'd look at the mx-200 or 300. You're still getting Mizunos but these two options seem to be more forgiving than the others mentioned above. I recently hit the mx-200 and they're nice, when struck flush, but for now I still need my X-20s. That and the cost issue.... Cool mizuno fitting system, too, but you are probably aware of that. TW

One other relatively cheap fix might be a ball switch. Perhaps the Bridgestone e5. It has a urethane cover so it'll check more around the green and it promotes a higher ball flight. Maybe worth the $25 to get a dozen and see what happens. With irons I think one's trajectory is more a result of one's swing than the shaft. TW

If you're a 15hc I'm guessing you're only hitting a few greens per round. Having a urethane-covered ball is going to give you more control around the greens - exactly where you have a lot of your shots. I'd look at the Wilson FG Tour. Soft feel, good distance, cheaper than ProV, and has a urethane cover. I wouldn't worry about the distance between balls. If you hit it well it'll go far. I've played a number of balls and have yet to notice that one is longer than another. It's almost always due to making a good swing. But having green side control, that can you save you shots...as my pinnacle-playing friends show me every week when they chip across the green and then three-putt. PS - if your ball flight is low I'd look at the e5. TW

Just a couple of thoughts: Did you hit the MX-300 the best or did it simply feel the best when you hit a ball on the screws? I agree with the post above about having confidence at address, but if there's a club that you hit the ball better with, but perhaps didn't care for the look, then it's probably worth some more consideration or hitting some more with those two clubs. Second thought: check out the mx-200. I hit them last week and they felt nice. The head size is a touch bigger than the 300 so it might be a little more forgiving. Also, maybe a look at the i15? I'm kind of in the same boat as you as I play X-20s and would like a thinner top line, but my irons were great last week and helped me get my handicap down to 12. Decision, decisions... TW

I'd turn the discussion more towards urethane vs. non-urethane. A lot of the so-called experts say that mid and high handicappers should play urethane balls and I agree with them. The reasoning is pretty simple. Most players (mid and high hc) will miss most greens. If you're chipping on 12 holes and needing 30 putts that's 42 shots around the green alone. And often times the player has short-sided themselves. They chip their rockflight across the green and then three putt for a double bogey. A urethane covered ball is going to get more check in those situations, giving you a better chance to make a putt for par. It is a challenge moving to a urethane covered ball, but boy is it nice to actually attack a pin knowing the ball will check. TW

I'm going to disagree with the "compression" issue. For me personally, I've noticed no difference in distance between a ProV1, a "soft" ball, i.e. Solo/AD333, and anything else. And my swing speed is nowhere near 110mph. I keep coming back to the ProV1 for the distance, durability, ball flight, and spin around the greens. It's more expensive sure, but for me I like it overall better than anything else. I wish it was a bit softer for putting, but that's the one concession I've made and I've gotten used to it. Even my Dad in AZ has come around to using the B330RX because he finally figured out why Pinnacles always rolled off the back of the greens. So golf balls do make a difference. The key is finding out which one works best for you and what you're looking to get out of it (and how much you're willing to pay for it). TW

Maybe slightly off your radar, but the MX-300 and/or i15 might be just what you're looking for. TW

There are some great deals out there right now on irons so I'd suggest getting a set of R7s, X-18rs or X-20s and then spending some money on a couple of lessons vs. getting G15s for a lot more money. I just took a couple of lessons and two big areas of my game are now much improved. Can't wait to play this weekend. I have the X-20s and for me they work. Maybe not perfect, but when my swing is better, it's funny, my clubs become better, too! TW

Here are three options to consider. I've found all three to be a bit softer than the ProV1, but also have a urethane cover and comparable greenside control: Wilson FG Tour Maxfli Tour Maxfli Tour LC The LC is said to be for a slightly slower swing speed than the Tour, but I found a negligible difference in distance, chipping, and putting. Good luck. TW

In addition to a different wedge, I'd suggest switching to a urethane-covered ball if you're indeed playing the Juice. You'll get more check/spin. In addition to the ProV1, I'd look at the Maxfli Tour series and the Wilson FG Tour. They can really dance. TW

GQ - You da man. I would have never thought that they kept info on old clubs like those. Much appreciated. TW

Oddball question I know, but can anyone tell me or provide a link that shows the club loft for a 3-PW set? Thanks in advance. TW

Here's another one to look at in hopes you'll blow your golf ball budget: Wilson FG Tour. Soft feel, just as long as anything else I've played and these really stick on the greens. 3 piece urethane. The St. Mary's of golf balls. I also just picked up some Maxfli Tour and Tour LC balls and am hoping to see how they perform. TW

Thanks for the tips and feedback. Here in MN we're just thawing out so my game is always on a stop n start basis, i.e. have played less than ten rounds since September. Anyways, I'm just looking for peoples' thoughts when they're over the ball or things they think of that helps them strike down on the ball with success. I've tried hitting down on the "front" of the ball with mixed success. For me, sometimes if I think of just one or two things it makes a dramatic difference. Some new lessons will start next month with warmer weather, but my game is pretty solid other than my irons. I usually 'pick' the ball and have an open club face which leads to a 6 iron having the loft of an 8 iron; high short shots. TW

Biggest weakness of mine is my iron play. What are some thoughts and swing tips to help one hit down on the ball and take a good divot? TW

What type of ball are you playing? There's a big difference between a regular wedge and a surlyn covered ball vs. a Vokey and a urethane ball. I ran into this problem last year and am now getting the hang of it as I use the latter option. The former will have more run out while the latter will have more check/less roll out. Maybe mix n match to get what you're looking for. TW

Check out the new Wilson FG Tour. It has a soft feel, but really sticks around the green. 3-piece urethane. I don't hit down on my irons very well and these things were still dancing on the green. I did not notice that it was longer or shorter than any other ball that I've played. When I missed the green the spin really allowed me to be aggressive on my chips. Fun ball. Has a soft, muted 'click' for putting. I also want to try the new Maxfli Tour LC ball. One of these two balls or the ProV1 will be my ball in 2010. TW

These two new golf balls have gotten my interest, but I have not had the chance to play with either. The Maxfli is just becoming available and the FG Tour has been out for a couple of months. I really like the characteristics of the ProV1, but I've never been real comfortable putting with it; a touch too firm for me. (Putting with something like the Srixon AD333 is ideal). Has anyone played with either of these? My hope is that they'll have the spin characteristics of the ProV1, but with a softer feel. Sounds like their respective street prices will be in the range of $35-40. Interested in the feedback. Thanks. TW

I used to play the SoLo as well, but it seems like they stopped making it. I just don't care for the Roll or the Carry as much. The Srixon AD333 is worth a look. I think it is very comparable to the SoLo and it's an affordable ball, too. I compared the AD333 to the ProV1 this summer during scrambles and they were very comparable in length. The Srixon is softer, but the ProV1 has more green side spin. TW

As the link above notes, the club can be used from the fairway. Not to rain on the parade, but while it looks like a nice club it doesn't appear to be much different than a TM V-Steel 7 wood I play, 21*. And being an inch longer, I think that makes the club worse. In the rough it's more difficult to make solid contact with the ball. Increasing the shaft length doesn't help in my opinion. TW

I bought the TM Tour Burner in the spring. Nice club. A few things about it: the shaft may be longer than your current driver. I cut mine down 1" to help with the control and it has worked. Classic TM look, feel, and sound. Nice. It also provides good feedback, heel, toe, sweetspot, etc. I've also noticed that it's hottest in the uppercenter part of the face. However, when you catch it there it feels a bit different than it does in the exact middle and feels like maybe you didn't catch it just right, but those are the ones that go the longest for me, 260+. Definitely worth a look for $150. I paid $169 and am happy with my choice. Happy Shopping. TW

Here's an idea for you: a TaylorMade V-Steel 7 wood, 21*. It has a nice clean look at address and really gets the ball up in the air nicely. Nice club for those long par 3s, too. TW

The Srixon AD333 is very similar to the Nike PowerSoft. A buddy and I have played them both and we both felt they were very similar. At two 12-packs for $25 the Srixon is a great value ball and great to putt with if you like the soft feel. Just as long as a ProV for me, too. TW

Here's a suggestion: I've played with a number of balls this summer and off the tee they are all about the same. For your game you can shave off a lot of shots with a good short game so I'd focus on finding a ball that you like to chip and putt with and go with that. Just today I was in a scramble and I used a TP Red and Black, Pro V1 and a Srixon AD 333. No difference off the tee and in some instances I used three different balls on one hole depending on what type of shot was next. The Srixon is my scramble putting ball for instance because I like a soft feel. Playing a regular round I now mostly use the ProV because it has the best combination of spin around the greens along with a soft feel for putting, for me anyways. Find a ball you like around the green and you'll be in good shape.

Best value out there is the Srixon AD 333: 2 twelve packs for $25. It's just as long as anything else I've hit this year and they are a dream to putt with. Only question mark for you will be if they have the amount of spin you are looking for. TW