Old Timer

Quote: Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond You are off-topic, but no disrespect was intended. Actually, I tried a friendly and respectful tone except for the first part - where I did not see him respond to a direct question. I agreed with the poster on certain issues, and disagreed on others. If you review the thread, I asked directly which irons he had compared against his BB's and received no response - in many places, that is an answer by itself. The remainder of the post was respectful discussion. He seems to be a good guy who loves what he has - I don't find a need to agree with the poster that advances in technology over 17 years have made no difference in iron performance. The ball has changed, shafts have changed, iron design has changed... I was trying to find the basis for his opinion that there is no difference and I did not see his basis ... and it's okay. This is a discussion board with facts and opinions, not an "agree" board. We may not agree, but I do try to respectfully disagree, although I am human and do falter at times. For that, I apologize. And you'r right - I "beat up" people too much, but not purposely. It's my job to cut through issues, and when I post, it's mainly in between working. I will try to limit my posting to the night or weekends, when I'm not in working mode. You asked no direct question in the first part. If you had I would have answered. Here is your post. Quote: When you say equally well, you don't compare it with anything - you compare BB against everything in general, meaning nothing really to the reader. I've got to think that someone still using the big, clunky, hot spot BB Irons of 1996, as I once did either is too economically minded to purchase a new set, or doesn't bother to try new irons. There are also lots of Big Berthas - BB, BB FT-3, etc. Which one is working for ya? Comparison's to my choice of club is not the focus of the thread. The thread creator asked if new technology would help his game.. I stated that my clubs are older and work fine for me at which point you felt compelled to shift the focus to me.. You then basically called them garbage, and I replied with golf reviews that dispute your claim. I think the OP should try new clubs if he wishes, I just never felt compelled to.

What it means to the reader is that older clubs can perform as well as newer regardless of the brand.. We both just happen to use BB's. At 61 years old, I don't feel the need to put out several hundred dollars just to gain maybe 10-15 yards distance. I just hit one extra club for the second shot. As far as their being big, clunky and hot spotish... Many would disagree with you. http://reviews.golfreview.com/golf-clubs/callaway/irons/big-bertha-1996.html http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/men-callaway-golf-big-bertha-irons-1996-reviews

I agree to an extent. You must be able to align the putter properly, that's why I like my old Zebra putter. However, the cost of the putter has nothing to do with controlling distance...that is a matter of feel and muscle memory. I also have an old T.P. Mills TPM 7 which is very comparable to the much more expensive Scotty Cameron Newport line. Two entirely different putters but after a few strokes I can putt equally the same with either. Another good indicator that cost is secondary is the number of expensive putters golfers are selling because they turned out not to be the answer..

I play Big Bertha 1996 irons. They hit the ball as sweet as anything out there. Even on mishits, I still get good distance...and when I hit it in the sweet spot, I don't even feel the ball make contact. On average I hit a five iron 175 yards with this set. I also use a Big Bertha 460cc Driver which I think is about 2009 technology. Recently, I picked up a Great Big Bertha Warbird Driver from a garage sale for a few bucks. I am guessing that it is maybe 1999 technology or so,. I took both to the driving range to compare them. Both hit the ball equally as well. I get about 230-240 yards per drive. that being said...maybe some aspects of technological breakthrough's of club design touted by manufacturers are more to seperate you from your cash than to improve your game.

Tiger Woods -6 Justin Rose -5

I agree... I play 1996 Callaway Big Berthas and they hit as well as any club out there. In my opinion (I know I'll get grief) buying the latest, greatest super hi-tech clubs will do very little for the average golfer and only serve to line the pockets of the manufacturers. If anything, have your swing speed analyzed and maybe have the clubs reshafted if necessary to match. DCI 990's are a very highly rated club. http://www.golfreview.com/cat/irons/titleist/dci-990/prd_61044_2940crx.aspx http://www.golfproductnews.com/titleist-dci-990-review/ When first introduced in 1990 the MSRP on them was $880 (in 1990 dollars)

Don't ignore the older clubs. They are cheap and if they don't fit you, you are not out a lot of money. I purchased two drivers at a garage sale earlier this year. 1 is a Great Big Bertha like this one on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Calloway-Great-Big-Bertha-War-Bird-9-Firm-Flex-Titanium-Golf-Driver-43-Right-H-/130939254988?pt=Golf_Clubs&hash;=item1e7c9678cc And the other is a Mizuno T-Zoid like this. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mizuno-T-Zoid-Forged-Ti-1-9-Driver-Proforce-65-gold-R-flex-and-head-cover-/111109622782?pt=Golf_Clubs&hash;=item19dea64bfe I regripped both and took them to the range. Both hit consistantly well with my drives averaging 225 and a few approaching 240. Not bad for a near senior citizen. Don't fall for the hype on television, buy something reasonable to start with and go from there.

A few thoughts. What about the ball you are using? The Nike 1 Tour, Pro V-1 and the Callawy Tour have pretty high spin rates that will affect ball flight. How is your ball impact? Do you sweep it or take divots? I think the lessons idea is a good one and a better way to spend your dough. I am 61 years old and still play a set of 1996 Callaway Big Bertha Irons. My 9 iron averages about 125 yards consistantly so I don't think it is a club issue.

I follow the same process Nicklaus uses and add my own elements. Standing behind the ball a few feet, I visualize the line from the ball to the cup and back again. Then, I pick a spot about a foot or so ahead of the ball on my line. It could be a spike mark, bare spot, or any surface defect that I can clearly see. That becomes my aiming mark and I no longer worry about the hole location...only the aiming mark. This is the same procedure Jack uses. Here is where I differ from most... I visualize myself rolling the ball to the cup in an underhand manner....this gives me a mental image of the speed I feel I need. I'll take one or two practice swings based on that image, align the putter to the line, step into my stance and putt. It works pretty well, especially with my old multiple lined Zebra mallet putter..

This is a very interesting observation. I generally play from the "middle" tees and typically drive the ball 225 on the average but will reevaluate my own play based on this.. I think a lot of golfers are influenced by tv tournament play in that they do not consider themselves manly men unless they can hit from the same tees as the pro's. I also suspect this attitude keeps up the sales of the Pro V1's and other must have golf gear.

Thanks for the info.

I just found in my closet three dozen new Slazenger Raw Distance golf balls that I had gotten for Christmas. I wasn't even aware that Slazenger still made balls, but I guess they do. Does anyone use these...and if so what is your opinion? I am hesitant to use them because the last time I used an off brand ball (Pinnacle, I think) I split two of them in half while driving off the tee. I ordinarily use a titelist NXT Tour which is a softer ball so I am thinking these will give me more yardage if I don't break them. Any thoughts?

I use a souvenier ball marker someone purchased for me on a trip to St. Andrews many years ago.

If I recall, the Hogan brand was sold several times over the years to several companies including Spaulding and as of 2003 Callaway. Did Callaway make any Hogan brand clubs? I don't remember but i believe in their last incarnations they were leaning more toward making the forgiveness clubs rather than the low handicappers. If that's the case, perhaps a set of early Hogan's with updated shafts might fit the bill?

Long time visitor to The Sandtrap, thought I might as well sign up. I am in lower SW Michigan and an exile from Chicago. As my name implies I am an "Old Timer" at 61 years young. I can still whack it pretty good but am always looking to improve.