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Everything posted by Donald MacKenzie
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I'm still alive in my pool (along with Erik and Cody). I went against picking a lot of upsets, which cost me some cheap points in the early rounds. But three of my final four teams are still around, including my finals matchup. As long as Villanova and LSU keep moving on, I'm OK. And don't get me started on Michigan State's Tin Man-like lack of heart. At least George Mason knocked off UNC too, making the MSU loss not stand out so much. Grrrr.
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I was given a Q-Link at this year's PGA Show. I've worn it for golf and around the office. I don't know how to say whether it really makes any difference. I felt relaxed wearing it on the golf course, but then again I was playing with friends on a sunny day. I would hope I would feel relaxed! The Q-Link folks say that it is supposed to actually work better in congested, office-type settings. It's supposed to offset the effects of radiation from computer monitors, cell phone radiation, etc. Again, I don't know how to quantify whether it works or not. And no one at Q-Link really gave me a good explanation of how it does whatever it's supposed to do. I know it has something like 40 yards of copper and some sort of microchip inside. Doing what? Should I have a tinfoil hat, too? My bottom line: I wouldn't shell out big bucks for one. But since I have one, I would probably throw it on to play golf. Even if the effects are psychosomatic, every little bit helps.
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Fitting shafts without hitting them is the hardest thing. There are no standards as to what makes a reg. vs. a stiff flex, for example, and who knows what the difference is between mid and mid-high ball flight. The only way to find out is to hit the different shafts and get a feel for them yourself. There are just too many variables to make anything other than a semi-educated guess otherwise. Sorry Rafi, you'll just have to spend a couple hours hitting balls at a good demo day. Poor guy. The descriptions are so hard to judge. For example, the Graphite Design YS-6+ and the Aldila NVS are supposed to be very similar. But for me, the GD is an unpredictable noodle and the NVS is solid. Go figure. So, you must be thinking about a new driver. Which one?
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Rafi: I'll break it down for you. They all go long and straight. Except for whatever one you choose for your driver. It's that simple. Fuji is shaft of the year. Stock shaft in the new r7s, Callaway X drivers and woods, MacGregor NVG2, etc. I picked up a brochure about all their various shafts at the PGA Show. I'll dig it up and see if it has any useful info. I do know that they've segmented their shafts into three categories: Exclusive designs for OEMs (like the r7 and NVG shafts), aftermarket/exotic shafts that you can buy as a consumer or order custom from OEMs (like the Speeder, Vista Pro, Tour Platform, etc.), and shafts for custom fitting/clubmakers. They also hired a former top guy with Aldila last year, and that's helped their relations with the big OEMs a ton.
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I can't really think of any other current pro using such a game-improvement iron. As everyone else has pointed out, Mayfair was a Ping player back in the day when they didn't have "pro" offerings with less offset. So everyone who used Pings used the same sort of clubs that any 18-handicapper could buy off the shelf. The early Callaway Big Bertha irons were the same way. Azinger played the big shovels during the first two iterations (X-9 and X-10) before the X-12 came out and a less-offset version was offered in 1998. And don't forget Corey Pavin winning a U.S. Open with Cleveland VAS Irons... But to your question, Erik, I can't think of a PGA Tour player in 2006 using a set more intended for players with higher handicaps. Colin Montgomerie uses Yonex shovels, but I'm not sure he counts.
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Some companies repair the club and send it back, especially if it's a custom order or has an exotic shaft. Some companies will send you a new or refurbished club, then have you send your broken club back in the box the new one came in. That way you don't have to go without a club for any period of time. Then they fix the one that you send back, and it goes into the refurb bin for the next guy who needs a repair. Dave: Glad you had a good experience with Titleist. Looking forward to reading all about it.
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Jeff: The only hybrid I've hit that didn't feel draw-biased to me is the Sonartec Md. They're more iron-like than wood-like, with a high toe, deeper face and lower ball flight. Would be a great 3-iron replacement at 21 degrees. I love mine, and I always feel like I can go after it and not worry about a quacker. For something more FW-like, the new Nickent DC Utility is a good alternative. A bigger head and a longer shaft than iron-like hybrids, and a really shallow face to get the ball up in the air.
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Shafts for Drivers and fairway woods?
Donald MacKenzie replied to nautyyboyy's topic in Clubs, Grips, Shafts, Fitting
95mph is right in the gray area of shaft flex. If you have a smooth tempo (are a "swinger") then most R-flex shafts are probably OK for you. If you're more of a "hitter" with a fast tempo, then an S-flex in a shaft with a fair amount of torque and mid-kickpoint should work. Like the GD YS-6+, for example. That's why Callaway used to make all of its stock shafts in regular, firm and stiff. The firm was for that 90-100mph area, and for guys who should be in a regular flex but needed the ego boost of something else. As others have said, the shaft is the trickiest thing to fit based on numbers and product descriptions. Without hitting the product and seeing the results (preferably both on a launch monitor and outside, where you can see real ball flight), it's a guessing game. But the best advice is to forget what's on the shaft (brand name, flex, etc.) and go with the most flexible shaft you can control. I have a swing speed that varies from 103-108 on a given day, and I've played everything from stock regular driver shafts to "tour stiff" models. Lots of factors at play. Sounds like you're on the right track, doing research and testing things out. Let us know when you find the right fit! -
A good clubfitter can help you keep your irons and wedges in shape from year to year. If you hit a lot of balls (especially if you hit off mats) you'll knock the loft and lie of your irons slightly out of whack over the course of a season (faster if your clubs are forged from soft carbon steel). A clubfitter can bend your irons/wedges back to the original specs, and you're good for another 3,000 miles. And there are places that will refinish and even sharpen the grooves of irons/wedges to give them new life. If you google the name Joe Kwok you should get some good info about the work he does. Me, I do keep my gamers in line by having the specs checked every season, usually when I get my clubs regripped. But I'm with Erik: I like seeing the wear on my clubs. And as for wearing clubs out, you're most likely to wear out a sand wedge the fastest, especially if you practice a lot from the sand. But dudes like Tiger and Vijay are the only ones who hit enough balls (and hit the ball consistently well enough) to create a lot of wear on their irons and to notice the difference when it happens. As a friend of mine who writes for Golf Digest told me, "If I was Tiger I wouldn't worry about wearing out my clubs with day-long practice sessions. I'd worry about wearing out my body parts."
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If that club just happens to perfectly fit your specs (shallow face, stout shaft, 8.5° of loft) then it's an OK deal. If you're buying it just to have a "tour" club but should be playing a driver with a softer shaft or more loft, then I'd say it's not a very good deal. But, like you said, life is short.
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On the expensive end, the New Course at Grand Cypress is fun. Jack Nicklaus' attempt to build a links course in Florida. Fun to play. The International Course at ChampionsGate is a good one. Falcon's Fire can be a stiff test if the wind is blowing. Royal St. Cloud is very good, and very affordable. Osprey Ridge is the best of the Disney courses.
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Callaway officially announced the HX Pearl today. Shipping 3/15 (though already in some shops) at MSRP of $32 per box. Here's the link to info on the Callaway site. http://www.callawaygolf.com/en.BALLS.HXPearl.html Remember the old "Man enough to play a Lady" campaign that Precept did for the MC Lady golf ball? What would be the equivalent for the Pearl? "Give the Pearl a whirl"?
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Oh, and we can't just roll the clubs and balls back to an earlier standard. We also need to: *Go back to older mowing equipment, types of grass and agronomy standards. Because the GCSAA is really just out to make money, after all. Let's see those greens at Augusta rolling like shag carpet! *Limit physical fitness. If you don't have at least 25% body fat, you're off the tour. *Roll back the golf instruction. The Leadbetters, Harmons, Haneys, etc. are out. Instead, all golf instruction will come from that creepy guy who hangs at the end of the range hitting sh--ks and hiding practice balls in his bag. *Reduce the tournament purses. These guys have too much incentive. Win the U.S. Open? Here's a check for $6,500, and a parking voucher. Congrats! *Clothing must be restrictive, uncomfortable and made of burlap. These synthetic dry-fit shirts and comfy shoes make a mockery of the game. Why can't everything just be like the way it used to be? You know, the good old days when the PGA had to pay to have the Ryder Cup televised and golf was considered a snobby sport for rich people. That was great...
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Mike: The site looks great, and I love how it is organized. Kudos! And those buying guides read like a dream.
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The HX Pearl is a 3-piece distance ball like the HX Hot. Rubber core, firm mantle layer, ionomer cover. The Pearl has a softer low-compression core, so it's supposed to have softer feel. It also has a cover that's not as bright as the standard white golf ball, a bit more like a, well, pearl. Callaway's marketing it as a women's ball, but it could be seen as a softer-feeling version of the HX Hot. If you've ever played an MC Lady, why not a HX Pearl? I believe they're supposed to ship next month.
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Your 10 Course Wishlist
Donald MacKenzie replied to jeffgladchun's topic in Golf Courses and Architecture
1. Crystal Downs: masterpiece in northern Michigan 2. Devil's Paintbrush (outside Toronto) 3. Cypress Point 4. The Institute 5. Seminole 6. Pacific Dunes 7. Sand Hills: Crenshaw/Coore course in Nebraska 8. Oakmont 9. Merion 10. Teeth of the Dog I've been lucky to play a lot of the "big name" courses. But there are plenty of items still on the wish list. Erik: Never underestimate the possibility of playing far-flung courses. Golf takes you to some pretty interesting places... -
Nike had more tour players using the NDS irons than they expected. Grace Park took the Pro Combos out of her bag for the NDS, and I'm pretty sure a couple PGA Tour players did the same, at least for a while. They're solid clubs. The Slingshot irons are much more of a game improvement iron than the NDS. Sabbatini's one of those guys who is either red hot or ice cold. His swing must have a lot to do with timing. When he's got it dialed in, he is long and straight. And when he's off, he looks like he might struggle to break 85. And in today's high-launch era, he still hits line drives off the tee.
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My thoughts on the three things: Titleist article: Good points made. I'm not sure what the intended effect is. Are everyday golfers (er, "Serious Golfers") supposed to read this and take up arms? Or is the real recipient of the message supposed to be the comb-overs in Far Hills? In any case, it's an interesting read. Geoff's article: Same old. Equating the health of the Tour's TV ratings and contracts with golf as it is played by 25 million amateurs in the U.S., which is silly. Whether or not JB Holmes is smacking 350 yard drives while playing for several times the value of my house has nothing to do with how I relate to the game when I'm on the course. Do I want new technology? Heck yes. Not to make the game easier, but because a sport that has changes in technology over time stays more vital. Golf has changed a lot in the last 100 years, and it will keep changing. When innovation is killed, stagnation sets in. The thing I don't get about the USGA, Geoff, et al: When we roll the equipment back, what date should we enter into the time machine's computer? 1995? 1986? 1960? How about the 1600s, so we can all use sticks and rocks? Instead of allowing for organic growth and change over time, you're going to pick a point in time and say, "There, that's where we want things to stay." Based on what criteria? I'd love to hear. I'll give Geoff credit for making the good point about Feherty's verbal wet kisses for JB Holmes, and how they became a commercial. That's sad. I'd like to see all of the non-playing TV announcers have to give up endorsements contracts. It'll never happen, but I wish Johnny Miller and Feherty, etc., would drop their club deals so I wouldn't have to question the things they say about equipment. I also wish Jim Nantz would stop doing voiceovers for equipment companies. But this isn't journalism, I suppose, it's entertainment. That's why I usually have the sound down on the tube when I'm watching. Comments on Geoff's article: Flame on. I couldn't care less once things devolve into comment wars. I'll spend more time on Craigslist if I want to read endless arguments. Comments have their place. But a forum (like this) is the place for posting the back-and-forth stuff. As to the content of the comments ... no comment.
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The new Scottys look like the Tri-Ball without the SRT weights, at least on TV. Reminds me of the old Tommy Armour T-Line putters. Everything old becomes new again at some point...
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Tifosi vs PeakVision sunglasses
Donald MacKenzie replied to iowa_hacker's topic in Clubs, Grips, Shafts, Fitting
The frames I have for review are the Stelvio in matte black and the Pave in gunmetal. The Stelvio reminds me of a Bolle frame, and I like it the better of the two. But I don't like the odd notch that sticks out at the far edge of each lens (above your cheekbone). Doesn't affect the performance of the glasses, but I think it looks funky. The Pave is very Oakley-like. A blade-type frame with multiple colors (black, silver, gray) and sharply angled lenses. These are too NASCAR for me to wear around town, but they'll do fine on the golf course (I'll channel late-90s David Duval). I do like the lenses so far, and the frames are very light and comfortable. The Kilo or Q3 models Tifosi has are much more my style. At any rate, I'll be interested to see how the lenses work vs. the PeakVision, Callaway/NEOX, SunBusters, etc. The PeakVision and SunBusters are great on the golf course, but look weird off the course. I can also suggest checking on a company called SunDog. They have lots of different styles, good golf lenses and reasonable prices. They were my go-to shades on and off the course last year. -
The Tri-Ball does feel pretty light, but I wonder how much of that is because you expect something that big to weigh 5 pounds. The body of the putter is milled aluminum, which is something new for Odyssey. Then the SRT part is a zinc alloy. That pushes the weight out to the perimeter, which wouldn't be as pronounced if the body of the putter was steel and not aluminum (or aluminium for our Canadian/UK friends). I wasn't a fan of the White Steel concept when it first came out. But it feels good in the Tri-Ball. Maybe because aluminum itself always feels mushy to me, and the steel makes the putter have a more crisp feeling. Those old Zebra mallets always felt dead to me. Same with the old Bobby Grace putters before he started using inserts. I wouldn't write off the Tri-Ball (or ANY putter) until you've rolled a few with it on a real grass green outside. I didn't think I'd like the Tri-Ball until I played 9 holes with one in Orlando, and I ended up loving it. Much easier to control distance on longer putts than I expected. And the circular SRT weights made it easier to line up little breaking putts. With the original 2-Ball putters I always had trouble on anything that wasn't dead straight because of the alignment discs. The SRT wings make it look rounder, like a traditional mallet.
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Tifosi vs PeakVision sunglasses
Donald MacKenzie replied to iowa_hacker's topic in Clubs, Grips, Shafts, Fitting
Just received my Tifosis today, too late in the day to check them out in the sunlight. Two different frames: One a bit like Oakleys, one a bit like Bolle. Neither one is really my style, but they're both comfortable and a good fit. I would wear them for golf, but not off the course. But a couple of their styles (like the Q3) look cool enough for all-around wear. I'm going to try a pair out tomorrow. They came with the ECS lenses (darker than I expected) installed. I popped the GT lenses in (pretty easy to swap them out) and I'll see how they work for driving/everyday use. Then I'll pop in the AC Red lenses for the next day. I'll keep you posted, and try to get some pix too. -
What will you buy this year?
Donald MacKenzie replied to Donald MacKenzie's topic in Clubs, Grips, Shafts, Fitting
OK, I've given it some more thought myself. If I was going to buy equipment this year, I'd be looking at: TaylorMade r7 425 or 460 Callaway X 3-wood Tour Edge Exotics 3-wood Ping G5 hybrid Nickent 3DX DC Ironwood hybrid Titleist 775.OS irons Callaway X-Tour lob wedge (with Mack Daddy grooves) Titleist Vokey Spin Milled oil can sand wedge Odyssey Tri-Ball SRT putter Titleist Circa 62 putter (no. 3) Etonic G-Sok shoes Adidas Tour 360 shoes A pretty long list. Good thing my wife hides the checkbook. -
What will you buy this year?
Donald MacKenzie replied to Donald MacKenzie's topic in Clubs, Grips, Shafts, Fitting
Adams does make good stuff, and their prices are pretty competitive. They've gotten lost in the shuffle the last few years, but people who play their stuff rave about it. -
Tifosi vs PeakVision sunglasses
Donald MacKenzie replied to iowa_hacker's topic in Clubs, Grips, Shafts, Fitting
Should be here any day. I'll have three interchangeable lenses: The GT, the ECS (supposed to make it easier to follow the ball in the air) and AC Red (all conditions lenses for driving, etc). Looking forward to giving them a try. I'll post as soon as they arrive with thoughts and maybe some pictures.