Jim260

I just purchased the Cleveland Classic XL (Black) and love it, beats my Cobra Amp Cell which I am now selling. I hit the Cleveland longer and straighter. I guess it just depends on what suits your swing / game.

I purchased the TaylorMade Mini Driver. Shorter than a driver (but not by much), straight as a 3 wood.

We play nine holes in our league, one week I shoot a 43 on a challenging course. The next week I go out and shoot a 54 on a relatively easy course! What the hell explains that?

Putting, by far. I could save a lot of strokes if I could just stop three putting.

I just read Ben Hogan's book again. His advise is once you have gotten a good, repeatable swing, don't hold anything back, swing at 100+.

Save the bucks, go for the $65 fitting.

Hit a three hybrid up over some tall trees and landed it on the green 200 yards away, seven feet from the pin.

Hit a tree and it bounced back and hit me in the head, hurt like hell.

~1973 Ping blade putter, very old but very good.

Well I did it, I purchased a 52* Fourteen wedge. Beautiful club, haven't used it yet on the course, I'll see how I like the grind, maybe have the pro grind it for me if I don't the turf interaction, we'll see. By the way the wedge did cost $185 + tax so they are a little pricey, but I really like them.

How do you like the G25 irons; I have the G15 and love them but I've been thinking of upgrading. I don't really like the G30s although they could probably grow on me.

Go to Monarch golf and build your own clubs, I've used them and their clubs are good. Select preassembled clubs and you get to select the head, shaft, grip, flex etc. and they make the clubs for you. You can by irons, wedges, drivers, fairway woods and putter. You can probably get away for under $500 including free shipping. Let me know how it works out.

Graphite Ping irons, cobra Amp Cell drive, woods and hybrids, with the bag I'd say I'm into this set for $2000+. I also have a second set which I'm into for about another ~$2000.

Take a look at "Fourteen" wedges. They are made in Japan and are usually two years ahead of the competition. They cost a little more ~$185 per wedge, but they are great wedges. I have a 58* lob and it is phenomenal any where within 60 yards of the green (for me). You can select the grind that best fits you swings. I bought mine through a pro shop where I took chipping lessons. The Pro ground the wedge for me (based on my swing) and it slides through the turf like a hot knife through butter. This has become my go to club around the greens. I'm looking a get a 52* gap wedge as well. I Ping wedges just aren't getting it.

I have cobra woods and hybrids but went with a TN Speedline 5 wood, love the club, The TM SLDR 5 wood is really nice as well, give them a try

I was at Golfsmith today and hit the SLDR driver. Felt really nice with decent distance but I pushed them to the right. I then hit the Ping G30, same distance but to the right as well. I had brought my cobra Amp Cell in for a regrip and hit that on the launch monitor as well, hit the amp cell straighter and farther, by about 10 yards on average. Maybe it is because I am use to my amp cell driver but it performed the best. If you haven't hit the cobra woods I suggest you give them a try. their fairway woods are killer as well, I play their 3 wood and hybrids as well. Having said that I do have the TM 5 wood which I really like, as you can see I am not hung up an a particular maker. I guess the bottom line is try as many clubs as you can and don't get fooled by all the hype. Go with what works for you.

Don't over think it, just go to get fit. Any Pro Shop or Golfsmith (or the like) can fit you for your size and swing. You are not the only 5'7" player out there.

I don't understand how an 8 handicap is having trouble with the driver, but that aside, if you are frustrated with your driver try the new TaylorMade Mini Driver. I have one and love it. It is a 260cc head (a three wood is 160cc) and a three wood shaft. I hit it 220 to 230 yards but more important, straight. It has helped my game. BTW I do not use it off the deck as some suggest you can, I use my three wood for that. Just a suggestion.

I have the Amp Cell and really like it, very forgiving. I tried the Bio Cell and liked that too but not enough difference (for me) to cough up the bucks, I'll stay with my Amp Cell.

Invited to play with my boss and his boss. Now I don't usually bet on golf but of course they do, so now there is money on the line. First hole on Bethpage, Red, I'm invited to "show us the way" and I proceed to top the ball over the cliff. I then put it in a fairway trap on the right, three stroke to get out!! The green is on a hill so I then bury my sixth shot straight into the side of the hill. Two chips to get on the green and three putt. My round went down hill from there. Call it nerves or whatever but I could not hit the ball that day. Later on in the round I did connect with a great fairway wood and put it on the green, the only problem was that the foursome in front was still on the green. I sucked that day, worse day of my life on the course.

Agree 100%

I would recommend you take a break, sometimes when you try too hard things get worse. I would recommend that you try to find the fun in the game again instead of being hung-up on each shot. It will come back. Just my two cents.

I play Ping G15 irons but for wedges I went with "Fourteen" wedges, the grind, bounce, grooves and shape just fit my game and my eye. (If you are looking for a good wedge check them out.) I put a lot of time in practicing my wedge shots. I was taught by a Pro who recommended the Fourteen wedge. I purchased them through the Pro Shop at my local golf course. My instructor worked with me (on grass not a mat) and recommend each wedge, he ground them to fit my swing. I now have a lot of confidence in each wedge. It may be psychological but it worked for me. For a club you use all the time, more than your driver for example, putting the time (and money) into a good set of wedges I think is worth it. I separate class with a Pro to teach you how to use them is worth it as well.

I agree, anything Ping (as far as irons go).

Any Garmin you can find on sale.