jhawker23

Picked up the Ping G15 9* w/Aldila Serrano shaft day before yesterday. I played yesterday and its the best driver I've ever played. The trajectory, the feel, the distance, wow is all I can say. Side story... earlier that day I had just picked up my previous driver, Nike SQ2 5900, which had a new grafalloy Epic shaft installed. I sat the bag down from my vehicle, it fell straight at the truck and of course the driver was the first to hit. The sound of the snap felt like a blow to the stomach. Not so much as an hour goes by and its in 2 pieces. Guess it was meant to be as it motivated me to get the G15.

I just switched to the Spider Bolero as a higher handicapper from the Cameron Futura Phantom. It is very similar to the spider if you like the cup arc for alignment and the nice pendulum feel. Its a few years old of course but it was said before, the Cameron's "last" a long time, still looks like new. It has a very soft feel and rolls the ball nicely. You can find them on Ebay averaging about $70. Also, if you use the Spider you are probably immune to the "unique" appearance of putters so the Phantom would be an easy transition. But it looks like you might be going a different direction from the Cameron. I've never tried the other designer's putter.

Thanks Bird, I think you understand what I was asking (for clarification, my previous post was not in response to your post, I appreciate the grounded view). It was frustrating to see so many people not understand the post. I'm sure I said I don't even practice my driving, I am devoted to working on my short game and it has helped tremendously. I agree with nearly everyone on here in principal that long drives are not the emphasis for scoring low. Again, this is why I'm working on the short game. I expect to see my handicap dropping. I was a few holes short of finishing a round on pace for 80, possibly breaking 80 but thunderstorms darkened it too quickly to finish. That was a result of taking away three putt situations with closer chips and better distance control with the putter. As far as the accusations of not hitting 300+, I play a links course out here with a lot of flat fairways and a lot of roll. I'll be playing in South Dakota next week and I'll be expecting to hit 280 without the elevation on my side. So I guess most of you made the assumption I'm hitting this distance on a pro course at sea level since you compared this to the average distance on tour. So if not practicing driving and hitting a driver purchased for control I wanted to know what I could possibly do to take advantage of what would appear to be a natural talent. Maybe I need an extra stiff shaft, maybe the stock shaft I have, which was posted, could be replaced with a shaft more appropriate for me. That's what I was looking for, not a pile on of how horrendous I am. I'm done with defending this, I guess it is just a little hard to get over so many people flatly call me a liar. If it's not too late and there is someone out there who would like to address the question, I would still like to check the updates for helpful information. Also, if I return from South Dakota and hit 275 consistently, would you be willing to help me then? I'm not giving up on the good people on this forum. I believe this is the largest gathering of experience and knowledge of the game anywhere on the net. So, any helpful info is really appreciated.

Whoa!! I can't believe this has caused this much of a strong response. First of all if this was interpreted to be bragging, it wasn't. I have been consistently in the 270 - 280 range max for over 5 years. In the last month I have been in a couple of scrambles with a team of guys that almost always have 2 or 3 safe balls out there so they want me to "open it up". The point of my post, and I guess I really failed considering the bashing, was that I allowed myself to make a bigger turn and not "worry" about losing control and it was amazing (i believe I also said that I was surprised and that it was exhilarating). It has only been a month hitting at this distance but it has been consistent. I feel like a kid at christmas every time I hit it. I guess I understand why so many people jumped all over this because I still feel like it is too good to be true. My distance is measured by marking the ball at the tee on a SkyCaddie as well as checking the distance on the cart GPS which is always within a yard or two of the SkyCaddie. I have been on the forum for awhile and never felt like a post asking an honest question would generate an all out bashing. I have a genuine excitement about this positive change and so many of you just sh#t all over it. Why? Is it really that crazy? I think my interest in trying to gain another 5 yards is probably the crazy part and I believe I mentioned that as well. I'm simply excited about a positive change. I also made a post about the Rossa Spider putter and how it has reduced about 5 putts per round, that didn't elicit 20 posts. Thank you to the few of you who questioned the bashing as well. And thank you to the person who took the time to relate the distance to elevation. I'm at 5,000 ft. It changed all of my distances by a club. Finally, I think it is pretty unnecessary to make a post just to tell me how horrendous I must be to be a 14 handicap. Do you know anything about the time I have to practice? To play? I just start hitting it longer and my handicap should change to a 5 in 3 weeks? This is all so ridiculous. I've really enjoyed this forum, I wasn't expecting to be called a liar or told how terrible I must be at putting.

Interesting piece of trivia, I did not know that and obviously don't strike my 9 like a 3 handicapper to ever experience that spin.

I recently changed to the Nike Sumo2 5900 9.5* Aldila VS65 Proto driver. My driver swing is very consistent and hit most fairways. I'm now hitting my drives with the Callaway Tour i 305 - 310 on most drives with a 280 on slight mis-hits. Since building up distance I'm wondering if stepping into another club or possibly tuning this head with a new shaft could get me even more distance. I'm certainly not a pro, but 300+ drives have put me in position to drop about 5+ strokes by closing in on the greens. Is 305-310 about as much as I can ask for on driver distance? I'm not one of those guys who only cares about drives. In fact, I don't practice with my driver, I spend my time on the short game. But I have to say, it is exhilarating to crush that ball down the fairway. Is it greedy to look for more performance from another driver or change of shaft? Previously I have played two different cobra drivers over the years. Before the Nike I changed the stock aldila shaft out of the Cobra to the famed pro force V2 and lost distance and saw no real difference in fairways hit. I would appreciate your thoughts on the situation.

I have had a completely different experience with this ball. It has added significant distance off the tee and has not negatively affected me with spin on the greens. Of course contact changes the rate of spin, but for me, I have not hit a better ball for my game, if you could say I have a "game". I've played the Callaway almost exclusively for over 5 years now and not sure I've seen a big difference with the Tour i over the HX Tour. I am also intrigued by each year's "new" ball form different manufacturers so I'm familiar with many different balls' performance. I see a lot of comparisons to the Pro V but I've found the Callaway to have superior feel, especially around and on the greens. I could easily just have a mental block against other balls. I love that d@mn ball.

I was playing through a thunderstorm last night and could only get 13 holes in but I was on pace to break 80. It wasn't all from putting, but it was a major factor. I also allowed myself to open up the throttle on my driving and was hitting the fairway consistently at 305 - 310 I actually love to practice putting now. I'll take 15 minutes or more anywhere I can get it and stop by a practice green. This is somewhat like being born again in golf. All from a crazy @ss looking putter from a company I've never favored. Hallelujia! I think I'll go practice now actually. And one last off-topic statement... Thank you Calloway for making the Tour i; the best ball in golf.

As much as I would like to be completely open minded about brands and designs, I'm not. First, considering a Taylor Made putter would be very low on my list. Second, a putter that looks like an instrument for an architect could be even lower. Wow! I believe there was divine intervention bringing me and this putter together. It all started by discovering that I can pick a line, place a marker and then line up to the marker. As I stand over the ball I see the putter lined up directly with the marker. However, with someone looking from behind, I line the putter up significantly left. The course pro said he has never seen anyone with this type of problem before. He thought the optics of the putter could be the problem. He brought out about 12 putters. Exactly the same degree left with each putter. The point being, I can set up better by picking my line behind the ball. This is what brought me to this putter. I am absolutely blown away by this putter. It looks like a science experiment, but it is amazing. I'm curious if others have had this same experience with the Spider Bolero... I hope that everyone who makes a change to this putter experiences that rush of satisfaction I experienced. It has changed my game. First round out I saved at least four strokes that I feel I would have never holed out before. Please, do not let the brand or the appearance stop you from trying it out. I'm sure it's not for everyone, but I bet a lot of people are going to improve their putting game with this thing. It almost feels like it shouldn't be legal.

I also use a premium ball (and dislike the idea of a black marker "ruining" the look of my beautiful Callaway Tour i) but the side lettering of the Tour i is so small and insignificant, I need more than that to practice with. I'd like one to encompass the whole ball so I could have a few to watch the roll. May not help, but a sharpie and a piece of plastic is worth the investment to experiment. And of course, if Tiger does it, don't we all have to do it?

If so, do you use a "line marking device"? I like a perfectly straight, clean line and I'm not able to get that kind of accuracy free-handed. The few products I've looked at get terrible reviews because the balls moves too freely to get a straight line.

Am I the only one who has a bag (now 2) which won't comfortably accomodate the Winn jumbo grip? I can't believe this isn't mentioned at all.

I couldn't agree more. I played my first round with the 25's yesterday and I could work them pretty well. And yes, they did feel good. Very good.

I hit the course for the first time yesterday equipped with new 52.08, 56.08 and 60.8 Vokey SM wedges. Holy ****, these are incredible. They easily saved me 5 strokes, maybe more. The course is a wind-whipped, links course with greens like sandpaper. I hit all three wedges throughout the round and they all hit and checked immediately. Incredible. I cannot say enough about these wedges. I'm sure most of the wedges being produced today are very good, I can only speak to my playing experience with the Vokeys. Wow!

Well, I thought I would love the Winn Jumbo grip. I felt like it really took my hands out, felt solid. All of that was fine until I tried to put it in my bag. I can't say most bags don't have large enough openings, but I would bet a lot would have a problem. I could get it go in with work, but the frustration level of not being able to simply remove and replace my putter in the bag was enough to almost throw the putter into the lake yesterday. I was p*ssed!!! So, I left the course, went to the local golf store and bought a SWEET nike cart bag. Did I mention it was sweet? Well, it has a nicely placed putter holder. No dice, not even close. So now my putter has to go in one of the iron holes. That jumbo grip is coming off. It is not worth the hassle. To keep a long story from getting longer, be careful with the jumbo grip. It has the potential to drive you crazy.

Because I already have one...

Does anyone use a bowflex to increase flexibility and shoulder turn? If so, what specifically do you do?

I might be the only one interested in this thread, but I'm going to continue... WOW!!! I found the Lynx Portable Back Stretcher and I think this could be something special. It's only $99. Very simple to use. I just used it, did 5 reps of 10 - 15 seconds and I really feel a comfortable stretch in my lower to mid back. I don't know what this will mean to my sciatica, but this can't hurt. It may be psychological, but I feel like I am standing straighter after the stretch. Finally, has anyone been using a foam roll for stretches?

Sorry Righty to Lefty, I re-read my post and I could see how it would look like I didn't trust your opinion. My point is to hopefully find more people here that have used them with success. I've spent about $2,000 on golf in the last month and before I spend another $200, I need a little more convincing, but the more I read about this, the more I wonder why I haven't found it sooner. I'm out the door now to try a few out. I found the Lynx Portable Back Stretcher with excellent reviews. It's only $99 and is a small unit you use on the floor to decompress the spine. I'll post the results, I'll definitely get that today if they have it in stock, meanwhile I'll keep an eye out on Craigslist for the table. I just don't have anywhere to set it up where I could leave it out. I'd be stuck out in the garage hanging upside down. The neighbors will love that one. Thanks for pointing me in this direction!

I've been researching inversion tables, anyone used them? I really haven't found a negative review yet... Maybe some relief there???

I am plagued with this pain in the @ss! Literally! I have an extensive daily stretching routine, multiple treadmill workouts and do core strengthening home workouts(no gym membership) but I cannot get over this. I'm 31 and within a healthy weight range. It hits me almost exclusively driving (car) and playing golf. The pain shoots down on the first swing and never lets up the entire round or practice. Do any of you fight this same thing? If so, have you found anything that helps? I've seen a few different physicians and they refer to PT. PT's say it can usually be resolved with regular therapy treatments but their treatments are little more than stretching. It's not getting better. It's been going on for 4 - 5 years, maybe more. Anyone going through this too???

Nice, I haven't found a shop of that quality here yet, but I'm an hour north of Denver so I'm sure they are out there in Denver, I just don't know where yet. I'm not usually a fan of big box stores, but I'm a supporter of Golf Galaxy. I can't believe the difference in service from the Golfsmith store down the road. I have not had one positive experience with Golfsmith stores. I don't understand how every salesperson I've ever talked to at a GS store has had an attitude. G.G. sales have always been excellent and knowledgable. I've gotten a little off topic...

Are you talking about the FW woods? They may have had them at one time in the stores around Denver. I guess they started the sale here last Sunday. There was very little left for selection and I would have just ordered them had they not had the 9.5 with the proto shaft which is exactly what I wanted. I have the V2 in my old driver and plan on changing out the FW shaft. I didn't see anywhere online offering a different shaft in the FW woods, all diamana. But it could be they are all sold out of the others.

One more weighing in on the skycaddie... Love it and have had it for... I believe 3 years now. Not one problem with the unit after all this time. It lasts through the tosses to the ground, living 3 seasons a year in the bag and bouncing around in cart trays. Nothing bad to say about it at all.

Wow, I can not believe this, but I love the Sumo2 5900 and the 3 wood for that matter. I saw the deal for the free fairway wood with the purchase of the driver in this post and thought I would check it out. I was actually only looking for a new fairway wood. Unbelievable... I had always walked by those huge squares and rolled my eyes. I'm all for technology, but I thought moving into a square driver head was beyond my comfort level. I'm very consistent off the tee and play for accuracy not distance. I was hitting 260. Effortless drives are now carrying 275 to 285 and feel GOOD. I have the 9.5 w/ Aldila Stiff shaft. Great shaft!! I can pass on the Diamana but that was all that came in the fw wood. I'll be changing that out. If anyone reading this is even considering another driver or fw wood, check out the 5900, for $199 w/ driver and fw wood, that can't be beat (TGW, Golf Galaxy and GS are all doing the deal). I am shocked and grateful at the same time. Thank you to whoever listed this deal in the post. Between these two clubs, I'm sure they're worth 3-4 strokes a round. I was only able to get in 6 holes before the weather moved in, but from the tee, they were great holes. THANK YOU!!! P.S. I tried many other drivers and fw woods today to be sure it was the way to go regardless of price. YES!