flanagan

4 - see below.

Foot Joy Contours. Bought them new because I showed up at a tournament which I planned to spectate all day in running shoes, but started raining hard when I got there (rained all day). Instantly comfortable, very waterproof and wore them in wet conditions two straight days and all spring, summer (at least 27 holes a week - in rotation with an older pair the remainder of rounds played) and fall. Looking to get another pair this year and rotate with last year's Contours.

Before every shot, carry a tool (Frogger, I think) that with some water from the cup or a little saliva and a towel keeps the grooves, etc. clean, at least the irons. Not as consistent at keeping more than the face of my woods clean. Will not hit a shot with a dirty iron.

Exactly. That's a good synopsis of what Bobby Clampett is preaching and a better photograph than any in his book. Really would have liked some good, sequenced shots ala Golf Digest, showing the lag, position at impact, etc. I think it would have added to the book.

I know where you are coming from, been there. I understand what you are thinking and you should definitely do what you think is best, or it will nag at you if you don't. However, I learned the hard way to get a shaft that was right for my game at the time I was working on improving (and still am for that matter). Starting out too stiff makes it harder to load, makes you need to swing faster and/or steeper, all sorts of things others on here would know a lot more about than me. Given that you can always switch out shafts for the price of a really good hybrid or fairway wood these days, you might find it easier to develop good habits and see positive results. You've probably already done this, but taking a lesson from someone you have confidence in and a fitting for shafts will help validate whatever decision you make. Again, do what is best for you, I just know that all stiff shafts are not created equal, and too stiff, initially, could interfere with your swing and enjoyment of the game.

1986 and 1986

Unfortunately, I won't be able to put any of my reading of this book into practice for another 8 weeks or more, when the snow is gone. I generally liked the book, BUT, he makes the point early, which I get and think is very interesting, then the book wanders a bit from that, in my opinion. I thought there should have been a lot more photographs. He talks up all of the technology that allowed viewing of the swing at various positions, etc, but try and find some good photos at impact and just after in the book, there really aren't any, and it would have been so easy to include many more photos from different parts of the swings shown (and in color, why not?). I am anxious to put the information to use and try the drills discussed, I just think more thought put into showing what he means would have been helpful, because the narrative isn't always focused.

Play a lot in wet conditions, whether wet, cold spring or early spring and summer mornings with lots of dew (and occasionally in rain). I wouldn't wear anything but waterproof and the Footjoy Contours I have did not leak at all. Was spectator at two day tournament and rained ALL day first day and most of the second, no problems. Now, I wore them a lot last year and am looking to get another pair because I liked them so well, and at some point they won't be as waterproof, but my exeperience was a postive one. Have had my share of waterproof hunting boots as well, just depends on the brand and the boot. Some actually do the job\ and there is no subsitute for dry dogs.

The 80/95 percent thing I'm not quite understanding. If it is 80% of swinging all out, which is what I'm assuming, I would think you would want irons that perform the best with that controlled tempo. I had Project X Tour Rifle Flighted 5.5s (swing speed averaging around 101 with 37.75" 6 iron) and ended up switching to Nippon Pro 950s in an "R". The Rifles measured out much stiffer than a 5.5 should have been (i.e. stiffer than a 6.0 should have been), for whatever reason, and I found the switch to the Nippons really improved the feel of my irons, and restored the distance I had lost with the much stiffer Project X, and I can work them right to left. That was just my experience, and didn't have the opportunity to hit another 5.5 shaft to see if it was just a quality control thing, but I can say the Nippons are great. I really don't know enough about the swing speed variables, etc., but threw in that information from the measuring we did while trying different shaft options in case that information is helpful. I ordered the 5.5s assuming they would be right, did all the testing when they turned out to be frustrating. Sounds like you aren't making that mistake. Had True Temper S300s before and like these Nippons better, even though designated an "R". No substitute for a lot of trial to prevent error. Hope this is somewhat helpful.

I'm not fully understanding. My interpretion of your questions was that the PW and SW were "generic", meaning they weren't the same as your set? I'd sure try and match the wedges, as close in shaft and feel, if not brand, as the one you like, if you can, or maybe just trade the three existing, and get three that are in fit/feel what you like in the same make. Might save some expense down the line, because I would guess the day you buy new irons, buying some wedges that match (whether the same as the irons or not) will be done at the same time, or shortly thereafter. It's only natural.

Wanted to try some different options for my daughter last fall and she was trying the Bridgestone e6+ vs. Callaway HX Hot (trying to keep her away from my Pro V1xs). I tried them, also. I didn't care for the feel of the Bridgestone, but did find the feel of the Callaway to be good, was good on approach shots and putts, and enjoyed a couple of full rounds played with them. I'm going to try some of the new HX Hot balls this Spring, if we ever have Spring. Also experimented with some Titleist NXTs, liked the Callaways much more.

A "P" at 47, which is what I have, isn't much different from what a 9 iron was way back when, so I carry 4 wedges, but would have been considered 3 wedges not many years ago. I got a 52 to close the gap between the 47 and the 56, and I'm glad I did. Can make "full" swings at certain distance that I would have normally pressed with my 56, even though I shouldn't have. I think it makes sense to have more options from 130 or whatever, on in.

I bought a great Titleist Sunday bag and love it. The "why" for me is that I wanted to walk more, which I did once I bought the bag. It is really light, and typically, I'll selectively pull a few clubs out to make it lighter and make sure all the clubs are "comfortable" in the bag (it will hold them all, but don't see the need), which forces me to try different shots with different clubs. I still have another "light" bag that holds everything, but it is much more of a load to carry, and is exclusively relegated to cart duty. I would always rather walk and had gotten away from it for a few years, and like the challenge of playing with a "short" set of clubs.

I wouldn't be afraid of the AP2s. I have a blended set, 4,5 in AP1 and 6,7,8,9 and P in AP2. I did end up changing shafts from the Rifle Flighted to Nippons and recommend you get some good advice and try out different shafts if you can. I'm no fantastic ball striker, but the AP2s are not hard to hit at all, and more enjoyable to play than the PING I3+ "blades" I was playing before. I really did like the difference in the shorter irons in feel and play with the AP2s vs. the AP1s.