altos

Can't buy into the "erosion and decorum are the price of freedom" mantra. Sounds cute. Do you see freedom ruined at the Masters? No. Do you hear as many idiots? No. Why? Because it isn't tolerated. How about the British Open? No. Why? It isn't tolerated. No one is making rude comments about wives and girlfriends. No one is saying, after a ball slides by the cup, "now you're f--ked". No one yells in the middle of swing. Why? It's not tolerated. Meanwhile, back on the ranch, the USGA continues to sit on it's thumbs, maintaining its course of gross ineptitude. How about this: try throwing some people out. What's the downside? Work with the broadcasters to better place, or not place at all, microphones. Move the ropes farther away. But ohhhhh nooooo.... instead, how about we promote the 15-21 year old college drunk demographic at the Phoenix Open. That's what the USGA did and a large part of today's problems stems from the Phoenix Open. Because the USGA wanted to include that demographic to promote the game. Again, the USGA climbs into the gutter. Nice job.

No PXG's in my future. Bassara shafted GBB driver headcover was ... lost... somewhere on the course. My stupid mistake. I needed a quick substitute and found one in my bag, in my emergency kit area. Slipped that sock on and it worked perfectly although the aesthetics are, lets say, an acquired taste. My regular group now expects to see it. I carry one driver, therefore, labeling it was not necessary and my fairway woods have "normal" head covers. I have had a couple people at the driving range give the sock odd looks as they walk by, that is, until I hit the driver. And I am sort of known for making "full contact" and splitting the fairway. May be the strongest part of my game. The Dockers label is barely visible, faded. That must be the reason no one has asked about Dockers making drivers. Or they simply think I'm crazy and don't want to get too close.

$12? Costco. $5.99 for 6 pair, just like Walmart. The logo is really faded after a couple of years of foot use/washing prior to being "re-purposed". It gives it that chic, "been there, done that, got the sock" look that is all the rage on the course. When anyone asks I say "put a sock on it". A slight misquote.

Yes, people seldom look at clubs... although... hummmm.... large manufacturer logos on bags, shoes, hats, head covers, gloves, shirts... oh, that's right, no one looks. But, apparently, the owner hopes they will look. Buying "status", real or perceived. I'm not a fan of being an advertising billboard. Regardless, if they have the money and are happy, more power to them !!! Enjoy yourself. I have a Dockers head cover on my driver. It's white, size 12, cotton, works like a champ. I don't know where the other sock is. But if I ever need to blast out of a pond I will have prepared for at least one dry foot. No one has asked my about my Dockers driver. Yet.

This isn't about the face of the club, rather, conspicuous consumption. My guess is that if half the customers had spent $1000 on a very nice set of irons and $2000 on lessons he/she would have come out much farther ahead. Of course, they wouldn't be able to show off to his/her friends with the "look at what I got". And with that forgiving face then can solidly spray it in just... about... any random direction and who knows what distance. But they look good in the club house as long as no one sees their swing. Just a biased opinion on my part. enjoy !

I am willing to bet that more than half of the PXG buyers are double digit handicaps. If that's true... if.... I would contend that any benefit PXG's bring to their game is near non-existent.

talent

I would suggest that the "age of personal responsibility" is not dead. Rather, the competency and ability of the USGA to deal with it is dead. Not only that, the USGA wants to appeal to the 18-23 drunk crowd as it promotes the Phoenix Open. And, yes, I don't attend that tourney nor do I watch it on TV as I consider it a "Waste". It's proof positive that the moral low-ground demographic exists, can stupidly yell "in the hole" over and over just to hear their own voice... or dilly dilly... or rude comments about someones wife or daughter. Those that cherish the moral low ground can have it. Just don't expect me to support it.

Regarding fan behavior... the answer is fairly simple. Put up notices that abusive behavior will get you expelled and your ticket forfeited. The cameras are rolling... if/when the USGA develops a backbone... place people in the crowd to spot the worst offenders, the abusive ones spouting on about wives, booing, yelling derogatory comments... . Once spotted, have the police visit with the person and escort him/her off the course while confiscating the ticket. Make sure the cameras are rolling. You want it blatantly displayed. Do that several times and the problem will decline.

1998, titleist 981SL w/graphite stiffs. D5. Now that I am 70 I am considering Callaway rogue x graphite in regular as well as Ping g400, graphite, regular stiffness.

thanks, onthehunt256.... apparently you are very correct.

In 1971 I played in "The Open" using just irons. Really. The course was not excessively long and it worked out quite well. My drives were, consistently, 30-40 yards shorter than others. Mine were in the fairway and not in the trees or OB. The course may not have been long but it was tight. Had a great time and lots of good memories. And, no, it wasn't the U.S. Open, rather, I was playing with a European amature's license and a very low handicap and I was invited to play in a country in.... Europe... as a U.S. representative. Regardless, the reason most people don't play a 2 iron is simple: they can't hit it. Nothing more or less. It really is that simple. Enjoy

bump.... has anyone even player Rogue X irons with graphite shafts ???

I've been fitted for G400's, orange, 2 degrees flat, Alta graphite. I got all the spec's and paperwork but didn't buy (yet). Today I went into the PGASuperstore (same place I got fitted at) and decided to hit a series of shots with multiple different clubs and my old beater, Titleist DCISL's. I thought... what the heck, hit some of each before committing to the G400's. What's the downside? Hit AP1's, M4's, M3's, Cobra King F8's, G400's (again) and then Callaway Rogue X. All but one went about... the same, good distance but not really much better than my 18 year old DCI's. Good dispersion, feel was good... and... then I hit the Rogue X. Dispersion was very good and I added 10-15 yards. Consistently. Since this wasn't a proper "fitting", rather me sampling a cluster of available 7 irons, I have some questions for the fitter and perhaps you folks may know the answers or at least prep me for asking future questions.... - Graphite shafts... is there any downside ? Seems like it's mostly positive. I play with graphites now. - Club tests of the Rogue X indicate spin rates around 2500. Seems.... low. My approach shots with the old DCI's come in high andtypically stick within 1-3 feet of where they hit. - My G400's are flat by 2 degrees and I am assuming... I could order Rogue x's 1 or 2 flat (and that the fitter would check for that) My prime concerns are spin for sticking on greens and any negatives on the graphite shafts as all the shafts I tried were steel. Thoughts, experiences with the Rogue X and opinions greatly appreciated. Thank you !

If you are going in the direction of Monterey, consider De La Viega in Aptos. Sometimes called "the course from hell". Play it more than once as there is a steep learning curve. Inexpensive. Bayonnet at Fort Ord is, in my opinion, grossly over-rated. It's greens are absurd. Think of a stimpmeter at 12 with the greens having extreme level changes. It is not unusual to have a player putting and miss the cup on a short 3 foot putt, going what should be 16 inches (initially) too long, then continuing off the green by 45 feet.... off the fringe by 20 feet and into a trap. I have played it twice, never again. The last time, at the end of my round, I asked the pro where the skee-ball jump, windmill and clown structures were. It's a bad joke.

I was fitted for Ping G400's (not yet purchased) and the fitter decided to check the swing weight of my current irons. They are Titleist DCI irons that are o-l-d, made during the ice age. And they are D9's. That shocked everyone at the PGASuperstore. Multiple measurements confirmed. But I had just regripped the irons and decided not to trade them in for what amounted to peanuts, about $6 a club. I continue for now with my ice age wonders. I am sure the $1275 G400's ($125 per club) are great but I still score in the 70's with the DCI's at 70 years old. Tough to flush the DCI's.

4-pw, $875, graphite uw, sw, lw, $125 each, although there are now folks selling them for $112.50

I've tried G400 irons, really like them but $1250 for a set is... significant. I understand retailers have to follow MAP requirements but that is an advertised price, not necessarily a selling price. Has anyone ever heard of a retailer selling under MAP? I am **NOT** ask what retailer or asking for names, don't want to know... rather, whether it happens or not. Thanks,

There are, particularly with Ping, a rather large set of variables. And a large number of part options. PowerSpec irons, as I understand, are "hosel bent" to reduce the loft. Probably a bad description of what is done on my part but it, apparently, utilizes the cavity indentation near the heal/hosel. Imagine doubling the number of parts in a Ping demo area. Actually.... that's probably what they should do if they are going to offer it. Regardless, it's back to the fitter time I am afraid.

Hitting it longer is, typically, a good thing. However, standard G400's as they are, will produce longer shots than 18 year old Titleist DCI's. Height.... apparently G400's hit "high" in their standard state. If I already hit high with my old beater clubs I really don't need higher (and higher and higher). I supposed I need to go back to the fitter with more questions...

I found this buried on their site. I don't necessarily want to decrease spin as I hit my irons into the green and typically have no roll, just 2-6 feet of suck up. Works for me as I "high loft" my shots in. The boost in iron distance by decreasing loft might be beneficial but it looks like just going with standard vs "strong/power spec" would probably be fine. Opinions appreciated. Power Spec: A fitting option for players looking to boost their iron distance or decrease spin to hit a desired trajectory window. The Power Spec is a custom-designed loft configuration that delivers a power boost in a calculated fashion without sacrificing the integrity of the club’s design.

I was fitted for G400 irons, lie, length, shaft, grip. An item that was left open was whether to have the irons set to "strong". Apparently this yields more distance and less loft. I already hit VERY high irons (old Titleist DCI's) and receive a boat load of verbal abuse about nose bleeds and seeding clouds. I play to about a 6. Nevertheless, is there a downside to going "strong" if there really isn't a quest for more height? Any opinions appreciated... Thanks !

Are there any differences between the 2015 and 2016 version? Specifically, the head. Thank you !