AlphaRider

I would look into the Mp-60 rather than the Mp-57. The 60's are a very workable club while still not being a full blade. It's a hybrid of sorts unlike the 57.

I just shot the best round of my life! :) Fairways hit: 5/14 GIR: 5/18 Putts: 1 1 2 3 3 3 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 = 32 Shot a 37 on the front and a 46 on the back for a 83! So what do you think the weakest part of my game is? lol

I live in Mt.Pleasant! :)

I know your probably tired of threads where people ask which clubs set to get but too bad, here's another one...lol j/k I've been using the same set of clubs since I was 13 (I'm 22 now). The funny thing is that I'm almost the same height I was then which is 6'3". I've been playing ALOT of golf this summer and have taken 4 lessons along with alot of practice. I've really improved my putting and chipping this summer but my iron game has suffered and I want to ask you guys what you think I should do. My curent golf set is: Ram Tour Driver, 3 wood, 5 wood. The driver also has 2 huge dents in the top of it and I have no clue what the degree of it is....lol 3-P Top Flight Tour Cavity Backs with grips that have all split at the bottom. 52* 20 dollar wedge from Dunhams 60* Pure Spin wedge that I probably over-use (Phil's my hero) Oddesy White Hot Putter I've done alot of research on what clubs I want to get and have limited it down to Mp-60's, 690MB's, and 695MB's. Even though I've never hit these clubs, I dont have a chance to demo many clubs since I'm a lefty. I picked these clubs because they are older models which I hopefully can get cheaply on ebay. I know the Titleists are players irons/blades but I want to learn how to hit them as stupid as that sounds...lol. I'm happy with my wedges and putter but really need some new irons and eventually a driver. There's not really any local places to get fitted for clubs near me. I'm wondering if I get a new set of irons should I get standard length (current iron length) or since I'm tall should I get +1/2" or even +1"? My current grips also feel small because my left hand thumb moves during my swing, which I'm assuming is because the grips are too small? I was on a launch monitor testing out drivers a couple months ago and my swing speed averaged at 119 mph. I dont know how to compares to my iron swing but I'm assuming I still need stiff shafts in my irons? I know its probably hard to fit someone for clubs without even seeing them but I really can't drive an hour plus to get fitted. I go to school Mon-Friday and work Friday-Sunday. I know I'm kind of rambling on with different thoughts but I really dont have anyone else to ask...lol Thanks

It was the launch monitor at a Golf Galaxy store. It was basically just a little contraption that he lined up behind me. I would hit a couple balls into a net about 15 yards in front of me and then he would get the results. I honestly don't know anything about it....lol. I don't know of any actual ranges with launch monitors in Michigan. I would gladly drive to one if I could though! I think your right about me making bad contact with the ball. I was hitting off the mats with the rubber tees which I never feel right hitting from. Hitting inside makes me feel uncomfortable.

So I decided that while I was visiting Golf Galaxy that I would try my luck on the launch monitor. I though this might help me because my current driver is an 8.5* Titleist 975D that seems to come out VERY low. I tried several different clubs and only posted the results of the best fit for me because it takes so damn long to type out. The following shots are with a 10.5* Cobra S9-1 with a stiff shaft. This was the driver I was interested in and hit the best. I'm left handed BTW. Club Speed: 115.0 - 122.1 - 118.5 - 122.6 - 118.5 - 121.4 Ball Velocity: 152.0 - 159.1 - 164.6 - 158.0 - 161.4 - 160.1 Launch Angle: 12.1 - 13.4 - 14.3 - 11.8 - 12.5 - 9.4 Ball Spin: 2721 - 3098 - 3017 - 2778 - 2707 - 3086 Carry: 242.1 - 264.1 - 274.4 - 253.1 - 261.6 - 249.4 Total Yards: 262.8 - 287.2 - 298.6 - 274.9 - 284.4 - 270.9 PTR: 132.2 - 130.3 - 138.9 - 128.9 -136.2 - 131.9 Deviation: 10.6 R - 11.3 R - 9.9 R - 9.1 R - 6.6 R - 9.9 R Averages: -Club speed: 119.7 -Ball Velocity: 159.2 -Launch Angle: 12.2 -Ball Spin: 2903 -Carry: 257.5 -Total Yards: 279.8 - PTR: 133.1 I'm curious what you guys think about these numbers in relation to what driver I should consider testing more. I only had the chance to hit the Titleist 909?D and the S9-1 because left handed clubs are rare. I really liked the S9-1 but as a college student I really like to be assured of my purchases for golf equipment. The guy who was helping me was pretty quiet and I was really dissapointed because he was too excited to be helping me (maybe because I'm only 22?) He suggested getting a heavier shaft for the S9-1 because my swing speed was on the line of stiff/extra-stiff. He also said that the S9-1PROS comes with a stiffer shaft that might help me. The only real hard fact I got out of this was that a 10.5* driver fits my swing. Any suggestions? :)

Nike - I tend to think of them as back of the pack in research and development. They are obviously a marketing machine. not just from Tiger but from how they even label there clubs. Sasquash has got to be the most retarded name ever concieved for a driver.....honestly. Not to mention there wood line is yellow....wheres the victory red huh? On the bright side, I've played their balls and for some reason enjoy the super-soft and super-spins but have never tried the "one" series. There blade irons are gorgeous and tempt me ever day...lol Callaway - I'm a lefty so I've always followed my brothren Phil and play almost every callaway ball I can find. I enjoy how soft their "tour-i" balls and they rank as one of my favorite balls. Their irons seem to be an identical version of the "x-??" set before it. The fact that their driver is a flying brick is enough to detour me from giving it a shot (Call me shallow, but I like a good looking club). I think that like Nike has Tiger driving it, Callaway owes Phil a great deal as well. Titleist - I've used there 975D Driver since I was 14 and honestly hate the thing...lol. I know the stereotype is that their drivers are for "players" but I honestly agree with that. It reacts much more to an off hit or an outside-inside swing path than other drivers, this includes there new drivers as well. There balls are very good and its kind of funny that I wont really play a ProV1 because I feel like I'm almost forced too. I play other premium balls and have been trying to find flaws with the ProV1/x forever and still cant. The vokey wedges will be my next 56/60 and I've read nothing but good things about them. The irons are viewed as "players" irons again. Although I've never tried their irons I somehow don't buy into that stereotype. I think there irons are above average in terms of quality and workability but also believe you could learn to hit a set without much difficulty. Taylor Made - Like I said previously I hate feeling like I have to jump on the wagon and play the most popular driver so I dont. My two close friends play the Burner Tour and R7 and they absolutely love the club. It's very forgiving and I've seen a big improvement in my league partners game because of it. I'm sure everyone remembers the Ti-bubble driver with the fat shaft, it was my frist driver and I loved it...lol. The irons get no respect from me, I'm sure I'm being close-minded but I don't een want to give them the time of day. I was lucky enough to find a TP Red ball last week and played a round with it 2 days ago. I think it's a step in the right direction but still doesn't compare to 5 other premium balls I could list. Cobra - I've always been fond of this company because I drink King Cobra Malt Liqour 40's....LOL. It's a bad reason but hey, sometimes marketing does get the best of me. The drivers in a no bias way are great . I went to a launch monitor and an outside range and out of ALOT of drivers I found the S9-1 to be my personal favorite I've always been intruiged to try out their iron's, mainly the CB/MB Pro but I can't find them anywhere in right handed so theres not a chance of finding a left handed set to test...lol. I think they are comparable to the Nike Blades, and Bridgestone J-series. I'm dissapointed with there cheapo iron sets though, The S9's were reviewed as great game improving irons but I actually dissagree. Bridgestone - GREAT BALLS. Well, great "premium balls" I should say. The B330 is one of the balls I play which I enjoy more than the ProV's. The E-series is nothing special outside of the fancy marketing. I've heard great things about the J-36 irons and would actually buy a set if they came in left handed. They are an under-rated iron as stated in previous threads but I also have to say they look like pure sex...especially the black series....OMG. Side notes: -Nicket hybrids are great -Srixon balls are comparable to Bridgestone/ProV's -The Gamer by Top Flight is no joke -Oddessy putters are over-rated.....honestly

LOL!!! I would be pretty upset to say the least if they were all right handed! I just went out and played 9 last night and shot a 52...=( I was doing everything right on the range but totally fell apart on the course. Hopefully I can get on the right track before the tourney on Monday!

Well I decided to upload some pics from my first time out this season and hopefully get soe input on everything I'm doing wrong...lol. These pictures are from the first time out in the year at Riverwood. It's about 45*F out and theres still snow and ice everywhere! The pictures are also before my lesson with an instructor and I've already pointed out one big flaw in my swing, the backswing. I'm very flat on the backswing and pretty much have a baseball swing going on. I drew the red line as to where my backswing CURRENTLY is. I'm trying to discipline myself to stay on plane, easier said than done though! My iron shots aren't much better...lol On the downswing! Off the ice and within 5 feet, my best shot of the day and I still vividely remember it...lol Curious to see what you guys have to say about this! My swing was alittle better with my 5 wood though :) Side view Exactly during contact! And finally, my next to the overflowing Chip River! I would be lying to say that we didn't sneak a 12 pack with us to keep warm...lol :) On a side-note: I practice a full hour of putting and chipping today and noticed a huge improvement with chipping. The putting still has a long ways to go because 20+ foot putts still turn into 3 putts for me VERY often. I also tested out which club worked best for my from within 10 yards of the green with a 60*, 56*, and my pitching wedge. Suprisingly my 60* was the best with the groups and I acually put alittle bit of spin on some of them :D I played the range game visualising every hole start to finish nay putting/chipping and played excelent! I was some confident in my drives and my iron's that it put a confidence I've never had before in both my irons and driver. I'm tired of typing now, off to get some food and watch the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup! Oh yeah, Lakers too! :)

Thanks alot for the advice guys! We got rained out today so we're pushed back till next monday or we can shoot a make-up round late this week depending on the weather. Wish me luck! Btw, yes we play at Riverwood :)

I've been golfing since I was a little kid and even though I never really embraced golf when I was younger, I finally have come to realize that I'm addicted. There was a couple years where I didn't golf a single round (16-20) and now I'm back into it hardcore. I'm currently a student at CMU and plan on being here another two years. Luckily I have the summers off school and can play golf more often. Ok enough with the introduction... I recently joined a college league and have been having a blast every week. This comming monday I just found out that we will being have a stroke play tournament and the top two players (handicap included) will win a new set of irons! I immediately scheduled a lesson with the course pro and have already fixed several flaws with my swing which I hope to burn into my muscle memory today and tomorow morning. I'm desperately in need of new irons seeing as my current set is from when I was 16 and about 6 inched shorter. I'm currently 6'4" right now and my ol' Top Flite Tour irons have seen better days. Being a college student, I don't really have much money to be throwing around at a new set of irons/driver so I want this set of irons BADDDDD. In the league we have our handicaps which are based off of two rounds calculated into winning this tourney. I shot a 52 and a 48 to set my handicap. I know I can shoot better than this though and even broke the 40's for the first time on another local course with a 39 on a par 37! What I want to ask all the old farts (thats you...lol), is how should I spend my next 48 hours preparing for this? I plan on going to the range and playing as if I'm on the course (Hit my driver, mid-iron, wedge, ect.). I've played the course many times and have a good understanding of it! Should I be focusing on just putting/chipping or the total mix? I've heard countless times that putting is the best thing to practice but I'm honestly more confident in my putting inside of 10 yards than anything. I tend to have trouble finding the fiarway with my driver and I'm somewhat curious if leaving it in the bag can help me for this. There's 60 people in the league and I want those iron's, what do I realisticly have to shoot to give myself a chance at winning them? The handicaps are limited to a certain number of strokes in this, although I don't know how many. I hope I havn't bored any of you with this but I'm looking forward to any advice you have to give! The match is in under 36 hours starting......................NOW PS: Just joking bout the old farts thing

They are both great!

Riverwood in Mount Pleasant, Michigan!

I'm currently a student at CMU in Michigan. I work part time at the soaring eagle casino to make ends meet :)