MGN

Srixon Q-Star Tour; about $29/dozen. The Tour version I use has a urethane cover. (Regular Q-star is an ionomer cover.) I like how this ball plays in the wind; it feels real good putting as well. Earlier ball preferred was Titleist NXT Tour S; still play them if I can buy them.

You may be right. I play traditional loft clubs (my PW is 47 deg if that helps). I've toyed with getting a new set but they are just juiced 1 club stronger. For my game, short game improvement definitely will result in lower scores before I can capitalize on 10 additional yards per club.

I am not a long hitter; and play to a 9 HI recorded on GHIN system. Provided below are approximate yardages. I don't know if could I hit longer that my handicap would get better but I am certain if I align better to the target and get the expected movement of the ball that I am looking for AND chip & putt better, that I could lower my HI. Driver 245-255 3W 225-235 5W 200-210 7W 190-200 4i 180-190 5i 170-180 6i 155-165 7 140-150 8 130-140 9 110-120 PW 100-110 52 80-90 56 70 or so (max) For gaps in yardages, I choke down on a higher length club. Hope that helps. Cheers.

I use a 7-wood (a 22-deg Orlimar) instead of a 3 iron. I use it on 185-195 yd shots. The biggest learning I've had playing this old club is to slow down my swing so I hit the center of the club; I get a lot of height and dial in the right distance this way. Its not very forgiving on the areas away from the center of the club-face. I still prefer this over my 3-iron since I can quite easily pull off a controlled fade or somewhat straight direction shot. Hope that helps.

I carry a 22-deg wood and leave the 3 iron out. This club gives me about 190-200 yds and importantly more loft on the ball flight so it can land softly on the green. I cannot do that with my 3 iron; hence the replacement. Also, I can hit a control fade or (more or less) straight with this; neither of which I could with my 3 iron. Hope that helps.

I play the Titleist DCI 981 since year 2000. The irons are great. I play to a 8.8 HI currently and they've worked well for my game...if that gives you any reference. If I do change, I'll try Titleist AP1s probably.

I experienced the same challenge. Finally realized I was more comfortable with a smaller head 3-wood and landed on Tour Edge exotics CB2 (15deg) with a Fujikura shaft about 8 years ago; love it and haven't looked back since. A smaller head 3-wood makes it more comfortable for me to hit off the deck on par-5s and the ball goes a ton long. I can work it both ways off the tee. I play to a 8-9 HI; so in your case (playing to a 2.5) this 3-wood should not be a problem. Best.

I use a Ping G10 from (probably) 9 years ago (or more). It is a 460cc driver and I love it because I changed the stock Ping shaft with a UST pro-force stiff flex shaft. Moving from a TM320 (320cc head) driver to a 460cc driver required me to have a stiffer shaft than the stock shaft to handle the larger head. I subscribe to the saying that 'the shaft is the engine of the club'; do not ignore its importance. Best.

Greater Houston area.

Been working on my short game. Had a nice quick round starting at 4:45pm this evening; drove the ball well, missed some GIRs when I was in the fairway, but shot an 83. Need to work on not missing the green when I'm at 150-165 yds from the green. Had a lot of wind here in Texas today (we are famous for it); did not adjust well to the headwind as much as adjusted to the tail wind better. Anyways, happy that I shot a score that will maintain my HI.

Started keeping a GHIN handicap after many years of golf. Shot an 84 this weekend with a birdie, par, par on 16-17-18 to make a 42 on the back 9. Was very uplifting to finish well. On another note though, do others who maintain a GHIN handicap also see their handicap as a whole number only? I thought it would be a 9.x after posting about 8 rounds and even after the latest revision of handicap scores, it still shows 9.0. Just curious.

I have 4: Ping B60, Ping Anser 2, Odyssey HG mallet (white insert), and current one I like - TM Monte Carlo Ghost.

Thank you @Club Rat, @Patch, @billchao, @MrGolfguy67, @MarvChamp. Looks like you appreciate the conditions we face in the Gulf Coast of Texas where these tight fairway lies with bottom hard-packed soil feels like the ball is sitting on green spray-painted cement at times. Since I take a decent divot during my normal iron shots, these conditions are a problem for me. I will try your suggestions this long-weekend. Cheers.

Folks, I have trouble getting the ball airborne when hitting off a tightly cut fairway with a 7 to 5 iron shot (range). The soil below the tight cut fairways here in south Texas are like hard compressed clay and it poses a challenge. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Over time I had gotten accustomed to the increased release with my old 588. When I tried my playing partner's new Cleveland RTX 2.0, I found the ball holding the green much better on full shots (which I prefer), but of course releasing less on chip shots around the greens (due to more spin). I will adjust to the latter on chip shots and end up getting some new wedges.

I've enjoyed my Cleveland 588 RTG 56-deg sand wedge (14 deg bounce) with a raw finish for around 20 years. I've wondered whether I'm losing out on having sharper grooves since this club is old. Do you folks switch out a sand wedge periodically or just stick with the old trusted one? Thanks.

I had similar feelings about TM in general, but recently switched from my Odyssey XG mallet to a TM Ghost Monte Carlo which like the XG has more toe weight but not the white face-insert. I found I could roll the ball better and had better feel off the putter face. Please share which putter you ended up with.

I use a 7/8/9 depending on how much 'run' I want. However, if I have a clear shot, I'll use my 56/14 SW to float it to the flag with a small run; I personally feel that I can repeat this shot predictably compared to the bump and run from 50 yds out.

I love my Tour Edge Exotics CB2 (15*) with Fujikura R-flex shaft. The head is a little smaller and therefore I love it; I can hit it off the deck easily and work the ball both ways if I have to. Cheers.

I personally think the bounce on your wedges plays an equally if not bigger factor in how you are going to use your wedges. All else being the same, there should be little to no difference between your 58* and 60* wedge. I use a 56* with a 14-deg bounce for conditions here in TX (apart from a 52* with a smaller bounce). For increasing your options, it may be good to see what is the bounce on your other wedges have and what shots having that set-up helps you or prevents you from executing. Hope that helps.

I have to second that. Tried the 4-piece today; it felt like a rock to me as well. It ran much further on wedge shots than my NXT or ProV1s and sounded and felt a little hard on putts as well. I was a little surprised; didn't feel comfortable with them. Maybe this new batch of the 4-piece isn't like the earlier ones that got rave reviews.

Thanks for sharing your experience. And yes, driving home in golf shoes is an added advantage.

At my local Costco here today there were Callaway Hex Soft balls for sale; $29 for 2 dozen. Even though I didn't need to buy golf balls, I bought 'em!! Putted them around and found them to be really soft; next test is distance when I play this weekend. Looked for the 4-piece ball but it was not available. Anyone try the Callawya Hex Soft ball out on the course?

Thanks, folks. I ended up with a FJ spikeless shoe (about $79 before tax/shipping etc.). Wanted to stay under a $100 only to minimize regret. Will try the other suggestions (Sketchers Go Drive and True linkswear) later. Much appreciated all the suggestions.

Driver (9.5°): 240 (carry) 3-wood (15°): 220-230 3-wood (18°): 205-210 7-wood (22°): 200 4-iron: 185 5-iron: 175 6-iron: 165 7-iron: 150 8-iron: 135 9-iron: 120 PW (47°): 110 GW (52°): 90 SW (56°) : 70 (max) - hacks me off when I see tour pros and low-handis hitting a 56deg about 100 yrds!