Smiffy

I played with a set of 845 Silver Scots for a few years in the early 90's and seem to recall I got on really well with them. I can't remember where I bought them from or what I did with them either! I was playing with them when my handicap came down from 23 to 14 and then changed for a set of Titleist DCi irons. I think I snapped my 7 iron shaft playing out from under some trees accidently and because the pro couldn't get a matching shaft that may have prompted the change. Damn old age and my receding memory...

I went over to Grafalloy Prolaunch Red shafts in my woods to help keep the ball down and it's working, even with my 5 wood. My old Cally 5 wood used to balloon like crazy even if hit into a gentle breeze but my current G10's fitted with this shaft stay nice and low and cut through the wind.

If you played a true "links course" then this type of bare lie would be commonplace, and you do get used to just nipping it off the top.

Well I played again yesterday and despite hitting a couple of really, really long drives (that I don't think I would have quite achieved with my previous G10) I'm not quite so sure about the G15. The ball comes off the face really hot, but I'm finding that the club sits more closed at address than the G10. I have to be honest, I hadn't really noticed this at first. A couple of the guys I was playing with yesterday were keen to see my new aquisition and they also commented on it. I'm finding that most of my shots (not all) are either finding the left hand side of the fairway or running off into the semi down that side. Very few are going as straight as the G10, although the two "biggies" that I hit yesterday split the fairway. Distance is good, I'm happy with that. But I feel that I am going to have to start aiming down the right hand side a little bit more to get the ball where I want it. Trouble is, if it doesn't draw then I could be in trouble... My worst shots with the club were a straight pull, something I didn't do with the old club (or if I did, very rarely) but I managed a couple yesterday. I double checked the sole of the club to confirm that I hadn't been sold the "draw" model by mistake lol!! Jury is still out on this one.

MP68's. If only I had the game to hit 'em

Swing speeded up lately? Or trying too hard? I find that if I am going for "the big one" I tend to hit a pull shot in my hurry to get to the ball....

A) Set of Callaway X18 irons. B) Matchplay or Strokeplay?

Picture of me about to "unleash" a drive down the 5th hole at Bearwood Lakes, an absolutely superb course in Berkshire. Had never heard of it until earlier this year, and although it's a 200 mile round trip for me to go play it, I have visited 6 times this year already. If I lived closer I'd join there tomorrow although the wife might have something to say if she realised how much the joining fees were....

After a round of golf I love a nice cup of tea...must be a "British" thing. But a nice Jack & Coke goes down well, and after about 8 or 9 so do I. And boy, does it give you a headache in the morning. I've never drunk a spirit that does that to me quite so badly. Love a nice Gin 'n Tonic too.

After playing with "off the shelf" irons for years and years, I finally bit the bullet and went for custom fitting earlier this year with my new Mizuno MX200's. I couldn't wait to get them I was like a kid in a sweet shop. They arrived two weeks later and I couldn't wait to get them out of the packaging. Put the 5 iron in my hand and it felt superb. Next stop the Open..... I quickly arranged a game with three friends of mine on a really nice course for the following day. On the drive over to the course I was picturing all these great shots I was going to be playing with my new sticks. Raking 4 iron shots out of the semi, towering 7 irons into the greens. Happy days!! Result??? I played the worst game I had played in years. Driving OK. Splitting the fairways. But I couldn't hit my irons to save my life. I think I only hit one green in regulation all day. My mates were taking the rise out of me something chronic which was getting me even more frustrated. How could these new clubs do this to me after I had spent so much money on them???? It took me at least 4 or 5 rounds to begin hitting them anything like I knew I could. Take your time.....it will come

Trajectory is about the same with both the drivers. Mine were both 10.5 degrees (I like the confidence that the extra loft gives me at address but prefer the lower launch of the red shaft). I was a little concerned because I had read the G15 launched higher, but I didn't find this on Sunday. Early days yet, as I say I've only played one round with it but am playing again this Thursday so should hopefully be able to report more. After having played my last few rounds with my old Ben Sayers "Benny" driver while I was waiting for my G15 to arrive, it was like picking up an old friend when I finally got it in my hand. Our 2nd hole is a long par 4 (SI2) with out of bounds tight down the right and a lot of trees to mess things up down the left. You have to be straight! Previous time out with the Ben Sayers I carved two shots OOB from the tee and didn't even finish the hole (Stableford). This Sunday with the G15 in my hand I just gave it a smack and split the fairway knocking it 300 yards straight down the middle. The ground is very firm on our course at the moment, I don't usually hit it that sort of length! Left myself an easy 9 iron in, just a shame I three putted! lol!!

Well, used mine for the first time yesterday and I'm very impressed. A couple of waywards drives later in the round but the wind was getting up and my swing was a little erratic towards the end. Lovely trajectory with the Prolaunch shaft, and the club looked really good at address and inspired confidence from the very start. Very, very happy with my purchase

Mizuno MX200's John Letters Trilogy MD Golf Ti Tungsten 2's

Have just taken delivery of my new G15. Haven't hit it yet but am playing in a club competition this morning so will use it for the first time today. Mine was delayed a little because I ordered it with the optional Grafalloy Prolaunch Red shaft which helps keep the ball flight down a little compared to the standard Ping shaft. Up until recently I was playing with a G10 driver with the same shaft and absolutely loved it. Got my driving back on track and felt so confident with it on the tee. A mate of mine was pestering me to sell it to him so I bit the bullet and went for the G15. Can't wait to give it a try. I have the G10 fairways (3&5) which I love and won't be changing these for the G15 versions. Have the same Prolaunch shaft in these and I find them great..my old 5 wood (Callaway) used to balloon quite a bit if I was hitting into even the slightest breeze, the combination I have now doesn't do this in the slightest.

Up until recently I have been playing with a Ping G10 driver, 10.5 but fitted with a Grafalloy Prolaunch Red shaft (regular flex) which is designed to give a lower ball flight over the standard Ping TFC shaft. My best friend has the same club but fitted with the regular Ping shaft. He hits the ball further than me with every other club except the driver..I am usually a good 20 yards or so on from him because of the lower trajectory I am getting with the subsequent increase in roll. This is even more evident if we are driving into a headwind where the lower ball flight helps even more. I have just taken delivery of the new G15 driver (mates think I was mad changing because I hit the G10 so well!) and made sure I got the same shaft fitted as I personally get on with it so well. Can't wait to get out and try it at the week-end. I suppose I "could" get similar results if I went down to a standard shafted 9 driver but find the 10.5 gives me a little more confidence at address. Rob