erock9174

Sort of fed up with driver shopping/testing (read on), but I see the point in your post. I began the year with a brand new r9 10.5, Alidla Re-ax R flex. For the life of me, I couldn't load the shaft and it felt very boardy to me. Everything was low and faded on me unless I put it on the extreme left head setting. I then learned through talking to Aldila, that this shaft requires a min of 90mph swing speed. I am only around 82 on average. Perhaps a couple more mph if I really get after it. Then I went to a Nickent 12.5* with UST V2 Proforce High Launch A flex shaft. When I controlled my tempo and made solid contact it felt like a dream. Downside was the A flex is extremely flexy and it led to inconsistent drives. One time right, one time left, great drive, total mishit. Finally about a month ago I went to the Callaway FT-IQ 13* R flex Fubuki 60. So far loving this driver. Granted not a bomber, but staight or even a slight fade, but I've hit more fairways with this club in 2 rounds than I have all year with the other drivers combined. I feel with it in my hands, 80's are achievable (my goal) as long as my irons and short game don't let me down. I guess what I am trying to say is. The higher lofted FT-IQ and shaft combo just feels right. If anything since it's an I-MIX club I could buy a used 9* or 10.5* head from Callaway Preowned and see if it makes a difference distance wise. I always thought though, the rule of thumb to maximize driver distance was to try and match the loft to your swing speed. And from everything I read, being I am under 85mph seemed to suggest something over 12*. Granted there are no constants in this game.

When I purchased my 5w I was consistenly getting about 200 yards on the monitor which is what I see on the course. That same day I hit the K15 3w and to be honest I wasn't as consistent with it and only a handful of times did it actually go further than the 5w. I went the safe route and bought the 5w as it seemed much easier to hit consistenty. Regarding your 2nd question, right now everything seems to be clicking with my game. Granted no pro or anything but I am shooting the lowest rounds ever (finally broke into the 80's for the first time ever). I guess the one shot that troubles me, is longer shots out of deep rough. I often used a hybrid in these situations but now that I don't game one I use the 4i if long rough or 5w if the rough is pretty low. I was hoping the 17* G15 hybrid would fill this void but just cant seem to hit it flush ever.

Currently I bag with carry distances: Driver 13* - I seem to get anywhere from 205 to 220 carry (up to 240 rollout if I really catch it well) 5w 19*-190 (about 200 roll) 4i 22*- 175 5i-165 6i-155 7i-145 8i-135 9i-125 PW 45*-115 AW 50*-100 SW 54*- 85 LW 60*- 60 and in Putter Looking for recommendations for a 14th club as I feel if you are allowed 14, you should have 14 in the bag. I recently bought a Ping 17* hybrid but for the life of me I can't hit it. I actually hit my 4i more consistent and farther. Also I recently got rid of a 19* TM '07 Rescue because of lack of consistency with it. The K15 5w I game is much more consistent and the same distance. I've thought about buying a K15 3w 16* but I can't really think of any time I would need it on the course. I am hitting my driver well so I don't really need a safety club off the tee. And to advance the ball on a par 5 2nd shot I feel the 5w is more than adequate. TM makes a 19* 3i to match my iron set, but I don't really have much of a gap between my 4i and 5w. I hit my 4i pretty well, but a 3i scares me a bit, especially after struggling with the 17* hybrid. I hate to shake up the makeup of my bag too much because with this club combo I am shooting the lowest scores since I started playing many years ago. I just feel like I should have one more club in there.

The AW is 50*, the PW is 45* I game those irons and I hit my PW 115-120 yds and the AW right around 95-100.

I recently picked up a Callaway FT-IQ driver brand new off rockbottomgolf.com They sell them for $119 on their site, but check their ebay store. I was able to get one with a bid of $69. I-mix version, Regular flex Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki 60 shaft. After 2 rounds and a range session with it and I am a believer. I was always so errant off the tee with a driver. This thing is like clockwork. Nice little fade (which I've never played before) and distance is normally 205 carry and about 210-240 (depending on how much roll I get) with an 82 mph swing speed. My previous 3 drivers were (Cleveland Launcher 400, TM r9 460, Nickent 4dx Evolver). No consistency at all with those from tee shot to tee shot. Really like the shaft it came with. The regular flex seems perfect for my swing speed as is plays softer than most R flexes but firmer than a senior flex.

Also forgot to mention. I bought a "PGA Tour" shirt from JC Pennies recently and their sleeves were really short.

I prefer Greg Norman from Macy's. Tasso Elba actually makes them and then Norman puts his logo on it. So comfort and quality is there. Also the price is right. With a coupon and sale I was able to get them under $20 a piece. I lost some weight this year and now need a small size and most companies start with mediums. Norman has a small size. Their sleeves are shorter than most I've tried. Might be worth a shot to try them. Very light in the heat and I was caught in the rain once and the moisture wicking was awesome on the outside as well. You couldn't even tell the shirt was wet even through the fabric looks like silk.

What is your swing speed? If < 85mph, the Noodle Easy Distance is a good option. Golf Digest has them rated as having the highest spin out of a 2 piece ball. I finally broke in the 80's for the first time this year on 3 occassions. All played with a different ball. 85 (Bridgestone e6), 89 (Srixon Trispeed Tour), 82 (Noodle Easy Distance). The e6's are straight but they do lack spin on approach shots. The Trispeeds and Noodles seem to have equal spin for me. I don't generated much spin however since I swing slower (82mph with driver). That is why I never bother with Tour level balls, I know I won't compress them to get the benefit.

I recently bought a G15 2 17* hybrid and for the life of my I can't hit it at all. Which bums me out because on the simulator at Golf Galaxy I was hitting this fairly consistent (about 180 carry and 200 with roll-out) which is what I was looking for out of it on the course. I understand the design lends itself to a steeper swing (I have more of a sweeper swing) I have tried everything and get nothing but mis-hits from it. The one I hit at the store was a normal lie and I was measured for a Lite flex, 2 deg flat lie as I am only 5' 4" with swing in the mid 70's so I ordered it from Ping accordingly (at 2* flat). Not sure if this has something to do with it or not. Its so bad I am considering trading it in and losing about $90 on the purchase. Bums me out because my only other Ping club (5w K15) I absolutely love. Any tips from Ping G15 hybrid users as to what I might try to hit this thing right? I talked to Golf Galaxy and their answer was....."well um....2 degrees are hard to hit"

I game the Burner + irons. While I never considered the Burner HT or Diablo Edge's I think for the money the Burner +'s are a solid set of irons. Last season I averaged about 96 for 18 and this year reduced it down to a 91 after making the iron switch. What I like best is there are times when I mishit the ball and their forgiveness allows the ball to still fly straight and in the air. With my old irons (Ping i2 knockoffs) it would have been a total duff. Somebody mentioned the 4i above. I love this club. Could never hit a long iron. Now my 4i is my go to club. So easy to hit I am considering the 3i to match the set. Back to your question...you probably can't go wrong with any of those sets. All designed for game improvement. You will noticed a wide sole on GI irons and some people can't get used to this after switching from a more conventional shape. So keep that in mind. Have you considered the Cobra S2max or S3max? On the monitor the results of the S2max's were very similar to the Burner +. The Burners were slightly longer for me with the same clubhead speed so I chose them over the S2max back in Jan. I guess the shaft matched my swing a little better. I did however think the Cobra's looked nicer though. But I chose performance over looks. Have you considered Ping G10's or G15's? G10's can still be ordered to spec from Ping and for a decent price of $399 I believe. Looking back I wish I had saved up the extra $100 and opted for these. Pings tend to hold their value much more than TM's do. And their quality is awesome. On the Maltby scale the Pings are about the highest when it comes to the GI category.

I think in the above post you asked what tipping was. When the club is tipped, that means it is cut down from the hossel (clubhead) end of the shaft. Cutting here will definately stiffen the shaft. Another way a shaft can be cut is from the butt end (Grip end). A club is normallly cut here to shorten a shaft for a shorter player or just to improve accuracy or consistency, without effecting stiffness of the shaft (this is debateable). Some say it doesn't effect stiffness, others do. Hope that helps answer your question. Also FYI, my Nickent plays at 46" stock. Way too long for me. When I played it I had to grip down about 2". I am 5' 4".

This year I've had 3 drivers. I have an 82mph driver swing so right on the bubble of a lite and regular flex shaft in most brands. One was too stiff and I was constantly hitting it low and to the right (usually either a push or slice). One was too flexy; when my timing was right I hit it good, but I was spraying it all over including bad mishits. The one I am using now seems to be a good mix in the middle and its going much straighter and trajectory is good.

let us know how it works for you. I am traveling the next 2 weeks and really bummed I can't play to use it again.

I bought a new FT-IQ draw version last week. Granted I am only 1 range and 1 round into the driver but I am seeing some nice results from it. This club is definately the most forgiving driver I have ever hit. I was desperate too as this was my 3rd driver since January. Can I ask a question though. What is your driver swing speed? And what shaft are you currently using on the Hi-bore? Reason I ask is, whenever I attempt to use a club with a shaft that is too stiff or rigid for my swing speed the slices come out. When I play the correct shaft I tend to hit the ball straight or even a slight draw. My first driver this season was a TM r9 10.5* with reg flex stock Aldila shaft. I was a bit perturbed as the sales rep said a swing speed over 80mph requires a regular flex shaft. Even more frustrating, this was a TM sponsored pro that gave me this advice. After struggling getting the ball in the air and slicing the ball I did some research on the shaft and Aldila recommends swing speeds over 90mph as regular. I would require a senior or light flex shaft in their shafts. Frustrated with the r9 I sold it and bought a Nickent 4dx evolver driver with a senior flex UST 12.5* V2 proforce High Launch shaft. This got the ball up in the air with the high launch shaft coupled with the higher loft (12.5*). When my swing was timed perfectly and I kept the tempo nice and easy the 4dx worked, however the dispersion was a little higher than I wanted. Even total mis-hits occured where it went like 50-75 yards. Granted I am no pro, but lately I have been shooting in the mid to high 80's and complete and utter duffs shouldnt be occuring with the driver as often as they were for me. Saw rockbottomgolf,com got in some of the FT-IQ's. A driver I used in the past had a square head and I didnt mind it at all, so I went for it. I actually stepped back up to a regular flex and went for the Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki 60 shaft version as I read online that the reg flex plays more similar to a senior/light flex shaft. Glad I did. The shaft works great with the 13* head. With my 82 mph swing the added loft and low kickpoint shaft helps to get the ball in the air. As with other owners I am experiencing a touch less distance but the dispersion is much less from right to left. I played on my local course and many of the holes are tight and I normally use 5w or 4i. Not anymore with this club. I have the confidence to bring it out on even the tightest par 4's now.. And as far as fixing the slice, I don't believe its the head that does it for me, it was just matching a shaft to my swing speed. Actually I hit the FT-IQ straight or even with a slight fade that starts left and ends up in the middle. I've never played a fade before. I know this was long winded but I hope some of the commentary might help. And for the price right now, the FT-IQ is tough to beat. I say go for it, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I would put most of the cash towards the irons. Reason I say this is because you will likely use them for a much longer time frame. Drivers are a dime a dozen. For instance I have bought 3 since Jan. TM r9, Nickent 4dx and now a Callaway FT-IQ. Very tough to find a driver that works. I would even look used for drivers given that reason. Just so hard to find a head and shaft combo to fit your swing characteristics. I picked up Taylormade Burner Plus irons back in Jan. Very forgiving for a mid to upper handicapper. They could probably be had for about $250-300 right now for a 4 though Gap wedge set. Also, it looks like your pricing is from Rockbottomgolf.com Have you considered the Callaway FT-IQ driver they are currently selling for $119. If you can get past the square head, this thing is a laser down the middle. Granted I only have one round on it. But its the first time I have ever hit the fairway all but once time when using a driver in a round. Most forgiving driver I have ever hit. Freakishly straight. I did lose about 5-10 yards over the Nickent but I will take straight over being under the trees anyday. Some other irons I tested back in Jan. Cobra S2 max. Same price as the Burner plus's but on the monitor I was generating more ball speed with the burners so I opted for them. Ping G10's - Looking back I regret not buying these. Ping, well lets just say are Pings, they hold their value, they are built top notch and you can get them custom ordered in your specs. Granted about $100 more but it would have been worth it. At least I am happy with the Burner Plus's. Can't recall how many off center shots I've hit with them and how they correct it and make it playable. Also its fun to be able to hit a 4i for once. So easy I am thinking about ordering a 3i online to match the set.

The 4dx is a solid driver and they were offered with some decent shaft choices (UST V2's, etc.). I did the same thing back in May, bought it from Rockbottom for $69 (I got the one with the swappable shaft hossel) not the CYG hossel. When I hit it flush it goes nicely, but I opted for a senior flex shaft which leads to more dispersion than I would like. Last week I bought the Callaway FT-IQ that rockbottom is currently selling. After 1 range session today the 4dx is out of the bag. Not knocking the 4dx, the FT-IQ just works better for my swing.

Not sure if the G15 2 hybrid I just got is above my level or what, but for the life of me I have yet to hit it good in 3 range sessions and 2 rounds. I am still hitting my 4 iron better and longer than it. I say if you feel comfortable with the Superfast, pull the trigger. So frustrated with hybrids right now I am opting for my 5w as my safety club off the tee and to advance the ball on par 5's

Did you contact Giga about this? Curious what they had to say and if they made any attempts to fix the matter. Why spend money to have lies adjusted when Giga should have done it correctly and/or fixed the problem for free.

I thought I read somewhere, that refurbished balls technically replace the outside coating, and thus throws the manuf specs and intended performance out the window. I havent played any recycled balls, but my buddies, along the same handicap as me typcially buy Grade B balls from Knet all the time and have no complaints. Actually they praise the grade b as being just as close to near mint balls in condition. So they opt for lower grades vs mint.

Ended up taking your advice and went with the reg flex Fubuki 60. My current Nickent senior flex is very whippy and I am concerned its causing me some loss in accuracy. My r9's reg flex was so rigid that I could hit it somewhat straight but everything went low. So today put in a bid on a 13* FT-IQ Reg flex. Figure the 13* should get the ball up for me and the reg flex and sq head keep me a little more accurate than the senior. Ended up winning an ebay auction off Rockbottom's store, brand new for $66 plus shipping. Couldn't pass it up. For that price if the shaft doesn't work out I can afford to pick up one that does.

Does anybody know the specs on the Mitsubishi Bassara 43 shaft (lite flex) that the FT-IQ came with? Found a good deal on ebay but i don't know much about that particular shaft. Thanks

jeffrey Thanks for the info. I swung a used FT-IQ yesterday that had a Fubuki 60 in reg flex. The downside was I couldnt get any lift because it was only a 10* so I was only hitting it about 170 yards which is 30 behind my 5w. I am looking to buy the 13* version. I just wonder now if I should go with the Senior or Reg flex version since you said the Fubuki 60 reg is fairly whippy. I wish I could find the swing specs from Mitsubishi, but they don't have any info on their site for older model shafts.

anyone?

How tall are you? Typically Ping's static fitting recommends I use an orange dot (2.25* flat) and -1/2" as I am 5' 3.5" tall. Which is very similar to my fitting at golf galaxy when I got my TM irons. They went 2* flat with -3/4" (TM's are 1/4" longer than Ping irons). Just seemed strange they would recommend black dot with the -1/2".

I'm still working with the 17* hybrid. I normally carry my 4i about 170-175 which is what I am getting out of the 17* on mishits. I know it has more in it, I just cant seem to catch it flush. Range session is in order.