ronbo25

As I have posted in the equipment section, I just recently learned that my x-22 tour irons have some bad shafts. They are marked PX 5.5, but Golftec did a frequency check and the 6 iron is estimated at about 7.2. Essentially, I have been playing Callaways affixed to the end of a 2x4 for over a year. After my initial shock, then anger, I started thinking there may be a positive side to all this. My current backspin with my 6 iron is around 2000 rpm, about 3000 less than what it should be. If backspin helps fight against side spin, which is why it is more difficult to hook / slice the higher lofted clubs, it is safe to assume that my dispersion should get a lot tighter? I would think that increasing my backspin by over 150% will only help with the unwanted curvature of the ball. Thoughts?

That is a very good question. I had just come out of some very old clubs and I guess I just didn't know any different.

I just got an email from Golfsmith that they now have the new Prov1/x in stock. Not sure if they are in stores yet, but you can order them off the GS website.

I am planning on them re-shafting for free, at a minimum. Quite honestly, for all the time and money spent hitting these boards (range balls / lessons), I think they should replace them with a new set of irons. we shall see.

Well, the fitting should have taken less than 1 hour. But it took us 45 minutes to figure out that my x-22's shafts are crap. The process was - * took measurements for height, hand size, distance from ground to hands * took 3 swings with the Mizuno swing optimizer * entered info into the computer s/w, which spit out a couple of shaft recommendations * fitter put together the heads / shaft combo * hit 3 balls with my control club (x-22 tour) and with each of the 3 irons software made a recommendation based on spin, dispersion, distance, spin, accuracy, shot efficiency, etc. I have a nice printout of the evaluation and recommendation. And, BTW, for those that are interested, I am ordering the Miz MP-63.

My take on rangefinders vs gps vs nothing at all - Having either a rangefinder or gps is like having a microwave: No one needs a microwave, but once you've had one, you can't live without it. I have had a rangefinder, a gps, and a gps app on a droid phone. I prefer the rangefinder, I like to know the exact distance to objects (i.e. flags) rather to the middle, front or back of the green. I don't think the gps on a mobile device is all that accurate, and as such i think the yardages on a mobile device are inconsistent (at least with my anrdoid phone).

got fitted at Golftec. I didn't mean to make it sound like he was attributing the super stiff shaft to the 1/2". The point I was trying to make is that in addition to a super stiff shaft, they were shipped 1/2" short. All in all, a major screw up by someone.

Let me say that I don't know if I should be irate or excited. Let me explain.... I went for an iron fitting this weekend and got the surprise of the year. I have been playing Callaway x-22 Tour irons for about a 18 months, but am interested in moving to a forged club. So, I decided to go for an iron fitting with a few forged clubs in mind, but went in thinking that if my current x-22 tours were close in performance and feel to the forged, I would just stay with my current clubs. We started with my 6-iron, as the "control club". My first several swings appeared not to register correctly. Launch monitor picked up the ball with most stats correct. But, the backspin was around 2000, about 3000rpm below typical 6 iron spin. After 30 minutes of trying to fix the LM, I suggested we try another club. I picked up the Miz mp-63 and - holy crap - 5200 rpm. It was my Callaway, not the LM. My fitter tested the shaft, a Project X 5.5, and told me the club was 1/2" short stiffer than stiff - effectively a 7.0 PX. The reference chart said that for the oscillation of this 6-iron, I would need a club head speed of over 100 MPH, for a 6 iron! He checked several other clubs in my bag and said they were all the same, all beyond XXXXX Stiff. My fitter said he has never seen anything like this with any clubs. The irons were ordered directly from Callaway by my local golf shop. So, I am irate that I have spent 18 months with clubs that I can't possibly hit consistently. Thousands of range balls and hundreds and hundreds of dollars on lessons. But, I am excited because now that I can get the right clubs in my hands, I looking forward to seeing what my swing is like. Now, I need to figure out how to deal with Callaway on these rejects. My local golf shop will work with me on this one. Piece of advice, regardless of where you got your clubs - take an iron to a fitter and let them tell you what the shaft tests out at.

I bought the Tour Striker Pro and returned it after 2 weeks. I think the concept is good, but could hit a good shot with it almost at will. My kids could also hit it with ease. The 3 of us certainly do not have the downward contact that you supposedly develop with the club, yet had no problem using it. For me and my family, it was a waste of money.

" Are shorter putters better?" could be debated all day long, but..... shorter putts are better, no debating that!!!

love the comment!

I am close to pulling the trigger on the MP 63s, but am intrigued by your combo set. How did you end up on this combination? Did yo actually go club by club to see what you hit best?

I just saw on another thread the bunkerbobby created his own combo set as follows: 5i,6i - Mizuno MP 53 7i, 8i - Mizuno MP 63 9i, pw - Mizuno MP 68 I am intrigued and have been considering putting together my own Miz combo of MP 53 (4i,5i) and MP 63 (6i - PW). Now I am interested in hitting the MP 68 (9i,PW) as well to see if they should be included. What are the downsides to make your own combos???? * will they feel too different? * how will they be for resale in a couple of years when the latest / greatest are out?

I am also contemplating new sticks. I have hit almost every brand out there and am likely to decide between the Mizuno MP 53 and MP 63. Will make the decision soon and get properly fitted for the right shaft / grip. With that being said, if I were you, i would at least take a look at the Miz line - possibly the JPX 800 or 800 pro (or the 2 I mentioned above). I would also check out the new Callaway RAZR irons that come out next month. The do look interesting. Good luck!

I would get few lessons. I have no idea what you shoot to, but unless you are on the Tour, I would think we all can use lessons. Short game is where it is at, and the best way to drop your scores (IMO). I have been going to Golftec for 1 month (1 lesson per week) and my swing is so much better. My index last year got to about a 5, but I have lost that mojo and probably playing more like an 8. I am convinced my new swing will get be back to 5, or less! I always thought my swing was decent, until i saw it on video and saw frame by frame. UGLY. BTW, I have $200 in golf store credit and don't really need anything, but man it is burning a hole in my w. Thinking of a new cart bag with 14 individual slots. Perhaps the 2011 Sun Mountain C130 will replace my Ogio Grom.

Currently bagging the following (all non-conforming): PW - Callaway X-22 Tour (46 degrees) 50 deg Vokey 54 deg Vokey 60 deg CG 14 Also picked up 56 deg CG14 and 60 deg Vokey for future use when there are no more non-conforming to be had.

I have nothing to add. (??)

rangefinder for me. it is fast, accurate, and batteries last much longer. Had a sonocaddie gps and returned it for rangefinder. My playing partner has a gps and is always asking me for yardage to the flag. couldn't take my bushnell away from me. I also can't play a round without it.

perhaps the new ball due out this spring is the reason everyone is selling the current prov1s for $39. can't wait to try the new ones.

it worked for him all week, although it did look sort of ridiculous. Then you had Carl Peterson's putter was over 5' tall.

Your comment based on 1 missed put from 3 feet? he was money all week with that thing.

Your comment based on 1 missed put from 3 feet? he was money all week with that thing.

Are you referring to pull / push carts or driving carts? As far as a stand bag that will fit in a driving cart, I would recommend the Ogio Grom. It is a great stand bag that is made for riding as well, as it has a nice rubber strap that will secure the bag to the back of the golf cart storage cage. I know my bag will never fall of the cart. Nice insurance.

I usually only have 1 set, but just picked up a 2nd set and trying to figure out which I like better. I can't make a decision. Callaway X-22 Tour Taylormade Tour Preferred Like them both. Maybe I'll just keep alternating every round until I figure it out.

I have never been fitted for irons, but I am beginning to really see the benefit of doing so. From what I have learned, fitting is much more than length, lie, and shaft stiffness. Not all shafts are created equal. For example, stiff KBS will perform different from a stiff Dynamic Gold, which will be different than a stiff Project X. How would you know which shaft is right for you if you don't get fitted before bying the irons? I did get fitted for my G15 driver and I got the stiff Serano over the stiff Ping shaft. The Serano definitely was more suited to my swing. Just my thoughts....