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I have the exact same problem. I tend to die the ball into the hole, and the "lumpy doughnut" -- as Pelz calls it -- around the hole is a nightmare on softer, more heavily-played greens. Alas, I don't think there is a technology solution. Putting a good roll on the ball is putting a good roll on the ball. Putters that aim (or claim) to put more forward spin on the ball, like Yes! and Guerin Rife Putters, might theoretically help, as might high MOI putters that reduce sidespin, but there's a slope there we just have to cope with. Dave Pelz himself didn't offer up any solutions, as I recall. I usually play less break and more pace on slower public greens to reduce the influence of such inconsistencies. Good luck!

I suppose I'd suggest going with the best bounce for the bunkers you normally play -- the fluffier the sand, the more bounce you need to keep the club from digging in. Unless you play *really* tight, firm courses it's probably easier to get away with a bit of extra bounce in the fairway than not enough in the sand. I would also suggest keeping your 56 in the bag and adding an additional, lower-bounce lob wedge... for mid- to high-handicappers like us, I think that simplifying the execution of shots under 100 yards or so is one of the best equipment decisions to help lower scores. IMHO, the difference between a 5 wood and 21 deg. hybrid doesn't outweigh the benefits of narrower gaps between clubs and more straight-forward options around the green

I have both the FTX and the Edge Pro (which is a lot like the plus) and indeed, the major difference is that in the FTX, the E(PW) - 8 are pure musclebacks with progressive cavities from 7 to the 3 iron. Even in the longer irons, the FTX have thinner toplines, narrower soles and what seems to be a bit less offset, though there's minimal offset in both. I switched to the FTX last year and love them... I just bought another brand-new set. The Plus is going to be a little more forgiving, though I find that even the FTX lets me get away with some pretty bad swings with just a bit of distance loss most of the time. Both should give you plenty of feedback on mis-hits and I've never hit *anything* that feels as good as the Hogans on pure shots. The FTX are definitely a bit sweeter and easier to control trajectory on. Both are beautiful to look at in the bag and at address. If you can, spend a bit of time with your friends 8 iron and 5 iron... they'll probably play the most different from the Plus. Good luck with the decision, let us know how it turns out.

Moved pics to another host, previous posts deleted. (joshtpa said that it was tough, but seemed to be the real deal, for plot continuity...) New H4 New H4 Shaft (no GDI logo) Old H3 Shaft

Thanks, I think so too. If I didn't have another one sitting right here, I wouldn't even think about it. I'm still hoping someone else chimes in with a legit one the doesn't have the Graphite Design logo on the shaft, but I'm not going to sweat it... at least not until I take it to the range and see how it works :)

From what I've seen, I second the recommendation to go with "name brand" clubs over copies. For huge markdowns (or older clubs in my case) I've had great luck with http://www.rockbottomgolf.com . Good luck with your search!

I just picked up another Bobby Jones hybrid (H4, new) on ebay, and there are a few *slightly* less-than-perfect details that have me wondering just a little a bit if maybe it's a fake... I bought from a well-rated seller, with tons of positive feedback at a price that was good but not "too good to be true". I only have my other one to compare it too (a few years old now) and the only major difference is that it doesn't say "Graphite Design" on the shaft. Anyone else have one like this?

Looks like Callaway has finally dropped prices on the FT-5 ($299), FT-i ($399) and even the IMIX clubs. All the major retailers seem to have the new prices if you're in the market. Another two days on their gas card promo too, so you could get an FT-5 for $225.

For me, a knockdown shot and punch shot are two similar but different things. The super-low shot to keep the ball under trees -- where I find myself with alarming regularity -- or out of really strong wind, I normally think of as a punch shot. I think of a knockdown shot as a low-mid trajectory shot that I play from the tee or fairway either to keep the ball from ballooning into the wind or to control distance. I tend to hit knockdowns with short to mid irons and punch it with longer irons or a 3 wood. For both, the goal is to reduce loft and backspin. I put the ball back in my stance, close the clubface a bit, shift a little extra weight to my front foot and make a half to 3/4 swing without much hand-action or hit at the bottom. The follow-through stays low and matches the length of my backswing. In a lot of ways they feel like big versions of a chip shot. The punch shot exaggerates all of the deloft/no spin parts of the swing, while I usually put enough spin on a knockdown to check after the first hop or two. Definitely something you want to work out at the range first, it's really important to put a smooth swing on it to keep it online and to avoid additional backspin that will shoot the ball up.

I faced the same issue, but with a Mini in NYC. In case you can't fit them in the trunk without folding down the seats, I was able to buy an after-market luggage cover that velcros on to the rear window sill (and the tiny cover over the tiny trunk space). End result: nothing to see at all, with two bags or one and a pull cart. I can't seem to find the place online anymore, but I'll snap some pics next time I have my clubs in the car.

I love the TaylorMade rac TP wedges. (I guess now they're the "Z TP" wedges.) Classic look at address, nice feel and just the right amount of spin for me. The stop on a dime but don't shred my golf balls. Worth putting on the list if you're trying things out.

I've always played the gap wedge from my iron set... but I'm hitting the TaylorMade wedges really well. Since I just replaced my irons (same model, but new) I'll probably pick up the TM gap wedge instead. The rac TP wedges are great, worth checking out if you want to stick with the same brand.

I doubt the performance gain advertised, but do love these tees. I've *never* broken one but they do tend to get lost from time to time (I only use them with the driver... discarded tees for irons). I'll go weeks or months with a single tee in my pocket. No damage or scrapes to the black underside of my HiBore. Worth a try.

Amen. Just bought a brand new set to replace my last ones. Gorgeous. Oh, and quite nice to hit :)

Anything with the Woode divider at the top. I have an Ogio - Edge, I think, and Callaway has some bags with it too. Keeps things nicely in place. I'm thinking about picking up a lighter model this year...