glebert

I think everyone should have a set of blades to use as a true test of your ballstriking. I love my Hogan Apex Grinds from the early 90s. I got mine for $25 off Craigslist.

Probably 7w

I'll second the nomination of the Hogan Apex. I've got a nice set of Apex Grinds (90-92 vintage). No, I'm not selling them. Just too sweet.

Absolutely, I'm just hoping that he doesn't start beating me until he is at least 12.

I rarely watch golf on TV, but did tune in for a bit of coverage of the Masters. My 2 1/2 year old son watched with me for parts of it. The problem now is that every time he swings his plastic golf club he starts clapping, and demands that we applaud as well! (He is making some fantastic swings, though... ) greg

I think they have a bigger following in Europe, or at least the UK, similar to Wilson before its recent reemergence. If you check out http://www.ramgolf.co.uk they have a better selection than you get around here. I love my Ram FX2 irons and FX3 putter. Have tried lots of "better" stuff without really finding anything better.

Isn't this the point in the thread where someone says "you guys are all to young to remember real blades, back when muscle backs were 'game improvement'."

Interesting, the one I hit had an Aldila shaft in it. I hit an R flex, got my normal 9 deg launch angle and 3000rpm of spin. My SS is 100-103ish, smooth transistion. I was really impressed with the shaft, I remember because I hadn't hit an Aldila that I had really liked.

I hit the Slazenger driver at my GG and was really impressed with the feel. Nice and solid, gave good numbers on the simulator (as good as anything else I've hit). They didn't have any of the irons. I am a big fan of 5 woods. I find that to be my "go to" club off the tee and 2nd shots on par 5s. I don't carry a 3 wood anymore.

I think I would fit your description of a "chop." I use my Hogan or Golden Ram blades at the beginning of the season because they force me to focus on my fundamentals. The feedback I get, both through my hands and the ball flight, is the best advice I can get because it tells the truth.

I play a Ram FX3, 35 inch. Pros: Nice heavy flange, soft face, good speed control, ridiculously cheap compared to high end putters (I paid $20). Cons: I can't use it off the tees, my putting is the part of my game that torments me the least.

I can admit that I am a high handicapper, or would be if I ever established one. I found that my iron play was the weakest part of my game. I had no control left to right. So back in December I picked up some blades and vowed to play blades until April and practice regularly (2-3 times a week). They have never really added any strokes to my score, my average is about the same. What I love about them is that they tell me the truth. How can I get better if my clubs are masking my swing flaws? There are more important things than the score I shoot today. For what's it worth, I believe my control is getting better. I am going to keep playing my Apex Grinds until the end of the month, and then go and and pull my two sets of cavity backs out of storage and make a decision, but I can pretty much guarantee that my Adams GT3s are going to get traded in. My swing got incredibly sloppy while using them.

I've also been practicing 2-3 times a week off mats , mostly trying to get accuracy with me irons, and have also had problems with everything going to hell on the course. For me it's not the mats though, it is totally mental, as others have said. I went out and played today, by myself, nobody behind me, no pressure, and my iron play finally showed up. Best holes I have ever played. I've noticed that when I'm in a group in a weekend outing I fall back into old bad habits, don't get my feet, ball, hands in the right position. So I top it, chunk it, or shank it. So I recommend playing hooky from work, get some solo time on the course, really concentrate on the routine you use at the range. Hopefully once you get some success on the course the mental hurdles will get a little easier to clear. At least that is what I am assuming for myself!

When I use the simulator I have a slightly lower ball speed (140ish) and on a launch monitor my SS was 103-106.

Hogan Apex blades, even though I'm not good enough for them. Someday I will be though.

I bought the GT3s last season somewhat on impulse. They "helped" me in that they are very easy to get the ball in the air because of their massive soles (and they were pretty cheap). Unfortunately they didn't do anything to fix my swing problems, so I had directional control issues. I ended up going to the other end of the spectrum and started playing forged blades and practicing religiously. I will probably be getting rid of mine come spring. If I only got out a few times a year and didn't practice I think they would be great. I think "super game improvement" is a misnomer, they may help your score but not your game