Club reviews - are we really getting what we need?

[Curls]

I'm in the market for a fairway wood and have read and watched many reviews from this and last year trying to figure out what would suit me. But I can't. Crossfield et al. have very impressive swings, repeatable, they create good data. But for what? In all cases I'm guessing the shafts these guys are using are stiff if not x. How about us regular Joes? I envied the Titliest 915 range but found the stock regular shaft stiff as a board, couldn't get the ball airborne. I just don't swing it fast enough, or accurately enough. So what's the point in watching Crossfield and his monstrous buddy James launching the stiff version 250 yards with 2000rpm?!

GM do really good features every now and then where they take a variety of handicaps and let them smash the top 10 drivers etc that year. I love these. Of course your h/c isn't always the best indication of ball striking ability, we all know high guys who strike it beautifully and low guys who hoik it round. I realise it would take up too much space in the mag, so perhaps this could only work online, but I'd like to see more of this coupled with the data - i.e.

1. a map display of where their shots went (say, 6 to 10 shots, cos we can't do what the pros do in 3)
2. A clubface diagram showing the strike point
3. and the data (spin, clubhead speed etc) behind them.

That way we find a kindred soul and observe the good, the okay and the ugly shots. That for me would help me decide whether that club might suit mortals better. If you know of anything like this - please let me know!

 

[tsped83]

Rick Shiels has some mid handicapper testing vids on YouTube that I find pretty good. Think the blokes name is Rob Potter and is off 14, he certainly throws a few wild ones in now and again like us higher handicappers. Might be worth a watch.

 

[Scott W]

Rick Shiels has a 13 handicapper he does videos with (Rob Potter I think)

 

[patricks148]

why rely on what someone else says, whats wrong with trying clubs and what works for you?

 

[Curls]

Thanks chaps will have a search on Shields, I know people on here say that he and his buddy are great guys but I find them difficult to watch, there's only so much cringe I can handle

 

[pendodave]

A few years ago you might have found some untainted reviews in written form or on youtube that were useful. The club manufacturers, who have basically neutered the mags with advertising revenue, soon got wise to that sort of nonsense. Now pretty much all of the familiar faces are directly sponsored or find themselves invited to lots of events in the States with access to facilities, staff, equipment etc. Everyone is back on message and the OEMs are all breathing a big sigh of relief.

mygolfspy used to do some good stuff, but not sure if they still do.

Take it all with a big pinch of salt and get testing. tbh, most of us are bad enough that no amount of tech will make the rubbish any good. Swing better with any half decent kit and it'll go better. Lessons+practice....

 

[SugarPenguin]

You can put up with Crossfield but not rick and Pete?!?!
madness.

I think the best thing is to try them for your own data. I mean a 13 handicapper who's in their 20s and 30s will moe than likely have a different swing and style to a handicapper who is around 60.

I do agree with what you are saying though. Would love to have some sort of database that covers everything

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I was looking for a fairway wood - had not done any research at all. My pro said that many find the Ping G20 4w a nice club to use. I took one to the range and hit half doz balls - and they all went up in the air and pretty straight - so I bought it.

My reasoning was that if I could just pick it up without ever having seen or swung it before - and could make a reasonable fist of getting the ball away - then with a bit of practice it would be good for me. And after a wee while it's brilliant - my favourite club.

Note - not all golfers buy their clubs this way.

 

[Curls]

You can put up with Crossfield but not rick and Pete?!?!
madness.

Ha! He drives me nuts too. It's the double act I can't stand. Crossfield is as bad when he's got a buddy with him. I'd rather they were informative than attempt to be funny, which they aren't. The video where they followed Paige Spiranac around on her practice round shouldn't have been published. It was like two school boys stalking a pretty girl with their iPhone.




I get the other comments about trying and buying. I confess I'm an ebayer who loves a bargain (and often gets one). I don't buy clubs often, and I've rarely had to shift on something cos I didn't get on with it (more like it passed its use). Hence if I thought a certain shaft/club would probably suit my swing speed/ability I'd probably take a punt on it.

Sound all.

 

[ger147]

I have picked up lots of useful info about potential new clubs on YouTube from various reviews posted, so IMO I think the reviewers are doing their job very well.

But ultimately, nothing substitutes for testing them for yourself as no reviewer can tell you if a particular club is the one for you or not.

 

[Dan2501]

Does anyone still watch Crossfield's reviews anymore? They're all the same. Makes jokes about the marketing, knows how far he's going to hit it, says "that sits about where I'd want it to", chucks in a few catchphrases "TestMyClub etc" and that's it, end of video.

 

[Jacko_G]

why rely on what someone else says, whats wrong with trying clubs and what works for you?

Top of the class for you. Totally agree, go hunting with an open mind. I recently went for a driver fitting and ended up with a blooming royal blue headed thing with a white shaft but it goes like poop off of a spade or a phrase like that!

 

[351DRIVER]

Does anyone still watch Crossfield's reviews anymore? They're all the same. Makes jokes about the marketing, knows how far he's going to hit it, says "that sits about where I'd want it to", chucks in a few catchphrases "TestMyClub etc" and that's it, end of video.

Like any form of entertainment it has a use by date, tv presenters are much the same, good for a period, but inevitably after a while we tire of them and want something or someone fresh to come along and offer a different angle. I personally liked his vids but wont watch any new ones, they just do not give me anything useful beyond what he has already trotted through x lots

 

[Tiger man]

Are there any particularly bad clubs out there? Think every major manufacturer makes great club heads now so it's more what suits your eye and getting the correct shaft.

 

[Hobbit]

Are there any particularly bad clubs out there? Think every major manufacturer makes great club heads now so it's more what suits your eye and getting the correct shaft.

I don't think any of them make bad clubs but TM's SLDR wasn't a raging success and certainly will have cost them a fortune for the second round of marketing - "loft up."

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Are there any particularly bad clubs out there? Think every major manufacturer makes great club heads now so it's more what suits your eye and getting the correct shaft.

Not too many bad ones, even from so called budget brands like MD and Benross who don't spend millions on advertising and promotions. It's all about finding the right head (forgiveness) and shaft for your own particular game although I would argue that aesthetics are also an important element and some clubs compared to other just won't suit one players eye but will look ideal for the next man

 

[SugarPenguin]

I cannot see me getting any new clubs for the next6-7 years
although I have just changed my putter