Experiment between old & new clubs

[rgs]

After a terrible round on sunday when to the range this evening just to re groove the swing so to speak--semi final of society matchplay thursday.
Brought up an old Wilson bladed 8 iron and a Mizuno 3 wood with a steel shaft for a bit of fun and comparison.
8 iron went about 20 yds less than my current 8 iron.
The 3 wood went about the same height and distance as my 5 wood.
No startling scientific facts established just proved what we all knew technology has improved our distances.

 

[Herbie]

rgs....its not about techno improvements, its about the old clubs having less enthusiasm...lol

Take old people for example......in their youth, they would be as lively as anything and going at it like rabbits, but now its just haslet sandwiches and a cuppa tea on the park bench.

 

[CliveW]

A good few years ago I decided to "Upgrade" my Titleist DTR Irons for new clubs. After trying various clubs, I settled on Callaway X-16 irons and had them custom fitted. I have been happy with these and played away hapily until about a month or so ago when my partner went away with my car with my clubs in it. Having a game arranged I had to dig out my old clubs and I was amazed at how well I was hitting them compared with the Callaways, needless to say the Titleists are now in my bag. (Incidentally, I hit the DTRs a good 10 yards further than the Callways)

 

[Imurg]

Further and straighter?
We get too hung up on distance when talking about clubs. How often do you hear one of us saying " I hit this club 10 yards further" or " I'm one club longer with this set"?
Distance isn't everything. In fact without accuracy its worthless. I'd rather be a club shorter and more accurate than the other way round.
Not saying you're not Clive, but this is more aimed at everyone else as well.

 

[muttleee]

8 iron went about 20 yds less than my current 8 iron.
No startling scientific facts established just proved what we all knew technology has improved our distances.

Do you know how the lofts of the two clubs compare? I think modern clubs tend to have stronger lofts so the improvement in distance could be down to more than technological advance.

 

[CliveW]

Further and straighter?
We get too hung up on distance when talking about clubs. How often do you hear one of us saying " I hit this club 10 yards further" or " I'm one club longer with this set"?
Distance isn't everything. In fact without accuracy its worthless. I'd rather be a club shorter and more accurate than the other way round.
Not saying you're not Clive, but this is more aimed at everyone else as well.

I wholeheartedly agree with what you are saying Imurg. I am however hitting the older DTRs crisper, straighter and longer than the Callaways. My swing has changed over the past few years and this has probably been the biggest cause for improvement, also the DTRs are regular steel shafted as opposed to firm graphite ones on the Callaways.