golf equipment - your questions wanted!

[MikeH]

Hi all

I know how much of a hot topic new gear is on the forum...

Whether its the latest releases, the cost of new gear, benefits of custom fitting, performance claims, our testing methodology, product cycles. You name it, it's discussed here!

With that in mind at 1pm this Wednesday - January 11 - myself and GM technical editor Joel Tadman will be hosting a Facebook Live session where everyone can ask us questions about gear

We'd welcome forumers to get involved in that as many of you did with our Top 100 courses Facebook Live back in December

However if you're not a Facebook user or won't be around to tune in on Wednesday at 1pm then please feel free to post your question below and Joel or I will do our best to answer it. It wont be a live Q&A like the Top 100, well run the thread for as long as there are fresh questions to answer

We may well use a few of the best ones posted here before Wednesday to kick things off on the Facebook Live

One request from me - please keep this thread tidy with JUST questions being posted rather than chipping in with your own answers/views on a question that's been posted

all the best

Mike

 

[Alex1975]

Hi,

What is Joel Tadman background? I gather he was with Today`s Golfer previously. Has he worked for a manufacture or is he a club designer/ sales manager for a big equipment company?

Thx

 

[Tiger]

Do you feel that the recent surge in RRP, particularly in the driver market, is truly reflective of major technology breakthrough?

Over the past few years driver reviews have repeatedly suggested only marginal gains over the previous years model...

 

[Nobadnomad]

I heard a rumour that Taylor Made has a tub of magic paint, each time they repaint a club you gain 10 yards, do you know if this exists?

Only half joking

 

[Crow]

Despite claims that driving distances have barely changed in the last 10 or 15 years we're still seeing old courses needing to add yardage and having to redesign holes.

Several influential figures are calling for the ball to be reined back, what are your thoughts please?

 

[Karl102]

A lot of handicap golfers are going the extra mile in getting fitted for 'super top of the range driver shafts, such as Oban's and Accra's. With a lot of retailers offering shafts like the Adilla Rogue, PX and others as standard, do you guys who try more drivers than any of us think that they offer anything extra that the extensive ranges of stock shafts do not?

 

[golfsaint]

Now we all love new clubs ,but can technology in clubs ,mainly drivers really change in a couple of months ? And how much extra distance can us amatures realistically aim to achieve ? With the new Taylormade M1 & Callaway Epic (which looks great) being over £400 each are they worth it for a few extra yards ?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

When does too much cranking of lofts become too much. With a PW already being anything from 44-46 degrees on average, there is a need to consider at least two wedges if not three to give an even spacing in the scoring end. Do we really require a 7 iron in an old school 5 iron loft just to massage an ego to hit it 150 yards plus. Does the TV coverage and the distances the pro's hit it have a part to play and are the manufacturers pandering to this to try and get the mid handicapper to hit further and further, often at the expense of dispersion

 

[Imurg]

It seems fairly widely accepted, but by no means universally, that the ball needs to be reigned in with regard to distance, especially in the Pro game.
However, most of us can't boom a drive 300+ yards..
Is it time for a "Tour/Pro" ball and an Amateur ball..?

 

[pokerjoke]

Why is a golf shoes £150 when a spikeless shoes is basically a £40 trainer.

We are getting ripped off from drivers to shoes to clothes.

 

[bladeplayer]

How often do we really "need" to change our drivers , is there a time limit on the effectiveness of the trampoline effect in the face .. ?

How many holes/rounds are the current "premium balls" at their best for ..?

Where is best to get fitted re choice , there is a fear most sales people will fit you for what they want to see rather than what u need , what would your thoughts be on this ?

Do beginners get full value from premium gear or should they start with basic stuff n build up as their game progresses ?

 

[clubchamp98]

What handicap range do you think gets the most help from technology as I think the lower you get the less technology is needed .?

Where is the cut off for low men to lessen the help from technology.?

 

[chrisd]

Do game improver specialist clubs like the XE1wedge really work for beginners and people who can't escape bunkers, chip etc and, if so, why are they not in most Bags?

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Do you see much momentum around single length clubs?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Why are people with chippers ridiculed?

 

[drewster]

Are PXG clubs merely a status symbol for the rich and wealthy or do you guys actually feel that there is value at their price point ????

 

[Beezerk]

How often do you lot (Mike, Joel and the team) change your gear, is it as often as most forum regulars?

And what's currently in the bag?

 

[Curls]

Do driver shafts "wear out", either through repeated swinging or the way they rest in the bag. If so, what's the average life expectancy of a shaft given fairly regular range and course outings? Does it really lose that much performance? Cheers chaps, Curls.

 

[stevek1969]

Do you think newcomers in the ball market like Vice Golf, Forte Golf and Nassau Golf as seen getting tested by messers Finch, Shiels and Fryatt on Youtube get a foothold in the UK market or try and make in roads on the Titliest ,Srixon market as companies like Bridgestone tried and it didn't work out for them in the end

 

[BomberSRL]

What do you think is the best thing in equipment to happen in the last 2 years?