Playing tomorrow with clubs I have never hit before - quite excited...

[Snelly]

Morning,

I am looking forward to playing at Swinley Forest tomorrow, not just because it is a fantastic course and one of my favourites but also because I have got new clubs bar a couple of exceptions.

I will be using my existing 3 wood and lob wedge but the rest will all be completely new to me, having never hit a ball with them. The new clubs are a Titleist 909 D2 driver with a Voodoo shaft. Looks quite nice. The irons are 2-SW Ping Zing 2's. I have no idea what the shaft flex is as they just say JZ on them. New putter too - Ping Pal 2 which feels nice on the lounge carpet! I am really looking forward to playing with them and am pondering what effect they may have, if any on the score I post.

Obviously the biggest variable will be me. My last two rounds were worlds apart. I shot 100 at Bearwood Lakes recently then last week played Littlehampton in 1 over par including a hole in one!

Me aside, I think the clubs will take a bit of getting used to, especially the irons. They are much chunkier than my previous irons and will probably fly further as all Ping irons seem to be that bit longer. The lofts are almost the same but they just ping off the face a bit more I guess.

The driver won't get used much. 2 irons off nearly every tee I would think. Anyway, I will see what happens and will try and get some photos too as Swinley is a very pretty course.

If I play well and the clubs perform, does this form the basis for a counter-argument against custom fitting and the overbearing technical babble that we get from the manufacturers? I think so albeit a very unscientific and quite random test. I am viewing this as a bit of an interesting experiment and can't wait to get to the course....

 

[fundy]

Enjoy Swinley Forest, lovely track

As for the experiment no it wont tell much apart from how good you are at adapting to clubs youve never used before, as a 3 capper youre ability to recognise what the clubs are doing and make some degree of correction (conscious or subconscious) will enable you to get it round the course. Does it mean they are the optimum clubs for you? No not at all but then reading your posts I dont think it would suit you to play with the best clubs available to you

 

[Robobum]

Enjoy the golf (not the clubs, cos they're bloody awful!!!! Haha)

I'm taking the same old bats to St Georges Hill 2morow. Your, and other forumers', description has got me equally excited - despite the 5 o'clock start!!!

 

[Snelly]

Enjoy the golf (not the clubs, cos they're bloody awful!!!! Haha)

I'm taking the same old bats to St Georges Hill 2morow. Your, and other forumers', description has got me equally excited - despite the 5 o'clock start!!!

If you get good weather and the greens are in good shape then you're in for one of your best ever days out. A special occasion place.

Off the whites, I have been level par once and one over twice. In fact I have a trophy on my desk right now as a result of one of those rounds! I have never played off the very back tees though and have often thought that they would make a considerable difference. Off the whites, a driver is not needed much but make sure you hit it off the second. Long par 4 that needs a good drive.... Make sure you go for the 4th green. Plenty of room and an easy birdie.

 

[Sid Rixon IV]

Good luck and let us know.
My "first time ever used" new clubs on Saturday presented me with my worst round this year.
I'll tame them yet!

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

Dave

I'm not sure you will see big distances from the Pings as they are from an era when a 6i was a 6i, not a re-numbered 5i.

Enjoy Swinley, not many places are nicer for a day's golf!

 

[Robobum]

If you get good weather and the greens are in good shape then you're in for one of your best ever days out. A special occasion place.

Off the whites, I have been level par once and one over twice. In fact I have a trophy on my desk right now as a result of one of those rounds! I have never played off the very back tees though and have often thought that they would make a considerable difference. Off the whites, a driver is not needed much but make sure you hit it off the second. Long par 4 that needs a good drive.... Make sure you go for the 4th green. Plenty of room and an easy birdie.

Don't think there is too much difference off the backs, will do a write up after I'm done.

A practice round would have good to see distances with the concrete fairways at the moment.

 

[Alex1975]

Looking forward to seeing how you like them, be good to post some pics of those big heads too...

Enjoy

 

[CMAC]

dont see any issue, pretty much any cat1 player could hit any club (incl ladies clubs) well I feel, whether you like them or not is another matter..... Didnt you play Ping's before:smirk:


....more importantly looking forward to the report on the carvery

 

[CMAC]

Just spotted that both our resident 2 and 3 h/cappers on this forum are both using Ping Zing 2's now- was there a fire sale or is this an experiment?

 

[Snelly]

dont see any issue, pretty much any cat1 player could hit any club (incl ladies clubs) well I feel, whether you like them or not is another matter..... Didnt you play Ping's before:smirk:


....more importantly looking forward to the report on the carvery

I last had Pings (IST ??) about 15 years ago I think. Certainly had some original Ping Karstens in the late 80's.

Lunch at Swinley is quite interesting. I believe they have had the same menu in place since the club started. A couple of choices for each course and that is it. I know a slice of fried fish is one starter but can't remember the rest....

 

[Foxholer]

Enjoy Swinley Forest, lovely track

As for the experiment no it wont tell much apart from how good you are at adapting to clubs youve never used before, as a 3 capper youre ability to recognise what the clubs are doing and make some degree of correction (conscious or subconscious) will enable you to get it round the course. Does it mean they are the optimum clubs for you? No not at all but then reading your posts I dont think it would suit you to play with the best clubs available to you

+1 for both comments.

Best set of Par 3s I've played.

@Robobum. If, for some reason, you get started on the 10th, set off early. It's a heck of a walk! Rated (just) as my 'best Lunch' - but only if you have the time to appreciate it! Swinley's Lunch is right up there too - with Muirfield, Hankley and The Berkshire.

 

[Snelly]

I would add Tandridge and The West Sussex to the list of best golf club lunches. Both absolutely fantastic.

Certainly better than the Berkshire who have an epic fail with their bought in Aunt Bessie Yorkshire puddings. Very poor.

 

[rickg]

Off the whites, a driver is not needed much but make sure you hit it off the second. Long par 4 that needs a good drive....

Not often I disagree with Snelly, but I reckon driver with rock hard fairways could bring the ditch into play.....

Also going to going to disagree with Foxholer.....1st & 10th are side by side by the halfway hut just outside the clubhouse, unless playing the green course, but wouldn't have thought so.

 

[Snelly]

Not often I disagree with Snelly, but I reckon driver with rock hard fairways could bring the ditch into play.....

You are right of course but the back tee there is quite a long way back. 30 yards maybe. More elevation though.

 

[rickg]

Certainly better than the Berkshire who have an epic fail with their bought in Aunt Bessie Yorkshire puddings. Very poor.

As a fellow Yorkshireman I tend to agree, but I offset their failure in the YP department with the excellence of their homemade vanilla ice cream. :thup:

 

[Deleted member 1418]

At least you'e not playing Nike's..............

 

[User20205]

As a fellow Yorkshireman I tend to agree, but I offset their failure in the YP department with the excellence of their homemade vanilla ice cream. :thup:

don't want to be controversial, but my granny is from Yorkshire...........she makes rubbish yorkshire puddings !!! give me Aunt Bessies anyday


Snelly, good luck with the retro clubs, you'll be growing a floppy fringe and wearing paisley ties before you know it :thup:

 

[Robobum]

I disagree with Rick & Snelly.....320 to the ditch, may have to take a bit off of a 4iron

I'm getting on a bit, but I'm sure I can manage to 20yd walk from clubhouse to 10th tee in a timely fashion

Hankley has gotta go on the lunch rota surely?? Liphook would also rate favourably

 

[Foxholer]

I'm getting on a bit, but I'm sure I can manage to 20yd walk from clubhouse to 10th tee in a timely fashion

Doh! Wrong 'St Georges'! I was thinking of RSG!

Haven't experienced the full blown buffet at SGH. The couple of times I've been there it's the reduced calorie and price one! Great course though, and indeed only another 20yards or so to the 10th.

Indeed, no point not going for it on the 4th! Strategy sorted for 11?