Shiny New Bats Unwrapped and Ready to Go

[HomerJSimpson]

As some might recall went to a demo day at my local AG (Callaway, TM, Wilson, and Yonex) with the intention of trying graphite to see if it would help my ailing game. After trying the TM clubs (Burner and Burner XD) in stiff and regular I went to Callaway. The guy watched me hitting my R7's and listened to what I said and after testing my speed got to work.

Measured me (I'm one degree upright) and tested the swing speed and gave me the X20 in stiff graphite. Hit it pretty solidly and certainly on a par with the regular steel R7's. However with a regular graphite and 1 degree upright I hit it higher and longer and more consistantly. Did the deal (HID was there and gave me the nod of approval).

They arrived today and I've picked them up and they are sitting all shiny and new ready for tomorrow afternoon when I'm going to try them on the practice ground before taking them out to play on the course.

Also managed to find a 52 and 56 chrome finished X wedge at my local range for £60 each as part of the Open promotion they were running (it seemed rude not too as HID offered to pay). All the new bats will get a thorough testing tomorrow. Like a kid at Christmas and can't wait

 

[ColinR]

I bet you cant wait to get out there, good luck and enjoy the moment.

 

[Farneyman]

Good luck with the new sticks. I hope you enjoy using them in our fine summer weather.

 

[SS2]

The Forum expects you to deliver to goods with such equipment, Homer. Good luck.

 

[TonyN]

Homer what did you get 3-pw or 4-sw?

You do know that the PW is actually 45* and SW is 55*

Callaway do a AW at 50* which is absolutly perfect for a gap

 

[haplesshacker]

PW at 45*, wow that's low. Won't be long before we have a bag full of wedges and rescues only

Good luck with the new toys H. Sadly I don't think that I can blame my clubs for the lack of form (read ability!). However, I have read somewhere that too much offset is really bad for a hooker / pusher like me. Now I wonder if the Mrs will believe me.

If that is the case though, am I better off getting a set of irons with less offset, or spending shed loads on lessons trying to correct the swing? Even though my grip has been re-adjusted after all your comments a couple of months ago.

Sorry I'm hi-jacking. And the answer is simple, I can't afford either

 

[TonyN]

http://www.callawaygolf.com/Global/en-GB/Products/Clubs/Irons/X-20Irons/Specifications.html

Its all on there.

I carry 4 wedges

PW SW AW LW I couldnt do with out any really, they all come in useful. But I only carry a 3 wood at the other end so I am not pushed for space.

The AW is the x20 one and it made life so much easier than trying to hit a SW harder or PW softer, now I can just play a full shot with the AW for the 100yard mark.

Homer, will be intrested to know how you get on with your set up as one of your x wedges is only 1* higher than your SW (if you got one) You may have gone 3-pw I dont know.

Hope I aint peed u off, but if this is the case, think twice before using it as you might not need it.

 

[RGuk]

However, I have read somewhere that too much offset is really bad for a hooker / pusher like me. If that is the case though, am I better off getting a set of irons with less offset

I've had a few offset sets and think they are terrible for any other player than out and out slicers.
If you either hit it straight or push it, then offset could be helpful, but (if like most players with an in-out path) and the hook is your bad shot.....offset is pretty bad news. 9/10 of my irons that don't fly straight end up left of target....so offset is not good for me. Lessons won't help either, because if your pro can get you practising so you end up coming through in-square-in, then "closed face" irons will just end up as light hooks.

 

[haplesshacker]

However, I have read somewhere that too much offset is really bad for a hooker / pusher like me. If that is the case though, am I better off getting a set of irons with less offset

I've had a few offset sets and think they are terrible for any other player than out and out slicers.
If you either hit it straight or push it, then offset could be helpful, but (if like most players with an in-out path) and the hook is your bad shot.....offset is pretty bad news. 9/10 of my irons that don't fly straight end up left of target....so offset is not good for me. Lessons won't help either, because if your pro can get you practising so you end up coming through in-square-in, then "closed face" irons will just end up as light hooks.

Err!

So If I read that right, offset irons are bad for hookers, bad for those with an in to out path, which I do have, and lessons won't work. Anyone want to buy some MX 19s, apparently they're really good for slicers!!

BTW, I used to have a wicked slice, but have over-cured it

Nope, there's still no way that I'm going to ask HID for some shiny new clubs. Phew, back on topic.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Got 4-PW as I had X series 52 and 56 degree wedges already (got them on the night at the demo at AG). I knew the PW was 45 which is the same as the R7's so no hardship. For me I hit a PW about 100 with an easy swing and my 52 about 70 on a smooth 3/4 swing and my 56 goes about 50 on a 3/4. I'm comfy with these yardages and the gaps and feel it is right for my game.

Took the clubs out onto the practice ground this lunchtime hoping for an hour or so before with them before going out (didn't realise there was a roll up midweek medal so course was busy). Hit the new X wedges really well and began with my shiny new PW. Struck it very well - high long and straight.

Worked through the bag hitting 8 irons about 135 into an 5-10 mph downwind so about 130 on a calm day (about right for me) and was hitting 6 irons about 155 (so again 150 on a calmer day). The graphite was so easy to hit and it was just a case of focussing on making a good solid turn and coming through. The lightness of the graphite has stoppped a lot of the lateral head movement I had with my steels on the backswing. The only problem I'm finding is that I have to really focus on the length of my swing to stop swinging too far on the backswing.

Managed to get out on the course about 1.45 and was surprised to see it was relatively quiet. Only had chip on 1 so my first shot in anger was a 9 iron from 128 (according to Skycaddy) on 2 which I hit well from light rough and just pulled pin high into a bunker. Most of the next few holes were all short or mid irons until the tee shot at 6. It was playing 169 down wind and I hit a 5 which I pushed/faded right. With my R7's I'm pretty sure it would ahve been in the trees short right (even downwind) but this made it pin high.

Highlight of the front 9 was undoubtedly the 9th. Tee shot into fairway bunker and decided as it was a flat lie and downwind to hit 5 iron to try and get up near the green. Struck it perfectly from 153 and stuck it to 4 foot and converted for birdie.

On the back 9 hit bad iron off the 11th (fade/cut) and a bad hybrid down 12. However on 14 I hit the 52 from 70 yards into the wind and stuck it to a foot for another birdie. Couldn't reach 16 in two into the wind but hit a nice high draw into A1 position. On 18 hit 8 iron to about 15 feet into the wind from 129. In overall terms I'm a pretty darn happy camper right now.

Can't wait until tomorrow to go out and try them again. Going to measure my yardages so I get a feel for what I can and can't do. I did go out and hit a few 8 and 6 irons after the round (and a cool drink) and the dispersion is pretty good but I was overswinging (due to fatigue) so distances were a bit short as there wasn't a proper tight coil.

Onwards and upwards (unlike my handicap I hope)

 

[Ken_A]

Onwards and upwards (unlike my handicap I hope)

We expect no less from you - now how do I tell the wife I fanca another change !!

All the best I hope they help get you to smaller numbers.

 

[TonyN]

Homer I really like the idea of you hitting your higher wedges with shorter swings, this is something I would like to adopt. At the moment, my PW is 110 my AW is 100 and my SW 80-90 (all full swings). Anything between 40-80 I will play a LW. Anythin below is a PW chip on and run. If I can avoid it at all costs i will not play the LW, I try kep that for going over hazards.

 

[RGuk]

Tony....you are thinking well....

I can play 3/4 shots with confidence but still am scared of 1/2 swings. But, everyone has their own plan and it is essential to play to your strengths.

Since buying clubs with a 45* PW, I've been using the 52 TM Satin for scary in-betweeners.

t.b.h. I've been playing the percentage game a lot recently (and that is a lot, as I've been clocking up min 9 holes a day for 3 weeks).

If I've got bang on 100 (which is quite common since I tee off with the club to leave that distance, or up to 120 if it goes poorly!) I will look at the position of the flag. If there's no trouble short and the pin is front, I'll almost certainly hit the 52, which might only reach 95. If the flag is at the back I might go with an easy PW. Most greens are 25-30 yards long, so if I middle the PW and it goes almost full distance, I'll be just on the back. Either way, I'm not too far away.

Anything under 40 yards is a big chip-type shot. 40-60 is lottery time!!! I've been know to play huge 7 iron chips using the contours...these are cool in the summer and on links courses but risky in the winter. a.t.m. I'm not needing to do any of this.....thank goodness for summer roll.....

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I just work on the clock face system a la Pelz. A 7.30 swing will get my 56 about 15 yards and my 52 20. A 9 o'clock or half swing goes about 30 for the 56 and 40 for the 52 and a 3/4 or 10.30 swing is about 50 (56) and 70 (52). I think they fly further on the longer swing as it is more or less a proper tunr etc whereas the others are more arm shots with minimal body action.

I have to say it took about 4 months solid practice (at least 3 hours per week solely on small swings) and a lot of frustration to get it even close to comfortable. Even now in comps I have been known to bottle it and play a long bump and run

 

[viscount17]

my curse is that anything under a full swing and I deccelerate and frequently stop any follow through short.

really don't know how to cure it - I can think commit but then that last six inches gets in the way.

 

[TonyN]

Dave I didnt want to quote your whole last post but that is EXACTLY my style of play, down to a T!

Viscount the only cure is practice.

Best thing to do i think (and this is what i did) i got my lob wedge out went to practice ground and got 5 balls. Using half 1/4 swing back, i tried to hit the ball as hard/far as i could, and when it only went like 30 40 yards it got rid of the fear (o no i dont want to send it to far)

We only bottle the follow through because we are afraid of sticking the ball through the area we want it. Once you know the furthest point you can send the ball with your 1/4 1/2 and 3/4 swings you'll not bottle it. for example

20 yard shot over bunker for me would be a 60* 1/4 swing. I know at most i could send that maybe 30 yards so i wont bottle it.

 

[viscount17]

bl**dy hell, a bootie with some sense!
cheers wings!

practice day tomorrow, so I'll have at it. (god help the guys on the putting green - it's in the line of fire!)

 

[HTL]

20 yard shot over bunker for me would be a 60* 1/4 swing. I know at most i could send that maybe 30 yards so I wont bottle it.

Unless you blade it like I have recently, it run past the hole like Paula Radclife (ugly runner)

 

[TonyN]

well there is that htl but i didn't want to mention it.

Paula radcliff thats well funny, will have to remember that one.

 

[theeaglehunter]

Best thing to do i think (and this is what i did) i got my lob wedge out went to practice ground and got 5 balls. Using half 1/4 swing back, i tried to hit the ball as hard/far as i could, and when it only went like 30 40 yards it got rid of the fear (o no i dont want to send it to far)

We only bottle the follow through because we are afraid of sticking the ball through the area we want it. Once you know the furthest point you can send the ball with your 1/4 1/2 and 3/4 swings you'll not bottle it. for example

20 yard shot over bunker for me would be a 60* 1/4 swing. I know at most i could send that maybe 30 yards so i wont bottle it.

That is so simple it is Genius- I will definitely give it a go once I get my new wedges / my wedge set up sorted.

Glad the clubs are going well for you Homer, keep it up.