WRX Staff WITB: Knudson 2020 **Silly Season UPDATE Page 4**

[knudson81]

I haven't posted a WITB in forever, so I figured 2020 would be a great time to start. This will probably be more of a documented journey of the clubs I try on a frequent basis! Please feel free to ask any questions and I will answer the best I can. Here is the starting lineup currently, but none of these are permanent and can be replaced at anytime!

 

All my drivers and shafts use Club Conex’s Uni-Fit system to swap out between them. I am a huge fan of this system so far, been so easy and convenient to use.

Please feel free to ask any questions you might have!

 

Driver: Callaway Mavrik SubZero 10.5* / Fujikura Ventus Blue 6x

Fairway: Callaway XR16 15* / Fujikura Ventus Red Proto 7x

Hybrid: Callaway Big Bertha 815 20* / Fujikura ATMOS TS Black 9x

Irons: PXG 0311T Gen2 4-P / Project X Catalyst 6.0 (Hard Step 1x)

Wedge: Callaway Jaws MD5 Tour Grey 50 S / True Temper DG S400 TI

Wedge: Callaway Jaws MD5 Tour Grey 56 W (Bent to 55*) / True Temper DG S400 TI

Wedge: Wilson Staff Model HT 60 (Bent to 62*) / True Temper DG S400 TI

Putter: Odyssey Stroke Lab Black Ten / BGT Stability / Lamkin Deep-Etch Full-Cord

Ball: Titleist ProV1 X

Bag: Vessel Original Staff (Black / TG2 + GolfWRX logos)

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet ALIGN / Tour Velvet 360

 

 

Currently there is a lot on the testing bench as well. Here are some of the clubs/shafts that I am trying out and we will see if they can crack the starting lineup.

Callaway Mavrik SubZero Driver 10.5*

Callaway Mavrik SubZero 3w 15*Callaway Mavrik Pro hybrid 20*

Tour Edge Exotics EXS 220 fairway 15*

Tour Edge Exotics EXS 220 Driver 10.5*

XXIO X Driver 8.5*

Fujikura Ventus Black 6x

Fujikura Motore X F1

Fujikura Motore X F3

Toulon Chicago

 

Edited January 22, 2021 by knudson81

[TIM929]

Daaannnnggggg, what a sick bag!!

[Z1ggy16]

More pics of the staff bag!! I'm not enough of a player for a bag like that but man.... A staff vessel is like my dream.

[Ivyguy]

The driver hosel adaption... it creates a universal fit across the manufacturers?

 

GENIUS!!! When do they go to IPO....lol

[knudson81]

Yeah, each shafts has a Uni-Fit tip and then each driver OEM has a sleeve that connects between the driver head and shaft. Simple to use and only a little more expensive than traditional OEM adaptors!

[knudson81]

Thanks, they are tanks! Very durable and spacious, but not light! Here are a few more pics of it.

[knudson81]

Yesterday was a really nice day so I headed to the range with my dad and hit some of the stuff on the testing bench. Now this is range time and not out on the course under real pressure, so all of these could be totally temporary.

Drivers: Cobra SpeedZone 10.5* vs Callaway Mavrik SubZero 10.5Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6x, Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro Blue 60 TX, Graphite Design Tour AD GP-7x, Graphite Design Tour AD TP-7x

So this was a pretty apples-to-apples test out on the range. Both 10.5* heads and I moved the heavier weights to the back setting on each before hitting them. Started with the TP-7 and right out of the gate it was a no-go. I have found success with that shaft in other heads before, but the combination of these heads and my swing never worked out. The GP-7 was actually really good and I have loved that shaft for years, a very close 3rd place and probably the longest out of the 4. I went back and forth with the Tensei and Ventus, swapping them into each head and hitting shots throughout my time on the range. It really came down to the Mavrik/Ventus combo flew a little higher and didn't go left as much as the Cobra. The Cobra is more than likely lower spinning, and sounded WAY better, but it just seemed to be a touch less consistent than the Mavrik. I think there will still be some on-course comparing to do with the Ventus Blue and Tensei Pro Blue, both provided really good results. Mavrik will HAVE to get a couple grams of hotmelt near the face, just sounds loud and you feel more vibration from it. Was hitting next to a person with an OG Epic and it sounded 200x better. So for now Mavrik SZ and Ventus Blue are in the bag, but still have a ways to go.

Fairways: XR16 15*/Ventus Red 7x vs Mavrik SubZero 15*/GD GP-8x

The XR16 has been in my bag since it was released and has been one of 2 crutches in my bag for years. It is my go-to club if I need to hit a fairway and I use it 95% of the time off the tee. I have tried tons of other models with nothing even coming close in terms of consistency. Out of the box I really liked the look of the Mavrik and thought it would have a legit chance at competing with its larger footprint and slightly deeper face. I moved the heavy weight to the back and started hitting it on the range, but off the deck since I left my rubber tees in another golf bag. I didn't think the extra weight of the GP would make such a big impact, but it did for me. I felt like I really had to work to get the shaft going, and it was really hard to find the center of the club. When I struck it flush the shots were long and straight but lower than I would like out on the course. I will try to get another Ventus Red 7 or throw my old HZRDUS Red 75 (was in my XR16 for a long time) into the Mavrik and try it again.

Hybrids: Big Bertha 815 20*/ATMOS Black TS 9x vs Mavrik Pro 20*/KBS Tour Hybrid 80s

Again, another club that has been a crutch in my bag forever and that I love. This one wasn't really close, Big Bertha stays. The Mavrik Pro looks great, sounds a little loud, and went a long way. Downside is that I felt like the ball flight was lower and it got a ton of roll when it landed. Could be a reshaft and try again, but I just never felt as comfortable with it and dispersion was way bigger with the Mavrik Pro.

[short and straight]

Thanks for posting. Love your podcast. Wondering how you like that putter compared with the spider.

 

[knudson81]

Thank you and thank you for taking the time to listen! Both putters are really stable and seem to give you a ton of forgiveness on mishit putts. Looks are always going to be a personal thing, but I might like the shape of the Spider X's compact shape a little more. Finally, the feel and sound to me are better with the Black Ten, just a touch firmer and more responsive. The integrated metal in the Microhinge Star insert was a big improvement in my opinion. But that doesn't mean a Spider X doesn't make it into the bag in the future.

[J13]

Your lack of shaft pics is disappointing but since your new to the WITB game i'll give you a pass.

 

My thoughts :

Alpha 815 is the GOATAstro's cheatedIf you have access try low lofted Mav Max vs Cobra Xtreme. Mav Max lots of room to add melt as it's light. Trust me.Drop a Ventus Blue 7x in the Mav SZ 3 woodStaff bag must be heavy and hard to carry while wearing flip flopsHow expensive are houses in San Francisco

[justasgood]

I am very jealous! Sweet bag and irons.

[knudson81]

I will make sure to get some shaft photos this week for you! Please take me under your wing and teach me the ways of the WITB forum!

Yeah, I don't know if that BB 815 hybrid is ever going to leave the bagThey did and I was the one who was banging on the trash can.The Cobra Xtreme is for sure on my list to hit, liked it down at the PGA Show. Hotmelt will be coming soon!I have had a lot of luck with the Ventus Red 7x in my XR16 3w, so I might have to go get me one of those to put in.My tour issue flip flops actually give you better stability walking from the parking lot to the course.If you have to ask, you can't afford one.

[J13]

Love the passion, proceed.

[GC70]

Love the mixed bag off goodies! Definitely need more pictures. What your not in The Detroit area anymore? You have the second best job out there, number one would be Greg’s of course.

[knudson81]

Still in metro Detroit, just got a nice weekend of 45-50* weather to hit a few biscuits on the range. Greg has an awesome gig, but I like being home with the family. Being on the road as much as he is would prob kill me!

[Thornbrugh]

Have you tested the Toulon Chicago yet? Curious how the feel differs, if any, from previous generation (2018) that wasn’t full face coverage on the diamond mill pattern? Also, what is the head weight and what sole weight/s have you tried with it? I am interested in this model but haven’t found any local availability, so appreciate any feedback you can share.

[knudson81]

Funny you ask about the Chicago, I just cut it down to 33.5" last night and will toss a Lamkin Sinkfit Skinny Pistol on it today or tomorrow. I went out and tried it at 35" and with the oversized Odyssey grip and hated it. But to be honest it was all length and grip. I love the look of the putter and feel like they nailed the size, smaller than a 1 Wide, but noticeably larger than the Austin. I was surprised that it did have some toe hang to it, about 4 o'clock, and I do prefer a face balanced putter. I only have the 20g sole plate in the putter currently, but if I find some success I will prob look into trying a couple heavier options. I tested out a San Diego last year and thought the feel was really firm/harsh and it had a loud click at impact. The Chicago definitely has a softer feel and much less noise at impact, I think it is a big improvement.

 

[knudson81]

Reshafted and ready for the next Trackman session. Mavrik SubZero 15* with a Project X HZRDUS HC Red 75 6.5

 

[Warrick]

Awesome stuff, good to know the staff are ho’s too....

I have a mint set (3/4)of the 815 hybrids with diamana s+ 80 at my folks place in California. They are the GOAT, always tempted to bring them back, but afraid I would sell or trade for some other club I don’t need.

Keep us posted on the Spring testing.

[knudson81]

I have been very tempted to buy another head of Callaway preowned or ebay just in case!

[knudson81]

Got a few shaft photos for our guy @J13

[img]https://s3.amazonaws.com/golfwrxforums/uploads/971/22WIV3DLR696.jpg[/img]
[img]https://s3.amazonaws.com/golfwrxforums/uploads/894/1QWBGBEQ1J7D.jpg[/img]
[img]https://s3.amazonaws.com/golfwrxforums/uploads/657/ADL60DBI1XV8.jpg[/img]

[tbowles411]

Wait, you have a podcast? Where have I been???

[knudson81]

I do? Crap, I better get to recording one of these days!

[agood3putt]

Those Atmos TS and Tensei shafts have to be some heaters in those heads for you! Sick bag and thanks for the update brotha!!!

[TIM929]

noticed your X’d out 56 to a 55 stamping... pretty sick!

 

could you post some pics of your custom wedge works?

[knudson81]

I am a big fan of the ATMOS series, the Blue was a great fairway shaft for a few years! Tensei Pro Blue has been solid and is in a heavyweight fight with Ventus Blus for the starting spot in my driver. Tensei PB feels a little softer and active while the Ventus Blue has a stiffer, solid feel.

Thanks! Here is another image I have of the wedge. I play my wedges 50-55-62, so that is a 56w bent to 55, hence the Sammy Hagar song title! That X-out sole wasn't easy to do and I think only possible because of my Ricky Johnson wedge anvil that hold the wedge in place. I will get some pictures of some other wedges soon, still waiting for my 50* to get here and need to stamp my 62* as soon as I get some inspiration!

[J13]

Love the shaft pic as it demonstrates how sick you truly are haha. Does the wedge stamping symbolizing the accident with the bus? Asking for a friend.

[knudson81]

No, the bus accident would be symbolized with a 5mph stamping! The shaft collection isn't out of hand yet, still have a few to go before we can classify it as a problem!

[J13]

Lets get to work on the new wedge stamping. I think we should go with "No Fault - 5mph"

[knudson81]

Went to the Trackman simulator the other night and right now the Mavrik SZ 3w is leading the old XR16 for the starting gig. Shaft change to the HZRDUS Red 75 from the GD GP-8 was a huge improvement. The Mavrik SZ gave me some really good ball speed numbers and really tight dispersion. I do have to say that I like the slightly deeper face compared the XR16 since I typically I hit the 3w off the tee.