Finalist's WITB: 4/5/2013 Damascus Byron, Scratch TD

[kekoa]

Nice. Looking forward to seeing how those turn out.

[finalist]

JUNE 18 Update pic n first post.


solid copper 12

[Pure745]

Copper is insane! Your 612's are the best Byron has done for sure. Congrats.

[finalist]

Thanks Pure.... Just got back from the test session. The copper is fighting hard for the bag spot. First it needs some patina though. The glare was painful. I used some Tarn-X on it yesterday and avoided touching the stick. Any sweat or moisture will create some light patina in a few seconds, but I want a more natural/even coat. I may soak it in some hot salt water tonight and see what happens.

The feel is unique. I found mishits that are high on the face sound tinky like a tuning fork/bell sound. Mishits that are too low sound like knocking on wood and the perfect strikes sound/feel the softest, but not as soft as carbon. Maybe the same feel as carbon but louder? It's all subtle. The rolled top line is a winner though. It really improves the look much more than I thought it would.

Now I just need to decide if I want to game carbon that always feels soft, or copper that provides a good amount of feedback.

[BuckeyeGolfer]

Ryan, those mock-ups are amazing. I have a white peace and smiley Byron cover, but finding a black one has proved to be a tough hunt.

Did you see my new stainless DH89 with the three bombs in the pocket?

When will we see a new Byron cover design?

[finalist]

[quote name='BuckeyeGolfer ' timestamp='1340051160' post='5123036']
Ryan, those mock-ups are amazing. I have a white peace and smiley Byron cover, but finding a black one has proved to be a tough hunt.

Did you see my new stainless DH89 with the three bombs in the pocket?

When will we see a new Byron cover design?
[/quote]

You'll have to ask Byron if he has any plans for new covers. As far as I know the latest are just Japanese stuff for his 8811 and 8812.

I did see you 89. Love the finish.

[ladahl]

Yep!

One of the BEST bags on here. Thanks for sharing.

[LBlack14]

[kekoa]

Dont know much about byrons but they all look real nice. Looking forward to ur irons

[NJGolfer21]

awesome putters!

[finalist]

[quote name='LBlack14' timestamp='1340083535' post='5126448']

[/quote]

Maybe Thrillhouse will stop by and get the party started? Sorry, no 5 Hour Energy in this thread.

[finalist]

[quote name='kekoa' timestamp='1340084420' post='5126498']
Dont know much about byrons but they all look real nice. Looking forward to ur irons
[/quote]

If we ever get a chance to tee it up, and you want to see me play like a hacker just get me to start yapping about putters. You'll hear the entire history of So Cal putter designers -- such as which famous designer made a cart disintegrate at Los Serranos ?? ... loads of stories that ruin my game.

[AFatMonkey]

wow... thats all I can say really... awesome!

[finalist]

July 2 update... Patina pics at top of OP.

[Shaank0]

Putters are unreal, cant wait to see the TD set when its finished.

[scratchswinger]

[quote name='Shaank0' timestamp='1341286627' post='5208202']
Putters are unreal, cant wait to see the TD set when its finished.
[/quote]

I want to see the TD's already.

[finalist]

July 8 update. Irons are in. Wedges to come once the finishing is done.

[Pure745]

Those irons came out great! Night and day compared to the retail SB1's?

[scratchswinger]

Best looking SB1's that I have ever seen. Love the stamping! Have you hit them yet?

[finalist]

[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1341810806' post='5241214']
Those irons came out great! Night and day compared to the retail SB1's?
[/quote]

They are night and day visually and performing. The square toes frame the ball so much better. The straight toe side edge just adds another visual cue for alignment, and it makes the head look more compact. The sole grinds add a lot of game improvement over my old set. I hit a few fat shots and the irons felt like they skipped over the turf and into the ball the way a fat shot on a mat does - forgiving! I can't wait for the 48° and 53° wedges with DOG grinds. When I demoed Patrick's DOG wedge for a few weeks the turf interaction was massively better for me. Zero sticking into the ground like my PDG (low bounce grind). Divots were very even and buttery soft through the shot.

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1341812462' post='5241276']
Best looking SB1's that I have ever seen. Love the stamping! Have you hit them yet?
[/quote]

Thanks! I got them after work on Friday, and spent about an hour on grass hitting them. I haven't had anytime since then though. I'll be out there later today in 105° heat though.

[finalist]

Had my second range session with the TDs today. The balance is so good throughout the set. One of my swing faults since the beginning of time is taking the club back too fast and not being able to properly swing to the top because the weight of the club's momentum which also causes a little rebound/bounce at the end of the top swing. Working with Bruce Rearick he advised me to place the club at the top rather than swing it to the top. This works great BTW, and with the new TD's the balance is even more of a help. I went down about 1.5 swing weight points, and up very slightly in static weight. The feeling is a lighter balanced club going back and up, but still able to drop into the slot coming down with head feel. It's very subtle, but definitely there. Transition is a little smoother leading to better impact.

[Pure745]

Giving me strokes when we play in a few weeks. Congrats!

[finalist]

[quote name='Pure745' timestamp='1341869647' post='5245226']
Giving me strokes when we play in a few weeks. Congrats!
[/quote]
How many strokes do we give Byron if he plays?

[Pure745]

He's already down too many putting matches to me.. He'll want a lot.

[finalist]

July 19 update on first post. All clubs are set...

[Pure745]

Damn.. great update man! Congrats on all the new sticks! Can't wait to play in a few weeks.. you better bring your A game.

[kekoa]

The wedges look amaaaaaazing!!!

[scratchswinger]

How do you like the Hoofer? My bag broke and I need a new one.

[finalist]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1342720326' post='5309630']
How do you like the Hoofer? My bag broke and I need a new one.
[/quote]

I like it a lot. The new leg retention system is a joke though. The outside leg catches on the large apparel pocket unless you grab the shoulder strap in the middle to pick it up. The white material is staying VERY clean. I lug it around everyday to the range and I'm very surprised by how clean it has stayed. The club slots are OK. They could be much better. I like the new 4 way divder by SM better. Bigger slots mean it's easier to get the clubs in and out, and the club heads are allowed to bunch up better and not smack into each other because there are fewer dividers. The pocket arrangement is perfect. The lined range finder pocket is nice.
I keep looking at smaller bags for next time.

This Travis Mathews Jones bag looks pretty cool and seems like it would be great for all the time my bag spends squished in my car.

[attachment=1264508:TM_Jones-bag.jpg]

[nacho]

Sick putters