J13's WITB: Update- FUJIKURA AXIOM

[TheDominator273]

2 minutes ago, J13 said:

im still playing around with tee height but if you tee it too high you can get some knuckle balls and the ball falls out of the sky.   I’m playing it about the same place as my driver (in stance) and teeing it maybe 1/2” higher than 3 wood.  You do not want to tee it too high trust me. 

What works for me is about 1/4 of the ball above the top of the crown

[Seattlegolfnut]

37 minutes ago, J13 said:

im still playing around with tee height but if you tee it too high you can get some knuckle balls and the ball falls out of the sky.   I’m playing it about the same place as my driver (in stance) and teeing it maybe 1/2” higher than 3 wood.  You do not want to tee it too high trust me. 

Agree. I’m seeing 1600 RPM knucklers with my OO (13.5 turned to 15) and a tensei AV raw white when I tee it as driver. 

 

[J13]

11 hours ago, Seattlegolfnut said:

Agree. I’m seeing 1600 RPM knucklers with my OO (13.5 turned to 15) and a tensei AV raw white when I tee it as driver. 

 

 

 

I've seen similar numbers when I tee it too high.  With the 300 Mini I'm finding the top of the crown at the balls equator is best.  Meanwhile driver I have the bottom of the ball at the top of the crown.

[Kaexo]

8 hours ago, J13 said:

 

 

I've seen similar numbers when I tee it too high.  With the 300 Mini I'm finding the top of the crown at the balls equator is best.  Meanwhile driver I have the bottom of the ball at the top of the crown.

J have you tried the new LX/MX Riptides?

[J13]

1 hour ago, Kaexo said:

J have you tried the new LX/MX Riptides?

 

I haven't.  I've tried previous Riptides but not the LX/MX.  They feel great but never seem to be the right profile for my swing, I've always preferred the Hzrdus Black type feel and build.

[bjno1300]

On 7/26/2021 at 11:56 AM, J13 said:

 

 

Driver is going well.  Max LS is an interesting head as it's forgiving but doesn't spin a ton.  I've been out of town (down in New Orleans) and played a round with a close friend whom some of you might know (Robopti) and hit the Max LS next to the Triple Diamond Epic Speed.  I've owned both already but first time I put them side by side on course like that.  The Triple launches so high comparatively and just wants to go right for me.  Really reinforced the fact that the Max LS is the better head for me.

10.5 max ls at 45” with hzrdus smoke black rdx just showed up this weekend! 👏🍻 I went with 10.5 amd it looks perfect. Nice and square with little loft at address to help with slight bow and swinging right (lefty). I’ll let you know how it goes. 

[J13]

2 hours ago, bjno1300 said:

10.5 max ls at 45” with hzrdus smoke black rdx just showed up this weekend! 👏🍻 I went with 10.5 amd it looks perfect. Nice and square with little loft at address to help with slight bow and swinging right (lefty). I’ll let you know how it goes. 

 

Nice, hit em well, the Max LS is a great head !

[J13]

Quick Update:

 

Ran the same test as above with with my beloved Ping G410LST.  Same conclusion.  I hit the LST well but time and time again the Mini 300 was right next to it but hit more fairways.  I have to keep trying to unseat this thing, it can't be the starter can it?  haha 🤣

 

 

[Mike_Honcho]

i put a tensei ck orange 60s in mine...plays at 44.5"...i really like this combo.  it works for me...and i have also started wondering if i could move the SIM2 Max (stock length) out of the bag...i may try and see how the ck orange does in the SIM2 max first, tho

[J13]

1 hour ago, El Kabong2 said:

i put a tensei ck orange 60s in mine...plays at 44.5"...i really like this combo.  it works for me...and i have also started wondering if i could move the SIM2 Max (stock length) out of the bag...i may try and see how the ck orange does in the SIM2 max first, tho

 

 

Only way to find out is to get them on course.  Keep track of 2 things, distance and accuracy.  If the 300 keeps hitting fairways then it stays, if it's a honeymoon phase then so be it.  For now though, it's a lot of fun and I'm roasting it.  One thing for sure is that if the 300 loses it's luster I will not be playing a driver over 44.5".  Distance for me is literally no different whether i'm using a 45" club or 43.5". 

[J_Tizzle]

This is great information, please keep updating us!

[trying2scratch]

This has got me thinking/scheming...

 

Would be very curious to see a comparison with the 300 vs Max Ls. Same length, shaft, swing weight.  You know you want too... 😉

 

I prefer a smaller looking driver/3 wood head too.  I've often thought I can align/find the middle better with a sliver face for some reason.  (My trusty Callaway DET 3 wood has never lost a shoot out) 

 

Do you think it could be something as simple as that? 

[DNice26]

On 8/11/2021 at 10:13 AM, J13 said:

 

 

Only way to find out is to get them on course.  Keep track of 2 things, distance and accuracy.  If the 300 keeps hitting fairways then it stays, if it's a honeymoon phase then so be it.  For now though, it's a lot of fun and I'm roasting it.  One thing for sure is that if the 300 loses it's luster I will not be playing a driver over 44.5".  Distance for me is literally no different whether i'm using a 45" club or 43.5". 

 

Been struggling with driver consistency this season and I think it could be partly from playing a driver setup that is too long.  

 

May I ask you, what is the length of your Max LS shaft from grip end to tip and the finished playing length?  Just curious.  Thank you!

[J13]

17 hours ago, trying2scratch said:

This has got me thinking/scheming...

 

Would be very curious to see a comparison with the 300 vs Max Ls. Same length, shaft, swing weight.  You know you want too... 😉

 

I prefer a smaller looking driver/3 wood head too.  I've often thought I can align/find the middle better with a sliver face for some reason.  (My trusty Callaway DET 3 wood has never lost a shoot out) 

 

Do you think it could be something as simple as that? 

 

 

Haha I will most likely be comparing it to a TM driver instead of the Max LS.  It will be a better apples to apples as I can use the same shaft and just add some weight to a SIM or something.

 

 

 

 

6 hours ago, DNice26 said:

 

Been struggling with driver consistency this season and I think it could be partly from playing a driver setup that is too long.  

 

May I ask you, what is the length of your Max LS shaft from grip end to tip and the finished playing length?  Just curious.  Thank you!

 

My Max LS is actually 45.25" and the shaft is 44"

[Lemonde]

I’ve gone back to a 435cc head.  For me I can’t square the club face consistent enough with a 460cc driver.  I’m glad to hear there’s some straighter drives with the mini.  

[Mike_Honcho]

played my SIM2 Max for my round except for one hole...the mini filled in without missing a beat. 

[J13]

15 hours ago, Lemonde said:

I’ve gone back to a 435cc head.  For me I can’t square the club face consistent enough with a 460cc driver.  I’m glad to hear there’s some straighter drives with the mini.  

yeah the size of the head and even shape, can certainly do funny things with the swing. I’m going to mess around with some other heads at a similar length to see if I can get the same accuracy but add a little more forgiveness.  This is all an experiment in efforts to improve accuracy and so far the mini has taught me a lot.  

[SMUGamer]

Yo J - I saw you listed your Mini 300 on the BST. Experiment over? Decided to stick with the bigger heads?

I bought one too and stuck a 3 wood length Hulk 70TX (tipped 1.5) in it. I decided to test it against my TSi3 VB 6TX by choking up on my driver with my right hand at the bottom of the grip, making it roughly the same length as the mini to keep it apples to apples. I hit my long driver (choked down) just as good as my mini (at full 3 wood length). Then was thinking, this waste a spot in my bag if all if have to do is, choke down on my long driver for the same accuracy as the mini. So then decided to choke down on the mini in the same manner as my long driver to go next level, and ended up adding even more accuracy with not much loss in distance at all. Still experimenting. Given I hit my long driver just as accurate by choking down to the bottom of the grip, it serves no purpose in my bag unless choking down on the mini gives me next level accuracy. Need to hit many more shots to make any final conclusions. 

[J13]

21 hours ago, SMUGamer said:

Yo J - I saw you listed your Mini 300 on the BST. Experiment over? Decided to stick with the bigger heads?

I bought one too and stuck a 3 wood length Hulk 70TX (tipped 1.5) in it. I decided to test it against my TSi3 VB 6TX by choking up on my driver with my right hand at the bottom of the grip, making it roughly the same length as the mini to keep it apples to apples. I hit my long driver (choked down) just as good as my mini (at full 3 wood length). Then was thinking, this waste a spot in my bag if all if have to do is, choke down on my long driver for the same accuracy as the mini. So then decided to choke down on the mini in the same manner as my long driver to go next level, and ended up adding even more accuracy with not much loss in distance at all. Still experimenting. Given I hit my long driver just as accurate by choking down to the bottom of the grip, it serves no purpose in my bag unless choking down on the mini gives me next level accuracy. Need to hit many more shots to make any final conclusions. 

 

 

I did sell a mini but it's one I grabbed off a friend that ordered a few and ended up sticking with the 13.5*.  I am testing the same way though but using a SLDR 430 at 10.5* of loft.  Need some more time on course but so far I'm hitting a lot of fairways with it.

[ksavy17]

On 8/5/2021 at 10:42 AM, radiman said:

Damn it.  This isn't what I needed to read.  You mentioned getting stuck and I get the same way but probably a lot more often than you haha.  My 3 wood has been a go to this year with the shorter shaft.  Swing just feels better with it and honestly it's not far behind my driver.  So, the mini is back on the radar.  For next year though.  I don't have enough time left in my season where I want to shake the bag up too much.  However, I may contemplate getting a shorter test shaft and a heavier weight for my 425.  We'll see if I can mentally overcome the look of a very large head at that shorter length.

I am in the same boat now. Might have to try and pick one up. 

[J13]

The biggest thing I've learned is that overall length (within reason) isn't effecting distance nearly as much as it's effecting accuracy.  

[jcfountain33]

I went to a 44" driver a few years ago and now can't stand looking at a driver gripped at stock length in the store.

[J13]

1 hour ago, jcfountain33 said:

I went to a 44" driver a few years ago and now can't stand looking at a driver gripped at stock length in the store.

 

 

I can see how that could happen.  If you really think about it, professionals should be playing longer drivers than 99% of amateurs due them being better.  Funny enough in reality it's the complete opposite.  Go figure

[Mike_Honcho]

my last few rounds have gone like this...driver, driver, driver...then i miss left for a couple of holes...out comes the mini...voila, back on track without losing much distance.  love this club.

[nitram]

On 8/11/2021 at 9:13 AM, J13 said:

On 8/17/2021 at 2:08 PM, J13 said:

One thing for sure is that if the 300 loses it's luster I will not be playing a driver over 44.5".  Distance for me is literally no different whether i'm using a 45" club or 43.5". 

 

If you really think about it, professionals should be playing longer drivers than 99% of amateurs due them being better.  Funny enough in reality it's the complete opposite.  Go figure

 

SOLID GOLD and something most folks should listen to.

[J13]

3 hours ago, nitram said:

SOLID GOLD and something most folks should listen to.

I’ve toyed with shorter drivers in the past but always got lured back to the dark side. At a point now where my ego has been checked with age and kids lol.  
 

Like many I’ve struggled on tee boxes. I can hit it a long ways but it’s not fun having no idea where the ball is going.  Hitting 30% of fairways isn’t fun even if it’s 300+yds.  The mini and really the Ventus black has made driving fun again.  I feel like I have control and can actually work the ball.  The sldr I’m toying with at the same length is also amazing.  At 45+“ the sldr 430 was a waste of time for me but now it’s hitting bullets that land in the short grass.  I’m honesty loving it. 

[J13]

Playing tomorrow then going to decide which head i'm sticking with.  

 

TM Mini 300 w/ Ventus Black 7X @ 43.5"   VS  TM SLDR 430 w/ Ventus Black 7X @ 43.75"

[nitram]

18 hours ago, J13 said:

I’ve toyed with shorter drivers in the past but always got lured back to the dark side. At a point now where my ego has been checked with age and kids lol.  
 

Like many I’ve struggled on tee boxes. I can hit it a long ways but it’s not fun having no idea where the ball is going.  Hitting 30% of fairways isn’t fun even if it’s 300+yds.  The mini and really the Ventus black has made driving fun again.  I feel like I have control and can actually work the ball.  The sldr I’m toying with at the same length is also amazing.  At 45+“ the sldr 430 was a waste of time for me but now it’s hitting bullets that land in the short grass.  I’m honesty loving it. 

You have me intrigued about the SLDR. I hit the longest drives of my life with a 430 JDM (when I was your age and a little older). I also hit it OB more than any driver I've ever tried. But, I've never thrown it away as I know it's potential. Maybe one day again with a Ventus. It reminds me of the old saying, "You can't stop it, you can only hope to contain it."

[J13]

2 hours ago, nitram said:

You have me intrigued about the SLDR. I hit the longest drives of my life with a 430 JDM (when I was your age and a little older). I also hit it OB more than any driver I've ever tried. But, I've never thrown it away as I know it's potential. Maybe one day again with a Ventus. It reminds me of the old saying, "You can't stop it, you can only hope to contain it."

 

Exactly.  If the results match the intent, the game is more fun.  Playing some holes today and will make some decisions but either way i'm better off.  

[nitram]

Be careful in your decision. Can you imagine your legions after you've decided on a 6-year old driver????