Blade users thread (NO DEBATING CLUBHEADS! NO Buy Sell Trade!)

[FourTops]

Hogan Irons....best done-deal in town by far. $770 PTx steel or graphite....Ft. Worth's $700 steel or graphite.

does JJ Henry still swing Hogan’s?

 

"At the onset of the 2018 PGA TOUR season he will playing PTx mid and short irons". Let's face it...pro's are money ho's and play the big names for millions...I would too.

[J. B. Cobb III]

Y'all wouldn't believe what I paid for these BH Ft. Worth 15s new/never played! I thought about leaving them naked, but I believe I will paint fill them to match my bag and custom ferrules.

[Nard_S]

Anybody have experience w/ Nippon Super Peening Blue shafts?

 

I'm a fan of DG shafts and the SPB has same profile but it's supposed to be a bit more refined in smooth dept. $-Tapers are supposedly pretty close and the both of them are in stratosphere price wise and given a choice I think the SPB is money better 'wasted'.

[NRJyzr]

Anybody have experience w/ Nippon Super Peening Blue shafts?

 

I'm a fan of DG shafts and the SPB has same profile but it's supposed to be a bit more refined in smooth dept. $-Tapers are supposedly pretty close and the both of them are in stratosphere price wise and given a choice I think the SPB is money better 'wasted'.

 

 

I have a set of SPB in my TG-898 Rams. They are indeed smoother. They're also a bit heavier, and I did notice that added weight. Since I have generally liked heavier shafts, I found it a good thing. :)

 

They are as advertised. Smoother. Appear to help cut the spin a bit, though I can't speak to the SPB/DG difference, having come from KBS Tour in that set. For quite a while, I thought they were a touch softer, but I'm not so sure they are, I think it's the smoother feel that makes them seem that way.

 

Interestingly, I've always been able to hook the long irons in sets with DG. I've found that more difficult with SPB.

 

My SPB set are Xstiff, and I've largely been dropping down to Stiff; I've thought about trying to hunt up a set of Stiffs. All the US sources I'd found them on several years ago no longer offer them, it seems Rakuten is the route these days.

 

I may have to try my 898s again next year....

[Nard_S]

Thanks NRJ. Good feedback.

 

It lines up with other things I've heard. I'm S400 happy but I do appreciate aspects of Rifle's and SPB 's or KBS's $-Taper sort of go there. There is a USA shop that claims to have new for sale. Might spend ho dollars on a set, I have heads worthy of the experiment.

 

-B

[Kingcat990]

I know Kayyyelll is a SPB advocate. Ive seen shaft sets pop up on the Bay and on the auction site. They hold their value. I remember him saying a type of Shimada shaft played almost identical to the SPB.

[J. B. Cobb III]

I have never hit the SPB but I am going with modus shafts in these clubs. Best feeling/performing shaft in my opinion!

[BIG STU]

The first iron like that I remember were an old set of McGregor JNPs my dad owned in the 90's. Lovely set of irons, looked like butter knives from above, had the slightest of cavities, closer to a cut muscle than a full cavity. They felt fantastic when pured, but didn't offer much help if you caught it less pure.

 

Me dad had the 1 Iron as well, now that was fun :)

 

I have a set of Macgregor VIP Tours, which are a cavity back. From the looks of it, they have a shallower cavity than the JNPs (never seen the JNPs in the flesh though, just pictures). To echo you, they don't offer much help if you catch it less than pure.

I have the 2i as well. I suppose you could say it's "fun" :dntknw:

 

 

 

OMG...look at that GIANT cavity back!!!! It's a blade in sheep's clothing!

Trust me on this--- Missing that 2 iron or 1 iron on a cold day stings just as bad as missing one with a VIP or FC 4000 blade. I never saw those CB blades as forgiving either versus a muscleback

[FourTops]

The first iron like that I remember were an old set of McGregor JNPs my dad owned in the 90's. Lovely set of irons, looked like butter knives from above, had the slightest of cavities, closer to a cut muscle than a full cavity. They felt fantastic when pured, but didn't offer much help if you caught it less pure.

 

Me dad had the 1 Iron as well, now that was fun :)

 

I have a set of Macgregor VIP Tours, which are a cavity back. From the looks of it, they have a shallower cavity than the JNPs (never seen the JNPs in the flesh though, just pictures). To echo you, they don't offer much help if you catch it less than pure.

I have the 2i as well. I suppose you could say it's "fun" :dntknw:

 

 

 

OMG...look at that GIANT cavity back!!!! It's a blade in sheep's clothing!

Trust me on this--- Missing that 2 iron or 1 iron on a cold day stings just as bad as missing one with a VIP or FC 4000 blade. I never saw those CB blades as forgiving either versus a muscleback

 

Today's MBs are like playing 80's Ping Eye 2's compared to those VIPs. I can feel the bones breaking right now in Pittsburgh in November with light snow on the ground with MT Blades. OWWW!

[BIG STU]

Four Tops I will have to trust you on that one but I can imagine--- I have been up there in the winter trucking and one time Moose hunting in the UP-- Honestly the coldest I have ever attempted to play in was the high 20s in North Carolina and that was enough. FC-4000 with a Pro Pel shaft and leather grip that was enough for me!!!

[NRJyzr]

I always thought my Pings felt worse on thin hits. <shrug>

 

Reality... *nothing* feels good on a thin hit at barely above freezing.

[FourTops]

Four Tops I will have to trust you on that one but I can imagine--- I have been up there in the winter trucking and one time Moose hunting in the UP-- Honestly the coldest I have ever attempted to play in was the high 20s in North Carolina and that was enough. FC-4000 with a Pro Pel shaft and leather grip that was enough for me!!!

 

I grew up in Pittsburgh and remember seeing a light dusting of snow on the ground and calling my buddy saying "should we do this?". He'd say "let's do it, but DON'T THIN THE BALL!"

[wmblake2000]

I always thought my Pings felt worse on thin hits. <shrug>

 

Reality... *nothing* feels good on a thin hit at barely above freezing.

 

Except walking off the course and going to 19th hole.

 

 

[NRJyzr]

I always thought my Pings felt worse on thin hits. <shrug>

 

Reality... *nothing* feels good on a thin hit at barely above freezing.

 

Except walking off the course and going to 19th hole.

 

 

In days gone by, my temperature limit was about 40*F as a high temp, which meant I would be playing in upper 30s for some of the round. As I've gotten a bit older, I find my tolerance for such rounds is less than it was. Last few years, I've had fewninstances where I could even test that, as the weather has been several degrees above that threshold, or several degrees below.

 

Funny how that is.

 

edited to add: throughout all of this, I've stuck with the blades. And they've performed splendidly throughout. All sorts of them, Rams, Muirfields, FG17s, Palmers...

 

Addition #2: Mildly related side note... as we all know, cooler weather produces less distance, due to air density, at the very least. For many years, I would see distance increases as the weather cooled. I couldn't figure out the reason at first, but think I finally came to something; I wasn't sufficiently keeping my swing in shape over the long Minnesota winters, and my swingspeed would deteriorate over that time. At that time, I was playing each season with a frequency such that my swing would only start rounding into peak shape as the weather was turning, later in the year.

 

And there's my distance increase in cooler weather.

 

When I began playing more often, about 10 years ago, I found my distance would peak much earlier in summer, and then I'd see decreases in cooler weather as is normal. LOL

[FourTops]

My friend is considering new MBs and asked me which one's I thought are the easiest to hit, and also do some shafts make an otherwise easier to hit club head harder than others? He's a 14 capper, drives the ball about 240, decent swing. He would be going from G25s. I play MP69s in rotation but I have not tried them against newer MBs, so I really can't answer his question by experience.

[Nard_S]

My friend is considering new MBs and asked me which one's I thought are the easiest to hit, and also do some shafts make an otherwise easier to hit club head harder than others? He's a 14 capper, drives the ball about 240, decent swing. He would be going from G25s. I play MP69s in rotation but I have not tried them against newer MBs, so I really can't answer his question by experience.

 

IMHO, shaft choice is more important with MB's. It's really the make or break between what gathers dust and what's bagged.

[cliffhanger]

My friend is considering new MBs and asked me which one's I thought are the easiest to hit, and also do some shafts make an otherwise easier to hit club head harder than others? He's a 14 capper, drives the ball about 240, decent swing. He would be going from G25s. I play MP69s in rotation but I have not tried them against newer MBs, so I really can't answer his question by experience.

 

IMHO, shaft choice is more important with MB's. It's really the make or break between what gathers dust and what's bagged.

i agree 100% about the importance of shaft choice in MB's. The PX LZ's in my MP's are a new shaft for me this year and were selected because they help with launch/spin and i seem to be more consistent with my strikes with that shaft. The difference between the LZ's and the other three shafts i tested regarding consistency was rather profound.

[wmblake2000]

My friend is considering new MBs and asked me which one's I thought are the easiest to hit, and also do some shafts make an otherwise easier to hit club head harder than others? He's a 14 capper, drives the ball about 240, decent swing. He would be going from G25s. I play MP69s in rotation but I have not tried them against newer MBs, so I really can't answer his question by experience.

 

I started with Macgregor 1025M which are super easy blades to hit. Great 'training wheel starter set' - inexpensive and confidence-building.

 

As to shaft, not sure. This is more of a fitting question than a universal truth.

[duffer987]

My friend is considering new MBs and asked me which one's I thought are the easiest to hit, and also do some shafts make an otherwise easier to hit club head harder than others? He's a 14 capper, drives the ball about 240, decent swing. He would be going from G25s. I play MP69s in rotation but I have not tried them against newer MBs, so I really can't answer his question by experience.

Cobra and Srixon's current offerings.

[FourTops]

Hey blade folks....a question. I moved to a heavier driver shaft and hit the ball much better. I rotate in G30 irons with graphite shafts along with MP69s with S300's. I'm starting to question if a heavier shaft is actually better given the driver. I am considering some new blades and wanted to see if you guys lean towards a heavier shaft, or if the S300 is considered to be "good enough" weight-wise. Does a heavier shafted iron hit the ball farther? My SS with a 7 iron is 85-88 mph.

[Nard_S]

Hey blade folks....a question. I moved to a heavier driver shaft and hit the ball much better. I rotate in G30 irons with graphite shafts along with MP69s with S300's. I'm starting to question if a heavier shaft is actually better given the driver. I am considering some new blades and wanted to see if you guys lean towards a heavier shaft, or if the S300 is considered to be "good enough" weight-wise. Does a heavier shafted iron hit the ball farther? My SS with a 7 iron is 85-88 mph.

 

Depends, which variant of DG? they can be 112g or 125g? Drivers are getting lighter and lighter, possible your's is ultra-light? I'm pro heavy and have found more yards and better dispersion with them but like medicine too much can have downside too. DG S400 is a great option to explore but KBS or Nippon have good options too. Try the fitting thing but consider extended experiment on the range, I spent 2 months and 2000 balls before I moved up 15-20 grams and it was worth the time/effort spent.

[NixLix26]

My friend is considering new MBs and asked me which one's I thought are the easiest to hit, and also do some shafts make an otherwise easier to hit club head harder than others? He's a 14 capper, drives the ball about 240, decent swing. He would be going from G25s. I play MP69s in rotation but I have not tried them against newer MBs, so I really can't answer his question by experience.

MP5 are pretty forgiving for a nice blade look.

[mahonie]

Hey blade folks....a question. I moved to a heavier driver shaft and hit the ball much better. I rotate in G30 irons with graphite shafts along with MP69s with S300's. I'm starting to question if a heavier shaft is actually better given the driver. I am considering some new blades and wanted to see if you guys lean towards a heavier shaft, or if the S300 is considered to be "good enough" weight-wise. Does a heavier shafted iron hit the ball farther? My SS with a 7 iron is 85-88 mph.

 

My Mac VIP Limited’s from the early 1970s have original Tourney Taper shafts in Stiff and they feel really heavy compared to S300s. Even though there is a club difference in loft between them and my MP4s (Mac 9-iron is 46* v 42* for MP4), I still hit them the same distance club for club. Dispersion is also better, but they are really tiring to swing over a full round.

[mallrat]

Alright so I love the MP-4’s and the MP 67’s in the travel bag are great. That said what is a fairly newer head similar to the 4’s or are the MP 5’s the next natural progression? Used are fine and doesn’t have to be Mizuno.

 

Side note: we have an old 2-6 set of Daiwa something’s at work that I LOVE. I would bring them home if it was a full set

[BIG STU]

Hey blade folks....a question. I moved to a heavier driver shaft and hit the ball much better. I rotate in G30 irons with graphite shafts along with MP69s with S300's. I'm starting to question if a heavier shaft is actually better given the driver. I am considering some new blades and wanted to see if you guys lean towards a heavier shaft, or if the S300 is considered to be "good enough" weight-wise. Does a heavier shafted iron hit the ball farther? My SS with a 7 iron is 85-88 mph.

 

My Mac VIP Limited’s from the early 1970s have original Tourney Taper shafts in Stiff and they feel really heavy compared to S300s. Even though there is a club difference in loft between them and my MP4s (Mac 9-iron is 46* v 42* for MP4), I still hit them the same distance club for club. Dispersion is also better, but they are really tiring to swing over a full round.

Well you are not alone--- I have been having trouble for the last 2 years or so swinging my FC-400s with Pro Pel 2 shafts. It has gotten to the point that I had to go to softer shafts in both my VIPs and Muirfields--- Lately I have been swinging a set of KZG forged CB blades with graphite shafts and my back seems ok

[mahonie]

Hey blade folks....a question. I moved to a heavier driver shaft and hit the ball much better. I rotate in G30 irons with graphite shafts along with MP69s with S300's. I'm starting to question if a heavier shaft is actually better given the driver. I am considering some new blades and wanted to see if you guys lean towards a heavier shaft, or if the S300 is considered to be "good enough" weight-wise. Does a heavier shafted iron hit the ball farther? My SS with a 7 iron is 85-88 mph.

 

My Mac VIP Limited’s from the early 1970s have original Tourney Taper shafts in Stiff and they feel really heavy compared to S300s. Even though there is a club difference in loft between them and my MP4s (Mac 9-iron is 46* v 42* for MP4), I still hit them the same distance club for club. Dispersion is also better, but they are really tiring to swing over a full round.

Well you are not alone--- I have been having trouble for the last 2 years or so swinging my FC-400s with Pro Pel 2 shafts. It has gotten to the point that I had to go to softer shafts in both my VIPs and Muirfields--- Lately I have been swinging a set of KZG forged CB blades with graphite shafts and my back seems ok

 

I ended up having a few sessions of physio in the summer to sort out neck, shoulder and lower back pain. Interestingly, my physio recommended carrying on playing golf for as long as I could stand the pain while she did her magic with massage, manipulation and acupuncture. With a good stretching regime before and during rounds, I’m pretty much without pain now...but I won’t be putting the Macs back in the bag unless it’s just a fun round from now on.

[FourTops]

Hey blade folks....a question. I moved to a heavier driver shaft and hit the ball much better. I rotate in G30 irons with graphite shafts along with MP69s with S300's. I'm starting to question if a heavier shaft is actually better given the driver. I am considering some new blades and wanted to see if you guys lean towards a heavier shaft, or if the S300 is considered to be "good enough" weight-wise. Does a heavier shafted iron hit the ball farther? My SS with a 7 iron is 85-88 mph.

 

Depends, which variant of DG? they can be 112g or 125g? Drivers are getting lighter and lighter, possible your's is ultra-light? I'm pro heavy and have found more yards and better dispersion with them but like medicine too much can have downside too. DG S400 is a great option to explore but KBS or Nippon have good options too. Try the fitting thing but consider extended experiment on the range, I spent 2 months and 2000 balls before I moved up 15-20 grams and it was worth the time/effort spent.

 

My latest driver is the WS C300 with a 58g Speeder shaft. It's definitely heavier than my prior driver. When I tested in the store, the added weight seemed to result in added yardage vs other lighter-shaft drivers. On good hits I easily add 20-25 yards vs. my other driver. So this is why I'm curious if that translates to irons. I tried a guy's Titleist MB's. At first they felt WAY heavy...even vs. my MP69s...and definitely a c-change from my G30 graphites. But after some shots it seemed like the added weight was actually a benefit because I could feel the club, and also because I didn't find myself "muscling" the club....ending up with a better use of the ground to get that "sledgehammer" moving efficiently..

 

I can get into long range practice sessions...up to 400 balls, which is why I picked up the G30 graphite's so as to not burn-out quickly. But now I'm thinking it may be better to focus on less shots with a heavier iron. I really like the Titleist look and loft's, but there are other contenders too.

[Christen_The_Sloop]

Wilson needs to rerelease updated classics. Make slightly more forgiving grinds, cut out the attempts to be Cobra. I am liking some of the stuff they are doing, but they're no quite there, for me...

 

Moved into the new place. Moved all of my sets a few days before while the wife was at work. Felt a little embarrassed. See the first pic below.

 

As I was unloading everything, a sort of hierarchy appeared and I decided to leave the top ten sets for last, besides the one's I'm using now and the final pic. Those are going to get shafted up quite soon with either DGs200 or Modus3 105X.

 

It's my day off and I am having trouble getting motivated to do anything. But, I definitely can't hit golf balls. My wife wants me to unpack everything and buy groceries while she works and our gardener friend is out front working as I type. If I walk out of here with sticks, she'll definitely find out.

 

As the temple bell tolls in the background, I consider what to do...

[FourTops]

Wilson needs to rerelease updated classics. Make slightly more forgiving grinds, cut out the attempts to be Cobra. I am liking some of the stuff they are doing, but they're no quite there, for me...

 

Moved into the new place. Moved all of my sets a few days before while the wife was at work. Felt a little embarrassed. See the first pic below.

 

As I was unloading everything, a sort of hierarchy appeared and I decided to leave the top ten sets for last, besides the one's I'm using now and the final pic. Those are going to get shafted up quite soon with either DGs200 or Modus3 105X.

 

It's my day off and I am having trouble getting motivated to do anything. But, I definitely can't hit golf balls. My wife wants me to unpack everything and buy groceries while she words and our gardener friend is out front working as I type. If I walk out of here with sticks, she'll definitely find out.

 

As the temple bell tolls in the background, I consider what to do...

 

Have you called the Addiction Hotline? 1-800-SELLNOW. LOL! Great post!

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

How on earth did you hide all those sets in a little apartment, C_T_S?