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

[NRJyzr]

The break in the weather came through gloriously, we actually hit 70*F a couple times.  I got out four times, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

 

I'd decided to participate in the Classic Club Challenge that's being conducted on the site which shall not be named ;), so I set aside my NV105 Golden Rams in favor of clubs with steel shafts.  Something of a Last Hurrah with steel, I guess.  🙂

 

Necessary because I've not yet found the time to reshaft anything with the RIP Tours or Recoil Protos lying in wait.

 

Also did a bit of rotation, playing TW282 Rams for a couple rounds, 1980 Golden Rams for my classic round, and then pulled out the MP37s for my last round.  Complete with the recently acquired 2 iron!  Woo!

 

Managed to play decently well.  The TW282 are interesting, giving thought to using them as one of my graphite sets (this is where too many choices is annoying, though, LOL).  The 1980 Rams were also interesting, they're a bit smaller than the TW282 or TW276 sets, which isn't a bad thing for me.

 

The MP37s were a lot of fun.  Got a kick out of hitting the 2 iron, including almost reaching water I was trying to stay short of on a par 5 tee shot, thanks to a heavy tailwind.  These are slated to be the recipient of the Recoil Proto 125 shafts I'd picked up.

 

Somewhat excited for 2021 to start.  🙂

 

[Joe S]

1 hour ago, NRJyzr said:

The break in the weather came through gloriously, we actually hit 70*F a couple times.  I got out four times, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

 

I'd decided to participate in the Classic Club Challenge that's being conducted on the site which shall not be named ;), so I set aside my NV105 Golden Rams in favor of clubs with steel shafts.  Something of a Last Hurrah with steel, I guess.  🙂

 

Necessary because I've not yet found the time to reshaft anything with the RIP Tours or Recoil Protos lying in wait.

 

Also did a bit of rotation, playing TW282 Rams for a couple rounds, 1980 Golden Rams for my classic round, and then pulled out the MP37s for my last round.  Complete with the recently acquired 2 iron!  Woo!

 

Managed to play decently well.  The TW282 are interesting, giving thought to using them as one of my graphite sets (this is where too many choices is annoying, though, LOL).  The 1980 Rams were also interesting, they're a bit smaller than the TW282 or TW276 sets, which isn't a bad thing for me.

 

The MP37s were a lot of fun.  Got a kick out of hitting the 2 iron, including almost reaching water I was trying to stay short of on a par 5 tee shot, thanks to a heavy tailwind.  These are slated to be the recipient of the Recoil Proto 125 shafts I'd picked up.

 

Somewhat excited for 2021 to start.  🙂

 

I rotated the MP37's in for several rounds this season and really enjoyed them.  Solid and powerful feeling compared to the super soft feel of some of the other Mizuno's.  I picked up an MP29 2 iron to put in the bag with them.  I was one weekend away form putting them back in when I found a set of 681's that I had to try.    

 

I also found a set of Ram FX Tour Grind blades with 5.5 shafts at Goodwill this weekend.  Sadly no 8 iron.  But I suspect I will eventually run in to one and complete the set.  

[NRJyzr]

43 minutes ago, Joe S said:

I rotated the MP37's in for several rounds this season and really enjoyed them.  Solid and powerful feeling compared to the super soft feel of some of the other Mizuno's.  I picked up an MP29 2 iron to put in the bag with them.  I was one weekend away form putting them back in when I found a set of 681's that I had to try.    

 

I also found a set of Ram FX Tour Grind blades with 5.5 shafts at Goodwill this weekend.  Sadly no 8 iron.  But I suspect I will eventually run in to one and complete the set.  

 

FX Nickels, or the FX forged blades?  I've seen a lot of Nickel blade single irons on eBay, but fewer of the forged set from 94-95.

 

[Joe S]

4 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

 

FX Nickels, or the FX forged blades?  I've seen a lot of Nickel blade single irons on eBay, but fewer of the forged set from 94-95.

 

 

It is the forged blade.  I used to never buy partial sets, but I've found that if I keep looking there's a good chance I'll eventually run in to the irons that I need.  I've completed two sets of MacGregor MT's, a set of Titleist Tour Models and a set of Spalding Tour Editions this year.  So, maybe I'll get lucky with this one too.

[Nard_S]

2 hours ago, Joe S said:

 

It is the forged blade.  I used to never buy partial sets, but I've found that if I keep looking there's a good chance I'll eventually run in to the irons that I need.  I've completed two sets of MacGregor MT's, a set of Titleist Tour Models and a set of Spalding Tour Editions this year.  So, maybe I'll get lucky with this one too.

Give Ironfinder a call/email. They will make a note and see if they can track one down. They landed me an 8i for a set and were quite reasonable.

[Christen_The_Sloop]

On 11/9/2020 at 8:27 AM, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

I bought a used latest model of the Mizuno Fli-hi #4 the other day. It came with the revamped NSPRO GH950 Neo shaft with a stiff flex, which is supposed to produce a high ball flight. 

I took it to the range the other day and hit it alongside my normal MP4 4i. Now my normal 4i shaft is an Attas 115X carbon shaft for irons at 38.75" (1/2" longer than standard), and the loft is 24*. The Fli-hi shaft is a regular 38.25", and the loft is 22*.

 

Here's what was odd. I was seeing a much higher ball flight with the MP4 4i than the fli-hi, much more than could be explained by the 2* difference in loft. 

The GH 950 Neo is supposed to get the ball up in the air, but I was just hitting low bullets. Funny thing is, I wasn't seeing much difference in carry. What's up with that?

 

As for results, well, overall the fli-hi was easier to hit. I think the shorter shaft helps there (I like longer shafts in my short irons, but not so much in the long irons). But I *want* the ball flight I was getting with the MP4 4i.

 

One final disclaimer. I had a dodgy back yesterday, so I was only swinging about 75% of my normal swing. May get a higher ball flight with my normal thrash.

I have an older FLi-hi 4 iron too. As it turns out the MR23 long irons are about my favorite clubs. 

 

It sounds you are ripe for a one length iron experiment or at the very least a more progressive set-up. I've been approaching the idea of having a set where the clubs are all between say 5-iron and 9-iron length, or even more condensed. It doesn't seem like such a radical idea... 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

1 hour ago, Christen_The_Sloop said:

I have an older FLi-hi 4 iron too. As it turns out the MR23 long irons are about my favorite clubs. 

 

It sounds you are ripe for a one length iron experiment or at the very least a more progressive set-up. I've been approaching the idea of having a set where the clubs are all between say 5-iron and 9-iron length, or even more condensed. It doesn't seem like such a radical idea... 

 

Funnily enough, I was having a similar sort of discussion yesterday on a thread in the Classic Golf Forum. I'd like to build a set with a PW starting at 36" then go in 3/8" increments, meaning longer than standard short irons but pretty normal long irons.

I hit the Fli-hi again yesterday at a different range which has "lo-flight" balls, and I was barely getting the ball 15ft in the air, but they were carrying OK. Got to see what it's like with real balls off grass.

 

Now for some ho'ing news: I bought another set of irons recently, actually my first in a while, reissues of the Wilson bullet-backs.

 

Edited November 13, 2020 by No_Catchy_Nickname
funny formatting

[Golfrnut]

Brand new goodness. Just ripped these heads off a set of KBS tours. Will eventually build up with AMTs. Not sure I ever want to hit them though. 
 

[Christen_The_Sloop]

2 hours ago, Golfrnut said:

Brand new goodness. Just ripped these heads off a set of KBS tours. Will eventually build up with AMTs. Not sure I ever want to hit them though. 
 

 

I'll PM you my address, send them over and I'll hit them for you. I'll even send you photos. It's the least I can do.

[Jonesy]

2 hours ago, Golfrnut said:

Brand new goodness. Just ripped these heads off a set of KBS tours. Will eventually build up with AMTs. Not sure I ever want to hit them though. 
 

These are some of the best looking irons ever I reckon, great purchase! 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Echoing @Jonesy here, but I've long thought the J15 MBs are some of the cleanest blades around. When you ship them to C_T_S, could you miswrite the address slightly so they end up at my place instead of his?

 

Thanks in advance😁

[Jonesy]

1 hour ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

Echoing @Jonesy here, but I've long thought the J15 MBs are some of the cleanest blades around. When you ship them to C_T_S, could you miswrite the address slightly so they end up at my place instead of his?

 

Thanks in advance😁

Could they take a detour past me as well? 😁

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

4 hours ago, Jonesy said:

Could they take a detour past me as well? 😁

 

They could end up being the best-travelled irons ever!

[boggyman]

14 hours ago, Golfrnut said:

Brand new goodness. Just ripped these heads off a set of KBS tours. Will eventually build up with AMTs. Not sure I ever want to hit them though. 
 

 Miss mine. Great irons for sure!

[Golfrnut]

1 hour ago, boggyman said:

 Miss mine. Great irons for sure!

yeah, they have to battle my VR pros...so it won’t be an easy task to dethrone. I’ve become pretty fond of longer heel-toe blades over the last few years.  I think the CG will be a bit lower on these...so they may actually be better for me as thin is my miss. 

Edited November 13, 2020 by Golfrnut

[boggyman]

33 minutes ago, Golfrnut said:

yeah, they have to battle my VR pros...so it won’t be an easy task to dethrone. I’ve become pretty fond of longer heel-toe blades over the last few years.  I think the CG will be a bit lower on these...so they may actually be better for me as thin is my miss. 

I gained a half to a full club with them. Even had Px 5.5 to boot. Oh well, still have my trusty FG 17s that have, AGAIN, made the bag, this time to stay. I’ve got a spare set of them. I’m set! 

[FirstFlight]

Circa 1968, FX-101's. These are back in my bag since July, and my handicap is now five points lower since then too. Ok, the FGv4's that I replaced these with in Dec2019, weren't fitted to me. They're too light and getting the tempo right was just difficult. 

Owned these since '90. These are....heaven. Small face, forces focus and discipline. No bounce and knife-like leading edge gives a fighting chance of getting out of anything(no rough too tuff, or hardpan for that matter). Stiff and hefty, fits my tempo and acceleration tendency. It is so valuable to have the intuitive, instant, linear feedback on mis-hits. These are high rpm, so they also fly high, go straight, and will gouge and check up to any firmness of green.

Check out the pinned shaft. Check out the hex shape to portions of the shaft. Always love hosel knurlling. Cheers.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

I went out for early-morning round, teeing-off at first light. It was warm for November, about 14~15*C, or high 50s in Fahrenheit. I had a tale of two nines.

So I wasn't warmed up, there was nowhere to practice beforehand, and I was suffering from some back pain. Off to the first tee, a pretty benign par 5.

Lousy drive, OK 7w, made the green with my third only to three-putt for a bogey. Another 3-putt bogey followed on the second, then a triple after I sent my 4w tee shot sailing out of bounds and missed a 5-footer for a double. I was misreading the greens and not comfortable with my putting stroke.

Finally got my first par of the day with a six iron to the par-3 fourth, but followed that with two doubles after going OoB both times. 

Three-putted the par-3 seventh for a bogey, then made two regulation pars to finish with smooth 46.

Started the back nine with a bogey after stymieing myself beind a tree off the tee (still managed to salvage a chance at par, but left the putt on the lip), saved par from the bunker on the eleventh, bogeyed the tough twelfth, and missed a 5-footer for par on the thirteenth (lipped out). Then went par-birdie-par-par-par to finish with a 38 on the back nine. 46-38 = one of my biggest score differentials. 

 

So what was different? Three Out-of-bounds on the front nine versus none on the back certainly counted. I was more careful with my tee shots, but the main difference was putting. 21 putts on the front nine compared to 14 on the back. My chipping and pitching was good throughout the round, but on the back nine I was converting the 4-footers or six-footers for par, whereas on the front I was missing everything. 

I've worked hard on my short game a lot this last year or so, and it's paying off. I didn't mind missing greens (usually a little left) with my irons, or finding a bunker, because I had the confidence to chip or pitch it close. In fact, pretty much all my best shots today were chips, pitches, or bunker escapes, the best being a 90 yard gap wedge from a tough lie in the bunker (ball below my feet) to 3-foot for my only birdie.

 

Cliff notes: most of my game sucked today

 

[Choclab]

On 11/10/2020 at 12:34 PM, Joe S said:

I also found a set of Ram FX Tour Grind blades with 5.5 shafts at Goodwill this weekend.  Sadly no 8 iron.  But I suspect I will eventually run in to one and complete the set.  

Wow, congrats!  That's an incredible find.

[Swingingk]

On 11/13/2020 at 6:57 AM, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

They could end up being the best-travelled irons ever!

Count me in for a crack at them too!  Lol

 

Actually,  it's a really cool idea.  Someone builds a sweet set of blades and we all play a round or two with them then send them on to the next in line.  Everyone does a review with pics.  Sounds like fun!

[Mookieb10]

1 hour ago, Swingingk said:

Count me in for a crack at them too!  Lol

 

Actually,  it's a really cool idea.  Someone builds a sweet set of blades and we all play a round or two with them then send them on to the next in line.  Everyone does a review with pics.  Sounds like fun!

i’m in for that. I have a set of j15’s with x1’s, standard length... I was gunna have KBS do their new “retro build” option to get some tour v’s installed +1/2”, but I’d rather cancel that and start the sloppy seconds iron guild and pass them around. I’m serious, who’s first?

[PorkChopExpress]

Those J15 are so pretty. 
 

[Nard_S]

2020 golf? The best of times, the worst of times, lol. Never have I had so much and accomplished so much less. Last Sunday, shot 88. I four putted .....twice. I three putted.....twice. I airmailed the greens with pitch/chips, three times. I hit my metals better and with less apprehension than ever (talking 3 decades) and yet this season only had one eagle putt and rarely had a legit birdie putt on a par 5. My wedge & putters are in Yip Ville and my iron game which hovered at 10 GIR last year dropped to 7.

 

Yet, I'm not miserable. Big hiccup in my game is I don't "cover the ball" with my torso. My trail shoulder and right pec are not leading the charge enough. My left hip does not pull back hard enough to create that space to do this. I now  "know this", sometimes I get it all to late in a round but I never have played 18 holes owning it or whacked 120 balls on the range cementing it. I did today, at the range that is and man does it work. So, I got what, maybe a month to lay it down on the course and see if something comes of it.

 

Great gear is the gear that never gets the blame. My bag is pure as Mother Theresa here. It's amazing how little they matter in all this. All 14 too. Cheers.

 

 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

9 hours ago, Nard_S said:

Yet, I'm not miserable. Big hiccup in my game is I don't "cover the ball" with my torso. My trail shoulder and right pec are not leading the charge enough. My left hip does not pull back hard enough to create that space to do this. I now  "know this", sometimes I get it all to late in a round but I never have played 18 holes owning it or whacked 120 balls on the range cementing it. I did today, at the range that is and man does it work. So, I got what, maybe a month to lay it down on the course and see if something comes of it.

 

 

In my efforts to correct my flip, I realised I was jerking my left hip and shoulder to try and clear them out of the way. I'd violently pull them at the start of the downswing, then they'd freeze as the rest of my body caught up. This morning I started working on a smoother hip turn and was getting good results. In other words, I had been pulling back too hard with the left side. Still going left on some shots, but nowhere near as much as before, and I'm not getting that violent top-spin dipping ball flight that I had over the summer.

[Nard_S]

16 hours ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

In my efforts to correct my flip, I realised I was jerking my left hip and shoulder to try and clear them out of the way. I'd violently pull them at the start of the downswing, then they'd freeze as the rest of my body caught up. This morning I started working on a smoother hip turn and was getting good results. In other words, I had been pulling back too hard with the left side. Still going left on some shots, but nowhere near as much as before, and I'm not getting that violent top-spin dipping ball flight that I had over the summer.

Interesting, I could be going there too. The hip thing has always been tricky for me. I was a big slider forever, then a restrictor, then a rotator but I fell into this thing where left dips into ball too much or right fires too much. So latest thing is to "step back" right on back swing, step back left on down. This is something taught by Mike Malaska and it works beautifully when done correct. The other issue is a tendency for me to turn hip too much, too early so how the the 1st quarter of takeaway happens matters. Btw, that fault is responsible for some awful wedge play. So I'm all thumbs at the hips, lol.

 

The "cover the ball" intent  which for me means, get right pec down and through the ball is bigger deal. I'm forever an arm/hands levered hitter.  Steep & cheap with abundant hand speed but it gets old to use exquisite timing to translate it next level ball striking. It does not help with the dispersion aspect either. Becoming truly more crunched & truly more rotated at impact is pretty much the exact opposite of what this caveman has been doing for decades. So I'm somewhat forgiving of myself for screwing this up time & time again. Getting there though. Looking forward to next round, "man up, pec down!" for all 18, lol.

 

 

 

Edited November 20, 2020 by Nard_S

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

10 hours ago, Nard_S said:

Interesting, I could be going there too. The hip thing has always been tricky for me. I was a big slider forever, then a restrictor, then a rotator but I fell into this thing where left dips into ball too much or right fires too much. So latest thing is to "step back" right on back swing, step back left on down. This is something taught by Mike Malaska and it works beautifully when done correct. The other issue is a tendency for me to turn hip too much, too early so how the the 1st quarter of takeaway happens matters. Btw, that fault is responsible for some awful wedge play. So I'm all thumbs at the hips, lol.

 

The "cover the ball" intent  which for me means, get right pec down and through the ball is bigger deal. I'm forever an arm/hands levered hitter.  Steep & cheap with abundant hand speed but it gets old to use exquisite timing to translate it next level ball striking. It does not help with the dispersion aspect either. Becoming truly more crunched & truly more rotated at impact is pretty much the exact opposite of what this caveman has been doing for decades. So I'm somewhat forgiving of myself for screwing this up time & time again. Getting there though. Looking forward to next round, "man up, pec down!" for all 18, lol.

 

 

 

 

I tried the right pec idea today. Works well, better than trying to get the right shoulder through, though it seems to be a similar idea. I tried the right shoulder idea a few months ago to cure my flip, but it didn't work. The right pec down and through was much easier, and helped achieve a better rhythm. My guess is because the pecs are near the axis of the swing, so it's easier to turn it with the body core. Dunno, but I liked the results.

[Nard_S]

4 hours ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

I tried the right pec idea today. Works well, better than trying to get the right shoulder through, though it seems to be a similar idea. I tried the right shoulder idea a few months ago to cure my flip, but it didn't work. The right pec down and through was much easier, and helped achieve a better rhythm. My guess is because the pecs are near the axis of the swing, so it's easier to turn it with the body core. Dunno, but I liked the results.

Works better, right? Of course I have thoughts on this as to why. 🙂  I'll spare that for now but I've done the shoulder to ball thing and it's not near as good.

[hagimihale]

Broke out the backup set (MP-32s) yesterday.  Other than a few shots low on the face, I didnt see much difference than my regular sticks (MP-54).  And the feel of these clubs when flushed is just sublime.  Going to keep the 32s in the bag for Friday's round.  🙂

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

I finally got around to checking and adjusting the loft and lies on a set of Mizuno MS-7 (US model) irons that I got, errr.....last winter? The specs were all over the place, with lofts usually a bit strong and lies a bit flat, so getting them right for me made a big difference.

Anyway, I've been practising with these a few times since then, and have really come to enjoy them. Being US spec, they have slightly longer shafts than normal Mizuno irons, and that really suits me. 

The long irons are relatively easy to hit, and produce a pretty spot-on ball flight--a bit of height, but penetrating, and for some reason I find the short irons really accurate. 

But the best thing about this set is the SW. I usually can't stand Mizuno sand wedges from the Eighties as they're usually boxy with lots of offset and a straight leading edge and a square sole with no heel relief*. But the MS-7 SW has a nice cambered sole, decent amount of bounce, a slightly rounded leading edge, and a curved toe. I reckon it was to make it fit the US market.

 

*At least, the few I have are like this (MS-1, ANGC Model, Masters Model, and a non-set specialist wedge).

[Christen_The_Sloop]

15 hours ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

I finally got around to checking and adjusting the loft and lies on a set of Mizuno MS-7 (US model) irons that I got, errr.....last winter? The specs were all over the place, with lofts usually a bit strong and lies a bit flat, so getting them right for me made a big difference.

Anyway, I've been practising with these a few times since then, and have really come to enjoy them. Being US spec, they have slightly longer shafts than normal Mizuno irons, and that really suits me. 

The long irons are relatively easy to hit, and produce a pretty spot-on ball flight--a bit of height, but penetrating, and for some reason I find the short irons really accurate. 

But the best thing about this set is the SW. I usually can't stand Mizuno sand wedges from the Eighties as they're usually boxy with lots of offset and a straight leading edge and a square sole with no heel relief*. But the MS-7 SW has a nice cambered sole, decent amount of bounce, a slightly rounded leading edge, and a curved toe. I reckon it was to make it fit the US market.

 

*At least, the few I have are like this (MS-1, ANGC Model, Masters Model, and a non-set specialist wedge).

When you have a little time, how about some pictures.

 

The set wedges in the TN87 were played by David Duval, if my memory serves me. And, they are not too ugly. Likewise the wedges in the MS203 are okay. Maybe just a touch too much offset. Remarkably similar to the original Miura wedge I picked up a while back... There are two examples on auction for 60000yen a piece here - https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/seller/hitodasuke2018?sid=hitodasuke2018&auccat=24698&b=1&n=50&mode=2&slider=undefined