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

[lefthack]

I am coming to grips with the idea that a blade 4 and 5 might be too much for me. At least right now. 🤣

[Nard_S]

21q2aAZ

[Nard_S]

So another mediocre round of 85 but fun part was 28 putts. That includes a 3 putt and hides several lip out from deeper than 15 feet. So short game had swag.  Hole of day, drive of 270, gap wedge to front edge, SW chip in from rough for birdie.

 

Amazed how I swing on course like it's 1995 and how I swing on range like it's 2020. It's early yet and the cobwebs are still around but it's apparent my firing sequence is so different between the two. Like I'm afraid to do what i know works and is correct.So my body reverts to the devil it knows. Which is leave hands too far behind and flip that sucker into the ball. On the range i get it and can accelerate hands and torso properly to feel more "in front'. But on the course, "oh don't go there, don't get quick" which ends up getting stuck quick and flippy. Ouch. 

[lefthack]

So this Mizuno MP-32 6 iron is freaking glorious. I might have found a KZG 6 iron, but a Mizuno MP-32/33 combo set is REALLY high on my list. 160 out with elevated green. Just a clean shot. The sound, the feel, it's awesome.

 

 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

On 5/3/2021 at 12:57 AM, NRJyzr said:

Well, I'm now finding myself having similar visual issues with the MP-37s. 

 

Which is a bit odd, it's not like they're actually large.  It's also entirely possible I'm seeing a degradation in my ability to hit a ball.  It's also far too early to say that, the calendar having just turned to May; offseason rust is still an issue.

 

 

 

I'd say the MP-37s are neither large nor compact, with the exception of the short irons, which are on the large side. I remember thinking that the 9i and especially the PW were a little too big for my liking, though not so much as to be a deal breaker.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

On 5/3/2021 at 7:45 AM, lefthack said:

I am coming to grips with the idea that a blade 4 and 5 might be too much for me. At least right now. 🤣

 

I've got a MP20 Fli-hi #4 (not sure if that's the right name) in my bag instead of a 4i. I bent it weak from a shade over 22* to a shade under 24* to get a bit more height on it, and I'm starting to get more comfortable with it now than the 4i in either my MP4 or Srixon Pro 100 sets.

 

The biggest problem was finding a replacement to fill in the gap in between a 5i and 7w, partly because it's a HUGE gap. I usually play a 23* hybrid AND the Fli-hi to fill it; the hybrid is a touch longer and goes a bit higher. I usually prefer the #4 Fli-hi off the tee.

 

Before weakening the loft, I found the Fli-hi hit low-spinning bullets that were very unpredictable. Now it's just slightly unpredictable🤣

 

On 5/4/2021 at 2:23 AM, Nard_S said:

So another mediocre round of 85 but fun part was 28 putts. That includes a 3 putt and hides several lip out from deeper than 15 feet. So short game had swag.  Hole of day, drive of 270, gap wedge to front edge, SW chip in from rough for birdie.

 

Amazed how I swing on course like it's 1995 and how I swing on range like it's 2020. It's early yet and the cobwebs are still around but it's apparent my firing sequence is so different between the two. Like I'm afraid to do what i know works and is correct.So my body reverts to the devil it knows. Which is leave hands too far behind and flip that sucker into the ball. On the range i get it and can accelerate hands and torso properly to feel more "in front'. But on the course, "oh don't go there, don't get quick" which ends up getting stuck quick and flippy. Ouch. 

 

I can sympathise with the flipping issue. I've mentioned here I had a problem with it after injuring my back in 2019 and being out of the game for several months. 

 

I've mostly got the issue figured out, but what held me back was trying too hard to keep my hands ahead of the ball, as somehow this would lead to an early release. I eventually noticed that the flip was caused less by me blocking with the hips and more by my trail arm straightening too early. What caused it to straighten was me getting too fast with my lead shoulder (left shoulder as I'm right-handed) in the downswing as I was trying to pull my hands down towards the ball ahead of the club head. 

 

To keep up with the lead shoulder turning, the trail arm has no option but to straighten, causing an early release.

[Nard_S]

1 hour ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

 

 

 

I can sympathise with the flipping issue. I've mentioned here I had a problem with it after injuring my back in 2019 and being out of the game for several months. 

 

I've mostly got the issue figured out, but what held me back was trying too hard to keep my hands ahead of the ball, as somehow this would lead to an early release. I eventually noticed that the flip was caused less by me blocking with the hips and more by my trail arm straightening too early. What caused it to straighten was me getting too fast with my lead shoulder (left shoulder as I'm right-handed) in the downswing as I was trying to pull my hands down towards the ball ahead of the club head. 

 

To keep up with the lead shoulder turning, the trail arm has no option but to straighten, causing an early release.

 

I can see how that got you in trouble.My self diagnoses on this is my body matches the effort of hands and arms much better on the range than on the course. I tend to stall & flail instead of rotate and fire. High blame goes to a left hip clearance issue. I allow hip to fall towards ball too much.. Another  is a bit of a trust issue, enough doubt that allows the back swing to go too long, screwing up a timely body transition and the getting on with thwacking the ball.

 

Getting hands in front, lining up all the parts and doing in compatible way is easier on the range than on the course. My body is in middle school, my hands are undergraduate at college. It's getting better but man it can revert to ugly stuff every now and again.

 

 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

8 hours ago, Nard_S said:

 

I can see how that got you in trouble.My self diagnoses on this is my body matches the effort of hands and arms much better on the range than on the course. I tend to stall & flail instead of rotate and fire. High blame goes to a left hip clearance issue. I allow hip to fall towards ball too much.. Another  is a bit of a trust issue, enough doubt that allows the back swing to go too long, screwing up a timely body transition and the getting on with thwacking the ball.

 

Getting hands in front, lining up all the parts and doing in compatible way is easier on the range than on the course. My body is in middle school, my hands are undergraduate at college. It's getting better but man it can revert to ugly stuff every now and again.

 

 

 

I totally understand the trust issue. I am still going through that a bit on the course. Knowing that I have got the right move at the start of the downswing helps with that, though. 

At a basic level, it seems we have the same problem, which is sequencing. I felt the stall because I was throwing my left shoulder round, and my body couldn't keep up with it, so the swing stopped midway, or it certainly felt that way. In other words, my swing was out of sequence, because the parts were out of synch.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Played today. Recently, I have been playing my Srixon Pro 100s, but at a range session yesterday I wasn't feeling the love, so I swapped them for my Wilson FG-62s. Now, I've been ordered to downsize my collection a little (it has become a bit ridiculous), and I have been debating whether to let the FG-62s go. I decided today was a good day to decide.

 

I ws playing OK today, though I still have a bit of an early release problem with the tee shots. Nothing too bad, but I found the left rough a little too often. Irons were OK, some good shots, some bad ones, but that was on me, not the clubs. Today I was reminded why I like the FG-62s so much; they look great at address, feel great, and are, for some reason, perfect for hitting low, penetrating draws.

 

My best shots today, though, were not with the irons. First was a bunker shot on the first. After a pushed iron shot (and wrong club selection), I was in bunker front right with about 15 yards to the flag. The ball was on an upslope and on a cushion of nice, soft sand. I really fancied my chances with it, and hit a beautiful high, spinning shot that took one bounce and stopped within a foot of the hole. Par save.

 

Next was hybrid on 17. It's a short par five that goes downhill for about 300 yards off the tee before rising steeply to a green that is tiered left and right (the left side is higher than the right). The green is actually higher up than the tee, and is at least distance plus two extra clubs. I hit a perfect drive down the middle, leaving 185 to a pin on the left tier. Off a downhill lie, I blasted a low drawing hybrid that fortunately hit the slope about a yard before the green, killing the speed. I got up to find my ball on the upper tier about 12ft from the hole. Yeah, I missed the eagle putt, but it was a tap-in birdie.

 

Last was a bunker shot on the last hole. Misjudged the distance with my wedge approach and landed short in the sand. Popped the ball out and watched the ball roll towards the hole....hit the flag.....and bounce back an inch. I reckon if there was no flagstick it would have dropped. 

 

Anyhow, 38-40 for a 78. Putting killed me again, especially on the back nine. 16 putts on the front, 19 on the back. Yuck.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Talking of putting, I was playing today with a couple of Chinese guys, one of whom just took up golf in autumn last year. In fact, I had the "pleasure" of being there for his first ever round. Anyhow, he's improved quite a lot, and what I noticed this time is that he has a pretty damn good short game and a really sharp putting game. The other Chinese bloke was also putting lights out today (I've played with him once before, but don't remember him being such a good putter). 

 

So I got talking to them about their putting, and what they told me was the weirdest putting technique I have ever heard. They both played a lot of snooker and pool growing up, and so they approach the putt like a snooker shot. They think of the putter as the cue, the golf ball as the cue ball, and they deliberately manage the putter face and stroke angle to put spin on the ball in order to take out or lessen the break. In other words, they are working the ball with their putter😲

 

Normally, I'd say this is a really daft idea, but these guys were getting great results, and I mean *really* great results. 

 

I've read that Bobby Locke deliberately hooked his putts, and he was one of the best putters ever, so may be these guys are on to something...

 

 

[NRJyzr]

I had an interesting experience on the course yesterday....

 

I took my Rams with Super Peening Blue for the round.  Got there early enough to it a few on the range, was hitting the Rams well.  The xstiff didn't have a negative effect on impact, swing, trajectory, etc.  Off I went.

 

As I've played with my MP37s with DGS this year, I've noticed irritation in my left wrist accumulating, for lack of a better word.  On the front nine yesterday, it got to the point I wondered if I'd have to stop playing before finishing the round.  Had a brutal approach shot swing on #9, cinched it for me.

 

So I did something I used to do at golf forumite outings back in the day, as a bit of a joke.  I swapped out my irons at the turn; I happened to have my graphite shafted Golden Rams in the car.

 

By the 14th hole, the ache/irritation had abated to the point it didn't bother me.

 

A rather stark and obvious signal of my need to switch to graphite.  Or so I'm interpreting this.  🤔😉

 

I have a bit of work in front of me.  😁

 

[NRJyzr]

A second report...  hit the ball great with the TW276 Rams w/graphite.  I had a couple overcooked draws, but contact was quite good.

 

I'm starting to wonder if dropping shaft weight might work out for me better than I've been thinking would be the case....

 

I *am* getting a bit older.   LOL

 

Edited May 8, 2021 by NRJyzr

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

5 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

I had an interesting experience on the course yesterday....

 

I took my Rams with Super Peening Blue for the round.  Got there early enough to it a few on the range, was hitting the Rams well.  The xstiff didn't have a negative effect on impact, swing, trajectory, etc.  Off I went.

 

As I've played with my MP37s with DGS this year, I've noticed irritation in my left wrist accumulating, for lack of a better word.  On the front nine yesterday, it got to the point I wondered if I'd have to stop playing before finishing the round.  Had a brutal approach shot swing on #9, cinched it for me.

 

So I did something I used to do at golf forumite outings back in the day, as a bit of a joke.  I swapped out my irons at the turn; I happened to have my graphite shafted Golden Rams in the car.

 

By the 14th hole, the ache/irritation had abated to the point it didn't bother me.

 

A rather stark and obvious signal of my need to switch to graphite.  Or so I'm interpreting this.  🤔😉

 

I have a bit of work in front of me.  😁

 

 

The difference was as noticeable as that? 

 

On the bright side, it shows how effective graphite shafts can be for alleviating certain golf-induced injuries.

 

Is the wrist problem nerve related rather than, say, muscular?

[NRJyzr]

54 minutes ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

The difference was as noticeable as that? 

 

On the bright side, it shows how effective graphite shafts can be for alleviating certain golf-induced injuries.

 

Is the wrist problem nerve related rather than, say, muscular?

 

It was a surprise, I didn't expect a change that quickly.  I guess it was irritated by the 9 holes the day before, plus the front nine Friday.  It wasn't to the level of being debilitating, just noticeable, but I decided not push it. 

 

I've not had a diagnosis,  but have assumed it's nerve related.  Golf related, perhaps with dash of keyboard use.  I won't be betting too much on that assessment, though.  😉

 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

1 hour ago, NRJyzr said:

 

It was a surprise, I didn't expect a change that quickly.  I guess it was irritated by the 9 holes the day before, plus the front nine Friday.  It wasn't to the level of being debilitating, just noticeable, but I decided not push it. 

 

I've not had a diagnosis,  but have assumed it's nerve related.  Golf related, perhaps with dash of keyboard use.  I won't be betting too much on that assessment, though.  😉

 

 

Keyboard use could be a factor. Increased computer time has led to a deterioration in my eyesight, and it wasn't that good to begin with!🤓

[NRJyzr]

34 minutes ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

Keyboard use could be a factor. Increased computer time has led to a deterioration in my eyesight, and it wasn't that good to begin with!🤓

 

The idea that my wrist issue is a combination of equal parts compression from keyboard use and iron shot vibration irritation makes a lot of sense.

 

When I'd played the graphites initially, I certainly noticed the difference.  Probably should have stuck with them.  

 

[LowAndLeft32]

Hey blade fans! Do you guys have any good recommendations on places to find great blade sets for sale online at reasonable prices? Beside eBay is there even such a place? Thanks 

[Golfingfanatic]

1 hour ago, LowAndLeft32 said:

Hey blade fans! Do you guys have any good recommendations on places to find great blade sets for sale online at reasonable prices? Beside eBay is there even such a place? Thanks 

2ndswing is pretty good. They have a lot of older Hogan, Titleist and Mizuno stuff.

[LowAndLeft32]

16 minutes ago, Golfingfanatic said:

2ndswing is pretty good. They have a lot of older Hogan, Titleist and Mizuno stuff.

Thanks. I do like 2ndswing. But prices always seem a little high? 

[Nard_S]

On 5/8/2021 at 1:58 PM, NRJyzr said:

starting to wonder if dropping shaft weight might work out for me better than I've been thinking would be the case....

I'm having what seems to be carpal tunnel issues, it does effect golf swing, getting hand pain and strength, flexibility are effected. So been doing a series of hand stretches I found online and it seems to help but it's too early to be definitive on it all. 

[Yoshifan151]

4 hours ago, LowAndLeft32 said:

Hey blade fans! Do you guys have any good recommendations on places to find great blade sets for sale online at reasonable prices? Beside eBay is there even such a place? Thanks 

Can't hurt to occasionally check the classifieds here, blade sets pop up often.

[NRJyzr]

8 hours ago, LowAndLeft32 said:

Thanks. I do like 2ndswing. But prices always seem a little high? 

 

For high demand items, 2nd Swing can be priced high.  For low demand items, quite cheap.  

 

A month or two ago, they had a set of 76 Wilson Staffs for under $100.  Was at least 2-PW, may have been 1-PW.  On the other hand, they had a set of good condition Apex Grinds, they were over $300.

 

And then there's the set of mint condition Eye2 BeCu that are a few thousand.  LOL

 

When I'm looking, I tend to visit ebay, but they're also high right now.  Everything is high, except some thrift stores, where you have to be lucky to find something worthwhile, and even luckier to find a worthwhile set intact.

 

[lefthack]

I had a $25 off first 2nd swing purchase and got my Nike Vapor Combos for $125 because they had nasty old white grips. They cleaned up awesome.

 

<edit> I find misspelled stuff on ebay for cheap. There is a set of lefty Izuno irons for $75 right now. 🤣

Edited May 10, 2021 by lefthack

[ewaldbeukes]

On 5/6/2021 at 10:12 PM, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

I've got a MP20 Fli-hi #4 (not sure if that's the right name) in my bag instead of a 4i. I bent it weak from a shade over 22* to a shade under 24* to get a bit more height on it, and I'm starting to get more comfortable with it now than the 4i in either my MP4 or Srixon Pro 100 sets.

 

The biggest problem was finding a replacement to fill in the gap in between a 5i and 7w, partly because it's a HUGE gap. I usually play a 23* hybrid AND the Fli-hi to fill it; the hybrid is a touch longer and goes a bit higher. I usually prefer the #4 Fli-hi off the tee.

 

Before weakening the loft, I found the Fli-hi hit low-spinning bullets that were very unpredictable. Now it's just slightly unpredictable🤣

 

 

I can sympathise with the flipping issue. I've mentioned here I had a problem with it after injuring my back in 2019 and being out of the game for several months. 

 

I've mostly got the issue figured out, but what held me back was trying too hard to keep my hands ahead of the ball, as somehow this would lead to an early release. I eventually noticed that the flip was caused less by me blocking with the hips and more by my trail arm straightening too early. What caused it to straighten was me getting too fast with my lead shoulder (left shoulder as I'm right-handed) in the downswing as I was trying to pull my hands down towards the ball ahead of the club head. 

 

To keep up with the lead shoulder turning, the trail arm has no option but to straighten, causing an early release.

 

I have been playing full MP5's (up to 4 iron) and was thinking that then I upgrade to MP20's or the new MP of perhaps adding HMB 3,4's when I do that. I know its sacrilege but I love my blades so much but I am not making birdies from 200m out with a long iron haha. So the extra help will be good. Which brings me to my questions:

 

1. What are all your thoughts on a mixed blade set with an HMB style long iron?

2. Anyone have experience bending HMB's? On the charts is seems like the 4,5 irons have 1 degree of bounce. To get a nice 4 degree gapping in my set I would need to bend the 5 iron 1 degree strong, but that leaves it with 0 degrees of bounce? Not sure I am that good through the turf! 

 

 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

3 hours ago, ewaldbeukes said:

 

I have been playing full MP5's (up to 4 iron) and was thinking that then I upgrade to MP20's or the new MP of perhaps adding HMB 3,4's when I do that. I know its sacrilege but I love my blades so much but I am not making birdies from 200m out with a long iron haha. So the extra help will be good. Which brings me to my questions:

 

1. What are all your thoughts on a mixed blade set with an HMB style long iron?

2. Anyone have experience bending HMB's? On the charts is seems like the 4,5 irons have 1 degree of bounce. To get a nice 4 degree gapping in my set I would need to bend the 5 iron 1 degree strong, but that leaves it with 0 degrees of bounce? Not sure I am that good through the turf! 

 

 

 

The MP20 Fli-hi blends pretty well with my MP-4s in terms of looks, and would blend in extremely well with the MP20s.

 

Before I weakened the loft on the Fli-hi, I rang up Mizuno customer service and checked to see if it was OK. The guy on the end of the line went off and checked for me and told me that it was OK to bend up to 1.5 degrees. Mine measured a little over 22* to start with, and I bent it to a shade under 24*, so I pretty much stayed within the 1.5* limit.

 

Personally, I wouldn't worry much about a degree of bounce difference. What I think is more important is to think about the distance gaps rather than the loft gaps. 

 

When my #4 Fli-hi was at 22*, it created a big distance gap between that and my 5i, didn't enough spin to hold the greens, and was just harder to hit. With the extra loft, it's that bit easier to hit, the carry distance is closer to my 5i, and I don't get as much unpredictable rollout, so it was a sin all round.

[NixLix26]

3 hours ago, ewaldbeukes said:

 

I have been playing full MP5's (up to 4 iron) and was thinking that then I upgrade to MP20's or the new MP of perhaps adding HMB 3,4's when I do that. I know its sacrilege but I love my blades so much but I am not making birdies from 200m out with a long iron haha. So the extra help will be good. Which brings me to my questions:

 

1. What are all your thoughts on a mixed blade set with an HMB style long iron?

2. Anyone have experience bending HMB's? On the charts is seems like the 4,5 irons have 1 degree of bounce. To get a nice 4 degree gapping in my set I would need to bend the 5 iron 1 degree strong, but that leaves it with 0 degrees of bounce? Not sure I am that good through the turf! 

 

 

I have a set of MP20 mb's 5-pw and my 4 iron is the HMB.   I hate it.   wish i had the MB 4 iron instead.   The HMB feels like junk i think personally after playing true MB's

[NRJyzr]

4 hours ago, ewaldbeukes said:

 

I have been playing full MP5's (up to 4 iron) and was thinking that then I upgrade to MP20's or the new MP of perhaps adding HMB 3,4's when I do that. I know its sacrilege but I love my blades so much but I am not making birdies from 200m out with a long iron haha. So the extra help will be good. Which brings me to my questions:

 

1. What are all your thoughts on a mixed blade set with an HMB style long iron?

2. Anyone have experience bending HMB's? On the charts is seems like the 4,5 irons have 1 degree of bounce. To get a nice 4 degree gapping in my set I would need to bend the 5 iron 1 degree strong, but that leaves it with 0 degrees of bounce? Not sure I am that good through the turf! 

 

 

 

The difference between 1* bounce and 0* bounce is negligible IMO.

 

I wonder if the hot face nature of the HMB (in theory) would negate the need for a 4* gap between it and your 5 iron?  You may get an acceptable distance gap without the change.

 

That said, I understand the interest in going that route.  My wife refers to it as symmetry, she doesn't like things that are out of place.  🙂

 

[ewaldbeukes]

31 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

 

The difference between 1* bounce and 0* bounce is negligible IMO.

 

I wonder if the hot face nature of the HMB (in theory) would negate the need for a 4* gap between it and your 5 iron?  You may get an acceptable distance gap without the change.

 

That said, I understand the interest in going that route.  My wife refers to it as symmetry, she doesn't like things that are out of place.  🙂

 

Yeah, might go the other way and bend weak that way there is some bounce.... Actually want to create a bit more distance in the 4,5 so that I have a more uniform gap between my 225m hybrid and 185m 6 iron.. so if I can get that 5 at 198m and 4 at 210m that would be good... might just fool around with the lofts to get there...

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

8 hours ago, NixLix26 said:

I have a set of MP20 mb's 5-pw and my 4 iron is the HMB.   I hate it.   wish i had the MB 4 iron instead.   The HMB feels like junk i think personally after playing true MB's

 

True, I haven't found a hollow-bodied iron that felt anything close to a blade or classic CB.

The MP20 Fli-hi felt pretty good compared to other hollow-bodied irons, but not as good as a well-sruck blade 4i.

 

But at the range, it was clear I was doing better on average with the Fli-hi than my set 4i, so it's staying in the bag for the time being.

[Joe S]

44 minutes ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

True, I haven't found a hollow-bodied iron that felt anything close to a blade or classic CB.

The MP20 Fli-hi felt pretty good compared to other hollow-bodied irons, but not as good as a well-sruck blade 4i.

 

But at the range, it was clear I was doing better on average with the Fli-hi than my set 4i, so it's staying in the bag for the time being.

 

I was hitting a Titleist 716 MB 4 iron in the simulator at GG last year and decided to try the T-MB to see what sort of gains I was missing.  It felt like I was hitting a toy made out of Lego's by comparison.  Whatever gains I would get wouldn't make up for the loss of feel.