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

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

14 hours ago, boggyman said:

I get on the Ho train from time to time for giggles and want to’s to no avail! My “old” ole faithful Staff FG17s wind back in the sack! #bladesforlife😎

 

FG-17s are such superb irons. Some of the best, I think.

[Christen_The_Sloop]

5 hours ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

FG-17s are such superb irons. Some of the best, I think.

 

I think the Proisme are going up. They are something to behold. But, I've got to be more practical.

 

I have a set of r58 heads that are going too, a set of founders 200 heads, Hogan redlines, Miz Ms-5s (JP vers.)

 

Going down to Osaka next Monday for a specialist to look at my wrist (actually, wrist feels damn good right now and the fellow at physio said something along the lines of it looks really fn good and I have graduated or I don't have to come back). But, it gives me a chance to wander around the city and the plating shop is a stone's throw away. So, I will pack a set of heads to get stripped.  It's 10 bucks a head for stripping, but no polish. 20 for both. Think I'll see what the cheap route gives me. I can see myself polishing up some heads with a bottle of whiskey, as I have a lot of time off right now.

 

Don't know which heads are getting the treatment. Leaning toward the Daiwa Pro SS-1. They've been sitting on the ledge near where I putt upstairs and I see them every day.

 

Anyway, I've gone out to the range with the Top Tracer a couple times this week and I seem to have got everything back. Focused a lot on process the last 6 months. Reading Hogan's book, I seem to have picked up something.

 

When I played college golf, I was kind of a shitshow with the full shots. When I was on, it was okay. When I was off, my short game might bale me out. I kind of got it around despite my swing, maybe it's easiest to say that I relied on timing.

 

One fundamental I had no understanding of is where my weight should be distributed (forward or back? evenly distributed? etc. etc.). Well, Hogan said that at address he liked to have his weight in his heels. I've tried to make sure that is how I get into position to start my swing and it has given me a consistent starting point.

 

I've also added a consistent waggle (16-20 times). I'm joking. Like 4 or 5. Maybe it's like starting an old lawn mower engine. But, it gets some tension out.

 

After that, I just try to make a full shoulder turn and then drive my right knee toward the ball to start the downswing.

 

I'm not missing the ball left. Occasionally a shot flares a little right, but that is manageable. It just means that I am not being aggressive enough, driving through the ball.

 

Had it all going pretty good today and shot 60 at Spanish Bay off the tips 6700. Best was a near hole out on the 16th or 17th with a 5 iron from 209. I gripped down about an inch and made a nice controlled swing and caught it perfect. It's not real golf, but it's 33rd in Japan all time, so I 've got that going for me. Not bad for using range balls that might only make someone from Old Tom Morris' generation jealous.

Edited July 7, 2021 by Christen_The_Sloop

[JeffJ1014]

15 hours ago, craz-e said:

 

I am always on the look out for either the current Apex MB's or the model before. Great feeling irons!

I've tried to find something more forgiving to play, thinking that it couldn't be anything but beneficial for me, but I haven't been able to hit anything else as consistenly well as these.  I've given the '18 X-forged, Z785, and the '21 Apex Pro's a chance and I've gone back to the Apex MB every time.  I've learned my lesson.  

[TLUBulldogGolf]

Longer term impressions with my MP-20s and I think they are my favorite Mizuno blade, it's close between these and the 68s. Love the way the sole goes through the turf, and the longer clubs are surprisingly forgiving for a blade. 

[msg]

Are Titleist CB's and MB's considered as blades? Because if they are, I have been missing a lot. lol I bought a combo set of the older 712 irons out of boredom and jeez, they are so nice to hit and I don't find them that punishing at all. I used to game GI irons and my current gamers are Cobra Forged Tec 2020. I am loving the small profile and feel of these irons. 

[lefthack]

3 hours ago, msg said:

Are Titleist CB's and MB's considered as blades? Because if they are, I have been missing a lot. lol I bought a combo set of the older 712 irons out of boredom and jeez, they are so nice to hit and I don't find them that punishing at all. I used to game GI irons and my current gamers are Cobra Forged Tec 2020. I am loving the small profile and feel of these irons. 

 

The MB (muscle back) is a traditional blade style. Some folks get freaked out when they see a smaller head with little to no offset. But I don't think it makes them overly difficult. 

[msg]

6 hours ago, lefthack said:

 

The MB (muscle back) is a traditional blade style. Some folks get freaked out when they see a smaller head with little to no offset. But I don't think it makes them overly difficult. 

Thank you. I tried them indoors and they were amazing to hit. I loved the feel when they were hit pure. I am excited to try them this weekend outdoors. 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

19 hours ago, Christen_The_Sloop said:

 

I think the Proisme are going up. They are something to behold. But, I've got to be more practical.

 

I have a set of r58 heads that are going too, a set of founders 200 heads, Hogan redlines, Miz Ms-5s (JP vers.)

 

Going down to Osaka next Monday for a specialist to look at my wrist (actually, wrist feels damn good right now and the fellow at physio said something along the lines of it looks really fn good and I have graduated or I don't have to come back). But, it gives me a chance to wander around the city and the plating shop is a stone's throw away. So, I will pack a set of heads to get stripped.  It's 10 bucks a head for stripping, but no polish. 20 for both. Think I'll see what the cheap route gives me. I can see myself polishing up some heads with a bottle of whiskey, as I have a lot of time off right now.

 

Don't know which heads are getting the treatment. Leaning toward the Daiwa Pro SS-1. They've been sitting on the ledge near where I putt upstairs and I see them every day.

 

Anyway, I've gone out to the range with the Top Tracer a couple times this week and I seem to have got everything back. Focused a lot on process the last 6 months. Reading Hogan's book, I seem to have picked up something.

 

When I played college golf, I was kind of a shitshow with the full shots. When I was on, it was okay. When I was off, my short game might bale me out. I kind of got it around despite my swing, maybe it's easiest to say that I relied on timing.

 

One fundamental I had no understanding of is where my weight should be distributed (forward or back? evenly distributed? etc. etc.). Well, Hogan said that at address he liked to have his weight in his heels. I've tried to make sure that is how I get into position to start my swing and it has given me a consistent starting point.

 

I've also added a consistent waggle (16-20 times). I'm joking. Like 4 or 5. Maybe it's like starting an old lawn mower engine. But, it gets some tension out.

 

After that, I just try to make a full shoulder turn and then drive my right knee toward the ball to start the downswing.

 

I'm not missing the ball left. Occasionally a shot flares a little right, but that is manageable. It just means that I am not being aggressive enough, driving through the ball.

 

Had it all going pretty good today and shot 60 at Spanish Bay off the tips 6700. Best was a near hole out on the 16th or 17th with a 5 iron from 209. I gripped down about an inch and made a nice controlled swing and caught it perfect. It's not real golf, but it's 33rd in Japan all time, so I 've got that going for me. Not bad for using range balls that might only make someone from Old Tom Morris' generation jealous.

 

Well, if you're going to sell, now is a good time. I sold my Nike OG blades for 3 times what I paid for them, and got more than double what I paid for my Cally Protos. 

 

I'm not sure what to do with my r58s. I love the heads, but the shafts are too short so I hardly ever play them. I see 3 options: sell, extend shafts, pull shafts and get reshafted. The first option is the most likely, but I quite like the 3rd option, even though it is the most expensive.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Couple more Jekyll and Hyde rounds recently saved mostly by my irons.

Last week shot 10 over on the first nine followed by one over on the back, then a 45-40 a few days ago. 

The 10 over included 3 OB, but all just inches out. Literally, less than a foot out. One came from a drive that hit the fairway, but just kept going left with the slope....and out. Still, none was particularly good, so I can't complain too much.

Problem is the driver, especially in the last round. I was struggling off the tee all day. That, coupled with water-logged fairways, meant I was hitting long irons and hybrids into most greens, or not even able to get on in two. Also, my putting was atrocious. Missed 8 putts within 6ft for birdies, pars or bogies. Two of those were three-footers. 

 

The irons have been the only consistent thing recently (OK, bunker play has been good too, but I'm only hitting one or two of those a round). Take a 380 uphill par 4 last round. Tee shot got caught up in some trees on the right of the tee and lost distance but came to the edge of the rough right of the fairway. 180 uphill to the pin. Hit a 5 iron to 12 foot, scrape a 2-putt.

The last hole summed it up for me. Short hole, about 360 yards playing with a very light breeze behind. Driver flipped short and left, leaving about 140 from the rough (very much a flying lie). Hit a nice PW to 5ft. The birdie putt never even sniffed the hole.

 

One final thing. So, the last round was played at a course that charges a cancellation fee for cancellations within three days of the day of play. The weather had been dodgy all week, and there was thunder the day before. On the day we were due to play, it was chucking it down all morning. We rang the course and they said "business as usual", in other words, if you cancel, it's on you.

 

We all wanted to play, so we turn up, but the course is waterlogged, and the bunkers are basically water hazards. I get that courses are in it to make money, but can you really claim "business as usual" when 90% of the course qualifies for free drops due to casual water? Credit where it's due, though; none of the greens were waterlogged. That's some impressive drainage.

 

Very wet first nine, but the last nine was mostly dry.

Edited July 10, 2021 by No_Catchy_Nickname

[NRJyzr]

Decided to put my Golden Ram set with NV105 shafts in the bag for my last couple rounds.  Bit of a lark, inspired in part by a couple less than stellar rounds a couple weeks ago.  Also put my TM Original One back in the bag after experimenting with my King LTD for a few weeks.

 

Keeping with the theme, put a 55/60 wedge setup in play, both shafted with NV105 shafts, and a Maltby Accusite putter (Zing-like model).

 

Had a decent-to-good round on Friday afternoon, though it was a fair bit of wedges and putting that saved the day; found myself not instantly adjusting to the iron change.

 

Who'd have thought putting irons in play with 15g lighter shafts would require an adjustment?  LOL

 

Yesterday, however, was a magnitude better.  Started hot, with 3 birdies in first 5 holes, doubling the 7th after smothering my tee shot up against a tree and not recovering.  Hit to 4 feet on the 431 yard 9th hole, only to miss the putt (side hill breaker, in my defense) for a one under front.  Struggled on the back, could only hit irons fat for several holes, before recovering just enough to finish +5 on the back for a 75.  Low round of my season so far.

 

Really enjoying the 55* wedge in the bag.  The 60* is nice, but its been the 55* that's been the workhorse.  Oh, its a Ram Tour Grind, as well.  Keeping it in the family, I guess.  🤔😏

 

The real star has been the putter.  In the few rounds since putting it back in the bag, I've made a metric sheist-tonne of putts, from all sorts of distances.  None of my three birdies from yesterday was less than 10 feet, the longest was 25 to 30 ft.  

 

And, it has an attractive lime green GripMaster leather grip.  😊

 

Task at hand now is to cut down the Rams a quarter inch; I'd built them to a 38.25" 5 iron for some reason I don't remember.  And to regrip them with leather.  Really liking the leather grips.

 

Great fun all around.

 

[CourseJester]

Wouldn’t swap my Blueprints for anything. 
 

Sensational clubs. 

[craz-e]

3 hours ago, CourseJester said:

Wouldn’t swap my Blueprints for anything. 
 

Sensational clubs. 

 

They certainly are!

just a matter of time until I find myself with a set of these

[Christen_The_Sloop]

On 7/8/2021 at 2:36 PM, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

Well, if you're going to sell, now is a good time. I sold my Nike OG blades for 3 times what I paid for them, and got more than double what I paid for my Cally Protos. 

 

I'm not sure what to do with my r58s. I love the heads, but the shafts are too short so I hardly ever play them. I see 3 options: sell, extend shafts, pull shafts and get reshafted. The first option is the most likely, but I quite like the 3rd option, even though it is the most expensive.

R58 have one of the most appealing had shapes, if they didn't have as much offset as they do in the short irons, they would be an all timer.

 

Finally got down to Osaka today. Went to the wrist doctor, made my way down to ALFAMEK too. Brought a set of heads to get stripped. Can't wait to get them back. I think I'll put some s300s in them.

 

 

[Oh Hi Carl]

Anyone have experience with the Miura tournament blades?  There's a used set at a local shop that are calling my name.  They are the dark ones (black ox?).  Any feedback would be appreciated.  They are shafted with s400s.  Thanks. 

Edited July 16, 2021 by Oh Hi Carl

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

On 7/12/2021 at 5:36 PM, Christen_The_Sloop said:

R58 have one of the most appealing had shapes, if they didn't have as much offset as they do in the short irons, they would be an all timer.

 

Finally got down to Osaka today. Went to the wrist doctor, made my way down to ALFAMEK too. Brought a set of heads to get stripped. Can't wait to get them back. I think I'll put some s300s in them.

 

 

 

Let us know how the chrome-stripping goes. I've got a club or two I'm thinking of sending for the same raw treatment.

 

The R58s are a head scratcher for me. I love the feel and looks, agree with you on the short iron offset (but that's a deal breaker for me), but can't get over the short shafts. I think the PW is 35 inches. I can't decide whether to sell them, or invest in extending the shafts, or even reshafting. My head says sell, my heart says wait a minute...

[Christen_The_Sloop]

6 hours ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

Let us know how the chrome-stripping goes. I've got a club or two I'm thinking of sending for the same raw treatment.

 

The R58s are a head scratcher for me. I love the feel and looks, agree with you on the short iron offset (but that's a deal breaker for me), but can't get over the short shafts. I think the PW is 35 inches. I can't decide whether to sell them, or invest in extending the shafts, or even reshafting. My head says sell, my heart says wait a minute...

They are first class. I was there Monday afternoon and they shipped out Friday morning. Got them this morning and they look really nice. I bought a little sandpaper and I'm going to do the faces and soles nice. And then it's time to pull some shafts and do the thing. It's nice to have a little project underway.

 

As for the 58s, I don't see as many sets around as there were a few years ago. I wonder how many were produced. Macgregor Japan is kind of like a boutique brand - I've seen the original price on some was upwards of $3,000. I've got one set of heads that I'll probably try to move pretty soon.

 

 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

16 hours ago, Christen_The_Sloop said:

They are first class. I was there Monday afternoon and they shipped out Friday morning. Got them this morning and they look really nice. I bought a little sandpaper and I'm going to do the faces and soles nice. And then it's time to pull some shafts and do the thing. It's nice to have a little project underway.

 

As for the 58s, I don't see as many sets around as there were a few years ago. I wonder how many were produced. Macgregor Japan is kind of like a boutique brand - I've seen the original price on some was upwards of $3,000. I've got one set of heads that I'll probably try to move pretty soon.

 

 

 

I agree that the r58s don't seem to come up much now, as I have been looking to get an idea of popularity/pricing. However, there's a 6i-SW set of r58s on auction at the moment, which I'm following out of curiosity. I think the seller started at ¥16,000, got no bids, so has since dropped to ¥12,000. Still no bids. Maybe a full set would get more interest.

 

Good to hear about the stripping job (!?). So far, I've only one wedge I want doing, but that will change. Once I've got a few more I want doing, I'll send them in.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

Got a round in the other day at one of my favourite local courses. Funny sort of round. Pretty much everything was average. No real outstanding shots, but not many howlers, either. 

 

My best shot was followed by my worst. Par 3, 153 yards to a back pin. I picked a 9 iron, then as I stood on the tee, the wind suddenly picked up out of nowhere. Swapped to an 8i, hit the shot, it looked good, then the wind died as quickly as it had started (there were a couple of gusts like that during an otherwise still day. Very strange). So the tee-shot went long into the back bunker.

Then came my best shot, a delicate little explosion out to 2-foot. Followed by my worst, when I missed the par putt😒

 

Irons were, well, average. Hitting the greens or close enough, but nothing very close to the pin. 

 

Out in 37, back in 40 for a 5-over. 35 putts hurt; I definitely left a few shots on the greens.

[Christen_The_Sloop]

5 hours ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

I agree that the r58s don't seem to come up much now, as I have been looking to get an idea of popularity/pricing. However, there's a 6i-SW set of r58s on auction at the moment, which I'm following out of curiosity. I think the seller started at ¥16,000, got no bids, so has since dropped to ¥12,000. Still no bids. Maybe a full set would get more interest.

 

Good to hear about the stripping job (!?). So far, I've only one wedge I want doing, but that will change. Once I've got a few more I want doing, I'll send them in.

 

As I said, they did a good job. The faces look a lot better in hand and I'm going to give them a good sanding. I could have paid another $10 a head for the sand blast, but I have some time off coming up and I want to sit and do as close to nothing as possible...

 

 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

42 minutes ago, Christen_The_Sloop said:

 

As I said, they did a good job. The faces look a lot better in hand and I'm going to give them a good sanding. I could have paid another $10 a head for the sand blast, but I have some time off coming up and I want to sit and do as close to nothing as possible...

 

 

 

They look great. Really clean.

 

With the wedge I've got, I'm considering getting a sand blast and maybe a finish. I ground it myself on a wheel grinder, and got a few skid marks where I didn't want them. A belt sander looks a lot easier to work with...

[Christen_The_Sloop]

52 minutes ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

They look great. Really clean.

 

With the wedge I've got, I'm considering getting a sand blast and maybe a finish. I ground it myself on a wheel grinder, and got a few skid marks where I didn't want them. A belt sander looks a lot easier to work with...

I used a little file on a Tad Moore Putter after stripping off the black and it came out really nice. The fun thing about these heads is that I can give them a little sole grind and just slap on some lead tape.

 

Looks like the Open is almost on. Who do you like, NCN? I'm pulling for the two Canucks.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

14 minutes ago, Christen_The_Sloop said:

I used a little file on a Tad Moore Putter after stripping off the black and it came out really nice. The fun thing about these heads is that I can give them a little sole grind and just slap on some lead tape.

 

Looks like the Open is almost on. Who do you like, NCN? I'm pulling for the two Canucks.

 

Both Corey Connors and Hughes did well to emerge from the pack who were around 5~6 under yesterday. I was hoping to see Casey and Andy Sullivan, who were both in that pack, post good third round scores, but neither did, so that leaves me with Louis to support. I like his swing, he seems like a decent bloke, and if he wins, I am sure the resulting surge in tractor sales in South Africa will help bring the riots there to an end🤣 

He really loves his tractors...

[Christen_The_Sloop]

5 minutes ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

 

Both Corey Connors and Hughes did well to emerge from the pack who were around 5~6 under yesterday. I was hoping to see Casey and Andy Sullivan, who were both in that pack, post good third round scores, but neither did, so that leaves me with Louis to support. I like his swing, he seems like a decent bloke, and if he wins, I am sure the resulting surge in tractor sales in South Africa will help bring the riots there to an end🤣 

He really loves his tractors...

 

In my hometown there is a legendary farmer/golfer who probably would have done well on tour. He was one of the first blade advocates I remember. I wouldn't be upset seeing Louie finally get another one. Lovely swing.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

47 minutes ago, Christen_The_Sloop said:

 

In my hometown there is a legendary farmer/golfer who probably would have done well on tour. He was one of the first blade advocates I remember. I wouldn't be upset seeing Louie finally get another one. Lovely swing.

 

To be honest, though, there's no one on the leaderboard I'm particularly rooting against. I suppose I'm not a fan of Rahm's demeanour on the course, but I do like that compact, powerful swing he has. Colin Morikawa is a great iron player, which is something I always like to see, and Spieth is a superb competitor with putting skills that I can only dream about.

 

I just want to see something like the Stenson-Mickleson duel a few years ago. 

[lefthack]

Having never owned Titleist clubs, are the 716 MB's just not as exciting? They seem to be somewhat cheaper than the 6 series. Was it just a bad year? I don't want my first run with Titleist be awful because I picked the wrong club 

[NRJyzr]

I'll have to excuse myself from Titleist blade discussions  LOL

 

Sounds like a @bladehunter or @Nard_S topic...

 

Edited July 27, 2021 by NRJyzr

[atm8720]

Hello - I’m looking at ordering a set of P7TW’s from TaylorMade.  However, I would need them 1” over standard length.  Shafts would be the TT X100s. Stock grips with 2 extra wraps.  My concern is the swingweight.  Anyone know if TM makes lighter heads in the TW’s or has a way to achieve a SW closer to the D3 or D4 at this length?  I never get a consistent answer from the customer service reps.  Thanks in advance.

[Nard_S]

10 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

I'll have to excuse myself from Titleist blade discussions  LOL

 

Sounds like a @bladehunter or @Nard_S topic...

 

If we are talking older 6 series aka 680, 681, 690 etc, I can only speak to 681's, which have a solid demand on used market as do the T stamp. The newer 620 receives a lot more praise than the 716's which I never heard much praise about any way. So if one is to go older used Titleist blades/MB my vote is the 681 or T stamp, next would be 680 which is Adam Scott's long time favorite. Be aware that these clubs are very old school in setup. They are somewhat heavy & stiff, comparatively to many other offerings. Newer go for 620MB.

 

Be careful on this too. Old 6 series had factory dowels, lots of sets on ebay where dude puts Project X shafts or something and dowels are not there. I would only buy a set that still had factory grips and or can be verified as OEM original. 

[lefthack]

40 minutes ago, Nard_S said:

If we are talking older 6 series aka 680, 681, 690 etc, I can only speak to 681's, which have a solid demand on used market as do the T stamp. The newer 620 receives a lot more praise than the 716's which I never heard much praise about any way. So if one is to go older used Titleist blades/MB my vote is the 681 or T stamp, next would be 680 which is Adam Scott's long time favorite. Be aware that these clubs are very old school in setup. They are somewhat heavy & stiff, comparatively to many other offerings. Newer go for 620MB.

 

Be careful on this too. Old 6 series had factory dowels, lots of sets on ebay where dude puts Project X shafts or something and dowels are not there. I would only buy a set that still had factory grips and or can be verified as OEM original. 

 

I saw a set of 716's for $400 and that's a chunk less than the others. I think I'll wait until winter and see what's out there.

 

I'm already in line for the Haywood MB's so it's not like I NEED another set of blades. But you know...  🤣

[Nard_S]

42 minutes ago, lefthack said:

 

I saw a set of 716's for $400 and that's a chunk less than the others. I think I'll wait until winter and see what's out there.

 

I'm already in line for the Haywood MB's so it's not like I NEED another set of blades. But you know...  🤣

I vote 620 MB. They get a lot of praise from non Titleist guys, which is not normal, lol.