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

[NRJyzr]

10 minutes ago, stingerfade said:

I live in queens nyc so I’m used to driving at least 60 mins no matter where I play 

 

This makes me very grateful for my situation.  I live at the "northwest corner" on the Twin Cities area, predominantly play a course that's about 10 miles to the northwest of us.  

 

Before deciding to try playing most of my golf at one course as I do now, I would occasionally do the hour drive for a round.  Used to drive two hours on occasion to play resort courses in the central Minnesota, Brainerd lakes area.  I was OK with doing it occasionally, but I'm not sure how I'd feel about it if it were the norm.  😶

 

Edited September 23, 2021 by NRJyzr

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

30 minutes ago, stingerfade said:

Wow. Yea my wife’s childhood friend and husband live outside the main circle for sure prob 30 mins outside of ueno. It was a drive but I wasn’t driving or paying so don’t care at all!! Haha I live in queens nyc so I’m used to driving at least 60 mins no matter where I play 

 

If you are 30 minutes outside of Ueno, then Tsukuba isn't so bad. 

 

I used to live about 45 north of Ueno, and Tsukuba would have been about the same distance to me as Ueno.

 

Though that was a long, long time ago.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

30 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

 

One of my friends, part of the larger group of golfers with whom I play every week, is a Scottish transplant.  He starts to get a little twitchy once we get to the four hour mark for our round.

 

He's been here in the US since the 90s, he's familiar with the routine.  Doesn't lessen the annoyance.

 

He loves recounting stories of when he returns home, plays golf with family & friends, routinely getting around the course in 3:30 or less.  

 

I admit to a bit of jealousy.  LOL

 

 

Seriously, when I played golf growing up, 3~31/2 hours was normal. 4 hours was considered slow.

 

7 hours was unthinkable. And I agree with that.

[Kmagnuss]

Back to more blade porn please.  🙂

 

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

And since this is the blade users thread, I hit the irons well today, but my tee game sucked monkey balls. The course I played can be made easy by decent tee shots, so I made things really difficult for myself. Things could have been a lot worse if my iron play was off.

 

Also, crazy pin positions! I mean, like close to putting the pin on the slope on a tiered green! Two or three positions were just a couple of paces from the edge of the green. And I mean that without any exaggeration. I missed one green by a couple of feet, and still had birdie putt of about 8ft. 

 

Oh yeah, lots of blind shots as well on this course. Not one I will be rushing back to.

Edited September 23, 2021 by No_Catchy_Nickname

[Tupperwolf]

I played in a 2-day Ryder Cup style tournament this weekend and won my individual match 3&2 despite halving most of the holes with bogeys, lol!  I was playing from the tips and my opponent, a lady, was playing from the reds where there was occasionally 120 yards spread between our teeing grounds.  The second day was a front 9 better ball and back 9 alternate shot; my partner and I won the front nine and then completely blew up on the back, losing 5 and 4 on nine holes.  At that point I couldn't find the center of the face if my life depended on it.

Spent an hour in the sim room at my club focusing on a balanced address position later this week and played another 9 holes yesterday and WHEW!  These Cobra blades feel good when you strike them.  Distance control and feel through the turf is orgasmic with the short irons especially.  When you're off, forget it!

[NRJyzr]

Blade life comes full circle...

 

I've set aside my MP-37s with the Recoil Protos in favor of my Golden Rams with NV105 shafts.  I don't hit the ball nearly as high as I used to, and the MP-37s are indeed lower trajectory.  There's a 2* difference in most of the clubs, the 37s being stronger lofted, but I hit the Ram 6 iron higher than the MP37 7 iron, in spite of the higher loft.

 

15 years ago, that wouldn't have worked well in my game.  These days, it's for the best.  LOL

 

I may pull the Recoil Protos (actually, have a pro do it) and install them in something else.  Or even offload them.  Undecided at moment.

 

On top of that, it seems I need to lighten the clubs a bit.  I'd had some lead tape start to fall off the Golden Rams.  Decided to test them without, actually hit them perfectly fine at the lighter weight.  Something that was decidedly not true when I installed these shafts four years ago.  Using the Dave Tutelman pseudo-MOI approach, that would mean I need to lighten the MP37s a bit from their current swingweight. 

 

Based on this concept, I'd probably have to go 4 or 5 pts lighter to get the MP37s to line up similarly to the Rams.  Not sure I can bring myself to go that much lighter, but it's probably worth the attempt.  Recoil Proto 125 in Stiff are 118-121 grams, compared to the 105g of the NV MLTi's.

 

Now that Men's Club season is largely done, I have time for experimentation.  🙂

 

In other news, I've picked up a couple Fujikura Pro 115 Tour Spec S flex shafts to try in some of my parallel bore clubheads.  I'm interested in seeing how these play, they got quite a buzz in the official Fuji member review thread....

 

 

Edited September 23, 2021 by NRJyzr

[PixlPutterman]

Sadly I have left the world of blades and wont return until Srixon makes them in lefty. The v sole on their irons is just too perfect for me, and I do love my z785's......but will switch back to blades if they ever do a lefty release... (or if hogan does)

[Cubsfan24]

Just did a full overnight soak of my raw Vega's and wiped them down with the oil this morning. Loving how they cleaned up. First pics were after the soak, bag pic is after the oil.

[Nard_S]

9 hours ago, Cubsfan24 said:

Just did a full overnight soak

Curious, what was the soak?

[Cubsfan24]

10 hours ago, Nard_S said:

Curious, what was the soak?

Just white vinegar overnight, then wiped down with rem oil the next day. I'm wanting to keep them from rusting up for a little bit. 

[cadman88]

On 9/23/2021 at 9:57 AM, Kmagnuss said:

Back to more blade porn please.  🙂

 

 Sure thing...

[NRJyzr]

I seem to be back in to graphite shaft Test Mode, as I was in 2016 and 2017 when I wound up reshafting my Golden Rams with NV105s.  This time, the shafts I'm playing with are the Fuji Pro 115 Tour Spec, the relatively new NV parallel shaft (I've got the 95), and the Steelfiber i95.

 

I've assembled one Fuji Pro in a Purefit 1020 blade 6 iron.  I'd earlier put an NV95 in a pinhawk Vertex 6 iron that I'd built for my wife, which she ultimately didn't care for.  The Steelfiber i95 is a 3 iron shaft, tapered; I'm not sure what clubhead to put it in.  Have a couple candidates, Ram TG-898 or Mizuno MS-11.  

 

Of course, I'm leaning Ram.  I mean, it's Ram, right?  😉

 

I've had a dozen decent swings with the NV95.  I wasn't sure what to expect,but I've been pleasantly surprised.  It's definitely light, and I'm unsure about it for that reason, but I never overpowered it.  I gave it some robust lashes on the range, with no wild shot results.

 

Should be able to hit the Fuji shafted 6i this weekend.  

 

More to come...

 

Edited September 24, 2021 by NRJyzr

[Kingcat990]

You've been on again off again with graphite for so long, I think I may have had a set of graphite shafts, because of your on again off again relationship.

[NRJyzr]

15 minutes ago, Kingcat990 said:

You've been on again off again with graphite for so long, I think I may have had a set of graphite shafts, because of your on again off again relationship.

 

It's basically 100% -on- these days.  My elbow and left wrist were barking more and more, I figured I'd better make the move permanently before I had zero choice.

 

[Kingcat990]

14 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

 

It's basically 100% -on- these days.  My elbow and left wrist were barking more and more, I figured I'd better make the move permanently before I had zero choice.

 

Yeah. I think during the relationship, I fell into a set of recoils. I was trying to run down the Xcaliber taper tip stuff back then to, but that was when Robin was going through some medical stuff and the brand all but disappeared and my plan never came to fruition. Since you're on it full time, now I won't have to guess and check shafts when I eventually go back to graphite, you will have tried most all of them 

[chipa]

On 9/24/2021 at 5:33 PM, NRJyzr said:

I seem to be back in to graphite shaft Test Mode, as I was in 2016 and 2017 when I wound up reshafting my Golden Rams with NV105s.  This time, the shafts I'm playing with are the Fuji Pro 115 Tour Spec, the relatively new NV parallel shaft (I've got the 95), and the Steelfiber i95.

 

I've assembled one Fuji Pro in a Purefit 1020 blade 6 iron.  I'd earlier put an NV95 in a pinhawk Vertex 6 iron that I'd built for my wife, which she ultimately didn't care for.  The Steelfiber i95 is a 3 iron shaft, tapered; I'm not sure what clubhead to put it in.  Have a couple candidates, Ram TG-898 or Mizuno MS-11.  

 

Of course, I'm leaning Ram.  I mean, it's Ram, right?  😉

 

I've had a dozen decent swings with the NV95.  I wasn't sure what to expect,but I've been pleasantly surprised.  It's definitely light, and I'm unsure about it for that reason, but I never overpowered it.  I gave it some robust lashes on the range, with no wild shot results.

 

Should be able to hit the Fuji shafted 6i this weekend.  

 

More to come...

 

 

I'm 56 and have played around with graphite shafts due to elbow problems. What I came up with are 95 gram shafts(cheap + backweighted) and 1/2" over standard. They felt a little light but I hit the long irons good. Eventually I changed my golf mat and went back to steel at 115 grams uncut.

 

Did you add any length to the graphite shafts?

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

On 9/25/2021 at 11:04 AM, NRJyzr said:

 

It's basically 100% -on- these days.  My elbow and left wrist were barking more and more, I figured I'd better make the move permanently before I had zero choice.

 

 

Something about graphite is just easier. Yesterday, I took a few RAM Tour Grinds to the range along with my MP-4s. The RAMs are shafted with Dynamic S, the MP-4s with ATTAS 115X shafts. 

 

After hitting the MP-4s for bit, I picked up the RAMs. It was liking hitting X100s again. Felt so much heavier, stiffer, and clunkier compared to the ATTAS shafts.

 

[lefthack]

I put 80g graphite shafts in my KZG blades because my shoulder was being wired. My game improved a ton, so I put the same shaft in my BGD split cavities and will likely use them for the Takomo 101's. 

[NRJyzr]

4 hours ago, chipa said:

Did you add any length to the graphite shafts?

 

I went a quarter inch longer with my NV105s, but with the RIP Tour 115 and Recoil Proto shafts, I stuck with my usual length.

 

After trying an NV95 in a club, and with the inconsistent results with my Recoil Proto 125s, I'm giving serious thought to dropping to 95g.  Need more testing.  🙂

 

[chipa]

31 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

 

I went a quarter inch longer with my NV105s, but with the RIP Tour 115 and Recoil Proto shafts, I stuck with my usual length.

 

After trying an NV95 in a club, and with the inconsistent results with my Recoil Proto 125s, I'm giving serious thought to dropping to 95g.  Need more testing.  🙂

 

 

Based on my experimentation a 95 gram shaft can be a 1/2 longer, but it will still feel a little light. 

 

I had played X100's but when I got back into golf I found that having something lighter was going to be less tiresome, so I have tried various shafts from 95 to 115 grams.

 

I also don't hit my irons as high as I would like but I can't stand shafts with the flex point too low because my dispersion is really bad. However, I switched to old cast blades and they take a taper tip so I got the only thing my budget allowed, the TT Lite XL Taper. I have never liked the TT Lites because of the kick point but the taper tip changes the feel significantly. The 990B's hit the ball high by themselves and with the TT Lites I can say I have never hit my irons higher in over 17 years of playing golf and maybe trying some 20-30 sets of irons. I can no doubt stop all my irons quickly up to the 5 iron.

 

Right now my gapping is around 10 yard which is perfect as I would just rather take an iron and make a normal swing. Even swinging easy and my irons go high, it really is great. However, hitting a knockdown shot has never been hard for me I can do that no problem, sometimes not on purpose though, haha, but they are stingers and still fly a long way.

Edited September 26, 2021 by chipa

[NRJyzr]

2 hours ago, chipa said:

Based on my experimentation a 95 gram shaft can be a 1/2 longer, but it will still feel a little light. 

 

I adapt a Dave Tutelman idea when going lighter.  You take 1/3rd of the drop in shaft weight and add it back to the clubhead.  I don't mind lead tape, my clubs are safe from all interstellar radiation.

 

An example, going from DGS300, which is 130g, to the NV105, would mean a drop of 25g.  One third is about 8g, I increase my swingweight 3.5-4 pts per club.

 

It does a reasonable job.  🙂

 

[boggyman]

32 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

 

I adapt a Dave Tutelman idea when going lighter.  You take 1/3rd of the drop in shaft weight and add it back to the clubhead.  I don't mind lead tape, my clubs are safe from all interstellar radiation.

 

An example, going from DGS300, which is 130g, to the NV105, would mean a drop of 25g.  One third is about 8g, I increase my swingweight 3.5-4 pts per club.

 

It does a reasonable job.  🙂

 

Good info. Thanks!

[Cubsfan24]

12 years of searching for another mint set in left handed after stupidly selling my set in 2009. The journey is finally over thanks to a great member here @Danlake66

[ilikegolf26]

Are Sub70 649 Tour MBs about the lowest bounce set of irons out there right now as far as current releases go?

Edited October 8, 2021 by ilikegolf26

[chipa]

On 9/26/2021 at 7:22 PM, NRJyzr said:

 

I adapt a Dave Tutelman idea when going lighter.  You take 1/3rd of the drop in shaft weight and add it back to the clubhead.  I don't mind lead tape, my clubs are safe from all interstellar radiation.

 

An example, going from DGS300, which is 130g, to the NV105, would mean a drop of 25g.  One third is about 8g, I increase my swingweight 3.5-4 pts per club.

 

It does a reasonable job.  🙂

 

 

Based on my research 3 s.w. points is the equivalent of 1/2" or 6 grams.

[NRJyzr]

7 hours ago, chipa said:

 

Based on my research 3 s.w. points is the equivalent of 1/2" or 6 grams.

 

It varies with length.  The length where 2g equals 1 SW point is just under 39".  (per Hireko / Dynacraft)

 

[chipa]

11 minutes ago, NRJyzr said:

 

It varies with length.  The length where 2g equals 1 SW point is just under 39".  (per Hireko / Dynacraft)

 

 

Thanks for the info. I'm an engineer and realize that it would vary but wasn't sure how much and if it was significant.

[Nard_S]

 

[NRJyzr]

On 10/8/2021 at 9:07 PM, chipa said:

 

Thanks for the info. I'm an engineer and realize that it would vary but wasn't sure how much and if it was significant.

 

Sorry for the delay in posting this, had to dig up the DSFI files, and yesterday was grandparenting day  🙂

 

This is from Chapter 5 of the DSFI addendum.  They reference driver length and 5 iron length, but you can see it's really club length that's driving it...

 

Edited October 10, 2021 by NRJyzr