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

[Moarbutter]

On 3/22/2024 at 6:30 AM, craz-e said:

Well it’s been awhile since I have had anything worthy of adding to this my favourite thread, but behold my new golf bats have finally arrived!

For the first time in my golfing life I went for a full bag fitting at something other than a “demo day”.

I finally bit the bullet and booked in with Club Champion in Brisbane (Australia). I have to say the fitter on the day, even though he was just a young pup, did a great job. I even said I am a blade user but if something works better I am happy to change. After hitting every iron under the sun, he stated that for me a blade just works, dispersion is tighter, everything more consistent, happy days!

 

Now the fun part and deciding on what blade is the better option, and there are so many good options out there. There were a few stand outs for me. The PXG blade, the Ping Blueprint T and the Miura KM 700.

 

In the end the Miura edged it for consistency and pure enjoyment from hitting it.

I had a great full day fitting, yes my fingers were bleeding by the end of it after hitting over 600 balls but I loved it and it’s nice to be able to tick off the full bag fitting I have always wanted.

 

Photos are of the 7 iron after unboxing.

 

 

Oh man, those are SO gorgeous!!!!

[subrew]

I've been taking advantage of cheap prices for "demo" heads, and new or nearly new singles to build myself 4-5 club partial sets.  Often using different models within a single OEM lineup just for fun.  An example is I built a 4-club set using a P790, P770, P7MC, and a P730 in 6, 7, 7, and 9 iron heads, with lofts adjusted a couple degrees to give an equal spread.  I've been holding off on this four club set of Cobra CB/MB heads, looking for a single 9 iron to bridge what I thought was a huge gap between the 7i and PW.  I was tinkering with lofts on some other heads, so I thought I would check the baseline on these.  Turns out despite being brand new still in the plastic, they were off 1-2 degrees from the factory specs, and the correct direction to do what I was wanting to do.

 

The heads should have been 31, 31, 35, and 47.  But ended up starting off at 29.5, 32, 36, 45.  So after build up it didn't take much to have a 27, 32, 37, 43 set.  And these were some of the softest hosels I've ever bent.

 

Head weights were also off a bit, with the CB 6i coming in light at 257g, while the MB 6i was at 263.4.  And the PW was light too.  So it didn't take much to get them matched up close to D3.0 across the spread.  

 

Played them this morning at my home course (6-hole Par 3 course, not a pitch and putt, real Par 3 distance holes) and really liked them.  Nice and soft, in fact, felt better than the Mizuno 221/223 I built up last month.  

 

For about $24-32 per head, I have a nice 4-club set.

 

Edited March 25 by subrew

[Nard_S]

Well Doc looked at MRI and said,"eh, real gray". It's a 100% tear of labrum tendon, bad news is he might not be able to do anything at all or it might at best get me 75% partial repair (that works) but he won't know until he yanks on tendon. The good news is I picked up a club and swung 80% power and it's fine, I can actually swing a club. Woohoo! So I'm going after it, going to play & practice, then do the surgery in late May. Full rehab moved from 4 months to 8 months, no matter outcome. So I'm freaking playing till that point.

[craz-e]

2 hours ago, Nard_S said:

Well Doc looked at MRI and said,"eh, real gray". It's a 100% tear of labrum tendon, bad news is he might not be able to do anything at all or it might at best get me 75% partial repair (that works) but he won't know until he yanks on tendon. The good news is I picked up a club and swung 80% power and it's fine, I can actually swing a club. Woohoo! So I'm going after it, going to play & practice, then do the surgery in late May. Full rehab moved from 4 months to 8 months, no matter outcome. So I'm freaking playing till that point.

 

 

Wishing you a speedy recovery Nard

[Nard_S]

1 hour ago, craz-e said:

 

 

Wishing you a speedy recovery Nard

Thank you appreciate it, good luck with new sticks, now we will need a full review here.

[craz-e]

3 hours ago, Nard_S said:

Thank you appreciate it, good luck with new sticks, now we will need a full review here.

hopefully will get out a couple of times over the Easter weekend. Weather has been shocking here so haven’t even had an option of heading to the range as it’s been closed 

[lefthack]

On 3/27/2024 at 6:40 PM, craz-e said:

hopefully will get out a couple of times over the Easter weekend. Weather has been shocking here so haven’t even had an option of heading to the range as it’s been closed 

 

My usual has been flooded out like 3 or 4 times this winter. It usually happens only once or twice. It reopens Saturday and I hope to be first out. 

[RolandofGilead]

I’m curious if anyone here ever played these Maxfli DP-801 blades. I got this set on the BST for a great price considering their condition, and after hitting them I am truly in love. They have a very slightly longer blade length and sharper lines than my MacGregor Muirfield set, and they get in and out of turf a bit quicker. But feel of impact is almost identical. 
 

 

They are described as a Scotch type blade and the back is indeed quite flat. Feel is definitely sharper/crisper than blades with more muscle. The trail edge relief on the toe (see 8i pic below) looks cool in person and I think explains why the turf interaction is so good. Anyways, I’ve really embraced the revamped Maxfli golf balls and will definitely be playing these in my rotation. They came with Nippon SP Orange shafts in ladies flex, which I was actually hitting okay, but I have a set of X100s on the way for a rebuild.

 

Edited March 31 by RolandofGilead

[craz-e]

Quick update after finally having a break in the weather and managing my first 18 holes with the new sticks. Very respectable 37 points (stableford) which came as a very welcome surprise with this being my first ever hit with them , this includes one lost ball after losing it plugged in the fairway 😂
Favourite iron has to be the 4 iron, hit a couple of lasers with it today and that feeling of a pured shot brings back so many happy memories of stumbling into blades in the first place.

[Oh Hi Carl]

Any thoughts on 690mb vs MP32?  I've had the 32s for several years and love them.  I picked up a 6-9 set of 690mbs recently and have hit them only at the range off of mats.  They feel very similar, although the top line on the 32s seems a hair larger and the sole of the 32s is a bit wider.  I guess I need to hit them both off of grass to compare properly.  MP32 on left in both pics. 

 

 

[craz-e]

15 minutes ago, Oh Hi Carl said:

Any thoughts on 690mb vs MP32?  I've had the 32s for several years and love them.  I picked up a 6-9 set of 690mbs recently and have hit them only at the range off of mats.  They feel very similar, although the top line on the 32s seems a hair larger and the sole of the 32s is a bit wider.  I guess I need to hit them both off of grass to compare properly.  MP32 on left in both pics. 

 

 

 

 

I much prefer the top line and sole of the 690 MB from your photos, pleas keep us posted on your thoughts as you get to hit them more, especially off grass. 

[Joe S]

On 4/1/2024 at 8:09 PM, Oh Hi Carl said:

Any thoughts on 690mb vs MP32?  I've had the 32s for several years and love them.  I picked up a 6-9 set of 690mbs recently and have hit them only at the range off of mats.  They feel very similar, although the top line on the 32s seems a hair larger and the sole of the 32s is a bit wider.  I guess I need to hit them both off of grass to compare properly.  MP32 on left in both pics. 

 

 

 

I don't have a set of 690's, but they look very similar in topline and sole to the Mizuno MP33's which I have.  If I hadn't hit either I would have expected to prefer the thinner topline and sole.  I do like the look of the thinner topline.  But, I have never gotten along with the 33's. I have a set of 37's that are similar to the 32’s in the tooline and sole. They. continually find their way back into my bag.  Not sure what the difference is.  I also have MP14's, 33's and prefer the 37’s to them as well.  I Would recommend hanging on to your 32's even if you like the 690's.  Having said all that, the 690's are on my must have list.  I will eventually pick up a set.  

Edited April 11 by Joe S

[Oh Hi Carl]

3 hours ago, Joe S said:

 

I don't have a set of 690's, but they look very similar in topline and sole to the Mizuno MP33's which I have.  If I hadn't hit either I would have expected to prefer the thinner topline and sole.  I do like the look of the thinner topline.  But, I have never gotten along with the 33's. I have a set of 37's that are similar to the 32’s in the tooline and sole. They. continually find their way back into my bag.  Not sure what the difference is.  I also have MP14's, 33's and prefer the 37’s to them as well.  I Would recommend hanging on to your 32's even if you like the 690's.  Having said all that, the 690's are on my must have list.  I will eventually pick up a set.  

Thanks, Joe.  I am definitely holding onto the 32s -- they are fantastic.  I don't think I have hit the 33s, but I've been curious about them. 

Edited April 12 by Oh Hi Carl

[Mitchell]

After straying away from blades for a bit for no particularly intelligent reason, picked up a combo set of new old stock Srixon original Z forged in 5-pw with original ZX7 in 3,4 irons. 

[Nard_S]

I'm hitting range and might play Sunday. I can pitch & chip not sure on full swing, seems I'll be doing compact 3/4 swings. I have no choice ,lol. May switch to old Hogan 99's or may do TM TP's. The T's are great irons but they are more demanding than most others.

 

When healthy, contemplate a two driver setup, a bigger, lower spin one and a shorter shafted, smaller fairway finder, a #2, then #4W. Live with long irons for rest. #5W has never panned for me. This all fits my course better. 

 

 

[mvvraz]

Checking in, made my return to golf about 2.5 years ago, experimented with some T100s, then went to TC201 from Miura, but the heart wants what it wants

 

I've settled into the MC502, there's just no feeling like it. It definitely is a "modern" blade in the sense that it is quite forgiving on mishits and not nearly as punishing as it looks

 

It's counterintuitive, but I've personally always played better with clubs that require that you hit the center of the face. My swing becomes more controlled I guess, or I am more focused on a good impact, but having the "freedom" to mishit the ball a little has always worked backwards for me

[craz-e]

17 hours ago, mvvraz said:

Checking in, made my return to golf about 2.5 years ago, experimented with some T100s, then went to TC201 from Miura, but the heart wants what it wants

 

I've settled into the MC502, there's just no feeling like it. It definitely is a "modern" blade in the sense that it is quite forgiving on mishits and not nearly as punishing as it looks

 

It's counterintuitive, but I've personally always played better with clubs that require that you hit the center of the face. My swing becomes more controlled I guess, or I am more focused on a good impact, but having the "freedom" to mishit the ball a little has always worked backwards for me

 

 

Ooh Miura MC 502 are nice!, please post some pics and thoughts on them 

[mtnbiker5]

This is an unbelievably fantastic thread.   I’m actually going tomorrow to my fitter to try Miura, Mizuno and Titleist MB’s.   I’m a 7 hcp and play PXG which I love but I’d like to get 7-PW in Blades to put in the bag and go play fun rounds in.  I like to go out and play with my wife Sunday afternoons, carry, after my rounds with the guys in the morning matches.   I’ve been told playing blades makes you a better ball striker.  I’m not looking to re invent the wheel here.  I’m just looking for a few beautiful clubs to put in the bag and have fun with.   I had Mizuno years ago and they were nice.   Gave them to my nephew which I still regret.   Never hit a Miura but fascinated by the lore.   Not looking for more distance or tighter dispursion, ball speed.  That will come I believe with the proper ball strike.  Looking for the best feeling club (for me), something I can just work into and love.  Not looking to replace my PXG’s (yet) either.  Tried reading over 700+ pages here of posts but wow.   Good stuff guys.  Thank you.

Edited April 19 by mtnbiker5

[PedronNiall]

3 hours ago, mtnbiker5 said:

This is an unbelievably fantastic thread.   I’m actually going tomorrow to my fitter to try Miura, Mizuno and Titleist MB’s.   I’m a 7 hcp and play PXG which I love but I’d like to get 7-PW in Blades to put in the bag and go play fun rounds in.  I like to go out and play with my wife Sunday afternoons, carry, after my rounds with the guys in the morning matches.   I’ve been told playing blades makes you a better ball striker.  I’m not looking to re invent the wheel here.  I’m just looking for a few beautiful clubs to put in the bag and have fun with.   I had Mizuno years ago and they were nice.   Gave them to my nephew which I still regret.   Never hit a Miura but fascinated by the lore.   Not looking for more distance or tighter dispursion, ball speed.  That will come I believe with the proper ball strike.  Looking for the best feeling club (for me), something I can just work into and love.  Not looking to replace my PXG’s (yet) either.  Tried reading over 700+ pages here of posts but wow.   Good stuff guys.  Thank you.

 

We bid you welcome, brother. The blade is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be... unnatural. Fear not the power as it takes hold.

 

[mtnbiker5]

Agree Lol. Looking forward to today  Not afraid of blades. For me I’m lucky I guess because the back 9 of my course is in my backyard literally so to able to go out with a Sunday bag and have fun is easy.   Really looking for the best feeling blade for me here.  We shall see.  Thank you

[Nard_S]

3 hours ago, mtnbiker5 said:

Agree Lol. Looking forward to today  Not afraid of blades. For me I’m lucky I guess because the back 9 of my course is in my backyard literally so to able to go out with a Sunday bag and have fun is easy.   Really looking for the best feeling blade for me here.  We shall see.  Thank you

Spend as much effort on shaft/head combo as anything else. The reasoning some clubs are in my bag and some are not is precisely because of that.

 

MB's are on another level for that. Clubs w/ MOI can tolerate near fits better for obvious reasons. The less  obvious is that launch & spin window are different. Basic overall weight is a window that is key too..

Edited April 19 by Nard_S
To flesh out view.

[mtnbiker5]

I’m tired.  Lol.  The miuras were beautiful looking and feeling.  Fitter kept mentioning how the K’s leading edge and trails edge goes through w good turf interaction.   This is going to take longer than I thought.   Going to hit local pga superstore so I can demo Titleist mb and the the mizunos before making decision.  Again, I’m only looking for 7-PW in a blade.  The miuras though I mean wow.  You guys know the deal here.  You hit it pure and it’s like oh my God as soon as you hit it a little off ouch, and then you think about it.    I honestly wish there was a way to take all of these blades out on the course in the middle of a fairway. One club each and just hit like five shots each club and narrow it down that way because when you hit off a mat it’s kind of tough to get the real feel of what it’s gonna be like out on the course.   

[subrew]

Just built these up, playing them tomorrow morning:

 

 

[Nard_S]

Walked 18 yesterday and scoring was horrible but did have some nice pokes & holes. I'm rather inflexible with 6 month layoff of swinging. Used the trustyMaruman SX set. Really solid MB's to play with. Mine have descending weight in S400U, always wonder why that option is not more popular. 

 

Got a Coolshot laser for Xmas, on 3 shots was very helpful to nail approaches, the confidence of exacting distance allows a better pass. Conditions were cold,wet & windy, real time numbers made shot selection much easier. Interesting, shot selection was more creative & flexible with added tech, funny, usually it's feels like tech does the opposite. 

 

The big liability in swing is hip movement, I collapse lead into ball line, it's way too undisciplined so it gets tough to clear properly. With a shorter swing, this is amplified. Been an over swinger with a flip forever, fully figured out steep and flips parts, but hip work remains weakest link. Lower hands demand more efficiency on hip paths,. it's hard to do something more simply, to redirect things to more efficient paths. Harder to do full turn while keeping lower half stable and poised to fire through. So I get lazy and wind up all out of sorts and then rely on razor edge timing. Path is pretty clear, where I need work. Fun to play again, great to know no matter where shoulder ends up, I can still be a kid and chase a ball.

[NRJyzr]

Cross posting from a Ram thread in the classic folders....

 

 

Took some old friends out on the course yesterday, thought this thread would be the place to share it. 🙂

 

I've been playing my Vibration Matched Golden Rams so far this year.  Was feeling like playing with one of my other sets, finally decided on my TW282 set,  I have them shafted with Aldila RIP Tour 115 in regular, which is still pretty stiff.  And...  I brought the 1 iron with me, went full set 1-pw.  Sand wedge was the late 90s Ram TG 56* that I'd shafted with NV105, and used with my TW276 set.

 

Yesterday's round was similar to most other times when I'd switch cold to the TW282.  The *very* square toe is a bit off putting at first, even for a long time Ram guy, and the clubheads appear a bit larger and/or taller than the Vibration Matched or TW276 sets.  When I switch to larger clubheads I tend to hit them fat until until can adjust, and yesterday was more of that, a number of fat shots on the front 9.  Shot a scrubby little bogey golf front nine, with my TM-2 saving me from worse.

 

Somehow on hole 10, made the the mental adjustment and stopped hitting the ball fat.  Actually chipped in on #10 for bird, went 6/8 on GIR the rest of the way.  Couldn't make any putts though, so I finished +1 on the back.

 

The highlight of the round wasn't the birdie, though.  The back nine has several holes where driver isn't the play off the tee, even the lone par 5 on the back, and we have a 196 yd par 3.  This is where the 1 iron came into play.  I hit it 4 times, and hit it fairly well each of those 4 times.  The long par 3 played into the wind, had to hit the 1i there, and nearly jarred the damm thing (did not make the 15 foot putt).  (sorry for the brag, but I was a little jacked after that one; still am, honestly)

 

All in all, it was great fun.  Gives me a taste for more 1-pw action.  😁

[Nard_S]

1 hour ago, NRJyzr said:

The long par 3 played into the wind, had to hit the 1i there, and nearly jarred the damm thing (did not make the 15 foot putt).  (sorry for the brag, but I was a little jacked after that one; still am, honestly)

Not a brag at all. When working long irons are a great asset. Mine get bridesmaid treatment. Practice below them and above them, it shows too. 

[unclefreizo]

Just got these for a twenty. I normally play 695 CBs, and had Apex Pluses before that.

 

But had these in my youth. Can't wait to take them out this season.