First Range Session With Vintage Clubs

[RSinSG]

I'm not really sure my "vintage" clubs are really vintage because they are the actual ones I used to play back in the early 1980's. (I guess that means I'm vintage myself.) Ping Eye2's whlie 30+ years old are pretty modern in design and with new grips I hit the range.

 

As expected I hit them well, although they are considerably shorter than my G30's. Some clubs were two clubs shorter which probably is a result of several things including better club head technology and graphite vs steel shafts. The Eye 2 woods I bought are a completely different thing. I haven't played laminated woods since the first graphite clubs came out. My first one was the Yonex Carbonex 2. I thought it was a miracle becase of the added distance and forgivness and never looked back at the persimmon or lamintated woods I had.

 

I found the woods very hard to hit. At first all I was able to do was a huge fade - almost a slice. It only went 215 or so (driver,) and I was hitting the 2 iron further. I figured out I needed to be much more deliberate with my swing as slight mis-hits didn't go anywhere. Once I figured out a smooth tempo I was able to poke it out there 240 or so, and occasionaly got one to the 250 sign. If I tried to hit it to my G30 distance the ball went wherever it wanted to. The range balls are newer Titleist practice balls, not typical range balls.

 

Overall it was a fun experience, and I will try to play some rounds with the clubs. For sure it will be a casual round and not during league or competition. I'm not sure if I am a convert to the whole idea yet, as it is a completely different way to approach the game. At my age, I need all the help I can get from technology.

 

Once I get the vintage bag I'll post some photos. If nothing else, it is going to be a good topic of conversation when I take them out with my regular buddies.

[TimV]

If you look into it a bit more I think you will find that the majority of the distance difference is due to increased club length and the delofting that has taken place.

[Kathy Marie]

RS, I see you use Game Golf. Any chance that you'll post your vintage rounds for us all to enjoy??

TIA,




Kathy Marie

[RSinSG]

I'm thinking about getting a second set of tags for Gamegolf so I can compare. They're $99 though so I'm going to wait to see if I actually play these or if it's a passing fancy.

[rex235]

RS-

Can squeeze the PINGs as a Vintage iron, but.....

With all that PING gear.....

Scotty Cameron putters.........Really?

Which Scotty did you use in High School?

You do realize when Karsten Solheim was alive, in order to be a PING staffer, the one constant in ALL their equipment contracts was you used a PING putter.

No Exceptions.

[RSinSG]

My first Scotty came when I was in my 40's. I played whatever was available when I was young. For my vintage bag I have a Ping A-Blade and a Titleist Dead Center. Both correct era. The A-Blade is not that friendly to me so it probably will be there for picture day only.

[rex235]

RS-

No offense was meant.

It just seemed with all that PING equipment in your bag, surely you had used a PING putter.
(Full disclosure- Either a Dalehead Anser or a Bullseye Flange were in my HS bag.)

You do know that it was a PING A-Blade putter Lee Trevino was kissing when he won the 1984 PGA Championship at ...[i]Shoal Creek. Six years before....1990. [/i]Trevino credited the A-Blade putter with being the difference that week.

Your A-Blade might not be heavy enough for you, which might be why you're not the best of friends.

But above all....

[b][i]Use what works.[/i][/b]

[RSinSG]

No offense was taken. I played the Eye2's for probably 20 years before moving to Mizuno's, then TM, back to Mizuno and finally back to Ping. Like many guys I probably have 10+ putters in my garage ranging from an old Bullseye to the Scotty Fastback I just got last month. Over the years, the one that has been my best buddy has been my Scotty Studio Newport, and after my round today it is back in my bag for a while.

You are correct with the A-Blade. After playing a mid-mallet for the last month it was way too light for me. I'd need to spend a lot of time on the practice green if I want to have an all-Ping vintage bag. My putting has sucked the past two months. My Gamegolf stats indicate I'm averaging 2 putts per hole per round. That is a lot of 3 putts.