MattM97's WITB: 2024 Ball Testing, Bag Prep and Training.

[MattM97]

1 minute ago, MPAndreassi said:

That twisty flow neck is sexy. 

 

Thanks it is and wasn't a $100 upgrade as it's stock with Kingdom. Honestly it's done well, doesn't get in the way or look weird like some others. 

[MattM97]

Did some ball testing with the Mizuno RB Tour and the ball performs but the durability is awful, 4 balls with a nice gash in the cover and I didn't hit any cart paths or trees.

 

 

Oh well not a big deal these were on clearance and my game sucks at the moment so it is what it is. 

 

Also the Kingdom putter has seen another round and I am putting great with this, although only my second round with it I'm having a lot of confidence with it, had 31 putts and that's with an awful approach game and meh wedge game. But was burning the edge all day and my weight was near perfect on every putt. Here are some stats and this is compared to an 18 cap not scratch which I can check too. 

 

Edited May 31, 2021 by MattM97

[BallerNate]

On 4/19/2021 at 5:21 PM, MattM97 said:

Got some pics of the newest putter this weekend, it's definitely a looker and on carpet it rolls great, but will have to see how it performs on the course whenever I can get out there, maybe 2022 at this rate. 

 

I like the look, quality, feel, shape, all that good stuff. Definitely putting this in my rotation of gamers, could it dethrone the TP Mills? Will see. It's a different feel for sure with the TP Mills basically being a smooth face and this a deeper milling.  

 

 

Gorgeous putter Matt...but how does she perform, Lol? The prettiest ones are usually the laziest in my experience! 😉

 

If she's that pretty and she's a worker, that's a match made in heaven!

[MattM97]

5 minutes ago, BallerNate said:

Gorgeous putter Matt...but how does she perform, Lol? The prettiest ones are usually the laziest in my experience! 😉

 

If she's that pretty and she's a worker, that's a match made in heaven!

 

She'll earn her worth in the skins I win by the end of this year with how I'm putting if I keep it in the bag the entire season or at least money rounds. So far I dropped 4-5 putts from 10-15 feet and 1 in the 25-30ft range and they were all dead center of the cup so I can aim this thing and I'm dialing in speed control. Granted these were on greens at Cardinal which are not exactly tough but it's all speed control out there anyways. 

[MattM97]

One more thing, I'm thinking of adding a 3i for off the tee. My driver was just awful so I used my 4i off the tee for the back 9 and man that thing was flying, I was keeping up with my buddies and even out drove them a few times too. My best drive off the tee with my 4i was 251 yards, my best drive of the day was 270. 

[MattM97]

Called PXG after work last night for their virtual fitting, gave the fitter the club head specs of my Srixon 585 and he said it matches up very closely to their 0311P so I think I'll add that, the XP is just too big even though I'm adding a 3i, I have confidence looking over the 585 on the tee. Also just going with the Elevate Tour shaft, they don't have mine and I don't want to pay extra for a shaft that doesn't work, so if this Elevate Tour shaft doesn't work I'll just toss mine in. 

 

I also realized my lie is 2° upright so glad I found that info, normally I don't toss a club in like this but the pricing right now at PXG is way too good and I'm sure I can move this club/head for what I paid if I don't like it especially here in Canada. 

 

Finally here is a pic of my bag, not much has changed just a new pic: 

 

Edited June 2, 2021 by MattM97

[MattM97]

Well went to order that PXG 3i and they're out of stock, there are no other lefty 3 irons from Gen 3 so I may pass on this idea. If I do order it would just be back ordered and I don't know if I want to wait months for a club that may not work.

 

Oh well guess that idea is over. 

[MattM97]

Well checked Cobra and I can get a Forged Tech 3i with my shaft in my specs for the same price of the PXG. Hmm....idea may be back on. 

[MPAndreassi]

5 minutes ago, MattM97 said:

Well checked Cobra and I can get a Forged Tech 3i with my shaft in my specs for the same price of the PXG. Hmm....idea may be back on. 

That’s the spirit! 

[MattM97]

1 minute ago, MPAndreassi said:

That’s the spirit! 

 

I also get it from within Canada without having to bring it up from the US so save a few more bucks there. Just have to do some research on those irons and check the specs so it blends with my set.

 

@MtlJeff you have these irons how's the distance off the tee? 

[MtlJeff]

53 minutes ago, MattM97 said:

 

I also get it from within Canada without having to bring it up from the US so save a few more bucks there. Just have to do some research on those irons and check the specs so it blends with my set.

 

@MtlJeff you have these irons how's the distance off the tee? 

 

I find them very easy to hit, high launching considering the "players" like design. I don't have the 3 but i hit the 4 a lot and it's very easy to launch. Distance wise it's probably similar to other irons, if you want to hit it longer i'd get a slightly longer shaft

 

 

[MattM97]

1 hour ago, MtlJeff said:

 

I find them very easy to hit, high launching considering the "players" like design. I don't have the 3 but i hit the 4 a lot and it's very easy to launch. Distance wise it's probably similar to other irons, if you want to hit it longer i'd get a slightly longer shaft

 

 

 

Good to hear, I hit the old version and liked those a good amount just hit the Srixon better. I'm probably going to do 40" for a bit of extra umph off the tee, but I also see these are pretty upright or my Srixon were flat to begin with but I still need to go up 1° or 1.5° have to double check.

 

I also see they have the Arccos Caddie Link so I might wait until next pay day and buy both.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

The Kingdom putter is beautiful. Is it a Canadian putter maker? 

 

Now, that gash on the Mizuno ball...😲 

 

Seeing it reminds me of playing balata. I don't think I've seen any as bad as that on a modern ball.

 

Obviously, I hit my ball so purely every time, the ball barely feels it. In fact, it takes flight before I even make contact, such is the purity of my strike.

 

[MattM97]

10 hours ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

The Kingdom putter is beautiful. Is it a Canadian putter maker? 

 

Now, that gash on the Mizuno ball...😲 

 

Seeing it reminds me of playing balata. I don't think I've seen any as bad as that on a modern ball.

 

Obviously, I hit my ball so purely every time, the ball barely feels it. In fact, it takes flight before I even make contact, such is the purity of my strike.

 

 

No Kingdom Putters is part of CNC Creations who is out of North Carolina. There are not many Canadian putter makers honestly for how much we love golf up here. 

 

As for the Mizuno ball I don't remember thinning one, maybe getting out of the rough I caught the ball with the leading edge. But even then I've used other balls which I've thinned hard on purpose or by mistake and no marks like this. 

[MattM97]

So small development, I've decided I'm going to unload all of my plumber neck putters. I just putt better with a flow or slant, I can putt fine with a PN but the look at address is much cleaner for me with a flow. I'm going to keep 2, the first is my C&L CL-1 because it's very rare in LH and one half of C&L being Lee passed away recently.

 

The other is my SIK Pro Proto which I wanted to convert to a flow neck but interesting recent developments. I'm local to WRX'er @5hort5tuffand he was interested in purchasing a SIK and just wanted to try mine, I have no issue with someone I know well and trust trying my stuff. Anyways he mentions it feels light so I say pull the head and weigh it, the normal SIK stuff is heavy like 365g+ but this came in at a feathery 353.7g so I guess a true Tour Proto model.

 

This is on the lighter end that I prefer and now I realize if I chop the neck and put on something else it could come in at or under 350g depending on the neck. So I need to decide what I want to do, I've had my better putting rounds with this putter, I may just keep as is, slap on some lead tape and use it when I need a small visual change in my game.

 

But selling the rest will mean more customs...

[5hort5tuff]

Well, one good thing about the Sik is, now at 35", it might just feel a bit heavier to you. Adding a flow neck from a plumbers neck will definitely leave you under 354g imo. 

 

Regardless, you really cant go wrong. If you sell...you buy more. If you keep, you keep a some nice putters.

Edited June 22, 2021 by 5hort5tuff

[MattM97]

Update sort of, I've been due for a gapping/loft and lie check and tried to get in and do my wedges as well but the fitter is so backed up first appointment isn't until late August or September. But was informed that they're not doing gapping/loft & lie at the moment so I decided to pass on the fitting for now since I wanted to change my wedge lofts and figured a gapping would be perfect to get that down. But I'll wait a bit longer now, do the gapping, wedges and maybe finally get a driver shaft as I think my swing is coming around.

 

Also this weekend I had my worst putting round in a long time so just looking at swapping in another putter for a round or two to see if the Kingdom will go back in. It's a really solid putter just wasn't feeling it on Saturday, was too soft for the greens and speed, plus I've played it all year. So before my Kevin Burns and Lajosi arrive I'm going to try and get my NCW a new grip or the TP Mills will go back in. 

 

And here is my bag after post round cleaning, just to keep up with pics and looks. 

 

Edited July 19, 2021 by MattM97

[MattM97]

Decided The Kingdom putter is going to take a short break, still a great putter I just haven't had a chance to play the NCW since I got it. It's currently getting re-gripped, the Pro Only Blue Star it came with is being removed for a WinnPro X 1.32" which is going to take 13.5g out of the handle so that 360g head is going to feel a bit heftier but not as much as my usual setup with the Garsen Ultimate that is feathery 55g. 

 

The footprint is sorta similar just the NCW has full shaft offset and a touch less toe hang, also the feel is firmer. 

 

 

And since I'm not doing a fitting for a while I'm doing the one thing I said I wouldn't do. I ordered a shaft to try out! Saw a HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX on the BST in my specs for a good price, reviews sounded like it fits what I prefer/play so gonna give it a go, if not will put it back up for sale. 

[MattM97]

New driver shaft I'm picking up today, my extra grips were delivered today so will get a grip I like on the driver shaft. Side note it was near impossible to find the grips I use (MCC Plus4) in store, went to 5 shops and nothing. I didn't quite want to order from GolfWorks cause of shipping but it was cheaper than trying to find a grip I liked. Lets see if this works or if a better feel than the Ping Tour Shaft.

 

Also doing a putter fit/spec check tomorrow most likely, will see if my loft/lie/length have changed or if the same based on some work I've been doing. So will update everything as I get them done. 

[MattM97]

First update my putter fitting got rescheduled, so I'll update this coming week after it's done.

 

First go with the RDX Smoke Blue, I wasn't go to bring the Ping Tour shaft as a back up, this test was going to be all or nothing. If the shaft sucked I was just going to opt for another club off the tee, dumb idea but that's all I could do. First thing I noticed was that the RDX Blue is much stiffer overall but not boardy. If you look at my 3W and Hybrid shafts they are very stiff in the butt section and overall pretty stiff but smooth and this felt like that.

 

But is it a perfect fit? Don't think so at least not until I can get in a fitting again but it's better than the Ping Tour shaft I think right now, definitely takes out the left side cause nothing went left for me, which just means I'm eliminating 2 misses down to one. So this will be my shaft for now.

 

Also going to test the CSX and CSXLS balls this week, see if anything stands out, hope I don't fall in love with those they are not cheap lol.

 

Edited July 31, 2021 by MattM97

[MattM97]

Had my putter fitting/lesson last week, learned a good amount with my stroke and that I have a lot of good and lot of bad too. Luckily the bad isn't awful but cleaning that up will make the good even better. 

 

The bad is basically I accelerate through the ball too much and that's causing too much launch and backspin on the ball which is awful for putting so this will need to be fixed. The good is that I have a great path, face control and hit the center of the putter basically every hit so I clean up the impact and I'll be much better for speed control and pace.

 

I also learned that I need less loft and we figured 1.5° is a good loft for me and my lie at 70 to 71° is good as well and I had most at 70° so that's good. 

 

With that said I have 2 putters about to be milled and luckily I contacted them on time cause they made the changes before getting on the mill. 

 

Here are some shots of my Lajosi Sensor after this weekend, my KB should be on the mill today or tomorrow. 

 

[MattM97]

While I'm watching this playoff at the BMW Championship I figured let's do a small update.

 

That RDX Smoke Blue shaft I am absolutely loving it right now, as I mentioned when I first got it I don't quite think it's perfect but it's really close. When I can get back into a fitting it might make it easier finding something similar to this shaft. It's most likely going to be a CB shaft and and something with a very stiff/stout butt section cause anything soft I drive right into the ground. I really don't want to speculate cause I might fixate on 1 shaft in particular that's why I'll swing what the fitter gives me.

 

Also I should note I did change my setup/swing with my driver recently after some major struggles. I had an awful slice and started swinging my 3W more like a long iron and it was just point and shoot. Also was watching Oosthuizen and Conners hitting their drivers and looked just like that and they are great drivers of the ball. Started doing the same thing with my driver, ball more inside my right foot, standing a little closer to the ball, arm more down and relaxed just swing easy and it's going. I think I'm getting more and more comfortable with it and haven't had a bad slice in quite some time, just a pull here and there and the odd pop up. But my driving is much better and keeping that ball in play more.

 

Putter updates my Lajosi should be done Sept 3 according to Kari and in the mail, should have it the following week. I have to get it built up by someone, I have shafts and a grip ready. Hopefully I can get it in play before the season shuts down here. The Kevin Burns who knows Brendan is back at school and it's hard for him to update not being in the shop. I'll have 1 done so focus on that shiny new thing until the next one arrives.

 

 

[MattM97]

I've been oddly unhappy with my wedge setup lately. I kinda have a mixed set of wedges, I don't quite like the gaps, I've been in a love hate relationship with my 56. I took out the Glide 2.0 and tossed in MD4 cause of the thinner sole as it was getting too much bounce from the Ping. Wasn't too pleased with the MD4 last round and may go back to the Ping cause it's rained a bit and the wider sole should help. I can't wait to get a wedge fitting done. 

 

But the current wedge setup looks like this: 

 

My next focus is balls. I've never had a go to ball like a lot of golfers do. I often just buy whatever premium ball is on sale and play that until I run out and go to the next one. Well that doesn't work out too well so trying to narrow down 1 to 3 balls to play just based on conditions. 

 

I've tested a lot, I still have a bunch to test but here is what I'm looking at right now: 

 

 

Right now my front runner is the CS-XLS and the CS-X. Playing the Wilson Staff next but I'll go a bit more in depth on what I tested and my thoughts. 

 

Also going to do the Ping Ballnamic to see if they can narrow down some options for me. The rest of them will see what I do. 

[BIG STU]

Read through all of this early this AM----- Glad to see you are not afraid to experiment with different equipment from balls to clubheads. I do a lot of that myself adds fun for me since I am retired from comp and big money matches. My experimentation is a little different though mine is mostly with vintage equipment. But it is still fun.

[MattM97]

4 hours ago, BIG STU said:

Read through all of this early this AM----- Glad to see you are not afraid to experiment with different equipment from balls to clubheads. I do a lot of that myself adds fun for me since I am retired from comp and big money matches. My experimentation is a little different though mine is mostly with vintage equipment. But it is still fun.

 

Hope you enjoyed the read and not just me rambling about my gear lol. It is fun to tinker just how much you tinker and how you go about it could be good or bad. For me I find the help of a fitter is huge where other guys won't step foot into a fitting bay.

 

I'll do an update on balls soon. 

[MattM97]

Went back to the Ping Glide today for a wetter round, seemed to be the right choice, never really had and duffed chips except for a few in some thick cabbage I couldn't get my wedge through without swinging full bore. The wedge probably needed a short time out honestly.

 

Also gave the Wilson Staff Model balls a go today and quite solid I think. I didn't play in ideal conditions very damp and wet with soft fairways and fast greens. But I ended up shooting my second best score ever again but probably my best played golf honestly. The ball from what I could tell felt good with the driver, wedges and putter. My irons sucked as usual so couldn't really tell there, but definitely another ball to consider for me I think.

[MattM97]

The Lajosi has arrived. I have to get it built and then going to toss it into the bag and see if it can knock out the TP Mills. 

 

[sevenfourate]

Nice thread Matt. Good to hear your thoughts / thinking processes etc regarding equipment choices on paper. Not ‘just’ be another one of those threads with pics of the very latest tech bought off the shelf and shoved in the bag to be ‘fashionable’……

 

You own / have bought some awesome flat sticks too. Makes me wish I was left handed and lived right near you 🤣 The Mills in particular is just truly fantastic. My first boutique putter was a not too dissimilar Stainless Softtail with light Milling. Giving a lovely crisp feel with genuine feedback. (WHY did I ever let that go 🤨).

    If David wasn’t so hard to get hold off, timescales weren’t so long and I wasn’t in the U.K. I’d have ‘replaced’ it by now….

 

Good luck with the ball testing. As much as you had one of your best rounds ever with the Wilson: I wonder if it’s like testing the forgiveness of a driver for example - and we should also base our  decision on how they work for us when playing pretty mediocre too…….??

 

Will be following your ho’ing 😎

 

 

[MattM97]

7 hours ago, sevenfourate said:

Nice thread Matt. Good to hear your thoughts / thinking processes etc regarding equipment choices on paper. Not ‘just’ be another one of those threads with pics of the very latest tech bought off the shelf and shoved in the bag to be ‘fashionable’……

 

You own / have bought some awesome flat sticks too. Makes me wish I was left handed and lived right near you 🤣 The Mills in particular is just truly fantastic. My first boutique putter was a not too dissimilar Stainless Softtail with light Milling. Giving a lovely crisp feel with genuine feedback. (WHY did I ever let that go 🤨).

    If David wasn’t so hard to get hold off, timescales weren’t so long and I wasn’t in the U.K. I’d have ‘replaced’ it by now….

 

Good luck with the ball testing. As much as you had one of your best rounds ever with the Wilson: I wonder if it’s like testing the forgiveness of a driver for example - and we should also base our  decision on how they work for us when playing pretty mediocre too…….??

 

Will be following your ho’ing 😎

 

 

 

Thanks I appreciate that. 

 

There are many ways to go about testing clubs, I unfortunately don't have the chance to play often or even hit the range so I can't test clubs like others do. I also really like the fitting process and trust the fitters I work with and they haven't steered me wrong in what clubs I end up with. I like new stuff like everyone else and at some point if I come across a G425 LST head for cheap I might try it out but if things are working I won't change anything especially with how I'm playing lately. 

 

There are a good amount of RH TP Mills on eBay so could probably pick up something there, the LH market kinda sucks with all putters so very hard for me and others to pick up stuff used. I actually came across a LH Mills last night on eBay and scooped it up for my collection and to potentially have it in play at some point. 

 

As for the Wilson and ball testing, I saw and felt a lot of nice things with that ball but like you said should see it when I play badly. My one gripe with the Wilson is the cost, it's the most expensive ball in Canada for premium offering (not including exotic options) so this ball would have to be a big standout for me to pick it when I can get some other great balls for less. There are a few brands that sell a 4-dozen bundle to save a few bucks and they're never in the ball I prefer lol. But as mentioned I'll see if I can narrow it down, I probably have some balls that don't work for me but I'll play them cause I'm not playing tournaments yet. 

[BallerNate]

12 hours ago, MattM97 said:

The Lajosi has arrived. I have to get it built and then going to toss it into the bag and see if it can knock out the TP Mills. 

 

Gorgeous putter Matt…looks like it’s gonna awesome!! 😍😍