Anyone else experience stumbling into the right equipment?

[VTHOKIM]

Let me start off by saying, I’m writing this post because it honestly goes against everything I believe in and quite frankly, it’s illogical!  But I’m also curious to know, if anyone else has experienced what I’m about to describe.  So over the last 8 years, I’ve been obsessed with all things golf, the swing, equipment, competition... the amount of time I’ve spent on this forum over the years is quite frankly embarrassing to admit out loud.  The amount of golf equipment I’ve purchased, tried, and sold, is pretty impressive... it includes drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, all type of irons, shafts, and oh dear lord, putters!!!  I’ve been professionally fitted numerous times and have just experimented with anything that seemed like it could be a fit.  I like to think, I’m very analytical and realistic about my game...

basically I’ve swallowed my ego.  For example, my max driver swing-speed is 95 mph/235 carry.  I play 3 hybrids, with regular flex shafts.  Longest iron I carry is a 6 iron (160 yards).  I rely heavily on hitting the ball straight, short game, putting, course/situational management, and mental toughness.  My swing is unique, but  strangely consistent.  I carry a 1.5 index and play courses in 6400 to 6800 range.  I share all this, to try and validate my earlier statement about being analytical and realistic about my game.  

 

Now to the purpose of my post, I’ve come to the realization the best equipment I’ve ever had in the bag, I just stumbled across.  I’ll start with my putter.... a Scotty Cameron GOLO 3 2016 version, I bought this putter because it was a good price at $150 over 3 years ago.  It wasn’t “my assumed specs” at 35 inches and it was custom paint filled with Carolina blue... not what I would choose. It wasn’t a popular model and I was putting well when I bought it but figured why not at that price?  It hasn’t left the bag in 3 years and I can’t imagine, I’ll ever get rid of it.  It just flat out works for me.  
 

Example #2 my current irons.  Bridgestone Tour B XCB’s I got in a whim trade with specs of 2* flat, 2* degree strong lofts, standard length Modus 3 120 stiff shafts soft stepped. I had been playing irons that were professionally fitted for me from an extremely well respected club fitter with the following specs: Yamaha Impres X V-Forged 1* upright, .5 inch long, Recoil 80 F3 graphite shafts.  I played with these irons for about a year and was happy with them but decided to hit the XCB’s one day and here we are 3 months later!  I can honestly say, my ball striking has never been better.  
 

Has anyone else had a similar experience?  The putter is a neat story but my mind can process that one.  What’s blowing my mind, is the irons!  Talk about completely different specs that I wasn’t fitted for but I love them.  I’ve never had flat clubs, have always been fitted into more upright.

Edited August 26, 2020 by VTHOKIM

[Vater]

Perhaps a few of you saw my post in the Unpopular Opinions topic where I poked at people who answer every question with "get fitted".

 

So yes, my recent purchase of amazing irons basically came about by stumbling into them. I knew I liked similar irons from hitting some Titleist irons years ago, was skimming through used clubs online, watched a couple youtube videos, saw some clubs on sale new for lower than the used price I saw the day before, and pulled the trigger. Didn't get fitted, didn't even try them out somewhere.

 

My money club has always been a 6 iron and I love set PWs and GWs - and I didn't even carry a 4 iron in my last set - but these irons are unbelievable, especially the long irons.

[Mookieb10]

Yes. I still cannot believea it, but I ordered a stock set of JPX 900 tours on deep discount . These particular sticks came longer than standard, 38.5”. I hit these things so pure that I realized this was my spec... +.5”. It’s made such a huge difference im my game. 

[VTHOKIM]

For the record, I’m not saying you shouldn’t get fitted.  I’m not bad mouthing fitters at all!  But what I’ve experienced, there’s a lot to be said about just experimenting.  Yeah I know golf is an extremely dynamic game and things with our swings are constantly changing but so is life in general.  

[Lemonde]

My Rife putter. eBay purchase of at least 6 years ago. Random and the only putter I ever purchased on the web. I’m not much of a putter enthusiast. The other 13 clubs are the obsession. 

[jwb10]

I just did this. I ordered a SIM 3 wood with the stock shaft. To get it quicker, i customed a  few minor things. Loved the head, hated the shaft. One of our pros ordered the same head with an X  Mitzy shaft. I don't swing hard for an X but I tried and "eureka"; it's nuts but it works

[Jonesy]

My current irons, they are an inch longer with thicker grips, heavier and stiffer shafts and 2° upright. I haven't hit my irons this good ever. 

 

Much different from my standard length 2° flat standard grip old set...

[gdb99]

A friend of mine years ago asked if I had any clubs laying around for his son to hit. He was probably 8-9 years old.

I had an old Ping G15 4 wood, stuck in the most flexible shaft I had laying around, cut it down to about 40”, and put a kids grip on it.

 

Fast forward to a moth ago, I saw it in his garage. His kid doesn’t play, so my friend said I could have the club back.

I put in a shaft that I had laying around that would be long enough, a pink Aldila NV 85 gram regular flex, and made it 42”. I don’t even know if its been tipped at all. 

 

Beat fairway wood I’ve had in awhile! Glad his son never popped it up!

[ZA206]

Hated my previous irons and was desperate to change, and bought a set of TM P760's off the BST with KBS $-Taper shafts in a stiff flex installed. I've played PX 6.5 or DG X100 for the last 15+ years, so this was a big "REACH" going to a softer shaft. 

 

Dear LORD! My first round I played with these irons (no real range time with them) was the best iron striking round I'd had in over 3 years. I've not had a "bad day" with them since I've had them, and I've played them about 6 rounds. Every round I've had them in the bag, I've shot in the 70's. I just went from an X flex driver shaft to an S flex to try out b/c of this revelation! These P760's are the best feeling and performing irons I've ever owned.

 

-ZA

[scooterhd2]

Saw a bit of a cult following for Srixon irons and modus 120 shafts on Golfwrx. Never hit them before, but picked up a 585/785 combo set off the BST. Not sure of the specs. Im guessing a degree or too upright and standard length or maybe +1/4 inch. Doesnt matter, instantly the best irons I have ever swung. Fell in love on the range day 1 and the honeymoon period hasnt ended months later. 

[trilerian]

Up until very recently I played Callaway Steelhead XR irons with KBS Tour V shafts in R flex.  I was fit into these irons 4 years ago and got them 2* upright.  This season I have had issues with the shafts breaking right at the club head.  I had already replaced my 7i and 8i shaft and had an unfortunate break on my 5i the day before my city metro.  I went to the course to play a practice round and on the driving range the 5i head just kept going.  I played my practice round and left to hopefully find a shaft to replace my broken club.  My only option was a DSG store to try to find a shaft.  The only thing they had in stock that was similar in weight was the True Temper Elevate 95, so I bought the shaft in an S flex and re shafted the club that night so I would have a 5i the next day for the tournament.  

 

I was so impressed with the performance of that shaft that I blindly bought the Apex cf 19s from Callaway CPO at 1* upright instead of getting fit for them.  These sticks are money, I love the trajectory I get with my stock iron shots and I can flight them lower if need be.  I've got at least 20 rounds in with the new irons and my index has dropped a stroke.  I do plan on buying a couple of 7 irons to test different shafts, but it will be hard to boot the current shaft.  

[chippa13]

My GAPR 3 mid was a gift from the Mrs. because she was tired of watching me hit the 25 year old Controller 17* all the time.

[Tim Sherwood]

Yep. Bought a set of John Letters MM Forged Prototype irons in the black finish from eBay just because I think are a beautiful set of irons. There is just something about the weight, balance and feel of these irons that keeps them in my bag, despite me trying very hard to take them out! I really, really wanted to love my Z765 irons more than the JL's, but I just can't feel the same confidence with any other irons. To be fair, I seem to be pretty lucky with equipment - I have Srixon driver, 3 wood, 3 hybrid and utility irons, none of which I was fitted for but they all fit me perfectly. 

[Mainehacker21]

16 hours ago, Vater said:

Perhaps a few of you saw my post in the Unpopular Opinions topic where I poked at people who answer every question with "get fitted".

 

So yes, my recent purchase of amazing irons basically came about by stumbling into them. I knew I liked similar irons from hitting some Titleist irons years ago, was skimming through used clubs online, watched a couple youtube videos, saw some clubs on sale new for lower than the used price I saw the day before, and pulled the trigger. Didn't get fitted, didn't even try them out somewhere.

 

My money club has always been a 6 iron and I love set PWs and GWs - and I didn't even carry a 4 iron in my last set - but these irons are unbelievable, especially the long irons.

Ha, I didn’t see your initial post but that’s my biggest pet peeve on this site is when I seek a some basic info and the result is “get fitted”. Look I get it but some of us live in the sticks and/or don’t have the resources. I’ve stumbled into all my clubs pretty much like the OP, buying, selling, and trying new stuff just cause I like to. If my wife new how much I’ve spent on different types of grips alone the past few years she would murder me 

[Jarlaxle]

I once got professionally fit for a highly custom, modern putter with the total bill running about 5 bones.

 

About 2.5 years later, I played putt putt with my son and could not believe how well I putted with the basic old school bullseye they handed me.  Did some research and discovered Nike had once made a modernized version called the Mod 90. Found one in decent condition on eBay for $100 so I pulled the trigger. 

 

My putting almost immediately went from "I hope I don't blow this" to "I've got this". Has been in the bag ever since. 

 

 

[jholz]

I've stumbled into every piece of golf equipment I have ever played. Never been fitted outside of L/L/L. I've somehow managed to get around the course for the past 40 years. .  

 

 

[bladehunter]

The first ball with a g410 hybrid and 3 wood. It feels and makes the sound at impact I want to hear.  And goes in the window I imagine it going.  The hybrid is as good as a club can be.  It’s ridiculously easy to hit.   

[shortset]

Found my driver this way exactly.  Bought it on a whim online and added a shaft that I thought would fit.  Works like magic and feels like cheating.  Complete accident.

[LeoLeo99]

I bounced back and forth between players irons and GI irons.  Players were great when I made a great swing but punishing when I didn't.  GI irons were forgiving but I couldn't control the distances.  Rented clubs on vacation a few times.  TM, Ping, Titleist, Callaway...  Nothing spoke to me until the G400 irons.  Felt great, went where I wanted them to go, distances were on spot.  Wasn't crazy about the G400 Max driver.  Bought the irons when I got home.  They were used and came with midsize grips.  I've grown to like the midsize grips.  Rented Callaway clubs and loved the Epic Flash with HZDUS smoke shaft.  Have that in the bag, now.  

[heathpitts]

Ping Anser 20 hybrid. I was struggling with a Titleist 913 model and a friend had this one that he didn’t completely get along with. I hit it well from the first swing and regardless of the version of my swing I put on it, it performs. It has become my crutch on the course. I also don’t hook it off the tee like every other hybrid I have hit. I’ve tried replacing it with multiple others but now I have a backup head in case I ever break this one. 

[thekingsolly]

@vthokim does this mean the callaway blue putter is available ?

[jpbova]

I think if you have been on a launch monitor before, have a basic knowledge of how equipment effects flight, and know what you like. It isn’t hard to fit yourself. After seeing my launch numbers, I know the fitter screwed the pooch on my driver, which I have replaced twice since, and irons, which I could have used a hollow body iron to reduce my spin and lower my launch. I hit my i210s a mile high with a ton of spin. 
 

I fit myself into my wedges and putter just knowing what I like, and it has worked out fantastic 
 

 

Edited August 26, 2020 by jpbova

[EaglesGolf99]

I recently did so with a Putter. 

 

Maybe a year or so ago, I happened to roll a Toulon Palm Beach in a PGATSS.

 

After 10 or so visits back, I was finally convinced it was meant to be and was not a cruel mistress!

 

A Garage Palm Beach now resides in my Bag! It's perfect. May have found the putter they will bury me with!

[craz-e]

Yes an 8802 style putter. Thought I was a mallet guy but after trying one of these putting never felt so natural. Now rotate between a newer 8882 or Del Mar putter 

[NoTalentLefty]

Yes. My whole bag currently is a guesstimation .

 

Callaway put Epic Flash gear on sale. Bought the 3,4,5 hybrid and the 3, 5 wood. Had the driver from last year . Added a Big Bertha 6 hybrid on a whim this year as well. Then got the 7-AW in the Mavrik with graphite shafts. All this was on fly as well. The 5 wood is out of the bag and the 3 wood has the shaft from that 5. Not sure I’m happy with the 3 wood either but everything else is playing fine. So all of this was a stumble. Wish I could find a putter like that.

[VTHOKIM]

6 hours ago, thekingsolly said:

@vthokim does this mean the callaway blue putter is available ?

The TT1 has been gone for years!  

[Mych]

Ping Anser 4w.  I've always hated hitting fairway woods, but I've hit some of the best shots of my life with that particular club. No fitting, not much research, just caught a good deal on ebay and got lucky.

Edited August 27, 2020 by Mych

[Myherobobhope]

My irons are a set of Adams CMBs I took a flyer on here ($50 for 5 of them, heads only)... I was hoping to pick up some decent shafts cheap, but they are taper tipped, which meant I was out of luck... Went to my pro shop, the head pro had clubs laying around he didn't want anymore... PX 6.0 shafts, but was missing the 6 iron... still enough clubs though! I forget exactly how we did it, but I wanted them to play longer (+1/2), so basically the PW ended up with his 9 iron shaft. I think. I don't even really remember how we went about building the set out... 

 

But it's magic. Freaking love this set of clubs. Not the shafts I would have picked, the lengths aren't what I'd custom order... but they flat out perform for me. 

 

I think fitting is important and a good thing to do when shopping for a new set of clubs... but if something works, it works. 

 

At the end of the day, confidence is way more important than a "perfect" fit... 

[jg1166]

Similar, bought a set of Mizuno JPX 900 tours at a good price, with the aim of reshafting them with my preferred shafts, they were partially my spec, 1" above standard in length but had UST Recoil 95 F4 shafts. I have never played graphite shaft in my irons previously, my previous clubs were Adams CMB with Modus 125 XS soft stepped.  Being impatient I took the clubs out for round while I waited for the shafts to arrive.  Had one of my best iron striking rounds ever with the combo and as of now they are still in the bag with no upgrades

[Roejye]

I just bought a Cleveland Hibore 3 wood off of ebay. Only thing I knew about it was it's a reg flex shaft. It came and it's pretty long and has a thicker grip than I've previously used. I've only used it 8 times, but after the first shot (hooked it left, gripped it too strong to try and mitigate a slice) it's just been ridiculously straight and about the length I expected. It's like a cheat code. I'm seriously considering using just the 3 wood off of the tee for now, until I get a tune-up lesson with my driver. Yes I CAN get another 20-30 yards with the driver but it's been so inconsistent lately that I've lost a lot of confidence in it.