Thinking Super Old School... Sonartec MD

[Maddygirl]

Any one still rocking one of these classics? I just literally hate fairway woods. My home course has 2-3 shots that really call for it. My 2 iron is just a hair short for these tee shots and driver not perfectly curved means auto bogey.

 

I saw a MD in 15 degree loft. I am open to other hybrids in 15 or 16 degree as well.

 

let me know your thoughts.

[Old Tom Morris]

I still have a NP-99 14* three wood.  Good straight club but I don’t hit it well unless it’s teed up.  

[Provisional75]

I still use the 17* 21* and 25*.  Depending on how I’m feeling usually have 2 but always at least one in the bag.  Still the most consistent for me. Ball flight is penetrating instead of floaty.   And distances seem more consistent. 

[nitram]

Best hybrids I ever tried. 

 

The fairways were really good as well. I bagged then from '99 until I replaced them with the V-Steel in '04. I still have 'em and (with a re-shaft) wouldn't have a problem carrying them again. Really solid clubs. Too bad it turned out the way it did. 

Edited January 9, 2021 by nitram

[nitram]

4 minutes ago, Provisional75 said:

I still use the 17* 21* and 25*.  Depending on how I’m feeling usually have 2 but always at least one in the bag.  Still the most consistent for me. Ball flight is penetrating instead of floaty.   And distances seem more consistent. 

 

Great first post and welcome to ⛳WRX🍻

[Mitchell]

Still have a 17* w/ Fujikura 904hb that makes the occasional appearance when conditions appear to suit. When lived in HI, club was a mainstay in my set.

[Provisional75]

3 hours ago, nitram said:

 

Great first post and welcome to ⛳WRX🍻

I’ve been around here reading for years.  Thanks for the welcome.  

[Swingingk]

 

5 hours ago, nitram said:

Best hybrids I ever tried. 

 

The fairways were really good as well. I bagged then from '99 until I replaced them with the V-Steel in '04. I still have 'em and (with a re-shaft) wouldn't have a problem carrying them again. Really solid clubs. Too bad it turned out the way it did. 

Solid clubs indeed.  Strangely enough I've never gotten along with fairways since I gave away my V-Steel 3 wood (yeah I know...) and now my most lofted "wood" is a Sonartec MD hybrid in 19 degree loft with the original iROD shaft in stiff.  It's my 2 iron and it works great for me.  If I lean on it it's my 1 iron too.  Solid is the word I would use to describe the feel of the head.  Ball flight (for me) is straight and fairly low and will roll out some.  They are very good heads in my opinion and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.  The sole is fairly flat though and isn't that great if your not on short grass.

 

Another old school hybrid I would recommend is the Mizuno MX-700 series.  Mine is a 23 degree with a stiff Proforce V2 shaft.  It's curved sole is much better out of the rough than the Sonartec.  It's my personal favorite hybrid.  

Edited January 10, 2021 by Swingingk

[grm24]

The best thing about about Sonartec clubs was the made for GD Red Ice shaft that they used for fairway woods and some drivers. 

Edited January 10, 2021 by grm24

[mbrogan]

I still have a 19* MD with 904HB and a 23* HB001 with same shaft!  Haven't hit hit the 19* in a while.

[Abh159]

Sonartec and Nickent made some of the best fairway woods and hybrids of the early-mid 2000s. It’s a shame they both went out of business. 
 

 

[NDIrish423]

The MD was/is a good hybrid but I found the HB-001 to be a bit better for ME.  I felt the MD to be more of an iron replacement with a lower flight. The HB gave a little higher flight and the small rails made it more playable from the rough. 

[Maddygirl]

6 minutes ago, uhs82 said:

The MD was/is a good hybrid but I found the HB-001 to be a bit better for ME.  I felt the MD to be more of an iron replacement with a lower flight. The HB gave a little higher flight and the small rails made it more playable from the rough. 

Thank you. I hit it high naturally so the MD may be the way to go.

[obsessed_golfer]

Still have my MD 21 and still find it to be a good choice.  Better from the tee and fairway than the rough though.

[Maddygirl]

Pulled the trigger on  a 15 degree for the tee. $30 shipped. My have to change the shaft. Should be a fun experiment. 
 

I hope I can keep this as my only winter club change. I am committed to not messing around so much.

[Drivingrangehero]

Wish I never departed with that one ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ the 3 wood was great too! 
 

keep us posted on the results 👍 

 

I found NOS Adams Super 9031 proto hybrids recently, so I bought 3...... I’ve never hit a hybrid with a more piercing, iron like flight.......... other than the Sonartec perhaps. 
 

Most of the hybrids now seem to cater to the high launch/ low spin crowd. I like something lower launch/mid spin

 

[ebk]

Still have one in garage. Iron shaft, 21 degree.  I got a JDM 2016 M2 but still have the Sonartec.  I use it as a threat to keep the M2 from hooking...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[morrisminor]

MDs are great hybrids.  I've got 19, 21 and 23 degree heads that I'll not be parting with.

 

They launch low but are really workable. 

 

15 degree would be too little loft for me but if you have the swing speed or generally hit it high you couldn't really go wrong.

[MuniPukeLife]

Still have a SS-02 3-wood, SS-02 4-wood, MD 17, MD 19, and MD 23 between my dad and I at home . . . all the hybrids with the original iRod shafts and the woods with the old school Fuji Speeder. My dad was playing the 19 up until a few months ago, and I ironically was looking at old school iRod x-flex shafts on the bay earlier today in addition to some MD hybrids. 

 

Great clubs and would definitely put them on the list of timeless clubs, the only caveat being that in my opinion they're probably not gonna be as hot as the new stuff, and they might not be as forgiving. If I were ever to go back to a low-ball biased set-up I'd have the 17 degree MD on the short list of clubs to put in the bag over my 5-wood (a legend in it's own right). 

[starjays]

OP mentioned replacing the shaft, I would just mention that I've pulled too many heads to count in recent years, and these required more heat/force to get loose than anything I've thus far encountered. I had the torch on the hosel for close to 3 or 4 minutes I'd say. The factory epoxy is legit, and even the ferrule was too tough to cut with a brand new hook blade. Had to use a pliers and pinch them off both clubs. Going to try the 21 and 19 with modus 3 125x's and see where they shake out yardagewise between my 4 iron and 3 wood. Fwiw...

[belh22]

The hb was one of my favs 

[EaglesGolf99]

I had a 15° MD with 904HB X back in the day. The Original with the Gold(ish) script. Great stick. Wish I would have hung onto it. Low spin and long for its time.

 

The 904HB X is still with me in all my modern Hybrids (Apex v.2016). Not. Going. Anywhere!!!

 

 

EDIT........ Got me thinking, the 904HB X (Ion Finish, the Original) has been in my bag, in some fashion, for 17 consecutive years. 

Edited January 23, 2022 by EaglesGolf99

[Christen_The_Sloop]

They still make clubs under the Royal Collection name in Jp.

 

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d1032209360

 

This from a few years ago. I should probably just shut my mouth about them... I have the 17 degree Ti 4w. Thing is a rocket.

[zzy]

I have a MD 15* hybrid with an iRod and it's an absolute low launch stinger machine.  Excellent sound and feel, low flight with lots of roll.  Not sure I would dare hit it off the turf tho. 

[mizuno]

I still have a MD 19* in my spare club stack in the closet, but I haven't taken it out in a long time.  On the other hand I am still playing my GS Tour 15* fairway metal, just haven't found anything that out performs it yet!

[PEI_Golfer]

Try and get your hands on some older Adams Super LS, LSP XTD (I think were Tour only) or Superhybrids  and you will find your problem solved.