MPAndreassi's WITB - Budding Betti Collection Update

[foamhead]

How was your first round with the u500? 

[Jtbarilla]

The ferrule & headcover game is strong

[qwertyb22]

How do you find your gapping with the driving iron and the hybrid?  I've been struggling to figure out if I should be playing one, the other, or both in my own bag...

[MPAndreassi]

On 5/11/2021 at 6:53 PM, foamhead said:

How was your first round with the u500? 

 

So I've had the chance to play several rounds with it now and to be honest, the head is great but it's not a good match with the shaft. I kind of figured that would be the case and I have an MMT UT 125tx shaft on the way to swap into it. I'm using it as a 4 iron replacement so I figured I'd at least give it a shot with the same shaft from the irons. The feel just isn't quite there, and it's throwing off my timing a bit with it. The good ones that I've hit were good, but there's been to many so so balls with it. 

 

On 5/14/2021 at 6:39 AM, qwertyb22 said:

How do you find your gapping with the driving iron and the hybrid?  I've been struggling to figure out if I should be playing one, the other, or both in my own bag...

 

For me, I have the driving iron set up to replace my 4 iron. It's 20 degrees and playing the same length as the 4 iron from my set. As I mentioned above I'm reshafting the U500 with an MMT UT 125tx. The hybrid for me, I play it at C1 (-0.75 loft; -0.75 lie) and the gapping is perfect. The U500 and my 4 iron fly around 220. The hybrid flies around 240. Once our spring winds die down, and the courses firm up a bit more, I'll likely throw the 7 wood back in the bag and take out the hybrid. The 7 wood, for me, flies a bit high and lands softer than the hybrid. 

[One-Time]

Really awesome WITB.

 

My bag is almost identical, minus the tsi fairways and hybrid. I have a ts2 3 wood that I just cannot kick out of the bag. You are right about the TSI3 driver, one of the best feeling and longest drivers I've had. I have been thinking about trying a ventus blue shaft though

 

 

[MattM97]

Is the new putter on the way yet? 

[MPAndreassi]

1 minute ago, MattM97 said:

Is the new putter on the way yet? 

Ive had a few new ones since I ordered the Byron, but last I heard was the Oil Can batch was in progress. I’m going to do a post just for putters once it arrives 

[MattM97]

Just now, MPAndreassi said:

Ive had a few new ones since I ordered the Byron, but last I heard was the Oil Can batch was in progress. I’m going to do a post just for putters once it arrives 

 

 

I know how that goes, I'm in the queue for my next putter and I'm already planning a new one(s) from another putter maker. It's a fun addiction. 

[MPAndreassi]

Just now, MattM97 said:

 

 

I know how that goes, I'm in the queue for my next putter and I'm already planning a new one(s) from another putter maker. It's a fun addiction. 

My next custom is going to be a 009/DH89 flow neck. Not sure from who yet

[MattM97]

2 minutes ago, MPAndreassi said:

My next custom is going to be a 009/DH89 flow neck. Not sure from who yet

 

Lots of option for that head shape, just have to find a maker that makes one that catches you eye. Sometimes just need to scroll on Instagram to find one you really like. 

[MPAndreassi]

With summer now here, 4 or 5 days over 90 degrees qualifies us for summer no matter what the calendar says, time to switch gears a bit. 
 

No particularly big changes, but some slight tweaks. 
 

Woods

 

-Swapped driver shaft to Ventus Black 6x at 45.5” from Ventus Black 7x at 44.5”

 

-Swapped from TSi2 4 wood (16.5*) to TSi3 3 wood (13.5*); shaft remains Ventus Black 8x

 

-TSi3 19* hybrid is permanently in the bag. This is the biggest surprise of the season for me as I was almost 100% certain I’d have my 7 wood in this slot, but the hybrid is just that good. Shafted with a Ventus Black 10tx. 
 

Irons

 

-Testing a U500 with an MMT UT 125tx in place of my 4 iron. Initially I was struggling with the U500 but wasn’t striking the ball very well, but giving it another go this week now that I’m hitting it a bit better. 
 

Wedges

 

-Swapped out the 46* SM8 for the set wedge from my T100•s. The SM8 just spun a bit too much for me on full swings. 
 

-Switched from a 58-8* SM8 Low Bounce K to a 58-8* SM8 M. A little better versatility with the M grind now that the turf has firmed up and fresh grooves are welcome. 
 

Putter

 

-Scotty Cameron Special Select Squareback 2 is firmly in the drivers seat, but this spot rotates rather frequently. PXG One and Done has also been seeing a good amount of bag time. 
 

 

 

Edited June 8, 2021 by MPAndreassi

[Scrubby]

How are the yardage gaps with all your TSi3's? The strong 3 wood isn't too close to your driver distance and the gap isn't too large between your strong 3 wood and hybrid?

[MPAndreassi]

18 minutes ago, Scrubby said:

How are the yardage gaps with all your TSi3's? The strong 3 wood isn't too close to your driver distance and the gap isn't too large between your strong 3 wood and hybrid?

 

For me it's more about the shots I need to hit at my home course. I play the same course 99% of the time, so my gaps aren't perfect in terms of the yardage being spaced evenly but they cover all the shots I need to hit at home. 

 

I carry the driver around 285-290 and the roll out depends on conditions. My normal flight with a driver is a cut.

 

The strong 3 carries around 265-270 and the roll out is minimal off of a tee. My normal flight with the 3 is a draw. 

 

The hybrid carries around 240, and like the 3 wood, roll out is minimal off of a tee. This one shapes pretty easily in either direction. 

 

My U500 carries around 225 and is basically a 4 iron replacement. 

[BostonWRX]

On 6/7/2021 at 8:26 PM, MPAndreassi said:

With summer now here, 4 or 5 days over 90 degrees qualifies us for summer no matter what the calendar says, time to switch gears a bit. 
 

No particularly big changes, but some slight tweaks. 
 

Woods

 

-Swapped driver shaft to Ventus Black 6x at 45.5” from Ventus Black 7x at 44.5”

 

-Swapped from TSi2 4 wood (16.5*) to TSi3 3 wood (13.5*); shaft remains Ventus Black 8x

 

-TSi3 19* hybrid is permanently in the bag. This is the biggest surprise of the season for me as I was almost 100% certain I’d have my 7 wood in this slot, but the hybrid is just that good. Shafted with a Ventus Black 10tx. 
 

Irons

 

-Testing a U500 with an MMT UT 125tx in place of my 4 iron. Initially I was struggling with the U500 but wasn’t striking the ball very well, but giving it another go this week now that I’m hitting it a bit better. 
 

Wedges

 

-Swapped out the 46* SM8 for the set wedge from my T100•s. The SM8 just spun a bit too much for me on full swings. 
 

-Switched from a 58-8* SM8 Low Bounce K to a 58-8* SM8 M. A little better versatility with the M grind now that the turf has firmed up and fresh grooves are welcome. 
 

Putter

 

-Scotty Cameron Special Select Squareback 2 is firmly in the drivers seat, but this spot rotates rather frequently. PXG One and Done has also been seeing a good amount of bag time. 
 

 

 

Tsi3 is the best hybrid out. I thought I would never swap out my old 816h2 but tsi3 was that good 

[MPAndreassi]

2 hours ago, BostonWRX said:

Tsi3 is the best hybrid out. I thought I would never swap out my old 816h2 but tsi3 was that good 

Its the only hybrid that I’ve been able to keep in the bag and have any kind of confidence in. It’s one of my favorite clubs 

[MerryTex]

Very nice set up there!

[MPAndreassi]

16 minutes ago, MerryTex said:

Very nice set up there!

Thanks! Doing a mid season shuffle on the putter rotation as we speak 

[MerryTex]

1 minute ago, MPAndreassi said:

Thanks! Doing a mid season shuffle on the putter rotation as we speak 

 

I too had a squareback model from SC I think around 2015/16 for a bit but came back to a Newport. I also feel you on the heat. I'm in South Texas and it's bloody hot and humid. It's 7:20 here and it's still 90 degrees with 63% humidity. Gross. 

[MPAndreassi]

2 minutes ago, MerryTex said:

 

I too had a squareback model from SC I think around 2015/16 for a bit but came back to a Newport. I also feel you on the heat. I'm in South Texas and it's bloody hot and humid. It's 7:20 here and it's still 90 degrees with 63% humidity. Gross. 

That’s rough. We’ve had some abnormally hot days already. 
 

My Squareback is actually staying. I ordered a custom Byron back in February that should be shipping this week, and then I put in an order for a Piretti the other day. All the other mallets I have are on their way out. Going with all plumbers necks. That’s what I’ve found to suit me best. 

[Scrubby]

How's the longer, lighter driver shaft working for you? A 5mph increase in swing speed and 15 more yards maybe?

 

I have a 44.5", 72ish gram shaft currently and thinking about going with a 46", 65ish gram shaft but worry that the extra distance will translate to less fairways hit.

 

[MPAndreassi]

2 minutes ago, Scrubby said:

How's the longer, lighter driver shaft working for you? A 5mph increase in swing speed and 15 more yards maybe?

 

I have a 44.5", 72ish gram shaft currently and thinking about going with a 46", 65ish gram shaft but worry that the extra distance will translate to less fairways hit.

 

I had played 44.5” at that 75g weight for as long as I can remember. The Ventus is so stable that I’m not missing any more fairways than before. Misses are my fault, and not exaggerated or any more frequent due to the shaft. As you mentioned, I’m quite a bit longer with this than the shorter and heavier shaft. Which is another reason I’m able to play that strong 3 wood. 

[MPAndreassi]

New putter went in the bag today. Sold off everything except my Special Select Squareback 2. Plumbers neck blades are just the ones that work for me. 

Arrived Friday afternoon and hit some putts indoors with it. Went and practiced with it for about an hour on the putting green yesterday and took it out for its maiden voyage today. 
 

Birdied my first hole with. A quick, downhill 20 footer from the back fringe after booking my U500 off the tee. Proceeded to make three more birdies, a couple good par putts, some more important bogey saves and shot 73 (+1). Hit 12/18 greens and had 29 putts. We can chalk that one up as a pretty successful first round. Lowest round of the year. 

 

Now to the exciting part. 
 

Piretti Cuvio Midnight

375 grams 

33”

3* loft, 68* lie

LAGP TPZ ONE35

SuperStroke Flatso 1.0

 

 

 

 

Edited June 21, 2021 by MPAndreassi

[MattM97]

12 hours ago, MPAndreassi said:

New putter went in the bag today. Sold off everything except my Special Select Squareback 2. Plumbers neck blades are just the ones that work for me. 

Arrived Friday afternoon and hit some putts indoors with it. Went and practiced with it for about an hour on the putting green yesterday and took it out for its maiden voyage today. 
 

Birdied my first hole with. A quick, downhill 20 footer from the back fringe after booking my U500 off the tee. Proceeded to make three more birdies, a couple good par putts, some more important bogey saves and shot 73 (+1). Hit 12/18 greens and had 29 putts. We can chalk that one up as a pretty successful first round. Lowest round of the year. 

 

Now to the exciting part. 
 

Piretti Cuvio Midnight

375 grams 

33”

3* loft, 68* lie

LAGP TPZ ONE35

SuperStroke Flatso 1.0

 

 

 

 

 

Very nice, feel much difference in a regular steel shaft vs the LAGP? Or too early to tell right now?

[MPAndreassi]

2 hours ago, MattM97 said:

 

Very nice, feel much difference in a regular steel shaft vs the LAGP? Or too early to tell right now?

It might be a little too early to tell, but to be honest it’s been quite some time since I’ve had plain steel in something. My Byron should be here this week as it was supposed to ship last week, no tracking info yet. That’s coming with the plain steel. The LAGP is pretty stable though, I did hit some off of the heel and toe, on purpose of course I wouldn’t ever miss the center, and the putts stayed on line. Speed held true all day also. As far as the feel goes, the milling isn’t very deep and it’s a stainless head so I was expecting it to be a bit clicky, but the head feels really good. Nice solid thud. I’m going to definitely attribute that to the shaft. For reference, I play the Pro V1x Left Dash and a lot of things can feel clicky in a hurry. 

[MattM97]

Just now, MPAndreassi said:

It might be a little too early to tell, but to be honest it’s been quite some time since I’ve had plain steel in something. My Byron should be here this week as it was supposed to ship last week, no tracking info yet. That’s coming with the plain steel. The LAGP is pretty stable though, I did hit some off of the heel and toe, on purpose of course I wouldn’t ever miss the center, and the putts stayed on line. Speed held true all day also. As far as the feel goes, the milling isn’t very deep and it’s a stainless head so I was expecting it to be a bit clicky, but the head feels really good. Nice solid thud. I’m going to definitely attribute that to the shaft. For reference, I play the Pro V1x Left Dash and a lot of things can feel clicky in a hurry. 

 

Good to hear sounds like a keeper for now. I want to try the LAGP but just don't want to drop that cash. I have a few other graphite shafts, one will be installed when my Lajosi arrives but being a flow neck guy it's hard unless I get mid slants made. Will be interesting to compare this and the Byron when it arrives. 

 

I've always heard good things about the Piretti feel but that probably has to do with them being so hefty which isn't a bad thing for me at all. 

[MPAndreassi]

2 minutes ago, MattM97 said:

 

Good to hear sounds like a keeper for now. I want to try the LAGP but just don't want to drop that cash. I have a few other graphite shafts, one will be installed when my Lajosi arrives but being a flow neck guy it's hard unless I get mid slants made. Will be interesting to compare this and the Byron when it arrives. 

 

I've always heard good things about the Piretti feel but that probably has to do with them being so hefty which isn't a bad thing for me at all. 

It feels great. I got a Piretti from the the very first year they were at the PGA Show. That one was a bit firmer feeling than this one. Not too many brands out there offering 375g blade heads off of the shelf. The only reason I splurged on the LAGP was because of the discount through Piretti. I would’ve just thrown in a Stability for $130 and called it a day. They charged $700 total, with the LAGP and then I had a 10% coupon code for signing up for their emails. Shipped for free. So for $630 I couldn’t pass up the shaft and head deal. I had originally paid for two day shipping, I ordered on a Monday and they were out of the office until Thursday. They refunded my shipping, and overnighted it to me so it would show up Friday. They were great to deal with. 

[MattM97]

1 minute ago, MPAndreassi said:

It feels great. I got a Piretti from the the very first year they were at the PGA Show. That one was a bit firmer feeling than this one. Not too many brands out there offering 375g blade heads off of the shelf. The only reason I splurged on the LAGP was because of the discount through Piretti. I would’ve just thrown in a Stability for $130 and called it a day. They charged $700 total, with the LAGP and then I had a 10% coupon code for signing up for their emails. Shipped for free. So for $630 I couldn’t pass up the shaft and head deal. I had originally paid for two day shipping, I ordered on a Monday and they were out of the office until Thursday. They refunded my shipping, and overnighted it to me so it would show up Friday. They were great to deal with. 

 

Sounds like their CS is always on point, I'm waiting patiently for the Matera to come out in LH, they don't have much in LH that I'd want but I want that and it was supposed to be released several times by now. 

[MPAndreassi]

At the beginning of the season I sold off all the putters I had and started fresh. I went through just about everything out there before finally finding what works best for me. I knew my specs, but the different head shapes is what I was hunting after. 
 

I never loved the look of a plumber’s neck, but they’re what works best for me. I’ve grown to love it over the course of the season and will be my primary style moving forward. 
 

I tried the inserts, and none of them worked for me. The big mallets didn’t help me at all. Went through a Spider X, 2-Ball Ten, One and Done and none of them really felt or looked right after the honeymoon wore off. 
 

Narrowed my collection/rotation down to four and they all see bag time. All fall within the same spec range so it’s really just plug and play for what head shape I want to look at and what feel I’m after that day. 
 

370-375 grams 

3.5* loft

69* lie 

33”

SuperStroke Flatso 1.0

 

 

Scotty Cameron Special Select

Squareback 2

BGT Stability

 

 

 

 

 

Piretti 303 Midnight

Cuvio

LAGP TPZ ONE35

 

 

 

 

 

Byron Morgan Custom

620 Oil Can

Fujikura MC X-Firm

 

 

 

 

 

Scotty Cameron Phantom X

5.5

BGT Stability

 

 

 

 

Edited July 12, 2021 by MPAndreassi

[MattM97]

39 minutes ago, MPAndreassi said:

At the beginning of the season I sold off all the putters I had and started fresh. I went through just about everything out there before finally finding what works best for me. I knew my specs, but the different head shapes is what I was hunting after. 
 

I never loved the look of a plumber’s neck, but they’re what works best for me. I’ve grown to love it over the course of the season and will be my primary style moving forward. 
 

I tried the inserts, and none of them worked for me. The big mallets didn’t help me at all. Went through a Spider X, 2-Ball Ten, One and Done and none of them really felt or looked right after the honeymoon wore off. 
 

Narrowed my collection/rotation down to four and they all see bag time. All fall within the same spec range so it’s really just plug and play for what head shape I want to look at and what feel I’m after that day. 
 

370-375 grams 

3.5* loft

69* lie 

33”

SuperStroke Flatso 1.0

 

 

Scotty Cameron Special Select

Squareback 2

BGT Stability

 

 

 

 

 

Piretti 303 Midnight

Cuvio

LAGP TPZ ONE35

 

 

 

 

 

Byron Morgan Custom

620 Oil Can

Fujikura MC X-Firm

 

 

 

 

 

Scotty Cameron Phantom X

5.5

BGT Stability

 

 

 

 

 

Love the putter rotation especially with the shaft as well, you went all out.

 

And that Byron was worth the wait time I assume going right to top spot? Also how is that Fuji shaft? I'm really interested in them, have a old Proto going into my incoming Lajosi.

[MPAndreassi]

1 hour ago, MattM97 said:

 

Love the putter rotation especially with the shaft as well, you went all out.

 

And that Byron was worth the wait time I assume going right to top spot? Also how is that Fuji shaft? I'm really interested in them, have a old Proto going into my incoming Lajosi.

Honestly, I was skeptical about all the shafts until I played them for awhile then putted with some stuff that didn’t have them. For me, they’re worthwhile. I think you’ll see some benefit from it too being that you play the heavier blade heads as well. It’s definitely more noticeable in blades compared to mallets. 
 

As for the Byron, it’s perfect and worth the wait. There was an issue that popped up during the Fujikura shaft install. I sent it to @Peoples Golf for the install and there was an issue with the shaft Byron installed. They were unable to get out the steel shaft, as was I before I sent it to them. They sent it to Byron to get it removed and then got it back and put in the MC. I had two really good rounds with it over the weekend so it’s firmly in the driver seat, for now 😂