Proof That It Is Not The Arrow: Tour Pro Plays Beginner Set

[RichieHunt]

As the handicap lowers the difference in the level of play is smaller.  Put it this way, if a player is a legit scratch golfer and they improve their scoring average by 1 full stroke...it's actually a large improvement in their game. 

 

So yeah, a good player can still shoot good rounds of golf without custom equipment.  But the difference between their competition is so small that they can't afford to play ill-fitted equipment if they want to consistently perform well against their competition.  

 

 

 

RH

Edited May 4, 2021 by RichieHunt

[MtlJeff]

A few years ago i went to Vegas for work, and played a round of golf while out there with a rental set, which was an old Callaway Big Bertha or something like that iron set. There was no 3 wood, the driver looked like it had been hit by a car and was dented. Can't remember what the lob wedge was. The putter looked like it was from a mini-putt place

 

I think i shot 75 or 76.

 

Since then i've probably bought 3 entirely new full golf bags.

 

I know it's not the clubs really, i just don't care

[Old Tom Morris]

38 minutes ago, MtlJeff said:

A few years ago i went to Vegas for work, and played a round of golf while out there with a rental set, which was an old Callaway Big Bertha or something like that iron set. There was no 3 wood, the driver looked like it had been hit by a car and was dented. Can't remember what the lob wedge was. The putter looked like it was from a mini-putt place

 

I think i shot 75 or 76.

 

Since then i've probably bought 3 entirely new full golf bags.

 

I know it's not the clubs really, i just don't care

At least you’re being honest.

[me05501]

If I could change one prevailing attitude in the modern world, it would be to stop people from taking anecdotal evidence as "proof" of anything. 

[me05501]

If there's a point to be taken from this video, it's that there's value in playing the odd round with different gear than what you're used to playing.

 

I think it probably changes our mental approach for the better. It's a good trick to get us thinking more creatively.

 

When I'm using different clubs I tend to focus more on the things that really matter: lie, wind, landing area, trouble spots, etc. I think with our usual clubs we can sometimes go on auto-pilot and choose only based on the distance and less on the other stuff. 

Edited May 4, 2021 by me05501

[Pepperturbo]

No surprise to more skilled golfers.  Result depends a great deal on how grooved the persons swing mechanics are, and their ability to identify and adapt to change.  At 70yrs old I can still put up a decent score using strange clubs.  My last trip to visit friends, I used a set of ancient shorter irons with "R" 125g steel shafts, and persimmon woods with S300 steel shafts, finished with a 75 on a strange course.  It was quite fun, actually.   A few weeks back I hit my buddies 78g R graphite shafts on a few holes.  Though none of the club specs were similar to my own clubs, distances were similar to what I get with a comparable iron, trajectory was very different.

 

Being able to post a score is only the measure of adaptability.  That doesn't mean he/she won't notice the difference nor does it imply there's no need for properly fit clubs, or that properly fit clubs won't improve the golfers score.

 

And if I could change anything it would be the wind blown about over anecdotal evidence.  Call it what you will, it's fact to those of us that have the critical reasoning ability to measure the outcome even use it.  If someone else can only listen to a formal scientific study than that someone has limited to no peripheral vision.  

 

 

Edited May 4, 2021 by Pepperturbo

[me05501]

I never said I would only pay attention to scientific studies. I meant that one example doesn't define an absolute, though many have been conditioned to think maybe sometimes it does. The original post in this thread is a perfect example. 

[joostin]

Love the video, but I have to echo what everyone is saying.  The game is of course mostly skill, but the fitted clubs can give you an edge in probability.  Distance, dispersion, consistency, "optimal", right?  On top of feel, comfort level, and overall ability to control the golf ball according to your skill.  On course that comes down to your ability to make it happen, but I believe a well-fitted club can give you your best probability of hitting your intended shot with each good swing.  It doesn't mean you can't still suck with fitted clubs 😁, or play good golf with non fitted clubs.  Some are more adaptable than others. 

 

As the pro and Rick said a few times, it's not how he would've played the hole/shot, but he can make it work.  It's similar to playing a hole with your go-to strategy vs alternative strategy.  For example a wide open 350 yd short par 4 you can play something like:

 

- Driver to rough, SW chunked to collar, chip to 6 ft, 1 putt for par

- Or 7 iron to fairway, 7 iron to 30 ft, 2 putt par.

- Or cheap set hybrid to 1st cut, cheap set 8 iron knocked down to 40 ft, 2 putt par.

 

You can make it work, but how would you want to play it though for best strategy / probability of shooting your best score?  Or..... are you playing a round with a minimal set or single club or cheap beginner set for fun or a challenge to think your way around the course?  Your game, your call! ✌

[Red4282]

I could go out and shoot mid 70s with those. So how much is premium fitted equipment worth in the long run? Just a few strokes a round. Thats not too shocking really. Whether or not thats worth it or no depends on the eye of the beholder. 

[NRJyzr]

I've also done what others mention, scoring decently using random equipment not fit for me.  In my case, its more problematic than for some, due to my physical characteristics.

 

I couldn't guarantee replication over time, though.  I don't think using an A flex shaft, light R flex iron shafts with lie angles several degrees flat for me is conducive to low scoring (having been thru it).  LOL

[MelloYello]

Honestly, the thing that saved the round was how good the Pro putted. 

 

Let's be honest, he drained a long putt, hit a beautiful lag on the par-5, did well on a couple downhillers and drained a couple testy short ones.

 

Most guys here would've lost 2-4 strokes on the green alone. 

 

To me, that's the biggest take-away. You can't really consider yourself a good golfer if you're a bad putter, LOL. 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 6, 2021 by MelloYello

[Nessism]

11 minutes ago, MelloYello said:

Honestly, the thing that saved the round was how good the Pro putted. 

 

Let's be honest, he drained a long putt, hit a beautiful lag on the par-5, did well on a couple downhillers and drained a couple testy short ones.

 

Most guys here would've lost 2-4 strokes on the green alone. 

 

To me, that's the biggest take-away. You can't really consider yourself a good golfer if you're a bad putter, LOL. 

 

Yup, that dude knew how to putt.  And that cheap "set" putter works quite well for him.

[MelloYello]

2 hours ago, Nessism said:

 

Yup, that dude knew how to putt.  And that cheap "set" putter works quite well for him.

 

Yeah, it's hard to be all that "mis-fit" for a putter. If you're not very good at putting, there's little equipment can do for you. 

 

Plus, that level of player will be able to make putts with anything reasonable. And to that end, there was probably nothing unreasonable about the set putter. Probably pretty standard. 

 

Still, it shows just how many places there are to gain strokes on a recreational golfer that isn't making anything outside of 10-ft and who will 3-putt a couple times on each 9. 

Edited May 6, 2021 by MelloYello

[tgoodspe1991]

The best golf I ever played in my life was before I knew a single thing about equipment. I can definitively say that my game has not improved whatsoever since I started club ho'ing... can't say my enjoyment for the game improved since then either.