The Links Lounge (*** NO POLITICS/RELIGION/LIV ***)

[TiScape]

8 minutes ago, touch said:

Don't forget the 80's girl bands. 💥 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

[imkirby34]

9 minutes ago, touch said:

Don't forget the 80's girl bands. 💥 🙂

 

 

 

 

[touch]

4 minutes ago, TiScape said:

 

 

 

And I had a major crush on Belinda. 😍

 

 

 

[TiScape]

 

[touch]

1 minute ago, TiScape said:

 

 

 

⭐And that's my favorite 80's song.  Bonus points for TS! 

[TiScape]

Just now, touch said:

 

 

⭐And that's my favorite 80's song.  Bonus points for TS! 

Absolute classic ❤️ 

[touch]

That was a fun little stretch of great 80's songs. 

LP has to go back to work now. 😉

[imkirby34]

In other news, I went to the range yesterday to try out the NL 902PD's.  Nothing earth-shattering to report as I took my Apex Pros along and was hitting them better.  In retrospect, I probably should've put the same KBS $ Tapers in the 902PD's that I have in the Apex Pros instead of using the KBS Tour.  The 902PD's were launching much lower and didn't feel as "crisp".  Carry distance seemed about the same, though.  

 

I got an Axiom 125X Mid yesterday and have a 105S and 105X (both Mids as well) coming later this week which I'll be trying in my 902OS and 623CB 7-irons.  

 

I haven't decided if I'm going to bother bringing a driver to Ireland.  I played the entire round at Pebble without using one after getting scared at Spanish Bay when I sent one WAAAAAAY right onto 17 Mile Drive.  Thankfully, I didn't hit anything or anyone.  I've done that a few times with that SIM2.  I have a different problem with the Rogue ST - occasional low left snap-hooks.

[TiScape]

 

[NJBigFish22]

In all the 80’s songs posted, .I can’t believe this wasn’t posted.  
 

 

[TiScape]

 

[TiScape]

2 minutes ago, NJBigFish22 said:

In all the 80’s songs posted, .I can’t believe this wasn’t posted.  
 

 

Duran Duran, Rick Springfield… were more my sister and her friends jams. But def big 80s hits! 

[TiScape]

 

[TiScape]

11 minutes ago, imkirby34 said:

In other news, I went to the range yesterday to try out the NL 902PD's.  Nothing earth-shattering to report as I took my Apex Pros along and was hitting them better.  In retrospect, I probably should've put the same KBS $ Tapers in the 902PD's that I have in the Apex Pros instead of using the KBS Tour.  The 902PD's were launching much lower and didn't feel as "crisp".  Carry distance seemed about the same, though.  

 

I got an Axiom 125X Mid yesterday and have a 105S and 105X (both Mids as well) coming later this week which I'll be trying in my 902OS and 623CB 7-irons.  

 

I haven't decided if I'm going to bother bringing a driver to Ireland.  I played the entire round at Pebble without using one after getting scared at Spanish Bay when I sent one WAAAAAAY right onto 17 Mile Drive.  Thankfully, I didn't hit anything or anyone.  I've done that a few times with that SIM2.  I have a different problem with the Rogue ST - occasional low left snap-hooks.

That was ur ball that hit my car?! 😡 

[chisag]

5 minutes ago, TiScape said:

Duran Duran, Rick Springfield… were more my sister and her friends jams. But def big 80s hits! 

 

 

... It's not your fault.

[TiScape]

Just now, chisag said:

 

 

... It's not your fault.

Not lost on me that one of the most open minded ppl when it comes to so many topics, is so adversely affected by 80s music! 😂 Chick w/a 🍆, absolutely cool… 80s synth driven band… oh hell no!!! 😜

 

❤️ U chi 😊

[TiScape]

4 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

 

... It's not your fault.

 

[Triple Lindy]

2 minutes ago, imkirby34 said:

Carry distance seemed about the same, though. 

So this brings up a question I have for this group. I feel like I have my swing back to pre-shoulder injury and probably even better than it was. I still need to rebuild some muscle, or at least that’s what I’m telling myself, as my distances are down from pre-injury/surgery. But I thought that maybe I could get some distance back with new clubs, as mine are 10 years old. I’ve been in for a fitting and tried the latest Ping and Mizuno irons (G430s and JPX 923s). I didn’t get any improvement from either set, so I just kept my Cobras. I’ve been hitting used drivers at 2nd Swing and having a similar experience (no fitting - just hitting on my own). Regardless of what I hit, I’m not getting any more distance than my circa 2010 Cobra S2. Dispersion is about the same. Like my irons, my current driver is fine. But I’d take more distance if I could get it. They now have a Titleist TS1 in stock at the Dallas store that I’ll try today or tomorrow. I hit a TSi1 a week or so ago, but not the TS1. My driver SS is pretty low - upper 80s - so I’m hoping a lighter driver might help with that. I have a regular flex shaft on my driver and senior flex shafts on my irons. During my iron fitting, the fitter suggested regular flex, but since I wasn’t hitting either regular or senior any farther than my current set, I didn’t press it.

 

So my question is: are golf tech “improvements” mostly hype? I know my swing isn’t perfect by any stretch, and I’m not trying to fix it with equipment. My shape of ball flight is fine - primarily a slight draw. It’s just that based on everything I read or watch, I’d expect more distance with new equipment vs 10 year old equipment. Distance is all I’m looking for. Another way of asking it is would you expect more distance with the latest equipment with the exact same swing with older equipment?

 

[TiScape]

3 minutes ago, Triple Lindy said:

So this brings up a question I have for this group. I feel like I have my swing back to pre-shoulder injury and probably even better than it was. I still need to rebuild some muscle, or at least that’s what I’m telling myself, as my distances are down from pre-injury/surgery. But I thought that maybe I could get some distance back with new clubs, as mine are 10 years old. I’ve been in for a fitting and tried the latest Ping and Mizuno irons (G430s and JPX 923s). I didn’t get any improvement from either set, so I just kept my Cobras. I’ve been hitting used drivers at 2nd Swing and having a similar experience (no fitting - just hitting on my own). Regardless of what I hit, I’m not getting any more distance than my circa 2010 Cobra S2. Dispersion is about the same. Like my irons, my current driver is fine. But I’d take more distance if I could get it. They now have a Titleist TS1 in stock at the Dallas store that I’ll try today or tomorrow. I hit a TSi1 a week or so ago, but not the TS1. My driver SS is pretty low - upper 80s - so I’m hoping a lighter driver might help with that. I have a regular flex shaft on my driver and senior flex shafts on my irons. During my iron fitting, the fitter suggested regular flex, but since I wasn’t hitting either regular or senior any farther than my current set, I didn’t press it.

 

So my question is: are golf tech “improvements” mostly hype? I know my swing isn’t perfect by any stretch, and I’m not trying to fix it with equipment. My shape of ball flight is fine - primarily a slight draw. It’s just that based on everything I read or watch, I’d expect more distance with new equipment vs 10 year old equipment. Distance is all I’m looking for. Another way of asking it is would you expect more distance with the latest equipment with the exact same swing with older equipment?

 

Depends how old. Since COR was maxed out I’d say most improvements w/drivers is MOI/forgiveness. Sweet spot strike w/a new driver vs sweet spot strike w/a 10yo driver with a robot is probably negligible. I’m sure someone w/more analysis/data can confirm.

[chisag]

10 minutes ago, TiScape said:

Not lost on me that one of the most open minded ppl when it comes to so many topics, is so adversely affected by 80s music! 😂 Chick w/a 🍆, absolutely cool… 80s synth driven band… oh hell no!!! 😜

 

❤️ U chi 😊

 

 

... Ti, it is my open minded achilles heel for sure. You have to remember I loved being an air personality in the 70's. Not only did the 80's music drive me to acting but the 80's techno era created radio stations that all pretty much went to "More music, Less talk". Reread cars and pushed buttons. Air personalities disappeared and were replaced by personal play lists and of course Video Killed The Radio Star. Music went from sound being the only requirement to a look being as or even more important. Just so much looked and sounded so uniform in the 80's. It was a perfect storm backlash of all about me from the naive, peace/love, lets all make the world a better place of the 70's. And one could certainly make the argument that the lack of hair style and clothing style was a non conformity style in itself. Unwashed jeans, unkept hair and tee shirts that were all over the map, but tee shirts non the less. I really believe unless you lived in the 70's understanding how the 80's effected us is impossible to truly understand. 

... And again, at the same time I also understand every generation dislikes the current generation as it is almost always a revolt against the previous values. The 70's were despised by the previous generation that was all Ward and June Cleaver and thought Hippies wanted to destroy America as they knew it. And finally most of my distaste is exponentially magnified here for entertainment purposes and there are more than a few songs from the 80's I turn up when they come on in my car. 😇

[imkirby34]

35 minutes ago, TiScape said:

That was ur ball that hit my car?! 😡 

 

You didn't need that turn signal anyway.  😁

[TiScape]

3 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

 

... Ti, it is my open minded achilles heel for sure. You have to remember I loved being an air personality in the 70's. Not only did the 80's music drive me to acting but the 80's techno era created radio stations that all pretty much went to "More music, Less talk". Reread cars and pushed buttons. Air personalities disappeared and were replaced by personal play lists and of course Video Killed The Radio Star. Music went from sound being the only requirement to a look being as or even more important. Just so much looked and sounded so uniform in the 80's. It was a perfect storm backlash of all about me from the naive, peace/love, lets all make the world a better place of the 70's. And one could certainly make the argument that the lack of hair style and clothing style was a non conformity style in itself. Unwashed jeans, unkept hair and tee shirts that were all over the map, but tee shirts non the less. I really believe unless you lived in the 70's understanding how the 80's effected us is impossible to truly understand. 

... And again, at the same time I also understand every generation dislikes the current generation as it is almost always a revolt against the previous values. The 70's were despised by the previous generation that was all Ward and June Cleaver and thought Hippies wanted to destroy America as they knew it. And finally most of my distaste is exponentially magnified here for entertainment purposes and there are more than a few songs from the 80's I turn up when they come on in my car. 😇

Always good to get to the “root” of the “hate”. Silver lining… 80s music is responsible for your illustrious acting career! ⭐️ 😊

 

Reminds me. There was (is) a member in the golf section that was always hating on Scotty and his putters… Come to find out it wasn’t really the putters he didn’t like, it was that he felt disrespected when he visited the studio. It was a real ‘aha moment’. 

[TiScape]

6 minutes ago, imkirby34 said:

 

You didn't need that turn signal anyway.  😁

🤣

[NJBigFish22]

16 minutes ago, Triple Lindy said:

So this brings up a question I have for this group. I feel like I have my swing back to pre-shoulder injury and probably even better than it was. I still need to rebuild some muscle, or at least that’s what I’m telling myself, as my distances are down from pre-injury/surgery. But I thought that maybe I could get some distance back with new clubs, as mine are 10 years old. I’ve been in for a fitting and tried the latest Ping and Mizuno irons (G430s and JPX 923s). I didn’t get any improvement from either set, so I just kept my Cobras. I’ve been hitting used drivers at 2nd Swing and having a similar experience (no fitting - just hitting on my own). Regardless of what I hit, I’m not getting any more distance than my circa 2010 Cobra S2. Dispersion is about the same. Like my irons, my current driver is fine. But I’d take more distance if I could get it. They now have a Titleist TS1 in stock at the Dallas store that I’ll try today or tomorrow. I hit a TSi1 a week or so ago, but not the TS1. My driver SS is pretty low - upper 80s - so I’m hoping a lighter driver might help with that. I have a regular flex shaft on my driver and senior flex shafts on my irons. During my iron fitting, the fitter suggested regular flex, but since I wasn’t hitting either regular or senior any farther than my current set, I didn’t press it.

 

So my question is: are golf tech “improvements” mostly hype? I know my swing isn’t perfect by any stretch, and I’m not trying to fix it with equipment. My shape of ball flight is fine - primarily a slight draw. It’s just that based on everything I read or watch, I’d expect more distance with new equipment vs 10 year old equipment. Distance is all I’m looking for. Another way of asking it is would you expect more distance with the latest equipment with the exact same swing with older equipment?

 

I just got fit and ordered a new set of clubs.  My biggest issue was height and distance.  My Honmas had Modus 105 R shafts.  I didn’t have surgery, but with the 3 back fractures, and a heeled Rotator Cuff injury, but with arthritis in my shoulder I was going to experiment with different shafts.  Instead my club was having a fitting so I went.  My fitter was really good, he made swing recommendations if needed and tried different things. So my average height was between 32-34 feet, after the fit, my height increased to 52-55 feet, highest was mid 60’s.  This also helped increase my carry by about 20 yards as well on average.  I ended up with a combo set of Titleist with Recoil Shafts at 66 gram shaft.  I also found out my clubs should be flat and standard length.  We tried driver next and do to my path and just finishing the iron fit, we cut it short.  If my swing improves I would definitely get fit again.  I can always look for used or maybe find a better lighter weight and different flex that may work better for me.
 

 I think there are advantages in club technology, but if you don’t have a consistent swing, you probably won’t recognize any advantage.  My suggestion after all my rambling is get fit, you may walk away with valuable knowledge on which shaft is best for you after your recovery.  

[chisag]

17 minutes ago, Triple Lindy said:

So my question is: are golf tech “improvements” mostly hype? I know my swing isn’t perfect by any stretch, and I’m not trying to fix it with equipment. My shape of ball flight is fine - primarily a slight draw. It’s just that based on everything I read or watch, I’d expect more distance with new equipment vs 10 year old equipment. Distance is all I’m looking for. Another way of asking it is would you expect more distance with the latest equipment with the exact same swing with older equipment?

... The easy answer is yes and no. If you have the right shaft and hit the center of the face with your Cobra it is gonna be pretty similar to any new driver. Especially with a sub 90 club head speed. The difference will be in mishits that are improved with the newer drivers. On a different note, you may want to get your hands on some of the previous V2 Kirkland Signature balls that spin more than any other ball. At sub 90 swing speed you may not be producing enough sin to max your carry. Just a thought.

... I think I have posted this before but my 81 yr old playing pard with a swing speed somewhere around 85 and a little more with some swings was playing the original Ping G with a regular flex 60gm stock shaft, which is close to 10 yrs old. I forced him to go a Callaway free driver fitting and he gained close to 20 yds with a Paradym X and a 45gm senior shaft. But he was not gonna spend $600 on a new driver and I found an Aldila NVS 45gm senior flex shaft for $39 so he bought it and an G Driver adaptor for $10 off Ebay and I installed it for him. He instantly gained 10-15 yds. He was ecstatic that he gained 15yds spending $50 instead of 20 yds spending $600. 

... So there are several factors that dictate whether or not a new driver will produce more yards. Having the right head and the right shaft are important but so is your swing and physical condition. I use exercise bands the increase my flexibility and improve strength and believe it is a big contributor to maintaining my distance off the tee. Yea, I have lost a few yards from my 40's but still within 10 yds or so and better equipment and keeping in shape has been a good combo for me. 

[aenemated]

48 minutes ago, Triple Lindy said:

So my question is: are golf tech “improvements” mostly hype? I know my swing isn’t perfect by any stretch, and I’m not trying to fix it with equipment. My shape of ball flight is fine - primarily a slight draw. It’s just that based on everything I read or watch, I’d expect more distance with new equipment vs 10 year old equipment. Distance is all I’m looking for. Another way of asking it is would you expect more distance with the latest equipment with the exact same swing with older equipment?

 

Driver + modern shaft tech? In my anecdotal experience; abso-freakin-lutely. With all that gets jam packed into driver heads AND what they're capable of doing in terms of shaft fitting - it's nuts. 45 y/o aenemated smokes it right on by 25 y/o aenemated off the tee. I've never gotten a ball flight like I do with my TSR3 + Ventus Black. It's no wonder half the pros are in that shaft ... there's definitely some manner of sorcery in there.

 

Iron heads ... beyond the obvious, I don't think there's a noticeable difference as most people who struggle with iron play have swing issues that no club will fix. Though if you're not in that category; a shaft that works for you can make it EASIER to control that swing. I hung on to heavy azz S400s for too long; went straight to the graphite experiment last year that didn't go well and finally settled on the $-Taper Lites and man, do I love them. What I've found in all the tinkering I've done is the right shaft works with you, your tempo, your transition, everything to simply make it easier to put a good strike on it. The ones that haven't, I've felt like I've had to fight with it and it would feel like the clubhead was never where it should be. C-Tapers, every single PX shaft I tried most notably. 

 

The quickest and easiest way to gain distance is to hit the middle of the clubface. I do firmly believe the right shafts make this easier.

Edited August 13, 2023 by aenemated

[TiScape]

33 minutes ago, imkirby34 said:

 

You didn't need that turn signal anyway.  😁

Classic tie-in there Kirb 😂 👏🏼 

[chisag]

18 minutes ago, aenemated said:

 

Driver + modern shaft tech? In my anecdotal experience; abso-freakin-lutely. With all that gets jam packed into driver heads AND what they're capable of doing in terms of shaft fitting - it's nuts. 45 y/o aenemated smokes it right on by 25 y/o aenemated off the tee. 

 

What I've found in all the tinkering I've done is the right shaft works with you, your tempo, your transition, everything to simply make it easier to put a good strike on it. The ones that haven't, I've felt like I've had to fight with it and it would feel like the clubhead was never where it should be. 

 

The quickest and easiest way to gain distance is to hit the middle of the clubface. I do firmly believe the right shafts make this easier.

 

 

... Good stuff mi amigo! I am amazed at how many, especially on wrx, that don't understand your equipment should fit your swing, not the other way around. So many lust after "cool" shafts or heads that just don't fit their swing. When I do a driver fitting with a fitter that knows what they are doing, they never let me swing a shaft more than twice if it isn't a good fit OR I swing it differently. If a shaft feels too stout I will always subconsciously go at it a little harder to get the feel I am used to, and too soft a shaft I will change my tempo. When a shaft fits my swing, just like you stated it is easier to put a good swing on the ball. 

... I would also add you have plenty of speed and that makes a HUGE difference when it comes to equipment. I am always amused at the idiots on here that poo poo players distance horns or jacked lofts claiming they hit a P790 7 iron 210 yds with some "fliers" 220 and more, then laughingly proclaim who needs another 15 yds from their irons? Well the guy that hits his current, older 7 iron about 130 yds, that's who. An extra 10 yds is huge for the older player, the guy battling injuries or just the out of shape high index player. In the end, the slower you swing the less difference equipment makes UNLESS you aren't properly fit. Then gaining 10-20yds can certainly be in the cards. 

[imkirby34]

44 minutes ago, TiScape said:

Classic tie-in there Kirb 😂 👏🏼 

 

I was hoping you'd catch that. 😜

[TiScape]