JA's WiTB Frankenbag

[JA_357]

So thought I'd showcase my bag as its a little different to many here. Its a bag that changed in parts, and the transition is ongoing. Coming back to the game and gaining strength (was a scrawny when I was younger) required me to revisit my old custom set. Started off with a set of Cougars (Australian lower end custom brand), which were fit long and upright for my height (6'5"), and a great set while I was at college. Got very comfortable with them, until the shafts were forcing me to time the ball. So got a few clubs fitted last year in separate sessions, and lo and behold - my taste varied between manufacturers. This year, decided to upgrade the irons, predominantly because I've been hitting them too long (particularly at the shorter end - 155 yd PW is not what I want), and want to move to a set that better accommodates the way I'm hitting the ball. Its a true frankenbag, with most of the major manufacturers featured - but having tried the alternate options, and am agnostic on brand, all that matters for performance is what works for me. The wedges were an interesting story, as two were off the used market, and it worked out I had three different colorations - I'm actually kind of happy with it, as it means I can just select the right wedge based on color.

 

Bag: Titleist Cart-14.

Callaway Rogue ST Max with a 6.5 HZDS black RDX 60g, set at 9*
Stealth 3 Wood with an XFlex Kai Li 70g, at 15*
Cobra LTDx 7 Wood with a RDX black 80 Xflex at 21*

4-PW Cougar Old Game Improvement Irons +1" long, 2* up.

Titleist Vokey SM9 50* F-grind in nickel. +1" long, 1* up

Titleist Vokey SM8 54* D-grind in black (not shown as being extended to +1 long, 1* up).

Titleist Vokey SM9 58* M-grind. +2" long, 1* up.

Ping Kushion 4 putter.

 

The irons are soon to be upgraded with a set of Mizuno JP923 Forged, all in 1.5"+ length and 3 degrees upright, with Dynamic Gold 105s in the S300 spec - suspect that might get tweaked a little as I settle in to them. Gotta say I'm excited about the looks though over these old cavities.

Edited April 15, 2023 by JA_357

[BIG STU]

I am all for a Frankenbag----- Play what ever works for your game and be brand agnostic

[Ivyguy]

I bet you make a bit of money from your friends. 
 

If I see a bag like this in the wild, I don’t say anything for a few holes. 
 

Looks like a high 80’s player (not to offend), but I have gotten my clock CLEANED by a guy like this. 
 

Solid rig, kick a** this year!

[BIG STU]

47 minutes ago, Ivyguy said:

I bet you make a bit of money from your friends. 
 

If I see a bag like this in the wild, I don’t say anything for a few holes. 
 

Looks like a high 80’s player (not to offend), but I have gotten my clock CLEANED by a guy like this. 
 

Solid rig, kick a** this year!

Yep IMHO you are a guy who knows

[BallerNate]

Welcome to WRX and the WITB section!

 

I’m a fellow Big Man golfer as well at 6’7 and have a Rogue ST Max Driver also…sweet set up!

[JA_357]

8 hours ago, Ivyguy said:

I bet you make a bit of money from your friends. 
 

If I see a bag like this in the wild, I don’t say anything for a few holes. 
 

Looks like a high 80’s player (not to offend), but I have gotten my clock CLEANED by a guy like this. 
 

Solid rig, kick a** this year!

The gig is up 🤣. And you are a little generous - currently shooting low 90s, but hoping to venture to that range this season. Good enough to get a little beer money.

 

If playing with someone who hasn't seen it usually I do try to hide my speed a little if playing for skins before the round starts, and get a laugh when I bring out the driver - my swing is happily controlled at 116 mph and I average about 285 carry, though still dialing in the club. I do get the remark - how are you playing off ~20. The trouble with being long is that the margin for error is smaller - so I pay the price if I don't practice enough - and I need to spend a bunch more time on my short game. But hey, great to have something to aspire to - just love being out there (destress environment)

[JA_357]

 

3 hours ago, BallerNate said:

Welcome to WRX and the WITB section!

 

I’m a fellow Big Man golfer as well at 6’7 and have a Rogue ST Max Driver also…sweet set up!

 

Hah, thanks!

 

I have the weird problem of being relatively tall, but someone kept the arms a little on the short side, so my clubs tend to be fitted similar to your height. I really love the driver as well - the forgiveness vs ~14 years ago technology is astounding - my mishits are outpacing what were absolutely smashed hits before. Feels crazy nice when it all lines up and you bomb one out over 300.

 

[BallerNate]

23 hours ago, JA_357 said:

 

 

Hah, thanks!

 

I have the weird problem of being relatively tall, but someone kept the arms a little on the short side, so my clubs tend to be fitted similar to your height. I really love the driver as well - the forgiveness vs ~14 years ago technology is astounding - my mishits are outpacing what were absolutely smashed hits before. Feels crazy nice when it all lines up and you bomb one out over 300.

 

Yeah, for me I’m 6’7 with a 6’11 wingspan. So I’ve settled on +1” for irons and wedges and 1” Up as my preferred specs after a lot of trial and error.

 

Length for the wedges are the trickiest part though, with certain wedges more length has to be added than with others.

 

Gotta love it, the struggles of being a tall Golfer, Lol.

[JA_357]

So was curious how the new wedges would feel and whether the length would be enough - seems to be so, had a very good day from wedge distance in. First shot hitting the 50, 135 yds and put it 15 feet from the pin on a tight green approach across the river - and continued through the round. The 58 was also awesome - hit some beautiful chips around the greens, and was very playable on a couple of partials inside 100. Still waiting for the 54 to come back from lengthening, but managed beautifully with the two. Now just need the rest of my game to line up at the same time.

Edited April 19, 2023 by JA_357

[JA_357]

So the new 923F irons 4-PW arrived Friday and made their first appearance on course yesterday, and well I am extremely happy with them thus far. Gapping is much better for them than my old clubs - clocked the PW at 146 carry, 5I at 213 yards and 220 ish off a decent strike from the 4I. Long irons are definitely very hittable with a nice trajectory - the shorter irons are certainly less forgiving if you put a swing out on the toe, but very shapeable. Might still have to look at closing the PW/GW gap a little (44/50 currently) but I feel damn good behind them - and they are sharp looking as a bonus. 

[JA_357]

Settling in to the new irons well, though the longer irons are going to need some more practice as they are beautiful when you get it right - the 7 to PW play like a dream, every shot is consistent in length (still working on lines). Feel like I can rely on the driver, 3 wood and 7 wood - consistent and long. Wedges I'm really happy with, provided I remember to stay over them (struggling a bit adjusting between length of irons and the wedges) - I've adjusted how I'm playing my 58* to a flatter open lie a la Phil style with feet angled to the left of target, and I've been flopping some beautiful shots at shorter range.

 

The putter however...I'm less convinced about as I'm not sure its helping with my consistency. Had probably the worst round of putting ever, and was very unhappy with my performance. Usually I'm ok to 2 putt and maybe the occasional 3, but today there were multiple fours - pin positions were part of that (greenskeeper was in a foul mood, many pins cut on hillsides on quick greens). But at least I saved myself the trouble of putting on the 3rd with an ace 😇 with the new 9 iron.

[BallerNate]

On 6/19/2023 at 12:07 AM, JA_357 said:

Settling in to the new irons well, though the longer irons are going to need some more practice as they are beautiful when you get it right - the 7 to PW play like a dream, every shot is consistent in length (still working on lines). Feel like I can rely on the driver, 3 wood and 7 wood - consistent and long. Wedges I'm really happy with, provided I remember to stay over them (struggling a bit adjusting between length of irons and the wedges) - I've adjusted how I'm playing my 58* to a flatter open lie a la Phil style with feet angled to the left of target, and I've been flopping some beautiful shots at shorter range.

 

The putter however...I'm less convinced about as I'm not sure its helping with my consistency. Had probably the worst round of putting ever, and was very unhappy with my performance. Usually I'm ok to 2 putt and maybe the occasional 3, but today there were multiple fours - pin positions were part of that (greenskeeper was in a foul mood, many pins cut on hillsides on quick greens). But at least I saved myself the trouble of putting on the 3rd with an ace 😇 with the new 9 iron.

Awesome…Congrats!!!

 

Still haven’t pulled off an Ace yet. When I do I’m going to do a victory lap around the whole course though and let everyone know, Lol!!

[JA_357]

Feeling this week is I need to go and work over my yardages at somewhere with Trackman or similar and check the gaps now I've settled into the new irons - getting a little more length than I was earlier season and thats affecting how I'm playing (to be expected).

 

I've been doing some strength training as part of my fitness regime, and finding that it seems I'm hitting the ball worse when I'm warmed up? The first few drives are lovely 260-275 easy swings (commensurately, have been putting together some nice pars on the opening holes), but as I go further into the round I'm getting some wicked power fades approaching slices with the driver - and on my course that is ball loss territory. Think its time to go see a pro and get my swing looked at as something must be changing, as I'm having a worrying trend towards the right side of the fairway that hasn't been there before (general shape is straight to a very small fade) - I'm almost wondering if the strength training is causing me some timing issues in my swing.

 

One candidate for a look at for the bag is the 54* vokey SM8 - I had it lengthened by an inch, but I'm still not happy with it for full swings, feels very short - I'm favoring knocked down shots with P/50, or going full 58 over hitting it which is not what I want with a key wedge. I used to hit a 56*, which I loved, and I'm starting to wondering if the 54* needs to be replaced with something that fits better for the full/partial strikes. I am also wondering if the difference in lie between my irons and wedges is part of the issue - both the 50/58 are 1* upright, while the 54* is stock.