Joostin's Frankenstein 🦄🔨 WITB Deep Dive, DIY, Vids, Older Clubs

[joostin]

I found my first WRX post from 2016 which was a WITB, and thought to do an update.  Well, irons are still the same, and no stopping in sight!  Bought them new in 2015 when fitted, and soon after just did all my own club building.

There’s mostly older gen stuff here.  I grew up and played HS golf with knockoffs and Knights.  Definitely learned early that it’s the Indian more so than the arrow, and the budget-mindedness must’ve carried on in life trying to get the most out of golf equipment tinkering.  That said I have no problem with anyone spending whatever they want or wanting the latest equipment… this is golfwrx!  You do you.

I like finding clubs individually as “personal unicorns” that check off all the boxes for me, being brand agnostic, Frankenstein-ish, and building/modifying everything at home.  One thing with older stuff is seeing what held up in the long run and became legendary, cultish, or longstanding clubs in use - that can be picked up 2nd hand, tried out, and maybe still outperform others.  Cheap flex 💪 💰 LOL

 

When looking for a change in pace I tend to like more drastic step changes vs. going from one club to another one that’s just more of the same.  That explains some of the choices.  Here’s a deep dive if you care to read the commentary or just see the pics.

 

 

Driver:  Cobra LTDx 9°. 45". OG Project X HZRDUS Black 62 6.5
Something finally kicked out the old Adams XTD Ti (with Rogue Silver) to the bench, which can still hang in distance with anything, but this was a step change going to a non LS more forgiving head.  Mainly a fade club.  Zebra headcover says to stripe it.

 

3 Wood:  OG Ping Rapture 14°. 42.75". OG HZRDUS Black 75 6.0
2nd spot is Big Easy.  At 229cc it’s like a 2W or small mini driver that’s mainly a tee club but good off the deck if ever needed.  I’ve had a 2nd driver here as a draw driver, but since I can work a draw with the LTDx driver, it’s back to a less-than-driver long fairway finder here.  My past FWs were pretty compact "player" type.

Hybrid:  Adams Pro Mini 20°. 39". Recoil 110 F5
3rd spot has had some version of a trusty 3 iron or 5 wood.  Pro Mini is compact, versatile, iron-like with a little more pop, and no hook problem for me.  A little better control right now vs 5W.

 

"4 Iron":  Cobra King F9 5 iron. 22.5°, 38.5". C Taper Lite X
The 4 iron spot has seen a bunch of similar lofted clubs including hybrid, player CBs, GIs.  All played fine, but I just like the look, low CG, and easiness of this SGI head.  Rickie Fowler had these 4 and 5 irons in older WITBs (comboed with Rev 33 blades… I like seeing and having different/odd setups like that) which definitely inspired me to try.  I have the F9 4 iron as a 3 iron, but not currently in the bag.

 

Irons:  Mizuno MP-54 5-PW. 27°-46°, 38"-35.5". C Taper Lite X
Love everything about them still.  Eventually I’ll update to newer irons, and would even consider going all GI (just don’t play much TBH), but really no need for the foreseeable future.

 

GW:  Nike Vapor Pro Combo 51°. 35.5". KBS Tour V 120X
I like the look of an iron here (and the VPCs), and there was no set MP gap wedge.  Also I try to avoid spinning too much on full or greenside shots with this club, so I tend to steer away from a specialty GW.

 

SW, LW:  Cleveland CBX Zipcore 54°, 60°. 35".  Edit: Was Dynamic Gold S300, switched to KBS Tour V 120X as of 10/30.
I’ve played blade wedges just fine, but have liked the bigger CB profile since 588 RTX CB, then OG CBX.  Another step change vs going from one blade to another.

 

Putter:  Cure CX3. 33". Aldila VS Proto 100X 
Love the giant super high MOI Cure heads.  Not for the faint of heart 😆.  I removed the double bend shaft (just not a fan of them, and the original build had too much forward shaft lean or sat too closed).  Installed GolfWorks 3" aluminum hosel, adjusted alignment.  Installed a VS Proto because I always wanted to try it in something, and liked the blue and low torque.  Re-installed GP SNSR 140 Contour grip with air.  Spray painted red color blocks for visual (mask, sand, primer, base, clear).  Drew top flange lines (just Sharpie).  Most might vomit but Supergirl rolls and aligns really well!

 

 

Stock vs modified

 

Alternate Putter:  Cure RX4, 37.75". Aldila VS Proto 85X. SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 3.0 17"
Sometimes I just want to switch it up and use something different...  Removed double bend shaft again.  Installed the VS Proto cut a little under belly length, as I have an almost belly putter like stroke.  Progressive wraps to remove shaft taper.  Installed SS grip with air.  Painted Versa-ish white blocks for alignment.  This is another Rickie inspired build, getting the grip on his Jailbird before it became all the rage.  I also wanted to mimic the center shaft look and stroke of my SeeMore FGP.  Smurfette (? Hah) also rolls and aligns well.  And the paint+clear has been holding up well with ball scooping.  These putters are true Frankenstein monsters.

 

 

Stock vs modified

 

Non-Putter Grips:  Pure DTX midsize (sorry to see Pure go out of business)
Ball:  Srixon Z Star, Z Star XV
Bag:  Cobra Ultralite Pro+
Wanted the giant cooler pocket, and the wife liked the colors too as it’s like her team (NE Patriots 🏈, though not my team!).

 

May put backup/benched clubs in another post because they're still able to go in the bag, but these are the current go-to ones.

 

Rangefinder with club distance cheat sheet:
Old Bushnell Medalist PinSeeker since 2012.  Cheat sheet taped to it.  The red numbers are only when swinging what I’d consider 100% on course with solid contact (used 5 best shot averages using PRGR), but I mostly play in the -5 to -10% range with cutoff swings, esp. approach shots, because at 100% I’ve come to realize I generally suck 😔😄.  But even +5% numbers are there if I want to jump on one or if there's helping wind.  Club speed in gray is there so I can check with the PRGR before a round to see how fast I’m swinging, and have a good baseline for distances that day.
 

 

Example of a -10% 6 iron (my version of a cutoff backswing is still kind of long, and cutoff follow-though):

This was the original thread for that (numbers changed as I picked up a little speed since then):

Edited February 25 by joostin
Title

[BIG STU]

8 minutes ago, joostin said:

I found my first WRX post from 2016 which was a WITB, and thought to do an update.  Well, irons are still the same, and no stopping in sight!  Bought them new in 2015 when fitted, and soon after just did all my own club building.

There’s mostly older gen stuff here.  I grew up and played HS golf with knockoffs and Knights.  Definitely learned early that it’s the Indian more so than the arrow, and the budget-mindedness must’ve carried on in life trying to get the most out of golf equipment tinkering.  That said I have no problem with anyone spending whatever they want or wanting the latest equipment… this is golfwrx!  You do you.

I like finding clubs individually as “personal unicorns” that check off all the boxes for me, being brand agnostic, Frankenstein-ish, and building/modifying everything at home.  One thing with older stuff is seeing what held up in the long run and became legendary, cultish, or longstanding clubs in use - that can be picked up 2nd hand, tried out, and maybe still outperform others.  Cheap flex 💪 💰 LOL

 

When looking for a change in pace I tend to like more drastic step changes vs. going from one club to another one that’s just more of the same.  That explains some of the choices.  Here’s a deep dive if you care to read the commentary or just see the pics.

Driver:  Cobra LTDx 9°. 45". OG Project X HZRDUS Black 62 6.5
Something finally kicked out the old Adams XTD Ti (with Rogue Silver) to the bench, which can still hang in distance with anything, but this was a step change going to a non LS more forgiving head.  Mainly a fade club.  Zebra headcover says to stripe it.

 

3 Wood:  OG Ping Rapture 14°. 42.75". OG HZRDUS Black 75 6.0
2nd spot is Big Easy.  At 229cc it’s like a 2W or small mini driver that’s mainly a tee club but good off the deck if ever needed.  I’ve had a 2nd driver here as a draw driver, but since I can work a draw with the LTDx driver, it’s back to a less-than-driver long fairway finder here.  My past FWs were pretty compact "player" type.

Hybrid:  Adams Pro Mini 20°. 39". Recoil 110 F5
3rd spot has had some version of a trusty 3 iron or 5 wood.  Pro Mini is compact, versatile, iron-like with a little more pop, and no hook problem for me.  A little better control right now vs 5W.

 

"4 Iron":  Cobra King F9 5 iron. 22.5°, 38.5". C Taper Lite X
The 4 iron spot has seen a bunch of similar lofted clubs including hybrid, player CBs, GIs.  All played fine, but I just like the look, low CG, and easiness of this SGI head.  Rickie Fowler had these 4 and 5 irons in older WITBs (comboed with Rev 33 blades… I like seeing and having different/odd setups like that) which definitely inspired me to try.  I have the F9 4 iron as a 3 iron, but not currently in the bag.

 

Irons:  Mizuno MP-54 5-PW. 27°-46°, 38"-35.5". C Taper Lite X
Love everything about them still.  Eventually I’ll update to newer irons, and would even consider going all GI (just don’t play much TBH), but really no need for the foreseeable future.

 

GW:  Nike Vapor Pro Combo 51°. 35.5". KBS Tour V X
I like the look of an iron here (and the VPCs), and there was no set MP gap wedge.  Also I try to avoid spinning too much on full or greenside shots with this club, so I tend to steer away from a specialty GW.

 

SW, LW:  Cleveland CBX Zipcore 54°, 60°. 35". Dynamic Gold S300
I’ve played blade wedges just fine, but have liked the bigger CB profile since 588 RTX CB, then OG CBX.  Another step change vs going from one blade to another.

 

Putter:  Cure CX3. 33". Aldila VS Proto 100X 
Love the giant super high MOI Cure heads.  Not for the faint of heart 😆.  I removed the double bend shaft (just not a fan of them, and the original build had too much forward shaft lean or sat too closed).  Installed GolfWorks 3" aluminum hosel, adjusted alignment.  Installed a VS Proto because I always wanted to try it in something, and liked the blue and low torque.  Re-installed GP SNSR 140 Contour grip with air.  Spray painted red color blocks for visual (mask, sand, primer, base, clear).  Drew top flange lines (just Sharpie).  Most might vomit but Supergirl rolls and aligns really well!

 

 

Stock vs modified

 

Alternate Putter:  Cure RX4, 37.75". Aldila VS Proto 85X. SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 3.0 17"
Sometimes I just want to switch it up and use something different...  Removed double bend shaft again.  Installed the VS Proto cut a little under belly length, as I have an almost belly putter like stroke.  Progressive wraps to remove shaft taper.  Installed SS grip with air.  Painted white blocks for alignment.  This is another Rickie inspired build, getting the grip on his Jailbird before it became all the rage.  I also wanted to mimic the center shaft look and stroke of my SeeMore FGP.  Smurfette (? Hah) also rolls and aligns well.  And the paint+clear has been holding up well with ball scooping.  These putters are true Frankenstein monsters.

 

 

Stock vs modified

 

Non-Putter Grips:  Pure DTX midsize (sorry to see Pure go out of business)
Ball:  Srixon Z Star, Z Star XV
Bag:  Cobra Ultralite Pro+
Wanted the giant cooler pocket, and the wife liked the colors too as it’s like her team (NE Patriots 🏈, though not my team!).

 

May put backup/benched clubs in another post because they're still able to go in the bag, but these are the current go-to ones.

 

Rangefinder with club distance cheat sheet:
Old Bushnell Medalist PinSeeker since 2012.  Cheat sheet taped to it.  The red numbers are only when swinging what I’d consider 100% on course with solid contact (used 5 best shot averages using PRGR), but I mostly play in the -5 to -10% range with cutoff swings, esp. approach shots, because at 100% I’ve come to realize I generally suck 😔😄.  But even +5% numbers are there if I want to jump on one or if there's helping wind.  Club speed in gray is there so I can check with the PRGR before a round to see how fast I’m swinging, and have a good baseline for distances that day.
 

 

Example of a -10% 6 iron (my version of a cutoff backswing is still kind of long, and cutoff follow-though):

This was the original thread for that (numbers changed as I picked up a little speed since then):

I probably said it before about you--- 110% agree--- Play what works for your game brand name and vintage be dammed. Play what works for you period. The irons in my signature are 2014 models-- I had to go to them from 80s Mac blades because of a back injury

Edited September 10, 2023 by BIG STU

[EaglesGolf99]

Love the yardages on range finder. Brilliant!

 

Love your detail. I am much the same! 

 

Thanks for the read! 

[joostin]

12 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

I probably said it before about you--- 110% agree--- Play what works for your game brand name and vintage be dammed. Play what works for you period. The irons in my signature are 2014 models-- I had to go to them from 80s Mac blades because of a back injury

Absolutely 👍.  Your signature clubs are very much indicative of the sage wisdom of a golf enthusiast with models that have become pretty legendary. 

[joostin]

The top end of the bag was always the most played around with.  A lot of configurations could work, but I think it's finally in a happy place that doesn’t feel lacking.  I think what was missing the whole time for me was an easy, more automatic 3W, that I feel like I have now (above).  Now when looking at pro WITBs, I'm seeing more Max-type 3Ws.. maybe because I'm looking. 

 

Clubs that have occupied spots have been some of my favorites ever, but lost out to ones that just filled the spots better.  These are those favorites that got benched:

 

 

The 915F fairways have been pretty well loved on WRX (and JT's 915Fd), though I might like the TEE CBX 119 line even better.  The SGI Cobra F9 4 iron has been a great DI for me, even capable of hitting bullets out of rough.  All lost their spots but definitely won't be sold!

 

However, my absolute favorite club to hit that's addictive like a drug is this Wilson FG-53 1 iron.  Of course it doesn’t really see the course (I only play for fun, so it could), but it's not that scary or impossible as it's on the bigger side for a blade.  I'm not that great of a ball striker, so pretty sure God can hit it despite what Trevino said ⛈⚡🏌‍♂️

 

 

[joostin]

Throwback WITB pics found

 

2005

 

 

 

Driver:  KZG Maraging Power 9°. Some kind of Penley stiff shaft
Driver (not shown):  KZG Gemini 395 9°. Harrison Striper X

   Didn't have a pic, but soon after the one above I got fitted for the Gemini.  It went far, but I never had much control.  Broke the shaft and went into Proforce V2 stiff.  Broke again and went into a Harrison Saga 70X for a few years.  Broke that lol and went to the Nike below...

3W:  Adams Tight Lies ST Smart 3 15°. Stock stiff shaft 
2 Iron:  Hogan Apex Plus 17°. Apex 4

   Before these irons I only had knockoffs of Tommy Armour 855s.  Picked this 2i up in a used bin. It felt so good... I had to get a whole set of Hogans, then found Apex Edge Pros, which stayed in the bag for 10 years.
3-PW:  Hogan Apex Edge Pro 20°-46°. Apex 4
GW, SW:  PureSpin Diamond Face 52°, 56°
Putter:  TaylorMade Rossa Sebring 3
 

2015

 

 

 

Driver:  Nike VR Pro Ltd. 9.5°. Aldila NV 65X

   In bag from 2012.  Great club

3W:  TEE CB3 15°. 42". Motore Exotics Tour 80X

   In bag from 2011.  Another great club

2H:  Nickent 4DX 17°. UST SR3 X

   Was hot and cold with that hybrid, and distance was too close to the 3W

4-5 irons:  Hogan Apex Edge Pro 23°, 26°. C-Taper Lite X
6-PW:  Mizuno MP-54 30°-46°. C-Taper Lite X
GW, SW, LW:  Acer XB 50°, 54°, 60°. DG S300

   Had a ton of lead tape to get to something like E5 swingweight because of hearing about going heavy with wedges from Maltby.  Didn't care for it.  Also taped over it because I didn't want to touch all that lead lol.  Had Cleveland CG12 wedges in before going on this Hireko kick.

Putter:  Dynacraft Online. 32"
 

Putter:  Ping Pal 4 BeCu. 32". SS 1.0
   Coke bath

 

2016

 

 

Driver:  Adams XTD Ti 9°. Matrix 6Q3 X. Then Matrix 70M4 X, Aldila RIP NL60TX 
   Love this driver, still do.  Fade only bomber

3W:  TEE CB3 15°. 42". Motore Exotics Tour 80X
3I:  Wilson C200 19°. 39.5”. Aldila RIP α 105X
4-5 irons:  Hogan Apex Edge Pro 23°, 26°. C-Taper Lite X
6-PW:  Mizuno MP-54 30°-46°. C-Taper Lite X
GW:  Adams CB2 50°. DG X100 
SW, LW:  Cleveland 588 RTX CB 54°, 60°. DG Wedge
Putter:  SeeMore FGP. 33". SS 2.0 Flatso
  Shared this shaft decal I designed on another thread.  It was to help with consistent setup at address by framing the bottom lines

 

 

 

I think that pretty much covers everything that was in my bag from 2005-2016!

[joostin]

Just posting thoughts on my 2nd club in the bag - the 3 wood spot – and why it’s basically a free/wildcard spot.

 

I’m relatively long with only short courses around, and play very little golf.  I could definitely play just 12 clubs with nothing between Driver and 4 iron, and not miss much.  Sometimes I play with 4 iron as the longest club on short courses, 11 or less clubs.

 

The club above 4 iron, a 3 hybrid (20°, 3 iron shaft, length, and weighting) is probably my most trustworthy "good hitting" long club off the turf.  Even so, expectations aren't so high lol.  As something I can step on to carry 250 yd, there's no practical need for anything longer.  I mean, hitting greens beyond that, especially off the turf, is a low low success rate.  5 wood can take this spot too, with a little more distance but a little less accuracy for me.

 

4W or 3W can get more distance, and are decent off the turf, but hitting a bad shot is probably more likely than a true solid and on target shot.  And again, practically, there's no need to expect hitting a green from 270 off the deck 😳.  Above 250 I don’t need clubs to have nice gapping yardages to land on greens!

 

So, forget about needing the 2nd longest club to give reliable good long fairway shots (speaking for myself).

At this point I just want a fairway finder that I can be aggressive with - long but less than driver, instead of trying to hit an easier driver (which is definitely a good option).  3 iron was always a good club for me for that.  The large headed 3W has been the best so far over smaller FWs and 2nd driver.  And instead of going the mini driver route which I'm not likely to spend any $ for...

This past week I just chopped down a 20 year old classic R510 TP 8.5° to 43”, and am excited to test it out.  I’m hoping it can hit low bullets all day long – as if it were a stinger hitting driving iron with more horsepower.  390cc head, big deep face, solid feel, DIY driver fitting thread, foot powder spray or impact tape, roll of lead tape, different tee heights…. Not sure it could take the 3W out of it’s spot, but it's a club build I always wanted to try.  And it will definitely get a little restoration in the garage soon 🙂
 

Edited October 29, 2023 by joostin

[joostin]

Sadly this year has been a crap year as far as actually golfing.  Forget weekend hacking, more like one hack a month, if that.  I can count the number of rounds on my hands.  So my golf fix has been far more about tinkering or getting to the range or posting on wrx or designing putter head's in CAD.

 

Had some pics of a recent restoration to post.  I did 2 really beat up Ping G10 hybrids, and redid one of them twice because of being unhappy with the clear coat results.  More on that later, but here's from beginning to end result with steps taken:

 

DIY Golf Club Paint Job

 

Find:  Picked up a couple cheap heavily used G10 hybrids with the idea to restore

 

Sand face and sole (no pic):  120 grit, 220 grit, and Scotch Brite on face and sole.  Scotch Brite only on topline.  Btw I like the look of older hybrids with the bare metal toplines for how they align and frame the ball, and they're sky mark friendly 🤫

 

Mask and sand away paint:  120, 220 grit.  Sanded completely away to bare metal the last couple times.  I'll usually have to mask again, carefully, after this sanding to prep for priming.

 

Vent:  Garage open, floor fan blowing out, mask on, cardboard box to spray into. 

 

Prime:  A couple thin coats - handful of passes each coat - with Rustoleum self etching primer if sanded to bare metal, or filler primer if I left paint on spots.

Didn’t sand the primer if it looked even.  Tack cloth can be used to pick up any dust between any coats but usually didn't need.

 

Base coat:  Metallic black Toyota paint I had from doing patch up work on a car.  I use Rustoleum protective enamel for other colors.  3-4 thin coats - again just a handful of passes each coat for coverage without heavy spots or drips:

 

Clear coat:  First couple attempts used a Rustoleum auto grade acrylic enamel that I used on a FW head in the past.  Didn’t get that hard for the fingernail test even after a month.  I thought it might've been a high humidity issue, so after that I waited to made sure humidity was as recommended, around 50%.  Completely redid paint job from scratch.  Same.  I got this KBS Diamond spray that supposedly cures super hard like a 2K spray, that people also use on cars.  I was trying to avoid using 2K clears because it's a one-time-use 2 part epoxy thing, so hoped the KBS would work while being able to use for later projects.  Completely redid again.  Same... still disappointed... but good enough.  For future ones I'll probably bite the bullet and do 2K (USC Spray Max) and just have a couple heads ready for the single use can.  Btw, don't get 2K confused with "2X coverage"... Not the same, and they probably say "2X" to make it look like 2K. 😤

Did a handful / lots of thin coats:

 

 

It comes out pretty good after this, and I'm sure people leave it here, but to really get a shine you have to go to the next level.

 

Pre-sand for polishing:  This step is always a little nerve-wracking because you want to sand to smooth out irregularities / orange peel in the top clear layer without going past the clear and into the base layer.  Light wet sand with 1500-2000 grit, cross hatch passes:

Remove masking.

It will look scarily worse and dull after this sanding, but you have to trust the process and that you sprayed a decent amount of clear for this step and polishing.

 

Polish:  This is the fun part... it's like magic.  I use Meguiar's polishing compound, a clean rag, and go to town.  Again I go in a cross, polishing a small section one way then cross it the other way, or little circles.  It'll start squeaking and a nice smooth shiny surface will appear if you sanded enough previously.  Voila! 

 

Paint fill:  For the grooves I spray some Rustoleum white paint in a cap, and dip a toothpick to apply.  Then wipe with a rag and acetone.  For letters and numbers, same thing, if I have Rustoleum color cans, otherwise Testers or nail polish is fine.  But I like Rustoleum for the grooves.

 

After that I'll carefully clean any rough paint lift edges with an Xacto knife.  You can wax the paint job just like a car, but they say to wait a few weeks for the clear coat to fully cure.  I didn't show the bottom because I didn't like how it came out, so just hiding it 😉. 

 

This turned into a tutorial, and I'm definitely not qualified to do so LOL, but my stuff does come out pretty clean!  And holds up fairly well on course.

 

The one above was gifted to a friend.  The 2nd G10 was done in blue for myself but I didn't take pics.  At 15° it's actually a great hitting "driving hybrid" that for sure belongs in the conversation for my 2nd spot club.

Edited November 4, 2023 by joostin

[DE-ILLINI]

The refinished club looks great.  I am curious to see the paint fill on the sole and the blue club.

[joostin]

1 hour ago, DE-ILLINI said:

The refinished club looks great.  I am curious to see the paint fill on the sole and the blue club.

I didn't like how the soles came out, but here you go.  I left the original orange and black pockets on the sole, and added blue nail polish that was too light but representing Mets colors for the friend it was given to.  I think I should've just covered all the original orange and black with the spray paint.  The original coloring was too worn.

 

Here's my Blue Bruiser below.  I had paint lift issues on the bottom and just brush painted the black pockets quickly and not so cleanly.  I might redo the sole and just spray paint those pockets including the spaces in between them all in blue, creating my own paint break line, and it would be cleaner.

 

This is paired with an Aldila Tour Green 85X, playing at 41.5".

 

One of those clubs before paint job:

 

[DE-ILLINI]

Looks good.  The bottoms of those clubs are tricky.  Blue on the bottom sound like a good choice.

[joostin]

New-for-me old club taking the 3 spot over my Adams Mini 20° hybrid.

 

Hybrid:  Ping G20 20°. 39". Aldila RIP Alpha 105X

 

 

The Mini is a great club, but this G20 seems more automatic, inviting, and I'm still able to work fades (and am not against offset).  I built it at 3 iron length with the stout RIP alpha out of my DI, and gave the bare metal a little restoration.  In the future painting it will be easy.  Added a few strips of lead tape on the toe by feel at the range.  I'm digging it and its renowned 👍/toe shape...  I think it's basically what an SGI iron is trying to become but can't without becoming a hybrid.

 

In other testing:  At the 2 spot, so far the 3W is easily the top dog.  OG Rapture is the most automatic FW I've had, since taking the time to find the right ball position.  I'm still messing with the old R510TP 8 5° cut down at the same 43" (previous post), with a bunch of lead tape added by feel.  It's pretty fun to hit hard low balls, but haven't found consistency yet.  The tee height has to be pretty high because of the deep face, so that along with dynamic conditions and being off on strike is probably why it's not a real comfortable club atm.  I'd like to get it to work for low bullets all day long, but practically I already have the 1 and 2 spots filled.

 

So the bag in my first post, with the CX3 Supergirl putter, along with a switch to this G20 hybrid, "should" be safe for the @Dan Drake 2024 BISC lol, but not posting yet!

[MGN01]

Great current set up, dude.  Good swing too.  (Do you mind sharing your Handicap?)  I liked the variety of brands you use.  I'm sort of in the same category.  Never heard of the Cure putter but it looks like a half mallet, a style that I use too.

 

Thanks for sharing the extensive list and details.  Enjoy.

Edited December 4, 2023 by MGN01

[joostin]

On 12/3/2023 at 9:33 PM, MGN01 said:

Great current set up, dude.  Good swing too.  (Do you mind sharing your Handicap?)  I liked the variety of brands you use.  I'm sort of in the same category.  Never heard of the Cure putter but it looks like a half mallet, a style that I use too.

 

Thanks for sharing the extensive list and details.  Enjoy.

Thanks 👍.  I've actually never known my handicap.  I play too little and sporadic golf... talking like 10 rounds a year (which is probably bottom 1% of wrx-ers), and I always felt it was something I would only keep if playing regularly.

 

Last year I threw a few consecutive rounds into a calculator online and was at 8.  Generally I'm unhappy if not breaking 80.  But I know the only way to improve is by playing more golf, which I just haven't made time for.  Played in high school, didn't play at all in college, then started playing maybe 5-12 times a year since, for 20 years!  With my distances and playing within myself, I should be more like a scratch, which I can play to for 9 holes sometimes, but can easily fall off the rails.  Coming in cold without golf for a couple months (only driving range and chipping/putting around) I can shoot 5 over or 20 over lol.  I just haven't made the commitment to prioritize long hours of golf and be able to truly score better.  But you'll see me popping into golfwrx because it's easier time on the phone 😄, and it's my golf therapy along with tinkering.

Edited April 16 by joostin
Changed 13 to 20 lol :(

[joostin]

Wife suggested we send an inexpensive set of clubs to the in laws' house, to share, for when we visit.  Well, piecing together a cheap set is right up my alley!  Luckily she hates ladies flex clubs and swings heavier stiff ones better, so we can play most of the same clubs.  2 clubs in her bag were pretty much stolen from me - a Nike gap wedge with a DG S400 and an Adams hybrid with my C Taper Lite X - 2 of her best club.

 

Got a hold of these irons, lob wedge, driver, and a duplicate of her putter all for less than $250 after shipping and tax.  Threw 3 of my old clubs in, reshafted the driver, made some length adjustments, and put on a mix of our grips.  I'll definitely add a hybrid or 2 for her, and it should be a solid set.

 

 

Driver:  Ping G20. 9.5°, 44.5". Bassara 55S.  She might need higher loft but we'll test.  So far I've only hit these clubs, and G20 is solid.

5 Wood:  TEE CBX119. 18°, 41.4". Diamana D+72X

Hybrid(s):  TBD. Have an Adams Tight Lies hybrid that I'll probably shaft up

3-PW:  Tommy Armour 855s. 21°-48°. Tour Step II stiff.  Somehow still had the 9 iron from my old high school knockoff set, "858c" haha, which is what inspired this set.

SW:  Cleveland 588 RTX CB. 54°, 35". DG Wedge

LW:  Cleveland CG14. 60°, 35". DG Wedge

Putter:  TaylorMade Monte Carlo OS CB. 33". SuperStroke 2.0

 

Grips are Tacki-mac Arthritic Serrated Jumbo (found those help her grip and swing) on everything except the 3 and 4 irons, which have my Pure DTX midsize as I'll be the only one using them.

 

Love the 90s look of the 855s

 

The flat-ish toe looked like it could hit a toe down lefty shot.  Soooo... first attempt was pure lol.  I recorded the 2nd shot on vid below, which was also on target, but then it was all downhill from there!

 

[joostin]

On 10/29/2023 at 11:02 AM, joostin said:

hoping it can hit low bullets all day long – as if it were a stinger hitting driving iron with more horsepower

The low hot screamer fairway finder at near driver speed is basically my dream ball flight, and after some work it's starting to become reality with the short driver - this old TM R510TP 8.5° at 43".

 

Man I'm loving this club.  It feels amazing even with range balls, and better with a couple real ones that I sacrificed to the range.  It's got a big tall face.  It's naturally low hitting for me, easier vs manipulating a stinger with another club.  And of course more horsepower than a driving iron.  Attaching a vid of a couple caught on camera.  It'll likely find a spot in the bag rotating with the 3W for a 2 driver setup.  Maybe even rotate in the main driver spot even though it's a little shorter.

 

 

43" still looks long at my height 🙄😆.  It was consistently getting mid 160s ball speed up to 169.  Maybe it'll get another couple mph with real balls, but really I just want that flight.  Can't wait to get it on the course.  Fast becoming my favorite club to smack around.

 

Gonna name it Hammer.  Whatever reference works: Powww, Thor worthiness, MC.. 2 legit.

 

Hope to post a better looking club after doing some restoration work.

[joostin]

I ❤ my older clubs, and up to challenge for the 2nd driver / 3 wood spot, here's a beauty from 2012.  If I were to find a similar modern club to fill this role, it's probably TSR4, but I like experimenting with cheap older stuff.

 

Driver:  Cleveland Classic 290 7.5°, 44". Aldila RIP NL 60 TX. Lead tape piled on and choking down to 43.5".

 

 

 

 

The face is DEEP, even deeper than R510TP (left).  Big difference vs the modern LTDx on right.

 

It'll compete with the R510TP 43" driver and 3 wood for what I want as the low flight stinger tee club.  For someone who's more range rat than golfer, TBH, it's a completely unnecessary obsession to find such a niche club for the 5-10 rounds of golf I'll probably play this year, but hey, I enjoy bashing balls in addition to real golf.  Here's a comparison so far of the oldies Cleveland Classic (43.5", 2012 release) vs TaylorMade R510TP (43", 2003) driver vs Ping Rapture 3W (42.75", 2006).

 

Looks:  CC > R510TP > 3W

Feel/Sound:  R510TP > CC > 3W.  Though CC feels great, R510TP is legendary.

Desired Flight:  CC >/= R510TP > 3W

Retaining spin on mishits:  TBD but probably 3W > R510TP > CC

Golf course ready:  TBD but maybe 3W > both

Joy to hit:  R510TP = CC > 3 wood

 

Here's a low baby draw with CC.  Getting up to 117 club 171 ball on a cold day in the 30°s so hoping for easy speed on course when it warms up.  The color filter helps to see the ball, and you can hear the difference vs the R510TP in the previous post's video.

[J_Tizzle]

There are some of my absolute favorite clubs in this WITB!

 

The Classic is such a monster of a driver, as well as the Cure putters. That R510 TP is *chef's kiss*.   If they ever take away my ability to side saddle putt, I've got my Cure just waiting on the bench.

[joostin]

5 hours ago, J_Tizzle said:

There are some of my absolute favorite clubs in this WITB!

 

The Classic is such a monster of a driver, as well as the Cure putters. That R510 TP is *chef's kiss*.   If they ever take away my ability to side saddle putt, I've got my Cure just waiting on the bench.

Thank you much JT.  Had to look up the Bobby Grace F22 in your sig... That's a seriously cool looking putter!  And it's nice to hear there are a few Cure likers around.

 

We'll see who wins the battle between Cleveland Classic vs R510TP on course.  I'm low key hoping for Classic because it's the best looking driver I've ever seen 😍.  At stinger launch I'm wanting to keep some spin, so the beastly low-low NL shaft might change to something more mid.  R510TP is amazing though, and I see why it had such a following.  Modern classic Hall of Famers these two are!

[joostin]

Adding the Axis1 putter they sent for free because of my torque analysis posts in the Putters subforum.  Thank you again Axis1 🙏 🍻.

 

I do like switching up putters once in a while for a change in look and feel, so it'll be sure to have a permanent place in the putter rotation.

 

Putter:  Axis1 Rose. 33". Lamkin Deep Etched. "Rosey"

 

I don't have any normal putters anymore 😂

 

On my main putter "Smurfette" I added a SeeMore-like dot because I aways liked the stroke I get from my FGP.  When aligned centered I see the left and right sides of the dot evenly.