The "this is how my bag has to be" thread.

[meh]

I make so many stupid equipment mistakes by being a magpie and being attracted to shiny new things. Going forward, I need to read this before changing anything.

 

I need to play a 10.5 degree driver that isn't fade biased.

I need a low spin 3 wood like a sim ti or a paradym 💎 💎 💎 with a mid mid shaft, it just works for my funky swing.

No driving iron/utilities and play a 4 hybrid. 

Players cb irons,  not because I'm a great ball striker, I just hit these better. No foam filled bladey looking irons like p770, cobra tec etc.

50/54/58 wedge set up.

No blade putters,  just a mallet with heaps of moi. 

Finally, don't buy a club I haven't hit and isn't better than what I've got!!!!

[southpaw72]

I need to play whatever whatever I think I want to or I’ll always wonder what if lol

 

 

[RCGA]

- Never buying a driver under 10*

- Never buying another 3w 

- Never buying another hybrid 

- Never buying another fang or big MOI putter 

- Never playing Callaway balls

- Never spending money on premium graphite shafts 

 

 

[ApostateDrive]

- Stop convincing yourself that you need a 5 iron in your bag. You can't hit it well enough to gap with your 6i and your 5 hybrid works a lot better. 

 

- Same story with any woods under 18°. Just cause you want a 15° wood doesn't mean you're good enough to hit one. Yes, the gap between your 18° 5 wood and 10.5° driver is kinda big, but you're not good enough to do anything about it.

 

This is my internal dialogue 

Edited September 18, 2023 by ApostateDrive

[mvvraz]

- No driving irons 

 

- Newport/Newport 2 putters only in a superlight configuration. Stop trying to use a heavy head and expect something to change

 

- Easy to hit 5 wood that produces a lot of spin to shoot for greens

 

- Stop buying non-blade/blade-like irons because you'll just end up selling them for the first set that looks like a blade that pops up online 

[OnTheBag]

4 hours ago, meh said:

I make so many stupid equipment mistakes by being a magpie and being attracted to shiny new things. Going forward, I need to read this before changing anything.

 

I need to play a 10.5 degree driver that isn't fade biased.

I need a low spin 3 wood like a sim ti or a paradym 💎 💎 💎 with a mid mid shaft, it just works for my funky swing.

No driving iron/utilities and play a 4 hybrid. 

Players cb irons,  not because I'm a great ball striker, I just hit these better. No foam filled bladey looking irons like p770, cobra tec etc.

50/54/58 wedge set up.

No blade putters,  just a mallet with heaps of moi. 

Finally, don't buy a club I haven't hit and isn't better than what I've got!!!!

It is also funny how your club selections will change as you age.  Once I crossed into my late 60's, distance started dropping drastically as did the number of irons in my bag.  I now NEED fairway woods and hybrids to get the ball in the air.  Instead of using range time to work on driver or irons (this old body has a limited number of swings each week), I spent my time learning to hit a 3W - 9W.  

 

The best thing I did was stop keeping a GHIN index.  Most of my internal frustration was watching it fall from plus territory into the mid then high single numbers.  The next was moving to age appropriate tees.  I noticed that my short game didn't fall off as I aged, just the long game.

 

Shiny things aren't the answer.  Enjoyment and managing personal expectations was the key for me.

 

 

Edited September 18, 2023 by OnTheBag

[vandyfan]

No fairway woods, no low/low shafts, no low compression balls because they "feel good" because they also "go nowhere."

[ShortSticks]

"Play the most forgiving clubs you can"

[getitdaily]

Never....ummm, what were we talking about? Doorbell rang and it was a new club being delivered...

[Jeri6gt]

I need to stop wishing for True Temper to start making the PXI again.

And no the IOs are not the same, I have a set.

I also need to stop changing things because I am bored with the gear I have.

[getitdaily]

6 minutes ago, Jeri6gt said:

I need to stop wishing for True Temper to start making the PXI again.

And no the IOs are not the same, I have a set.

I also need to stop changing things because I am bored with the gear I have.

Good luck with that...

 

OEMs will make something next year that you think will do that 1 thing you need from club xyz in your bag...

[Liveonce]

3 hours ago, RCGA said:

- Never buying a driver under 10*

- Never buying another 3w 

- Never buying another hybrid 

- Never buying another fang or big MOI putter 

- Never playing Callaway balls

- Never spending money on premium graphite shafts 

 

 

feel you on the premium graphite shafts. I really think the difference is marginal. Stock hzrdus in whatever flex/weight works best just fine. What’s there to gain otherwise?

[scooterhd2]

-There is not a better wood and hybrid shaft then the DI for me. Stop trying.

-Leave the F6 Baffler alone. Nothing can beat it. 

-No more driving irons. You cant hit them better then hybrid. You've tried mericlessly. Let it be. That headcover isnt going away. Embrace it.

-No low spin drivers. They only work on the sim. On the course they will let you down. 

 

 

 

[PJE]

4 hours ago, RCGA said:

- Never spending money on premium graphite shafts 

 

 

Yes!

E.g., ”…Handcrafted…”; spare me. 

Edited September 18, 2023 by PJE

[eric61]

"Stop buying high-bounce lob wedges just because it's been raining a lot lately and you hit a couple pitches fat."

 

This is my lesson after a super-rainy July, when I decided to go with a Vokey SM9 60/14K. I mean it helps with those fat pitches ... but that same rain that made the fairways super soft has left the bunkers pretty densely packed, and every time I'm in them, can't get my K-grind lob wedge into the sand and hit one clean that flies over the green, I wonder what in the world I was thinking. Versatility is good! Just hit the higher-bounce sand wedge off the grass when it's really wet out, and leave the lob wedge alone! I think I'm going back to the Jaws Raw wedges that were working for me until that July rain.

[jholz]

And somehow I always manage to shoot 82...

[OnTheBag]

1 hour ago, jholz said:

And somehow I always manage to shoot 82...

This is funny but real for 99.9% of golfers.  There is a point of diminishing returns, once you "figure it all out."  At some point, it boils down to God Given Talent vs a very hard game.

 

Example....my neighbor's son is a solid golfer.  He'll shoot 78-84 pretty much every time out but continues to spend a small fortune on the next best thing, looking for those last few strokes on the card.  The reality is that he's playing above his skillset because otherwise, he's an awkward, uncoordinated kid.

 

I call him a kid....he's probably 35 years old.  But you get the point. 

[Grape]

2 hours ago, Liveonce said:

feel you on the premium graphite shafts. I really think the difference is marginal. Stock hzrdus in whatever flex/weight works best just fine. What’s there to gain otherwise?

The comments on upgraded/premium shafts resonated with me. I have paid up to get the premium shafts and really wonder how much of a difference it actually makes over an entire season. I think I’m the type of player that can adjust pretty quickly and is not too sensitive to the differences. 

[Mookieb10]

Self, I do hereby solemnly swear, or affirm, as the case may be, that the following statements about how my bag has to be, are the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me Gawd.  
 

- You’re a mediocre driver of the golf ball… with every driver besides the 400 Max. With the 400 Max, You’re scratch or plus capper as it relates to driving. Stop searching. 
 

- That LAB DF putter looks awful, but rolls the ball, on line and end over end, better than anything ever. You need to go to a fitter who can bend it to your proper lie angle and then play it 100% of the time and never play another putter. 
 

- But the Spider X is an all time great putter… if you don’t listen to yourself about the LAB DF putter above, play the Spider X. 
 

- You’ll just have to test whether your Spider X short slant or center shafted is better. 
 

- You spend more money on 3 woods than any other club… why?!! Take a 5w, turn it down, and never buy another 3w in your life. 
 

- Ventus is the only shaft worth upgrading to, but there isn’t a need to test all three with every club you buy. 
 

 

[ApostateDrive]

21 minutes ago, Mookieb10 said:

Self, I do hereby solemnly swear, or affirm, as the case may be, that the following statements about how my bag has to be, are the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me Gawd.  
 

- You’re a mediocre driver of the golf ball… with every driver besides the 400 Max. With the 400 Max, You’re scratch or plus capper as it relates to driving. Stop searching. 
 

- That LAB DF putter looks awful, but rolls the ball, on line and end over end, better than anything ever. You need to go to a fitter who can bend it to your proper lie angle and then play it 100% of the time and never play another putter. 
 

- But the Spider X is an all time great putter… if you don’t listen to yourself about the LAB DF putter above, play the Spider X. 
 

- You’ll just have to test whether your Spider X short slant or center shafted is better. 
 

- You spend more money on 3 woods than any other club… why?!! Take a 5w, turn it down, and never buy another 3w in your life. 
 

- Ventus is the only shaft worth upgrading to, but there isn’t a need to test all three with every club you buy. 
 

 

 

Curious about turning down a 5 wood. What does that accomplish over buying a standard 3 wood?

[jarediogolf]

1 hour ago, Mookieb10 said:

 

- You spend more money on 3 woods than any other club… why?!! Take a 5w, turn it down, and never buy another 3w in your life. 

The key is stop selling the 3 wood.
Every now and then when you get the urge to play the 3 wood you can put it in play and subsequently remember why it needs to be in the closet. 

Edited September 18, 2023 by jarediogolf

[OnTheBag]

1 hour ago, ApostateDrive said:

 

Curious about turning down a 5 wood. What does that accomplish over buying a standard 3 wood?

The shorter shaft makes it easier to hit and control.  Plus the little bit of extra loft (16.5° vs 14.5°) is easier to get in the air.

Edited September 18, 2023 by OnTheBag

[gvogel]

3 hours ago, OnTheBag said:

The shorter shaft makes it easier to hit and control.  Plus the little bit of extra loft (16.5° vs 14.5°) is easier to get in the air.

that's a 4-wood.  And there is nothing wrong with 4-woods!

[OnTheBag]

2 hours ago, gvogel said:

that's a 4-wood.  And there is nothing wrong with 4-woods!

Agreed.  They are just hard to find nowadays.

[Kai Slater]

I have to tell myself....."Self, stop chasing improvement in equipment; it's your swing that's the problem, not some silly golf club."  There are many solid brands of golf clubs out there; just pick one that feels good and looks good to the eye, and move on.

 

My best rounds of golf, way back when, were played with old crappy Wilson clubs and an old driver that looked like it was tied to a car bumper and dragged on the ground in a "Just Married" soda can collection.  The main difference during this time period was that I was much younger, more flexible, and playing with my wife's club pro cousin, who was working with my swing at the time.  We hit that old Dunlop driver from Walmart like a cannon. 

 

Conclusion:  it's my crappy swing or piss-poor course management/decision making that's the problem when things go off the rails for me.

[mvvraz]

9 minutes ago, Kai Slater said:

I have to tell myself....."Self, stop chasing improvement in equipment; it's your swing that's the problem, not some silly golf club."  There are many solid brands of golf clubs out there; just pick one that feels good and looks good to the eye, and move on.

 

My best rounds of golf, way back when, were played with old crappy Wilson clubs and an old driver that looked like it was tied to a car bumper and dragged on the ground in a "Just Married" soda can collection.  The main difference during this time period was that I was much younger, more flexible, and playing with my wife's club pro cousin, who was working with my swing at the time.  We hit that old Dunlop driver from Walmart like a cannon. 

 

Conclusion:  it's my crappy swing or piss-poor course management/decision making that's the problem when things go off the rails for me.

Decisions on the golf course are the bane of my existence. I make the most birdies on rounds where I am "ahead" and not even trying to make birdies. 

 

The moment I mess up first 3 or 4 holes the day is basically done because I start trying to birdie every single hole which simply doesn't work 😞

[Vater]

I need to remember to stay disciplined about:

- 7.5* driver with TX shaft - gotta keep that spin down

- A "rocket" 3 wood - when I need to club down for par 4s

- No other woods or hybrids - just a 2 iron with a premium small batch graphite shaft

- 3-9 blades, also can be used to butter my toast - hey, the look at address is THE most important thing for me

- Wedges, the highest of which is 62* or 64* - you know, for those short sided flop shots

- Rotating collection of $5K+ putters - how else am I expected to roll like Tiger?

- Sun Mountain stand bag - c'mon, I'm a humble guy, no need for a fancy bag. Anything more would just be pretentious.

 

With love,

Your typical WRXer

[Potch]

• Don't get fit for a driver in the winter when the brand-new ones come out but you haven't been playing regularly
• Why do you need to get fit for a driver anyway? If you get the itch for a new one, just get the latest PING LST 10.5 head - it'll work.
• Driver, 4 wood, and two hybrids before irons
• Irons need a thin sole and little offset - once those boxes are checked, get as much tech as you can in them
• 46* is the magic number for when to use set PWs - any higher loft, go to specialty wedges
• S200 in specialty wedges - don't mess with it, you know what they'll do.
• Try as many putters as you want; you're going to end up back in a center-shafted fang one soon enough

[CTG77]

21 hours ago, Liveonce said:

feel you on the premium graphite shafts. I really think the difference is marginal. Stock hzrdus in whatever flex/weight works best just fine. What’s there to gain otherwise?

 

For me, the difference between a Hzrdus shaft of any kind and the Tensei White line is so high that I can't even begin to tell you how much changing shafts helps.  I have hit virtually every edition of the Hzrdus line, and to me, they are just cheap shafts that don't go as far as a decent steel shaft.  Don't even get me started on the lack of consistent dispersion either.  As for costs....troll Callaway Preowned if you're looking for a custom shaft.  Changing from the Cally adapter to something else is easily done, and even if you pay a shop to do it, you can find deals like the 2 80X Tensei White AV FW / Hybrid shafts I got last week for under $125 combined (with shipping).  I already have gained strokes in 1 1/4 rounds of play w/ the 917F3 3 Wood (swapped from an old Rogue Silver X stiff shaft) and my Callaway Super Hybrid (Mavrik-era edition swapping out a trash Hzrdus shaft).

[Sean124]

“Ventus Black just work for you, so stop trying new driver/fairway shafts.”