Mid-life Crisis Bag! Ha Ha!

[Jtgavigan]

53 here. Still playing players clubs and DG X100. X stiff in woods. Tried to go down in flex, weight, but still swinging it 110 to 115 because I work out and stay in shape. So, we will be a few years yet before I drop. It is all about you and nothing magic happens just because you turn a certain age. 

[animalgolfs]

10 hours ago, Ger21 said:

 

I dropped 35g, and it ruined my game for two years.

When I turned 58, I went from DG S300 to 95g Fujikura Pro Iron, thinking the weight was starting to wear me out. My body felt a lot better after playing, but my game suffered. 

Not to bash PXG - I've seen this play over with multiple players. PXG fits them into lightweight shafts- gains yardage - then their game falls apart. Now, mostly these are bigger dudes - big forearms,  wrist & hands. 

 

 I've seen it play out just the way you describe 

[T Creer]

Age 57 and "can" hit x-flex early in the round but get tired and they go everywhere. Went to stiff flex (120gm iron) and they are exactly what I needed. 

Same thing with driver flex. The stiff flex is much more accurate later in the round. Iron heads are your choice but go to the next flex down--trust me. 

[PowderedToastMan]

I'd recommend giving Dynamic Gold 105 in X a shot. I'm not quite 50, but a former athlete myself with many lingering injuries and old man ailments. Still have speed, but these are easier on my body and perform awesome, probably quite similar to your KBS Tour 130X.

 

 

Edited March 21 by PowderedToastMan

[Dan Drake]

I've put together something like this for the time being.  It's not so much a "Mid-Life Crisis" bag as it is a "Dear Lord, I haven't practiced or played nearly enough over the last few months, my game is in shambles, and I don't want to embarrass myself too much if someone other than my Dad is playing with me" bag.  

 

It consists of a driver with a very heavy shaft, then straight to a driving iron 2i, then a whole mess of wedges for the 14 or so greens I'm going to miss and have to pitch on and two putt from.  

 

I'm not sure how many people in the low single digit index range have ever designed a bag to help them shoot 82, and yet here we are......

[alittleoverpar]

On 3/16/2024 at 7:44 PM, platgof said:

NS Pro 950 GH stiff flex, maybe

 

+1 for these.  I switched from PX 6.5 to NS Pro 950s and I love them. 

 

I even went to Stiff/Regular in my driver and fairway wood.

 

Much easier on the elbows for a 60+ year old guy. 😁

Edited March 21 by alittleoverpar

[gvogel]

On 3/16/2024 at 9:20 PM, BHI 99 said:

Fifty. The “other” f word. 

Seventy.  The "other" s word.

[gvogel]

33 minutes ago, Dan Drake said:

I've put together something like this for the time being.  It's not so much a "Mid-Life Crisis" bag as it is a "Dear Lord, I haven't practiced or played nearly enough over the last few months, my game is in shambles, and I don't want to embarrass myself too much if someone other than my Dad is playing with me" bag.  

 

It consists of a driver with a very heavy shaft, then straight to a driving iron 2i, then a whole mess of wedges for the 14 or so greens I'm going to miss and have to pitch on and two putt from.  

 

I'm not sure how many people in the low single digit index range have ever designed a bag to help them shoot 82, and yet here we are......

I have a bag to help me shoot under 90 at 71 years young:

 

Titleist 910 D2 12* driver (Ventus TR Red 5R)

Ping G25 5-wood (old dependable)

Titleist TSR1 hybrids 23*, 26*, 29* (my new best friends)

T200 7-iron

T150 9-iron and PW

SM 9 54* wedge - I would rather chip with a 9-iron or hybrid than use my sand wedge around the green.  But I can hit nice flop shots with the 54*.

I have  a few putters, and they all work the same, which is to say not so much.

[BHI 99]

4 hours ago, gvogel said:

I have a bag to help me shoot under 90 at 71 years young:

 

Titleist 910 D2 12* driver (Ventus TR Red 5R)

Ping G25 5-wood (old dependable)

Titleist TSR1 hybrids 23*, 26*, 29* (my new best friends)

T200 7-iron

T150 9-iron and PW

SM 9 54* wedge - I would rather chip with a 9-iron or hybrid than use my sand wedge around the green.  But I can hit nice flop shots with the 54*.

I have  a few putters, and they all work the same, which is to say not so much.

I’m glad I’m not the only one that still likes the 910’s!

[stryper]

64 here, still play stiff throughout the bag.  In my world, stiff = stable; don’t see a change in the foreseeable future. 🏌️‍♂️

[BCULAW]

Thanks for all of the replies.  I am feeling more and more like a change in mindset is in order.  A couple of years ago, I started overhauling my swing.  I'm older and not nearly as athletic as I was in my prime, but I can actually swing the club faster now than ever before because my swing mechanics have never been better.  My problem since picking up speed is that I am now trying to play a distance game that doesn't stay together for consistent periods of time. 

 

When I was playing my best golf - approximately 3-4 years ago - I was playing blade irons and shooting consistently in the high 60s to mid 70s.  My mindset was different.  Instead of trying to improve distance, I was actually dialing back and controlling the ball.  I installed regular flex shafts in my irons.  Looking back, heavy weight, regular flex irons have been an almost universal trend when I am playing well.  Instead of playing for the 170 yard seven iron (my current "stock" yardage), I dialed back and hit "smooth" seven irons from 150-155.  In the first month playing this style, my worst score was +3 on a 7100 yard course.  I shot 69 twice (my personal best), had a personal best nine-hole score of -4 and also had a shortened round where I was -5 through 14 before darkness ended the round.  What I recall is that I still missed fairways and greens, but my misses were smaller and more easily managed.  I eventually hit a slump in my scores at which point I decided to overhaul the swing and play more athletically.  I have done that, but it has not led to better scores.  In fact, I probably haven't scored below 75 since starting the changes.  

 

Since changing my swing and improving my speed/distance, I have NEVER come close to the scores I was posting previously.  I can't hit "smooth" seven irons with this bag because I have to hit these hard to load the shafts properly.  My best swings produce shots I have never been able to hit before, but my misses are bigger and I am prone to an almost total loss of control of the ball when the swing or body goes bad.  

 

I am going to test some clubs.  I need wedges that I know will help me get up and down and a putter that swings consistently.  As for irons, I need to figure out what would suit me best.  I have tried to find irons that produce "easy" distance (P790, i500, etc.), but I actually find that I want to hit them farther and farther, which leads me back to my current state.  I may go back to the good old fashioned blade irons with regular flex shafts (DGR400 is my personal choice).  I know I can't hit them further, so maybe it will force me to play a more controlled game with the irons.  I actually hit my driver better than ever, so probably need no change on that front. 

 

Will keep everyone posted.   

[NRJyzr]

3 hours ago, BCULAW said:

I may go back to the good old fashioned blade irons with regular flex shafts (DGR400 is my personal choice).  I know I can't hit them further, so maybe it will force me to play a more controlled game with the irons. 

 

I would say, don't sleep on Modus 125 regular, or Modus 120 stiff.  Though, the latter is possibly lighter than you'd care for at 114g.

 

[ChipNRun]

On 3/16/2024 at 6:55 PM, BCULAW said:

I’m curious what my other “50 something’s” are playing...

 

You missed the cataclysmic article from Golf Digest a few years ago. ... At age 53, golfers should get fitted to see if their longtime shafts have become too harsh for them. It was in GD, so it must be true!

 

Seriously, if you are starting to fight the shaft, a change will help you out. The 30-something pro at my club made a changeout to steel shafts 15 grams lighter than those in his old set. He said in events that ran multiple days, or if he got to play 36 holes while on vacation, he was too tired to swing on tempo by back nine.

 

Another thing: A physical therapist I worked (he's an avid golfer) cautions that older players who are swinging too-heavy clubs may sustain cumulative-trauma strain injuries to the body during the season.  

On 3/16/2024 at 6:55 PM, BCULAW said:

I can’t practice. With the time I have (Saturday morning), I’d rather play. From an equipment perspective, I feel like I’m hanging on to a time when I had more time and more game.

 

In scrambles, I have gotten paired with former small-college golfers. In college they played scratch golf with blade irons and robust shafts. Years later, they had a job, a wife and two kids, and a house. They have switched to PD or GI which they could handle with limited golf practice time. (You have started the move by going to Players CBs.)

[PARETO]

On 3/21/2024 at 11:52 AM, alittleoverpar said:

 

+1 for these.  I switched from PX 6.5 to NS Pro 950s and I love them. 

 

I even went to Stiff/Regular in my driver and fairway wood.

 

Much easier on the elbows for a 60+ year old guy. 😁

I’ve got NS Pro 8950’s in these and looooooove them. My 50 year old wrists and hands don’t complain ever. Plus the ball flight is great with the S56 heads. 

[BCULAW]

42 minutes ago, ChipNRun said:

 

You missed the cataclysmic article from Golf Digest a few years ago. ... At age 53, golfers should get fitted to see if their longtime shafts have become too harsh for them. It was in GD, so it must be true!

 

Seriously, if you are starting to fight the shaft, a change will help you out. The 30-something pro at my club made a changeout to steel shafts 15 grams lighter than those in his old set. He said in events that ran multiple days, or if he got to play 36 holes while on vacation, he was too tired to swing on tempo by back nine.

 

Another thing: A physical therapist I worked (he's an avid golfer) cautions that older players who are swinging too-heavy clubs may sustain cumulative-trauma strain injuries to the body during the season.  

 

In scrambles, I have gotten paired with former small-college golfers. In college they played scratch golf with blade irons and robust shafts. Years later, they had a job, a wife and two kids, and a house. They have switched to PD or GI which they could handle with limited golf practice time. (You have started the move by going to Players CBs.)

This is a very timely post!  I played this morning. Put a back up set in the bag for the first few holes and just hit it awful. Put my gamers back in on the 4th hole and hit them SO pure….for about 8 holes. I fell right back into the pattern I’ve been seeing. Fat shot here and there. Inconsistent distances on good contact.  
 

It occurred to me that I just don’t have the stamina to play 130g x-stiff shafts. I’ve never hit better shots than I have hit with this current set of irons. If I am at my best, these irons are an optimum fit, but as I get tired I get sloppy and these irons don’t help. In fact, they probably contribute to the fatigue!

 

i spin the ball a ton as it is, so I may need to tinker with either lighter weigh x-stiff to keep the spin down, or maybe dropping to stiff with a lower spinning head like a ZX7 or even a P790. At any rate, I need to stop making things harder than they should be. 

[BCULAW]

7 minutes ago, PARETO said:

I’ve got NS Pro 8950’s in these and looooooove them. My 50 year old wrists and hands don’t complain ever. Plus the ball flight is great with the S56 heads. 

LOVE those S56 irons!  One of my all time favorite sets!

[The Mad Bomber]

44 here and still have true WRX'er speed, but I just don't have time to practice like I did either. I just went into a hollow body iron and no regretzky's. Why make anything harder than it has to be? I can hit those 245's on the damn chrome and they still go. 

[NRJyzr]

10 hours ago, ChipNRun said:

In scrambles, I have gotten paired with former small-college golfers. In college they played scratch golf with blade irons and robust shafts. Years later, they had a job, a wife and two kids, and a house. They have switched to PD or GI which they could handle with limited golf practice time. (You have started the move by going to Players CBs.)

 

9 hours ago, The Mad Bomber said:

44 here and still have true WRX'er speed, but I just don't have time to practice like I did either. I just went into a hollow body iron and no regretzky's. Why make anything harder than it has to be? I can hit those 245's on the damn chrome and they still go. 

 

10 hours ago, BCULAW said:

This is a very timely post!  I played this morning. Put a back up set in the bag for the first few holes and just hit it awful. Put my gamers back in on the 4th hole and hit them SO pure….for about 8 holes. I fell right back into the pattern I’ve been seeing. Fat shot here and there. Inconsistent distances on good contact.  
 

It occurred to me that I just don’t have the stamina to play 130g x-stiff shafts. I’ve never hit better shots than I have hit with this current set of irons. If I am at my best, these irons are an optimum fit, but as I get tired I get sloppy and these irons don’t help. In fact, they probably contribute to the fatigue!

 

i spin the ball a ton as it is, so I may need to tinker with either lighter weigh x-stiff to keep the spin down, or maybe dropping to stiff with a lower spinning head like a ZX7 or even a P790. At any rate, I need to stop making things harder than they should be. 

 

 

Shaft weight is a good place to start.  I've already mentioned my dropping in flex, at least in irons, but woods are still functional at xstiff.  Though, to be fair, I'm playing X with no tip trim at what is now 3w length; my drivers are 43.5".  The exception are a couple ProtoPype shafts in stiff, a 70 and an 80.

 

The forgiveness angle...  I would just caution you to not get rid of the old stuff.  In my game, I just don't see it.  The last nine months or so have shown  me that what has been true for me over the last couple decades is still true; the older blades work for me, and the forgiving irons that will save my soul and provide winning lottery numbers haven't led to lower scores or better shot results.  My good shots are better, my bad shots are about the same with the Golden Rams as they are with the CBs I own.

 

I don't doubt that a number of folks need that forgiveness; one of my best friends sprays it all over the clubface to the point he probably couldn't play without G series Pings (G425, currently).  I just doubt a change such as that is as necessary as the "common wisdom" suggests.

 

Which is why I say, start with a shaft refit.  Then, give a solid effort at trying the other side of the proverbial fence, see if it works for you.  If it does, you've found your spot.  If it doesn't, don't be afraid to stick with those blades you've used for so long, just with different shaft choices.  Sorry for repeating myself.

 

A last thought...  I don't practice much, either.  I just play, about 70 rounds per year in my northern US season.  <shrug>

 

[BCULAW]

12 hours ago, NRJyzr said:

 

 

 

 

Shaft weight is a good place to start.  I've already mentioned my dropping in flex, at least in irons, but woods are still functional at xstiff.  Though, to be fair, I'm playing X with no tip trim at what is now 3w length; my drivers are 43.5".  The exception are a couple ProtoPype shafts in stiff, a 70 and an 80.

 

The forgiveness angle...  I would just caution you to not get rid of the old stuff.  In my game, I just don't see it.  The last nine months or so have shown  me that what has been true for me over the last couple decades is still true; the older blades work for me, and the forgiving irons that will save my soul and provide winning lottery numbers haven't led to lower scores or better shot results.  My good shots are better, my bad shots are about the same with the Golden Rams as they are with the CBs I own.

 

I don't doubt that a number of folks need that forgiveness; one of my best friends sprays it all over the clubface to the point he probably couldn't play without G series Pings (G425, currently).  I just doubt a change such as that is as necessary as the "common wisdom" suggests.

 

Which is why I say, start with a shaft refit.  Then, give a solid effort at trying the other side of the proverbial fence, see if it works for you.  If it does, you've found your spot.  If it doesn't, don't be afraid to stick with those blades you've used for so long, just with different shaft choices.  Sorry for repeating myself.

 

A last thought...  I don't practice much, either.  I just play, about 70 rounds per year in my northern US season.  <shrug>

 

You are speaking my language. I played pure blades for 10-15 years. I have owned a lot of other styles of irons, but I tend to play my best with blades. I might hit more “wow” shots with the other styles, but I manage my game best playing “small ball” with blades. In fact, I have broken par 5-6 times and EVERY TIME has been with a traditional MB in my hand and usually with weaker than “prescribed” shafts. 

[2Down]

can add me to the list, my best round was with blades.    I have gone back and forth a few times and each time I have played  blades ive equalled my low round.  First with Ram tour grinds- Brunswick Precision 6.5 then with MP 68s-dg s300 and repeated with MP 5- Kbs tours, all heavy stiff shafts.  I think there is a stability in weight that helps my game more than added head speed and distance does in a light shaft.  

 

anyways only your only 50, you have plenty of time to rinse and repeat.  

 

I was peeking at the new ping blue prints the other day and wondering if history could repeat itself.  

 

 

Edited March 26 by 2Down
typo

[beluga99]

On 3/23/2024 at 7:50 AM, NRJyzr said:

 

I would say, don't sleep on Modus 125 regular, or Modus 120 stiff.  Though, the latter is possibly lighter than you'd care for at 114g.

 

Agree with this.  I am closing in on 50, and am similar to OP, in that I can still have some speed, but don't like making things too hard.

 

I have a set of Wilson Staff blades with the Modus 120 stiff.  Easy to swing and look fantastic.  Suprisingly forgiving too.

I also have some Mizuno T20 and T22 wedges with a Modus 120 8 iron in the gap wedge.  Love it. 

 

Will follow along to see what you land on.

[sm_watts]

I’ll be 50 in July, I jumped the gun and switched to lighter graphite last year and haven’t hit them consistently, so now I’m  looking for some Nippon NS Pro 1050GH in stiff to get a little weight back but with some help to keep ball flight up. 

[mizuno player]

57 over here.. ugh. 

 

I thought about this also. I went to a lighter graphite shaft that I absolutely love. Went from a 130 ft to a 115. 

 

I looked back at my year and realized my GIR was not very good. So I went back to my fitter. I still have the soles and load and the timing with the heavier shaft is where it needs to be. So he put me in KBS Tour 130X. 

 

Timing with a lighter shaft just didn't work for me. I had a couple demo clubs built  just to make sure. I would also recommend getting a proper fitting from someone that knows what they are doing. Or build a could clubs with different shafts and see how it goes. 

[14max]

I'm still playing stiff flex woods/hybrids but I switched to regular flex for my irons and wedges.  I don't feel like I have to go after it with the scoring clubs so I'm a lot more relaxed.  I'm in my "yacht rock" phase now.

[Zach.buckler23]

I’d go with dynamic golf S300 with maybe a Titleist T200 head or a 150 head