My Scratch Tour Department Irons, ground by Don White

[Thaddy]

5/14 Update: Jeff McCoy TD wedges on page 3!

Back in November of 2011 I started to get the itch to order a set of Tour Department irons from Scratch. I currently had the SB-1's in my bag and wasn't completely satisfied with how they fit my game. I've played the EZ-1's and AR-1's in the past and knew that my ideal set of irons would have to be some custom combination of the three. There were traits that I liked from all three sets, and figured the only way to get exactly what I wanted was to open up the wallet and go the TD route. So, I decided to kick some tires and email Patrick. Since then we've exchanged 65-70 emails. So yeah, quite a few questions and ideas were exchanged. Eventually I decided the starting point was an EZ-1 4 iron, AR-1 5 and 6 irons, and SB-1 7-PW.

I was looking for a set of irons that were forgiving and easy to launch in the long irons, with blades in the shorter irons. All of them had to maintain the appearance of a players iron from address. I wanted a bit of offset in the 4 iron which would be reduced as the set progressed. Since the set would be made up of 3 different models, the top lines had to be consistent. I also wanted a toe shape that was similar to the Miura PP-9003 transitioning into Scratch's standard head shape in the shorter irons.

As for the grind, I fit the D/D profile pretty well and have been satisfied with the bounce, but after speaking with Patrick about my game and the conditions I play in, he was able to suggest some improvements to the standard D/D grind. We decided to bevel the leading edge of the 4-6, since I am less steep with those irons. The 7-P will then transition into having more camber and a slight rocker sole.

The rest was pretty simple, as I already knew my L/L/L, the shafts, and grips I would choose. I decided on the satin chrome finish for durability with minimal stampings. In my opinion, Don's work is too nice to ruin with tons of stampings and rainbow paint fill.

The process has been written about many times before, and my experience was no different. Patrick was absolutely wonderful to work with and was very quick to answer my questions. He certainly takes the time to make sure your final submitted order is exactly what you want. I'm already busy putting together my Tour Department wedge order :)

For those thinking about pulling the trigger on your own set of TD irons or wedges, here is some advice. Have a really good idea of what you're looking for before starting. There are too many options and it's easy to become overwhelmed with the possibilities. Also, when deciding on the set make-up, be very honest about your abilities and misses. I wanted a set of SB-1's, but knew I would have an easier time with the EZ-1 and AR-1 long irons. The rest is having an open mind, because the guys at Scratch can easily fit you over the phone with a grind that fits you perfectly.

And the final result? See for yourself.













Here are some pictures that show the transition between the toe shape:

4 iron


6 iron


8 iron


PW

[kekoa]

congrats man. those are sweet for sure.


ps: did you put the DW stamp in the center of the sole?

[Hattori Hanzo]

Sweet irons! I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Scratch's customer service!

[soxfan]

Way to go.....you did the right thing and didn't mess up that fine work with too many stampings! Those look super sweet!

[Thaddy]

[quote name='kekoa' timestamp='1329521282' post='4311661']
congrats man. those are sweet for sure.


ps: did you put the DW stamp in the center of the sole?
[/quote]

Yeah, I wanted the DW in the standard sole position. You can sort of make them out in the pictures.

[kekoa]

[quote name='Thaddy' timestamp='1329521752' post='4311743']
[quote name='kekoa' timestamp='1329521282' post='4311661']
congrats man. those are sweet for sure.


ps: did you put the DW stamp in the center of the sole?
[/quote]

Yeah, I wanted the DW in the standard sole position. You can sort of make them out in the pictures.
[/quote]


Well done. I think you made the right choice w/ a combo set.

[finalist]

Maaan it's hard to look at those knowing mine are still out there to be made. The finish looks so good.

Everyone see this video yet?

[url="http://vimeo.com/36370582"]The Armory. Coming April 9th.[/url]

[barosborough]

stunning.

[shuddleston]

Look great, Congrats.

[rex235]

Exceptional player set!

[Shaank0]

Great looking set, Ive got about 1 more month till my 2nd TD set is here.


[quote name='finalist' timestamp='1329522700' post='4311811']
Maaan it's hard to look at those knowing mine are still out there to be made. The finish looks so good.

Everyone see this video yet?

[url="http://vimeo.com/36370582"]The Armory. Coming April 9th.[/url]

[/quote]


I think they need to put that video on a TV spot.

[finalist]

Hey that could be Thaddy's set in the video at 1:24?!?!?

[ddetts]

Great video, makes me want to put in an order for a new set or irons!

[diabolo]

What a great looking set of clubs!

And the video was outstanding... classy yet very homey.

[ladahl]

Awesome video![quote name='Shaank0' timestamp='1329523991' post='4311919']
Great looking set, Ive got about 1 more month till my 2nd TD set is here.


[quote name='finalist' timestamp='1329522700' post='4311811']
Maaan it's hard to look at those knowing mine are still out there to be made. The finish looks so good.

Everyone see this video yet?

[url="http://vimeo.com/36370582"]The Armory. Coming April 9th.[/url]

[/quote]


I think they need to put that video on a TV spot.
[/quote]

[Doc420]

They look Good Zack.

The video is good ad, but what is the Armory?

[PaulM26]

Love the tiny offset, clean look, and the satin finish. Now go and dirty those bad boys up!

[Tiemco]

Eeeeeeeeeew...oh sorry I was looking at MY clubs. Sweet sticks man!

[WVP]

Nice and clean. I am sure it's tempting to go overboard with stampings and colors but at the end of the day I think clean irons look the best.

[Thaddy]

[quote name='Doc420' timestamp='1329526402' post='4312295']
They look Good Zack.

The video is good ad, but what is the Armory?
[/quote]

Thanks Dom, I can't wait to get these dirty. No one is really sure what the Armory is just yet, but it sounds like an extension of the Tour Department. Scratch just put out that teaser video, we'll have to wait a bit for the big reveal.

[quote name='WVP' timestamp='1329527047' post='4312409']
Nice and clean. I am sure it's tempting to go overboard with stampings and colors but at the end of the day I think clean irons look the best.
[/quote]

Thanks! I agree with the stampings. I mocked up my ideas and realized the less stampings I went with, the more I liked the irons.

[Woodridge]

Nice sticks!!! I like less stampings as well.

[TheMackDaddy]

Awesome clubs! So whats the deal with those Ar-1's? They look to have a cavity that is less deep than other ones that i've seen? Maybe i'm just imagining though...

[Thaddy]

[quote name='TheMackDaddy' timestamp='1329528152' post='4312563']
Awesome clubs! So whats the deal with those Ar-1's? They look to have a cavity that is less deep than other ones that i've seen? Maybe i'm just imagining though...
[/quote]

You're definitely not imagining that. I've owned EZ-1's and AR-1's and was very surprised just how different these can be coming from the Tour Department. The muscle of the 4, 5, and 6 irons have been ground much flatter than their retail companions and I can see that Don also thinned the top line from the back of the club, reducing the depth of the cavity. I'm very happy I went with a full mixed set, as Don really transformed the EZ-1 and AR-1's and made all three sets flow together perfectly.

Every thing about these clubs just scream legitimate. Even with the plating, you can still see the grind marks all over the clubs, it looks awesome

edit: ladahl posted a great picture where you can see the difference between the muscle on the 5 and 6 irons.

[TheMackDaddy]

The Ar-1's in that set are just.. filthy! The way the cavity isn't as deep looks incredible!! How are they for forgiveness?[quote name='Thaddy' timestamp='1329528766' post='4312643']
[quote name='TheMackDaddy' timestamp='1329528152' post='4312563']
Awesome clubs! So whats the deal with those Ar-1's? They look to have a cavity that is less deep than other ones that i've seen? Maybe i'm just imagining though...
[/quote]

You're definitely not imagining that. I've owned EZ-1's and AR-1's and was very surprised just how different these can be coming from the Tour Department. The muscle of the 4, 5, and 6 irons have been ground much flatter than their retail companions and I can see that Don also thinned the top line from the back of the club, reducing the depth of the cavity. I'm very happy I went with a full mixed set, as Don really transformed the EZ-1 and AR-1's and made all three sets flow together perfectly.

Every thing about these clubs just scream legitimate. Even with the plating, you can still see the grind marks all over the clubs, it looks awesome

edit: ladahl posted a great picture where you can see the difference between the muscle on the 5 and 6 irons.
[/quote]

[Thaddy]

I haven't hit these yet, but the ones I've hit in the past were very forgiving. I'm actually the most excited to hit the 4, 5 and 6 since they look so awesome from address. Not even close to the retail sets I've had! By the way, these are shafted up with some KBS Tour S hard stepped, which should make for a killer combination.

[mshills]

Those are so nice.

Solid decision to stay clear of stamping the names of your wife, son, daughter, girlfriend, cousin, dog, cat, fish, mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, uncle, insane angry pirate figures, and your college nickname all over the clubs. They look much better kept simple. Well done.

[Thaddy]

Here are two pictures in crappy light showing what Don did to the muscle and the cavity on the long irons. You can also see the beveled leading edge a bit.

[attachment=1029791:P1020902.JPG]

[attachment=1029793:P1020903.JPG]

[rymail00]

awesome pics but we need some from address to see the offset

[Thaddy]

Here's the offset from my order form:
[b]4:[/b] .130
[b]5:[/b] .130
[b]6:[/b] .083
[b]7:[/b] .033
[b]8:[/b] .033
[b]9:[/b] .033
[b]P:[/b] .033

I can get pictures up later when there is better light. I'm quite sure the large majority of WRX'ers will projectile vomit because [b]*gasp*[/b] I wanted some offset in the 4, 5, and 6...but I think it's enough to be forgiving yet still look great from address.

[GolfDoggie]

Nice and clean on the stamping and paint fill - the absolute best and only way I would get a set of Scratch. They look so sweet.