Taylormade V-Steel: Band of Brothers

[Jaygolf37]

Just won the lottery. Mint V-Steel 16.5 with the Purple Ice...$14.99. I will not let this one go...ever.

[willfbren]

Wow, I didn't realize there were so many V-Steel lovers in the golf world. Just found this thread.

Easily the best fairway wood I've ever owned.

15* w/ DG steel

Think I'm gonna have to put it in the bag again after I change the shaft. The shaft is a regular from my high school years. Anyone have a favorite shaft they've put in one yet?

[Toddo64]

I used the Harmon Tour Design shafts in my first set of V steels. They were really good in those. Currently I have the UST Pro Gold 65 shafts in my pair, but me and the 3 wood didn't get along so the shaft was snapped. I am looking for some good suggestions in R Flex....

[Jaygolf37]

Anything in a mid kick seems to be popular. It depends on what ball flight you want, however. A RIP Phenom is what I am eyeing...although the Graphite Designs Purple Ice in mine is awesome.

[ElJefe26]

[quote name='bryanwmilburn' timestamp='1407293523' post='9867341']
So, the real question is, has anyone here compared the V Steel to the Mizuno MP 650? Holy grail vs holy grail? I'm likely getting one or the other.
[/quote]

This reply probably isn't timely enough for you, but I can compare the two. I have a 3+ and 5 in both V Steels and MP-650s, and I won't be getting rid of either. The two sets are shafted differently--Purple Ice 85X in the V Steels, and Matrix 8M2X in the MP-650s. I also have a tour issue V Steel 3-wood with a Speeder 757X, and a 3-wood MP-650 with the stock Fujikura Orochi 75S shaft. Ya know, I just realized I'm a ho...hmm. It feels a lot better than I thought it would, not dirty at all.

The two models look pretty similar at address in the 3-wood. There are some differences at the far end of the scale in the 3+ and 5 woods. The MP-650 is better looking to my eye in the 3+ and the 3 woods, and I prefer the look of the V Steel 5-wood; it's more compact, which I like in a 5-wood. Using the 15* 3-wood as a comparison, the V Steel has a little deeper face, yet a slightly smaller clubhead. The MP-650 is a little longer heel to toe, and front to back. The MP-650 has a little more bulge and roll, and is a little open at address, where the V Steel can look either square or slightly closed. From address, I don't think there is a better looking 3+ or 3-wood than the MP-650. I think it might have been the MP-650 that Adam and Eve were not to partake of in the Garden of Eden, for then they would know perfection.

As playability goes, there seems to be no advantage to one or the other off tee, though I think it helps to tee the MP-650 slightly higher and further forward in the lower lofts. Off of a tight fairway lie I like the MP-650 better, but the V-shaped sole on the V Steel is better out of the rough. Loft for loft, I think the V Steel hits the ball higher and thus stops more quickly. The MP-650 has a lower ball flight, but you get more rollout in the 3+ and 3 woods; 5 woods are pretty close. The difference in flight could be as much shaft related as head related. I like the MP-650 better in the wind, seems to be more piercing. In my experience, the average distance of the MP-650 is 5-10 yards longer than the V Steel, though the bombs are pretty close to each other, still favoring the MP-650. But make no mistake--they're both long.

I don't really try to work the ball with my woods, so I can't really speak to that.

Feel is an interesting difference. The V Steels feel hot, and when you catch in the center of the face it feels like the ball just exploded. The MP-650s feel more muted, more persimmon-like. The V Steels feel hot, the MP-650s feel sweet. Again, some of this may be due to differences in the shafts I'm using. The MP-650s are quieter, even though neither is a noisy club. You hit the MP-650 and wonder if you got all of it, and you look up and wonder why the ball isn't stopping.

Both are excellent clubs, and I don't question that you'd be happy with either one. I rotate them in and out based largely on my mood, with a nod to rough and wind conditions. If conditions are "average", the MP-650's have a little better chance of making the cut. At the end of the day, though, it's like trying to answer which kid you love best. There's a reason why both are considered the Holy Grail.

[SteveL1]

[quote name='willfbren' timestamp='1414286216' post='10351117']
Wow, I didn't realize there were so many V-Steel lovers in the golf world. Just found this thread.

Easily the best fairway wood I've ever owned.

15* w/ DG steel

Think I'm gonna have to put it in the bag again after I change the shaft. The shaft is a regular from my high school years. Anyone have a favorite shaft they've put in one yet?
[/quote]

I put an Xcaliber FW shaft from Arthur Sports and absolutely love it. Best $30 I've spent Feels just like the Miyazaki Kusala Blue that I have in the driver at the fraction of the cost. Yet to find any 3w that can kick the V-Steel out of the bag.

[Monkey business]

curious if any of you guys have hit the sldr? to me it had the same shape and was longer. though stock the v steel set up better opening the face of the sldr and bam v steel on roids

[trumb1mj1]

Anyone ever do ball speed comparisons? v steel vs more modern FW metals?

[Jaygolf37]

Not as long. I had a BioCell set to 16.5 and hit it a full 30 yards longer. True it was longer in length than my 4 Wood (43 vs 42.5), but there is a reason I came back to the V-Steel. It has a ridiculous combo of playability and consistency. The BioCell almost had hot spots...plus I need my fairways to play to a distance, not compete with my driver.

[dornstar]

Played the V-Steel for YEARS, but it got beat out by a Callaway XHot Pro. Just as easy to hit, but much longer.

[jparker390]

Having owned the 5 and 7 V steel woods, I bought a 15* 3 wood with a steel shaft at Golfsmith for like under $10. I then bought a TM Speeder 65 shaft that came off of a SLDR wood and put it on the V steel. Great club. Modern classic.

[wolfpack]

Just put a 4 wood back together, Bassara 55 S from my tight lies @ 42 inches. The thing just looks and feels perfect. Cant wait to run some real world testing.

[fightingbees]

I cant believe I found this thread. I thought I was the only weird one using these things. I hit the 3 wood with s300 shaft about 250 yard, but have to swing very hard. I have been thinking about putting a graphite shaft in it so I dont have to swing as hard, but scared to mess with it.

[talksalot81]

Im losing all faith in my V-steel. Off the tee, it is great, distance is strong. Off the deck, it is about 50 yards shorter. It goes spinning up into the air and is basically useless.

[Jaydub514]

Just picked up a 3W and 5W-- what modern shafts that are readily available do you guys recommend that would pair well with these?

[teejaywhy]

V-Steel 5W on the tee Chambers Bay #12

 

[azgreg]

Can't wait to watch the US Open there this year.

[EaglesGolf99]

I passed the PAT with a tour issue 16.5* 4 wood in the bag in 2009. Hit a much needed pinseeker on the 32nd hole to 4 feet from 245. Missed the putt for eagle, made birdie, went on to pass on the number 153.

[bluejeeprubi]

I had a vsteel 5 with an oban revenge and it was a beast of the deck 240 which was 20 yards shorter than my 913 3w when I bombed it. But because I'm a ho and an idiot I ditched it for a Jdm wood believing all the hype. Big mistake and will be building another one. I just wish tm would make an updated version

[fx324]

can you guys recommend me a shaft for my recently purchased v-steel 5 wood 18 degrees that I can send together to get installed? (on the cheaper side, that can be easily sourced)

drinking the kool aid from above and want to tinker around during my free time even though i'm a ping homer. if it doesn't work out, i'll just give it to a buddy so no harm no foul

I'm a 95-100mph driver swing speed, have never had luck with hitting fairway woods.. need a regular flex shaft, mid to high flight, don't care about spin numbers as I'm just worried about making solid contact. slightly heavier shaft might be better as that helps slow down my tempo.. would like to shoot for 42", maybe D1-D2 swingweight

thank you all in advance.

[fightingbees]

[quote name='fx324' timestamp='1424900353' post='11028095']
can you guys recommend me a shaft for my recently purchased v-steel 5 wood 18 degrees that I can send together to get installed? (on the cheaper side, that can be easily sourced)

drinking the kool aid from above and want to tinker around during my free time even though i'm a ping homer. if it doesn't work out, i'll just give it to a buddy so no harm no foul

I'm a 95-100mph driver swing speed, have never had luck with hitting fairway woods.. need a regular flex shaft, mid to high flight, don't care about spin numbers as I'm just worried about making solid contact. slightly heavier shaft might be better as that helps slow down my tempo.. would like to shoot for 42", maybe D1-D2 swingweight

thank you all in advance.
[/quote]

TT Dyn Gold r300 / s300

[fx324]

[quote name='fightingbees' timestamp='1424900508' post='11028113']
[quote name='fx324' timestamp='1424900353' post='11028095']
can you guys recommend me a shaft for my recently purchased v-steel 5 wood 18 degrees that I can send together to get installed? (on the cheaper side, that can be easily sourced)

drinking the kool aid from above and want to tinker around during my free time even though i'm a ping homer. if it doesn't work out, i'll just give it to a buddy so no harm no foul

I'm a 95-100mph driver swing speed, have never had luck with hitting fairway woods.. need a regular flex shaft, mid to high flight, don't care about spin numbers as I'm just worried about making solid contact. slightly heavier shaft might be better as that helps slow down my tempo.. would like to shoot for 42", maybe D1-D2 swingweight

thank you all in advance.
[/quote]

TT Dyn Golf r300.
[/quote]

I have that shaft in my irons and wedges.. would I be able to hit it decently in the wood? I'm a little intimidated because I'm no Tiger or a crazy swinger

[azgreg]

I've got TT DG S300's in mine and love it.

[mmeeke]

I have the vs proto 70 in mine. Pretty much as you described. Just wished I had gone with the 80.

[fightingbees]

[quote name='fx324' timestamp='1424901068' post='11028191']
[quote name='fightingbees' timestamp='1424900508' post='11028113']
[quote name='fx324' timestamp='1424900353' post='11028095']
can you guys recommend me a shaft for my recently purchased v-steel 5 wood 18 degrees that I can send together to get installed? (on the cheaper side, that can be easily sourced)

drinking the kool aid from above and want to tinker around during my free time even though i'm a ping homer. if it doesn't work out, i'll just give it to a buddy so no harm no foul

I'm a 95-100mph driver swing speed, have never had luck with hitting fairway woods.. need a regular flex shaft, mid to high flight, don't care about spin numbers as I'm just worried about making solid contact. slightly heavier shaft might be better as that helps slow down my tempo.. would like to shoot for 42", maybe D1-D2 swingweight

thank you all in advance.
[/quote]

TT Dyn Golf r300.
[/quote]

I have that shaft in my irons and wedges.. would I be able to hit it decently in the wood? I'm a little intimidated because I'm no Tiger or a crazy swinger
[/quote]

You should be absolutly fine.

[derek08844]

How would this compare to my current G25 3 wood?

Interested in getting this oldie

[derek08844]

bump

[stratdogg_pro]

I have a 13* Tour Spoon with a DG S400 shaft in it and I find it to be the most workable fairway wood ever made.

[CAJ4AU]

Jealous? :D ALWAYS my go back to when all else fails

 

[Swjake83]

There's one in pretty good shape on the classifieds right now with a fujikura motore f1 shaft. (Shameless plug)