Rounds with a Vintage Bag

[MrFlipper]

1 hour ago, scomac2002 said:

Didn't go so well today, but I suppose that's to be expected for a variety of reasons.  The course I played was more penal from the rough and I was struggling off the tee.  I had satisfactory results on five holes including a couple of pars.  The problem holes however were big problems, so the score was quite a bit higher than yesterday. 

 

I think I learned a couple of things.  Firstly that vintage rounds are best played under non competitive circumstances, unless of course everyone else is playing similar implements.  Then it becomes a group activity.  Secondly, getting off the tee successfully is a big factor in success and playing the conservative option unless you're really on is likely to be the way to go.  So we'll call today a learning experience.

 

I'll be going back to my modern clubs until the league season is over.  After that, I will likely revisit the vintage option for some quiet fall rounds just for the love of the game. ⛳

 

Maybe half modern, half vintage?

 

Been playing competitions this year with modern (5 years or less) woods and putter, vintage 70's irons. That way the distance clubs are still okay, and I get to play my favorite irons too without much detriment. 

 

Guy I was playing with gave me his 7 iron to hit a few days ago. Rocketbladez. I had to hand it back. Said "I can't hit those things". He looked at me like I have a screw loose. Guess I do hahaha

[scomac2002]

3 hours ago, MrFlipper said:

Maybe half modern, half vintage?

 

I recall trying that some years ago.  I think that the results were mediocre, not sure why.  Maybe it's the decidedly different swing weights and lie angles that really screw with your swing.  I tend to think that we can adapt to anything that's reasonably well suited, but mixing eras with different design parameters can be a real challenge.

 

I've lost a fair bit of swing speed since I last played vintage.  Long irons are now a bridge too far, so if playing vintage I'm going to have to find an extra high lofted wood to fill the gap.  A 7W or 9W might fill the bill even if it's a ladies club.  I seem to get along quite well with those Executives, so they would be my first choice.

[MrFlipper]

25 minutes ago, scomac2002 said:

 

I recall trying that some years ago.  I think that the results were mediocre, not sure why.  Maybe it's the decidedly different swing weights and lie angles that really screw with your swing.  I tend to think that we can adapt to anything that's reasonably well suited, but mixing eras with different design parameters can be a real challenge.

 

Yeah I know what you mean. I've concluded that most vintage clubs, regardless of how cool they look, are generally way too heavy in a static way and also too swingweight heavy for me, by quite a bit, and make my modern clubs hard to feel. The lightweight shafts that started to appear in the 70's do however seem reasonably compatible with my lighter modern gear.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

7 hours ago, scomac2002 said:

I think I learned a couple of things.  Firstly that vintage rounds are best played under non competitive circumstances, unless of course everyone else is playing similar implements.  Then it becomes a group activity.  Secondly, getting off the tee successfully is a big factor in success and playing the conservative option unless you're really on is likely to be the way to go.  So we'll call today a learning experience.

 

Can't argue with either of those, but the second point particularly resonates. My tee game has generally been pretty bad this year, and it has kept me from taking the persimmons out more often. The modern woods are definitely easier to hit, but if my tee game is on, nothing gives me more joy than whacking a persimmon driver off the tee.

 

Funny thing is that I've probably got on better with my persimmon fairways than modern fairways when hitting off the turf. My trusty Mizuno 5w and little Powerbilt 5w have both performed well, but I can't say the same about my modern (?) V-steel 7w.

 

That said, my game is coming back, so I think round with the persimmon is on the cards soon.

[Tumbleweed_1968]

Tomorrow's round will be played with the "Signature Set" of Irons. Freddie Thiel, Arnold Palmer, and Gene Littler will be along for the ride. I'll be going up against 2 moderns, one of whom will be our son, on the home course. It's supposed to be a nice day, in the 70's and low humidity. Yeah!

 

[cold_war_era_golfer]

Humid day yesterday!  It was so hot I used a push cart and in knowing that prior to leaving the house I took one of my big MacGregor bags and a complete set.  

[Tumbleweed_1968]

Well, I split with the 2 moderns today but that was due to a 3 putt on the last hole, not vintage vs modern equipment. I had a 1 stroke lead going into the last and blew it on the green. Regardless, I shot level 5s with a mixed bag of vintage clubs. Fun! Here's a pic of the kid's bag and my playing partners. Weather was perfect, mid 70's and blue sky.

 

[scomac2002]

On 8/19/2021 at 2:33 PM, scomac2002 said:

I'll be going back to my modern clubs until the league season is over.  After that, I will likely revisit the vintage option for some quiet fall rounds just for the love of the game.

 

Not so fast he says!  Threw the graphite shafted Speedblades et al in the bag for today's round.  Those things were worse in the rough than the vintage and by quite a bit!  Not near enough heft to power through thick rank rough.  I could feel the club twisting in my hands.  Furthermore I felt like I had to swing "out-of-my-shoes" to get the damned thing airborne from such conditions.  Seriously considering going vintage the rest of the way just for the helluvit.  I'm not fooling anyone anyway with the way I play and I might just get better with the old sticks with practice.

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

On 8/22/2021 at 12:29 AM, Dcohenour said:

Tomorrow's round will be played with the "Signature Set" of Irons. Freddie Thiel, Arnold Palmer, and Gene Littler will be along for the ride. I'll be going up against 2 moderns, one of whom will be our son, on the home course. It's supposed to be a nice day, in the 70's and low humidity. Yeah!

 

 

The Freddy Thiel signature Levelume is an interesting one. It appears to be a reverse muscle pad, whereas almost all the standard Levelume irons had, if anything, a little extra weight down low. 

 

 

[cold_war_era_golfer]

On 8/23/2021 at 2:52 PM, scomac2002 said:

 

Not so fast he says!  Threw the graphite shafted Speedblades et al in the bag for today's round.  Those things were worse in the rough than the vintage and by quite a bit!  Not near enough heft to power through thick rank rough.  I could feel the club twisting in my hands.  Furthermore I felt like I had to swing "out-of-my-shoes" to get the damned thing airborne from such conditions.  Seriously considering going vintage the rest of the way just for the helluvit.  I'm not fooling anyone anyway with the way I play and I might just get better with the old sticks with practice.

Do it.  I have only golfed vintage this entire year.  It's quite the experience.

[scomac2002]

1 hour ago, cold_war_era_golfer said:

Do it.  I have only golfed vintage this entire year.  It's quite the experience.

 Oh I intend to.  If you check my posts over in the new acquisitions thread I have a RAM Zebra coming and a Spalding Executive EZ X driver to fill out the vintage bag in a more modernist tone for everyday play.  Once those clubs have arrived I'll be going vintage the rest of the way.

 

While I'm at it I'm going to be putting the hardcore press on the convenor of my men's league trying to convince him to buy my graphite shafted Speedblade irons.  They're just what he needs and a damned sight cheaper than a new set of SIM/SIM2 irons similarly shafted.  He just hasn't figured it out yet. 😉

[Buzzkill]

My vintage L8 bag is working great!

[Tumbleweed_1968]

On 8/23/2021 at 3:40 PM, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

The Freddy Thiel signature Levelume is an interesting one

Yeah, it's kind of weird to hit actually. Difficult to find the sweet spot so far. Feels a little harsh to be honest, but that's probably just me. Interesting side note. Freddy Thiel is credited with Designing 2 courses in the area, one of which he owned - if that is the same Freddy Thiel. Riverdale Country Club in Sheboygan, open since 1929. I usually make it over there once per year. They have good rates during Packer Games...

[scomac2002]

Played vintage in my men's league 9 hole game this morning.  I had another pleasing round even in competitive circumstances.  Mind you, the competitive part is mostly for pride as there isn't any cash on the line nor has there been since the pandemic started.

 

I'm using the set that I posted about upthread and using a helpful attitude of taking what the course gives me.  I had some pleasing shots and some that weren't so good, but none that left me completely in the lurch.  Even putted well two days in a row notwithstanding that the greens had been aerated the day before.

 

What I found most interesting about today's game was that while my playing companions were all using modern clubs they would have better results on their best shots, but quite a bit worse results on their miss hits.  That proved to be the great equalizer from a scoring point-of-view.  Two shots of note were a Ginty from really thick rank rough at about 135 that actually flew the green, landing on the berm behind.  The other was a beautiful draw with my 5W to the green from 167 (tee) on the next hole.

[Tumbleweed_1968]

16 hours ago, scomac2002 said:

What I found most interesting about today's game was that while my playing companions were all using modern clubs they would have better results on their best shots, but quite a bit worse results on their miss hits. 

Interesting observation. So what does that little anecdote tell us about the so-called "Game Improvement" technology? What part of the game is it supposed to improve? I thought the whole point of a larger and more forgiving club head, and larger sweet spot, was that the miss hits were not supposed to be as bad. But here we are, buying newer and high tech clubs to gain a few extra yards into the rough and woods?

 

I have witnessed an "improvement" personally between the vintage blades and my TA cavity backs for sure, but not necessarily in personal satisfaction. That nice draw you hit with a 5 wood from 167 is indeed infinitely more satisfying (I mean it seriously, even for me and I wasn't there, but I can see it with my minds eye if that makes sense) than the same shot with a GI whatever which seem absolutely unworkable in my hands.

 

Your experience strikes at the heart of why so many of us play vintage clubs, I think. It diverts our focus from the tools we use to the craft itself. They are comfortable and just fit, so we can enjoy the game. It frees our mind from technical minutia to experience emotions like joy, satisfaction, peace, and harmony. It's almost like we are now part of the golf course, rather than technicians or mechanics continually trying to fix ourselves. 

 

I am very happy for you and your success with the vintage set. Bravo! 🙂

[scomac2002]

51 minutes ago, Tumbleweed_1968 said:

I am very happy for you and your success with the vintage set. Bravo! 🙂

 

Thank you!  I wonder if the big difference in off line is a shaft function.  Graphite versus steel and weaker flexes versus stronger flexes.  You may recall that Karsten Solheim thought that everyone should be using stiff+ shafts in their clubs 40 years ago.

 

I've got a new to me driver to try in a Spalding Executive EZ X with medium firm graphite shaft and I will also take along my Callaway Big Bertha 4W with Memphis 10 steel for my next outing.  Would like to try them out at the range first, so maybe I get around to that either today or tomorrow.  I realize that these clubs are decidedly more modern than laminate woods, but we'll see if they offer anything positive in the long end of the bag.  I've also added back my 3 and 4 irons to fill the gap between the 5W and 5 iron.  Not sure if any of these will be permanent fixtures.

 

1 hour ago, Tumbleweed_1968 said:

Your experience strikes at the heart of why so many of us play vintage clubs, I think. It diverts our focus from the tools we use to the craft itself. They are comfortable and just fit, so we can enjoy the game. It frees our mind from technical minutia to experience emotions like joy, satisfaction, peace, and harmony. It's almost like we are now part of the golf course, rather than technicians or mechanics continually trying to fix ourselves. 

 

AS an interesting aside, I used to carry a GPS with me for yardages to help me select the proper club.  Haven't used that since the switch and I don't feel any worse off either.  I just survey the situation and decide what to do from that.  A case in point; I had a poor drive on the 3rd hole that landed behind a small spruce.  Hit a 9 iron across the fairway to advance the ball and avoid the tree, then a sand iron onto the green.  Two putts later I was in the hole for bogie.  Two many times I would attempt to hoist the ball up over the tree and then clear the pond to go directly for the green.  Rarely works.  Without the false confidence of the latest GI clubs, I play the game differently.

[Jiggered]

Had my best round for ages today in the Seniors Stableford. +2 going out with 7 pars for 24 points and was going well on the back nine.
Got to the 18th (a par 3 over a lake) knowing that I had a chance to break 80, something I've not done for years. I decided not to add up my score and just tried to swing a smooth 4 iron, but I was way to tense and hit a poor shot into the reeds the other side of the lake. Came off with a 7! 

I wish I'd added the score up, I only needed a double bogey 5 to finish for a 79, I'm sure I'd have been less tense with that knowledge.
Ho-hum, I still scored 45 points to win the comp by 1 and I reckon I should see a 1.2 shot reduction on the HI tomorrow. 

 

 

EDIT:  I also got a 1 shot reduction for an exceptional score so 2.2 cut, which means that I should end the year lower than I started it, the first time I've done that since 2014! 🙂

 

 

The clubs were:

1950s John Letters driver, this thing is a wreck with a missing face screw and epoxy infill but it's probably my best feeling driver.

1971 Uniroyal Arnold Palmer 3 and 4 woods.

1962 Slazenger Gary Player irons, 2 to SW

1970s John Letters Golden Goose putter (putting was rock solid!)

 

 

 

Edited September 4, 2021 by Jiggered

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

17 hours ago, Jiggered said:

Had my best round for ages today in the Seniors Stableford. +2 going out with 7 pars for 24 points and was going well on the back nine.
Got to the 18th (a par 3 over a lake) knowing that I had a chance to break 80, something I've not done for years. I decided not to add up my score and just tried to swing a smooth 4 iron, but I was way to tense and hit a poor shot into the reeds the other side of the lake. Came off with a 7! 

I wish I'd added the score up, I only needed a double bogey 5 to finish for a 79, I'm sure I'd have been less tense with that knowledge.
Ho-hum, I still scored 45 points to win the comp by 1 and I reckon I should see a 1.2 shot reduction on the HI tomorrow. 

 

 

EDIT:  I also got a 1 shot reduction for an exceptional score so 2.2 cut, which means that I should end the year lower than I started it, the first time I've done that since 2014! 🙂

 

 

The clubs were:

1950s John Letters driver, this thing is a wreck with a missing face screw and epoxy infill but it's probably my best feeling driver.

1971 Uniroyal Arnold Palmer 3 and 4 woods.

1962 Slazenger Gary Player irons, 2 to SW

1970s John Letters Golden Goose putter (putting was rock solid!)

 

 

 

 

Congratulations on a good (great) round. That John Letters driver looks to have some great grain. Looks very solid.

[James the Hogan Fan]

Played 13 holes at the Northwood golf course in Monte Rio, California yesterday. A walk in the cathedral of the redwoods. This gem is a 9 hole, Alister MacKenzie design, which plays to persimmon appropriate distances. The greens, as such, are suitably undulating.

 

I used the 1972 Apex set I bought last month with MacGregor 653 driver and 5 wood. Wedges are Stan Thompson stainless, and a Hogan Princess served as a putter. 

 

The 13 holes took the form of 1-2-3-4-5-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 since they made a loop, I was last out, and there was a wait at 6 the first go around.

 

I opened with 5 bogeys; peculiarly the 4 redo holes went -birdie bogey par birdie- which was nice. The trouble I have is the occasional fantastic miss with the driver... the 45 degrees horizontal mishit that almost missed the face. 

 

Otherwise it was nice to get out and goof off on a Friday evening in a beautiful setting.

[scomac2002]

Wow!  What a stunning backdrop to the game of golf! ⛳

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

I took the persimmon woods out over a week ago for nine holes, but forgot what I did with the pictures I took.

I was playing an all-Mizuno bag except for a bullseye putter (always good for practice), and was shepherding my little daughter around, so I wasn't took focussed on the score.  

 

Hit a few stinkers, but also plenty of nice shots, the best of which was a three wood on the last hole in front of a gallery--well, the group behind who had caught us up (the course was packed; we were waiting on every tee).

 

I think the highlight was my daughter got her first proper par, after draining a 25-footer with her cut-down Daiwa bullseye. It was a par three, and I promised her 1,000 yen (about $10US) if she made par, thinking there wasn't a whelk's chance in a supernova of her doing it.

 

Her drive is OK, but a bit short, she hits a nice wedge from thick rough onto the green, then casually holed the long par putt. 

 

Sadly, though, I don't think she's going to stick with golf. Afterwards, I asked her what the best thing about the round was. She answered, "winning ¥1,000."

 

I'd have answered, "holing the long putt."

 

[Fellaheen51]

13 minutes ago, No_Catchy_Nickname said:

I took the persimmon woods out over a week ago for nine holes, but forgot what I did with the pictures I took.

I was playing an all-Mizuno bag except for a bullseye putter (always good for practice), and was shepherding my little daughter around, so I wasn't took focussed on the score.  

 

Hit a few stinkers, but also plenty of nice shots, the best of which was a three wood on the last hole in front of a gallery--well, the group behind who had caught us up (the course was packed; we were waiting on every tee).

 

I think the highlight was my daughter got her first proper par, after draining a 25-footer with her cut-down Daiwa bullseye. It was a par three, and I promised her 1,000 yen (about $10US) if she made par, thinking there wasn't a whelk's chance in a supernova of her doing it.

 

Her drive is OK, but a bit short, she hits a nice wedge from thick rough onto the green, then casually holed the long par putt. 

 

Sadly, though, I don't think she's going to stick with golf. Afterwards, I asked her what the best thing about the round was. She answered, "winning ¥1,000."

 

I'd have answered, "holing the long putt."

 

 

Congrats to young Miss Catchy on her first par.  With a vintage "Bullseye" no less.  Dad:  Holing a long putt to salvage par.....OK, should have hit the second closer to the pin.  Daughter:  Holing a long putt after an enticement from Dad.......Boom!  Show me the yen.  Cash pocketed >>>>>> score.  

 

"Money won is twice as sweet as money earned." - Fast Eddie Felson.  

 

BTW, nice looking hole.  Just my style.  

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

1 hour ago, Fellaheen51 said:

 

Congrats to young Miss Catchy on her first par.  With a vintage "Bullseye" no less.  Dad:  Holing a long putt to salvage par.....OK, should have hit the second closer to the pin.  Daughter:  Holing a long putt after an enticement from Dad.......Boom!  Show me the yen.  Cash pocketed >>>>>> score.  

 

"Money won is twice as sweet as money earned." - Fast Eddie Felson.  

 

BTW, nice looking hole.  Just my style.  

 

Hah, she might actually turn out to be a great hustler with that attitude!

[scomac2002]

2 hours ago, Fellaheen51 said:

Congrats to young Miss Catchy on her first par.  With a vintage "Bullseye" no less.  Dad:  Holing a long putt to salvage par.....OK, should have hit the second closer to the pin.  Daughter:  Holing a long putt after an enticement from Dad.......Boom!  Show me the yen.  Cash pocketed >>>>>> score.  

 

"Money won is twice as sweet as money earned." - Fast Eddie Felson.  

 

👍👍😎

[Tumbleweed_1968]

Today's round featured the attached vintage set. Titleist driver was hit or miss. 4 wood was uncharacteristically apathetic. New 5 iron in the bag did well, especially on the hero approach through the opening in the giant oak that stymied me to the 8th green. Played it delofted and gripped down, bump and run off the side hill line to the back of the green in two. Bumped it up to the potato chip green and 2 putted for a 5, which I'll take any day on that hole. Scored 9 better than the previous day's round with my moderns. They just don't feel right, so I'm playing vintage until the snow flies. Seeing some color in the leaves starting. Walked and carried today which felt good. Only had to wait on the last 3 holes. 4 under level fives. Nice day!

 

[scomac2002]

Nice looking course there @Tumbleweed_1968.  Very reminiscent of a local Stanley Thompson designed course about 45 minute from me.  Haven't played there in quite a while.  It's perfect for a vintage round, so will try and get one in this month or next.

[James the Hogan Fan]

On 9/4/2021 at 6:29 PM, James the Hogan Fan said:

Played 13 holes at the Northwood golf course in Monte Rio, California yesterday. A walk in the cathedral of the redwoods. This gem is a 9 hole, Alister MacKenzie design, which plays to persimmon appropriate distances. The greens, as such, are suitably undulating.

 

I used the 1972 Apex set I bought last month with MacGregor 653 driver and 5 wood. Wedges are Stan Thompson stainless, and a Hogan Princess served as a putter. 

 

The 13 holes took the form of 1-2-3-4-5-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 since they made a loop, I was last out, and there was a wait at 6 the first go around.

 

I opened with 5 bogeys; peculiarly the 4 redo holes went -birdie bogey par birdie- which was nice. The trouble I have is the occasional fantastic miss with the driver... the 45 degrees horizontal mishit that almost missed the face. 

 

Otherwise it was nice to get out and goof off on a Friday evening in a beautiful setting.

I realized I did not include a photo if what you all probably care more about; the clubs!

 

Here you go:

 

[scomac2002]

Played 9 this morning with DW in Sr. mixed league.  We had heavy rains throughout the night which left the course soggy and awash in any low lying areas.  It's an executive length course, par 30.  Had an exceptional day with irons and the putter.  In fact, the best that I've putted in like forever!!  5 pars for a 34 with 5 one putts.  Spalding executive woods 1,3,5; Ginty rescue; Ping Eye clones 5-SW and Zing putter.

[Brewski_golfs]

Quick 9 at the chip and putt today, first time I have taken the 61 TA AT1 VFQ on any course, and wow they were pure.  All original leather grips, and I just loved how these felt.   Paired them up with a 59 CF4000 PT2 11 iron as the short wedge, and a vintage Ping Zing.  The longest hole on the course is about 130 uphill so I could probably make my way around with about 4 clubs, but I brought a few extra since we stopped at the range first.  And yeah it’s a full size bag but I had my nephew along so had to carry his 5 clubs also (not vintage).  Had been gaming a set of 1980 Mac MT blades, but I may have to try these for a few full size rounds.  

[No_Catchy_Nickname]

On a whim, I decided to play vintage in my most recent round (Friday). I had some pictures, but they seem to have disappeared. I was trying out two Wood Bros drivers, along with my favourite Mizuno 3w and Powerbilt 5w, then Mizuno MS-7 irons (2i-SW) and a Taylormade TPA XVIII putter. Yes, 15 clubs, but I wanted to test the two drivers side-by-side.

 

I've slapped loads of lead tape on that putter, but it's still too light. Putting wasn't good.

 

 I struggled the most with getting the iron distances right, especially the SW and PW. Should have practised with them before putting them in the bag, but I literally decided to play them as I lay in bed the night before. 

 

Best shot was a 5w on a par 5 over a stand of trees and OB to lay up. It's a tough hole; the tee shot needs to be hit towards left side, which is blind off the tee, otherwise the second shot gets blocked by the aforementioned trees. I was a little bit right, but on the fairway. Just drilled a lovely straight 5w over the trees right to middle of the fairway, leaving an 80 yard pitch. Left the pitch shorter than I wanted, but holed the putt for my sole birdie.

 

Now, where are those pictures...?