Footjoy's DNA (DryJoys Next Advancement) golf shoe

My old Sportjoy has officially gone kaput. I have just bought FootJoy's DNA shoe. I've got wide feet and wear XW width, however the newer designs of the other current models, there's stitches or panels for design, and hence the leather doesn't stretch as much, as such the XW width with these models aren't that comfortable. And with golf shoes you can't buy a size bigger/longer if not at the end of the swing, it will be difficult to hold the finish and you might fall backwards as the back foot slips down/forwards to the front of the shoe..However, the DNA is one piece leather, soft leather and no panels or hard leather or design features over the widest part of the shoe to causing painful rubbing..

Features from the FootJoy website:

D.N.A. - DryJoys Next Advancement features the most comprehensive feature package ever delivered by FJ, D.N.A. footwear embodies the most proven elements of the world-renown DryJoys franchise with new, cutting-edge design and construction methodology.

• Performance LeatherChromoSkin™ leather, developed by Pittards® of England, is a supple, lightweight and durable leather, offering two year waterproof protection.See All
• Athletic DesignThe SnugFit tongue with MicroVent™ technology shapes to the foot while providing breathability. A 3D FoamCollar™ molds to the ankle for unsurpassed support, comfort and fit. See All
• Extreme ComfortThe lightweight cushioned Fine Tuned Foam (FTF) fit-bed provides optimum underfoot comfort and heel support. See All
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• Superior TractionThe NitroThin™ TPU outsole provides lightweight stability and performance. Stealth Cleats by Softspikes help to achieve a low profile while the thinner spec receptacles ensure low-profile performance through the P.I.N.S. system. See All
• Nitro Last
  

  The Nitro Last offers a full rounded toe character, slightly shallow forefoot, slightly narrow heel and standard instep. The extra depth helps accommodate a thicker fit-bed for enhanced cushioning.
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Same shoe that Adam Scott and Webb Simpson is using too. Haven't worn it on the course yet, but the shoe feels very comfortable, angle from heel to ball of feet is ideal for making your golf stance and feels every stable too. However, its the type of shoe which the cleats cause the shoe to sit up from the surface and hence might be quite slippery on a wet floor, especially those rubberised buggy tracks.

Cost about SGD$220.

Hitting the driver

Went to the range today, still coming back from an injury to the right upper limb. But the injury is a blessing in disguise. Have been using the left upper limb to hit and the only way to hit properly with the left hand alone is to hold the lag, drop the left arm to vertical while turning/pushing with the hips then letting the wrist go. And hitting with one hand, it allows the left upper limb to let go and release towards or just right of the target line. If the left hand doesn't go through and chicken wing, you end up with a bad hook. Without the lag, it's impossible to hit the ball clean or far. So hitting one handed with the left hand is a good drill.

And now with this new feel, I am able to get the feeling of the lag with the driver and rip it more consistently. Like this image of Jamie Sadlowski.

Another point to not is the keep the shoulders level as you rotate/ lateral shift on your backswing and prevent the head bobbing/lifting on take away.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Have been out of the game for a couple of months because of an arm injury. Now getting back to the game. The lack of game play really takes a toll on the game. Lost the feel for the chipping and pitching. However, the strength is still good and bombing the drives.

Key area of the loss of scores would be the short game, not getting into the kill zone. So back to practice.

Got a Bushnell range finder too and that really helps. No guesstimation of the distances and no waivering or uncertainty. Recommend everybody to get one, really helps on away courses. Helped me to get to single H.I. before the injury. Now have to work it and get down to single again!

Only change of equipment would be the Grips; Club fitter doesn't carry the lamkin Crossline full cord at the moment, and I have switched to Golf Pride Z-grip full Cord. Still finishing up my TM Penta TP5, but have tons of  TM lethal balls standing by. Haven't tried the Tour Preferred X or Tour Preferred balls yet, as the price is still way too high. Maybe next year. LOL.

Also waiting for Footjoy to come out with their new rain grip gloves and change the golf shoes too. Currently using my old Sport Joys for practice and Dry Joys Tour for play.

Titleist Demo Day - 913D3

Just popped over to the Titliest Demo Day last weekend.

Tried mainly the 913D3 on various shafts. Here in SG the stock shafts are different. The four stock shafts are

1. Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana D+ White 72
2. Mitsubishi Rayon Diamana S+ Blue 62
3. Adila RIP Phenom 60
4. Graphite Design BB-6

I tried 1,2 and 3 but didn't try the Adila. Not a fan of Adila. The Diamana's were ok, they didn't quite feel one piece. Feel is important to me. As I have a rather fast tempo, so the shaft must be stable and more one piece. And the shaft mustn't torque/twist too much that I have to slow down the swing to wait for the clubhead to twist back which in turn leads to loss of club head speed. A good way to picture this is like using a ladies club to hit, you have to slow down a hell lot if not the clubhead will still be lagging at impact and you will spray the ball high and right (for a right handed player).
The launch monitor was being used so I didn't get any readings, but looking at ball launch, spin and trajectory help me to decide whether the shaft was good. Tried both Diamana's in stiff, a bit too much back spin, high launch and spray for me. Tried the D+ white in X, was a bit too stiff for me, had to really up the speed to get the same distance, but the X flex reduced back spin and had a lower ball height. Don't think I was flexing the X flex enough to get full benefit.

The BB-6 shaft was excellent. Light and yet stable. Managed to bomb the driver. But the launch was high for me and the Titleist Staff suggested a D1 setting (-0.75 degree) on a 8.5 degree head. This gave me a better loft and distance. BB-6 was really good, great distance without needing such a high clubhead speed. Definitely matches up to the hype surrounding it. And the shaft is rated mid low spin and mid low launch. And the shaft is the original as in the sticker on the shaft says " Clubhead - China; Shaft - Japan". Unlike other brands when the shaft is made for and the production is transferred out of Japan or from the original factory to a generic factory. This combined with the lower spinning D3 head worked for me.

The D3 head is also an excellent head. My friend who subsequently got the 913D3 on BB-6 after this demo, claims that this is the best Titleist Driver since the 975. The D3 head was 445 CC, nice and forgiving. Tried a few heel and toe shots and stills launches the ball fine. Another thing which I really like is the low spin that it gives.

In SG, there is a definite paucity of good fitters or fitters without agendas. So the best thing is to understand the golf swing well, understand the mechanics of things (shaft, ball, backspin vs loft...) then go try out as many shafts and clubs as possible, then go back to the website and see the specs of the shafts/clubs. And wah lah you are your own clubfitter. Don't forget then your swing is affected by mental and physical fatigue and as you improve and practice /or not your physical strength varies, so you know how to club fit yourself and adjust accordingly. If we had great facilities like the USA, then I won't be saying this. In fact quite a number of pros here aren't really into the technical aspect of the game and can't really help to fit you.

In conclusion, 913D3 - super excellent club. The SureFit Tour Hosel independent loft and lie is great, unlike the TaylorMade which is not loft and lie independent. The spin is nice and low. The aural and visual quality of the driver is very pleasing. It comes in 8.5 degrees, although supposed to be a custom order, you do find it in the shops and the shops are very willing to change the head so that you can have your combination of choice for the shaft and clubhead.

Project X and me.

Project X shafts really suits me. Went to the range and the driver shaft works. So what they claim is true. There is a nice progression from iron to hybrid to wood.

The driver shaft is very excellent. In fact I think the driver head technology has plateaued especially given the fact that the companies have to work within the given restrictions. Now it's the shafts that feature more. This is seen in the number of shaft offerings in the recent years by the various companies, when a decade ago all you got was stock regular, stiff and senior.

Few more considerations for myself is whether to play full 6.0 on the irons, to reshaft my 3 wood and whether to reshaft my wedges. However, the grooves for the 52 and especially the 56 which I use for the bunker  seem a bit worn.

Golf is a thinking man's game.