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.
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
Monday, 8 April 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, 7 April 2013
Putting tips
Just two quick notes about putting
1. Remember to keep the elbows close to the body when putting, but not pressed against it.
2. Keep a light grip pressure when putting to putt soft with feel. (Don't need to use those oversized putter grips to help you loosen the grip, because those oversized putter grips makes you loose feel.)
1. Remember to keep the elbows close to the body when putting, but not pressed against it.
2. Keep a light grip pressure when putting to putt soft with feel. (Don't need to use those oversized putter grips to help you loosen the grip, because those oversized putter grips makes you loose feel.)
Friday, 5 April 2013
Swing Things
A few quick things.
1. The Hip was not moving fast enough or early enough. Thus the hands were rolling over at the crotch rather then opposite the left hip i.e. loss of lag.
2. Need to find the proper slot when loading the club at the top of the back swing. Too upright, too vertical- fade. Too flat - pull and hook.
3. Need to watch the shoulder alignment. Was working on feet alignment, but left the shoulders open which resulted in pull/hook of the ball. (but was actually in the direction of the shoulder alignment)
4. Need to do a pre-swing routine for the driver which incorporates the hip turn in combination with the arm flip.
5. For the initiation of the back swing, need to push with the left hip and bring the club backwards on the line with wrist hinge rather then wrist cock.
That's all folks.
1. The Hip was not moving fast enough or early enough. Thus the hands were rolling over at the crotch rather then opposite the left hip i.e. loss of lag.
2. Need to find the proper slot when loading the club at the top of the back swing. Too upright, too vertical- fade. Too flat - pull and hook.
3. Need to watch the shoulder alignment. Was working on feet alignment, but left the shoulders open which resulted in pull/hook of the ball. (but was actually in the direction of the shoulder alignment)
4. Need to do a pre-swing routine for the driver which incorporates the hip turn in combination with the arm flip.
5. For the initiation of the back swing, need to push with the left hip and bring the club backwards on the line with wrist hinge rather then wrist cock.
That's all folks.
Ball Pick up - E-Z-UP
Been practicing the short game a lot. Finally decided to get a ball pick up for golf. Found out how useful it was for tennis. I.e the Ball Port. It really eats up the tennis balls.
So now with this ball pick up, it can easily gobble up to 80 balls? I have 50+ balls in it now, beyond which it gets a bit heavy and it becomes more difficult to gobble up the balls. Anyway highly recommended to get one. Saves a lot of time and really optimises practice time.
The E-Z-UP is hard plastic with a release button to open the lower hatch for the balls to pour out. Really useful feature. Seen other people use the soft canvas one with the snout. Never used those so can't comment, but the hard case and the easy release hatch for this model is great. However, in the long term use, I hope the hard plastic is of good quality and doesn't become brittle overtime.
But it did seem a bit steep for SGD90 from Transview (Club Pro-Shop), but got it anyway since I was at the club already. But no regrets.
So now with this ball pick up, it can easily gobble up to 80 balls? I have 50+ balls in it now, beyond which it gets a bit heavy and it becomes more difficult to gobble up the balls. Anyway highly recommended to get one. Saves a lot of time and really optimises practice time.
The E-Z-UP is hard plastic with a release button to open the lower hatch for the balls to pour out. Really useful feature. Seen other people use the soft canvas one with the snout. Never used those so can't comment, but the hard case and the easy release hatch for this model is great. However, in the long term use, I hope the hard plastic is of good quality and doesn't become brittle overtime.
But it did seem a bit steep for SGD90 from Transview (Club Pro-Shop), but got it anyway since I was at the club already. But no regrets.
Royal Precision Project X Blue Graphite Shaft
It seems that the Project X shafts works very well for me. First I loved the steel shafts on the iron and they have been very nice to me too. Then I got the hybrid and the Project X Blue hybrid shaft and the same relationship continues. So I pulled the trigger and got the Project X Blue Wood shaft for the driver. Got it at 6.5 based on the this flex chart.
Anyway have been using the 75gram AxivCore Tour Green Stiff and have been bombing that despite the weight. So hopefully the relationship continues. Anyway based the website claims " The Project X Driver shaft has a similar bend profile to Project X Iron shafts" and " The Project X hybrid Shaft's stiffness profile matches Project X Iron shafts and its weight provides perfect transition from iron shafts to wood shafts". So wish me luck.
Will keep you updated after a few range and play sessions.
Anyway have been using the 75gram AxivCore Tour Green Stiff and have been bombing that despite the weight. So hopefully the relationship continues. Anyway based the website claims " The Project X Driver shaft has a similar bend profile to Project X Iron shafts" and " The Project X hybrid Shaft's stiffness profile matches Project X Iron shafts and its weight provides perfect transition from iron shafts to wood shafts". So wish me luck.
Will keep you updated after a few range and play sessions.
Btw, Grip (New Decade MulitCompound), shaft, FCT adaptor and labour set me back SGD290. Also re-did the TPMC irons, cost me SGD69 a piece inclusive of Grip - lamkin Crossline Corded and gave me a $10 rebate cause the fitter could resell the DG S300 which I was replacing.
TaylorMade Penta TP5
These balls are really great. Nice and soft and very much longer then the original Penta. Longer then the V1 for me. Really love these balls. Went and grabbed another 3 boxes from Golf Direct. Hopefully I've got enough balls to last me a year before the next big sale...seems I am always a year behind... Hope the Lethal is this good too...LOL.
More new stuff - Nike Vr Pro Hybrid
Just got new hybrids in Feb. The Nike VR Pro hybrid. Its in the 2011 Golf Digest Hotlist. It got a gold too. Must say its really working well for me. Got it on the Project X Blue Shaft 6.0. Heard it's not the real deal, but a made for. But it works anyway so no problem. Got it from Takashimaya at SGD $139 a piece. Used some vouchers to offset the cost. Nike is up and coming. Just need to see how the new Covert Series perform.
The Nike VR Pro is an old school hybrid, nice and small and yet forgiving. Don't like the big volume hybrids which look more like a wood. Anyway, with the proper shaft, am hitting it miles further then the Cleveland Mashie. (poor thing gets retired.)
Got the 2 - 18 degree and 3 - 21 degree hybrid. Works really well for me, very very happy. But remember with any new club, you have to run it in. Took about 60 + range balls before I started hitting well with the hybrid.
Woo hoo!
The Nike VR Pro is an old school hybrid, nice and small and yet forgiving. Don't like the big volume hybrids which look more like a wood. Anyway, with the proper shaft, am hitting it miles further then the Cleveland Mashie. (poor thing gets retired.)
Got the 2 - 18 degree and 3 - 21 degree hybrid. Works really well for me, very very happy. But remember with any new club, you have to run it in. Took about 60 + range balls before I started hitting well with the hybrid.
Woo hoo!
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