nobmontana

Hit em well!

Ian, I have a stray R7 forged 5 iron if you want it. just pay for shipping and it's yours. It has the stock 950GH Stiff shaft though.... Happy to pull off the head and send head only as well.... ( my pile of stock junk shafts keep growing! ) I actually like the R7 design over R9 TP forged.

Wedges.... I'm not too crazy of a fanatic when it comes to wedges to be honest ... but that is rapidly changing. When I got started with JDM back in 2009 or so, I got a used set of Epon 208KGX in Copper in 52, 56 and 60 .... I believe these wedges had non-conforming square grooves so they did spin like crazy. Loved how forgiving they were and loved the feel on them too. Over the years, I have tried Titleist, Mizuno, Tourstage, Yonex, SYB, Epon, Buchi, SDJ, Modart, Tataki, Zodia ... Currently, I am using two sets of Miura S-01 wedges .. a S-01 52, 58 custom ordered through their Miura Craftsman World (MCW) program and then another S-01 Tour 51, 57 also through their MCW program and then I have a set of Seven AG wedges in 52 and 58. As I got better with my long game and iron game, I am now at a point where my weaknesses are clearly showing up as my short game less than 100 yards and mostly around the greens. And putting is just utterly pathetic compared to the rest of my game... we'll get to putters in my next post. As far as lofts go, I am seeing a lot of occasions lately where I need a 110 yard shot. Unfortunately, the 52 falls a bit short and the PW is usually too much. I am starting to flirt with the idea ( another expensive idea !! ? ) to possibly go with a 50 54 58 set up. My distance gaps would be PW = 125 , 50 = 110 , 54 = 95 , 58= 80 .... 15 yards apart .. but for now, 52 58 is my set up. Miura Giken S-01 52, 58 / Modus Wedge 125 Stock is more midsize than compact. but MCW program allowed me to choose an option to have them make the overall shape a bit more compact. Did seem to help a bit but still not small like other players wedges. At address it does look pretty forgiving and easy to use. These heads are made of 99.3 pure steel. Which are a joy to hit. Very soft off the face. I think spin performance is pretty good but highly dependent on the type of ball used. Using the 58 deg delofted from the green edge, I can see a pretty nice bite before the ball releases. On full shots, I get a lot of backspin sometimes too much when the greens are super receptive. The copper underlay + double nickel satin finish came out with a beautiful champagne gold hue and while it really looks nice, the double nickel satin appear to be not as durable as chrome satin and after one full season, the copper on the sole is starting to show... which is why I went with the Chrome Satin option on the new S-01 Tour. Seven AG Wedge 52, 58 / Modus Wedge 115 I wanted to get wedges that match with my Seven x Shinagawa MB irons. Though I could have gone with the Seven ST wedge, I kind of liked the unique sole design of the AG wedges, The size is mid compact. It's not super compact but it's definitely not big as your typical mid size wedge. I believe these are made of SS400 which feels super soft off the face. The grooves grab the ball nicely for a very spinny full shot. Small chips also check well. I have the Modus Wedge 115 in these and they feel very smooth and controllable. I am not sure if the channel on the sole is helping but these wedges do glide through the turf with ease. Once these wedges wear out, I may move on to the ST wedges as I have tried them and they are even softer than the AG. Miura Giken S-01 Tour 51, 57 / WV 115 Tour Only Stock S-01 Tours are smaller sized than the original S-01 , but I went to get them even smaller through their MCW option. Material is the same 99.3 pure steel ... I did choose a different finish on these after seeing the copper underlay get exposed rather soon on my previous set. I chose copper underlay + Satin Chrome finish this time in homes that they will last a bit longer. Still very soft off the face but definitely slightly firmer than the double nickel finish. The NS Pro WV115 Tour Only shaft is a recent pick up from the Bay. According to NS Pro, they are supposed to be similar specs as the old WV115 but with Modus Wedge graphics. To me it does in fact feel just like the WV115 which is slightly more firmer than the Modus Wedge 115. With the compact face, the overall shape transition well from my PW from the CB1008 to the 51 deg. As you can see, I am a big fan of the S-01 series wedges and I think they are the greatest wedges.

This is the one Betti model that I would want to try. Great price BTW!! GLWS

9K is definitely up there... but I don't think 1K is over priced considering what you get for that price compared to COA Scottys, Bettis or other "exotic" high end putters.

This DLC finish is tempting, but I do like the feel of my standard Copper Undelay + Satin Chrome finish.

I think the beauty of Benock line up is that they can do traditional shapes but they can also do these unconventional shapes that other brands can't do. While I like their traditional designs all made out of modern CNC tech, I do think where Benock shines most is with the more Avant-Garde designs that specifically require their machinery, technology and experience to make. I would be all over that mallet if it weren't for the square toe. I need one with a down sloped toe design according to Benock fitting.

DLC would be as durable as chrome plating?

Very interesting shape!!

For sure, a 125g steel shaft in a 17deg hybrid is not something that you see everyday!!

So I currently have 3 Hybrids in the three sets that I rotate through. Modart MA01H 19 deg / Crazy STP Iron 85, Romaro Type R 2017 18deg / Crazy STP Iron 85, Romaro I-Brid Chapter 2 19 deg / Fujikura MCH 80, The Romaro I-Brid is still very new to me and after yesterday's round, I am thinking about possibly getting another STP shaft to put in it. Modart MA01H 19 deg / Crazy STP Iron 85 I've had this combo the longest and it is very trusty. I can work the ball both ways on demand, ( easier to draw than fade with my skill level ) but I feel most comfortable with this combo than the other two in that I know that the natural ball will be either straight or baby draw which will safely land in the intended vicinity. The head has a shape that reminds me of the old 2007 Taylomade TP Resucue hybrid and appears to have quite an offset and looks like a hook machine. Not sure what the guys at Modart did to this head design but a hook machine it is not. Not at all. Perhaps the STP shaft is contributing to how straight it wants to go. The STP is known to go very straight. Back to the head.... the feel off the face is solid yet spongy just like their FWs and provides a really pleasant sound doing so. Trajectory is mid trajectory but again I can hit both high trajectory and lower trajectory with this hybrid... extremely versatile. Looks is a bit deceiving as mentioned above and may take a while to get a sense of trust that it is not a hook machine. but once you get to the point where you can just point and shoot it will not disappoint. Highly recommended! Romaro Type R 2017 18deg / Crazy STP Iron 85 I got this head late in the Summer to match it up with the Type R 2017 driver head which I fell in love with. This Hybrid is mid sized and looks very forgiving and once you swing it you will know that it's not just looks. Combo'd again with the STP Iron shaft, this hybrid is very very straight. it really does not want to move left or right. If I tried hard, it will draw a bit and that is it. Mid to high trajectory flight is what you would want on most situations. With a moderately receptive green condition, the ball will stop with a couple of hops. Distance performance is really good on these. It uses 15-3-3-3 Ti cup face ... I mean that's how the best drivers and fairways are constructed. No wonder it is long. I was expecting to get about 215 yards total with this hybrid, but I think I am getting around 225 total and sometimes 230 total. That nears my typical 3 wood distance and so I do not have a 3W for the set. this 18 deg Hybrid does it all. Feel off the face is really nice and springy, just like their driver but obviously more solid feeling and sound due to the size difference. With how much distance I am getting at times, I start to wonder why I even need a 3W in my other bags!! ? Romaro I-Brid Chapter 2 19 deg / Fujikura MCH 80, And last but not least, my latest acquisition. I got this from another member on BST and originally had an ATTAS EZ 75 which I kind of thought that it was going to be a bit too light. First couple of range sessions, while I was hitting it pretty good, as soon as I stepped on it a bit, I started to get hooks. Found a reasonably priced used MCH 80 and so I decided to give it a try. Much better feel from a weight perspective and the feel at impact is a bt more solid now. The shape of the I-Brid Chpt 2 reminded me of my old Adams A12 Pro hybrid which I had in the bag for a long time. Adams hybrids were so popular everyone had them. Too bad the brand got dissolved under TM. Anyway, the I-brid is compact and what would be considered more iron like than wood. The top line design also contributes to the iron look. From looks alone, the head looks anti left. but it is small and so it does not look like it is overly forgiving. The feel at impact is different from any Hybrid I have had in the past. While it is stainless steel, it sure does not sound or feel like a 455 steel . They use steel called CH-1 which supposedly has similar physical properties as Titanium. it also uses a cup face construction with this CH-1 steel. So I guess it is not a surprise when I think the feel and sound are similar to that of a Titanium utility. Distance performance is pretty much on par with other 19 deg heads. The forgiveness of mis hits are actually really good compared to a hybrid of a similar size. I think this is where this head shines is because it is forgiving but with player preferred looks. I'm liking it. trajectory is a bit on the high side for my liking and similar flight as the Type R. To match the looks, I would actually prefer to get a lower flight than this... perhaps another STP 85 is the solution here. Overall the high praise reviews by other members on these hybrids were validated and aside from the high trajectory issue, I think this I-Brid will stay in my bag for a long time.

Played the Epon SUS / Modus 125 Combo yesterday at a Turkey shoot competition where we were eligible for winning prizes to donate to the food bank for Thanksgivings. Criteria to win was to shoot net score under par. My current handicap is a 5.8 (course hcp 6). So I needed to shoot 78 gross or better. First 9 ended up being a disaster where I put my drive in to the trees on the 4th hole and could not really recover from that and posted a triple bogey on that hole. Ended up with a 41 on the front 9. Back 9 was completely different with one birdy and one bogey 36 for a total 77!! Close but mission accomplished. The biggest contributors were the iron shots especially 7 thru PW. I did not miss greens from 160 yards and in. And some were within 8 to 10 ft but my putter was dead cold most of the round. I need to take putting lessons. ? Anyway, I feel that the Modus 125s are really matching well with my current swing. Very accurate and I am getting good distances as well. I think I am carrying my 8 iron near 150 yards.... which is 7 to 8 yard more than my other sets. Not sure what the differences are... may need to get on a LM to check the differences. Maybe the Modus 125 are lower spin?

Ordered mine with face open and it actually looks slightly open.

Played the Jbeam GFW today and I believe this is my longest ever 3 wood for me. Pretty easy to launch for a 13 deg

I don’t have experience with the Shuttle but if you are looking for a 15 deg hybrid, Justick /Proceed makes one.

Thanks Chris. So Hashimoto-san is the design engineer of the shaft construction? or is she just the designer of the graphics?

I got to try my new shaft for the Grandista today. Fujikura Atmos Tour Spec Black 5 TX .... yes 5 "TX"..... I was concerned that it was potentially going to be too stiff and unusable..... not so at all!! . Similar feel to the Diamond Speeder 5X not too stout but it swings very sharply!! and how straight it goes!! I love it! Baby fades during the entire range session today. I'm able to hit draws with it too but the baby fades are just so nice to watch! The launch was actually a bit higher than anticipated but according to the Top Tracer launch monitor the launch angle was around 14 to 15 deg which is actually ideal. 240 to 250 carry was what I was getting with fade shots. With draws, pretty sure I can get another 5 to 10 yards. This shaft is really good! For a 5 TX it feels very smooth and stable. Light weight shaft technology just keeps getting better!!

F7M2LTD shaft was legendary. For some I think it was too low spin. Good ol times when Matrix shafts were king of shafts in the western world. Just the sound of a 105g X flex fwy shaft is giving me a sore back!!! Geeez! you must have been a monster!

Thanks B! that helps. I should try a Loop during the off season. Other than my Seven Dreamers and Crazy STP in my hybrids, I've gradually moved away from boutique brand shafts lately. Mitsubishi, Fujikura and Tour AD have fabulous shafts these days. 80T or 90T are becoming more common and T1100 and MR70 are popular material now. Not sure where the boutique brands stand in terms of new material tech, But previously the boutique brands usually had the edge when it came to newer high end material. Now the big boys have caught up. Quality control is generally better with the major brands but among the boutique shafts brands I've read somewhere that Syncagraphite/Loop has a very meticulous Quality Assurance process so maybe they are a step above others in that regard.

Grandista recently released a collaboration driver for Golf Digest Japan which combines RS-D with Syncagraphite's Loop Bubble light. https://www.golfdigest-minna.jp/_ct/17209297 Basically, Grandista's CEO , Yoshida says this shaft brings out the best out of his head design. Since I have been using the RS-D and I am experimenting on different shafts, I thought that I look into Loop shafts to see if there is one that I might want to try. What I am looking for is a tip stiff, light weight, low torque shaft. Previous examples that I have used include Diamond Speeder 5X, Diamana 'Ahina 60 X, Miyazaki Kusala Black 61X and now I am trying out the Atmos TS Black in 5TX ... ( "TX" sounds scary ) another one that matches the profile is the Diamana X 2017 in 50 X. Out of the above shafts, 60g range in X is too much shaft for me in a driver. It works well in a 3W though.... For driver I find that 50g range in X flex works very well even with my sub 100 mph swing speed. I like a shaft that feels sharp when I swing it and so "lighter but stiffer" has been the theme for me lately. So what's the word on Loop shafts? Anyone?

I unfortunately have not tried the Glorious FW. Other than the fact that Glorious is stainless steel and G-FW is all Ti, I think they were designed under similar concepts of making it as forgiving as possible. I was looking for a low loft head so G-FW better matched my needs at 13 deg.

Sounds like a design I can live with!! easy to hit MB 4 iron!

Aha!! culprit found!

I don't think you can generalize that "carbon is good" It makes it sound like "the more carbon the better" which is simply not the case for producing golf club heads. Otherwise they'd use High carbon steel to produce iron heads. Miura says it takes 4 months for the material manufacturer to remove the impurities to their specs. I'm not trying to be a metallurgy expert on carbon steel. Simply put, Miura decided to use this material to claim better feel. I jumped on the bandwagon and confirmed that it is in fact pretty darn soft. that's all. And no translation issues here. I got the info from Miura's website untranslated in Japanese. ?

I have two sets of the Miura S-01 FE wedges now and they are also soft. Feel is subjective but I wouldn't ever classify these Miura Irons or the S-01 wedges as harsh feeling. I've owned a couple of Tourstage irons and wedges in smoke finish and they were not the best feeling. Weren't Marus also in a dark finish? Perhaps that has to do with feel?