RLL33

Still play the RMX's, Chuck -- "when the ether shifts," as you so well put it. <g> But I picked up this beautiful set of OnOff CB's refinished in copper by Ant, and you know me, I just loves me copper...! <g> Also, they're just so buttery soft, I love the feel at the moment. Interestingly, and in line with your comments, I only hit the Yamahas any time I go to the range for practice, where I find blades really hone my stroke best. Don't think I'd ever be without a set.

MCIs for me. I didn't get along with Recoils. MCIs more lively like steel, only smooth, without the vibration.

Sorry I haven't posted the pics yet. Thought I'd wait until I got the 3-wd shafted, too, and then post the two together with the T.388 as a happy family of three.

I've now had range sessions and a few rounds with my Blackout with the 7D in it, and all I can say is I believe we've created a M-O-N-S-T-E-R. As I've noted before, I prefer lighter weight than many, and with this one I decided to build something very different from my fave T.388 which still launches low flying missiles. We went with a 50g 7D in the 11-deg Blackout and a higher launch plan, and man, this club works for me in the desired different way. Huge high draws that seem to gain their altitude immediately before a little baby draw kicks in that seems to pull the ball toward center like a magnet. Never seen anything quite like it with my drives. It's an absolute pleasure to hit, and for those who aren't nuts about the sound in the foamed Z11, this baby puts out a nice mid-range thwack, too. I also love the appearance of the Blackout head combined with the stealthy appearance of the 7D. Interestingly, the T.388 with the 7D in it is still longer for me overall -- less carry at times, but longer roll out by far. But I feel like I have two top choices for drivers now, both with wonderful feel and performance, both super straight and long, depending on the course and conditions I'm playing. Can't recommend this combination more highly.

Took the words right out of my mouth, M. Was just looking at them this morning...

Is this another creation from the Y-side of the company...?

I went for the Gekku Satin.

My woods were the last hold outs in my bag. Hadn't changed 3-wd in seven years. Nothing could get that baby out -- until the XV. Then once I hit it, I knew it was a keeper like the t388. I thought I'd try the 5-wd to see the difference and because Stew said he was hitting it near the same distance as the 3, only it was landing softer. I find that to be the case. Same hammer throw, pulsing distance, but a little higher trajectory, lands softer, less roll out. The 3-wd rolls out just like the t388, which is to say like a cannon ball. The 5-wd is more like... a... well struck 8-ball with some English on it. <g>

It's closer to the Messenger than the FW80, which I found a little heavy/dampened or something in feel. Again, I lean toward lighter shafts than most, but they have to still pack punch. This one feels particularly effortless to me. Hard to put my finger on it exactly, but it really seems to respond to a long, smooth swing arc, but impact stays really crisp and controllable. I can spray fwy's when I get the wrong shaft match up, but this thing was sweet and stayed on target, even with uneven lies (which my course has a lot of at 2nd shot distances...). In that, it felt more specifically designed as a fwy shaft to me than the Messenger.

Will do, M, the combo is b-a-d. Shaft really complements the S-Yard stealth look.

Put the new TRPX Red Hot Fairway shaft in an S-Yard XV 5-wd and was blown away. The XV fwy woods are, like their big brother the t.388 driver, missile launching, boring traj, long-ballers. I've been playing them with Matrix shafts, but yesterday with this Red Hot in the 5, I didn't take the 3-wd out of the bag once. Hit the No.1 hc hole on my course in 2 for the first time ever. This shaft is light and crisp, and produces what is advertised -- long, high draws. Combined with the lower traj head of the XV, the result is medium penetrating draw! Just love the feel, and in S-flex, all shots were tightly dispersed. Just ordered up another for my 3-wd...

JBeam Blackout is the longest, straightest driver I've ever hit. I just put a 7D in it and hit it for the first time yesterday. Will write more, but it actually scared me, it was rocketing balls out there so well. I've been a longtime user of the t.388, also with 7D, which I still adore. The Blackout launches higher though for wind free days.

I like the stickiness of the Pro+ in particular coupled with great distance. Putts well too on fast greens. Used it all week and ordered a few dozen with company logo on it. Really nice guy checked in with me on sizing of the logo and text as well. This is a good group of guys, would hate to see them pushed out.

;=]

+1, Chris. And anyone wondering what some of the process looks like and how it differs from others should definitely check out the video on the site of the shaft's production.

It's not as though a custom shaft has a switch that only turns on for the original buyer. It's more that it's going to maximize what the original buyer can do with it. I'm sure a pro or someone with a swing speed like your friend could enjoy (and crush) drives with all sorts of shafts. What would be interesting would be to see how much difference there would be between him hitting your shaft and one that was custom designed for him. I've yet to see anyone who hit my 7D not say they love it, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't love one designed for them even more.

More props to you, D, for bringing this company to my attention. Hadn't heard about it before, and really like their whole attitude and service. Can't believe how fast they get stuff to you. Hope the big 'Cushnet doesn't ruin a good thing here...

Never saw that putter before. Is it sold?

Finished my week's testing and have decided on the Pro+. It's longer than the Pro, and I also like the feel better for putting. Nice spin around the greens too. It not only measures up to the RZN Black, I like it better. And while soft in feel, the cover isn't cutting and scuffing like I find this year's Nike doing -- big plus for me -- I used one ball for the whole round yesterday.

I got the sampler pack of all four of their balls, and I played them blind on Tuesday. Only looked after shots at which ball it was that I hit. I'd say they're all high quality. The only one I didn't like was the Drive. This is understandable as that one's a two-piece distance ball. Of the other three, the Tour felt the softest, was especially good on putts. All around, both the Pro and Pro Plus felt as good as the Nike RZN Black I usually use, and neither of them scuffed quickly the way this year's Nike seems to. The ProPlus took off from my 2-iron on one tee, going farther than I usually hit the Nike and with terrific feel. But I came within ten inches of an ace with the Pro late in the round, and it also bored through the wind off my t.388 like a knife in whipped cream. So, for me, it's probably going to come down to the Pro or the ProPlus. Gonna play them again tomorrow. But no question, these are premium feel balls at a great price. And I agree with MP, great service from these guys Munich to LA via FedEx.

Wow, considering that sounds a whole lot like what's coming for my Blackout, you def have my interest!

I love the look of copper with 100+ rounds / year in California. But then, my favorite looking and performing Porsche is a road dirty one...

Exactly. And although I haven't talked much about the look of the thing, I stand by my original comparison to the monolith in 2001. It has that effect on most people, including me, every time I draw it from my bag... <g> Smooth, subtle, perfect beauty that has or needs not a single identifying mark on it. It knows what it is, and it exudes that. And for me, that's part of the confidence it inspires.

Beautiful looking club! Look forward to playing reviews of this one!

<<The feel of this shaft is totally different. I now have it figured out and wow the shaft loads at the correct time during my downswing and it almost feels effortless. This shaft essentially feels like it reacts to my swing and I now do not need time my swing in order to get a high smash factor.>> I think this part of your review is key. This is exactly what I started to realize several rounds into playing the 7D. I think I described it in very similar terms, in fact -- that the shaft feels like it reacts to my swing and even adapts to slight variations in my swing to produce the effect it was designed to produce. It's subtle, but quite different from many other shafts I've played which seem to require ME to make the adjustments to get it just right. "Effortless" then followed, as I became less focused on swing thoughts, mechanics, etc, and began to trust that the shaft would do the work. I remember specifically the day I realized all this because I was playing in a strong wind and the shaft sort of freed me from thinking about it. In fact, I remember the smile on my face it produced. All that said, I'm still waiting for my shaft for the Blackout. Next week will mark 3 months... I do hope Chris is right that they're getting past their production issues. Either that or they should give more realistic estimates/promises on ship dates.