K2_2

Hi Chris, Interesting thoughts. If you ever take it on a launch monitor I would be curious about the spin, as I've heard it was supposed to be 'relatively' low spin. Do you think that is part of the reason for the lower flight?

Ahhhh, that's it! Thank you T.

Is Golf Mechanic the one that has a heap of shots from different small shops building up sets and doing customs grinds et al?

No need to worry about the hosel sleeve on the Plus!!! There were a few problems with a batch of the regular/non-Plus 2008 driver, but that has been remedied, and I have not heard about any problems with the plus. EDIT... Ben, I didn't see that info until after you mentioned it. I guess the search for a driver will go on

Great looking in the bag, all business from the top... Chris, let us know how it goes!

Thanks for the reminder T, I'd forgotton about the Grand Prix results. Either way, I hope the bag works out well for him.

On average... would be difficult to answer as few people would get properly fit, much less compare heads with the same loft, weight, and then pair them up with the same shaft for a proper comparison (anyone done that?). Technically... I'll let others chime in (Thanks to RG below).

Very good move for Fourteen, and as the MJR said, nice bag! I'm kind of curious about the driver, as I never heard much about the previous Fourteen drivers... any more news on his setup?

Quattro Tech technology with a bend profile to suit more western players? Whatever the case, I will look forward to hearing more about the shaft!

Other than the weight, they get a bit stiffer going from the 100 to the 400. I haven't hit all four back to back, but better players can tell the differece between an S400 and an S200. I don't know if the bend profile is that different, but imho, the 400 keeps the ball lower than the 200. Part of that could be the weight though, as you generate a bit less club speed with the heavier shaft.

The more athlete/player models I have hit in the 410-420 range (Beres TW 911, Mizuno Craft 425) were easier to turn over than a game-improvement 460 cc head (Tourstage ViQ, Beres 812 etc), to be sure. However, the smaller Mizuno Craft isn't a world away from the Craft 460, but the difference is certainly there. IMHO, if you are comparing the same type of driver (ie athlete model) I think the difference will vary in degrees between a 430 cc head (like a Tourstage 430p) an intermediate size (Toursage 445 or Beres TW913) or a full 460 head (insert a dozen clubs here). With the right shaft and loft, you should be able to work any of those clubs while keeping yourself out of serious trouble.

Agreed. BTW Ben, I see you've gone to the X-Blades... if you decide to throw another set of PRGR's into the mix, the 501's are nice and forgiving, but the 500BL is a true gem, I can't say enough good things about it. On a JPGA specific note, I'm not sure who is playing the 500BL vs the 501 or other models.

Other than the shaft being spec'd a bit longer, the ST-Long shaft looks to be a touch ligher, and the lie angle is a shade (0.5 Degrees) more flat. I don't know if there is a big difference in the face/head of the Type D vs Type D ST.

Hi Ben, the specs above are for two different Labo shafts, one that comes in SX, and one X.

Thanks T, Those look like the US-spec wedges. I guess I'll have to focuss more attention on changing drivers or driver shafts for now!

Great info T, Any chance that the 'Milky Chrome' Callaway wedges are like the LQ wedges from last year, or is it more of a satin/soft chrome?

Hi Ben, I'm waiting for these to show up locally so I can take a look before taking the plunge, but I will be sure to let you know what I think after I try one out.

Hi Ben, I don't think there is a standard X flex in the stock shaft (which is a bit over 60 g's if memory serves). You could ask about the Labospec shaft upgrades, which fall in between the standard shafts and Roddios as far as pricing. One caveat though, I haven't ever taken a labospec driver shaft on a monitor or onto the course. Here are some specs: Smooth Kick 105; S and SX at 81 and 82 grams respectively, 3.8* of Torque, recomended for swings up to about 107 for S, or SX if you are over 107 mph. Smooth Kick 109; S and X at 70 grams each, 3.6* of Torque, same swing speed recomendations as the 105. I think the 105 was about $100 more, the 109 was a bit less, only about $50 more. Cheers, Kyle

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to everyone!!! Jack, I think a few people might be getting closer... but the Tokyo show is still almost two months away!!!

Guys, its high season here in SE Asia and you guys in Hawaii can test stuff for us year round, someone has to have taken the plunge! I actually went in to talk to Nimi-san here in Bangkok, and while he wasn't in, someone else in his shop was very helpful in disucssing the Ali'Islei, new Quattro Tech MD, and the Mach Line Protos. So far, they're very impressed with the Diamana. The gentlemen I spoke with did mention that it felt like it had a bit less kick than some other shafts, but reviews from other customers said it seemed to be very easy to keep in the fairway and to work the ball in either direction, so for a better player, it seems to be neither fade nor draw biased.

Thanks for the info, that confirms what I've heard about the PX. Also, no need to apologize for any run around, I'm really happy with the Roddio iron shafts I'm playing with right now (guys, no info about new graphite iron shafts, please!). I have tried the Black Golds, and really liked them, but the S300 is working well in the wedges, so no reason to change... for now! I'm only a year ahead of you in the age department but I've already had shoulder surgery, and am delaying it as long as possible, hence the graphite in my irons. I am swinging a bit smoother than I used to as well. It changes the game a bit, but I'm living with it so far!

Duffer, That is very interesting, cheers. I'm just curious as to what it is in the profile/construction that would make both the BA AND the WA less than perfect for a mid-handicap. Like I said, I guess the feel can throw some people off - nothing wrong with that, if it doesn't feel right to you its not going to work. I'm just surprised that you found it 'difficult' if you will, especially with the BA, as it is suposed to be a fairly easy to hit shaft for mid-high handicaps who want to take the right out of play. If anything, I would think that the Whiteboard you have would be a touch less forgiving being a mid-high bend shaft, but that just goes to show that you need to actually try stuff out versus going off of specs all the time. If I end up going with a Roddio, I'll be sure to try and do a comparo with a Quattro Tech, a Fuji (if I can get past the graphics) and maybe the new Diamana Ali'Islei, even though I'm not a big fan of the mid-high bend, who knows how it might work out.

Depends on the head it is paried with, but for me, I really like the 2007/Green Quattro Tech... smooth, stable, low bend. Paired with a low launch head it is lethal, if the shaft profile suits your swing. For most people though, I think the green Quattro Tech is a better fairway shaft, and the new MD should suit more people after a mid-bend driver shaft. I may toy around with a Roddio in a GIII or Yamaha, I've only tried them in some OnOFF demos so far. Duffer, any reason why you think the Roddio wood shafts aren't suited for a mid-high handicap? I know they feel different than some other shafts, but I've seen a few slower swingers trying them in Japan and they were crazy about them.

Very nice looking set up... I hope that the sticks are all teating you well. When you get a chance, I had a quick question; how is the transition from PX to the S400? Its probably my swing (I take a small/shallow divot, and have been told that's not the pattern you want with the PX), but the DG's feel pretty smooth while the PX feels like I've swung a bat at a brick.

Well, I've added a little more kit to the bag... I settled on some OnOFF Fairway Wings Hybrids to bridge the gap between the G-Field fairway metal and my irons. I'm also going to toy around with a GIII driver, although I'm still tempted to put a Yamaha (425V or the new 4.6D Type S) or another Callaway in the bag. I love the X-Drive 460, and might keep one for my 'on' days, but when I'm not swinging as well, I seem to lose a bit more distance with it. Stangely though, I still found it to be fairly straight. Or perhaps I have been extremely lucky... no harm in that! I've also added a few Roddio iron shaft pictures. After some of BigBen's problems with iron shafts from another company, I'm feeling pretty lucky to have gone with the Roddios, as the finish looks stunning, and they seem to perform very consistantly from club to club. Ben, if things don't work out with a new set from GD, I'll see if I can find someone playing the Roddio I-10 in an X versus a stiff, and I'll ask what the CPM's come out to. Once I settle on a driver, the only other thing I might play around with is a custom grind on my 52*. I'm not looking to change putters but... I did played around in a shop with a Gold's Factory putter the other day as well... if it had a siteline on it, it would have ended up on this thread. Fnatstic finish and balance, and a very nice look at address. If its lying around next week, it still might happen!