Blader-X

So last night I check to see what time the Ryder Cup will be coming on. 8am eastern standard time, no mention of the pacific standard time which I reside in. So I do the math. That's 5am my time. Beautiful, great. Go to bed, wake up, turn on the TV, and NO DAMN RYDER CUP!! So I check my TV, turns out it won't be until 8am my time as well. So now I'm fuming!! I'm all geeked up to watch the Ryder Cup and I can't even watch it in real time? I've got to watched delayed coverage. As I'm writing this, the Europeans are up 5-3, their day is over, and on my TV (which is turned off now, I'll get to that in a minute.) the players are barely making the turn in the first matches!! HEY TV PEOPLE. I WANT THE RYDER CUP LIVE!!! I don't care if I have to wake up early or stay up all night. This event happens every two years, is huge and I don't want to watch delayed coverage! Period!! But check this out. It gets better. So I turn on again at 8am. The sound is off!! What do I mean? As the players complete their backswing, you hear a ball being struck. For 20 minutes its like watching those badly dubbed movies where the sound doesn't match the action. Then, they go to interview Rossoforte as he's talking about Brett Wetterich and the sound cuts off after every third word. So, by the end of the interview in which he's given all kinds of background about a virtual unknown rookie we know less now than what we started with because you couldn't even understand what the he)) he's saying. Then later on, one of the announcers is talking about the matches and states "this Walker Cup". Excuse me??!! Walker Cup?? IT'S THE FREAKIN' RYDER CUP YOU JACK A$$!! It's only the most hyped up event in men's professional golf. Walker Cup?? That's an amateur event and hardly anyone outside of golf has heard about that. They may even be some golfers who haven't heard of the Walker Cup. How does on confuse the two.. Way to go USA Network. You should an emmy for this coverage. I sure hope everyone else had better coverage than I. I just had to turn it off. To top it off, the announcers, Johnny Miller included sounded like they're at a funeral. Such somber and reserved tones. Its like the Americans had lost already and its only day 1. I hate that doom and gloom attitude. Sorry to dump this on all you fine TSG'ers but I had to vent. Thanks for listening and feel free to chime in.

Chris these are very nice but they look to have quite a bit of offset. Am I seeing that right? Nice innovation with the undercut channel beneath the hosel. I take it that would reduce drag allowing for the club to get through the turf better? Glad to hear TSG will be able to now fully accomodate all of our requests for special specs by having your own clubfitters!! :tsg_smilie_cool:

Jack, ask and you shall receive!! Close up looking down on both the Epon (top) and Callaway (bottom)

Funny, my G-Field and I were just discussing that same topic a few days ago. Now that I've been priviledged to see the pics I can feel the "ho senses" tingling . . . again!! :tsg_smiley_yes: :tsg_smilie_money3:

Definitely a sweet bag. I've three of your posts in the last 10 minutes and all three have pics of your bag and clubs. Like I've said before, one can never have enough pics on this site!! :tsg_smiley_yes:

No worries, you'll need new clubs eventually. There's always time to buy imports!! :tsg_smiley_laughatyou: :tsg_smilie_money3:

That bag should get you "Ho of the Year Award" honors locked up for sure!! lol :tsg_smiley_laughatyou: NICE!!!

Great insight from all. One reason why I like this site so much is the honest input from many of you. I realize myself the "blade" is a thing of the past but I just love the look of them so much. In the next few years I know I'm going to have to go the way of the new technology. I'm just hoping that by then, someone makes a cb with a topline like my X-blades. It kind of steps so it looks even thinner. I'm reading all these cb reviews and viewing the pics with great interest so when the time comes I can make the best decsion. Just keep posting boys and girls!!

Nippon Shaft 1150GH Tour x-stiff installed to your preferred length. No soft-stepping needed. All day, everyday, and twice on Sunday as they say. Second plus1's comments completely.

Epon 460 arrived just today. Just another reason to post some pics. :tsg_smiley_laughatyou: Seriously though, I want to do a comparison between the two for the benefit of those interested. I will give initial impressions and specs and then later in maybe a couple of weeks or more give the performance evaluation. TSG can never have enough comparisons and input in my opinion. Callaway ERC III 450cc loft: 9.5 face: square swingweight: not known shaft: Axiv-V 8072 46.5 in (118.1cm) total length face height: 2.25in (5.71cm) Epon Technicity 460cc loft: 9.5 face: 1* open swingweight: D5.2 shaft: Axiv-V 8076 45.75 in (116.2 cm) total length face height: 2.5 in (6.35cm) Headcover of the Epon is black and gold. Pittsburgh Steelers colors. Out of the box, Epon already has the edge on the Callaway. Although the ERC headcover is a looker itself. Epon is beautiful gloss black while Callaway's gloss has a tinge of brown in it making it lighter in color but still very nice. No sight line on the Epon (I plus in my book), ERC III has the Callaway arrow logo. Edge for looks: Epon Face height is higher on the Epon (bottom) 2.5" vs the ERC (top) 2.25". Epon has a more compact look to it in address than the Callaway. However, when one measures the crown length, Epon is slightly longer than the ERC III, 4.25" versus 4" respectively. I really like having ordered the Epon in 1 degree open. It has the right "look" to me and thats a plus as well. Edge for setup: Epon Epon comes with cord grip. It has a sweet feel to it like others have posted previously. Callaway stock grip is just that, stock. Edge in grips: Epon I realize that the shafts are not completely the same but I wanted to go slightly stiffer in the Axiv. After a couple months with the V-8072, I just felt I could go with the V-8076 and see better results. I know I may be splitting hairs but as I've written in the past, its all about feel for me. I wanted to go 46.5" in the Epon but after getting some initial specs from Chris, we decided to go 45.75" which gives a D5.2 swingweight. I like the feel of that. I could have longer having really gotten accustomed to the 46.5" in the ERC. My irons are a little over a D5. Heavier clubs again, feel better to me. Edge: none, both are Axiv V specs, great shafts. Epon's ferrule. Very, very nice detail. I have a net set up in the backyard and after having taking a few swings with each club just some thoughts. Of course like any club ho, it was straight into full swings no warm up. I had read about all the great feel of the Epon. I took some swings; was like okay, and then I got into one with the Epon. I had to stop for a second after that one because I had never felt that kind of feel in a driver before. All I can say is that it just felt silky pure. I can't really describe how good it felt. I took a few more swings with both drivers. I can tell both are great clubs but the Epon is really making me want to get to the range and out on the course. I'll end here for now. As I said, I want to give the Epon a thorough go. I would like to get in several rounds before posting again so that the comparison can be as fair as I can make it without a honeymoon effect. Until then, pour a cold one and get ready for Ryder Cup! :atsg_smilie_beer2: PS. Chris, we need an Epon smiley flag!

I can agree with pucci about toplines. One reason why I like my irons so much. However, I do pay particular attention to these newer cb's as at some point in my life I may have to consider these clubs. Right now, nothing looks better to me than blades. I just cannot make the switch at this point. Besides, I hit my clubs just fine. I don't compete anymore. I wish very much I was still competing, but I'm just too busy with kids. I do, however, really like looking at all these new cb's coming out. Thin out the topline so it resembles what I'm accostomed to with a blade, and maybe I'd give 'em a go. Looking foward to the write up Chris!

Forget trying to get to the driving range, just go out to the front yard, tee one up and let her fly. You may want to wait for night fall. :tsg_smiley_laughatyou:

I see that and I hear the "Empire" theme from Star Wars playing in the background and then in walks Darth Vader with his characteristic breathing. Ohhhhhhperrr, Ohhhhhperrr :tsg_smiley_laughatyou:

Come on alpha_pro, I know you have some input on this topic!!

Thanks Chris, All I need now, is the Epon 460 (on the way), G-Field 4 wood and G-Field Utility (very close to pulling the trigger) and I think I'll be set. :tsg_smilie_rolleyes: :tsg_smiley_laughatyou:

Check out some of the reviews via the search but here's my 2 cents worth. I have the Premium Zone #1 in black. First, the grip. As I'm holding this putter, I can't tell where my hands end and the grip begins. Its just a perfect blend. Second, the weight. Its 350 grams, there's no need to add any weight, sand or sugar the shaft. That heavier weight just feels as if its the right weight a putter should be. Third, the face insert. The milling on the face insert allows for the ball to roll off of the face sooner producing a truer roll. When I switched from my Cammy Newport 2.5 to the G-Field all my putts rolled out so much more. In fact the first few rounds I was sometimes 5 feet past the hole. Now, I've adapted and all I can say is wow! Fourth, with Alusiner insert, the ball is framed so nicely at setup, I feel real confident that I'm going to roll the ball on the line I picked out. I may pick out the wrong line, but it goes where I aim. Fifth, the feel when the putter strikes the ball is like butta!. It blows away my old Cammy in feel. For me, a feel type player, that's a majority of the ballgame right there. You've got to find these somewhere and give them a go.

Thanks Jack, I haven't measured my driver speed in sometime but its around 115 and can vary a little depending upon how I'm feeling on a given day. I hit the Axiv V8072 in the driver and really like it, so much so that I'm getting another one, slightly stiffer, V8076 in an Epon. I have had no problems getting the ball airborne, so I'd have to say that's a fair estimate on the swing speed. Stock 5-iron right about 175 yards, but again conditions will make that number vary. I usually play in some heavy ocean air near the coast, but when I go out to the desert that number goes up, especially if the turf is firm and air is hot and dry. The Mizuno bag is a Twister. My son picked the color, I usually go with just plain black. I like the overall design of the bag, but I am disappointed in the stand. Its not the most sturdiest of stands I've owned. It is comfortable to walk in though. One of these days, I'm going to have to break down and get a nice TourStage bag from Chris. One of these days. :tsg_smilie_rolleyes: In regards to the NSPros, I absolutely love them. So much so, that after going to them, the 3-iron is seeing a lot more time in the bag and on the course. They just have so much feel. I can't recommend these highly enough. I like heavier clubs and these 1150's give me the weight I want combined with great feel.

Amen to that, brother!! Having golfed in Japan at four different courses, all varied in their soft and hard lies. I think same goes for wherever one would play. I went from 690mb's with relieved front edge to TourStage X-blades with a sharp front edge. Once I got comfortable with the X-blades, I can honestly say it really doesn't matter. It all comes down to one's own ballstriking. If on occasion I hit a shot fat, its because I'm too steep. Its not the club.

Thank you Chris for the little window link to remembering 9-11. I know this website is international but this was a tragic event which affected many and the wounds I don't think have yet healed to this day. My feelings go out to all who were affected either indirectly, or directly, those who lost friends and family. I'll never forget that day. I was home getting ready to drop the kids off at school and preparing to play a golf tournament later in the morning. My wife called me from work and only said, "turn on the TV." I knew it was something horrific. I know my life changed forever that day. It was so surreal and so vivid. Let us never forget, and let us live life to the fullest.

plus1, soon to be 3!! You'll be down to just drivers, an 8-iron, wedge and a putter soon! lol! Your four ball should pay for you green fees for a year for all your kindness of spreading the Epon influence!! :tsg_smiley_yes:

I'm excited now more than ever to hit the Epon with that cord grip. Right now I'm also using a cord, ribbed Lamkin on my 3-wood which is something I had used long, long ago. Last year I played around with thicker grips going oversize but all that did was ruin my timing. I went back to thinner grips and playing well (to my abilities) again. Yes Milo, I enjoyed golfing in Japan very much. Quite a different experience than golfing in the states. I was very spoiled by my in-laws while there. I had bought a Club Glove travel bag and that thing was just great as I traveled from Yokohama to Kyushu and back up.

Plus 1 has hit a lot of these shafts, he would definitely know.

Chris, you didn't happen to have any TourStage bags shipped to you by mistake which you need to get rid of at a heavily discounted rate, do you?? :tsg_smiley_laughatyou: That is a nice bag.

Your right, the kick point is higher on the dg's. I meant to say it the other way around. But you just have to try these shafts. If you're afraid of letting go of the X100's just have one club changed over and see how it feels.

Thanks boys!! Yeah, I feel in love with those irons last summer in Japan and couldn't stop thinking about them. They have the sleekest topline. I'm pretty happy with them.