First round impressions, SYard driver, Bettinardi SS15 putter

[Lennie]

Played my first round today with the S Yard driver (10.5 loft, stock SR flex shaft) and the third round with the 2013 Yamaha Tour irons. As most posters have noted, the S Yard produces a low trajectory with lots of roll. Not difficult to hit once you get the hang of it. Really, really rolls out. What felt like not-so-good hits produced drives in length equivalent to my best drives with various other drivers. Good solid hits produced extraordinary results. This is a really interesting club. I like the sound and the feel off the clubface. The shaft feels right for me. About a half degree more loft would be nice though.

First time out with new Bettinardi SS15 putter. Wow, what a beautiful club (thanks TSG). I absolutely love everything about it. I made one birdie and missed birdie putts on eight other holes, but most of them were outside 6-7 feet. Putter feels really, really nice and soft, well balanced. I like it better than any of the Cameron putters I've owned and at least as well as the Gold's putters I've owned as well.

Still liking the Yamaha (2013, Tour) irons. I have yet to completely wrap my mind around the fact that I am capable of playing these clubs. I still keep thinking I need to go back to (at least) my Ping S56's (I also have a set of G25's). The Yamahas are fairly precise instruments which provide much pleasure when applied correctly. The thing I really appreciate about them is that you really know what a well stuck shot is. If you miss it a little, you know that too. Of course, a really bad swing is, well, just bad.

All that being said, I shot 77 today at a course I play fairly regularly (I am an 8 handicap). Made no doubles. So, it appears that I can certainly score with these more "player" oriented clubs; the challenge will be staying the course when the inevitable bad round pops up.

Edited March 24, 2013 by Lennie

[jm3]

Thanks for the review. What other drivers have been in the bag? Sounds like the s-yard is the longest? How do you rate forgiveness? Thx

[idrive]

Played my first round today with the S Yard driver (10.5 loft, stock SR flex shaft) and the third round with the 2013 Yamaha Tour irons. As most posters have noted, the S Yard produces a low trajectory with lots of roll. Not difficult to hit once you get the hang of it. Really, really rolls out. What felt like not-so-good hits produced drives in length equivalent to my best drives with various other drivers. Good solid hits produced extraordinary results. This is a really interesting club. I like the sound and the feel off the clubface. The shaft feels right for me. About a half degree more loft would be nice though.

First time out with new Bettinardi SS15 putter. Wow, what a beautiful club (thanks TSG). I absolutely love everything about it. I made one birdie and missed birdie putts on eight other holes, but most of them were outside 6-7 feet. Putter feels really, really nice and soft, well balanced. I like it better than any of the Cameron putters I've owned and at least as well as the Gold's putters I've owned as well.

Still liking the Yamaha (2013, Tour) irons. I have yet to completely wrap my mind around the fact that I am capable of playing these clubs. I still keep thinking I need to go back to (at least) my Ping S56's (I also have a set of G25's). The Yamahas are fairly precise instruments which provide much pleasure when applied correctly. The thing I really appreciate about them is that you really know what a well stuck shot is. If you miss it a little, you know that too. Of course, a really bad swing is, well, just bad.

All that being said, I shot 77 today at a course I play fairly regularly (I am an 8 handicap). Made no doubles. So, it appears that I can certainly score with these more "player" oriented clubs; the challenge will be staying the course when the inevitable bad round pops up.

You've described the S-Yard perfectly. I have and play a bunch of drivers at 9.5*. I could never play the T.388 at 9.5*. I'd get a 11.5*

if they made one.

Congrats on a great round.

[bogeydog]

Good to hear.

[+TourSpecGolfer]

The SS15 is a stunner from finish to feel and I'm happy your enjoying the T388, theres something about that driver that leaves me wanting to hit it again and again.