BallerNate’s WITB

[Shanks2424]

14 hours ago, BallerNate said:

And the winner of the 2024 BallerNate iron battle is….. ***drumroll please***
 

The Srixon ZX5’s!! Once I actually got to hit real balls and take full swings, it became pretty clear that the feel and pop off the face of the ZX5 was definitely superior to the Nike Vapor Speed.

 

The Vapor Speed irons have a dense, solid feel that isn’t terrible, but the soft forged feel, and the springiness of the ZX5 was much more appealing!

 

Not gonna lie, I really wanted the Vapor Speeds to Win out because they’re absolutely gorgeous. But have to go with what works best at the end of the day.

 

Going to keep testing the Vapor Speed 4-iron though, and will give that the front-runner spot over the ZX5 4-iron for now. But we’ll see how they perform with more reps. 😎🔥 

I like that set up 

[BallerNate]

9 hours ago, Shanks2424 said:

I like that set up 

Thanks my man, much appreciated!!

 

Feel really good about my bag going into this season…should be a really good fit hopefully!!

[BallerNate]

Starting to have a thing for custom Nike putters. Another one to test out and put through it’s paces over the Winter!

 

For this one I put in a black shaft and a red/black Lamkin grip. Early results are good…we’ll see how it goes!! 👌🏽👌🏽 

[Shanks2424]

5 hours ago, BallerNate said:

Starting to have a thing for custom Nike putters. Another one to test out and put through it’s paces over the Winter!

 

For this one I put in a black shaft and a red/black Lamkin grip. Early results are good…we’ll see how it goes!! 👌🏽👌🏽 

You have a sickness glad you are here with us equipment sickos

[MikeW2]

5 hours ago, BallerNate said:

Starting to have a thing for custom Nike putters. Another one to test out and put through it’s paces over the Winter!

 

For this one I put in a black shaft and a red/black Lamkin grip. Early results are good…we’ll see how it goes!! 👌🏽👌🏽 

This is the best way to get the most out of your putters. If they know that there’s another one ready to jump right into the slot they aren’t as tempted to misbehave 😂

[JetSpeed79]

33 minutes ago, Shanks2424 said:

You have a sickness glad you are here with us equipment sickos

So true. I had an iron fitting last week. Wedge fitting is scheduled for next month and fairways the month after that. I’m sure I’ll add a new driver in there somewhere too. 
 

But it’s fun, and you gotta have fun! (And these are small toys, not big toys right?). 
 

Just got the email that the new irons have shipped. Can’t wait  🥳

[BallerNate]

3 hours ago, Shanks2424 said:

You have a sickness glad you are here with us equipment sickos

Haha!!

 

Oh yeah man, I’m an absolute addict!! Like we were talking about last week, WRX is the opposite of AA…no one here is telling you not to do it!! 🤣🤣🤣

[BallerNate]

3 hours ago, MikeW2 said:

This is the best way to get the most out of your putters. If they know that there’s another one ready to jump right into the slot they aren’t as tempted to misbehave 😂

Lol…so true Mike!!

 

Now I see how guys end up with huge putter collections…they are super addictive!!

 

Ideally I’m going to try to just pick one by the beginning of the season, but it’s going to be very hard!

[Shanks2424]

3 minutes ago, BallerNate said:

Haha!!

 

Oh yeah man, I’m an absolute addict!! Like we were talking about last week, WRX is the opposite of AA…no one here is telling you not to do it!! 🤣🤣🤣

You have no idea I am trying to work a trade for a mizuno driver hahaha 

[Shanks2424]

Nate’s next putter. The oven 006 putter.

[BallerNate]

10 hours ago, JetSpeed79 said:

So true. I had an iron fitting last week. Wedge fitting is scheduled for next month and fairways the month after that. I’m sure I’ll add a new driver in there somewhere too. 
 

But it’s fun, and you gotta have fun! (And these are small toys, not big toys right?). 
 

Just got the email that the new irons have shipped. Can’t wait  🥳

Very nice, good luck with the fittings!

 

Absolutely agree man, there’s some days that I prefer the search for the perfect bag more than actually playing Golf, Lol!

[BallerNate]

7 hours ago, Shanks2424 said:

Nate’s next putter. The oven 006 putter.

Gasp!!! 😍😍😍

 

Oh yeah, I would definitely sell some type of unnecessary organ to put that in the bag for sure!!

[BallerNate]

What’s up everybody! New pickup yesterday! 
 

I’ve been thinking about getting a 3 Hybrid since my 4 Hybrid launches pretty high and spins quite a bit. Really love my Cally Rogue ST Max OS, so was looking for something similar.

 

Came down to either this BB23, or a Paradym X Hybrid, but grabbed this because I got an awesome deal on it! Got is as a “Demo” for about 40% off, but it looks brand new and probably hasn’t hit a ball.

 

The Rogue ST Max OS will be tough to beat, but could end up swapping them in and out based on course conditions, or could bag both of them on certain courses…we’ll see! 

[Eeecc]

Are you sure that ur ZX5 gonna last the year? There are many good clubs coming out all the time including many nice clubs from the past too

[BallerNate]

2 hours ago, Eeecc said:

Are you sure that ur ZX5 gonna last the year? There are many good clubs coming out all the time including many nice clubs from the past too

I’ve definitely learned not to predict that anything is going to stay in the bag for any given amount of time, Lol.

 

That being said, this is the best I’ve ever felt about any bag I’ve had going into the season. Time will tell what will end up sticking or not.

 

I do really like the ZX5’s so far though. I could see this sticking for a while, and then picking up a set of ZX5 MKII’s to replace them, but we’ll see how it goes!

[adamwon84]

@BallerNate this is the most emotional rollercoaster of a WITB post and I love every second of it, your current setup is fantastic looking! 

[BallerNate]

53 minutes ago, adamwon84 said:

@BallerNate this is the most emotional rollercoaster of a WITB post and I love every second of it, your current setup is fantastic looking! 

Haha...thanks my man! It's definitely been one hell of a journey to learn the game of Golf, and the equipment side of the game as well.

 

Really like where my bag is at currently though, and it should be a lot more stable and reasonable this season.

 

Should be ready to do my 2024 WITB soon...just figuring out the last couple of spots in my bag as close to 100% as possible (putter, Driver, and Hybrid mostly).

[BallerNate]

Btw, I haven’t talked about this in a long time.

 

But when I think back to when I first joined WRX in December 2020, and had just started playing in June 2020, I used to talk about trying to become “a Scratch Golfer”.

 

Thinking back on that now is hilarious, because I had no clue what I was talking about, and had no clue how difficult it is to actually become a Scratch guy, Lol!!

 

After this past season (my 3rd season of learning how to play), my real Handicap currently is a 15 now that I keep score properly and know the rules.

 

So my goal for this upcoming season is just to really enjoy the game, not be too hard on myself, get better with every round, and hopefully get down to a single digit Handicap.

 

I think I have the right specs and equipment set-up now, and my game showed some very positive flashes during some rounds last season. 
 

Just being honest about how hard it is to learn Golf, and also to find the right equipment as a Big guy trying to figure it all out.

 

Edited February 8, 2024 by BallerNate

[MattM97]

40 minutes ago, BallerNate said:

Btw, I haven’t talked about this in a long time.

 

But when I think back to when I first joined WRX in December 2020, and had just started playing in June 2020, I used to talk about trying to become “a Scratch Golfer”.

 

Thinking back on that now is hilarious, because I had no clue what I was talking about, and had no clue how difficult it is to actually become a Scratch guy, Lol!!

 

After this past season (my 3rd season of learning how to play), my real Handicap currently is a 15 now that I keep score properly and know the rules.

 

So my goal for this upcoming season is just to really enjoy the game, not be too hard on myself, get better with every round, and hopefully get down to a single digit Handicap.

 

I think I have the right specs and equipment set-up now, and my game showed some very positive flashes during some rounds last season. 
 

Just being honest about how hard it is to learn Golf, and also to find the right equipment as a Big guy trying to figure it all out.

 

We all know golf is hard, we all want to be good but we all can't practice a ton to get good. But at the same time we want to at least be half decent and hit the ball well and I think that's a good focus for sure cause shouldn't be hard to get better after doing. 

 

Now for me I'm gonna try and bust my backside to get into single digit handicap cause apparently "I have too much potential not to" whatever that means lol. 

[jrdubbb]

1 hour ago, BallerNate said:

Btw, I haven’t talked about this in a long time.

 

But when I think back to when I first joined WRX in December 2020, and had just started playing in June 2020, I used to talk about trying to become “a Scratch Golfer”.

 

Thinking back on that now is hilarious, because I had no clue what I was talking about, and had no clue how difficult it is to actually become a Scratch guy, Lol!!

 

After this past season (my 3rd season of learning how to play), my real Handicap currently is a 15 now that I keep score properly and know the rules.

 

So my goal for this upcoming season is just to really enjoy the game, not be too hard on myself, get better with every round, and hopefully get down to a single digit Handicap.

 

I think I have the right specs and equipment set-up now, and my game showed some very positive flashes during some rounds last season. 
 

Just being honest about how hard it is to learn Golf, and also to find the right equipment as a Big guy trying to figure it all out.

 

The yearly yearning for gains hopefully will never stop, biggest thing that helped me drop shots was mentally accepting bad shots. A lesson I got that I didn't take to heart soon enough was "just hit the ball so you can hit it again." I have always worried too much about hitting it hard or getting the nippiest wedge shot, but once I started to focus more on keeping it in front of me and getting it on the green as quick as possible made all the difference. That acceptance of, "bad shots happen" and keeping the ball in front of me and not OB, made the game so much more enjoyable. It is fun not losing $5 balls lol 

[BallerNate]

7 hours ago, MattM97 said:

 

We all know golf is hard, we all want to be good but we all can't practice a ton to get good. But at the same time we want to at least be half decent and hit the ball well and I think that's a good focus for sure cause shouldn't be hard to get better after doing. 

 

Now for me I'm gonna try and bust my backside to get into single digit handicap cause apparently "I have too much potential not to" whatever that means lol. 

Absolutely my man! That’s the beautiful thing about Golf.

We’re all on our own individual journeys to learn the game, and all our individual games are totally different!

 

I’ll jump on that train too and say “I have too much potential” to not be a single digit handicap too, Lol!! Sounds good! ✌🏽🙌🏽

[BallerNate]

6 hours ago, jrdubbb said:

The yearly yearning for gains hopefully will never stop, biggest thing that helped me drop shots was mentally accepting bad shots. A lesson I got that I didn't take to heart soon enough was "just hit the ball so you can hit it again." I have always worried too much about hitting it hard or getting the nippiest wedge shot, but once I started to focus more on keeping it in front of me and getting it on the green as quick as possible made all the difference. That acceptance of, "bad shots happen" and keeping the ball in front of me and not OB, made the game so much more enjoyable. It is fun not losing $5 balls lol 

Yeah man, love that!!

 

I’m really big on the same concept in Basketball…the “next play” mentality.

 

Don’t dwell on the last play, or the last mistake…focus on the “next play”, or for Golf, the next shot!

 

That started to be my focus towards the end of last season too. Enjoy the ride, stay positive, and manage the course/be smart.

 

A lot of mistakes happen when you’re constantly going for the Homerun shot, but most times making the chess move shots work out a heck of a lot better, Lol.

[ago33]

What’s holding you back from becoming a single digit. Tee shots? Approach? Wedges? Putting? With focused practice sessions, I think you can easily get there

[BallerNate]

1 hour ago, ago33 said:

What’s holding you back from becoming a single digit. Tee shots? Approach? Wedges? Putting? With focused practice sessions, I think you can easily get there

My strengths are definitely my wedge game, and putting. My biggest weakness, especially this past season, was approach shots.

 

Consistent contact with my Irons is the biggest area I need to improve to get to single digits. Part of it has been equipment related...just trying to get properly fitting Irons with the right length, lie angle, and shafts. And part of it is being more consistent with my footwork, balance, and swing.

 

In my previous life as a Basketball player, I had full reconstructive surgery on my right knee (PCL and MCL), and it's something that still affects my balance and leg strength, especially on uneven lies that I see a lot on the courses I play.

 

That's probably the toughest thing for me to practice and correct...replicating uneven and difficult lies that I see all the time on the Golf course, but can't really duplicate at the Driving range or simulator.

[Eeecc]

3 hours ago, BallerNate said:

My strengths are definitely my wedge game, and putting. My biggest weakness, especially this past season, was approach shots.

 

Consistent contact with my Irons is the biggest area I need to improve to get to single digits. Part of it has been equipment related...just trying to get properly fitting Irons with the right length, lie angle, and shafts. And part of it is being more consistent with my footwork, balance, and swing.

 

In my previous life as a Basketball player, I had full reconstructive surgery on my right knee (PCL and MCL), and it's something that still affects my balance and leg strength, especially on uneven lies that I see a lot on the courses I play.

 

That's probably the toughest thing for me to practice and correct...replicating uneven and difficult lies that I see all the time on the Golf course, but can't really duplicate at the Driving range or simulator.

I hear you. I am such a better golfer in the Sim with the nice flat mat and artificial winds. When having to account for all the changes in lie, crappy stance and difference in grass height all contribute to a much worse performance on course

[BallerNate]

1 hour ago, Eeecc said:

I hear you. I am such a better golfer in the Sim with the nice flat mat and artificial winds. When having to account for all the changes in lie, crappy stance and difference in grass height all contribute to a much worse performance on course

Absolutely man…that’s what makes Golf so tough!

 

That being said, I’ll still take a live round on a real Golf course over the simulator or Driving Range anytime though!

[ago33]

7 hours ago, BallerNate said:

My strengths are definitely my wedge game, and putting. My biggest weakness, especially this past season, was approach shots.

 

Consistent contact with my Irons is the biggest area I need to improve to get to single digits. Part of it has been equipment related...just trying to get properly fitting Irons with the right length, lie angle, and shafts. And part of it is being more consistent with my footwork, balance, and swing.

 

In my previous life as a Basketball player, I had full reconstructive surgery on my right knee (PCL and MCL), and it's something that still affects my balance and leg strength, especially on uneven lies that I see a lot on the courses I play.

 

That's probably the toughest thing for me to practice and correct...replicating uneven and difficult lies that I see all the time on the Golf course, but can't really duplicate at the Driving range or simulator.

keep working on the rehab and strength training! It took me 2 years to clear my hockey injuries. I had multiple tears in my groin from being a goalie and it cascaded into knee and this lower back issues. there were rounds where I’d be at like 60% of my max ball speed because I couldn’t turn and release the club through impact properly.

[MikeW2]

9 hours ago, BallerNate said:

My strengths are definitely my wedge game, and putting. My biggest weakness, especially this past season, was approach shots.

 

Consistent contact with my Irons is the biggest area I need to improve to get to single digits. Part of it has been equipment related...just trying to get properly fitting Irons with the right length, lie angle, and shafts. And part of it is being more consistent with my footwork, balance, and swing.

 

In my previous life as a Basketball player, I had full reconstructive surgery on my right knee (PCL and MCL), and it's something that still affects my balance and leg strength, especially on uneven lies that I see a lot on the courses I play.

 

That's probably the toughest thing for me to practice and correct...replicating uneven and difficult lies that I see all the time on the Golf course, but can't really duplicate at the Driving range or simulator.

Nate, similar to you I played sports as a young man (college basketball, baseball, volleyball, cc/track, and was asked several times to play football) but I was only 5’11” and 165 lbs. My small build and a thing in my head that didn’t recognize or care that I was beating myself up pretty good has led to many injuries. One of those was torn PCL and MCL in my right knee as well. Fast forward to last summer (add in a slew of other injuries from a couple of car accidents) and I just couldn’t shift back to my left side whenever I started my downswing. It was happening for a couple years, my game was going in the wrong direction and I never realized I was “stuck” on my back foot. The athlete never goes away and I kept trying different things until I saw what I was doing on video. That led me to try stack and tilt, which is basically setting your weight left to start. I’m not exaggerating when I say that it has saved my game. I’ve never hit my irons better and it is beyond simple, just can’t recommend it enough. Brought me back down to a 6 and my last 20 scores were all between 70-78 even breaking par for 9 holes a few times. Best part is that my right knee no longer hurts or swells post round.

[BallerNate]

3 hours ago, ago33 said:

keep working on the rehab and strength training! It took me 2 years to clear my hockey injuries. I had multiple tears in my groin from being a goalie and it cascaded into knee and this lower back issues. there were rounds where I’d be at like 60% of my max ball speed because I couldn’t turn and release the club through impact properly.

Yeah, you’re absolutely right…strength training and rehab are things I know I’m supposed to do, but I’m just not a big fan of the gym anymore.

 

When I was an athlete you had to kick me out of the weight room and I couldn’t get enough. Now….umm, not so much, Lol!!

 

Hoping I can get good using the John Daly method more than the Tiger method, but that’s probably not realistic, Lol!!!

[BallerNate]

58 minutes ago, MikeW2 said:

Nate, similar to you I played sports as a young man (college basketball, baseball, volleyball, cc/track, and was asked several times to play football) but I was only 5’11” and 165 lbs. My small build and a thing in my head that didn’t recognize or care that I was beating myself up pretty good has led to many injuries. One of those was torn PCL and MCL in my right knee as well. Fast forward to last summer (add in a slew of other injuries from a couple of car accidents) and I just couldn’t shift back to my left side whenever I started my downswing. It was happening for a couple years, my game was going in the wrong direction and I never realized I was “stuck” on my back foot. The athlete never goes away and I kept trying different things until I saw what I was doing on video. That led me to try stack and tilt, which is basically setting your weight left to start. I’m not exaggerating when I say that it has saved my game. I’ve never hit my irons better and it is beyond simple, just can’t recommend it enough. Brought me back down to a 6 and my last 20 scores were all between 70-78 even breaking par for 9 holes a few times. Best part is that my right knee no longer hurts or swells post round.

Very interesting…good to know Mike!

 

I did have one instructor who taught me that technique of stacking the left-hand side.

 

I guess I haven’t done it because I don’t want to create even more of an imbalance between my left and right sides, and make my right leg even weaker.

 

But definitely something to keep in mind for sure.