BallerNate’s WITB

[Ty-Webb]

Nice!

[BallerNate]

1 hour ago, Ty-Webb said:

Nice!

Thanks Ty, much appreciated!! Definitely spent way too much time and way too much money on this bag, but have been obsessed with finding the perfect setup for my game!

 

Waiting on one more order from Srixon, then it’ll be time to settle down and force myself to lock in the bag for a while!

[BallerNate]

Just got this ZX7 A-Wedge delivered late last night, so straight to the range and the course this morning!

 

Loving the ZX7’s, so hoping the AW will be just as good and give me less spin and more distance than the Zipcore 50* and 52* gave me.

 

[BallerNate]

Couple of putter updates from this week. Unfortunately the EVNROLL ER 1.2 Tour Blade experiment didn’t work out because the 370g head in the 34” putter just made it way too heavy once I added the 2” extension to get it to 36”. Gorgeous putter, but the weighting totally threw off my stroke and wasn’t a fit.

 

Then I decided to double-down on the TaylorMade TP Collection and design a custom JUNO through the MyTP. After spending hours choosing colours on every part of the head, I processed the order and noticed that there was no option to choose sole weights? Called TMAG this morning, and they said the stock weight for a 35-36” putter is 2.5g’s on each side. They told me the only way to get a heavier weight is to order their aftermarket weights for $24.99 (after paying $429.99 + tax)???!

 

So you’re telling me you can choose multiple different colours for badges, sight lines, screws, inserts, and custom text on bumpers, but you can’t choose custom weights which is the most important part of putting??! Epic fail for TMAG! 🙄🙄🙄

 

So Old Faithful is back in the bag, and just can’t find anything to beat her out! She rolls everything pure and true, but cosmetically as a ‘17 putter she’s not the prettiest. Time will tell if I can find something that performs as well/better.

 

 

[BIG STU]

2 hours ago, BallerNate said:

Couple of putter updates from this week. Unfortunately the EVNROLL ER 1.2 Tour Blade experiment didn’t work out because the 370g head in the 34” putter just made it way too heavy once I added the 2” extension to get it to 36”. Gorgeous putter, but the weighting totally threw off my stroke and wasn’t a fit.

 

Then I decided to double-down on the TaylorMade TP Collection and design a custom JUNO through the MyTP. After spending hours choosing colours on every part of the head, I processed the order and noticed that there was no option to choose sole weights? Called TMAG this morning, and they said the stock weight for a 35-36” putter is 2.5g’s on each side. They told me the only way to get a heavier weight is to order their aftermarket weights for $24.99 (after paying $429.99 + tax)???!

 

So you’re telling me you can choose multiple different colours for badges, sight lines, screws, inserts, and custom text on bumpers, but you can’t choose custom weights which is the most important part of putting??! Epic fail for TMAG! 🙄🙄🙄

 

So Old Faithful is back in the bag, and just can’t find anything to beat her out! She rolls everything pure and true, but cosmetically as a ‘17 putter she’s not the prettiest. Time will tell if I can find something that performs as well/better.

 

 

Hey Bub lead tape is cheap ( Laughing tongue in cheek) Sorry could not resist. Seriously though If I had speced out a putter at that price as much as I use lead tape I would not use it on that putter. But I agree with you for the price you paid they ought to have thrown a variable weight kit for free or installed the weights you wanted

[MattM97]

3 hours ago, BallerNate said:

Couple of putter updates from this week. Unfortunately the EVNROLL ER 1.2 Tour Blade experiment didn’t work out because the 370g head in the 34” putter just made it way too heavy once I added the 2” extension to get it to 36”. Gorgeous putter, but the weighting totally threw off my stroke and wasn’t a fit.

 

Then I decided to double-down on the TaylorMade TP Collection and design a custom JUNO through the MyTP. After spending hours choosing colours on every part of the head, I processed the order and noticed that there was no option to choose sole weights? Called TMAG this morning, and they said the stock weight for a 35-36” putter is 2.5g’s on each side. They told me the only way to get a heavier weight is to order their aftermarket weights for $24.99 (after paying $429.99 + tax)???!

 

So you’re telling me you can choose multiple different colours for badges, sight lines, screws, inserts, and custom text on bumpers, but you can’t choose custom weights which is the most important part of putting??! Epic fail for TMAG! 🙄🙄🙄

 

So Old Faithful is back in the bag, and just can’t find anything to beat her out! She rolls everything pure and true, but cosmetically as a ‘17 putter she’s not the prettiest. Time will tell if I can find something that performs as well/better.

 

 

 

Order the putter shorter and throw in a new shaft or extension which a lot of guys seem to be doing. But yeah that's dumb, also you'd have to order the $40 tool to get the weights out too unless you have one already. 

Edited October 1, 2021 by MattM97

[BallerNate]

2 hours ago, BIG STU said:

Hey Bub lead tape is cheap ( Laughing tongue in cheek) Sorry could not resist. Seriously though If I had speced out a putter at that price as much as I use lead tape I would not use it on that putter. But I agree with you for the price you paid they ought to have thrown a variable weight kit for free or installed the weights you wanted

🤣🤣🤣 Bahaha…yeah, lead tape on a $500 putter is absolute insanity! That’s like buying a new Benz and painting it with spray paint, Lol! 🙃

[MattM97]

Just now, BallerNate said:

🤣🤣🤣 Bahaha…yeah, lead tape on a $500 putter is absolute insanity! That’s like buying a new Benz and painting it with spray paint, Lol! 🙃

 

There's plenty of Scotty Tour Dot and Circle T putters with layers of lead tape on them. So that's not too bad. 

[BallerNate]

1 hour ago, MattM97 said:

 

Order the putter shorter and throw in a new shaft or extension which a lot of guys seem to be doing. But yeah that's dumb, also you'd have to order the $40 tool to get the weights out too unless you have one already. 

Yeah, I thought about ordering a 34” for the heavier 10g weights, then adding a 2” extension. But I just called TMAG and they said they can’t ship out the putter with a loose grip??! 🙄🙄🙄

 

So now we’re talking about a “custom” putter for $429.99 + tax, the cost of the extension, and the cost of buying a new grip too?! Not a good look for TMAG and their MyTP program…very disappointing!

[MattM97]

Just now, BallerNate said:

Yeah, I thought about ordering a 34” for the heavier 10g weights, then adding a 2” extension. But I just called TMAG and they said they can’t ship out the putter with a loose grip??! 🙄🙄🙄

 

So now we’re talking about a “custom” putter for $429.99 + tax, the cost of the extension, and the cost of buying a new grip too?! Not a good look for TMAG and their MyTP program…very disappointing!

 

That's why it's a good program for lefties, they have no options so no headaches 😂😂

 

But might have to dabble into a custom, custom putter for that price. 

[BallerNate]

6 minutes ago, MattM97 said:

 

That's why it's a good program for lefties, they have no options so no headaches 😂😂

 

But might have to dabble into a custom, custom putter for that price. 

Yeah, I’ll be looking at other options for sure. Really like the TP Collection putters, but not enough to overpay for a putter with so few true custom features other than lipstick.

[BIG STU]

1 hour ago, BallerNate said:

🤣🤣🤣 Bahaha…yeah, lead tape on a $500 putter is absolute insanity! That’s like buying a new Benz and painting it with spray paint, Lol! 🙃

LOL well I do have a rusty 2001  S-500 and I just put some primer on the rust last week. Around here it is known as The Rat Rod Benz which fits me perfectly

[BIG STU]

1 hour ago, MattM97 said:

 

There's plenty of Scotty Tour Dot and Circle T putters with layers of lead tape on them. So that's not too bad. 

LOL mine is a rusty 1997 vintage Santa Fe with plenty of rust and lead tape

[ChipStrokes]

6 hours ago, BallerNate said:

Unfortunately the EVNROLL ER 1.2 Tour Blade experiment didn’t work out

nate i’m curious how much golf you play?

 

you put the evnroll in your bag a week ago. how many rounds did u play with it? 2? 3? maybe just 1? i’m trying to figure out how long of a trial period you give a club before moving on. 

[BallerNate]

25 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

LOL well I do have a rusty 2001  S-500 and I just put some primer on the rust last week. Around here it is known as The Rat Rod Benz which fits me perfectly

 

23 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

LOL mine is a rusty 1997 vintage Santa Fe with plenty of rust and lead tape

Haha...love it!! Gotta use what works for you STU, that’s all that matters!

[BallerNate]

20 minutes ago, ChipStrokes said:

nate i’m curious how much golf you play?

 

you put the evnroll in your bag a week ago. how many rounds did u play with it? 2? 3? maybe just 1? i’m trying to figure out how long of a trial period you give a club before moving on. 

Good question Chip, I’m sure my WITB makes it seem like I give up on clubs much too quickly, and in some cases I’ve absolutely been guilty of that.

 

This past week I played 3 rounds with the EVNROLL ER 1.2. It’s a beautiful putter, and liked the roll off the face, which is what sold me on it at the golf shop. But I went from averaging 1.8 putts per hole to approximately 3.5 because the weight of the head and shaft with the extension just totally threw off my distance and speed control.

 

I could have dialed it in eventually potentially, but for me I’d rather go back to my gamer that I putt really well with while I keep looking for a better fit that could knock it out of the bag.

[ChipStrokes]

1 minute ago, BallerNate said:

This past week I played 3 rounds with the EVNROLL ER 1.2.

cool…that seems like plenty to try out a putter. 

 

if you were swapping irons after a round or even two then i’d be looking at you a little sideways.

 

it’s my belief you can’t possibly know if clubs are actually right for you without hitting them off a variety of lies in a bunch of conditions 

 

fittings are great, but clubs have to be put through their paces on the course

[BallerNate]

13 hours ago, ChipStrokes said:

cool…that seems like plenty to try out a putter. 

 

if you were swapping irons after a round or even two then i’d be looking at you a little sideways.

 

it’s my belief you can’t possibly know if clubs are actually right for you without hitting them off a variety of lies in a bunch of conditions 

 

fittings are great, but clubs have to be put through their paces on the course

Agree 100%, there’s only so much you can learn about a club in an indoor setting. You have to take a club out into the wild and test it out in real conditions to get a true feel for what it can do.

 

There’s definitely a whole other discussion that could be had on how long it takes to break in a new club and see if it’s a fit for you though? Obviously takes some time to get a feel for a new club and dial it in, but there’s some clubs that you just know right away aren’t a fit, and you’d just be forcing it to keep the club long-term.

[BallerNate]

Since my last WITB in August, I’ve again flipped all but 4 of my previous clubs! So this is now my 7th full bag flip in the last 20mths, and my 5th flip in 2021! 🤣

 

I’ve fully embraced my addiction and dove head first into the madness, Lol!

 

This week I picked up a new Cally Epic Max 3-Wood, and new TM MG3 wedges to complete my new setup! But this one is different…I now realize that I have to put my foot down and go cold turkey, because the constant changing of clubs is hurting my game. 
 

So I’m starting my own “bag is set” challenge, and the only club I’m allowing myself to potentially change before the end of the 2022 season will be my putter, which is my longest standing club.

 

With that, here is my 2021 WITB Part V:

 

Driver: Callaway Epic Max LS (10.5*)

Shaft: Hzrdus Smoke 6.0 (60g)

 

3-wood:  Callaway Epic Max (15*)

Shaft: Hzrdus Smoke 6.0 (70g)

 

Hybrid: TaylorMade SIM 2 Max (19*)

Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7-S

 

Irons: Srixon ZX5 (4-5), ZX7 (6-AW)

Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 S (+1.5”, +2* upright)

 

Wedges: TaylorMade MG3 (56 SB-12, 60 LB-08)

Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S200 (+1.75”, +2* upright)

 

Putter: TaylorMade TP Collection Soto (36”)

Grips: Lamkin Sink Fit Skinny Pistol

 

Golf Ball: TaylorMade Soft Select

 

Grips: Lamkin Crossline Midsize

 

Bag: Sun Mountain 3.5 LS (‘21)

 

Edited October 25, 2021 by BallerNate

[J_Tizzle]

The 2021 SM 3.5 is one of the best bags I've ever used!

 

Thoughts on the MG3s so far?  They're on my list of wedges to look at in 2022, depending on what Ping puts out.

 

Noice WITB

[BallerNate]

5 hours ago, J_Tizzle said:

The 2021 SM 3.5 is one of the best bags I've ever used!

 

Thoughts on the MG3s so far?  They're on my list of wedges to look at in 2022, depending on what Ping puts out.

 

Noice WITB

Thanks very much J, definitely appreciate it!!
 

Yeah, I went through a stage of buying/returning about 9 bags earlier this year, and the SM 3.5 LS ended up checking every single box I was looking for and more! It’s been great long-term, and I’ll keep using it until it breaks!

 

For the MG3’s, I’ve only used the 56* for 1 practice and 2 rounds, and the 60* for 1 round…but so far so good. They’re heavier than any wedge I’ve used in the past once I got the 1.75” extensions put in, but I’m getting better distance on full swings than I did with my previous RTX Zipcores, and the launch window and spin rates are better for my swing so far.

 

Really liked the feel and control on partial swings with my Zipcores, but they spun too much and launched too high for me. So far the MG3’s seem to be a much better fit, and they are absolutely gorgeous in person!

Edited October 17, 2021 by BallerNate

[hartonjok]

On 10/17/2021 at 1:23 AM, BallerNate said:

Since my last WITB in August, I’ve again flipped all but 4 of my previous clubs! So this is now my 7th full bag flip in the last 20mths, and my 5th flip in 2021! 🤣

 

I’ve fully embraced my addiction and dove head first into the madness, Lol!

 

This week I picked up a new Cally Epic Max 3-Wood, and new TM MG3 wedges to complete my new setup! But this one is different…I now realize that I have to put my foot down and go cold turkey, because the constant changing of clubs is hurting my game. 
 

So I’m starting my own “bag is set” challenge, and the only club I’m allowing myself to potentially change before the end of the 2022 season will be my putter, which is my longest standing club.

 

With that, here is my 2021 WITB Part V:

 

Driver: Callaway Epic Max LS (10.5*)

Shaft: Hzrdus Smoke 6.0 (60g)

 

3-wood:  Callaway Epic Max (15*)

Shaft: Hzrdus Smoke 6.0 (70g)

 

Hybrid: TaylorMade SIM 2 Max (19*)

Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7-S

 

Irons: Srixon ZX5 (4-5), ZX7 (6-AW)

Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 S (+1.5”, +2* upright)

 

Wedges: TaylorMade MG3 (56 SB-12, 60 LB-08)

Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S200 (+1.75”, +2* upright)

 

Putter: TaylorMade SOTO Tour Preferred (36”)

Grips: Lamkin Sink Fit Skinny Pistol

 

Golf Ball: TaylorMade Soft Select

 

Grips: Lamkin Crossline Midsize

 

Bag: Sun Mountain 3.5 LS (‘21)

 

 

I love your commitment to analyze and try new gear!

[BallerNate]

16 hours ago, hartonjok said:

 

I love your commitment to analyze and try new gear!

Thanks Harton, much appreciated!! I guess I'm a little bit of a perfectionist, and have been on a search for the perfect set-up for my game!

 

Definitely at the point now that I'm very close to the ideal set-up for me, so now it's time to just dig in and get to know all the ins and outs of these clubs before making any other big changes.

[BostonWRX]

MG3s are so good. Been playing vokeys forever just switched 

[BallerNate]

1 hour ago, BostonWRX said:

MG3s are so good. Been playing vokeys forever just switched 

Man…I’m only 3 rounds in for the 56* and 2 rounds in for the 60*, but so far they’re 💵💰 for sure!!

 

I had the OG MG’s, then RTX Zipcores, but these definitely seem like they’re on a whole other level from both of those so far!

[BallerNate]

Well, I said it I wouldn’t change any clubs except for the putter until the end of 2022…yet here we are a week later! 🤣

 

Just a minor tweak…wanted to test out a 22* Hybrid 4 vs my 19* Hybrid 3 (SIM 2 Max), and after the first range session I knew right away it was a better fit!

 

[BallerNate]

So an interesting thing happened this week. After falling in love immediately with the 22* SIM Max Hybrid 4, I ended up seeing the benefits of the lower trajectory and spin that my previous 19* SIM 2 Max provided also.
 

I really preferred the SIM Max Hybrid over the SIM 2 Max I had right away though, and found it easier to hit and to launch, so decided to pick up a SIM Max 19* Hybrid 3 and give it a shot.

 

I never imagined I would be a “2 Hybrids in the bag” guy, and haven’t gotten along with Hybrids at all over the last couple of years. But I guess I just hadn’t found the right one. So I’ve decided to drop my 4-iron, and I’m now rolling with a 3H and 4H in the bag…whatever works!

[BallerNate]

Very cool experience today getting my first putter fitting at TXG! They use the Quintic system and they gave me some interesting data about my putting stroke.
 

It turns out I don’t have as much arc in my stroke as I thought, but blade putters with a good amount of toe hang and plumbers neck still had the best results for me.

 

In fact, my gamer, the TM TP Collection Soto, performed close to the best overall…the only putter that was only slightly better was the Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport 2, which produced the best stroke, roll, and results!
 

I tested out an Odyssey White Hot OG 1 at my local shop that felt really good also, both with the stock shaft and the Stroke Lab shaft. A couple of sales starting tomorrow, so will decide then what to pull the trigger on once I see the sale prices in the morning.

Edited November 4, 2021 by BallerNate

[BallerNate]

I decided to listen to my fitter’s advice and went with the best performer!
 

I’ve always been the guy who said Scotty’s are overpriced and overrated, but can’t argue with performance, and rolling in the most putts is what it’s all about at the end of the day! 😎

 

[MattM97]

Knew you'd buy the Scotty lol.