Talk Me Into (or out of) Going Full Grandpa

[WristySwing]

7 hours ago, Hawkeye77 said:

I know it's tongue in cheek, but golfers "look like they suck" if they use hybrids? Old and fat if they do? Whatever.  I guess have someone feed you that cereal to complete your picture, haha.

 

Like anything else, use what works.

 

With the somewhat random potpourri of clubs you are suggesting, doesn't sound like much thought is going into fitting, just the latest and greatest YouTube review clubs (and why not, not claiming any moral high ground, lol).  And the "sweeper" notion suggests it's a swing issue, you don't want to sweep your hybrids at all, but that same issue would play into not being great with mid-irons.  Get a proper fitting, figure out the shafts you need and whatever gaps you want to have and see what results for a proper set for you.

 

I've been using some sort of utility club since the Orlimar came out - noting to do with "sucking" or being a sweeper, everything to do with finding clubs that work for what I need. My irons now start at 6i (may put a 5 back in this year, we'll see) and hybrids are definitely easier to hit for me than 3i and 4i and more productive overall than 5i but there are compromises.

 

I'm only here to talk you into figuring out what is best for your game and avoiding inaccurate stereotypes.  Shoot lower scores, play whatever the heck you want, and you can still dress like a doofus if want - if you ever become a real single digit, players will copy you.

 

 

 

I'd play anything if it meant I could shoot <80 consistently.  I work at a fitting studio, so I got that under wraps.  The problem is what works well for me they don't make enough of it.  I'd love for a TSR3 3/5/7/9 combo.  It'd be the easiest thing on the planet to hit and I'd probably shave 2-3 strokes off my game easily.  Which is why I was thinking something a bit more user friendly.  More room to miss it, higher, straighter, and slightly longer flight.  All things that have been proven statistically to be conducive to lower scores over the long term.

Edited March 17, 2023 by WristySwing

[Hawkeye77]

25 minutes ago, WristySwing said:

 

I'd play anything if it meant I could shoot <80 consistently.  I work at a fitting studio, so I got that under wraps.  The problem is what works well for me they don't make enough of it.  I'd love for a TSR3 3/5/7/9 combo.  It'd be the easiest thing on the planet to hit and I'd probably shave 2-3 strokes off my game easily.  Which is why I was thinking something a bit more user friendly.  More room to miss it, higher, straighter, and slightly longer flight.  All things that have been proven statistically to be conducive to lower scores over the long term.

 

Haha, I'll play anything to keep shooting under 80 on average (average score 77 last season) and maybe, just maybe allow me to shoot a score that begins with "6" and darn it, I still think I can do it, and I've been close (within 2 strokes, but only a very few times) and that is still a "stars must align" thing for me, just not that consistent.

 

Like I said, I know it's tongue and cheek, but hybrids aren't anything negative and lots of high level ams have bags with tons of headcovers.

 

And I haven't hit one yet and watch every YouTube vid their is on the new Callaway irons and "woods" and have decided a regular Paradym driver is in my future and maybe their higher loft 3w.  But still doing a thorough fitting in May because the TSR2 looks right up my street (was a Titleist loyalist for a long time - it was only two years ago my 910D2 was finally out of the bag, and I wasted a lot of money for a long time on drivers that couldn't knock it out of my bag).

 

To the "Grandpa" thing -- I got away from fitting for a few years and thought I could self fit irons (then got a bogus fitting almost a year ago today, haha).  Had a proper one last summer and found out this not so young guy needs lighweight "R" graphite shafts to generate the speed I really didn't know I had lost (still thought it was just post-COVID weakness, etc.), but I've always been a "tweener" on the swing speed charts.  So it's still about what works for the individual and being intentional about options.  The area between driver and 5i or 6i is still the problematic part of the bag for me.  

 

 

Edited March 17, 2023 by Hawkeye77

[jomatty]

On 3/15/2023 at 8:52 AM, WristySwing said:

 

Thinking about rocking these: 

 

 

Those with some white socks pulled mid way up your calves are $$$!

[AdmiralPicard]

I recently tossed four hybrids in the bag. 17°, 19°, 23°, and 27°. The 19° is the only one that isn’t adjusted in some way, with the others being set to 16°, 24° and 29°. 
 

Call me grandpa, it’ll bother me zero. This is so much easier. 

[WristySwing]

2 hours ago, jomatty said:

Those with some white socks pulled mid way up your calves are $$$!

 

I was thinking of these, as they embody my whole idea.

 

[WristySwing]

In typical WRX fashion, I have already changed my mind and cancelled the orders on the used Stealth and Cobra hybrids.  Instead, I am going with the fairways I know I hit well and a couple of Mizuno hybrids.  The CLK 2018 was one of the best hybrids I ever used, so I imagine this will be similar.  See below for specs.  I guess not full grandpa, but getting there.

[SchwarzerRogen]

I must be WRX's biggest 35 year old grandpa using my Cobra T-Rails, Taylormade Tour Select Balls, Ben Hogan Apparel, and New Balance shoes.

Edited March 20, 2023 by SchwarzerRogen

[tgoodspe1991]

On my honeymoon I played Pebble Beach for the first time ever. It was in fantastic condition and I played from the back tees.

 

The bag I had at the time was Driver (9*) - 3W (15*) - 3H (19*) - 4H (23*) - 5H (27*) - 6-PW. All stiff flex shafts, not X or TX flex. 

 

I shot even par with some really great ball striking. There are some precarious shots to take on for the first time, particularly the one that goes over the huge cliff (8th hole I think?), and the hybrids were a big help. I actually thinned the shot over the canyon badly, but had a 5-hybrid in my hand and it still flew mid height, full distance, landed ~8ft from the pin. 

 

I think about that round a lot and about going back to that bag setup. Still not entirely sure why I ended up selling it all... probably played one bad round and convinced myself it was the clubs.

[Tanner25]

Halo XL irons and a hywood - full grandpa mode.

[AdmiralPicard]

4 hours ago, SchwarzerRogen said:

I must be WRX's biggest 35 year old grandpa using my Cobra T-Rails, Taylormade Tour Select Balls, Ben Hogan Apparel, and New Balance shoes.

I will not stand for New Balance slander. This reminds me, I haven’t cut my grass in a few hours.

[Jwin323]

Don’t forget your Ping Chippo, a pocketful of Werthers and that fact that you have to finish before 4:00 pm so you can get to Denny’s and order off the early bird menu. Now you’re talking’ full Grampa.

[SchwarzerRogen]

4 minutes ago, AdmiralPicard said:

I will not stand for New Balance slander. This reminds me, I haven’t cut my grass in a few hours.

I'm quite serious, I do  wear New Balance and am quite happy with my T-Rails.

Edited March 21, 2023 by SchwarzerRogen

[AdmiralPicard]

13 minutes ago, SchwarzerRogen said:

I'm quite serious, I do  wear New Balance and am quite happy with my T-Rails.

I do too! It’s a rite of passage.

[buckethat72]

Caps are out.  Bucket hats rock, and are the only bit of kit you know is going to work every time. 

[gator022]

10 hours ago, tgoodspe1991 said:

On my honeymoon I played Pebble Beach for the first time ever. It was in fantastic condition and I played from the back tees.

 

The bag I had at the time was Driver (9*) - 3W (15*) - 3H (19*) - 4H (23*) - 5H (27*) - 6-PW. All stiff flex shafts, not X or TX flex. 

 

I shot even par with some really great ball striking. There are some precarious shots to take on for the first time, particularly the one that goes over the huge cliff (8th hole I think?), and the hybrids were a big help. I actually thinned the shot over the canyon badly, but had a 5-hybrid in my hand and it still flew mid height, full distance, landed ~8ft from the pin. 

 

I think about that round a lot and about going back to that bag setup. Still not entirely sure why I ended up selling it all... probably played one bad round and convinced myself it was the clubs.

Curious…loft of the 6 iron? With stronger lofted PD and GI irons this setup makes more sense.

[ChaosTheory]

I keep trying to put my 26 degree 6 iron in the bag, but the equivalent hybrid is just so much easier to hit.

 

And, I am a grandpa and wear NB shoes.

😉

[ode1]

14 hours ago, SchwarzerRogen said:

I must be WRX's biggest 35 year old grandpa using my Cobra T-Rails, Taylormade Tour Select Balls, Ben Hogan Apparel, and New Balance shoes.

Going all Gpa is Legit...it's when you start to mix in other genre's, like sporting some joggers.... that's when all hell breaks loose🙃

[tgoodspe1991]

2 hours ago, gator022 said:

Curious…loft of the 6 iron? With stronger lofted PD and GI irons this setup makes more sense.

 

AP2 at the time, I think it would've been 30* or 31* degrees.

[boggyman]

22 hours ago, SchwarzerRogen said:

I must be WRX's biggest 35 year old grandpa using my Cobra T-Rails, Taylormade Tour Select Balls, Ben Hogan Apparel, and New Balance shoes.

Nothing wrong with the T Rails. Only a few rounds on my 5-7, have yet to get to hit the 8-AW. The 5-7 are awesome sticks though! 

[boggyman]

17 hours ago, SchwarzerRogen said:

I'm quite serious, I do  wear New Balance and am quite happy with my T-Rails.

T Rails are great sticks! 

[GolfTurkey]

My biggest gripe about the “grandpa” stuff is how difficult it is to have a proper fitting, especially if you have a little bit of speed.

 

A lot of fitters don’t even carry 9 woods or high lofted hybrids, never mind stiff shafts for those kinds of clubs.

 

Ended up buying a G430 9 wood “blind” and having some issues with it going the same distance as my 5i. 

[Chunkitgood]

Well, at least this post gives us a window into the attitude people who work in fitting shops have towards their customers who buy “grandpa” clubs.

 

Seems the OP is intent on buying a game instead of earning one, and wants permission to give up on learning a proper swing.  I say we deny it to him, for his own good.

 

On the more or less serious question of whether a person with modest ball striking skills should buy clubs with high launch, low spin cog’s, the answer to me continues to be, “Only if you never want to get much better.”  How could you possibly expect to learn to hit the ball properly with clubs that give you a result you find acceptable with a poor swing?  And if they don’t (that is, all the cog manipulation really doesn’t work) what’s the point?  Sure pros play all kinds of clubs, but they know how to strike the ball already.

 

All the “advances” in golf equipment over the last decades have helped the expert mostly, the high capper not so much, as logic says it should have done.

[596]

^^^ that makes no sense.  I played a set of SGI Ping G10s to a 2 handicap.  I scored several times in the 60s with them.  But according to the above I really didn't have a "proper swing" so my 60s scores sucked!! 

 

And my current Cobra T Rails must be worse when I score even par with them.  

 

I guess if I buy "real"  golf clubs I'd be on Tour. 

Edited March 22, 2023 by 596

[boggyman]

4 minutes ago, 596 said:

^^^ that makes no sense.  I played a set of SGI Ping G10s to a 2 handicap.  I scored several times in the 60s with them.  But according to the above I really didn't have a "proper swing" so my 60s scores sucked!! 

 

And my current Cobra T Rails must be worse when I score even par with them.  

 

I guess if I buy "real"  golf clubs I'd be on Tour. 

👍🏼

[GolfTurkey]

1 hour ago, Chunkitgood said:

Well, at least this post gives us a window into the attitude people who work in fitting shops have towards their customers who buy “grandpa” clubs.

 

Seems the OP is intent on buying a game instead of earning one, and wants permission to give up on learning a proper swing.  I say we deny it to him, for his own good.

 

On the more or less serious question of whether a person with modest ball striking skills should buy clubs with high launch, low spin cog’s, the answer to me continues to be, “Only if you never want to get much better.”  How could you possibly expect to learn to hit the ball properly with clubs that give you a result you find acceptable with a poor swing?  And if they don’t (that is, all the cog manipulation really doesn’t work) what’s the point?  Sure pros play all kinds of clubs, but they know how to strike the ball already.

 

All the “advances” in golf equipment over the last decades have helped the expert mostly, the high capper not so much, as logic says it should have done.

 

[Loose_Ferrule]

1 hour ago, Chunkitgood said:

Well, at least this post gives us a window into the attitude people who work in fitting shops have towards their customers who buy “grandpa” clubs.

 

Seems the OP is intent on buying a game instead of earning one, and wants permission to give up on learning a proper swing.  I say we deny it to him, for his own good.

 

On the more or less serious question of whether a person with modest ball striking skills should buy clubs with high launch, low spin cog’s, the answer to me continues to be, “Only if you never want to get much better.”  How could you possibly expect to learn to hit the ball properly with clubs that give you a result you find acceptable with a poor swing?  And if they don’t (that is, all the cog manipulation really doesn’t work) what’s the point?  Sure pros play all kinds of clubs, but they know how to strike the ball already.

 

All the “advances” in golf equipment over the last decades have helped the expert mostly, the high capper not so much, as logic says it should have done.

You keep Chunking like your handle says while the rest of us try to score better and make the game more enjoyable.

[Binson]

2 hours ago, Chunkitgood said:

Well, at least this post gives us a window into the attitude people who work in fitting shops have towards their customers who buy “grandpa” clubs.

 

Seems the OP is intent on buying a game instead of earning one, and wants permission to give up on learning a proper swing.  I say we deny it to him, for his own good.

 

On the more or less serious question of whether a person with modest ball striking skills should buy clubs with high launch, low spin cog’s, the answer to me continues to be, “Only if you never want to get much better.”  How could you possibly expect to learn to hit the ball properly with clubs that give you a result you find acceptable with a poor swing?  And if they don’t (that is, all the cog manipulation really doesn’t work) what’s the point?  Sure pros play all kinds of clubs, but they know how to strike the ball already.

 

All the “advances” in golf equipment over the last decades have helped the expert mostly, the high capper not so much, as logic says it should have done.

Agreed, gotta use feather balls and hickories in a canvas sack in order for it to be true golf equipment.  Persimmon, blades, balatas, and carts made the game too easy.

[ChaosTheory]

12 hours ago, Binson said:

Agreed, gotta use feather balls and hickories in a canvas sack in order for it to be true golf equipment.  Persimmon, blades, balatas, and carts made the game too easy.

Exactly.  I laugh when I hear people denigrate hacker clubs while they play 460cc drivers that can be hit anywhere on the face. 

[aquapig]

14 hours ago, Chunkitgood said:

Well, at least this post gives us a window into the attitude people who work in fitting shops have towards their customers who buy “grandpa” clubs.

 

Seems the OP is intent on buying a game instead of earning one, and wants permission to give up on learning a proper swing.  I say we deny it to him, for his own good.

 

On the more or less serious question of whether a person with modest ball striking skills should buy clubs with high launch, low spin cog’s, the answer to me continues to be, “Only if you never want to get much better.”  How could you possibly expect to learn to hit the ball properly with clubs that give you a result you find acceptable with a poor swing?  And if they don’t (that is, all the cog manipulation really doesn’t work) what’s the point?  Sure pros play all kinds of clubs, but they know how to strike the ball already.

 

All the “advances” in golf equipment over the last decades have helped the expert mostly, the high capper not so much, as logic says it should have done.

Completely disgree with this. 

 

I am a 2 handicap and was playing to an 8 a couple years back. 

 

I'm 48 years old, swing my driver at 105, have good ball striking skills, have taken and continue to take lessons from my clubs pro. 

 

Last year I added a 7 wood to replace my 4 iron as my 215 club. Could I hit my 4 iron ok? Sure...but the 7 wood, for me, is just so much more consistent. 

 

Then I added a 9 wood and it's stuid easy to hit high and carries 195. I still carry a 5 iron, but when I can a high shot to land soft, I pull out my 9 wood because of just how easily I can laungh it and have it land soft. 

 

Did I "buy" a game? No I had a pretty decen game and just made the game easier for me and my swing. 

 

 

[aquapig]

14 hours ago, 596 said:

^^^ that makes no sense.  I played a set of SGI Ping G10s to a 2 handicap.  I scored several times in the 60s with them.  But according to the above I really didn't have a "proper swing" so my 60s scores sucked!! 

 

And my current Cobra T Rails must be worse when I score even par with them.  

 

I guess if I buy "real"  golf clubs I'd be on Tour. 

Why don't all tour pros use blades all they way up to a 2 iron? Guess they are just lazy and don't want to learn how to hit those clubs properly. 

 

Complete and utter non sense.