Talk Me Into (or out of) Going Full Grandpa

[aquapig]

To OP, call it whatever you want. But I suggest trying some clubs that might seem to be "grandpa" and see how they work out for your game. 

 

I remember when I first added a 7 wood, my playing partners gave me hard time. This was about 18 months ago and since, 2 or the 3 have added 7 woods. 

 

They still laugh when I pull out my 9 wood. Last Sunday I shot 2 under with the help of an eagle on 18. Had 205 into the green and it was playing downwind. Normally I would try to muscle a 5 iron with that shot, but there is a pond short of the green and unless I flushed it, I doubt I would have carried it. 9 wood is SO easy to hit, and for a shot like this where I needed a 200 yard carry and have it land soft, was an easy choice. Put it to 8 ft...now they just call it my cheater club. 

[boggyman]

3 hours ago, aquapig said:

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.

They’re playing to pay the bills AND put food on the table. It’s only natural they play something a bit “?”, insert your own words in the quotation marks. I don’t like the words more forgiving, but I’ve heard a few lately say what they’re playing iron wise is “easier” to hit than what they previously had in the bag. Are theses players winning every week, no. Such a mix lately in the WITB pics from the tournament coverage seems like. Very few all blade bags. 

[subrew]

I went down this road last year.  I only "switched back" because I started building myself a collection of JDM irons for fun.  But before that, I built myself a set of Callaway Maverik Max woods.  I had a 3+, 5, 7, 9, and an 11.  In the 9 and 11 I even played them with ladies shafts (1" shorter than normal.)  So incredibly easy to hit from tee to rockhard fairways to light rough.

 

I purchased them all on Callaway's CPO site for about $100 each when they had sales.  You have to usually select "womens" in the menu to see the 9w and 11w options.  A couple months back I sold them as a set for exactly $100 each.  The only club I changed was the 3+, as I swapped out the shaft for a Bassara W40 Ladies flex.  I've discovered my smooth take away and transition matches up great with a soft flex shaft, so I've now incorporated that into all of my clubs.

 

If I was playing more seriously, I would have kept the woods.  But my building/tinkering hobby has let me enjoy playing smaller forged irons, and I've discovered when built with light/soft shafts, I can actually get the ball up in the air even with a bladed 3 or 4 iron. 

[WristySwing]

19 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.

 

I would try and come up with a reasonable reply to this, but honestly this is probably one of the dumber things I have read on this site.  I can't even think of anything to say that hasn't already been so said, so I'll just leave it at this:  "K".

[Barfolomew]

I got a G425 6 hybrid just to see and that thing goes crazy high..... dead straight and easy to hit....... paired with Ventus black 10 tx for all the control

 

Got the matching 3 hybrid..... dont go far but is accurate with that shaft 🐑

 

[Pepperturbo]

I am in the 70+ Grandpa category, but at heart, always freedom of choice fighter.  I don't talk anyone into or out of anything.  What ever makes your golf fun, go for it.

 

I am not so ripe I want to give into to the aging process, never be a pro, but I keep trying.  Some of us still take pride in smacking long irons and shoot my age.  Last weekend in the rain, played White 6300yd tees, cart paths only, only used 2i & 4i off tees and anywhere else to keep my ball near the cart path (Yes, I have lazy moments), had a great time doing what others thought nutso. 🙂

Edited March 22, 2023 by Pepperturbo

[platgof]

On 3/21/2023 at 6:33 PM, 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.

Are you 18?

[AdmiralPicard]

I’ve been kicking around the idea of keeping the hybrids down to 6, maybe adding a wood to replace the 17° hybrid, going SGI 7-8, cavity 9-P and specialty wedges to finish it out. 
 

whatever gets me through the club match play bracket. Even if I don’t earn it. Of course we don’t have a gross match play flight so it’ll never happen, but an old guy can dream, right?

[platgof]

Shot 86 today, it was windy, and I played as well as I could. The hybrids were helping out a lot. They feel is the middle of the bag quite well.

[st1800e]

3 hours ago, AdmiralPicard said:

but an old guy can dream, right?

Always! 

“Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.”

 

Mark Twain aka Samuel Clemens.  

 

[GolfTurkey]

On 3/23/2023 at 5:16 AM, Barfolomew said:

I got a G425 6 hybrid just to see and that thing goes crazy high..... dead straight and easy to hit....... paired with Ventus black 10 tx for all the control

 

Good grief what a combo…I would place a lot of money on that being the only one in existence!

[AdmiralPicard]

Are you folks playing these hybrids at iron length or accepting the longer lengths? I wonder how that might affect things. 

[ChaosTheory]

51 minutes ago, AdmiralPicard said:

Are you folks playing these hybrids at iron length or accepting the longer lengths? I wonder how that might affect things. 

Slightly longer lengths.  I think it helps get the height, distance, and spin, but with greater variation in direction.

[mshills]

On 3/14/2023 at 6:54 PM, st1800e said:

Why are you having angst about this?  You know what works, just do it.  Longest iron in my bag is an 8 iron.  
 

And you don’t have to change your wardrobe.  😄

Second this!

 

I carry a 7w, a 9w, and a 7 hybrid. Longest iron is 8i. I was a 5, got hurt, play with one arm now, and have the index down to 19. I’ll play you for 💰 and win my share. 
 

And I still dress like a tour pro….Pimpin’ ain’t easy!

Edited March 25, 2023 by mshills

[BigEx44]

On 3/14/2023 at 6:26 PM, WristySwing said:

I will admit I will probably never be good at this game.  I beat or tie most people I play with, but I am not "good".  I full suspect that the best I will ever be is a high single digit handicap.  I've tried all the equipment, I have taken lessons from extremely well regarded coaches, and after it all shuffles out, I still shoot about 82-85, a bad day is 90.  I know this is my reality and I am fine with it.  Having said all that, I have one last ditch hairbrained scheme to maybe tip the scales in my favour --- lots of hybrids and fairway woods.  I figure I already suck, so I might as well look like I suck.  But all joking aside, here's the method to my madness.  I am usually fairly shallow and tend to sweep the ball.  This tends to be more conducive to a wood or hybrid style of play.  The adjustable hosels should allow me to tinker with ball flights to dial in a somewhat optimized shot shape.  Years ago (~2009/2010) I played up to a 5H (25* IIRC) and had the easiest time in the world with it.  I already play irons that are pretty techy, but the lofts get strong and I am finding it harder and harder to hit 5i consistently.  Lastly, I do have back issues, so the longer shaft may help me stay in a more athletic posture without putting too much strain on the SI joint.

 

I know, I know, all of this is trying to band-aid a situation and putting lipstick on an already ugly pig, but my gears have been turning.  I am thinking of something like G430 or Paradym woods down as far as I can get, and then Stealth2 in the 27/31* (or just 31* spot if I go Paradym).  I figure if I can't hit an 8i I should give up golf, so I will probably stop there.  I do hit my 6i on down fairly well, but a few videos out there of players better than me (Jamie Robertson --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAOQnMpkYJI&t=356s, Peter Finch --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKlnfJ-qn-A ) show just how easy the game could be, and they have nothing but positive things to say.

 

So, do I pack in my slim fit pants, flat brim hats, and Boost shoes for a pair of double-pleated khakis, a bucket hat, and Footjoy GreenJoys to go along with my grandpa set or what?  Who has done this before?  Were you happy with it after a year?  Did the cap drop?  Did you have fun (that's the biggest thing for me).

 

Thanks!!!!

 

 

 

Two things:

 

1) I think a high single digit handicap golfer is still a pretty good golfer.  I picked up the game late in life (my late 30's) and hitting single digit was my lifetime goal.  I finished last year as a 9.5 (at 65 yrs old). Yea!  Hope to be in the 8's this year.  That's pretty good golf to me and certainly better than most of the people I play with.

 

2) I say put in your bag whatever works.

 - My highest iron is a 7i.  I don't like hybrids, so I have an 11 wood to replace my 6 iron, a 9 wood to replace my 5i.  Along with a 7w, 4w and Driver.  The thing I love about my 11 and 9 woods is that I hit them the same distance as my irons but with a lot more carry and less roll.  They are sooooo much easier to hit and hold greens so much better for me.

 - I use friendly and forgiving Cavity Back wedges (Callaway Mack Daddy CB's, 52*, 56* and 60*).  Best thing I ever did for my short game.

 - And to complete the weirdness of my bag:  I putt sidesaddle using a 46" Bobby Grace F22.

 

Bottom Line:  Put in your bag whatever is going to give you the lowest scores and allow you to have fun!

Edited March 25, 2023 by BigEx44

[willie991]

At 77 years old, finally bit the bullet and went... what I call... "Grandpa".  Had been playing some sweet Srixon blades... or my 1985 Eye 2's.  The old joints needed graphite shafts.  The pocketbook needed some assistance as I fight it out with the "geezer group"!  

 

Epic Speed 12 degree.  Big Bertha 4-wood.  Epic SuperHybrid 3h and 4h.  Rogue X 5-AW w/Kuro Kage shafts.  Cleveland 52 and Vokey 56.  OG7 Odyssey w/Stroke Lab. 

 

The Rogue X irons are almost like hybrids.  Really strong lofts.  The 5 iron is like a strong 4 iron.  PW is 41 and AW 46.  Took a while getting used to.  Hitting an 8 iron in places I used to hit a 6.  After a dozen rounds, really lovin' the move.  

 

Still don't know why I fought against it so long.  

[mshills]

I hear that….should have added the 9w and hybrids before I got injured. The 6h and 7h are so much fun, can hit shots with them that make me giggle. 🙂

[boggyman]

Haha 38/38 with my Cobra T Rails on Thursday. Could’ve been better but putts wouldn’t go in. I’m full Grandpa mode for the rest of summer. I call my T Rails my retirement sticks. 

[jordan2240]

Didn't change my clubs, but did eliminate most from the bag.  Ironically, I cannot hit an 8 iron for whatever reason, but I can usually hit a 5, 6, and 7 iron with some consistency, so those combined with my driver, mini driver, pw, and putter are all I carry.  Scoring and fun have been better than ever.  I'm 63 in June.