2012 Golf Season - No matter how you slice it, it's still fun.

[MavHockey14]

If they end up making me feel like a pro, they might be the greatest irons ever. Thanks for the input.



I've been good, yourself? Some things have changed in life for me over the last 12 months or so, so I just haven't had as much time to post here as often as I might like, though I still lurk a fair deal.

I've set the top end of the budget at $1,000 which I think should get me a quality set of clubs that I'm hoping to get maybe another 10 years out of. All the new technology is what makes my mind spin, trying to match the right type of clubs to my game.

Doing well, hope all of the changes have been positive for you.

I'd look into maybe the TaylorMade Rocketballz irons. Yes, the name is funky, but the innovation is the best in the business. Basically they took the technology behind the driver, and put it into the irons.

I also would suggest Titleist AP-2 irons. These might be a little bit cheaper for you as well, and they're more forgiving than some of Titelist's other irons.

[ajoyce02]

Doing well, hope all of the changes have been positive for you.

I'd look into maybe the TaylorMade Rocketballz irons. Yes, the name is funky, but the innovation is the best in the business. Basically they took the technology behind the driver, and put it into the irons.

I also would suggest Titleist AP-2 irons. These might be a little bit cheaper for you as well, and they're more forgiving than some of Titelist's other irons.

Glad to hear it! The change has been for the better thanks to a special young lady that puts up with me. I thought your guy Zach Johnson was poised to contend at Augusta this year after catching some of his round Thursday. Hit a few rough spots there in rounds 2 and 3 though.

I have to say the Taylor Made irons have, at least initially, been near the top of my list of those I'm interested in testing. So many people have been raving about their irons in recent years, though I don't know anyone that plays the new RBZ irons yet. I could always poke around the internet for some user reviews on those though.

[Bob Gray]

Great last couple days of the tournament. I'm a Lefty fan, but if he didn't win it, I'm glad Bubba did. Gotta love how he was anxious about getting away from the Masters and back home to his recently adopted child.

[joecct]

Golf is such a fun, frustrating game!

Played a 9 hole course today in a nice breeze (20 mph+).

Knew it was going to be a day of ups and downs when my driver took 1/2 the range balls to get it straight. But wonder of wonders, I got my 2 wood to cooperate by putting my feet shoulder width apart. The long irons are still a work in progress - the distance is not there, but at least they went straight.

Got 2 GIR's (wow!), but 3 putted a bunch of holes. Ended up with a 51 on a par 34.

[SteveP]

So happy to see Bubba win, truly is well deserved. Oosthuizen played one heck of a round, the guy was (for the most part) just downright solid all day. I think like many others, I was waiting for the Mickelson charge on the back nine but it just never came, talk about adding more drama had it happened. As much as I'm happy for Bubba, I was pulling for Kuchar today. The guy has a major waiting in the near future I think.

What a fantastic finish. I'm surprised at how Bubba was able to keep the emotions in check until that final tap-in. Great to see him win the green jacket. Added bonus for me that his wife Angie is a Toronto native like me!

Now, on to the real reason I'm posting tonight, I'm looking for some input. I'm potentially in the market for a new set of irons. I'll be making the decision of course based on how I feel hitting them, but there's so much on the market now I'd like to narrow it down a bit to begin with. I'd classify myself as a very average golfer. My handicap seems to hover between 14 and 19 most of the time. I'm currently playing a set of Callaway Big Bertha irons that are 10 years old. If I had to pick a flaw in my game, and there are probably many, I'd say my iron play is at the top of the list. I can't hit a long iron to save my life, which leads me towards wanting a set that comes with hybrids, even though I don't currently own a hybrid club.

Thoughts? Recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Take it from someone with a 17 handicap -- ADAMS, ADAMS, ADAMS!

The hybrids are great -- forgiving and easy to hit. You won't be disappointed.

[Slap Shot]

Not sure I saw it mentioned and maybe there is no way to know for sure, but anyone try to process Phil deciding to hit the one shot back-handed rather than taking the penalty and 2 club lengths? I assume he assumed he wouldn't chunk it, but he could afford a bogey there given how well he'd played the back nine - especially Saturday. I mean that's part of what makes Phil Phil and why he hit the flop yesterday that no other player probably would have, but even before he hit it everyone watching with me thought he should take the stroke.

[joecct]

Can somebody give me good explanation of hybrids and why they are better than long irons? Does a 3 hybrid = a 3 iron?

[MUnRPI]

Can somebody give me good explanation of hybrids and why they are better than long irons? Does a 3 hybrid = a 3 iron?

The bigger club head just makes it so much easier to get lift on the ball, they are much easier to hit off of tight lies and out of the rough. I don't really know how to explain it you just have to trust us The good news is you can test them out for yourself at any driving range with a pro shop before buying them. As a poster above said, Adams Golf makes some great hybrids and they are pretty affordable too. Some purists still cling to long irons but I think once you try a hybrid out you'll be hooked and it will make your rounds more enjoyable.

[joecct]

The bigger club head just makes it so much easier to get lift on the ball, they are much easier to hit off of tight lies and out of the rough. I don't really know how to explain it you just have to trust us The good news is you can test them out for yourself at any driving range with a pro shop before buying them. As a poster above said, Adams Golf makes some great hybrids and they are pretty affordable too. Some purists still cling to long irons but I think once you try a hybrid out you'll be hooked and it will make your rounds more enjoyable.

TGW has them at a nice price. I don't want to go to a Dick's, though, and try them out and then walk out without buying them. I'd feel like an ahole. So guess I may have to find a golf store around here or go to the pro shop and ask the boss.

[SteveP]

TGW has them at a nice price. I don't want to go to a Dick's, though, and try them out and then walk out without buying them. I'd feel like an ahole. So guess I may have to find a golf store around here or go to the pro shop and ask the boss.

Joe
If you don't want or need the latest Adams model, take a look at Rock Bottom Golf for good deals.

[bigblue_dl]

TGW has them at a nice price. I don't want to go to a Dick's, though, and try them out and then walk out without buying them. I'd feel like an ahole. So guess I may have to find a golf store around here or go to the pro shop and ask the boss.

Find a local course that has a demo day and go try a bunch of them.

[joecct]

Joe
If you don't want or need the latest Adams model, take a look at Rock Bottom Golf for good deals.

Steve

If I may ask, which ones do you have?

[mookie1995]

TGW has them at a nice price. I don't want to go to a Dick's, though, and try them out and then walk out without buying them. I'd feel like an ahole. So guess I may have to find a golf store around here or go to the pro shop and ask the boss.

i can't stress enough that you need to hit something before you decide to buy. and when you know what you want, tell them what you want to pay - let them know the price you can get (with all the shipping, etc) and let them decide whether or not they want to match that. if they don't walk away and know you gave them a chance. if you want to factor in $20-25 for the test range to pay them on top of any club price to make their price competitive to online, do that too. they have the ability to throw in a % off coupon or something.

you don't go to a jewelers and pay retail, do you? same difference.

[MavHockey14]

Not sure I saw it mentioned and maybe there is no way to know for sure, but anyone try to process Phil deciding to hit the one shot back-handed rather than taking the penalty and 2 club lengths? I assume he assumed he wouldn't chunk it, but he could afford a bogey there given how well he'd played the back nine - especially Saturday. I mean that's part of what makes Phil Phil and why he hit the flop yesterday that no other player probably would have, but even before he hit it everyone watching with me thought he should take the stroke.

Because he couldn't go closer to the hole, it wouldve taken him deeper into the trees and probably screwing him more.

His best opportunity to get it on te green in three would've been from the tee, which he even said outlook during the coverage, but decided against it, ultimately costing him likely the extra stroke.

[bigblue_dl]

Because he couldn't go closer to the hole, it wouldve taken him deeper into the trees and probably screwing him more.

His best opportunity to get it on te green in three would've been from the tee, which he even said outlook during the coverage, but decided against it, ultimately costing him likely the extra stroke.

I have done that backwards wedge shot before and pulled it off much better than he did, then again, I get much more practice hitting from the shrubbery.

[MavHockey14]

I have done that backwards wedge shot before and pulled it off much better than he did, then again, I get much more practice hitting from the shrubbery.

I truly believe he didn't hit it as well because he was afraid of hitting himself, which is a two stroke penalty, thus he didnt commit to it..

[SteveP]

Steve

If I may ask, which ones do you have?

I'm still playing the original A-1 hybrids but I'm looking at the A-7 or A-12.

[Gurtholfin]

Maybe everyone has seen this and I'm late to the party. Pretty funny.




Ben Crane = hilarious.

[Gurtholfin]

More Ben Crane...

[hockeyplayer1015]

Played 9 last Weds (Par 36) and shot 48 for my first action of the season. Then played 18 yesterday (par 71) and shot 94 (49-45, same course as Weds). Lots of wind yesterday and cool temps, but had way too many bogeys/double bogeys. Heading out shortly to get another 18 in at the same course, windy but warm, hopefully I'll do a bit better and get into the 80's.