WITB - - - J13

[J13*]

Almost done building the 2020 setup but as you all know things can change at a moments notice.

A little about me:
Hcp is +1.6 at the moment
Driver SS - 115-117mph on course normal swing.
Swing Type - Aggressive transition, shorter swing (think Rahm, Finau)

How I test:
First, let me say I test a lot of clubs. I’m talking just about everything. My process is pretty simple and involves a mix of LM (flightscope, trackman ect..) and on-course testing. Each year I take whatever looks good to my eye and test it indoors (usual winter). From there I start accumulating heads, shafts, ect.. and build up clubs for on-course testing.

On course testing:
IMO on course testing is the end-all, be-all. I’ve had more fittings than I can count and know what works for me and what doesn’t so most of my testing stays within the parameters of what fits my swing. Don't get me wrong, getting fit is important and valuable but nothing can replicate standing on a tee box and hitting a drive when something is on the line. Some clubs perform great when you're hitting shot after shot in a fitting only to be a dud when you take it on course. Been there, done that. So for me this is my process and this is what works.


The bag as it stands 2020:

Driver: Cobra SZ Xtreme 9* w/ Mitsubishi Tensei Orange 70TX. 44.75” - D4

3 Wood: Cobra SZ Big Tour 3 - w/ Mitsubishi Tensei Orange 80TX. 42.25” - D3.5

5w /Hybrid /Driving iron - TBD

Driving iron : Callaway Xforged UT 24* (bent to 23*) / Mitsubishi MMT 125TX / D4

Irons : Honma 737V / Mitsubishi MMT 125TX / D4

Wedges: Callaway MD5 50,54 , MD4 60* / Mitsu MMT 125TX / D5

Putter : Odyssey Versa #6 34.75”

Ball : Srixon Zstar XV

 

[M2Giles]

First things first nice bag.

You ended up going matching 3 wood and Driver.

What are looking for in that last spot? Or are you more a swapper based on the course?

Those MMTs look really nice. How do they feel?

 

[fairwaynut]

Very nice looking setup, what bag are you gaming?

 

[Jman]

YES! MMT love! So stinking solid!

 

[HipCheck]

Those MMTs. I've got to give them a try. Interesting to see the SZX in there.

The fairway reminds me of an OLD Cobra Comp at address. Fond memories of that one.

 

[MattyD-MPLS]

Nice set up!

 

[J13*]

First things first nice bag.

You ended up going matching 3 wood and Driver.

What are looking for in that last spot? Or are you more a swapper based on the course?

Those MMTs look really nice. How do they feel?

Thanks and yes I decided to try the same shaft in the 3 wood albeit the 80TX. I've been through 5-6 shafts over the last few years (KK XT DC, Tensei White, HZRDUS Green, Rogue 130, the list goes on) and the Orange for whatever reason has tested best in dispersion and distance. I have a fairly aggressive transition so the firmer butt and tip section suits me well.

Last spot is a bit of a mystery right now but testing is happening as we speak don't worry It will either be 5w or a hybrid as it's a club I hit that needs to have a higher ball flight to go into par 5's. In the past I've tried driving irons but the traj and spin is all wrong for me.


@fairwaynut - Bag is a Callaway Hyperlite. Great bag, zero complaints. I'll post a pic today when i get a chance

 

[Snickerdog]

Very nice.

 

[Templet0n]

Such a sick bag, If I walked up and saw that on the first tee, there is no way I am looking for any kind of money game.

For the last spot, are you leaning one way or another?

 

[DNice26]

J, are you happy with your ball or will you be checking out other options?

 

[J13*]

Those MMTs. I've got to give them a try. Interesting to see the SZX in there.

The fairway reminds me of an OLD Cobra Comp at address. Fond memories of that one.

The Cobra SZ X was a surprise to me as well. As you know I typically play the lower spin drivers because the spin reduction helps me squeeze out some more yards but I came to my senses with the help of an old pro. Long story short the pro asks me a simple question at the end of last season. He asked, "what's keeping you from improving your score". Over the next 5 rounds, I kept my stats and came to the conclusion (which i already knew but didn't want to admit) that a driver spinning at 1900-2000rpms wasn't doing me any favors. I was averaging around 35% of fairways hit with the driver. NOT GOOD. With that said my mission this year was to find the most forgiving driver on the market that kept my spin around 2500rpms with a LA of 12-13*. Enter Cobra SZ X. It's been amazing. I'm not sacrificing any distance and i'm hitting around 65% of my fairways (last 3 rounds). It's a keeper

 

[J13*]

Such a sick bag, If I walked up and saw that on the first tee, there is no way I am looking for any kind of money game.

For the last spot, are you leaning one way or another?

The person you really need to look out for is the guy playing old school hogan blades and a 8802 putter lol. Those guys take lunch money I'm leaning towards a hybrid because i like the shorter length but trying to find something that gives me the best of both worlds.

J, are you happy with your ball or will you be checking out other options?

Lots of great balls out there. Straight talk - Srixon XV has been in my bag for the last 3-4 years because it does everything i ask of it and I can get more for my money. I could easily play the TM Tp5, Prov1, ect... i'm not a ball snob but it has to be a good wind ball and spin enough around the greens as I like to hit flighted wedges.

 

[Templet0n]

The person you really need to look out for is the guy playing old school hogan blades and a 8802 putter lol. Those guys take lunch money I'm leaning towards a hybrid because i like the shorter length but trying to find something that gives me the best of both worlds.



Lots of great balls out there. Straight talk - Srixon XV has been in my bag for the last 3-4 years because it does everything i ask of it and I can get more for my money. I could easily play the TM Tp5, Prov1, ect... i'm not a ball snob but it has to be a good wind ball and spin enough around the greens as I like to hit flighted wedges.

i am sure you have a list. I can think of a few I would suggest. Super curious to see where you got.

 

[J13*]

I'll update things as they go for sure. I was in my shop over the weekend building up a new toy

 

[J13*]

Mitsubishi MMT 125TX

Been getting some questions about these, so I'll share my story but try to keep it short.

My setup is 4-PW , 50, 54, 60 and I have the MMT 125TX's in all of them. This all came about last September or so when i hit a breaking point with some serious tennis elbow in my right arm. By September (after about a year of pain) nothing was improving and golf became painful and miserable to play. I was at the point where lifting a glass of water was agonizing so you can imagine how fun it was hitting a golf club. Over last summer I began to hear about Mitsu's new player's graphite iron shaft (the MMT's) and it piqued my curiosity for obvious reasons. I've hit graphite iron shafts before but never gave them a second thought as I thought the same way everyone else does. Steel is right?

So with my elbow damn near falling off, I was at the point where I would have installed wooden shafts in my irons if it meant I could reduce the impact on my elbow and other joints. I approached Golfwrx and Mitsubishi with an idea to have a scratch player with a fast SS test their new graphite iron shaft. Through my years on Golfwrx I've tested quite a bit of gear for various companies. I take a lot of pride in my reviews and do not say something is good for me just because it's free. Anyone who knows me or is familiar with my reviews knows that I couldn't care less about free stuff. Objectivity is the only thing that matters especially with online reviews. I thought it would be a win/win/win for all involved so why not?


It's now been about 6 months with these shafts in my irons (Honma 737v) and I haven't looked back. The performance is just as good if not better than my Nippon Modus 120TX but the reduced vibration at impact is drastic. Granted i did have elbow surgery at the end of October but 2 months later i was back to hitting balls and pain free. The left elbow that was giving me issues has all but went away and I'm now playing without any braces on. But let me be clear, the elbow pushed me over the edge to try the MMT's but the performance is keeping them in my bag. Dispersion is tighter, distance is the same (a good thing), and feel is second to none. Im officially a convert and don't see me ever playing a steel shaft again unless it's a putter.

 

[DNice26]

MMT 125TX

Those look .......

 

[McLovin]

I find it so impressive when guys in colder climates with a truncated season can maintain such high levels of performance. +1.7. dayum!

 

[J13*]

I find it so impressive when guys in colder climates with a truncated season can maintain such high levels of performance. +1.7. dayum!

It's not too bad in Maryland. We usually get 10-11 playing months out of the year if you are ok playing in 40* temps. What also helps is the work i've put into my swing over the years (with Iteach) to make it less timing based. That more than anything has helped my swing hold up during the off season.

 

[Templet0n]

It's not too bad in Maryland. We usually get 10-11 playing months out of the year if you are ok playing in 40* temps. What also helps is the work i've put into my swing over the years (with Iteach) to make it less timing based. That more than anything has helped my swing hold up during the off season.

Dan seems like such a good guy and coach. If I was not all the way across the country, I would consider giving him a visit.

 

[J13*]

Dan seems like such a good guy and coach. If I was not all the way across the country, I would consider giving him a visit.

Dan is like golfs version of rain man. He watches you hit like 2 balls and knows the 1 or 2 things to fix that will fix 10 other issues. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for instruction and his online lessons are great as well. Very detailed and his communication is great.

 

[J13*]

New combo today. Short and heavy with the Xphlexxx Agera (great shaft if you like a project x green hulk profile). This setup is 44” at D4. Hit a lot of fairways today and hit some . Decisions decisions

 

[J13*]

Update:

3 wood testing resumed then came to an abrupt stop.

Tried and tested on course:
Sim Ti
Sim Max
Callaway Mav Max 3+
Titleist Ts3
Cobra Big Tour 3

What did i end up with?
Back to my Nike VR Pro LTD 3 wood w/ Aldila RIP Alpha 80X. It's just a unicorn for me and nothing beats it in consistency and dispersion. Distance is maybe 7-10yds behind modern 3 woods but that doesn't mean much if you don't hit it well.

 

[Newman21]

Gorgeous bag there bruh!

 

[Templet0n]

Update:

3 wood testing resumed then came to an abrupt stop.

Tried and tested on course:
Sim Ti
Sim Max
Callaway Mav Max 3+
Titleist Ts3
Cobra Big Tour 3

What did i end up with?
Back to my Nike VR Pro LTD 3 wood w/ Aldila RIP Alpha 80X. It's just a unicorn for me and nothing beats it in consistency and dispersion. Distance is maybe 7-10yds behind modern 3 woods but that doesn't mean much if you don't hit it well.

I love seeing an old faithful people just keep in their bags. Everyone needs a binky. haha

 

[HipCheck]

Update:

3 wood testing resumed then came to an abrupt stop.

Tried and tested on course:
Sim Ti
Sim Max
Callaway Mav Max 3+
Titleist Ts3
Cobra Big Tour 3

What did i end up with?
Back to my Nike VR Pro LTD 3 wood w/ Aldila RIP Alpha 80X. It's just a unicorn for me and nothing beats it in consistency and dispersion. Distance is maybe 7-10yds behind modern 3 woods but that doesn't mean much if you don't hit it well.

Well, how about that. Five challengers up, 5 challengers down.