Off Course is back this week with a fantastic show and this is episode 169. Hosted by Dan Edwards, each Friday he gives you a deep look into the world of golf and equipment in a way unlike any other podcast has done before. Today, THP Staff Writer James Miles joins the show and the discussion centers around the plethora of new releases that have dropped recently.
It wouldn’t be Off Course without some tangents, but Dan and James talk about all of the new releases that have come out over the last two weeks as well as the cost of sim golf. This show has a lot going on and is one you will not want to miss as the new gear goes Off Course.

Episode 169 is here and Dan and James discuss the following topics.
Callaway Apex Pro Series Irons and Super Hybrid
2023 Titleist T-Series Irons
Best Ball vs Alternate Shot
The Cost of Sim Golf
The Progression of Fairway Woods
And so much more
You can listen to the show right here, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you do your listening and downloading from. Search for the Hackers Paradise and make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. After listening, come back over and drop us a note below on what you agree and/or disagree with from the episode. If you get a chance, drop us a review wherever you listen from and let others know what you think of the show and/or channel.
THPGolf · New Equipment Goes Off Course
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Jam packed this one sounds like! Downloaded for later.
I’ll definitely be firing this one up today.
There are a couple topics brought out in this episode that could really generate some discussion – and things I’d love to hear what people think about.
Looking forward to the chats in here.
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 11685028, member: 2320″]
There are a couple topics brought out in this episode that could really generate some discussion – and things I’d love to hear what people think about.
Looking forward to the chats in here.
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Absolutely, between that and the HEAVY gear talk, I’m looking forward to peoples thoughts.
2i utility iron. Love having one in the bag.
Then the discussion on the UW comes in and makes me want to replace my 2i utility ???? :LOL:
started this morning, will finish at lunch or this afternoon. Good stuff so far.. The giddy is palpable.
Looking forward to the hopeful rest of the Callaway Apex irons lineup…:love:
I’ll never belly ache about the amount of releases, except for the fact I don’t have enough time and money to try all that I want to try
[QUOTE=”gkeller813, post: 11685436, member: 51675″]
Looking forward to the hopeful rest of the Callaway Apex irons lineup…:love:
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Nothing like talking about something you don’t know anything about on a Podcast with complete hope that it happens hahahhaa
[QUOTE=”gkeller813, post: 11685425, member: 51675″]
2i utility iron. Love having one in the bag.
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I hit the 1 UT a bunch at lunch today.
It’s going to be a special piece of my bag.
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 11685881, member: 2320″]
Nothing like talking about something you don’t know anything about on a Podcast with complete hope that it happens hahahhaa
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If we talk about it enough, we can will it to happen.
I like what [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] said about equipment coming out now and people playing their best golf. I totally agree.
[QUOTE=”templeton80, post: 11686017, member: 53139″]
I like what [USER=1579]@Jman[/USER] said about equipment coming out now and people playing their best golf. I totally agree.
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I’d much rather gets the clubs now too as I’m trending up, and when I know I can play. Versus get them during winter, play a round here and there due to weather, without much consistency.
When does a company just integrate a “combo” set as a single iron model/line and market it as such.
[QUOTE=”baylrballa, post: 11686039, member: 52381″]
When does a company just integrate a “combo” set as a single iron model/line and market it as such.
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I don’t think it makes any sense to, the allure of a combo set is to make it the way the user wants/needs it. Pre-made combo’s have been done before, Callaway did it with the Apex 19’s, but it just doesn’t make sense.
[QUOTE=”baylrballa, post: 11686039, member: 52381″]
When does a company just integrate a “combo” set as a single iron model/line and market it as such.
[/QUOTE]
I think they do it quite a bit, but it’s on the inside of the club and we don’t see it because the outside looks the same, and had the same model #. The 4 and 5 irons are designed to launch better, while the 8, 9, PW are designed to be more accurate.
[QUOTE=”gkeller813, post: 11686056, member: 51675″]
I think they do it quite a bit, but it’s on the inside of the club and we don’t see it because the outside looks the same, and had the same model #. The 4 and 5 irons are designed to launch better, while the 8, 9, PW are designed to be more accurate.
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Thats not a combo set though, that is a progressive design.
[QUOTE=”Jman, post: 11686070, member: 1579″]
Thats not a combo set though, that is a progressive design.
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I figured there was a name for it
Your moniker you gave yourself for 24 made me laugh out loud :LOL:
Enjoyable show. Interesting comparing the release strategies of Titleist and Callaway.
7i on 16 being called shot of the weekend must have been TASTY [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] !
[QUOTE=”gkeller813, post: 11686023, member: 51675″]
I’d much rather gets the clubs now too as I’m trending up, and when I know I can play. Versus get them during winter, play a round here and there due to weather, without much consistency.
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We play year round here, but if I lived in a cold weather spot I’d consider it cruel and unusual punishment to get new sticks in the middle of winter and not be able to hit them on green grass for several months!
[QUOTE=”BigMac, post: 11686408, member: 3386″]
We play year round here, but if I lived in a cold weather spot I’d consider it cruel and unusual punishment to get new sticks in the middle of winter and not be able to hit them on green grass for several months!
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It is brutal. We have a few sim golf places, but nothing beats hitting new irons off of real turf!
Tuning in right now. LOL at [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER]’s nickname for ’24! :LOL:
[QUOTE=”Muchmore18, post: 11686395, member: 56094″]
7i on 16 being called shot of the weekend must have been TASTY [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER] !
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182 yards with a side wind. Tight little draw off the bunker and just a shade long. Looked effing great the whole way.
[QUOTE=”BigMac, post: 11686415, member: 3386″]
Tuning in right now. LOL at [USER=2320]@Canadan[/USER]’s nickname for ’24! :LOL:
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I’m surprised this is the first comment about it hahahaha
[QUOTE=”Muchmore18, post: 11686190, member: 56094″]
Your moniker you gave yourself for 24 made me laugh out loud :LOL:
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Wait no, this is the first one.
it’s pretty solid. I’ll need to fall out of love hard with this 1 UT though. It’s crazy
[QUOTE=”Canadan, post: 11686536, member: 2320″]
[B]Wait no, this is the first one.[/B]
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I was about to say you don’t care about me
As far as the indoor sim businesses, I agree it’s an industry that’s really in its infancy right now. TopGolf is/has been the main player, and to me they’re aimed more as an entertainment venue than a place where “serious” golfers go to work on their game. Not to sound dismissive or mocking, but kind of a Chuck E Cheese for big kids, if you will. Go have some fun in a group with box set rental clubs, play the different games you can play, eat some food and have some drinks. It’s not where you’re going to take your new clubs to get spin numbers and work out gapping.
With that said, my last fitting was at a TopGolf location, but the fitting studio was completely separate from the big booths – it was in a room downstairs with a GC Quad and screen, with current product lines, shaft selections, certified fitters, etc., so they do bring that to the table also but maybe not as their primary focus. They’ve obviously found a very viable market, as evidenced by the fact that they’re constantly packed with people and often completely sold out.
Speaking to other sim establishments – as far as the pricing and density of locations go, I think it’s something that will eventually self-correct. If people are paying what they’re asking and they have enough customers to support their business and turn a profit, there’s obviously no reason for them to alter what they’re doing; if it reaches a point where they’re sitting empty all day and not making money, something obviously has to change. Obviously we’d all love to have a spacious, well-appointed sim place nearby with top of the line equipment and no crowds that we could drop into at any time with no wait for $20 an hour, but those things might be mutually exclusive.
It’s an industry with a lot of potential and I think there’s room for a lot of different segments. It’s going to be interesting to watch it grow and see how it all pans out.
I enjoyed the listen. I always love it when new equipment comes out. I am trying to justify a third set of irons to go with my T100s and ZX5s.
Regarding indoor golf around here places with Trackman get 50-70 an hour in the winter. There is an XGolf that I am pretty sure is 60 an hour and the PGATSS is the deal at 150 for the year. You don’t get any club data but to keep fresh it works fine.
I haven’t generally paid 60 an hour but would likely do it once a month.
Your range prices are substantially below ours. We pay $20-25 a bucket for a large bucket around here to hit off of mats. Land is expensive so there aren’t a ton of ranges and they are always busy so they get what they market will bear.
[QUOTE=”Chef23, post: 11690641, member: 48542″]
I enjoyed the listen. I always love it when new equipment comes out. I am trying to justify a third set of irons to go with my T100s and ZX5s.
Regarding indoor golf around here places with Trackman get 50-70 an hour in the winter. There is an XGolf that I am pretty sure is 60 an hour and the PGATSS is the deal at 150 for the year. You don’t get any club data but to keep fresh it works fine.
I haven’t generally paid 60 an hour but would likely do it once a month.
Your range prices are substantially below ours. We pay $20-25 a bucket for a large bucket around here to hit off of mats. Land is expensive so there aren’t a ton of ranges and they are always busy so they get what they market will bear.
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that’s just nuts to me – but I do understand that location specific costs will reflect what is feasible.
I just looked at a few indoor sim places near me. Most clearly want to sell a “membership” thing. For non-“members” they offer some bizzare pricing….an example: Single, $60/hr one hour blocks. Duo: $50/hr/person 2hr block. Foursome: $40/hr/person 2.5 hr block. checks math….$60/hr or $100/hr or $160/hr.
That says they don’t want non-member business.
Memberships: $150/month for an hour a week. $250 for 2 hr. $350 for 3hr per week.