T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
---|
943.1 | Ya, but...! | MSEE::KELLEY | Custom fit clubs/club repairs | Mon May 14 1990 12:44 | 37 |
| > I just got back from a golf get together that 16 of us have every
> other year or so on Long Island. While I was there, I had a chance to
> try out the latest piece of high tech equipment - a Yonex ADX 200
> driver. This thing has a graphite shaft and a graphite head and is 45"
> long, but weighs the same as a 43" driver ! You should see the ball
> SCREAM (!!) off this eyesore ! It's gotta be 20-30 yards longer, and
> even significantly longer than "The Pencil" (the gold graphite shaft
> metalwood).
> I swapped a couple of old Macgregor persimmon woods with a friend who
> is a Pro in NYC and have one of these babies coming to me ASAP. Retail
> is around $360, but the woods I swapped (got them originally for
> nothing) were valuable enough so I didn't have to come up with any
> cash.
> One more high tech product evaluation: I bought a pair of the Foot Joy
> "Dri Joys" guaranteed waterproof for 2 years. They use a gore-tex type
> of membrane in the shoe and it has leather uppers. Absolutely GREAT
> shoe - no break in needed, real comfortable and dry. I've owned a lot
> of shoes, but these are the best. I don't know why anyone would buy
> anything else. In addition, I tried the Wilson Staff TC2 ball. Don't
> miss this one guys, it is an absolute ROCKET!
Ya, but can you control the longer shaft length...???!!! ;-)
Seriously Jack, did you notice that it was harder to control than a
43" driver...?
It isn't at all surprising that it is the same weight as a 43" driver.
You have to increase the weight in the head quite a bit to get a club
to be tha same swingweight with a graphite shaft as you do with a metal
shaft, so the longer length of this new driver just eliminates the
need for the extra weight in the head to acheive the same swingweight.
For years the boys that enter the long drive contests have been using
clubs with longer shafts to get extra distance, it is just a matter of
being able to control it and keep it in the target area...
Regards
Gene
|
943.2 | No Problem... | ASABET::VARLEY | | Tue May 15 1990 11:35 | 5 |
| No problem with the extra length in terms of control, and the head
appears to be perimeter weighted so I actually hit it STRAIGHTER. This
is a VERY forgiving piece of equipment !
-- Jack
|
943.3 | Should they take high tech away? | CHRLIE::HUSTON | | Tue May 15 1990 12:35 | 28 |
|
Did anybody else catch the interview Sunday with Jack and Greg Norman,
they talked alittle about the help the high tech equipment is. They
both use a new driver (is it this one you are talking about?) that
gives them extra distance. They mentioned that you need to use it
because its there and others are using it so by not using it you are
disadvantaging yourself.
Jack mentioned that with these new clubs/balls they sort of take alot
of the course out of play, you have to keep these guys on teh back
tees. Without the hightech you could give the course more looks by
moving tees around from day to day more. Jack also mentioned that at
the US Open (??) they attempt to take the driver out of you hand by
tightening fairways etc.
They also talked about the conditions of the course, they mentioned a
tournament awhile ago (60's or 70;s I believe) where players complained
the greens were to fast. The stimp metered out at about 6-7. Well this
week the greens were 11-12 and the fairways were about 6-7. Talk about
well manicured.
what do you think, would taking the technology away make it more
interesting?
--Bob
|
943.4 | High Tech vs Tradition | EUCLID::PIEL | | Tue May 15 1990 12:59 | 28 |
| The high equipment is targeted to those of us that do not play at
the level of the pro's. Its purpose is to improve our games.
I feel that the issue needs to be reviewed, not for the average
golfer, but at the PGA tour level. One of the reasons advanced by those
who favor the use of the high stuff at the professonial level is that
golf is a sport where golfers like to use the same equipment as the
pro's. I agree to a degree, but I also think that the equipment
makers gain by having the endorsements and using them as marketing
tool.
Consider for a moment major league baseball. From Little League to at
least college level, the bats are aluminum. Yet, in the majors they
play with wooden bats. Does it take the alure away ? As a purist, I
would prefer only wood be used.
Again as a golfer, my purist side would say "limit the high tech", but
a purist from 1920's might have said limit metal shafts. So I guess it
depends on your perspective.
Jack's concern seemed to be that the older, shorter courses are being
overwhelmed by the new equipment. To a degree he is right, but the
players are bigger and stronger as well. Guess it really leads to the
question of does it make a difference, for example, if the pros use a
1 iron off the tee or the driver ?
Ken
|
943.5 | still no dominatent player though...!! | MAMIE::GORDON | | Tue May 15 1990 13:12 | 13 |
| re: .saw some of the interview and have no disagreement with what was
said but what no one mentions is that a player "still has to hit the
shots"
If the player at any level who was using the high tech equipment
was ALWAYS winning then I might think it was time to take a closer look
but this is not the case....YOU STILL HAVE TO MANAGE YOUR WAY AROUND
THE COURSE, SELECT THE RIGHT CLUB, SEE THE RIGHT SHOT TO HIT, THEN
EXECUTE THE SHOT...no question hi tech equipment gives the pro's an
edge but seems like there are still as many winners as there are
tourneys..even though the new equipment is shortening some of the
old courses....until someone comes along and dominates the way
Nicklaus,Hogan,Nelson did in their day then leave it alone....
|
943.6 | The closer you are the easier the shot | CHRLIE::HUSTON | | Tue May 15 1990 13:30 | 26 |
| re .5
I think you may be missing one aspect of the argument. Could it
possibly be that one of the reasons no one player dominates is that
the high tech makes the players more equal? As Greg Norman mentioned,
with the new driver he is getting another 20 yards or so. At first
this may not seem like much, but think, this could be the difference
between hitting a 7 iron or a wedge/nine. By taking away the high
tech you basically could be increasing the length of the holes.
When I play many of the local courses most of the par 4's are driver
and a wedge. This gets somewhat boring after awhile. For a pro
this would be easy pickings for a low round. It is very rare when
I am forced to hit anything over a 7/8 iron into a green. When I
do play a shot were I need to hit a 4/5 iron into a green then
the hole becomes alot harder. The only difference in teh holes is
the extract 30 yards that makes me change clubs. I to have one of
the "high tech" clubs, last year I picked up a metal driver, it
lengthened my drives by about 30 yards and made them straighter.
Sure you still have to hit the shots, its just that if you are 20-30
yards closer, the shots become easier.
--Bob
|
943.7 | all those low rounds haven't shown yet... | MAMIE::GORDON | | Tue May 15 1990 13:52 | 9 |
| re: .6
If that's the case then the scoring averages should have been
comming down over the last 10 years an awful lot cause the pros are
all great with 8 iron or less in their hands...but they haven't
really changed that much....if anything the era of nelson-hogan-snead
had lower scoring averages than do todays hi-tech pros....sort of
makes me wounder if this is really a valid arguement/point????
|
943.8 | J driver... | MSEE::KELLEY | Custom fit clubs/club repairs | Tue May 15 1990 14:08 | 17 |
|
The club that Jack Varley is talking about and the one that the
pros (Nicklaus, Norman, Floyd, etc.) have been using are not the
same club. The ones that the pros have been using were given to
them by Jumbo Osaki (sp). It is made by Bridgestone and not available
in the states, yet. There is an article on it in the latest Golf
Digest. I will try to remember the basics of the article. The
woods when availible in late May, will have a limited availability
and will cost $400 each (they are available in 1-3-5, I think).
They have a graphite shaft and and specialy desgined metal head
(designed primarily by Jumbo along with Bridgestone). The standard
length on these drivers is 43�". They will be available with
regular, stiff, and X-stiff shafts. The shafts have a mid-shaft
bend point.
Drive for show, putt for dough...
Gene
|
943.9 | No chane yet. | CHRLIE::HUSTON | | Tue May 15 1990 14:39 | 25 |
|
re .7
THe scores may not be that different, one thing that has changed is the
speed of greens. Like Jack said, the pros complained about greens with
a stimp meter of 5-6, now they are always around 10-12. My scores jump
when I play on FAST greens (no idea what a local green stimps at, any
one have a number?).
Since I started this note I probably should mention how I feel. I think
that the human body and training methods have improved and have alot
to do with extra distance etc. Look at a sport like track/field.
Running times are consistently coming down, what can you attribute this
to? Light sneakers. Look at Marathon times, run over normal roads so
the effect of a synthetic rubber cement track is removed. People are
looking to break 2 hrs in the near future.
Ya, equipment has improved, but so have the players. Now adays they
can play from the time they are small.
I think the equipment should be watched, but no change is needed yet.
--Bob
|
943.10 | | AYOV18::DREES | let Tommy Burns take it !!! | Tue May 15 1990 15:46 | 19 |
|
To change from Drivers to Putters. The first putter capable of standing
itself has been banned by the R&A and the U.S.G.A .
The Acculine PT 1000 was said to feature the most accurate alignment
system in golf. To use the club, golfers were supposed to.....
1. place the putter behind the ball
2. move away and line up the putter from the rear using the alignment
calibration markings.
3. return to the putter, adjust and putt.
Prior to the ban the putter was used on the US senior tour by a
number of the competitors. Having only read about this putter and
never having seen it in the flesh I was wondering if anyone could
shed a little more light on the subject.
Is this taking technology too far ???
Derek.
|
943.11 | [0&w | SQGUK::NOCK | | Wed May 16 1990 09:49 | 8 |
| Sounds like banning it is a good idea - not for any 'game-improvement'
reasons, but if everyone starts going through that ritual to take a
putt it's going to add an hour to the round!
It probably comes with complementary thoedolite to make sure you read
the green properly.
Paul
|
943.12 | ugly clear to the bone | GRANPA::RFAGLEY | | Tue May 29 1990 19:17 | 7 |
| I had to laugh when I read the note about the Yonex driver...Eyesore!!!
I took an ugly piece of equipment out Sunday. Cobra's new Ultramid
driver is seriously ugly. The head is really oversized and I don't
think you could miss the ball with it. I hated the club! It may be
bullet proof but it isn't Rick proof.
Rick
|
943.13 | | ASABET::VARLEY | | Wed May 30 1990 10:48 | 6 |
| Ugly for sure, but this weekend about 7 guys from Crumpin-Fox wanted
to hit it, including our pro, our assistant and several low
handicappers. They couldn't believe it ! I've got a lot of pure old
persimmon, and I love the stuff, BUT - "business is business."
-- Jack
|
943.14 | Clarification Pleeze... | GEMINI::GLDEV | | Tue Jun 05 1990 09:46 | 11 |
| Clarification please! You state that the driver was a Yonex ADX 200
with Graphite shaft and head ... yet the brochure I have looked at
states that the ADX 100 has the Graphite shaft and the ADX 200 has a
Boron shaft...
I only ask because I have ordered one and want to make sure I have
ordered the right one ... also, I concur ... the Wilson TC2 golf balls
are HOT!
Thanks much...
|
943.15 | Clone... | MSEE::KELLEY | Custom club fitting/club repairs | Tue Jul 24 1990 16:45 | 8 |
|
It is amazing how quick the companies that supply custom club
makers pick up on a good thing... I received a new catalog a
couple weeks ago and they have the head that is a clone to the
ADX and advertise it as being able to accomodate longer shafts
for extra distance... Sure can be made for less than the ADX too.
Gene
|
943.16 | travel case | CAM::ZIOMEK | Pump up the TEST | Wed Jul 25 1990 16:03 | 14 |
|
Just used my new travel case that I purchased from Austad. For
the hundreds of you that probably get the catalog it is the two
piece plastic "shell". It is very lightweight and virtually
indestructable. It has two separate locks and a heavy duty carry
strap. Judgeing by the scratchs in it I now know what the airlines
do to carry bags. I would highly recommend it @44.00 from a "sale
" catalog. reg price is 55 I think.
John-
** It won't fit a 'staff' bag like the add says it will though..
|
943.17 | Was it Ceramic ?? | DPDMAI::VENEZIO | MY other car is a GOLFCART | Mon Oct 29 1990 15:55 | 7 |
| I was watching a little of the Nabisco Champ. and noticed Norman
playing a ceramic driver.
Was I imagining things or did anyone else notice this white/light
colored club.
Ken
|
943.18 | "There's a NEW Yonex in Town..." | MRKTNG::VARLEY | | Thu Aug 15 1991 12:02 | 10 |
| For some reason, the "High-tech" bug bit me again and I ordered
another Yonex ADX 200 - this one is 9 degrees (My old one was 11). I
tee it high and hit it high normally, so - we'll see. Most of the
better players (Not me - THEM) use 9 degrees or less, so I figured it's
worth a shot. Unfortunately, the courses I play all have soft fairways,
but sooner or later I'll find one that's firmer. Should work better in
the wind, too. Ahhh, no matter what I use, Crumpin-Fox is still
Crumpin-Fox...
--Jack
|
943.19 | roll your own huh??? | TRLIAN::GORDON | | Thu Aug 15 1991 13:36 | 11 |
| re: -1
hey jack...
I'd think the 11 deg. was better on the softer fairways
so you can get the distance by "flying" it there...you must
want that 9 deg. so when you play the "good" courses that have
fairways like the greens the rest of us are use to...then you
can roll it another 50 yards....{;^)...
dick
|
943.20 | Why Do I DO This ? | SAGE::VARLEY | | Thu Aug 15 1991 15:32 | 20 |
| It's kind of hard, in retrospect, to figure out exactly why I DID opt
for the 9 degree. As I said, I do tend to hit it high. Also, there is
virtually no one on the tour who uses an 11 degree driver. I certainly
don't play like those guys, but they play a lot of very well
conditioned courses and it makes sense for them to use less loft. Since
they are playing for $$, and can use whatever they want, there must be
a reson. I don't think it's because of the difference in their swings,
technique, etc. Plus, when I hit it on the bottom of the club (Which I
am prone to do), maybe I'll get a little more distance.
I did play one course this year that had hard fairways - Rockaway
Hunting Club, in Cedarhurst (L.I.), N.Y. Ken Venezio is familiar with
it. Some strange holes and some truly great holes, and perhaps the
trickiest greens I have seen, maybe ever. Right near the ocean, and no
fairway water. It would be a much nicer course with better conditioned
fairways, but on the other hand, it's so natural the way it is that I'm
probably nit picking. I guess it's not a good idea to have a bunch of
"Clone" golf courses (Condition-wise) all over the U.S.
--Jack
|
943.21 | | DPDMAI::VENEZIO | never drink SLICE while golfing | Sat Aug 17 1991 14:11 | 12 |
| Re -1
Jack, we never did get a recap of your trip. RHC may have a funky hole
or two, but I'd take a dozen of those type layouts over the courses
being designed today. I mentioned the course had been redesigned since I
played it last. Did they ruin it?
BTW, I'm about to take my new Calloway to the range for a test drive.
Hope it brings happiness to my game. Or it's in the bargain barrel with
the others.
Ken
|
943.22 | | MRKTNG::VARLEY | | Mon Aug 19 1991 11:09 | 12 |
| I agree about preferring layouts like RHC to most of the modern stuff.
I didn't really see any changes to speak of other than quite a few
small trees that were planted.
I don't remember doing a trip report, but if I did, someone please
give me a shout so I don't bore y'all twice. BTW, if the weather is
o.k, I'll be able to add another course - WINGED FOOT! I'm scheduled to
play the West course tomorrow pm. Lots of driving time to get there,
but it's a dream come true (If not tomorrow, another time). Now if I
can milk my network for Oak Hill (Rochester) in Sept., and Riviera in
Nov., this might not be such a bad year after all...
--Jack
|
943.23 | | MRKTNG::VARLEY | | Wed Aug 21 1991 11:15 | 12 |
| I'll add an endorsement here for the 9 degree version of the Yonex ADX
200. I tried it for the first time yesterday, and you can really "Burn"
it ! The fairways were quite soft, so I hit the 11 degree a couple of
times, but the 9 degree job is really here to stay ! I also "Test
drove" the new Worthington (Remember them ?) wound golf ball. I loved
it - it really feels great off the club, plus, the price was right. In
addition, I hit the new Head graphite shaft irons. Real good feeling
golf club.
--Jack
|
943.24 | BBBIIIGGG Bertha... | HOBBLE::MCFARLAND | | Tue Aug 27 1991 16:31 | 4 |
| Has anybody trid the Big Bertha driver by Calloway? The pro at my club
swears by it.
Stan
|
943.25 | "By Now, Who Hasn't ?" | MRKTNG::VARLEY | | Tue Aug 27 1991 17:03 | 11 |
| I like my 2 Yonex ADX 200's better (9 & 11 degree), but the "BB" I hit
could have had a bogus graphite shaft. I saw a guy at the range the
other day just KILLING a "J" driver with a graphite head. The problem
with this new, high tech stuff is that if it isn't expensive, it isn't
very good. R & D costs money, as does top grade material, and the
manufacturers are extremely proprietary with their technology. You can
copy this stuff till the cows come home, but you probably can't
duplicate the kind of tests they've done to get just the right
combination of ingredients.
--Jack
|
943.26 | Yes, Yes, Yes | CTHQ1::OBRIEN | ok rabbit where's Rocky | Wed Aug 28 1991 14:33 | 30 |
| I bought Big Bertha at the beginning of the year. For the past few years, I was
only using a 3 wood off the tee - okay distance, good acuracy and consistency.
I decided it was time to use a driver, really can make a difference on those
460 yard par 4's. I knew I wanted a large head driver and did look at most
models. What decided it for me was Big Bertha's large head is metal.
I did buy the 11 degree, graphite shaft. I have been using it most of the season
and am very happy I bought it. It took me a little while to get some
consistency, but its worth the wait. My pro also swears by it. He has the
same club I do and says its the best club he has seen. He feels that Caloway
has really delivered on the high tech advances it boast about in its
documentation. He thinks most club manufacturers fall a little short on
delivering everything that they say.
All I know is that it works for me and it a great feeling when you hit a long,
long tee shot. Its hard for me to determine my average length tee shot,
especially using yardage from the fairways. Because sometimes I not sure if
I believe it - like the time I hit a real good drive on a 495 yard par 5, I had
190 yards left to the green. I think I got some good roll that time. My
average I am sure is closer to the 250-260 yard area. Also, with the 11 degree
loft I can hit Big Bertha in the fairway. This does get me on or close to some
par 5 greens in 2.
2 people I play golf with on occassion, tried my Big Bertha on the course during
a round with me. (one is a 5 handicapper, one is a 28 handicapper) Both of them
loved it and bought it right after the round.
In summary, I highly recommend Big Bertha (even at its high cost).
|
943.27 | New from Yonex | MRKTNG::VARLEY | | Thu Apr 09 1992 14:08 | 15 |
| I couldn't find the Yonex note (don't know the "dir" command stream),
so I'll enter this here. Last night I met with a pal who's exhibiting
at a PGA Golf Show at the Colonial Hilton today - he handles Founder's
Clubs. We were talking to a guy who knew a lot of the courses I knew,
and the same folks. Turns out he's the Yonex rep - so my pal is going
to pick up a Yonex 4 wood for me at "substantial savings" (Hopefully
wholesale).
The rep says Yonex has an ADX-E driver now that is 46", and a new X
shaft 47" monster. The company treats the reps pretty well - last year
20 of 'em went to Japan for 2 weeks for free, and got staff bags and
clubs. Supposedly the ADX irons with forged heads are terrific, but
when you're buying a house, terrific takes on a more serious meaning.
--Jack
|