My golf bag looks like I've been to the pick and mix aisle - no jelly snakes, which is a shame, but there is a Sloth. I seem to be going somewhat off topic. Ok so where was I, ah yea, what's in the bag.
When it comes to clubs (and pick & mix for that matter) I don't limit myself. I like to take full advantage of choosing the right piece of equipment for me, spreading the risk across as many golf brands as possible. Let's start with the big dog, or big Sloth!
1. Driver
Ping G400
9Degrees
Project X Hzrdus 6.5
Sloth Headcover
I struggled to keep driver on the golf course. A friend had the Ping G400. I'd usually go through the whole process of being fitted, trying a whole range of different heads and shafts, but with this that wasn't the case. I hit his driver and saw a difference straight away. I loved the feel off the face and the ball flight was exactly what I was after. I ordered the exact same driver that day. I think it spins a little more, which for me is a good thing as it definitely reduces my dispersion. The slightly heavier shaft (76 grams) gives me a bit more control. I've prioritised this control over speed and distance. More fairways = more greens = more birdies = less swearing/broken clubs.
2. Fairway Wood
Taylormade M2 2017
15 degrees
Fujikura Speeder 757 X Flex
LFC Headcover (it's our year)
I love this 3 wood. It really is a beast. I've always struggled to find a fairway wood that I get on with but with the M2, I found it. It feels really solid off the face and launches pretty high, which I've always found hard to find in a fairway wood, but it doesn't spin too much so it's long. If I'm ever struggling with the driver, I have no problem going to the three wood for some respite as I know I won't be giving up too many yards.
3. Hybrid
Titleist 910H
17 Degrees
Fujikura Rombax X Flex
This club is now getting on for 8 years old, but it's just one of those that I can't move away from. It's a club I can hit 250, or 200. I love the workability of it, which in my opinion is lost a little in the more modern offerings. It will take something special to get this out of the bag.
4. Irons
Mizuno MP5
4-PW
Modus 3 105 X Flex
If golf did porn, this would be it...
My best golf has always been played with blades. For some really logical reason I stopped using them. But at the start of last season I decided to add them back into the bag and saw an improvement straight away, especially going to the MP5. They look so good at address, and the longer irons aren't too much like a butter knife which is something I like. I know the common view of blades is that they are hard to hit, but I don't see that with these. Obviously a mis-hit doesn't work out great, as with any iron, but these aren't as punishing as others, which is great for confidence.
5. Wedges
Cleveland RTX3
50, 54, 58
Dynamic Gold X100
I won a contract with Srixon and Cleveland last season so that was initially why these are in the bag. However, I've been really impressed with them. They look great and the grind on them allows for a whole range of shots around the green, probably the most versatile wedges I've used.
6. Putter
Odyssey Metal X Milled #9HT
He's the man!
I've had him in the bag for a good few years and I don't see that changing. You only need to look at the head cover to see that this little lad is getting on a bit. Phil Kenyon fitted me for this putter, and although we've looked at others, this one's always been my old faithful. I like to see rotation in my putting stroke so the toe weighted design is perfect for that. I also prefer a fairly solid feel from off the face which this gives me. You'd be very hard pushed to find a better looking flatstick.
7. Ball
Srixon Z-Star XV
This is my first season using Srixon balls and I'm really impressed. I like that they're a little firmer than what I've used before. It has more of a clicky sound around the greens, which doesn't compromise on the feel. With the longer stuff, the ball flight is long without overly spinning, great for in the wind. I have a Masters ball marker, I thought it was the same as an invite, turns out it isn't, it's just a ball marker, I was disappointed.
Big thanks to Cleveland and Srixon for their help this season.
They were obviously at the front of the queue!
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