Gadgets and Gear Review From The Gold Coast

Golf Equipment Review - The Bushnell Pro 1600 Laser Range Finder

2012-03-30T07:24:00.000+10:00

With golf, distance and accuracy are everything. Generally speaking, knowing where you need to hit to is a fairly straight forward exercise. Knowing exactly how far however, is a very different story.

Over the years I've found myself becoming better at estimating how far away a target is. Where I once relied heavily upon a GPS to figure out a distance, these days I can rely a lot on my own experience and judgement. Especially when I'm playing on my home course.

Having said that, I do find myself at times looking for a bit of help in figuring out how far a pin might be. Or it might be the distance to a bunker or water hazard. Or even some random tree branch! And this usually happens when I'm playing at different course which is naturally lacking in distance markers.

Enter the Bushnell Pro 1600 Laser Range Finder. On the surface, it's a rather simple device that resembles a set of powerful binoculars, but with only a single view finder. Sporting 5 times magnification the Laser Range Finder is able to accurately identify distances from up to 1,000 yards away. Oh, and don't worry - if you're in a country that prefers metric measurements, the range finder can display units in meters as well.

I happened to try out this marvellous little device when I last played with my mother, who received one for her birthday. While in the past I've scoffed at the need for laser range finders, you can now call me officially converted. From wherever I was on the course, to figure out how far my next shot was going to be I simply looked through the scope, aimed at a target, and pressed a button. From there, it's a simple matter of picking the right club.

The device itself is infinitely simpler and easier to use than a golf GPS. No longer do you have to worry about uploading or mapping out your next course. Or even figuring out if you're on the right hole!

Simply turn up, point to find the distance, and pick a club to shoot with. And in terms of accuracy, I couldn't fault it. I seemed to pick the right club every time, something that I can't say I do with a GPS.

Price wise, Bushnell's Pro 1600 is comparable with higher end golf GPS units. However there's no need to worry about subscribing to anybody's software updating program to keep up to date with additional golf courses. Another advantage also comes from battery life. Because the unit isn't always turned on, you'll find the battery lasting a lot longer than a golf GPS.

Others might argue that golf GPS units do just more than tell you how far away something is. Tracking scores, recommending clubs based on part performance, storing notes on a course are all part and parcel of GPS functionality these days. But in all seriousness, I've yet to come across a golfer that makes full use of that additional functionality.

If you're someone who regularly plays at different courses and likes to know how far to hit, the Bushnell Pro Laser Range Finder is definitely something I would recommend. Simple and easy to operate, it's something that you'll be able to take to any course and make use of.

Golf Bag Review - The Cleveland Golf Lightweight Stand Bag

2012-03-30T05:57:00.001+10:00

I've always wondered about people who carry their golf bags. Carrying a set of clubs on your back always seemed like a difficult way of getting around a golf course.

The other thing of course you have to wonder about is how good can a stand bag really be? My assumption has always been that it's either got to be light enough to carry, meaning that you miss out on a lot of features, or it is actually fully featured making it too heavy. A bag that has to compromise can't be a good thing.

As much as I love my Ping Staff bag though, it is one very heavy bag and all but impossible to take on domestic flights around Australia without incurring a signficant additional baggage charge. So after recently being invited for a hit in Melbourne while on a business trip, I needed to find a way of getting my clubs on a plane without breaking the bank. Enter the Cleveland Golf Lightweight Stand Bag.

Design

My initial impressions were that Cleveland's Lightweight Stand Bag is not too dissimilar to other stand bags on the market. The standard stand system exists which unfolds the legs automatically as you rest the bag on its base and then tilt it on its side. A set of comfortable four point shoulders straps are attached and are easily adjusted to suit the carrier. And of course there are a range of pockets on situated throughout the bag.

Where the bag stands out a bit more from other bags is in the divider system that it uses to separate the clubs. Featuring an eight and a half inch top the unique divider system looks suspiciously like Mizuno's Kabuki club organising system, but in reverse. Rather than using a traditional six or 14 way divider system, the top opening is divided through a unique set of curved openings that allows the clubs in any of the seven spaces created by the divider to fall in a way that makes them easily accessible when the bag is rested on its stand.

Other features that are of note are the golf ball and tee holders attached to the bag's spine, along with a golf glove holder. There aren't features that I usually appreciate as I normally have a golf buggy to hold these items. When you're walking around a course though, being able to easily get to another ball or tee without having to rummage through pockets is a great thing. The bag also features a place to attach a towel, hold an umbrella, and comes with a rain hood to help keep you clubs dry.

Construction

Normally golfers are interested in how sturdy and robust a golf bag is. How well they'll hold up to the elements and withstand being accidentally dropped is an important part to the value proposition of a golf bag.

In the case of what I was looking for, it was all about weight. While I was still concerned about overall build quality, the bag I needed had to be light enough to avoid being hit with excess baggage charges on the flights. At a shade under 2kg or 4.4 lbs, Cleveland's Lightweight Stand Bag fits the bill.

What has surprised me though is that light weight does not necessarily translate into weak and flimsy. The main tube that forms the structure of Cleveland's golf bag is strong and sturdy, despite its light weight. Covering the tube is a combination of polyester, air mesh and honeycomb ripstop material. The combination is used in different sections of the bag to optimise the strength and weight of the bag, while also making the bag itself reasonably resistant to marking.

Other features of the bag clearly demonstrate that keeping the bag light weight wasn't the only consideration in its design and manufacture. A molded plastic handle and four point shoulder strap gives you several ways of carrrying Cleveland's golf bag around without fear of anything breaking. While inside one of the pockets you'll find fleece to protect valuable items such as sun glasses and mobile phones.

Aesthetics

Aesthetics is always a subjective thing and the design of golf stand bags are no exception. While not as impressive as my Ping Staff Bag, Cleveland's stand bag still presents itself as an impressive bag in its own right. Desite its light weight, Cleveland's stand bag doesn't present itself as one of those bags that appears to be disproportionately thin. Nor does it seem to be so large as to appear comically unwieldy being carried on a course. Overall it strikes that balance of being an efficient, good looking and practical stand bag.

Cleveland produce the Lightweight stand bag in a range of different colours, depending on the country you're purchasing them in. In conjunction with the primary colours, black and white are also mixed in to produce an smart pattern of colours that make the bag stand out on the course. I personally opted for the yellow simply because it's not something you tend to find on the course.

Practicality

I had three main concerns when I purchased Cleveland's Lightweight Stand bag. The first, of course, was its weight. With a 23kg weight limit for baggae on the plane I figured that I had 13 kg for all of my golf gear. That included a full set of clubs, a dozen golf ball, tees, towels, hats and gloves. And the weight allowance also had to account for the fact that everything would be travelling in a padded golf travel bag as well. The overall weight on the scales at the airport? 12 kg. Check concern number one.

My second concern was being able to walk around a course without tiring so much that my game would be affected. What I discovered, at least in the case of Cleveland's bag, is that it can be easier to walk around a course with a lighweight stand bag than pushing a cart around. With a comfortable shoulder harness that is easy to slip in and out of and stand legs that extend when the base plate is pressed down, carrying the bag with a full set of clubs in the bag was a breeze. An added bonus of carrying the bag was in the fact that I didn't have to clean wet grass off my push cart after I had finished a round. Check concern number two.

My last worry was about the practical elements a stand bag itself. Would my clubs slide in an out easily? Would there be enough storage space in the bag? Could I get to everything I needed easily? As it turns out, these were things that I needn't have worried about. The interesting divider system made the clubs easy to pull out and return to their respective spaces. There was ample room for golf balls and tees. Small items such as hats, wallets, phones and keys were easy to find spaces for. And perhaps what surprised and delighted me the most was the fact that firstly, an insulated water bottle sleeve was discreetly build into the bag, and secondly, despite carrying a thick winter jacket with me, Cleveland's Lightweight Stand Bag swallowed it with ease.

Conclusions

To say I haven pleasantly surprised by Cleveland's Lightweight Stand Bag would be understating the fact. I have been absolutely blown away by how practical and easy to use the stand bag has been. It literally checks all of the criteria that I had, and didn't have on my list - to the point where I would be quite happy to have it as my every day golf bag.

The one thing that I have failed to mention that really makes Cleveland's Lightweight Stand Bag a winner is the price. Retailer for under $100 in Australia, I was able to pick mine up for the princely sum of $85. That's up to two to three times cheaper than comparable stand bags with similar features and build quality.

So if you're looking for a fully functional, practical, and stylish stand bag that doesn't weigh a ton an represents simply outstanding value for money, don't go past Cleveland's Lightweight Stand Bag. It really is that good.

Golf Club Review - The Mizuno MP Titanium Fairway Wood

2012-03-30T05:56:00.001+10:00

In my ongoing search to outfit myself with my ideal set of clubs I have struggled to find a replacement for my old Cleveland Hibore 3-wood. While the Hibore isn't the oldest club in my bag, it is the only one that is from my very first set. Having said that, the shaft has been replaced 3 times and I can't really fault its performance, consistency, or forgiveness.

However, in the never ending pursuit of perfection in the game of golf I've often wondered if I could get more distance out of a modern day fairway wood. After all, the Hibores were first released in 2005 and in the world of golf equipment, that makes it a great grandfather.

After my experiences with the Mizuno MP-CLK hybrids which were along the lines of "Holy @#*$7! Did you see how far that went?!", I thought Mizuno's latest fairway wood just might be trick. And so without putting too much thought into it, I bought one.

Design and Aesthetics

Just like the CLK hybrids Mizuno's MP Titanium fairway wood is noticeably smaller than a lot of the other fairway woods out on the market. While the club head size appears to be roughly the same size as my Hibore, which also supports a small club head, the MP Titanium takes it a step further and also maintains a relatively shallow club face. It's the sort of size that can put some people off buying the club, particularly if you're after something to use as a back up to your driver when it's giving you grief. However these physical design traits have been incorporated to maximise workability for both off the tee and from the fairway which is something that the "better player", for whom the club is predominantely designed, will appreciate.

Technology wise, you could be forgiven into thinking that there isn't much too the MP Titanium. A relatively traditional, pear shaped club head, finished in a piano black scheme, is what you get at address. The glossy, white club shaft aside, the MP Titanium is the sort of club that will appeal to the traditionalists and players that prefer simplicity over fanciness.

The other thing that you'll notice at address if you have a keen eye is that the club face is very slightly open. It's the sort of set up that will appeal to those who have a tendency to over draw the ball or like to work their shots in both directions.

What you can't detect from above is the technology built into the club head. Mizuno talks to incorporating it's "Hot Metal" technology - a fancy way of saying that it uses high grade titanium, for the club face. The use of titanium allows the club face to be relatively thin, making the club lighter and giving the club face a higher core of restitution (think spring like effect) while maintaining the club's structural integrity.

The thin, light weight design carries through to the club's crown as well. Making the top and face of the club lighter has allowed Mizuno to optimise the weight of the sole of the club head. This positioning of the weight has been done in way as to lower the center of gravity to minimise spin without adversely impacting the club's workability.

Shaft

Like the CLK hybrids the shaft that comes with the MP Titanium is a genuine Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki shaft, which played a major factor in my decision to purchase the MP Titanium. I absolutely loved the way the Fubuki shaft felt in the CLK hybrids and seeing the gloss white shaft attached to the MP Titanium club head led me to the conclusion that I would get a similar experience.

The reality is that while the shafts in name are the same, the specifics of their design characteristics are slightly different. In the first instance the Fubuki in the MP Titanium is ten to fifteen grams lighter. It also has a higher torque rating and different kick point.

Mizuno also offer a number of other custom shaft brands as an option. The Exsar HS5, Project X, UST Axivcore Blue, and Grafalloy Prolaunch shafts are also available if you're looking for something with either a different shaft weight, torque rating, or kick point.

Feel

Ordinarily when I do these reviews I focus on how well the club transmits feedback to let you know whether or not you've hit a shot well. With the MP Titanium I've had to focus on another aspect of how it feels - what it feels like as I'm swinging the club. As an intuitive rather than a technical player, feel is one of those things that is critically important to how I play. If I'm not comfortable with a club in my hands there's just no way I can hit it well, even if there's nothing wrong with the club itself.

For me the shaft itself is the driving force behind how a club feels during its swing. The Fubuki shaft in the MP Titanium, with its lighter weight and higher torque rating delivers a very different experience to the CLK hybrids. Whereas the CLK hybrids play as if they had steel shafts that emphasize control, the MP Titanium to me feels as if it was bordering on the edge of being out of control. That really has something to do with my current level of skill as a golfer, but it's something to bear in mind.

As for club head feedback, it is a wood so you'll never get the same "hot butter slicing" feel that you get with the irons. However after hitting a ball I always know where the ball has gone and what it's doing without having to watch it. The MP Titanium's club head seems to be able to tell you what sort of shot you've hit. Straight, draw, fade - you know where the ball has always gone.

And when you're on the money, the MP Titanium delivers a very sweet sensation up the shaft. If you haven't your shot well, the shock of the shot isn't at all harsh. You do know that it isn't what you wanted to hit though.

Performance

My main reason for purchasing the MP Titanium was to find a club that would go further than my aging Hibore 3 Wood. When you hit the MP Titanium well, boy does it deliver. Off the tee, the MP Titanium was a good ten meters further than a well struck shot off my Hibore. Off the fairway, I found that I could get a similar difference in shot distance.

The trajectory of my shots however, were very different. While my Hibore, with it's scalloped shaped head launches low before climbing, the MP Titanium with its more traditonally shapped club head seems to launch higher and stay in the air for longer. It's something that probably helps to contribute to the longer distances I found that I could get.

The MP Titanium is right at home shaping shots. Designed with a slighly open face the fairway wood plays a natural fade which is reasonably easy to control when you're hitting well. Inducing a draw is also a relatively straight forward exercise.

The downside of the MP Titanium is that there is very little forgiveness built into the club. For me, I found that not my swing and ball contact had to be right on the money to extract the performance that I was looking for. Coming in too steep and I would find my shot ballooning. Hit the ball off-center and a significant amount of distance would be lost.

Other Items of Note

Mizuno supply a traditional sock type head cover which is easy enough to pull on and off. It's finished in an attractive white and black combined with a touch of red trim that makes it look reasonably purposeful. I also mentioned that the Fubuki shaft is white, which provides a nice contrast to the piano black club head without managing to distract you when you're at address. The only downside I've found of the white shaft is that if you don't have individual club dividers in your bag, you may find the grips of your other clubs occasionally making a mark.

Final Points

Ordinarily when I'm reviewing a club it's because I've done a lot of research on a particular club type and decided that it would meet my needs before I purchased it. The MP Titanium is the first club that I've really gone out on a limb and bought it. The CLK hybrids impressed me so much that I just assumed that the MP Titanium, being of the same generation, would do the same.

The reality of what I found is a bit different. The MP Titanium ticks all the boxes. Small club head to maximise versatility? Check. Ability to work the ball and shape shots? Check. Ridiculously long distance? Check. Excellent feel to let me know what I'm doing wrong? Check.

The problem is that while the MP Titanium tells me what I'm doing wrong, I've really struggled to alter my swing to suit. I believe the issue for me lays within the shaft that so impressed me in the CLK hybrids. Built for maximum distance, feel, and flexibility, it also requires an inordinate amount skill to control the club head that is attached to the end of it. It's a level of skill that I just don't have a this point in time.

Mizuno clearly advertises that the MP Titanium is made for the low handicapper. It's something that I can vouch for. It's a club that can provide you with an extraordinary amount of distance and workability, provided you have the skill to get the most out of it.

The MP Titanium is the fairway wood I want to have in my bag. However for now, until my skill level improves it will be relegated to my bag of spares underneath the stairs. It's not a club for the high handicapper, or even the mid-handicapper. But it is a very capable fairway wood that one could aspire to hit.

Putter Review - The Odyssey White Ice 2-Ball Golf

2012-03-30T05:53:00.001+10:00

Different putters aren't something that I get the opportunity to try out a lot. I've had my Odyssey Black Series putter for a number of years now and although we have our off days... actually weeks is probably more accurate, on the whole our relationship is still pretty good.

Having said that, I have been considering getting a second putter for a little while now. Off weeks of putting can really be a bit depressing and even though using another putter shouldn't fix the problem, the mind is a strange beast and can sometimes be tricked into performing better.

Enter the Odyssey's White Ice 2-Ball putter. No, I haven't bought one. I purchased one for my mother as a birthday present last year. However when she's let me try it out I've been so impressed by it that I have considered getting one for myself. And the great thing about the White Ice putters is that unlike the Black Series putters, they don't give you a heart attack when you have a look at the price!

Design

The first thing that you'll notice about the 2-Ball putter is obviously the two markings designed to resemble golf balls. A consistent staple of Odyssey's line the two ball design works on the theory that by having what appears to be a view of three golf balls in a row you'll be able to line up your shot a lot more consistently. Generally speaking I prefer a simple view at address but when it comes to alignment aids, the the 2-Ball format is probably my favourite. The ball style alignment aid maintains an element of simplicity which doesn't distract you from the putt itself.

The other main design item of note with the White Ice 2-Ball is is that the putter head is a mallet style rather than a blade format. The mallet design provides a greater level of forgiveness on off centre strikes which can help players if they don't have a consistently perfect putting stroke. For some players though, the mallet style is a trade off against flexibility, losing the ability to perform softer putts off the toe.

Insert technology is something that Odyssey have extensive experience with in their putter line up. The White Ice line up uses a multi-layer insert to optimise not only feel and sound, but also control. The hosel features a full shaft off-set combined with a double bend that usually features in Odyssey mallet putters. Loft on the club face is 3 degrees which is designed to work with the club head to optimise ball roll at impact and to minimise skidding.

The other thing to take note of is that the 2-Ball putter also comes with adjustable weights. Located at the bottom rear of the putter the circular weighted discs can be changed to hold either the 350, 360, or 370 grams to cater for different course conditions. And the best thing? These weights come with the putter on purchase - you don't have to spend extra money buying them.

Aesthetics

I've always been one for simplicity and elegance when it comes to my clubs. Fancy designs with markings all over them tend to distract me from what I'm doing. In this regard, the White Ice 2-Ball putter ticks the boxes of not distracting the player while offering the benefit of an effective alignment aid. In addition to the clean design Odyssey have finished the putter head in a dark nickel finish which gives the putter a premium look.

Feel

These days Odyssey have a significant amount of experience when it comes to fine tuning the inserts they build into the face. I found that the insert in the White Ice 2-Ball putter head gives the putter exceptional feedback. Built into the insert is enough softness to provide you with the feedback of how well you've struck the ball balanced out with the the firmness to give you confident distance control.

I found that the 2-Ball's swing weight is a touch heavier than some of Odyssey's other putters, including my own. With the lightest weight option, the 350 gram disc attached to the head the White Ice putter was very well balanced and promoted a confident swing and follow through.

Performance

Gauging the performance of a putter can be both a simple and tricky exercise. It's simple in the sense that all a putter has to do is make a ball roll straight and to the distance you've hit it to. Where it becomes tricky is that if you have little confidence in the putter, it's hard for the club to take a stroke lacking confidence and turn it into a straight, well rolling putt. That being said, for me the White Ice 2-Ball gave me sufficient comfort to putt confidently.

The two areas I'm generally concerned with are how well the ball rolls at impact and a putter's forgiveness. Ensuring the ball rolls rather than skids after impact is an area that Odyssey have invested a lot of research into over the years. Even over longer distances, provided a smooth putting stroke is used there is minimal, if any, skipping or skidding when the ball is struck.

Being of a mallet design the 2-Ball offers a higher MOI than putter heads using a blade design. The higher MOI offers more forgiveness on off centre strikes. You can think of the White Ice 2-Ball as having a much larger sweet spot to putt confidently from than some of the other putters on the market.

Other Items of Note

A good quality head cover is supplied with the White Ice 2-Ball putter. It uses velcro to firmly attach and keep itself attached to the putter head. Within the cover is a compartment that also houses the tool and the additional weights that come with the putter on purchase. It's a convenient way of ensuring everything that you need to putt well stays together.

Final Points

The Odyssey White Ice 2-Ball ticks all of the boxes: a tried and tested design that has been infused with the latest technologies, a dark nickel finish that inspires confidence through a premium look, an excellent feel balanced with performance and control through the incorporate of a well designed insert, and an increased sweet spot through the mallet design for those times when your putter stroke may not be performing as well as it should. On top of all of these features, the putter also possesses increased flexibility with the ability of changing the weights to tweak the putter for different conditions.

The combination of all of these design characteristics and technologies delivers a putter that helps to inspire confidence when you're standing over the ball. Along with its affordable price point, it offers an excellent performance/value equation without compromise.

Quick Golf Club Review - The Callaway Razr Hawk with Fujikura Speeder 757 Shaft Review

2012-03-30T05:46:00.001+10:00

I picked up Callaway's Razr Hawk driver from Norm's House of Golf so that one of my playing partners could try it out. He's been fighting a ballooning problem so not only did Norm loan me the Razr Hawk Driver head, but a Fujikura Speeder 757 shaft as well. I'm not personally in the market for a new driver however with Callaway's latest and greatest model floating around, I couldn't resist having a few hits with it on the back 9 yesterday. The fact that I'm writing about it the following day should give you an indication of where this review is going to go.

Design

The Razr Hawk is part of Callaway's latest high tech line of clubs which utilises the melding of materials to create clubs with much finer tolerances and weight distributions. Previously embodied in the fusion technology line the Forged Composite technologies Callaway minimises the compromise that comes when using a single material to manufacture a golf club head. In particular, the shape and weighting of the club head can be optimised to suit different people's needs and requirements. Stronger and lighter materials that can be shaped as needed mean that Callaway can manufacture the Razr Hawk to be more exact in design.

A number of the Razr Hawk's design elements have been carried over from previous clubs such as the FT-9 and the FT-Tour. The use of the hyperbolic titanium cup face which removes excess material from areas to optimise weight distribution and response is one such design element. Another is the Razr Hawk weighting system which is in essence the same as the Optifit systems of the FT series clubs where the positioning of weights underneath the club helps facilitate or resist the rolling over of your wrists at impact for different swing curves .

The focus of the Razr Hawk's design over previous Callaway drivers really is around the Forged Composite technology. Stronger but lighter means that a person can theoretically swing the club faster. Callaway also claim that the Razr Hawk is 43% more aerodynamic than the FT-9, which is marketing speak for "you should be able to swing this faster". The aeronautical engineer (yes, I am a certified one) says that it's just marketing hype, but I won't get into the hows and whys in this article.

Aesthetics

I am a self professed traditionalist when it comes to club head aesthetics. I love the look of blades as well as smaller and clean looking club heads. When it come to high tech clubs there is always the danger that some of the technology will filter into your view at address. This isn't an issue with the Razr Hawk.

When I first set up to hit the Razr Hawk my first comment to everyone was that it was almost identical to my FT-9. The sleek, piano black finish gives the club head a nice, clean finish while the club head size is neither too large nor too small for the masses. At address the Razr Hawk is a handsome looking club that inspires confidence.

The view from underneath the club gives you you the sense that there is a bunch of technology hiding within the head that you just can't see. It's not overly busy but it just gives you the sense that there's something mysterious at work inside the club head that's going to help your game.

The Fujikura Speeder 757 Shaft

This particular Razr Hawk found itself attached to Fujikura's Speeder 757 shaft, reputed to be one of the best golf shafts ever made and commonly found on tour in the hands of many golf pros. To be honest it probably requires a review of its own - but I'll do that another time.

My playing partner has a tendency to put too much spin on his driver shot which causes a bit of ballooning and I was assured that the 757 would combat his problem. It is a heavy shaft with an extremely low torque rating and a mid to high bend point designed to lower spin and promote a lower trajectory. After a bit of research I discovered that the core of the 757's technology comes from the honey comb carbon fibre weave that not only makes it resist twisting, but in a way that makes it more consistent than many other shafts on the market.

Feel

There is simply not a bad thing that I can say about the feel of this club with the 757 shaft. The 757 shaft is incredibly consistent - I knew exactly where the club head was and what it was doing throughout the entirety of my swing.

As for the Razr Hawk, I either hit it dead centre each time or the Razr Hawk masks it so well that I didn't know about it. Matched with the 757 the Razr Hawk has a solid feel that inspires confidence, enough for me to consider thinking about trading up my FT-9, even though it's not even a year old yet!

Performance

Wow was my reaction to my second shot with the Razr Hawk. Actually, it was more like "Holy @#*&!!!". My playing partner wasn't totally convince that the Razr Hawk/757 combination was solving his ballooning problem so I told him to hit his drive and I'd hit one to compare trajectories and distance. So he hit shot about 220 meters, or 240 yards. I walked up, had my shot and swore as my my rocketed down the fairway and landed 50 meters from the green. 280 meters - or 306 yards! My longest drive ever!

Workability wasn't something that I received much insight into. My neutrally weighted FT-9 Tour has a 1 degree open club face while this Razr Hawk I was using was the standard square club face with a draw weighting. I found myself trying to do a light fade to keep the ball straight and struggled to move the ball right to left on some of the holes I normally prefer to hit a power fade on. I'm sure it was just a function of not having the right club head for me however if you're someone who struggles with a fade or slice, the draw version of the Razr Hawk might be perfect for you.

Other Items of Note

Callaway give you its standard sock type cover for the Razr Hawk. I personally prefer the magnetic covers as they're easier to take off and pull on, but the sock covers do a fine job of protecting the club head and shaft as well. The other thing to note is that the Razr Hawk is available in a variety of configuration - open, square and closed faces, fade, neutral, and draw weightings, and of course in the I-mix configuration that allows you to match different shafts on the fly.

Final Points

This was supposed to be quick review, predominately because I really didn't get a chance to test the Razr Hawk in detail. However even with the wrong club head for my swing attached, I am impressed. I am confident that with the right shaft attached to it, the Razr Hawk is a really, really long driver that I could control with a greater degree of accuracy than ones I've previously used. I actually enjoyed standing on the tee with it, which is something that I can't say I've ever done with a driver.

To be fair, Fujikura's Speeder 757 shaft, might have had something to do with the performance that I was experiencing.... actually a lot. But the Razr Hawk/757 combination delivers extreme distance and excellent levels of accuracy. I've not doubt as well that matched to the right club head the Razr Hawk will deliver the levels of workability that better players are looking for. If you're looking for a new driver, put the Razr Hawk with the right shaft on your "must check out" list.

Golf Club Review - The Mizuno MP-CLK Hybrids

2012-03-30T05:43:00.001+10:00

Elegant design, clean looks, bold colours, really, really small club head - these are just a few of the thoughts that popped into my head when I first spotted Mizuno's MP-CLK hybrids sitting in a rather unassuming golf bag at my local golf shop. I'd been looking for a new hybrid for those times that I was playing off championship tees - Monthly Medals and the like as the distance gap between my 3 wood and my 18.5 degree hybrid was just a bit too large.

Norm's House of Golf was kind enough to loan me a demo to see whether or not I'd like it. The interesting thing for me was that the demo I was trying was a 17 degree CLK that someone else had returned, citing it as unplayable. It's not something you hear a hybrid called very often so I was very intrigued at how it would actually play.

Design

Slip the head cover off the MP-CLK and the one thing you will immediately grab your attention is the size of the club head. While most hybrid club head sizes have grown into being almost as large as what used to be the size of a fairway wood club head almost a decade ago, the MP-CLK bucks the trend by being very compact. I doubt you would find a current hybrid with a smaller club head size out there.

Another thing that is noticeably different compared to other hybrids is Mizuno's use of the scooped back or scalloped shape design in the club head. Basically this is where material is taken from the top back of the club head to allow the centre of gravity to be positioned lower, facilitating a higher launch with less spin. It's not a common design trait amongst woods and hybrids - I'm only aware of Cleveland's Hibore XLS, Ping's G15 and Mizuno's MX-700 hybrids using this particular design trait. However my own experience and thoughts on the scalloped shaped club head design is that the lower centre of gravity really helps to promote distance, which is also Mizuno's claim.

On the materials front Mizuno haven't quite extended the use of titanium technology that it has used in the MP Driver and Fairway woods to its hybrids. Instead Mizuno have used 1770 steel in the face and body of the club head while still giving it the "hot metal" moniker. The other thing that you can't see is the use of internal weighting within the club head itself, with the exception of a slight bulge towards the bottom rear of the club head. This hidden weighting is in place to keep the centre of gravity low and deep, adding to the high launch, less spin design of the club.

Aesthetics

With its white shaft contrasting sharply against its black head bold is the first word that comes to mind. And then you look a little bit closer and realise how small that club head is, which is potentially fine if this is your first foray into hybrids and you're replacing a long iron with it. In fact, if you're a better player who is used to having a smaller club head behind the ball you might even find the size of the club head confidence inspiring. However if you're switching from another hybrid to the MP-CLK, there's a good chance that you might find this club head a little intimidating.

From address the other really noticeable design trait is the way the metal finish from the club face extends over the top of the club head, giving the top of the club a two tone finish. I've read a variety of opinions on this type of look. Some prefer the cleaner look of a single coloured club head. Others can relate the metallic finish they see at address to the top line of an iron. Whatever your preference, the finish does tend to make the MP-CLK a little busier at address than other hybrids, although not to the point of being noticeably distracting.

Shaft Selection

Mizuno have employed a Mitsubishi Rayon Fubuki shaft to be matched against the MP-CLK's club head. It's a stand out feature of this club, and not just because it's painted gloss white. The shaft itself appears to be matched perfectly to deliver that high launch, low spin design trait that the CLK's club head is also designed to impart. In conjunction with its performance, the shaft also provides outstanding feel, translating exactly where the club head is and what it is doing at all times through your swing. Mizuno also offer Exsar and UST shafts as options but my personal opinion is that the Fubuki shaft is a perfect match to the CLK's club head.

Feel

Mizuno have a reputation for delivering the best feeling irons out on the market. It's a little more difficult to design a hybrid or wood with the same level of feel but with the MP-CLK hybrid Mizuno have definitely given it their best shot.

My measure of a club's feel usually has something to do with whether or not I know that I've stuffed up a shot before I've look up to see where the ball went. The MP-CLK lets me know not just when I haven't struck the ball right - it also tells me when I've struck it 100% perfectly.

Mizuno have managed to match the materials, shaft, and design of the club head perfectly to create what I believe is the best feeling hybrid around. Off the toe, heel, too low or high and the CLK will translate a slightly jarring contact that you'll know wasn't solidly struck. Get it in the centre and you'll swear you're hitting a Mizuno iron. Well, maybe not quite, although it's probably as close as a forged iron feel as you're going to get in a hybrid.

Performance

There are two levels of performance that accompany the MP-CLK. Unreal and unplayable. I don't think there's really any in between.

I happened to purchase the CLKs at the height of some of my best golf ever, early this year. At that point in time and with as near a perfect swing as I could get, the CLK just blasted the ball down the fairway to what I thought were ridiculous distances. At one point I'd swear that there really wasn't much difference between my 3 wood, and the 17 degree CLK, both off the tee and from the fairway. With a good swing the CLK just blasts them launches them high, straight and ridiculously long. Slight draws and fades are a breeze while the snap hook that I sometimes get with hybrids is almost impossible to replicate with the CLK. And all the while, I really didn't feel like I had to try very hard at all to get the best out the hybrid.

On the other end of the spectrum, if you can't hit the ball close to the centre of the CLK's face every time, the results are extremely punishing. My ball striking since the beginning of the year has deteriorated significantly - a story for another time. With my swing has gone my ability to use the CLK effectively. The CLK doesn't provide anywhere the same level of forgiveness that other hybrids on the market do. Ball strikes off the heel or toe are punished with a significant loss of distance. To catch the ball high of low on the club face results in a low and short ball flight. The CLK is just not a club you can hit with a poor swing.

Other Items Of Note

The MP-CLK's headcover in its black and white colour scheme presents as an attractive item in a golf back. It's a slip on cover commonly found with many hybrids that slips on and off easily. You do however have to make sure that it's over the club head properly as it can slip off if you don't have it on properly.

Final Points

A brilliant club? Absolutely. As long as you're able to hit it.

Mizuno advertise the MP-CLK as having tour ready workability and it certainly fits the bill. With its small club head size, amazing feel, and outstanding distance a good golfer could easily fall in love with this club and have no issues replacing their long irons are shorter woods with this versatile hybrid.

But by the same token it is an incredibly punishing club in a category where forgiveness is advertised as a key selling point. The MP-CLK is not a hybrid for the masses and if there's any chance that you might overstate your golfing abilities, look elsewhere. Being much smaller in size and with minimal forgiveness this is a better player's club only and isn't a club that's going to improve your game. You have to be able to strike the ball well if you want to use this club.

However if you are a better than average golfer looking for a club that will give you more distance and height to land softly on those long par 3s, or you're looking for a more versatile club than your 5 wood without sacrificing too much distance, look no further than the MP-CLK. It is an outstanding golf club, in the hands of the right golfer.

For me personally, the CLKs have found a permanent home in my bag. I just can't go past the precision, outstanding feel, and ridiculous distance that Mizuno has managed to build into these hybrids. And I have yet another tool in my bag that tells me that my swing needs fixing!

Golf Club Review - The Tour Edge Exotics CB2 Hybrid Review

2012-03-30T05:36:00.001+10:00

I've always wondered about the Tour Edge Exotics line of clubs. On the surface they've never looked like anything special, in that they don't seem to have any additional features and technologies over other golf club brands. They also don't seem to have the branding that a lot of the other manufacturers like Callaway and Taylormade have. Yet, when it comes to the pricing and positioning of their equipment in the golf club market, it's quite clear that Tour Edge have clearly intended the Exotics range to be placed at the premium end.

I happened to stumble upon the CB2 hybrid at Norm's House of Golf in West Burleigh last weekend. I was looking for a 5 wood to try out to cover an awkward distance on a particularly nasty par 3, especially when played off the championship tees. Norm told me that they didn't really have any 5 woods to demo as demand for them had pretty much been replaced by hybrids. So, instead he gave me a 16 degree CB2 to try out instead.

Design

Like the vast majority of clubs the Tour Edge Exotics CB2 hides a lot of technology out of sight. From the outside the most visible feature is a pair of weights to the rear of the club. These weight ports aren't just there to position the centre of gravity lower and deeper. The weights in these ports are actually changeable, allowing a golfer to alter both the trajectory and set up to a draw or fade bias depending on the weights chosen. Unfortunately the weight kit is an optional extra however if you're into tinkering with your clubs, this is likely to be one of the most adjustable hybrids on the market.

The rest of the technology in the CB2 is less obvious. Sporting a titanium club face with a maximum legal coefficient of restitution (meaning spring like effect off the club face) and a cast steel head, Tour Edge use a process to chemically bond the face to the club head. The alternative would be to weld the club face on which can alter the weight distribution of the club head. In any case, the manufacturing method for the CB2 all serves to keep the centre of gravity as low as possible within an otherwise non-descript club head.

Aesthetics

Tour Edge have done an excellent job in creating what I would describe as a simple and elegant hybrid. The CB2 sports a pear shaped head with a slightly blunt nose - the preference of tour players according to several club manufacturers. The view from address is simple and allows you to focus on the shot you want to make without distraction. The club head also sports a piano black finish which can get damaged over time if you have a habit of coming underneath the ball.

Shaft Selection

Tour Edge offer their own shaft selection with the CB2 or some shafts from the Aldila hybrid range as a standard offering. The Tour Edge shafts are a bit lighter and have less torque resistance than the Aldila shafts on offer. If you're looking for something heavier again, you can fit the CB2 with Nippon steel shafts.

Feel

Solid without being overpowering was my first thought when I struck the CB2 the first time. The CB2 sports a decent amount of head and shaft weight, not to different to Nickent's 5DX hybrid. It's an easy, well balanced club to swing through the ball and the CB2's weight helps to promote a natural, more rhythmic follow through that helps to prevent too wild a swing and shot.

Ball strikes leave you with a similar impression of a good fairway wood. You know if you've caught the ball in the centre of the club face. However if you miss you do get a slight twisting sensation, but without a significant loss of distance. When compared to hybrids currently out on the market, it probably loses out just a touch in the feel stakes. But that's probably to be expected given the CB2 is actually a couple of years old - I've no doubt it excelled against the competition of its era.

Performance

As I mentioned in my intro, the Tour Edge Exotics brand is one that I've always been curious about. The pricing of the Tour Edge Exotics line always made me think that their clubs must be great performers, even though on the surface they never really appeared to be anything special. I have to say that when it comes to their hybrids, I was suitably impressed

According to Tour Edge distance is what the CB2 is all about. I can't validate their claim as I didn't really have anything to compare the 16 degree hybrid against. What I was expecting was the equivalent distance of a 4 wood, which is exactly what was delivered. What I didn't expect was the ease with which it delivered my shots.

The CB2 is a remarkably easy hybrid to hit straight. As long as your swing is working well there really isn't a way you could hit the CB2 poorly. It really does lend itself to long straight shots. What Tour Edge doesn't mention is how precise the CB2 can be, and not just when you're hitting straight. A draw off the tee to get around a corner and a fade to the green from over 200 metres out to avoid a tree for a wayward tee shot both found their mark. The CB2 is workable and although it's probably not the easiest hybrid on the market to steer the ball with, you can still do it with precision.

Forgiveness is the other aspect of this club that's worth mentioning. Despite not having the weight ports on the extremities of the heel and toe, the CB2 offers ample forgiveness without a significant loss of distance on off centre strikes.

Other Items of Note

Grips on offer with the CB2 are Golf Pride cord grips. Women are also able to choose a Winns grip with pink highlights. The club head cover comes in a Tour Edge's red and white colour combination. Like a lot of club head covers these days, it's designed to be loud and noticeable.

Final Points

The CB2 was a surprise performer, particularly given the fact that I was using a fairly low lofted hybrid which can always be a touch on the tricky side to use well. Despite its 16 degree loft I was genuinely surprised at how easy it was to hit straight. Off the tee or from the deck, whether I needed to hit it straight, draw or fade it, the CB2 delivered in spades without any mess or fuss.

Would I ever buy one? Sure, if money was no option. The reality is that the Tour Edge Exotics range is still priced at the more expensive end of the market and as a good a club as the CB2 is, there are hybrids on the market that will match its feel and performance for less cost.

On a final note though, I will say that the CB2 has been superseded so you may find this particular hybrid priced well below its original retail price now. If you do, it's worth giving it a try.

Golf Club Review - The Cleveland CG15 Wedges

2012-03-30T05:32:00.001+10:00

Cleveland's most recently released wedge, the CG15, has been out in the market place for just over a year. Despite it being in its youth, it will also probably have amongst the shortest of lives in Cleveland's expansive wedge line up as the USGA and R&A's new groove rules come into effect. Production of clubs and wedges with grooves that don't conform to the new rules is theoretically supposed to cease from January 1, 2011. Even though retailers will still be able to sell them, manufacturers won't be able to build or stock them for future supply from next year. So it's probably prudent that I write this review while there are still some CG15 wedges around.

Design

The CG15 is what I would consider an upgrade of the CG12. It continues the muscle back blade design and tear drop shaped club head to maximise feel and workability giving it a similar look at address to its older sibling. The CG15 also utilises Clevleand's Zip Grooves utilised in both the CG12 and CG14 line up. The U shaped groups cut into the club face using a CNC (Computer Numeric Control) Process maximises the width, depth and sharpness of the grooves to the soon to be changed legal limits which work to maximise the dispersion of debris between the ball and the club face. The short version of that - more spin out of the rough.

Also like the CG12, the CG15 maintains a DSG (Dynamic Sole Grind) model in the line up. The DSG model sports a sole with a section of the bottom removed that allows the leading edge to remain closed to the ground while the face of the club is opened up. It's useful for those tricky flop shots while still maintaining the club's bounce in fluffier lies.

The CG15 does however bring some new design elements into Cleveland's latest wedge range. Cleveland's new design incorporates sole that changes width from heel to toe, starting off wider towards the heel and tapering off near the toe to improve the wedge's versatility without impacting bunker performance. Cleveland has also laser etched lines across the CG15's club face, with approximately four between each groove to create a rougher surface which improves ball spin.

Aesthetics

As with all of its designs Cleveland's CG15 wedge presents as an elegantly designed blade with a club head that is large enough to promote confidence, but small enough to let you know that it's still an extremely versatile wedge. Cleveland makes the CG15 in its standard satin chrome and black pearl finishes, the latter helping to reduce glare in certain situations. Also available is Cleveland's oil quench finish, a copper look which also helps to reduce glare.

Shaft Selection

The CG15 comes with Cleveland's standard "Traction" steel shaft, designed with a "wedge" flex which lays somewhere in between the regular and stiff flexes of other manufacturers' designs. Cleveland also offer a variety of custom options in both steel and graphite if you're looking for something more specific to your needs.

Feel

I have a personal preference for forged irons however when it comes to cast clubs Cleveland are on the money when designing their blades. On centre hits give you that solid sensation of a well struck ball, although they lack the buttery feel that is generally associated with a forged iron.

One thing that that I have noticed is that the CG15 feels heavier to swing than the CG12 which for me took some getting used to. The heavier weight can however help your rhythm in generating a smoother swing, a must when attempting to finesse shots. The heavier weight also helps to create an even more solid feel than the CG12.

Performance

When it comes to wedges I'm a definitive fan of Cleveland's blades. Despite being of a muscle back design any number of shots can be struck with them with a matter of ease. The CG15 is no exception.

Draws and fades, high and low trajectory shots, chips, pitches and lobs can all be struck with ease with the CG15. I've also found the extra weight of the CG15 helps to get the ball out of bunkers and fluffy lies much easier than the CG12 that I have in my bag.

Spin wise, the CG15 has the edge over the CG12 and I'd say it's all to do with the laser etching they marked the club face with. The additional roughness does add a touch more spin over its older brother's performance.

Other Items of Note

Cleveland have a reputation for covering all bases when it comes to the loft and bounce options of their wedges. I thought that the CG12 had a lot of variants, given that Cleveland produce 16 different types. The CG15 comes with no less than 22 different configurations - and that's not counting the left and right handed versions as being different.

Available in lofts from 46 to 64 degrees in two degree increments and able to be bent two degrees either way Cleveland supply a CG15 to cater for every situation. For the wedges sporting lofts of 54 degrees or more, low, medium and high bounce configurations are also available for each loft.

Final Points

I have a soft spot for my original CG12, so much so that the CG15 almost didn't make it into my bag. The only reason that it did was because my local golf shop said it might take sometime to find another one. My decision to take the CG15 as my sand wedge wasn't a firm one, but Cleveland's latest wedge has earned a firm place in my bag.

As versatile as its older brother but offering some slight technology enhancements that improve the CG15's performance against its older siblings, the CG15 presents as a club that performs. The only thing I struggled with was its heavier weight over the CG15. Now that I'm comfortable with it, I've found it every bit as versatile as the CG15 and a very worthy successor.

Like the CG12 Cleveland have priced the CG15 at the lower end of the market's pricing spectrum, despite being a high performer. Read that as being a relative bargain against some of its competitors. However, to conform with the USGA and R&A rules of 2011, Cleveland will no doubt cease manufacture of these great clubs very shortly so as the saying goes, get them while they last.

Golf Buggy Review - The Smoothy Classic MKII

2012-03-30T05:31:00.001+10:00

If you enjoy walking the course during a round and prefer not to carry your clubs on your back a good golf buggy is essential. After all, there's more than enough things to distract your mind without having to worry about a buggy which might topple over, steer in a funny direction, or just be down right hard to push. Enter Under Par's Smoothy Classic MKII.

The Classic MKII is what I personally call a heavy duty buggy, designed to carry any type of bag on the course with ease, irrespective of size or shape. Feature wise the Classic MKII comes with all of the bells and whistles. A good quality rubber covers the handle making it comfortable to push. Underneath the handle is a scorecard holder that flips up conveniently to make it easier to write on, while simultaneously storing up to four golf balls. Also attached to the handle is an umbrella holder attachment (you need to buy the actual umbrella holder) and something to carry a drink bottle around in.

At the other end of the buggy is a sturdy seat that stores inside it tees, golf balls, and whatever else you'd like to throw in there. Moving down you'll also find a decent hook for sand buckets - one that rarely allows them to fall off. Large wheels designed to roll over most obstacles, one of which is fitted with a parking brake finishes off the key features of the Classic MKII.

Placing your bag onto the buggy is a simple matter of tilting the seat backwards and placing your bag onto the buggy. The Classic MKII has been designed to do without straps while carrying your bag so it's really a no fuss affair. One of the highlights of this particular buggy is that the supporting arm that holds your bag in place is actually adjustable, allowing you to position your bag either upright or more of a lean depending on your preference. You can also position the arm around pockets so you can still retain access to key sections of your bag without any problems. And while I'm on the subject of adjustable bits and pieces, the handle is also adjustable so you can move it up or down to suit your height.

What really separates the Smoothy Classic from the rest of the pack is its telescopic suspension arms that are fitted to the rear wheels. This buggy is fitted with no less than three shock absorbers which makes it an absolute delight to push on the course. No banging around over bumps, irregularities, and potholes on the course - just a smooth glide over it instead. And if you're wondering if the weight of the bag makes a difference to the Classic's bump soaking performance - well, I'm lugging around a Ping Staff bag with steel shafted irons and it works perfectly fine.

Component wise, Under Par have catered for the Australian market when it comes to quality and robustness. If you're wondering what that means, let me just say that Toyota and Porsche test their four wheel drives down here to make sure they'll last anywhere else in the world. Top quality components built to last make up the Smoothy Classic and in the event that they do wear out or rust, spares are usually obtainable from your local golf shop.

Like most things there are a few downsides with the design of the Classic MKII. Making the buggy robust translates into the buggy being heavy. It's what you'd expect and getting it in and out of a car isn't a problem. You do notice a difference between the Classic and a light weight buggy when going up steep hills though.

The other compromise that this buggy has is in its folding design. Everything folds flat, which is fine from a height perspective. However the Smoothy Classic design has a very large footprint with the wheels attached, one that will struggle to fit comfortably into the back of your standard sedan without removing at least one of the wheels off. In my Honda Accord Euro it means taking the front wheel off, which admittedly is easily down by simply flicking a clip that releases the wheel.

Easy to push, incredibly sturdy, and built to last are the hallmarks of Smoothy's Classic MKII. If you're looking for a light weight and compact buggy, this isn't the one for you, although Smoothy do make other buggies that might fit the bill. However if either of those considerations are not high on your priority list, the Classic MKII will not leave you wanting for anything else. It is a high quality product that will get your around the course easily without breaking the bank.

Problems with Swaying? Try the Bosu

2012-03-30T05:28:00.001+10:00

One of the very first problems with my golf swing I was told I had to solve was the side to side movement that occurred when I swung my club back and forth through my swing. It's known as swaying and is a common problem amongst many golfers that are learning the game.

Without getting into the technicalities of the problem, let's just say that by moving away or in front of the ball you change your impact position from the one you originally set up as. Your body attempts to compensate however by doing this you can dramatically alter your swing plane, resulting in anything from a push slice to a pull hook.

This particular problem has been one I've been struggling to solve for a year or so. Part of the problem comes from wanting to hit further. The extra power I try and put into the swing results in me shifting my centre of gravity around so much that I move my body into unwanted positions. The difficulty in solving the problem is knowing that I've been actually doing it.

Enter the Bosu. I know. What the heck is a Bosu? Well, it resembles one of those exercise balls - at least half of one. On the other side of it is a flat plate. It's an odd looking device that looks rather out of place in a golf training regime, but while I was working out at the gym the other day I thought I'd give it a try.

Flipping the Bosu upside down and standing on top of the flat portion of the rather odd looking exercise equipment becomes an interesting exercise in balance. Attempting to swing a medicine ball in the same fashion that you would a golf club makes it even more so. I initially found myself shifting my weight from side to side while swinging the medicine ball, causing the Bosu to tilt wildly from one side to the other. After a few swings however, I found myself staying steady on the backswing, with the Bosu not tilting onto my front foot until I had completed the swing.

On my very next round of golf the following day I found that my swaying problem was all but gone. I was acutely aware of my balance. With that came the ability to control the muscles in my legs to prevent myself from swaying much better. Suddenly I found myself hitting straight again.

So, if you do have problems with your balance or your weight shifting from one leg to the other, give the Bosu a try. If you go to a decent gym you'll usually find one there. Otherwise you can purchase your own. They're not the cheapest device around, but well worth it to help your balance and overall general fitness.

Golf Club Review - The Cleveland CG12 Wedges

2012-03-30T05:27:00.001+10:00

When it comes to golf Cleveland is a name that is synonymous wedges. Cleveland's line of wedges is up there with Titleist's Vokey range when it comes to status and performance. The CG12 line of wedges is one of those clubs that you can think of as being from the dinosaur era, being released to the market over three years ago. Despite their age, the CG12 still maintains a place in Cleveland's current line up alongside the more technologically advanced CG14 and CG15 wedges. At least until the new groove rules come into play.

Design

On the surface the CG12 appears to be designed in the tradition of Cleveland's other wedges. It takes the form of the classic tear drop shape and maintains a muscle back design, a point of differentiation between the CG12 and the cavity backed CG14. One aspect of their design that they do share is the zip grooves that have also found their way in Cleveland's latest wedge release, the CG15. The square shaped grooves are milled and plated to create as large a groove as legally possible, at least under current rules and regulations. The corners of the wedges and high volume work to maximise spin by gripping the ball and removing as much debris as possible between the ball and the club face.

Cleveland also manufacture a version of the CG12 with a dynamic sole grind. The DSG model sports a sole with a section of the bottom removed that allows the leading edge to remain close to the ground while the face of the club is opened up. It's useful for those tricky flop shots while still maintaining the club's bounce in fluffier lies.

Aesthetics

I've always loved the look of blades over cavity backs. They always present to me as being sleek and elegant, the CG12 being no exception. The CG12 also comes with a club head size that's large enough to inspire confidence without giving you the impression that it will be unwieldy when executing some of the trickier shots you might want to hit. Like most of Cleveland's clubs, the CG12 is available in the standard chrome finish or the low glare black pearl finish. The black pearl finish looks great when new and does what it's supposed to do. However the finish does wear over time making any club with this finish looking more tired than a chrome finished club.

Shaft Selection

Cleveland's standard offering with their wedges is the "Traction" wedge flex shaft. It's a steel shaft that carries a bit of weight and maintains a stiffness that is between regular and stiff flex shafts of other manufacturers. You are able of course to pick and choose other types of shafts, although Cleveland no longer advertise this on their website given that it is one of the oldest wedge models currently in their line up.

Feel

If there's one area that you want a wedge to excel in it's in the are of feel. I've previously praised the Cleveland's CG14 in a previous review for being able to provide feedback but have also found them to be harsh compared to the feel of the Mizuno MP-T Wedges. The CG12 manages to straddle a middle ground between the CG14 and Mizuno's wedges in terms of being able to provide a soft, buttery feel on centre strikes.

Being a cast rather than forged club the CG12 can't quite match the Mizunos however no doubt thanks to their muscle back design centre strikes feel much more solid. And being a muscle back knowing where you've struck the ball on the face of the club presents no issue at all.

One other point in the area of feel is that the CG12 doesn't present itself to be a heavy wedge, particularly when compared to the CG15. The lighter weight is particularly useful from when playing full swing shots off the fairway however you can get a bit fast when attempting to finesse other shots.

Performance

I'll be honest and say that I'd never really understood the hype about Cleveland wedges, despite playing the CG11 and CG14s previously - until I started using the CG12. The simplest way for me to describe their performance is that they just work. Short chip and runs, pitches, lobs, bunker shots, or full fairway shots - I've found that the CG12 is able to do them all without you having to put much thought into the shot which is exactly what you want. Assess the shot, think about what you want to do, and just do it.

The area of spin is something that is always a hot topic when it comes to wedges. Do the zip grooves work? To be honest, for golfer with a middle of the road handicap, you'd probably be hard pressed to tell the difference from one wedge to another. What I can tell you is that on a course with rock hard greens, the CG12 imparts enough spin from a full swing to stop the ball within one bounce. Shots out of light rough are much the same. Half shots, and chips - well that really just comes down to how well you are able to execute the shot. Suffice to say from 80 meters (87.5 yards) into the green my CG12 60 degree wedge is the most used club in my bag.

Other Items of Note

When it comes to options and lofts Cleveland are likely to have a specification to suit your circumstances. In the CG12 range Cleveland manufacture no less than 16 variants. Lofts start from 46 degrees to replace your standard pitching wedge, going up in two degree increments up to 60 degrees.

For the higher loft wedges starting from 54 degrees, Cleveland also manufacture the CG12 in a low, standard, and high bounce design. The amount of bounce still varies from loft to loft, and despite being cast manufactured, lofts are able to bent by a degree either way if required.

Final Points

The guys at my local golf shop used to talk about how great a club the CG12 was. I never understood what all the fuss was about until I put one in my bag.

All I can say is that the CG12 is a delight to use and is a club that will inspire confidence to anybodies short game. It's a wedge that allows you to play the full array of short game shots without any compromises. That's really all that needs to be said about it.

There is only one other point that I need to make about Cleveland's wedge line up and that is to touch on the price. Despite providing you with Rolls Royce performance, you can acquire Cleveland's wedges at bargain prices when you consider their level of performance and their competitors pricing. They really are a club I recommend you try out - at least while you can still get your hands on them.

Golf Club Review - The Callaway FT-9/FT-9 Tour Driver Review

2012-03-29T05:43:00.001+10:00

For those of you that have been reading my blog from the very beginning of its creation (yes, I know you're far and few between), you'll know that the driver is a club I have a love, hate, hate relationship with. I initially love it, then hate it, and continue to hate it. My driver swing is a different animal to the golf swing I have for my irons and I haven't quite been able to get the two married and working together.

I recently wrote an article on Buying the Right Driver For You, coincidentally at the same time as I was searching for a new driver to assist tempering some of my driver problems. Yes, I know that I should go and work with a golf pro and sort my swing out once and for all. However the realities of work, family and life in general just don't make that practical. And with all of the different drivers out there designed to fix one problem or another, why wouldn't I give one a try as a temporary fix?

That's when I came across Callaway's FT-9, and its twin brother the FT-9 Tour. They're identical in looks, but in terms of personality it's very much a Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde affair. Despite being around for more than 18 months, almost the dinosaur era when it comes to golfing equipment these days, the FT-9 line up is still current in Callaway's series of drivers - and for good reason. Oh, and if this reviews seems a bit longer than normal, it's because I'm effectively reviewing two drivers at the same time.

Design

If there's a manufacturer on the market that promotes and actively uses leading edge technology, it's Callaway. It's FT line, standing for Fusion Technology, incorporating the use of ultra thin layers of carbon fibre infused with epoxy resin to create the shell structure of the FT-9. It's very similar to the process used in the creation of high performance surf equipment, resulting in a structure that's remarkably strong, but very light weight.

A titanium cup face makes its way onto the front of the driver to complete the driver head structure. The face of the titanium cup is optimised through a combination of variable wall thicknesses and curvature to enhance the spring like effect that maximises ball speed - within legal limits of course.

In the case of the FT-9, the light weight shell combined with the titanium cup face gives more room for the Callaway engineers to position key weighting in the 460cc sized driver to optimise the position of the centre of gravity. Callaway promotes the FT-9 as "The Shot Maker" - it's one way of saying that the FT-9 is optimised more for workability than forgiveness. Still, with its 460cc head and a good deal of external weighting at the club head's extremities, clearly visible on the FT-9s base, Callaway's most workable driver still retains a good measure of forgiveness.

The FT-9 and FT-9 Tour come with Callaway's OptiFit weighting system. It's a fancy way of saying they have draw and neutral versions of the FT-9, created by having weighting positioned differently. In the draw version of the FT-9 greater weight is positioned towards the heel of the shaft to minimise resistance to forearm rotation, causing the club face to close which is what you need for a draw. The neutral versions maintain a more balanced distribution of weighting in the club head to allow a player greater control of the club head at impact.

That's where the design similarities end between the FT-9 and FT-9 Tour. For all intensive purposes they share exactly the same design features. However the standard FT-9 sports a 1 degree closed face while the FT-9 Tour is designed with a 1 degree open face. The other thing that isn't visible externally is the actual club head weights. The FT-9 Tour is a good deal heavier than the FT-9 - and yes, I was using the same shaft. It's something to keep in mind as externally you would never notice the difference.

The other notable difference between the FT-9 and FT-9 Tour are the loft increments. The standard FT-9 loft increments are in whole numbers while its twin comes in the standard half degree increments that you find in most drivers.

Aesthetics

Traditional looks at address hides a raft of leading edge technology that can is clearly evident from the club's base. Designed with a pear shaped head that's finished in semi-gloss black there's nothing radical about the club head shape that could put off better players that prefer traditional club head shapes. From address it's just a big, shiny driver that looks like it will hit the ball a mile.

The view from underneath the club head is a very different story. From the semi-transparent finish that reveals some of the carbon fibre matting that makes up the FT-9's structure, to the attachment of the titanium cup face and the external web weighting, it's clear Callaway wants people to know that the FT-9 is made differently to other drivers on the market. I've noticed some comments around the web that hints at the bottom of the driver being a bit too busy. Personally, I think Callaway have done a fantastic job in balancing a confidence inspiring look at address and making the FT-9 a talking point when it's in your bag.

Shaft Selection

In case you hadn't quite realised it it yet, the FT-9 twins are really designed for two different types of players. This is equally reflected in the standard shafts that accompany each version of the driver.

Fujikura manufacture both of the standard shafts used in the FT-9 twins, the FT-9 using the Z-Com 60 which sports a lighter weight and lower kickpoint than the Z-Com 65 which promotes a mid to high kickpoint depending on the stiffness chosen. Read that as the Z-Com 60 being designed to promote a higher trajectory, particularly useful if you have a slower swing speed.

I'm going to confess to only playing with the Z-Com 65 shaft in both the FT-9 and FT-9 Tour, and for me it's ideally suited. On the FT-9 the Z-Com 65 is a shaft that helps you hit bombs down the fairway all day long, providing excellent feedback on how you've hit the ball. Fitted to the Tour I found that the feel of the shaft was initially lost against the added weight of the FT-9 Tour's club head. Once I became used to the new swing weight I found that the Z-Com 65 equally at home with the other club head.

Feel

There is a sweet spot on the FT-9 and you know it when you've hit it. And I'm saying this as a user of Titleist's NXT Tour, a ball I've previously described as not having a great amount of feel. But it doesn't stop there.

You really get a full complement of feedback to let you know exactly where you've hit the ball on the club face. Off the toe, high on the club face, or down low - working with the Z-Com 65 shaft you get instant information as to where the ball struck the club face.

One additional point I will make is that I've found the feel from the FT-9 very different to the Tour head. Both communicate well however if I could describe the difference, I would say that that FT-9 Tour's feel is a bit harsher on off-centre strikes.

Performance

When it comes down to it, a lot of people buy drivers for maximum distance and forgiveness. Callaway doesn't advertise the FT-9 as fulfilling either of those requirements. That honour goes to the FT-iZ. But I'll tell you what. It comes damn close to being able to fitting the bill - but with the added bonus of maximum shot shaping ability from a 460cc driver.

Don't let "The Shot Maker" tag fool you though. Both club heads really can fire the ball a long way down the fairway without a great deal of difficulty. If you have a slower swing speed the standard FT-9 with its lighter club head weight will assist in maximising your swing speed. However if you have the strength the FT-9 Tour is equally as potent.

When it does come to working the ball though the FT-9 works just as advertised. Despite its 460cc head, if you have the skills and ability to work the ball the FT-9 will listen as instructed. Want to draw the ball? Just roll that face over at impact. A fade? Keep it a touch open as you follow through. Feel like taking advantage of the wind? Tee it up a little higher and catch it a touch higher than the centre of the club face. Need to keep it low? Do the opposite. The FT-9 twins really do make it easy to shape your shots.

On the other end of the scale, what happens to those of us not endeared with the ability to make perfect strikes every time? Is there enough forgiveness to ensure that we don't completely knock a drive deep into the trees if our swing is off by a small margin? Absolutely. You lose very little distance on off centre strikes, so long as you remain committed to your shot. And while the FT-9 won't solve a horrendous swing, I've certainly found with my own game that the results are nowhere near as damaging as other drivers I've used.

Other Items of Note

The FT-9 twins are also available in Callaway's I-Mix system. If you're a fan of being able to change shafts for difference conditions, or club heads as well for that matter, you can purchase both club heads and your choice of shafts to mix and match as you please. Be aware though that the I-Mix club heads and shafts aren't terribly cheap.

The only other thing I'll mention is the head cover of the FT-9, which comes in Callaway's standard colour for Fusion Technology equipment - black. It's also the old sock affair which I've found can make it a bit difficult to get on and off at times. Personally I prefer the head covers with the magnetic latch, infinitely easier to get on and off the club head.

Final Points

The FT-9 is a driver that lives up to Callaway's claim of being "The Shot Maker". Despite its marketing tag of being a workable driver, the FT-9 is also a remarkably easy club to live with. Long and forgiving are qualities of the FT-9 that Callaway should also add to its tag.

There's plenty of technology packed into the club head. It may lack the movable weights and adjustable hosels of other, newer drivers, but there's enough of a choice within the FT-9 and the FT-9 Tour range to accommodate a wide range of swings and abilities. Now that the FT-9 has younger brothers out in the market place you should also find that the once premium priced driver can now be had at quite reasonable prices.

And if you're wondering which club head to go with, I would say that the FT-9 Tour with its obvious fade bias is for the better player (or at least the aspiring one) that has to fight a draw or hook and has the strength to swing it well. If you're fighting a fade or a slice and wouldn't mind a bit of extra distance, my recommendation would be to go with the standard.

The long and short of this is that if you're in the market for a new driver, don't discount the FT-9 because of its age or its marketing tag as being for people who want to work the ball. It's a serious contender in the driver market, no matter what a person might be looking for in a driver. It's just that versatile.

Golf Ball Review - Titleist NXT Tour

2012-03-29T05:38:00.001+10:00

Titleist manufacture what is generally acknowledged as one of the best performing balls on the market place. The Pro V1 series of balls are one of the most used balls on the professional golf tour, and for good reason. If you want a great ball and can afford it, Titleist's Pro V1 series of balls will provide you with top notch performance.

However if you're like me and still prone to dropping a ball into the water or hitting one into the trees, you'll appreciate that losing a Pro V1 is like taking your wallet and tossing it into a lake. So what do you do when you're looking for golf balls that possess similar levels of performance to the Pro V1 but are restricted to a budget? You look at Titleist's NXT Tour balls.

Product Positioning

In the world of golf balls you have the premium level balls that are identical to the ones used on tour by the pros, balls for the budget conscious that maximise distance and little else, and the balls in the middle that attempt to strike the balance between price and performance. Titleist's NXT Tour balls sit squarely in the upper end of the middle of the two ranges, attempting to offer levels of distance and spin that aren't too far off your premium golf balls that the masses can just afford. Confused? Basically they're at the pricier end of the mid-level ball range.

Design

Like most balls attempting to offer a combination of distance with acceptable levels of spin, the NXT Tour is a 3 piece golf ball, sporting a soft core and a firm middle layer to maximise distance and maintain feel. The core is made from a synthetic rubber known as polybutadiene, also widely used in car tyres. It's a substance that is known for its ability to deform and store energy before returnning consistently to its original shape.

Titleist use a propriety substance that they have developed that they call Fusablend to cover the NXT Tour. It's a combination of ionomer and surlyn optimised to balance softness and durability. The cover manages to give the average player a reasonable level of spin without destroying the ball the first time you lay a wedge onto it.

Older versions of the NXT Tour have 392 dimples on the cover in varying shapes and sizes. Newer models sport a design of having 332 dimples. Why the change? Only Titleist could tell the details you however I suspect it has something to do with attempting to minimise side spin effects.

Distance

The NXT Tour ball provides a good level of distance without being over the top. Compared to say Taylormade's Burner LDP balls, it probably sacrifices a club length or two. However it is by no means a golf ball that goes short. I struggle with my driver, a personal swing and confidence issue so I won't mention distances with that particular club. However I have hit some nice draws with my three wood 250 meters off the tee, or 273 yards (and yes, I have witnesses!)

Feel

Feel is one area that I've found that the NXT Tour is probably a bit lacking. Its a firm ball that never reproduces that explosive feel off woods and long irons you can get from some of the premium balls. Off short irons and wedges I've found that the ball can feel a bit harsh as it runs up the grooves off your iron.

Spin

Titleist make no bones about the fact that its NXT Tour ball doesn't quite have the spin as its Pro V1 range. Lacking the urethane cover that you find on most premium level golf balls the NXT Tour ball just doesn't grip a club face as well.

To be honest, when it comes to stopping power on full swings there's really not too much to complain about. A well hit long iron will roll a few feet while a shot iron might hop once and stop, the green's surface depending of course. The spin levels and performance are consistent enough that as long as you know your distances with a full swing, you'll be able to hit them every time.

Where you'll notice a major difference against premium tier golf balls is in your short game when you're using a partial swing. Without the swing speed and compression against the ground to hold the ball against the club face the NXT Tour's spin levels really drop off against the premium golf balls. This is where the predictability and stopping power, or lack there of become more of an issue.

On the plus side, if you're someone that tends to have a strong draw or fade that you'd like to minimise, less spin can work to your advantage. The lower amounts of spin not only apply to back spin, but side spin also.

Durability

No complaints when it comes to the NXT Tour's durability. Unless you're using brand new wedges or regularly finding the cart path or trees you can expect an NXT Tour to last you a few rounds without getting to cut up. When it does get a little bit damaged, I usually find that it's a portion of the cover you can pull off, leaving the rest of the ball remaining unscathed and fine to continue playing with.

Other Comments

If the Pro V1 is the most played ball on the tour, then then NXT Tour has to be the most played mid-level golf ball off the tour. If you're budget conscious, you'll find a steady supply of good quality second hand balls from almost anywhere at a fraction of the price. These recycled balls perform almost as well as brand new ones in terms of distance and spin.

Conclusions

Jack of all trades, master of none is how my mother used to describe me and I think it's an apt description for Titleist's NXT Tour. Not obscenely expensive, not overly long, doesn't play with enormous amounts of spin, and it doesn't always communicate the best levels of feel.

But I've written this comparison against the the NXT Tour's big brother, the Pro V1. The fact that I'm actually comparing the NXT Tour against other premium level balls and not against its direct competitors is a statement in its own right.

The NXT Tour is an eminently capable ball that attempts to strike the balance of all key performance and pricing characteristics that most amateurs are looking for. I personally think that it succeeds in fulfilling the brief extremely well, offering consistent levels of performance that give you a degree of predictability in your game. It's a ball that offers you almost everything that you're looking for, but won't make you cry when you drop it into the lake.

Golf Bag Review - Ping T9.5 Staff Golf Bag

2012-03-29T05:36:00.001+10:00

"Have you got a cappuccino machine in your bag? I think it will fit one."

That was the reaction of one of my regular playing partners when I showed up at the golf course with my new Ping T9.5 golf bag. Ping don't call it a staff bag but you'll find that it's identical in size, form, and features to their "Tour Staff" Bag, with the exception of a slightly different finish on some pockets and not carrying the product logos of its current line up of clubs.

So why a staff bag, I hear you ask? Do they not belong to the domain of true professionals only? Are not amateurs and social golfers that carry the staff bag on the golf course viewed as "wannabes" who look like morons on the course - especially when they fail to execute every shot to perfection?

To this I respond with a resounding "No!". Read on to find out why the staff bag, especially Ping's bag, has a place on the social course.

Design

Oddly enough Ping's T9.5 bag is designed as a staff bag. The top of the bag is divided into 6 areas separated with two full length dividers to prevent the grips of clubs in one area being caught against others. The 9.5 represents the diameter of the top of the bag in inches, and while it doesn't sound a whole lot bigger than a lot of other cart bags on the market, the top really does have a rather cavernous entrance.

A total of eight pockets adorn Ping's golf bag, not including the two water bottle holders and umbrella sleeve integrated discretely into the bag. One of the pockets is actually lined with felt - designed to keep your more fragile items such as sun glasses. The front, back, and both sides have two pockets each of varying sizes and depth starting from a mediums sized pocket to absolutely enormous. You might struggle to fit a cappuccino machine in one of the bag's pockets though, although you'd probably come close!

A wide base keeps the bag stable when placed on the ground while a large handle makes it easy to pick up. A three point shoulder strap with some fairly hefty padding is also supplied to help keep the bag comfortable and stable while slung over your shoulder.

Construction

The one great thing about a good staff bag is that they're built to last, at least, that's the theory. However, having looked at a few golf bags before finally settling on Ping's, I can tell you not all bags are created equal.

Ping's T9.5 staff bag is one of those bags that is made to stand the test of time. A moulded plastic tube with fibreglass stays lines the inside to give the bag a robust and durable skeleton structure. Other areas that have been reinforced are the base and handle of the bag, important points given that these two areas are where the full weight of the bag gets impacted by the most.

Textured vinyl give Ping's bag a leather like look that won't appear scratched as easily as some of the staff bags with the smooth vinyl finish. The vinyl material also works to protect everything in the bag from the harshest of elements, including the occasional torrential down pour, which is the main reason I've ended up with it.

Pockets are sealed by what I can only describe as heavy duty zippers. They're large and easy to grab hold of, although having such large teeth means they don't always slide open and shut as easily as smaller zippers. This extends to the bag's rain cover as well which is made from the same durable vinyl material as the rest of the bag. Disappointingly, the zipper on the rain cover only opens in one direction, meaning you have to open the entire cover up if you want to retrieve a club from the back of the bag.

The heavy duty shoulder strap connects to the bag at three different points. It's wide, well padded making the bag comfortable to carry despite it's heft weight, and holds on to your shoulder without sliding off. However given the weight of the bag I think a carry strap which used both of your shoulders would be a handy thing, although realistically few people other than caddies would ever carry a staff bag around a course

Aesthetics

To my eye Ping make a good looking staff bag. It's never going to win any golfing fashion or innovation awards but for me it manages a robust, purposeful image while avoiding the "pregnancy" look that some staff bags have. Available in white or white and trimmed in red and black highlights Ping uses conservative colours effectively to give its bag a classy appeal.

Practicality

Everything about this bag can be described as enormous. Side pockets are long and wide, with enough depth to store clothing apparel such as rain gear. The pockets contained on the strap side easily swallow more balls and tees than you could ever hope to carry. On the other side the pelican pocket in conjunction with the two side pockets easily handle your more bulky items such as winter jackets. In addition, just above the pelican pocket is the felt lined pouch that is perfect for your more fragile items such as sunglasses. And yes, it too is enormous as far as valuables pockets go.

I've seen some staff bags that have two umbrella holders, one on each side of the bag. Ping's bag

The other thing I love about staff bags is the ease of which you can pull a golf club out of the bag. While the 14 way dividers found in most cart bags these days are nice in principle, I've found in the past that I'm always struggling to easily slide them in and out of their slot as the grips can catch on the dividers themselves. It could be just me, but the six way divided coupled with ample space of each compartment make it a breeze to slide clubs in and out of the bag.

If I have some criticisms about Ping's T9.5 Staff Bag, it's to do with the size and configuration of the pockets. The two water bottle pockets don't do a great job of holding water bottles in, nor do they keep them effectively cool. The pockets are also too large in some cases. I can't help but think that by dividing some of the pockets up, even if it's just inside the pocket itself rather than creating a whole new compartment, the bag could be made that much more practical again.

Conclusions

It may be old fashioned in design and conservative in colour, but it attracts the attention of golfers wherever I take it. Not only have Ping created an eye catching staff bag, they've designed it to be extremely sturdy and practical. It's large enough to hold pretty much everything and anything you'd ever need on a golf course, along with some of the things that you don't. And it will protect the contents housed within it from any adverse weather conditions.

Fit and finish are without question top notch. Upon close inspection it's easy to see that this bag has been built with a robustness in mind that will make it stand the test of time. It's perfect for the golfer that visits the golf course frequently, rain, hail or shine.

The downsides are far and few between. However the Ping T9.5 Staff Bag is a very large bag that some people may struggle to get into the boot of smaller cars. It's also very heavy and doesn't allow you to organise items very well within the cavernous pockets built into the bag.

These minor quibbles aside though, it's an easy bag to live with. You don't have to throw a rain cover over it to keep the bag and its contents dry. You never have to worry about not having a particular item because it all fits into the bag. And you don't have to worry about replacing it because it's likely to last forever.

Golf Club Review - The Mizuno MP-T Wedges

2012-03-29T05:25:00.001+10:00

It's funny how sometimes you think you'll have done something already, look back at your work, and suddenly realise that you haven't.... like writing a review on one of my favourite clubs. I was certain that I'd posted something on my Mizuno MP-T Wedges, but on looking back at my posts, it dawned on me that while I've made a few references to them, I've never actually written specifically about them. So here it is, even if it is about two years and two models late!

First things first though. I'm not writing this review on the MP-Ts as strict wedges, even though that is what they are. The MP-Ts I carry sport a loft of 47 and 51 degrees, a pitching and gap wedge as opposed to a sand and lob wedge. I think it's fair to say that with the majority of players how you play the higher lofted wedges can be very different to how lower lofted wedges are used, so keep that in mind as you read this particular review.

Design

Like the majority of purpose built wedges of their era, Mizuno's wedges are all designed as blades. Manufactured from 1025 carbon steel Mizuno's wedges are one of the few forged offerings available to the mass market. The "T" indicates that the clubhead shape is of the teardrop design as opposed to the "R" version of Mizuno's wedges which sported a more rounded design around the toe of the club head. Later versions of the MP-T, which are the ones that I have in my bag, also inherited the C-grind sole of the MP-R, removing some weight from the heel and toe of the club.

Beyond the shape of the clubhead there isn't anything that I can say that is unique to the design of the MP-T wedges. There aren't any fancy claims on how the grooves have been cleverly manufactured to maximise spin. There's no scientifically calculated placement of discretionary weight to make Mizuno's wedge more forgiving. And there's no unique inserts embedded into the head to optimise vibration and feel. From a design perspective, aside from incorporating the C-grind sole to make them more versatile,the MP-T wedge series appears to be a rather "ordinary" design.

Aesthetics

Mizuno have a reputation for manufacturing clubs that have a great look and amazing feel and the MP-T wedges are no exception. While in your golf bag you look down upon an elegant blade shaped club head that doesn't go over the top with inscriptions and graphics. Looking down at address the club face is slightly larger than it's successor, the MP-T10, which helps inspire a bit more confidence for your average user. Overall the MP-T really does have that classic wedge look that you can easily fall in love with.

You're also able to obtain the MP-T in two different finishes: the standard chrome or black nickel. The black nickel finish is great if you occasionally find that the sun reflects off the club face at address. The finish does wear a little over time on the club face, which may make the wedge look a little older than it actually is.

Shaft Selection

Standard shafts that come with the MP-T are the steel True Temper Dynamic Golf "wedge" flex shafts. Wedge flex, in case you're wondering, sits in between regular and stiff flex. There are of course a number of different options, including regular and stiff flex steel shafts as well as graphite options directly from Mizuno.

Feel

There are people out there who believe that forged irons offer significantly better touch and feel than irons that are cast. If you want to know a bit more about the differences between the two processes, I've documented some information in a post back from last year - The Differences Between Forged and Cast Irons.

These days I'm firmly in the camp of preferring a forged iron to a cast iron. Compared to the Cleveland CG14 and CG12 I carry in my bag there is a noticeable difference in how Mizuno MP-T wedges feel on impact. Soft and buttery are terms commonly associated with a good strike with Mizuno irons and the MP-T wedges are no exception. And if you don't quite get the ball in the centre of the club face, whether it's off the toe, near the heel, high or low on the club face you 'll be able to figure out how you've hit the ball even before you've lifted you head to watch where your shot has gone. If feel is important to your short game, these wedges certainly know how to communicate to you.

Performance

The first thing that I have to say is that the MP-Ts are blades, offering the least amount of forgiveness in any clubhead type. If you really catch the ball on the toe with a full swing, you're going to come up short on your intended shot. I do have to say though that after a couple of off centre strikes you very quickly learn to keep the ball in the centre on most shots.

Once you get past the lack of forgiveness, you're left with a club with an extraordinary amount of versatility. They may not have the same pedigree as the Titleist and Cleveland wedges but full swing shots still stop on a dime. In fact, if you're using a urethane covered ball on a course with soft greens you have to be very careful not to spin the ball too far back. Despite numerous comparisons showing the Mizuno not spinning the ball as much as its competitors, in practice the MP-Ts are just as effective their competitors.

Where I've found my MP-Ts indispensable however is not in the middle of the fairway, but in every other situation imaginable. Stuck under tree with no room to swing? Chop down steeply on the ball and watch if fly low with a heap of back spin to stop it on the green. Need to flop it up? Open up the face and take advantage of the c-grind sole. Need to shape your shot? Did I mention these were blades?

The truth is if I'm in any sort of trouble from 120 meters away from the green, I instinctively reach for one of my MP-T wedges. Just recently, I found myself 100 meters out from the green, in the rough, a low tree branch in front but some tall trees about 50 meters in front of me. I didn't hesitate. Underneath one tree and over another to the edge of the green. Once you've got the hang of them, these wedges provide you with so much confidence in so many different situations that you can swing without thought - and that's the way to play good golf.

Oh, and I've made as many birdies with these wedges from chipping just off the green as I have with my putter on the green!

Other Items of Note

When it comes to loft and bounce combinations, Mizuno didn't make as many different variations as some of the other manufacturers. The other thing that Mizuno did was to go against the grain of having lofts with an even number in its pitching and gap wedges. 47, 51, and 53 degrees were the standard for the MP-T wedges while the higher lofted wedges remained the standard 56, 58, and 60 degrees that are commonly found. However being a forged club adjusting the loft is a relatively simply exercise for your local pro.

Conclusion

If you love the feel of Mizuno's irons and you're looking for that in a wedge, Mizuno's MP-T wedges deliver exactly that. They really do have a soft buttery feel that other wedges such as Cleveland's CG range of wedges lack. However, despite lacking any fancy technology or historical pedigree they not only feel great, but have the performance from a variety of shots and lies to make a difference in your short game.

The only other thing that I should mention is the price. Mizuno's irons are traditionally more expensive than their competitors and their wedges are no exception. When I purchased mine they were another 50% more expensive than my Cleveland CG 12 and 15s. Whether or not they're worth the extra premium is a matter of personal choice. Now that they've been superseded by two subsequent models though they have dropped in price by a substantial amount.

At the end of the day, with their elegant looks and excellent feedback characteristics the MP-Ts are wedges that inspire confidence irrespective of the situation. They're the sort of club that make you forget about your swing and concentrate more on the shot you need to hit. From my perspective, they're worth every penny.

Golf Club Review - The Nickent 5DX Ironwood Hybrid Review

2012-03-29T05:20:00.001+10:00

Shortly after putting the 23 degree Nickent 4DX Hybrid into my bag I decided that it would be prudent to have my lower lofted hybrid with similar performance characteristics. With that in mind I wandered off to my local golf shop and put in a request for an 18.5 degree Nickent hybrid to replace my reliable but aging Cleveland Hibore 19 degree hybrid. When I went to pick up my new hybrid, instead of retrieving a 4DX I was surprised to find that a 5DX was waiting for me instead.

It wasn't an unpleasant surprise to find Nickent's latest and greatest hybrid waiting for me. However unlike the 4DX which I had an opportunity to try out before hand I really didn't have any idea how the 5DX would. To say that the 4DX and the 5DX are very different animals would be understating the point and so I thought that the 5DX definitely deserved a review of its own.

Design

Nickent has taken all the technologies that are built into the 4DX hybrid and taken them all a step further in the 5DX. The deep face design, multi-material construction, and tungsten polymer XW insert technology used in so many of their other club designs have been built into the club head. However in the case of the XW inserts, their design has been incorporated into the club head in a less than traditional sense.

Protruding out from the rear of the club head Nickent have added what they call 'wings'. These are where the XW inserts now reside - extending to the rear of the club to make what could effectively be considered a square headed hybrid. The effect of doing this is to increase the Moment of Inertia, helping to stabilise hits off the heel or toe of the club.

Nickent claims that the increased MOI and optimised center of gravity has allowed them to strengthen the lofts of the 5DX in comparison to their previous generations of hybrids. As an example the 3 ironwood in the 5DX range supports an 18.5 degree loft whereas the equivalent number in the 4DX range maintains a 20 degree loft. Personally, these days I pay less attention to the number and focus more on the loft of the club. However, more stability on off center hits can only be a good thing.

Aesthetics

In terms of aesthetics, two things separate the club head of the 5DX from the 4DX. The first point of difference is a relatively minor thing - a dark gray instead of black finish on the club head. The gray is actually so dark that if you were hitting from the shadows you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.

The second point of difference is the kind of obvious that smacks you in the face when you pull the head cover off - and that's the addition of the "wings" to the club head. One of the major reasons they stand out at first glance is because they're actually finished in a light metallic gray colour. It seems like Nickent have given the wings a different paint finish to actually make them more obvious, the grey triangles clearly more visible from the dark grey of the rest of the club head.

Place the 5DX on the ground and stand at address however and the grey triangles fade into insignificance. You may notice that they are present the first few times you hit the ball. Once you're used to them however, your eyes simply focus on the dark grey club head. The light grey wings seem to become almost invisible as you become more experienced with the club and really aren't a distraction at all.

Shaft Selection

Unlike previous Nickent hybrids the 5DX comes with a shaft designed specifically for this ironwood. The 5DX sports a Fujikara Level 5ive (yes, that is how it's spelt) shaft that supports a kick point towards the middle of the shaft designed to optimise the launch angle off the face. Read that as something that's designed to allow a higher handicap player the ability to launch the ball high, while providing the flexibility of controlling the launch trajectory for the more skilled player.

Feel

Whereas I think of the 4DX as the closest thing to a forged iron's buttery feel that a hybrid can have, the 5DX is a completely different animal. Firstly, it's heavier. It might be the wings, a function of the shaft, or it could be that it's deliberately designed that way but it just feels noticeably heavier when you pick it up and swing it.

Secondly, to me the 5DX feels like you're hitting a club with a fairway wood head at the end of it, down to the "pinging" sound that you can sometimes hear when hitting a certain woods. It's no doubt a consequence of having the XW inserts pushed out to the extremes of the club head to increase the MOI to almost fairway wood like stability. The downside to me is that to me it just doesn't quite have the feel that the 4DX rewards you with on well struck shots.

Performance

Did I mention that that the 5DX feels like a fairway wood? Well, that's how it behaves on an off-center strike - with all of the forgiveness of one. The 5DX lets you know that you haven't struck the ball in the center of the club head by feel rather than by penalizing your shot. You can thank the Nickent's wings for adding this degree of forgiveness to the hybrid.

Another of the 5DX's strengths is it's all round workability. Whereas I found the 4DX had a tendency to hook, irrespective of the swing, I find the 5DX aligning itself with the natural fade that I see with all of my other clubs. A draw is only a roll of the wrists away and controlling trajectory is just a simple matter of varying how steep you swing to adjust the amount of spin you hit the ball with. For the vast majority of us, we'll be happy to just get the ball off the ground but if you're one of the elite, you can take comfort in the fact that you'll be able to tell the 5DX what you want it to do and it will make it so.

The one area that I've been a little bit disappointed in is the distance stakes. Golf manufacturers often promote their latest and greatest clubs as hitting further than ever before. The reality is that for a given "club number", they've just strengthened the loft so I tend to measure distance performance by club loft rather than the club number. Compared to my 19 degree Hibore hybrid, the 18.5 degree 5DX doesn't have any distance advantage at all. My old Hibore also had a regular flex shaft versus my 5DX's stiff shaft, but overall in the distance stakes the old Hibore and the new 5DX are pretty much neck in neck.

Other Items of Note

For those of you that are concerned about your head covers not clashing with your golf bag, Nickent has moved begun to move away from the rather unique and colour clashing green and black combination. Instead, the 5DX sports a white and green combination, making it less dramatic and more appealing to the eye. The other thing to note for the aesthetically inclined is that the shaft sports some rather artistic graphics that do catch the attention of others. All I can say is that Nickent have intended the 5DX to be an attention grabber on the course.

Final Points

Despite transitioning from a similarly lofted hybrid from another manufacturer and already possessing a Nickent 4DX hybrid, I initially struggled to get used to the 5DX. I think for me what it came down to was the heavier head throwing out my tempo - that and the same swing on the 23 degree 4DX that produced a hook would produce a slice with the 5DX.

A few weeks on however and I'm comfortable leaving the 5DX in my bag. As with the 4DX an off centre strike makes itself well known but without punishing you for the imperfect shot. It doesn't quite have the rewarding, slightly buttery feel that Nickent managed to build into the 4DX on a perfectly struck shot, but what it lacks in feel it more than makes up for in forgiveness and workability.

I've read a couple of reviews around the place from others that the 5DX is ideally suited for both the hacker and better golfer a like. Personally, I think there are a lot easier hybrids out on the market to get the ball up into the air with, especially if all you're interested in doing is going straight and long.

What I believe the 5DX brings to the market is a hybrid with semi-classic looks that maintains an excellent degree of workability and a high degree of forgiveness. While a high handicap player can probably hit the 5DX okay, it really is a hybrid suited for the person that wants the option of being able to work the ball but is still looking for long iron forgiveness.

Golf Club Review - The Callaway I-Mix System

2012-03-29T05:15:00.001+10:00

What do you do if you can't decide between an open or closed face club and you don't have a Taylormade R9 handy? You grab a Callaway I-Mix driver, and change the combination. However, instead of adjusting settings, you change the shaft and/or club head.

In trying to decide which FT-9 club head I should go for, either the standard neutral version or the tour neutral version, I've run straight into the I-Mix system. It's a relatively simple system at the end of the day. Take an I-Mix compatible shaft, an I-Mix compatible head, and a specially designed torque wrench, and you can have a new driver/shaft combination in minutes. It's really that simple.

The I-Mix system is really all about possessing your ideal club head and having a couple of different shaft options to suit different circumstances. In this aspect it's very different to the "Flight Control Technology" found in the Taylormade R9. You can't adjust anything on the head once you've got it. All you can do is change the shaft.

I can imagine the I-Mix system being an incredibly handy tool for a club fitter. I had the head of the FT-9 off in seconds. After checking the alignment on the FT-9 Tour head, I had it attached back to the shaft in under a minute. What I do struggle with is whether or not the I-Mix System is for the common person or if it's really something that only a club fitter will truly make use of.

With 8 different club heads available and over 300 brands of shafts (all available in different specifications), the number of combinations you can have is almost infinite. The problem is having a few combinations of shafts and club heads can become very expensive, very quickly.

If you're looking for an effective way to adjust what your club head, stick with the R9, or even the Nickent 4DX Evolver which now sports the ability to adjust the club head and change the shaft, although not with the volume of options available with the I-Mix system. However, if you really like one of the club heads available in Callaway's FT range of drivers and you want a few shaft options to deal with different conditions on the day, the I-Mix system is should suffice.

The 2010 Golf Digest Golf Ball Hot List

2012-03-29T05:07:00.001+10:00

Golf Digest has just released its Golf Ball Hot List for 2010. As usual, they've gone through an extensive testing process using a group of players as well as a robot to achieve consistent results, rating on performance, innovation, feel, and demand. You can read more on the Process of Selection by going to their website.

Last year one of the really interesting pieces of information to be gleaned from Golf Digest's tests is the spin rates and launch angles from drivers and wedges. This year it looks like they've only assessed spin rates of the balls off wedges. Still, the game's won and lost on the short game so the wedge spin characteristics are the important ones. You can check out their test results by clicking here.

Golf Digest has categorised the golf balls into different pricing categories to help readers choose balls that fit their budget. They do make mention of the Women's category of golf ball, but unfortunately don't seem to have gone to the same effort of assessing them as the standard golf balls. I've summarised the category winners below, but it's probably worth making up your own mind on the best ball for yourself.

Balls Under $20

Performance: Noodle+ Easy Distance

Innovation: Top-Flite Gamer V2

Feel: Noodle+ Easy Distance

Demand: Titleist DT Solo

Balls Between $21 - $35

Performance: Bridgestone E6

Innovation: Bridgestone E6

Feel: Bridgestone E6

Demand: Titleist NXT Tour

Balls Over $35

Performance: Taylormade Penta TP

Innovation: Bridgestone 330 Series

Feel: Taylormade Penta TP

Demand: Titleist Pro V1/V1X

Golf Club Review - The Nickent 4DX Ironwood Hybrid Review

2012-03-29T05:05:00.002+10:00

A while back I mentioned that I took out a 25 degree Cleveland Hibore hybrid out of my bag and returned the standard 3 or 4 iron. If there was a club that was far too easy to hit, it was the Hibore hybrid, launching high and travelling far. The only problem was that for me, it would get up far too high and expose my shot to the winds that can get quite blustery here on the Gold Coast.

Fast forward a few months and I've found myself missing having a slightly higher lofted hybrid in my bag. I haven't been struggling with the long irons at all - in fact I've relished the feel that you get from playing with a forged iron, even one with a cavity back built into it. However a slightly higher lofted hybrid is a bit more versatile than your standard long iron - they're much easier to play out of thick rough or sand, and are even useful for tricky chips around the greens. Enter the Nickent 4DX Hybrid.

Design

Nickent have tried to pack a whole lot of technology into what you could describe as a traditional shape for a hybrid. The 4DX range of hybrids has been described as a player's hybrid, incorporating a deep face designed to promote a lower, more penetrating trajectory.

Built into the 4DX are Nickent's XW inserts, combining a tungsten polymer material to dampen vibration around weight ports inserted near the heel and toe of the otherwise compact club head to maximise the hybrid's MOI. Placed towards the extremities of the club head the weight ports are designed to maximise the stability of the club head on off center strikes.

Aesthetics

Elegant and classy are the words that come to mind when you first look down on the 4DX Hybrid. Sporting a rounded, pear shaped head, the 4DX stays away from the scooped out back look that accompanies many of the game improvement type hybrids (if there is such a category) that are out on the market.

Looking down from above the shiny, black club head offers a simple and uncomplicated view that helps to inspire confidence as you line up to swing. The only problem with the finish is if you have a tendency to come underneath the ball on the odd occasion. I can imagine the piano black finish near the face of the club getting a little bit of damage over time.

Shaft Selection

Nickent use shafts manufactured by UST Mamiya with the 4DX Ironwood and offer two separate types. The UST Proforce V2 Hybrid shaft is designed to launch the ball into a medium high trajectory while the UST SR3 which sports a low to mid launch. I believe you can also request from Nickent an Aldiva NV Hybrid shaft option as well which isn't advertised on their website. Stiffness options range all the way from extra stiff to regular flex as well as a light version of the regular flex shaft.

Feel

The very first 4DX I tried was the 14 degree 1 Ironwood model fitted with an Aldiva NV stiff shaft. I had been looking at a low lofted hybrid as an alternative to my inconsistent 3 wood at the time. It turns out that the club wasn't the problem - I had as much trouble with a 14 degree hybrid as I did with my three wood. However, the one memory that sticks out in my mind was a single, perfectly struck shot that felt so pure and buttery that I could have sworn I was hitting a Mizuno blade. I resolved to replace my existing hybrids with Nickent ones.

Fast forward nine months and a 4DX is now in my bag, although sporting the SR3 shaft instead. I have to admit that I haven't been able to repeat the buttery feel of that club changing shot so many months ago, but the 4DX does add another level of feedback that my Cleveland Hibore hybrids never provided.

Center strikes feel firm and solid. Perfectly struck shots leave you with the impression that the ball is going to fly a mile. And shots struck off the toe or heel leave you with enough feedback for you to know that you just didn't hit the ball right.

The other thing of note is that it feels light, lighter than my old Hibore and certainly a lot lighter than the 5DX, Nickent's latest release. This can help promote a faster swing, although in my case it increases my tendency to pull the ball to the left.

Performance

In terms of distance, the 4DX is an incredibly reliable performer that is as forgiving as any other hybrid on the market. Off the toe shots for me generally fly around 5 meters shorter than a second strike. They never feel like bad shots though. It's just that shots struck in the middle feel like extraordinary strikes.

Workability is one of the things the 4DX has a reputation for, having been widely used on the Nationwide Tour. Personally, if I want to induce a draw - no problem. In fact, I seem to play the 4DX with a draw most of the time, even though my natural tendency is to induce a fade on every other club in my bag. For me, the most frustrating aspect of this club is trying to deliberately induce a fade. The 4DX really does try and resist the gentle right curve somehow. If you're a slicer, this could be the club for you.

The other aspect of the 4DX is its trajectory. It does have a reputation for keeping the ball a bit lower than other hybrids on the market, depending on the shaft combination. I can report that with the SR3 keeping the ball underneath the wind is easily done. It does take a bit of club head speed to get the ball up into the air, particularly with the lower lofted hybrids so if you're a slow swinger, you might be better off looking at the 3DX or 5DX hybrids.

Other Items of Note

I can't say that I've ever been a fan of the shades of green type head covers that Nickent has imparted to their 4DX line. It's loud, brash, and clashes with just about everything else on the market. Having said that, if Nickent's intention was for the head cover to stand out, they've certainly achieved that.

To maintain a handle on things, the 4DX comes with a quality Lamkin NNG grip fitted to the shaft.

Final Points

I've read a number of hybrid reviews over the years and a lot of them point to the Nickent Hybrids being amongst the best. Interestingly, these reviews have all been from online reviews, with Nickent equipment rarely showing up in Australian or even overseas golf magazines. They don't seem to show in the more popular golf tests either. Why that is, I'm not entirely sure.

However after having had one in my bag for over six months now, I suspect that whether they end up in anyones review or not doesn't really matter. Nickent just lets their hybrids speak for themselves. Somehow Nickent have managed to pack in performance, forgiveness, feel, and workability into what appears to be a rather simple and elegant little club head. It just works.

Priced at the higher end of the spectrum, the Nickent 4DX hybrid really is a case of you get what you pay for. A club with outstanding characteristics that with a multitude of options that will easily slot in between your irons and woods.

Fairway Wood Review - Cleveland Hibore 3 Wood

2012-03-27T06:08:00.001+10:00

I'd like to start this particular review with a confession: I've never been a fan of fairway woods. Despite people telling me they should be one of the easiest clubs to hit, I've always struggled with them. However at the beginning of this year I made a decision to conquer my fairway wood woes once and for all. All I can say is that I'm glad I had the Cleveland Hibore as the fairway wood to learn to play with.

Design

The Hibore fairway wood was released by Cleveland shortly after the first Hibore driver was made and shares its basic design. Supporting a scalloped shaped head, the center of gravity has been designed to be lower and deeper relative to the face of the club. At the time it had the highest MOI out of any fairway wood that Cleveland had previously released, although significantly lower than its successor, the Hibore XLS.

The scalloped shape makes the crown of the club head thin allowing for more weight to be positioned to the perimeter. A parabolic leading edge is incorporated in the transition from the face to the sole of the club, helping to reduce the chances of the club head digging into the ground. Carpenter Custom 455 stainless steel is used in the face, giving it high strength and good anti-corrosion properties.

All of this technology is packed into a club head that is smaller than the majority of fairway wood heads on the market, with a face height that some might find too shallow for off the tee use. It makes for a reasonably stable head, even on off center strikes, while maintaining a club head size that promotes workability. The smallish club head also makes the club feel light, helping to promote a reasonably fast swing to aid in extra distance.

Aesthetics

Obviously the most visually striking feature of the Hibore Fairway Wood is the scalloped shape cut out into the club head. Although I've never seen any comments calling it attractive, opinions on the Hibore's look seem to vary from acceptable to down right unattractive. If you can get past the rather oddly shaped crown, the rest of the club head is rather normalish, having a pear shaped head.

The finish of the club itself is nicely done, with no alignment marker on the top of the club head. Its simply painted in a dark, matt, metallic gray type finish instead of the more commonly seen piano black. I will say though that the top edge of the club rolls over onto the face such that if you strike the ball a bit too high on the face you can, you may find the ball scratching the paint at the top as I have on mine.

The bottom of the club is finished in a shiny stainless steel which looks like it would get scratched up very quickly. However after two years mine still retains its shiny finish, with only the leading edge showing any signs of wear.

Shaft Selection

As is the tradition with Cleveland's woods and hybrids these days two standard shafts are offered - the Fujikura Gold and Red shafts. The Gold shafts are supposed to be for players with slower swing speeds that have difficulty launching the ball while the red is for stronger players who want more of a "tour" trajectory.

My own swing speed has been clocked at the local golf shop at around 105 mph and I use a stiff Fujikura red shaft with my Hibore XLS driver. However when it comes to the fairway wood I've stuck with a stiff Gold shaft. For me, getting the Hibore fairway wood seems to have a tendency to launch low - something observed by others that have hit it as well. Of course, the best thing to do is to try out the different shaft combinations where possible and make sure you're happy with your choice. A number of customer shafts were also offered when the Hibore was released however as they've been discontinued for a while you'll find that the Red and Gold shafted Hibores will be the ones you see the most of.

Feel

Feel is one area where I think the Hibore could let a lot of people down. To get that really solid feeling I personally think you need to be swinging hard and fast. A solid center strike with a slower swing really doesn't give you any confidence that you've hit the ball well. It's only when I've really let rip and made good contact that I feel confident about the shot that I've hit.

Off center strikes are one thing that you definitely do feel. A shot off the toe or heel comes with a noticeable twist in your hands. Having said that, you do get the sense that your off center strike is controllable and that it's not likely to spear off to the side with an uncontrollable amount of spin.

Performance

It may look a bit strange and feel a bit dead, but if there's one thing that the Hibore Fairway Wood excels at, it's hitting the ball long. A good strike will generally outdistance any mishits from my driver. And despite the smallish club head, an off center strike really doesn't give up too much in distance. Off the tee or from the fairway the Hibore really knocks the ball along way towards the pin.

The other advantage of the smaller club head is in its workability, particularly off the fairway. Combined with the shallow face it's easy to steer a ball left or right, and launch it with a low or high trajectory.

Other Items of Note

The head cover that comes with the Hibore fairway wood isn't anything fancy. Cleveland supply the more traditional sock type cover which helps to protect the bottom section of the shaft as well as the club head. It's easy to pull in and out of the bag and you don't have to worry about it falling off.

Final Points

My Cleveland Hibore 3 wood ended up in my bag purely because I purchased a set of CG4 irons and it was the cheapest way of getting a fairway wood. In the two years that I've had it, I really haven't paid it any attention until this year. However after only two sessions on the driving range with it I've gained the confidence I need to make it one of my go to clubs.

Despite the shallow face I have absolutely no problems sticking a ball on the tee and launching it a long way down the fairway. For some reason, I find I have less mishits with a smaller club head and the Hibore is no exception. On those few times that I don't find the center of the face, enough forgiveness is packed into the club head to prevent out of control side spin from occurring while ensuring maximum distance is still maintained.

Off the tee, a good strike from the 3 wood will travel further than a mishit off my Hibore XL driver, with the added bonus of increased accuracy. A mishit off my 3 wood isn't anywhere nearly as damaging as making a mess of the driver. On a tight course with a lot of trees and water hazards, it's a club I can rely on to take me a long way down the fairway safely.

Hitting from the fairway is equally as simple. Provided you don't swing too steeply the Hibore glides across the turf and sweeps the ball into the air. And with the smaller club head inducing a fade or a draw is a relatively simple feat to accomplish.

Even though Cleveland stopped making the original Hibore fairway wood a while back, you'll still find that some golf shops, particularly some of the online stores, still carry some stocks of them. The great thing is that they're incredibly cheap now. But don't let the price fool you - this club really does perform.

Golf Bag Review - Cleveland V14 Cart Bag

2012-03-26T06:51:00.002+10:00

The Cleveland V14 Cart Bag has been carrying my clubs for about six months now. It replaced the an older model bag that Cleveland graciously exchanged for me free of charge after the rain cover zipper broke on my old bag and they couldn't get me a new cover. I have to admit that it wasn't exactly love at first sight when I received new bag.

The first thing I noticed about the bag is that it's a little different to the traditional cart bag. Whereas the traditional design is built around a cylinder with pockets built around the cylinder, the V14 Cart Bag has pockets that extend noticeably from both sides of the bag, giving it a very wide appearance. In addition to this, the bottom front pockets also extend a reasonable distance out from the cylindrical portion of the bag. Coupled with the 10 inch diameter tube that houses your clubs, it makes the bag seem quite large, although not quite in the realm of staff bags.

And it is a large bag, which has its advantages. One of my few pet hates when I'm out on the course is when I reach for an iron and find that three have come out with the club that I want. The 10 inch opening provides plenty of room to slide clubs in and out of the bag, even with the 14 full length dividers built in. Sliding any one of my clubs in and out of my bag has been a breeze, which is how the bag eventually won me over.

In addition to the 14 way opening at the top a putter well and umbrella holder are discretely built into the bag. The putter tube is integrated into the pockets on the right side of the bag hiding it completely from view. The umbrella sleeve is hidden to the rear of the bag and is designed to slide an umbrella quickly and easily in and out.

The V14 Cart Bag is also equipped with 10 separate pockets, most of which are convenient and easy to use. On the left side are three pockets, two smaller ones attached to a larger one. The two small pockets are useful for storing essentials you need to get your hands on quickly - tees, divot tools, brushes, and gloves all fit comfortably within the smaller pockets. The larger pocket extends the full length of the bag and is great for storing your bulky items such as a warm jacket for those cold or wet days.

I've found the pockets on the right side of the bag a little less useful. With one medium sized pocket sitting outside a larger pocket, you might think that any number of uses could be found. However, the putter tube runs straight through the middle of one, restricting the items that can be carried within the pockets to smaller, more malleable things. Personally, I leave the bag's rain cover in the larger pocket and a spare towel in the medium sized pocket.

The remaining five pockets are located to the front of the bag. The top pocket is lined with a soft material no doubt designed to protect valuables. In fact, it actually comes with a few unseen extras hidden within the pocket - an elastic tied fixed to the rear of the pocket designed to securely hold a mobile phone and a separate pouch to hold your sunglasses.

At the bottom of the bag is a large pouch type pocket which is ideal for storing a large number of golf balls or anything else you can think of. The last three pockets are relatively small, good for carrying small items such as tees or small booklets. Two of the three remaining pockets are lined with water proof material. You could mistake the water proof pockets as being of the insulated type designed to keep things cool. However trying to get anything of a slightly reasonable size into them is near impossible.

As well as a shoulder strap which can be held securely against the bag via an elastic strap to stop it from hanging down, the V14 comes with three carry handles. The main handle is mounted to the rear of the bag and underneath the shoulder strap. In addition, handles on the left and right of the bag are located to easily pick up the bag and mount it onto a golf cart. However these handles aren't really accessible when the rain cover is on. Also, for those of us that prefer to use a pull or push buggy, another discrete handle is located at the bottom of the bag to help pick up the bag and lay it down on to a buggy.

When it comes down to it, Cleveland's V14 Cart Bag sits on the high end of the bags that don't fall into the staff bag category. It's big, bold, and roomy, capable of carrying pretty much everything you could need onto a golf course. My main criticisms of the V14 lie in the fact there's no insulated pocket capable of keeping food cool or carrying a water bottle built into it. It's also on the heavy side, however that's to be expected for a bag of its side. There's also a lack of colours to choose from, being white and pink for the ladies, navy blue for the men, and a unisex black. These minor points aside, the V14 is a great bag to keep together your golfing gear.

Golf Ball Review - Taylormade Burner LDP - Beware the Distance!

2012-03-26T05:46:00.001+10:00

I've been looking for a different ball to see if there's something out there that will suit my game better, preferably without breaking the bank. Someone suggested the Taylormade Burner TP, so I ordered some secondhand ones. What I didn't realise is that that I'd actually ordered a combination of the non-TP Burners as well as the TPs. The Burner TPs acted as I expected. The standard Burner - well, they were a big surprise - especially given that I didn't know that I was hitting them.

Product Positioning

The Taylormade Burner LDPs fall into the lower end of the golf ball pricing spectrum. Golf Digest classes them as being in the under $22US price range. If you do a quick search on google you'll easily be able to find a few websites that are charging less than $20US. Don't let the price fool you though. Depending on what you're looking for, this ball could represent the bargain that you're looking for.

Design

The Taylormade Burner LDP is a two piece construction golf ball. Taylormade like to talk about a number of key technologies built into the design of the ball - not surprising for the company that likes to invest adjustable drivers and woods.

The first technology is the "Low Drag Performance", which refers to the aerodynamic design (ie the dimple pattern design). The design of the dimple pattern itself is supposed to help keep the ball in the air longer if you miss a driver's sweet spot on the high side. Hitting the ball high on the driver face generally means that the ball takes off with less spin. By optimising the ball for this situation, Taylormade has aimed to keep the ball in the air for longer.

Taylormade use Iothane, a soft and durable material, for the cover of the Burner balls. Off the face of an iron it has a similar feel to urethane but allows Taylormade to produce the balls at a lower cost. The cover itself sports a 360 dimple design which is supposed to help limit drag and increase stability in cross winds. The core of the ball is soft, adding to the soft feel of the ball at impact. Yet it does manage to store a significant amount of energy transfer, helping the ball come off the face of the club hot and fast.

Distance

As I mentioned at the beginning, this particular ball surprised - actually it shocked the hell out of me. After hitting a ball into the water I pulled one out of my bag and dropped it into the rough 150 meters away from the pin. I pulled out my seven iron, swung and hit the ball. As it flew through the air with my usual 7 iron trajectory I packed up and started walking towards the green. I was shocked to find that the ball wasn't on the green asI had expected, but instead was laying underneath a tree twenty meters behind the green. The par 3 immediately after that hole suffered a similar fate. Attempting to hit a 165 meter draw with a six iron resulted in the ball twenty meters behind the green.

In the right hands this ball is a long ball. There's no two ways about it. However, swing speed is going to play a factor in where you get the most benefit. The compression rating of the ball is slightly less than the TP version which means that once you start swinging past a certain speed, the Burner won't be able to absorb anymore energy. For me personally, I found that my mid-irons flew ridiculously far. However I had no noticeable increase with my driver.

Feel

If you blindfolded me and asked me to swing at the Burner, the Burner TP, and the NXT Tour, I'd honestly have to say that I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. The Burner has a firmness that I prefer in a ball, but with a compression rating that's soft enough to know when the ball is coming off the face of your club hot. That feel extends to shots around the green too.

Spin

Spin is one area where I find the Burner lacking. Ordinarily my 6 or 7 iron shots might hit a green and skip a few feet before coming to a reasonably quick stop. Instead, my shots with these clubs hit the green and tore straight off the other side.

Wedges are a slightly different story. With the extra height coupled with some back spin there's not too much of an issue with the balls running away too far. Despite the lack of spin from full mid-iron shots, delicate shots from around the green didn't seem to pose a problem

Durability

Durability didn't seem to pose too much of an issue, despite the softish cover and core. Neither trees, footpaths, nor wedge grooves seemed to leave their mark on the Burner's iothane cover. No doubt over time something would eventually penetrate the Burner's gleaming exterior but you can be fairly comfortable that it's not a ball that's going to immediately shred when you take a wedge to it.

Conclusions

If you associate Taylormade's Burner line up with hot and fast golf balls launching into the air at high speed and travelling distances you wouldn't expect, then this ball fits the bill. It has the feel of a good, mid-range ball. It launches off your driver and irons with a trajectory that makes you think it's a good mid-range ball. It's just that when you go to where you think it's landed, you probably won't find it there. It will be a few meters further than you had probably expected it to go. All at a bargain basement price.

Distance certainly isn't the issue with this ball. Stopping it is. Off the mid-irons I couldn't generate enough spin to get the Burner to stop. It would simply hit the green and roll straight through it, finally coming to rest ten meters behind the green.

If you're the sort of person that likes to run the ball onto the green and are looking for some extra distance without sacrificing feel, this could be the ball for you. However, if you like to approach high and land soft, you might want to consider the Burner TP - it will give you the spin you need to ensure that your shot comes to a stop.

Golf Club Set Review - Jack Nicklaus Lady Compri

2012-03-26T05:41:00.002+10:00

If you're a guy that plays golf you may find yourself in the fortunate (or unfortunate depending on your perspective) position of finding that you wife wishes to join you on the course. Alternatively you may be a woman who one day decides that the thought of attempting to get a little white ball into a small cup from several hundred meters away just might be the latest life challenge you're up for. Either way, a set of clubs is obviously going to be a requirement.

The number of sets dedicated for women is growing out there now, from your very basic, entry level set to your higher end, brand name set from Cleveland, Mizuno, Ping, or Callaway. The Jack Nicklaus Lady Compri 2.01 set represents something that sits somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, albeit probably the lower end of the middle.

The Lady Compri set contains everything a woman would need to have a game of golf, with the execption of a glove, some tees, and balls. Included in the set is a small cart bag, three woods, three hybrids, and three irons, as well as a mallet putter. All of the clubs, the putter aside, are made with a light weight graphite shaft specifically designed for women. This includes having a low kick point (the point in the shaft where it does most of its bending during a swing) which helps increases lift and swing speed at the point of impact.

Increasing lift is what the Lady Compri set is all about. The general assumption made of women starting out in golf is that they aren't as strong as men. Because of this, a shot hit by a female won't launch with as much speed or spin as the equivalent male's shot (I'm generalising here so if you're a lady with an awesome swing please don't take offence). In cases where a person has a low swing speed and lacks the ability to apply a good amount of spin on the ball, getting the ball to launch high and stay airborne for as long as possible is the key to distance.

The entire set is advertised as having a higher loft than most sets, starting with the 460cc driver which has 15 degrees of loft - a normal 3 wood's equivalent loft. A 3 and 5 wood are also supplied, although I'm not one hundred percent sure of the lofts. I've guessed that the 3 wood is about a 17-18 degree loft and the 5 wood has 21 degrees of loft. All woods have a significant amount of offset to help square the club at impact, helping the player avoiding a slice.

Next in the set are three hybrids, a 6, 7, and 8. Again, the information on the Jack Nicklaus website makes it difficult to be sure of the lofts of the hybrids, however my best guess is that they're 30, 33, and 38 degrees. Being hybrids with the lower and deeper center of gravity, for a person with a slow swing they will launch higher than their equivalent irons while offering an additional level of forgiveness. The 7 and 8 are also handy for chipping, having a wide sole that won't dig into the ground.

The set finishes off with three irons that have weaker lofts than your standard game improvement lofts. The 9, pitching wedge, and sand wedge carry lofts of 45, 51, and 56 degrees which are all obviously focused on getting the ball up into the air. Each iron sports a deep cavity and wide sole to lower the center of gravity, making it easier to launch the ball higher. The wide sole also lessens the chance of the club digging into the ground.

The Lady Compri putter has a mallet design with a hollowed out center in an attempt to distribute some weight to the outer extremities helping increase the moment of inertia. The increased MOI helps to stop the putter from twisting on off center hits. The putter also uses a few blue lines combined with the basic shape of the putter in the hollowed out section for alignment, although some might find it a bit busy and distracting.

The cart bag accompanying the set comes in a neutral blue/gray colour combination and is large enough to carry all of clubs comfortably while also possessing sufficient pockets for most things a beginning golfer would need. It's smaller size also makes it quite light and easy to carry around. However, there's little room to add many more clubs or carry larger items such as jumpers and rain jackets.

These clubs are easy to hit straight and high. Each club has a fully offset club head designed to make it easier to square the head at impact, helping the beginner avoid the dreaded slice shot that tends to plague new golfers. You obviously need to be able to swing a club to hit the ball with these, however it certainly doesn't have to be anything remotely close to perfect to be able to enjoy the game.

From a quality perspective, the old adage of "you get what you pay for" really applies. In Australia this set retails from anywhere between $750 to $900, which is a bargain when you consider that you're effectively getting a six wood/hybrid combination, including a driver along with some irons and a bag. The clubs don't necessarily provide a solid level of feedback, but as game improvement clubs it's not really something you should be expecting anyway. Keeping them clean and moisture free is probably the only thing you have to make sure you do as they can get a little bit of surface rust, particularly on the faces of the woods and hybrid if moisture isn't cleaned off.

The Lady Compri set is a reasonable set for a woman to start off with, particularly if they're not a big hitter. Some of the gaps between the lofts of the different clubs are quite large and a little uneven but you only notice them if you're a longer hitter.

If you are a longer hitter, one of the first gaps you'll notice is the one between the 5 wood to the 6 hybrid. My wife Kerry can manage to drive the ball on a good day 150 - 180 meters or so on a good day. As she has improved she has found that she didn't have clubs for 110 to 130 meters out. A 3, 4, and 5 hybrid with lofts of 21, 24 and 27 degrees have since been added to cover these distances. Unfortunately the bag also became a bit small so that has since been replaced too.

If you're looking for a lady's beginner set and don't want to invest too much because you're not really sure whether or not you'll enjoy the game, the Jack Nicklaus Lady Compri 2.01 set is worth a look. Kerry, who has never had a lesson in her life, manages to hit the driver and most of the clubs in the set reasonably consistently. All of the clubs are reasonably easy hit and get up in the air.

The two main problems that Kerry has about the set lie in the gap between the 5 wood and first hybrid, and the size of the golf bag. We've had to go out and purchase some additional clubs and a new bag to compensate - but then again, that's part of the fun of the game too.

Callaway Intake Mesh Fitted Cap

2012-03-26T05:35:00.001+10:00

The domain of fashion is generally something that I leave to the likes of those that actually have a sense of style, like The Golf Girl. Personally, I'm more of a functional type of guy. So when I talk about the fact that I've found a really cool cap, I mean functionally cool, as opposed to stylistically cool.

In the land of down under we're beginning to leave what has at times been a fairly hot and humid summer. The Gold Coast generally averages low to mid 30C temperatures in summer with humidity in the 70% range. However this year, while the heat's been about the same, the humidity averaged in the high 90%s for a few weeks - equatorial type weather.

One thing that I personally don't enjoy too much is when I'm making to line up for a shot and a bead of sweat starts running down my forehead, in between my eyes before settling just on the tip of my nose. It's a little bit off putting and has all to do with the fact that my head in a fully enclosed cap in the middle of summer on the Gold Coast is just that fraction too hot.

Enter the Callaway Intake Mesh Fitted Cap. It's an extremely light weight cotton cap with the rear portion made from a mesh type material. The cap really lets the heat escape from your head on a steamy summer day.

Amongst the multitude of golf brands that manufacture their own caps, the Intake Mesh Fitted Cap stands out as one of the few that are designed to help keep you head cool. If you regularly play golf on a hot golf course, you might want to consider adding the Callaway cap to your wardrobe.

The Reflex Massage Ball - Recovering From Back Injuries

2012-03-26T04:45:00.000+10:00

If you play golf for long enough there's a good chance that at some point you'll hurt your back, neck or shoulders. It might come from not warming up enough or accidentally hitting the ground really hard.

Or you can do what I did on Thursday morning while trying to tweak my swing. Halfway through a swing I realised I wasn't doing what I should have been doing and forced a change mid-swing. The next thing I knew there was a shooting pain stemming from the right side of my neck and extending down to the midpoint of my back.

Muscle Knots - What Are They and What Causes Them

A muscle knot somewhere in my back, which is the most common ailment I've experienced when hurting my back while playing golf, is essentially a condition where various points in a muscle never actually end up relaxing. Instead, they're stuck in a state of being active, as if they're supporting a constant type of physical activity. Because the muscle doesn't go back into its relaxed state, this limits the range of motion you can have without experiencing pain.

As for the why a muscle knot occurs, that's something that appears to still be under research. I have a fair idea of when it happens. From my own experience it seems to occur when your body encounters some sort of unexpected and abrupt resistance (like hitting the ground) that stops it from fulfilling its intended action.

The Cure

The key to relieving the pain from muscle knots is to obviously get the affected muscles to relax. This can be done by any number of methods: electrical stimulation, ultrasound therapy, the application of hot and cold packs, or through massage. Enter the Reflex Massage Ball (sometimes known as the spiky massage ball - for obvious reasons).

The Reflex Massage Ball

A physiotherapist happened to sell me one of these balls for the princely sum of $10 Australian when I managed to do my very first back injury from golf. The ball, and spikes in particular are constructed from a reasonably firm rubber. When pressed and rolled along your back, or any other part of your body where a muscle knot may exist, the spikes act as accupressure points which help blood flow to the affected muscle area. The kneading effect that these balls have helps relax the muscle while the increased blood flow in the area helps promote healing.

Using them is a fairly simple exercise. You simply get the ball and roll it against the affected area until you can feel a specific point of muscular pain, which is usually in the form of a raised lump. Once you've found this point, you simply press the ball against the area and roll it back and forth until you feel the knot start to iron itself out.

Finding the affected spot usually isn't the problem. It hurts a lot! The actual kneading process of ironing out the knot with the massage ball can be a bit painful at first. However you'll find relief as the affected muscle begins to relax. If you're on your own, all you need to do is place the ball in between your back and a wall and just move yourself up and down while leaning against it.

In Conclusion

The Reflex Massage Ball is something that I've used numerous times over the last two years. It's helped fix up several neck, shoulder, and back injuries without having to resort to visiting a physiotherapist. And it works quickly, if you use it routinely while injured.

Obviously if you have something serious then expert advice is best. But if you find yourself with a muscle knot that you want to quickly get rid of, having one of the massage balls in your cupboard can be a godsend.