It’s that time of year again!! And no I’m not talking about the PGA Merchandise Show, although, that’s going to be pretty awesome. It’s the (cue dramatic yet enthusiastic theme song)

2012 Battle of the Golf Blogs!!!!!

This is an annual event where the worlds best golf bloggers come together for an all out cage match, adrenaline pumping battle royal on the golf course. And as everyone’s favorite Scotsman is known to say, “There can be only one!”

The event is now in it’s fourth year and the location has changed from the ferocious Falcon’s Fire to the Righteous Reunion Resort.

This year’s contestants.

Yours truly, Dave “Double Bogey” Lair – 2011 BOGB Co-Champion, Current Lefty-Challenge title holder and all around crummy golfer. Dave’s current claim to fame is playing golf for an audience of four… dogs that is. Double digit handicapper, he’s an either ya got it or ya don’t style golfer who can sling the golf-scuses with the best of em..

Tony “Parking Lot Skier” Korologos – Writer of Hookedongolfblog.com, Tony is a former BOGB Champion and last years videographer, commentator, twittergrapher and sound guy. Due to an incident last year with some unruly ice, Tony had to bow out of last years slugfest, but seems to be in primo form for 2012.

Rob “More Rust Than a ’73 Ford Pinto” Hayashida – Writer of SandBox8.com, Rob is hungry to dish out some beat-down pie with a side of butt-whoopin’. Although Rob claims he’s out of practice, sources have reported that he’s been working with swing coach Hank Haney and is more than ready to unleash the fury on his fellow combatants.

John “He Actually Made It!” Duval – Writer of IntoTheGrain.com, 2011 BOGB Co-Champion and arch nemesis to Dave Lair. John suffered a painful defeat during last year’s Lefty Challenge and has been publically stating that he is more than ready to reclaim the title.

This year, Battle of the Golf Blogs is being hosted at Reunion Resort’s Nicklaus Course, 7,244 yard of pure madness. The format is going to be stableford with handicaps and we’ve welcomed quite a few sponsors to the event. Srixon Golf will be providing Z-Star and Q-Star Golf Balls, LoudMouth Golf will be providing the battle leggings, Kentwool is supplying some performance socks, Asher Golf is fitting everyone with some gauntlets, Frogger Golf is supplying brush-pro tools and towels to wipe the blood, sweat and tears from our brows and finally Champ Flytees to mount our flying projectiles.

Here’s a video of last years action to whet your appetite..

We’ll be providing up to the minute coverage of the event via twitter and facebook, so stay tuned for an awesome event!

Accurate, consistent and stylish pretty much sum up Cobra S3 irons. I heard these clubs have the ability to help with distance, so I figured I’d give them a fair shake to win me over. Although their design may be a little flashy for my taste, I’ve learned to never judge a book by its cover. Just because it looks young and fun doesn’t mean it won’t deliver veteran-worthy performance, right?

Well, I never thought Cobra would become a club of choice for me, but I can definitely say I’m pleasantly surprised and impressed by these irons. For a forged club, the ball comes off the face pretty hot, and I like it! They’re smooth and when you make contact, the ball in flight is definitely a thing of beauty. So, my first demo out with the Cobra S3 irons, I found myself hitting purer shots and ultimately taking more risks with confidence. In fact, they didn’t seem like risks, after all! I simply felt like I graduated to another level.

Appearance

I know I’ve complained about the looks of the irons but in all fairness, it’s really only the yellow markings on the ones I was playing with that made me feel as though a ray of sunshine was haunting me. That being said, I certainly didn’t mind the hint of color when I got just the right amount of air on that beautiful shot at the 3rd hole. Okay, aside from the yellow, I love the smoky PVD finish. It adds a little mystery, in my opinion. Although Cobra is no newbie to the two-toned design, these irons just look seamless, like a nice contemporary piece of art. The contrast just works!

Although the blade is certainly not small, the head is by no means intrusive. In fact, it looks smaller when you are looking at it from above. If you prefer an iron with a little more bulk, you may not get excited about the size, but for me, it’s just right. I do question Cobra’s reasoning for placing that mirrored shiny finish on the side that sort of looks out of place, but I can only assume it’s to make the clubs last longer, knowing that PVD will eventually wear out.

Forged from 1025 high carbon steel, I must note that you won’t deal with glare coming off of them. They are well-balanced with a Nippon 1030h shaft, finished off with velvet grips.

Performance

It’s rare that you are granted distance and forgiveness, in one iron. I have learned that I always seem to be sacrificing one for the other. Do I want to nail those balls with impressive speed and height, or do I want my ball to go where I want, rather than off to the right all day? It’s the story of my life. Before trying out the Cobra S3 irons, I had never fully understood the term, have your cake and eat it too, but you really can have it all!

This is a forgiving iron that is not overly manipulative, so you don’t feel like you’re wearing training wheels, but it’s also an iron that promotes distance. Yes, finally the best of both worlds. Maybe the ray of sunshine on them really does help! Hits are both long and workable.

What I like is that although they are forgiving, I don’t feel as though I’m swinging a shovel. There is no clunky feeling because the Nippon 1030h shaft is well-mated to the head. The back swing feels effortless and balanced and the downswing is an even more pleasing experience.

Should you mishit with the Cobra S3 irons, you will feel exactly where you went wrong, rather than guessing and trying to determine a solution. There is an extra-large safe hitting zone in the larger irons, which shrinks to normal size by the time you get to the pitching wedge. These are irons that definitely feel good to use.

I will say, I don’t think that they are quite as consistent as the Ping K15 irons, but they are definitely in the running. They’re not as buttery soft as Miura or Mizuno, but they are pure, definitely outperforming many in their class.

Review

I know that distance shouldn’t matter all that much when it comes to rating irons, but when it’s the longest iron I’ve tested, suddenly it does. I found myself having to go easy on a few shots, trusting that the distance would just come naturally, and it did!

Without sacrificing feel, you get an iron that is hot across nearly the entire face. So, while it may not be the most forgiving option on the market, it certainly offers enough forgiveness to get excited about. Pair that up with a longer shaft and virtually no glare, and you have yourself a winner in my books!

Want to see what we have to think? Check out our Golf Club Reviews page to see if we’ve take the club you’re interested in for a test drive.

Introduction

There is a wise quote in the American military that says, “Talent is hitting a target no one else can hit; genius is hitting a target no one else can see”. Just like in the military where the weapon greatly determines the accuracy and power you can generate, in golf too, a lot depends on the club or driver being used. Being able to hit the target requires a considerable amount of calculation, precision, balance, and power. Not all drivers can deliver all of these and where a particular club delivers on power, it will compromise on stability and vice versa. Therefore, choosing the appropriate golf driver for the game is as crucial as choosing the right weapon for a war. This is especially true in the case of international tours.

Technical Specifications

TaylorMade knows its products well, delivering smarter and more innovative products to ardent golf enthusiasts. The Superfast series of drivers have set the bar pretty high with the highly refined SuperFast technology being the spearheading factor in its drive to innovation. A lighter driver also means faster swing speed and a greater distance traveled. In all, the following are the key features of the TaylorMade Burner Superfast 2.0 that this review will focus on:

Build-Quality and Aerodynamics – TaylorMade seems to have tried its level best to ensure that the Superfast 2.0 recorded the lowest possible weight. It has been dubbed the featherweight champion by independent reviews, which is understandable, with a weight of 279 grams. This makes the Superfast 2.0 driver the lightest in the series. Also, the longer driver shaft works well with the light weight to generate a faster swing speed giving more power to the drive. TaylorMade has also worked well on the aerodynamics of the Superfast 2.0 with a streamlined club head and shaft to ensure greater resistance and lower drag.

The Club Head – The club head is deliberately designed to be big and deep to provide a higher launching angle and lower revolutions on the ball. The head helps the ball greatly in its carry and working in collaboration with the other dynamics of the Superfast 2.0 driver, it ensures greater stability, higher power, and greater distance traveled.

Head Shape – TaylorMade has also done a lot of research on the club head of the Superfast series and this is evident in the Inverted Cone face technology that it has developed. This face of the club head has been designed such that the chance of missing the sweet spot will be a rarity.

Other Features – The crown of the Superfast 2.0 is coated with white non-glare paint and black clubface, which has been carried through to it’s successor, the TaylorMade R11 Driver.

Some Benefits of Using This Driver

The Superfast 2.0 series has been carefully designed by Taylormade to offer greater distance with lesser input of power. It does well in meeting its objective while at the same time offering the golf enthusiast greater stability, lower revolutions, and lower drag. It’s light weight also helps a great deal in generating a greater amount of power. Additionally, the head of the Superfast 2.0 is built to be light and this provides greater accuracy with a bigger sweet spot. The head also creates a higher launch angle, which some may not prefer.

So there is no denying that, among the many advantages the Superfast 2.0 Driver offers, greater distance is the most noticeable. The good length of the club, 46 and a half inches to be precise, offers good power on occasions the ball does not meet the sweet spot of the club head. This makes it a popular choice for amateur golfing enthusiasts who have a higher tendency for off-center hits.

Final Word

The Superfast 2.0 is designed to deliver added power for greater distance traveled. It is a really good choice for higher handicaps looking for a more layman friendly driver. However, restricting the Superfast 2.0 to a specific class or user group is not justified given the added functionality and performance it offers. As with any club, it is recommended that you get your new weapon dialed in with a custom club fitting.

Want to see what we have to think? Check out our Golf Club Reviews page to see if we’ve take the club you’re interested in for a test drive.

Changing Trends in Golfing

As of recently, manufacturers of golf balls have started making the cover softer than before in an attempt to enhance spin; a measure that is increasingly necessary seeing the drastic changes being made in golf clubs with club manufacturers preferring the introduction of grooves in wedges. Not all golf club manufacturing companies have adapted to the changing standard of golf balls and this has resulted in a compromise in performance in the golfing arena.

Some Key Features of the White Ice 2

Odyssey has really shown promising signs of development and research with the new White Ice moniker technology. The fine-tuned improvisations made in the face insert have helped in enhancing sound, and resilience. The new insert has also improved response rate and consistency. The core of the insert is 20% firmer to give better feel while the face has been deliberately roughened to create a brushed surface effect. This improves performance of the golfers when they are using softer golf balls that are more common today.

The prominent features of the Odyssey White Ice 2 Putter are:

• The insert – The feature that has unmistakably taken the most planning, the face insert of the Odyssey White Ice 2 Putter has been tweaked to perfection with the years of experience that Callaway has in manufacturing golfing products. The insert promises greater responsiveness, consistency, resilience and sound.

• Adjustable Weighting – The White Ice 2 is designed with adjustable weighting technology which allows the golfer to optimize it with three settings.

• White Ice 2 is made of dark-nickel with a rich finish which is enough to boost the confidence level of the golfer.

• It is used on international tours by many golf players which proves the style quotient it holds compared to other putters.

• Callaway has really done its math right in developing the core focusing on both resiliency and feel. The inner core is made 19.6% firmer enhancing the feel of the White Ice 2. It also offers improved resiliency with 92% more stiffness.

• With its light weight, the White Ice 2 offers perfect balance, enhancing feel and control and providing greater accuracy.

Callaway has always been one step ahead of its competitors with Odyssey range of products that has been planned to perfection with a custom designed insert patented under the company name. The introduction of the evolved face insert for the new White Ice Putter series compensates for the varying designs of golf balls.

The most obvious and unmistakable change introduced in the White Ice 2 Putter is the 2-ball part. In general, it is the golf-ball shaped white alignment aids that decorate the top of the putter. The addition of this aid in the Odyssey range is very useful for amateur golfing enthusiasts who need practice with their putt shots. Looking down at the ball, the golfer can distinguish a line created by the series of golf balls that point toward the trail you intend to follow. It is an innovative way of helping golfers in successfully guiding the golf ball towards the putt.

Testing the Odyssey White Ice 2

Testing this artistically designed putter is a treat for anyone who wants to try it. It has a pleasant feel about it and gives confidence to the golfer. The classy look with the dark-nickel finish also adds to the overall effect and look. It has a decent weight which is distributed evenly across the body to provide balance and stability. Having tested countless putters before, the White Ice 2 offers incredible responsiveness and adaptability. It is also available for left-handed golfers.

For the skeptic ones, it becomes evident what purpose the golf-ball shaped alignments marked down the shaft are intended to serve. “Putt-ing” the ball becomes considerably easy with the help of these aids. The white Ice 2 is a must-buy for amateur golf enthusiasts who need practice with putt-ing shots. Also, the face insert feels great offering a cracking sound upon impact. It also has a wider “sweet spot which enhances accuracy of shots. It is amazing how effortlessly it guides the golf ball into the putt.

Comes With a 2-year Warranty

Last but not the least, Odyssey offers a 2-year money back guarantee for dissatisfied customers. That being said, odyssey products have seldom found their way back to the manufacturers seeing the fine build-quality that the company offers. Odyssey putters have been known for their high resistance to wear-and-tear and weather and this is signified by the Odyssey assurance of quality. Sp for those people who are having difficulty putting their shots and who think that they golf coaching lessons are going to waste, Odyssey White Ice 2 can help them to catch the road to success. However, this does not in any way imply that the White Ice 2 is meant just for amateur golfers; with the high build quality and classy finish, it is the dream club of any international golf player.

Want to see what we have to think? Check out our Golf Club Reviews page to see if we’ve take the club you’re interested in for a test drive.

If you are like most, you’re probably wondering if Ping K15 irons are really that much different than the G15 irons,  and how will they compare to the G20 irons that are forthcoming? Well, many are calling them the perfect hybrid; I call them unbelievably forgiving, even on a bad day! Fair enough, Ping and every other name tosses the term forgiving  around like alligators in the Everglades, but as much as I’d like to ping (no pun intended) manufacturers for the overuse of this word, it’s nothing short of appropriate here.

I am a creature of habit, I rarely accept new change and quite honestly, I didn’t want to like, much less get excited, over a hybrid club. However, after taking many skeptical swings with the Ping K15 irons, they quickly broke down my defensive walls.

It is said that hybrids are beneficial for older golfers or those who simply don’t have the speed on their downswing to get them to the green. When you add an iron that increases speed, provides forgiveness and offers the best launch angle, you produce more accurate and further shots. It’s hard to complain; unless you’re overshooting the green and, then you have other problems.

Looks

If you hate the big and bulky look, you will probably already have a strong opinion formed about the Ping K15 irons. For a long time, I wanted my clubs streamlined; why should others know that I was using one that offered correction. I almost felt like I was riding a bike with training wheels. Then, I looked around and realized that perhaps my judgmental self was a little outdated. As I was proudly taking an extra stroke with my simple irons, others were laughing their way to the green with their corrective ones. So, appearance of these irons is neutral for me. I don’t mind the big bulky look, because I’ve learned to appreciate what they offer.

That being said, considering the size of these irons, the head is a lot more compact than you would expect. The finish is handsome, similar to raw steel. It looks great, and perhaps it’s my fondness for medieval warfare, but I feel stronger holding a piece of steel rather than the PVD finishes on so many today. Add that to the thick toplines, wide soles and conforming grooves, and you may just find an appreciation for clunky!

Performance

If I can sum up the Ping K15 irons in one word, it would definitely be consistent. It doesn’t matter if you are on favorable land or not, the sweet spot of the face is easy to find. It’s as if the ball is magnetically charged to attract the face to it at the precise spot and angle. If I had a problem with slicing, (which I would never admit to), I would say that these clubs can definitely reduce those tendencies.

Cutting through the rough is simpler, and it allows for even gentle draws and fades. Very good spin correction is offered as well. I will say that it does return a little feedback on mishits, but it’s quite subtle, not at all unpleasant like I was expecting. When you do strike the middle of the face, you definitely know it, as you are gifted with a crisp sensation.

If you are assuming that these are going to be heavy irons, causing you to ice your shoulders later, they’re not. Due to the thinner face being repositioned to the toe, there is a significant weight savings that is appreciated. A higher launch angle is achieved due to the wide soles and a center of gravity combines nicely with stronger lifts to produce longer shots. This is done without having to sacrifice higher trajectory that is typically required from a forgiving iron.

Bottom line, when you can control your game from around 175 yards, you have a better chance at reaching more greens. This translates to bogeys, pars and birdies, so who cares if someone else knows you’re swinging a helpful iron; you won’t be the one hiding your scorecard in the bottom of the trash later.The Ping K15 irons offer a deep and low center of gravity, lightweight titanium face, offset hosel and a high MOI, which all dictates to a better game.

Review

If you are a single-digit handicap, you probably won’t see the benefits of these irons, but if you are perhaps a mid to low handicap who has a tendency to slice or fade, you will likely develop a strong relationship with the Ping K15 irons. They feel good, and you can count on them to deliver. So, even if you don’t live for the oversized appearance, you will be willing to overlook this. If you are not shooting somewhere in the low 80s, these can improve your game.

I’ve always respected Ping; they have a well-deserved reputation, so I’m always anxious to see what they’ll offer next. Despite that I wanted to bash them for using that forgiving word I get so tired of hearing, I can’t! These irons deliver exactly what they promise!

Want to see what we have to think? Check out our Golf Club Reviews page to see if we’ve take the club you’re interested in for a test drive.

Quite honestly, I have not been this excited about a driver (or any other club) since the Big Bertha. I would probably even say that I’ve found my soulmate in the Callaway Diablo Octane driver, if it wasn’t missing that beautiful titanium sound that I have grown so fond of through the years. A gorgeous club that promise more yards; could you really ask for anything else?

The driver is faster, strong and lighter than pretty much any in its class, and although the forged composite does take a few swings to get used to, it is easy to quickly fall in love. When Callaway claims that the Diablo Octane is the most powerful driver to date, they’re not joking! My first run of balls at the range had my adrenaline pumping. Despite my long morning earlier, I wasn’t ready to go home and relax for the day; I needed to play a round like an addict yearns for a fix. Hooked was an understatement!

Appearance and Specifications

Although I miss the sound of a titanium driver, I can’t argue that forged composite is a wise choice. There are over 10 million turbostratic carbon fibers in the Diablo Octane, and although I may not understand the scientific breakdown of these components, I can appreciate what they deliver.

The driver is incredibly lightweight, which is what took me a minute to get used to. Callaway uses a chemical reduction process that is really quite unique, to remove excess material from the face. Not only is the club lighter, it helps to stabilize off-center shots hit from virtually all areas of the clubface.

The head incorporates a smaller footprint with a nice deep face. When you combine this with an open face angle, less face progression and a full tour hostel, you are granted a driver that looks as fierce as it feels.

Performance

I have to admit, I was excited about this driver before I even got my hands on it, but as time grew near to demo it, I was filled with anxiety. Quite honestly, I was scared that it would not measure up to my expectations. I have found from experience that many drivers do not sit nicely behind the ball, some can even be a bit unstable and distracting when you’re trying to line up. The first thing I noticed is that the Diablo Octane not only sat properly, it pretty much squared itself too!

All my anxiety was put to rest after just a couple swings. This driver impressed me immediately. The face of this thing is so incredibly hot, your ball literally jumps off of it! I easily picked up 15 yards on my first time out. Even though it was a nice calm day, I was still beyond impressed.

Now, there has been debate over the larger shaft. Is the length really needed to enhance feel and maximize performance? Callaway says that the increased club length allows you to achieve more power and greater speed on impact, and I have to agree. There are definitely a lot of players who are going to feel as though this length is awkward. You may feel a little less in control, but you will find the driver nearly does all the work itself. A few minor adjustments approaching the ball and you will never want to use a driver with a shorter shaft again.

Now, if you are a 1-handicap, you may find yourself losing distance with this driver. I have found that anyone at this skill level is opting for the Tour model. The Diablo Octane is much more appropriate for the aspiring golfer who would be delighted with even a little improvement but doing backflips over an increased distance in their drive. I think the majority of the golf population falls neatly in this category, whether we like to admit it or not.

Review

When a driver promises increased distance, it better deliver. The Callaway Diablo Octane driver delivers, and goes on to leave a nice fat tip! Callaway certainly knew that they were doing when they teamed up with Lamborghini in a unique partnership to create a club so special that it’s worthy of being an addition to any bag.

The forged composite simply works. It allows for superior distribution, and it is easy to swing by most players. They Hyperbolic Face Technology provides consistently high ball speeds while the Project X Graphite Shaft enhances feel and performance.

Of course, if all this isn’t enough to get you excited, it boasts a stunning contemporary design. Deep, jewel-red shades add depth and interest. This is a driver that you will want to use and show off every chance you get! I do believe that Big Bertha finally met its match.

Want to see what we have to think? Check out our Golf Club Reviews page to see if we’ve take the club you’re interested in for a test drive.

Rules Of The Contest

There will be three age groups in the contest, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8
Submit the following videos:

• 2- Swings from down the line (Behind golfer, looking at target)

• 2- Swings from Face-On (Looking at golfer from side)

Upload the  video to YouTube or Vimeo and paste video link on the sign up form.

Only ONE submission per person
Entry Period: December 1st 2011 – January 15th 2012
Judging will take place from Jan. 15th through Jan. 24th
First round judging will be conducted by Little Linksters, LLC staff.
Final winners will be selected by:

Brendon R. Elliott, PGA (Founder & CEO of Little Linksters, LLC)
Lexi Thompson
Jim McLean
Win McMurry
Kelly Sheehan (Big Break)

Winners will be announced @ the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show.

Prizes (As of 11/26/11) :

The Littlest Golfer apparel and “First Set” golf clubs
U.S. Kids Golf Full set of clubs and accessories
EyeLine Golf training aids package
Golfer’s Footprint
MoRodz alignment rods
Almost Golf play anywhere pack
Golf Coach Direct online lessons
Little Linksters coloring book and prize pack

The contest begins soon so get your video camera out and start shooting!

Here’s the link to the sign up form Best Pee Wee Golf Swing In America Contest

Good Luck!

Taylormade’s R7 irons have been around for a while now and have been superseded in popularity by the TaylorMade Burner Irons, R9 irons and most recently the new R11 Irons.

However, that doesn’t mean they do not remain a good option, especially given the drop in the price as the flood of newer models are released. I grabbed a set and headed off to the range to see how they perform.

The R7 is a Game Improvement iron with a deep cavity aimed at mid-high handicappers. It’s super easy to hit high and straight and the lofts are pretty strong, so distance is also good. These are irons built for ease of use and power; so how do they hold up against their younger brothers and sisters?

Looks

The R7 iron isn’t bad looking at all. The yellow and black color scheme is classy looking and the cavity is nicely designed and as discreet as it can be for a club of this type.

The topline is quite chunky with some offset but again, it doesn’t seem to be too exaggerated or extreme in anyway. All in all it looks exactly like what it is, a game improvement iron built to get the ball up in the air.

It may be a few years old now but it looks sharp enough and would grace anyone’s bag on that front. It’s not as if you are going to be squirming with embarrassment when your pals eye up what you are gaming. I was fairly impressed with the aesthetics of the R7 iron.

Specifications

The irons are geared toward high ball flight and long distances. The combination of strong lofts and the head design support those objectives. This was one of Taylormade’s first irons to incorporate their Inverted Cone Technology that maximizes the COR (Coefficient of Restitution) across a portion of the clubface. This basically allows the very thin face to generate maximum performance from a wider portion of the face.

The head also includes a shock absorption bar that reduces the harshness of poorer strikes and gives improved feel from the enlarged sweet spot. It’s a nice touch that gives the cast head a little more feedback for the player.

Stock shafts are the T-Step 90 gram steel or Reax Graphite which both perform well enough.

Performance

The irons set up pretty nicely behind the ball and they look like they mean business with their thicker topline. The offset should help higher handicappers without being so much as to become a distraction.

I hit around 20 balls and my initial thoughts were very much as I expected. These are a set of irons that fly straight and high and are excellent on off center hits. They are pretty much what a weekend or casual golfer would want and a good starting set for a newbie. Ball after ball flew straight and true and there is no doubt that these clubs deliver what they promise.

I then had a go hitting a few fades, draws and punch shots. I was able to cut the 7 iron as I wanted but the draw was a little harder to execute for me. That’s largely due to my own swing characteristics though and when I overdid my draw set up it did fly with a nice right to left flight. They aren’t really designed for shot shaping but if your game is up to it there is no reason why you can’t manage it with the R7 Irons. Punch shots were a breeze, just sort out your set up and crunch it away low for a piercing driller down the line. For the type of golfer these are aimed at this is probably a much more useful weapon and the R7 was good here.

So that’s how the R7 does but how much improvement have Taylormade brought in with their newer sets and importantly is the extra cost balanced out by added performance?

I then hit some shots with an R9 iron and the performance was identical to the R7s. The only difference was a marginally softer feel in the R9 and a better stock shaft offering with the KBS 90. The Burner iron was next and again the performance was just about the same as the R7. The Burner was not noticeably easier to hit or any longer than the R7. Like the R9 the only noticeable thing I could find was the softer feel but for what you pay for each set, the sacrifice for feel over dollars seems a good one to take.

Summary

The R7 irons really deliver and are a great option for a wide range of golfers, whether they are looking to gain confidence, find a well built set that can save them money or someone just starting out in the world of golf. They look good, feel good and are good value, all in all they are pretty good.

Sure they are a little longer in the tooth than some but they still do what good irons do and remain very comparable to the R9 and Burner models for feel, performance and distance. Not quite a forgotten gem but certainly worth looking into if you want a Game Improvement iron that won’t break the bank.

About Skycaddie

Skycaddie have been around for a few years now and is used by many golfers. It’s basically a caddy in phone form and has good range of detailed information at the push of a button.

Skycaddie enables you to check your distances to your target and key points on each hole such as bunkers, water, out of bounds, trees and just about anything else that you would ever need to consider before playing your shot.

How it works

Skycaddie representatives have been out on courses all over the world mapping out the distances for you. When you purchase the unit you then download the course(s) that you require and you have all the information at your disposal. Software now works for both Windows and Mac systems and is very simple to utilize.

Each hole appears on the screen and you can move a cross hair to check the yardage to wherever you want. Most useful, Skycaddie has what it calls it’s IntelliGreen feature which gives the distance to front and back of the green, the pin location and to any split tier.

You can also use it to determine how far you hit each club. Don’t worry though, you can keep that information to yourself and still hit the golf forums and tell everyone about your amazing 300 yards drives and smooth 7 irons that flew 190 into the wind. They’ll never know any differently and you can just hide the 4 iron for that 190 yard approach.

On purchasing the unit you need to signup for a yearly contract which includes a fee of around $30 per year, rising to $60 if you intend to jet set around the globe taking on a host of international courses. These membership plans are necessary if you want pre-loaded data but you can take a free option and input everything yourself.

How good is it?

Out on the course the Skycaddie is obviously going to give you quite a few benefits. Alongside knowing the actual distance you have to go comes the confidence of being a good deal more certain that you are using the correct club. How many times have you been unsure and fearing that you are a club short, make that fatal last minute attempt to squeeze a bit extra out of your swing? I know I’ve done it more times than I’d like to admit and armed with that extra information it can help you maintain a better swing throughout your round.

Your Skycaddie comes with a clip allowing you to attach it to your belt or, more commonly your bag. Just walk to your ball, check the screen and you can instantly see how far you have to go to the green. It means less uncertainty and pacing about to any markers to work out how far you have. Good news for speeding up play and that’s another nice side affect of the Skycaddie.

Having been mapped by real people on each course Skycaddie is very accurate. There were some rumblings in their early days but these have been ironed out and you can be confident that what the screen tells you is correct. From what I have seen and heard there are no problems regarding inaccurate yardages.

The screen is easy to read and understand and doesn’t become impossible to see in bright sunlight. All in all it’s a decent tool, well made and useful.

Skycaddie choices

Skycaddie offer several models, each with differing levels of information. The top of the range SGX can store an eye-watering 30.000 courses (though, who is going to play that many is beyond this reviewer), the SG5 can store up to 20 courses and the SG4 10. All models can manage up to 10 which should be fine for all but the most widely traveled golfer to use day in day out.

The SGX model retails at around $300 and the other models generally sit nearer $200. You do get a good amount of information for your money but they can’t exactly be called cheap. However, having had the misfortune to give “cheap” a trial run, all I can say is that it was a fairly hideous experience and that you do get what you pay for.

Model Features

Summary

Skycaddie offer a good choice of models that can help any golfer with their game. The units are easy to use in hand and only total IT novices would need assistance in accessing the downloaded courses.

They are a solid choice in a rapidly growing market and justify the tag of market leader as 2011 draws to a close.

Want to see what we have to think? Check out our Golf Club Reviews page to see if we’ve take the club you’re interested in for a test drive.

About the MX-300

Mizuno has been churning out great forged clubs for years now and has earned a reputation for creating beautiful looking, soft feeling quality irons that retain their quality long after the hype has passed.

Over the last couple of years they have been releasing new models at a bewildering pace and golfers have never had such a wide range to choose from. As a basic rule of thumb, Mizuno entitles their classically designed mid to low-handicap clubs the MP irons and the MX series for mid to high handicappers.

But what about the MX-300 Irons? Although an “MX,” they’re not for the weekend or casual players; you need to be a decent ball-striker to get the best out of them as they aren’t hugely forgiving.

Single digit guys and girls may give them a whirl but are more likely to choose an MP iron for the added workability.

So although the Mizuno MX-300 could be in danger of having an identity crisis, Mizuno is confident that they fill a niche that lies between the shadowy boundaries of low and mid handicaps.

So if you sit around a 9 – 14 handicap then these are worth a look.

Looks and Features

The MX-300 is another strong Mizuno design. It has a small cavity back adorned with simple black and silver graphics and looks neat and classy. The topline is pretty thin but there’s a bit of width there to stop your teeth chattering as you address it. It looks like just what it is, an iron that isn’t quite a blade or muscleback nor a chunky game improvement iron.

The lofts are strong for distance junkies but the head contains Mizuno’s Y-Tune technology that helps lessen the drop off in performance from toe end hits. You can see from the picture how that Y shaped bar runs across the back of the club and separates into the arms of the Y toward the toe. All very discreetly of course, this is Mizuno we are talking about.

So is it the best of both worlds or a bit of a lost soul? Only one way to find out and the range was calling…..

Performance

Well they do look good. In the hand they feel like a proper iron should and the looks are elegant and professional. The weighting is nicely balanced; you can feel the club head but it is not like you are trying swing a sledge hammer around. All in all it the usual Mizuno quality on basic looks and feel.

Now I fit right in when it comes to the type of player that Mizuno are aiming the MX-300s at. Blades are a slightly distant dream but I want a little more finesse than a wide soled game improver. These look just the ticket. They have a slim top line, beautifully proportioned head size and a drop dead gorgeous chrome finish.

It’s there. No doubt about it, it’s there. That wonderful buttery soft Mizuno feel makes the MX-300s a pleasure to hit. It just leaps out at you as soon you make contact. Pure silk forged heaven in a crystal glass, served by your favorite barkeep. I could go on for hours about the feel…I really could but I guess you want to know a bit more than that so let’s move on. If you haven’t got the message by now you never will.

The MX-300s are long due to their lofts and the flight is very strong and penetrating. I found my best shots flew very much like a blade, soaring to the top of its flight and then parachuting gently down onto the target. A real dream and great for zeroing in on the green.

Off center strikes were punished but not severely. You weren’t strapped across the desk and given a good flogging, just made to empty the trash and given some extra homework. My bad shots flew O.K. and still felt fine although the special feel was gone; these aren’t great strikes after all. I’d say I lost around 10-15% distance which beats a lame dribble up the fairway by a long shot.

Whilst they offer some help on the less than perfect shots they aren’t really for the most casual players or beginners. You do need a bit of experience and ball striking ability to make the most of them. It seemed to me that the niche Mizuno are looking at satisfying with these was perfectly identified.

The long irons naturally have a little more help and I was happy enough with how I hit the 3, 4 & 5 irons. The good ones really stay hit and fly true and high. Lower down the set, the “helpful” nature of the clubs tails off and you’re given a short irons designed for shaping shorts, ideal for finding nasty pin locations or avoiding trouble.

Review

The Mizuno MX-300 irons do their job very well. It provides playability, enough forgiveness for a proficient but not stellar iron player and a feel to die for. Few cavity backed irons have that level of purity in the strike and even fewer make you want to go and buy another basket of balls and carry on hitting them but that’s what I did.

It’s a competitive market in the low-mid handicap zone but if you fall into that category than the MX-300 is a must try.

Want to see what we have to think? Check out our Golf Club Reviews page to see if we’ve take the club you’re interested in for a test drive.