The PING G10 and i10 irons and were well received for the most part. The G10 irons continued to improve the game improvement line, while the i10s seemed to take a step closer to the S57/S58 player line of clubs. Some players of the i5 were put off by that, some seemed to embrace it.

Now, in 2009, PING has released the 15 line of clubs, including new i15 and G15 irons. It seems PING has listened to the feedback from their loyal customers and made some welcomed changes to the i15 line. Today we will have a closer look at the i15 irons. Over the next few weeks we will also be having a look at some of the other clubs in this new 15 line. Throughout the review you will see some pictures of the PING i15 irons alongside pictures of Mizuno MP-57 irons, which are targeted at a similar level of player.

As always, we will start with a little information from PING then on to the detailed review.

Background

In the design of the i15 iron, PING engineers focused on the better player who prefers an iron set that offers the control to play a variety of shots. Created as a progressive set, the longer irons are larger for more forgiveness. The mid- and short-irons are smaller to ensure workability and control on approach shots.

The stainless steel iron features a tungsten toe insert to add forgiveness to the mid-size design. A stabilizing bar and new Custom Tuning Port (CTP) provides the feel and sound attributes preferred by better players.

Specifications

The following table details the club specifications of the PING i15 irons.

Look and Feel

The PING i15 irons feature a relatively compact face size. As you can see in some of the pictures in this review, they are pretty similar to that of the Mizuno MP-57 or Adams Idea Pro Gold irons. They are, however, slightly larger than the previous generation i10 irons. While the backside may look a little busy to the golf purist, at address the irons setup real clean. The top line is relatively thin for an iron with this much forgiveness and the offset in the shorter irons is pretty minimal. When you get up to the 3/4/5 iron, the offset is a little more prominent and the top line is a little more noticeable, but nothing overly distracting. They have designed the clubs this way, where the offset and club head size gets progressively larger as you get up to those long irons.

Feel wise, I would not put these in the same class as a forged iron like the Mizuno MP line or even the Adams Idea Pro Gold irons. However, as with most things, there are always trade-offs. We are giving up a little in that feel department to gain a little in the forgiveness realm. All that being said, by no means are these dead shovels. I always knew where on the face I had hit the ball and I find that level of feedback to be critical to my game, especially while practicing. It was just on the sweet spot shots that I felt like I lost a little of that buttery smooth forged iron feel. Nonetheless, hitting an i15 3 iron on the center of the face, and watching it rocket down the center of the fairway is pretty awesome. They are also actually quite nice feeling on chip shots. I spent a good amount of time hitting 8/9/PW bump and run shots and really liked the feel there.

Performance

The long irons in this set are rock solid. Featuring that slightly thicker top line, slightly bigger offset and slightly larger club face, really add a lot of forgiveness and confidence to your long iron game. In the past a lot of players using a set of irons like the PING i15 series may have been inclined to replace the 3/4/5 irons with hybrids or the G series equivalent. This shift to make the long irons more forgiving, easier to hit, and higher launching make the decision to replace those clubs with an alternative a little difficult. You will certainly want to spend some time at the range comparing your 3 hybrid or 3 iron from the G series verse the performance of the 3 iron from the i15 series. I would probably stick with the 3 hybrid simply because I am just so in love with mine, but the 4 iron is a toss up at this point, and the 5 iron will definitely remain in the bag.

These clubs really get the ball up in the air with the stock AWT shafts. Everything from the 3 iron through the PW, full swing for me results in a very high launch and soft landing shots. That certainly could be a combination of the lower center of gravity of these irons and the flight characteristics of the AWT shaft. I would suspect one could flatten out the trajectory some with a custom fit shaft. I have been playing Project-X shafts in most of my irons recent, so I am accustomed to that flatter trajectory. That being said, it is certainly possible to hit knockdown shots with these clubs and lower the overall flight. I hit a few nice knockdown 7 irons out from under trees that flew just as I expected hoped?

Distance and off center performance, while still being very playable is where these irons really shine. I found these irons to be a good club longer than either the Mizuno MP-57 or Adams Idea Pro Gold irons. Not only were they a club longer, but they were extremely consistent when it came to distance control. Often times when you move up to a more forgiving, game improvement iron, you lose some of that consistency (one shot goes 150, one goes 155, etc). These are most certainly targeted at the consistency needs of a lower handicap player.

While the i15s may not be in the same class as the G15 irons in terms of pure forgiveness, they are several steps ahead of the irons I mentioned earlier. When I first received the i15s, I headed right to my home course, walked out on the first tee without even hitting them on the range. After adjusting to the added distance, I settled into a decent ball striking day. The 18th hole on my home course is a 180 yard par 3, over a lake to a small green. I put a pretty sloppy swing on the ball, and caught the ball a little thin and out toward the toe (speaks to the feel of these clubs). My first thought was water, because if I hit a shot like that with the Idea Pro Golds I had been playing, it would have been in the water. But, much to my surprise, the ball managed to carry the water and end up only about 10-15 yards short of where a well struck ball would have landed. Color me impressed, real impressed. If that wasn’t enough, after a few more rounds with these clubs and some driving range sessions, I played in a Member-Guest and decided to use the i15s. I ended up winning the closest to the hole with a well struck 9 iron. Sweet!

The last thing I will mention about the i15s is something I have seen a number of people complain about. The grooves. The i15s conform to the new 2010 groove rules so they are USGA competition ready for events on the PGA Tour. What does that mean for the average golfer? Honestly, probably nothing. Most people do not generate enough club head speed, or make the contact necessary to take advantage of those deep cut grooves in most irons. I had no problem getting 8 or 9 irons to stick from the fairway, even sucked back a few pitching wedge shots. Now, out of the rough? Yeah, the ball is going to lose some of that back spin, but to be honest, I never generated much, if any spin out of the rough even with the pre-rule change groves. Anyway, I do not think it is a big deal, but some might, so keep that in mind.

Conclusion

The only thing that prevents me from completely loving the i15 irons is the cast vs forged feel. That, however, is a personal preference, some people actually prefer the feel of a cast club. Performance wise, these clubs are rock solid and I could certainly see myself playing them They are quite forgiving, are very accurate when it comes to distance control, and I found them to have a very nice feel on chip shots. I had no problem hitting nice high draws or hitting knockdowns under the early fall winds here in the North East. Overall I would say if you are a mid to low handicapper, and are in the market for new clubs, these must be on your list of clubs to demo.

The PING i15 irons retail for $799 fit with the AWT shafts. Purchasing them through an authorized PING retailer is generally your best option, especially if you can do it through a PING club fitter. PING has always done a wonderful job of making sure that players of their irons are fit to the proper equipment, whether that means finding the right shaft, lie angles, down to even the grip size. If you are comfortable with your specifications and do not mind taking a bit of a risk, you could save a few bucks on a used set on eBay, but at this point the prices are still quite high, so it may not be worth it.

Keep your eye open for reviews of the G15 Hybrid and G15 Driver coming soon!

As with most of our reviews here, Ping has provided the i15 Irons used in this review free of charge. As we receive equipment from all of the major golf equipment manufacturers, we try to remain unbiased and provide an honest look at every piece of equipment we review at The Deep Rough, this is nothing new. We would have a much harder time putting together all of these reviews if the manufacturers if we had to go out and purchase all of this equipment at retail prices. And for full disclosure, just about every piece of equipment we receive for a review we end up giving away to charity or as prizes in contests. Though, I suspect I will be keeping these i15s in my bag for a little while!

Super Game Improvement

Are you a high handicapper? Struggle to break 100? Or are you shooting in the 90s, looking for a way to add a lot of forgiveness to your iron game? The Super-Game Imprvoement line of irons may be right for you. One thing to keep in mind with irons in this class, you are generally looking at clubs with very wide soles that sacrifice a lot in the feel department. If you are not worried about working the ball or playability in a variety of lies…and just want to hit the ball high and straight, these most definitely will work for you. Here are a couple sets of irons to help get your game on track.

Nike Sumo – Complete Review – Ebay: $150-$300

With a wide sole and a chunky back side, the Sumo won’t be turning the heads of any club pros. Nonetheless, put one of these sticks in your hands and unless your swing is all over the place, it will be hard to not hit the ball straight and very long. While we were not huge fans of the feel off the face, the performance is hard to dispute. Given that these clubs can be found on ebay for $150, if you are playing an old set of unforgiving cavity backs or blades…looking to instantly add some forgiveness to your game, the Sumo is not a bad option.

TaylorMade R7 CGB Max – Complete Review – Ebay: $250-$500, TaylorMade Golf Preowned: $550

The CGB Max irons offer a slightly more narrow sole than some of the other Super-Game Improvement irons we have listed here, but they still offer a ton of forgiveness. So, if you are looking for something a little more playable, while hitting the ball high and straight, have a look at the 2008 R7 CGB Max irons from TaylorMade.

Callaway Fusion Wide Sole – Ebay: $$-$$, CallawayPreowned: $400-$650

These clubs topped the Maltby Playability Factor list the year it was introduced, which speaks volumes about the forgiveness and playability of this particular set of clubs. It is widely (no pun intended) known to be a super easy to hit iron that hits the ball real long and very straight.

Cleveland Hibore Irons – Ebay: $160-$350

Now if the Fusion Wide Soles are still too much for you, maybe you just have trouble hitting traditional irons? Do you love your hybrids? Check out these Cleveland Hibore Irons, they are stupid simple to hit and Cleveland has managed to integrate hybrid type technology all the way down to a pitching wedge! They can be had for under $200 now, so they could be worth a shot!

Game Improvement

Are you a mid handicapper, shooting in the 80s and 90s? Want some help on those thin, fat…toe shots? Game Improvement is the way to go. In this class of club, you’re looking at a mix between getting a good amount of forgiveness, while retaining some playability and feel. This is also a great option for a low handicapper who just doesn’t have time to work on the game as much anymore.

Callaway X-20 – Complete Review – Ebay: $250-$500, CallawayPreOwned: $289-$600

The Callaway X-20s continued to improve the amazing X line of irons Callaway puts out. We really loved playing the X-20s, as they are very forgiving but retain a lot of playability. I did not notice a huge difference between the X-20s and X-22s. So if you have been considering the X-22s, why not a used set of X-20s?

TaylorMade RAC OS2 – Ebay: $150-$250, TaylorMadeGolfPreowned: $250-$300

The RAC OS2 is a classic in the game improvement category and probably one of the most popular iron sets out there. What does that mean for you? There are a lot of used sets to be found out there, which means, they are super cheap! I played this set for a year when they first came out, and they really like to fly high, long and straight.

Mizuno MX-23 – Ebay: $200-$400

Here we are getting a little closer to the Player Iron class, but the MX-23 is a very forgiving, easy to play iron that also offers some of that legendary Mizuno feel. I played these irons for about two years and broke 80 for the first time with a set of these clubs. I ended up selling them on ebay and replacing them with a set of Mizuno MP-33 blades. I played the MP-33 blades for a while, but these days I leave them mostly for practice (and let me tell you, if you want to work on your swing at the range, MP-33…great club to use while trying to groove the swing).

Players Irons

Mizuno MP-57 – Complete Review – Ebay: $300-$550

If you have been a long time reader of The Deep Rough you know our love affair with Mizuno irons. The Mizuno MP-57 irons are a great set of irons for a low teens to single digit handicapper or someone looking to improve their swing. We fell in love with the buttery soft feel of a well struck Mizuno iron. If you have not experienced it, picking up a set off ebay is a great option.

Adams Idea Pro – Ebay: $250-$500

Similar to the Adams Idea Pro Gold Irons we reviewed not long ago, the original forged Adams Idea Pro irons are still being used by a few players on the Champions Tour and the LPGA. A solid forged feel and some sweet hitting hybrids make for a huge upgrade for someone stuck with some beat up cavity backs from the 80s.

Callaway X-Tour Irons – Ebay: $250-$350, CallawayPreOwned: $300-$450

A lot of PGA Tour staffers swore by the Callaway X-Tour irons for years. They were Callaway’s first real entry into a forged iron market. No, they do not have the same kind of feel as the Mizuno or Adams irons listed above, but where you sacrifice a little feel, you gain a little more performance. The X-Tour irons have a compact head size (for Callaway) and a very playable sole. The top line may prove to be a little on the thick side for some golfers, but overall we really like the X-Tours. Given that these clubs once sold for over $1000, given that some sets are under $200 on ebay right now…you’re looking at quite a steal.

Conclusion

One great thing to keep in mind is that with a used set of clubs like this, especially off ebay, if you take the clubs to the range or out on the course and find out that you really do not care for them, you can always go and resell them again. The price will most likely not change much at this point, they have already been ‘driven off the lot’. Just don’t go smashing the 5 iron into a huge rock!

As always here on The Deep Rough, we will give you a little background information from the product manufacturer. In this case, KnetGolf will do a much better job of explaining the differences between the various grades of recycled golf balls. For our review we had a look at Mint, A and B class golf balls, but we’ll also list their description of reconditioned golf balls.

MINT Quality Recycled Golf Balls

Knetgolf.com’s Mint quality recycled golf balls are the best available and are the choice for many golfers regardless of skill level. The Mint balls have both the appearance and feel of a ball that has been hit for a maximum of only one hole of play and that is why we identify them as ‘One Hole Wonders’.

They have a consistent color and a glossy shine. There are no X Outs. Corporate or sport team logos will be in the mix unless otherwise noted.

Other retailers may describe this grade as AAAA, PEARL, PERFECT, 1st QUALITY, GRADE 1

REFINISHED Golf Balls

Knetgolf.com’s professionally used & refinished golf balls are used golf balls that are reconditioned using a modern process which does not affect the playability of the golf ball, but brings them up to a level where they appear and behave just like new golf ball. Knetgolf only uses style specific golf balls, meaning only a used Titleist Pro V1x will be reconditioned into a refinished Titleist Pro V1x.

Used & refinished balls are subject to performance variations from new ones. These used & refinished balls were processed via one or more of the following steps: stripping, painting, stamping, and/or clear coating. Used & refinished balls are not endorsed by the original manufacturer and the balls do not fall under the original manufacturer’s warranty. However, we believe strongly in this product, standing behind them 100%.

GRADE A

Knetgolf.com’s Grade A recycled golf balls are clean, playable and have moderate surface blemishes and minor to moderate ink marks. None of the surface marks or slight blemishes will affect the trajectory, distance or flight path of the ball. There may be very minor user markings or the color may be slightly inconsistent as these balls are similar to ones you have played a few holes with. These balls are slightly cosmetically challenged but have no cuts or creases. No X outs are included in this mix. Corporate or sport team logos will be in the mix unless otherwise noted.

Other retailers may describe this grade as AAA, NEAR MINT, NEAR PERFECT, 2nd QUALITY, and GRADE 2.

GRADE B

Knetgolf.com’s Value Grade B recycled golf balls are the best valued buy for budget minded golfers. The Grade B recycled balls are 100% playable. The Grade B balls may be cosmetically challenged in that they have moderate surface blemishes and minor to moderate ink marks. None of the surface marks or slight blemishes should affect the trajectory, distance or flight Path of the ball. A cut ball is considered unplayable. If Knetgolf deems that the scuff or scratch is too large or if it tears into the cover of the ball, it will not qualify for any of our grades.

Cart paths, trees, and other small markings on the surface may be evident. Corporate or sport team logos will be in the mix unless otherwise noted. Knetgolf.com stands 100% behind this product and all purchases are backed by our 100% guarantee.

Other retailers may describe this grade as AA, VERY GOOD, GOOD, 3rd QUALITY

To wrap up the KnetGolf provided information, here is a two minute video about KnetGolf, the process of recycling the golf balls and how the balls will show up at your door step.

Look

As we mentioned earlier our review samples included some Mint, Class A and Class B golf balls. The picture below this paragraph shows you a nice little bowl full of the mixed up golf balls. Maybe you can tell the difference, maybe not. About all I noticed was that some of the Class B golf balls were a little discolored (you can see that on the golf ball in the bottom left) and some had little ink marks from personal ball marks (ball in the top right). None of the balls were scuffed up, cut, or otherwise physically blemished, though as the description suggests, you may receive one with little scuff marks that should not affect performance. Now, the difference between Mint and Class A? It is not that easy to notice the difference, but I will put it this way, the Mint balls looked like they came out of a Titleist box, where as the Class A balls looked like they may have played a few holes but came through the ball washer.

Performance

I had played the ProV1X back in 2006/2007 until I started playing the TaylorMade TP Red balls more regularly, so I am still pretty familiar with the characteristics of the ProV1X. From what I could tell, the Mint and A grade recycled balls performed no different than their new counterparts. They stuck nice on wedge shots and shorter iron shots. The ball came off the driver with that ProV1X feel and apparent ball speed. Really, unless I put myself on a TrackMan I would not be able to tell any performance differences between this ball and a new ball…heck, even on a TrackMan I doubt you would notice a difference.

The Class B balls, performance wise…again it is hard to say, but I will say this much, the ones that were slightly discolored did bug me a little, at least visually. There is something about a nice, clean, new looking golf ball that inspires some confidence. So unless they are going in my shag bag, I would probably opt for the Class A or Mint recycled golf balls.

To be honest, I was really surprised with the quality of the golf balls. I was fully expecting to be disappointed when the guys from KnetGolf got in touch with me, but I have been delighted with the quality of their product.

One of the really neat things about a service like this is the ability to get your hands on golf balls that have been discontinued by the manufacturer. Sayyou prefer the 2007 ProV1x…KnetGolf has plenty of them at a great price. Same goes for pretty much any other manufacturer. Like those old Nike One Platinum balls? They’ve got you covered. The 2007 TaylorMade TP Red golf balls? No problem. They even have a bunch of different Maxfli models…so if for some very strange reason you want to fill your back with Pink Noodle Ice golf balls…be my guest.

Another great idea would be to use this service to fill up your shag bag. Practicing with the same ball you play on the course is such a great idea, you want that same feel and performance off the golf ball during practice and play. Though the thought of spending $50 a dozen to fill up my shag bag makes me ill. Some of these Class B recycled balls are a quarter the price of the new balls ($14.99 for a dozen ProV1s)…I can live with that. KnetGolf seems to have picked up on this idea as well and actually sells a little package deal with 36 balls and a shag bag for under $20.

Conclusion

That about wraps it up. I have always been one for trying to find a way to save a buck, but at the same time wanting to use quality equipment…this seems like a perfect compromise. It is no wonder KnetGolf is on track to supply 20,000,000 golf balls to more than 200,000 golfers in 2009! To top it off, here are a couple deals from KnetGolf!

• Shipping is free for orders over $99
• Get 15% off Titleist Recycled Golf Balls – Use Coupon Code TITLEIST
• Get 50% off Top-Flite Recycled Golf Balls – Use Coupon Code TOP50

There are a lot of choices on Hilton Head Island itself, but we decided on the Sea Pines Resort as we both really wanted to check out Harbour Town Golf Links. Sea Pines also offers a ton of other amenities like a ton of beach access, bike trails, restaurants, tennis courts, fitness center, pools and it’s just plain beautiful. We were both really happy with our decision to stay at Sea Pines.

Harbour Town Golf Links – Scorecard

Play in the footsteps of legends. Reserve a round on The Sea Pines Resort’s world-famous Harbour Town Golf Links. Home to the Verizon Heritage Tournament, this distinguished PGA Tour golf course places a premium on finesse, imagination, and shot-making rather than strength. Put your game to the ultimate test — against a collection of par-threes ranking among the world’s finest and a par-four 18th hole considered one of the most feared in all of golf, particularly when the wind is blowing off Calibogue Sound. The crowning achievement of famed designer Pete Dye, this celebrated PGA golf course is a true test of the game of golf.

Absolutely brilliant course design. That is the first thing that comes to mind when I think back on our time on Harbour Town Golf Links. I really could play that course a million times and not get bored. I must have played the course in the various Tiger Woods video games..and playing the course in ‘real-life’ was a pretty neat experience. I found myself remembering a lot of the course from the video game…bunker placement, iconic shapes, doglegs, etc. One thing that was vastly different was the fact that the real course really makes you feel a little claustrophobic. Those huge Carolina Pines draped with Spanish Moss really crowd the fairways and make the tee shots seem extremely tight.

The greens were difficult to read and being a North East player, trying to read Bermuda grain was a challenge as well. Thankfully we had the service of a forecaddie, Doug, who was extremely helpful at reading the greens as well as finding those occasional (occasional right…) errant tee shots. Any non-members of Harbour Town are required to take a forecaddie. It will end up costing you at minimum suggested tip of $25 a person…but that is just a bare minimum. Given how much those guys work, they deserve a lot more than that!

I certainly did not have the round of my life, but I did par #14, the iconic little par 3 nestled in the Carolina Pines. The pin was tucked back and to the right, so the water was certainly in play. Hit a nice little iron to the middle of the green and two putted my way out of there! Same went with #17, the par 3 that heads out to the Calibogue Sound. Most of the course is a little inland and protected by the large trees. This was the first part of the course where I actually noticed some wind off the Sound. Couple that wind with the huge bunker looming in front of the green, and this hole was pretty intimidating. The pin was tucked back and left, just past the bunker on a real tight area of the green. I just managed to get on the front/middle of the green and it released up toward the hole a bit. Just missed the birdie putt and left with another par. #18 was a different story…dead into the wind and played VERY long! I still had about 200 out on my second shot…which I proceeded to hook into the marsh. Whoops! Double was not such a wonderful way to end my round on Harbour Town!

All in all it was a great experience on a remarkable golf course. If you have the chance to get out to Hilton Head do not pass up the opportunity to hit up Harbour Town. As a nice little perk the greens fee includes a little ‘goodie bag’ that includes some tees, a Harbour Town ball mark, a little divot tool and a yardage book you can use on the course and take home. So make sure you check that out before you go buying any of that stuff in the Pro Shop!

Heron Point by Pete Dye – Scorecard – Online Yardage Book

After a multimillion-dollar reconstruction project, The Sea Pines Resort is pleased to introduce Heron Point by Pete Dye. Designed by legendary course architect Pete Dye, Heron Point is nothing short of a modern work of art, the centerpiece of any Hilton Head Island golf vacation. Fairways have been reshaped into dramatic angles and shifting elevations — while surfaces are a mixture of sand, mulch, limestone, and different grasses offering a kaleidoscope of appealing color changes. As the second Hilton Head Island golf course at The Sea Pines Resort designed by Dye, Heron Point lives up to its prestigious reputation with challenging new features.

We were scheduled to play Heron Point on our first full day in Hilton Head. Unfortunately on Thursday, Thursday night and a good part of Friday morning it absolutely poured. There was a huge amount of water dumped from the heavens and when we woke up Friday morning we figured our 9am tee time would be canceled. Turns out it was, but they called us back around 11 and let us know that the course was open. Given that we were leaving on Sunday and needed to get 3 rounds in, we really had no choice but to head out and get a round in.

We arrived at the course, with nasty looking clouds in the sky and puddles all over the place, but were determined to get our round in. I was a little worried about the condition of the course…if this happened at home, no way I would be able to play. Checked in with the starter and we were off to the first tee very quickly. I am standing on the first tee, and there is a large pond behind you (if you are a righty), I take a look over and notice an HUGE alligator swimming around. Ok…little disturbing, but as it would turn out, he wasn’t the last gator we saw. Tee box was in pretty good shape, did not seem too saturated with water. Hit my tee shot, little left of the fairway, head on down there…and wow…the fairway is pretty decent. The drainage on this course is absolutely amazing. If you are headed to Hilton Head, and it is rainy, keep this in mind when you choose a course to play.

On the 6th hole, a lengthy par 5, my wife hit her second shot into a bunker that bordered another decent sized pond. We started driving up toward the ball, and noticed the single that was playing in front of us walking from his cart toward the bunker with a camera in hand. Hunh? We take a look over and low and behold a huge alligator is lying in the grass between the bunker and the pond not 10 yards from my wife’s golf ball. Needless to say we gave her a free drop!

Much like Harbour Town the course is full of tall, mature Carolina Pines draped in Spanish Moss. That’s actually a big theme in Sea Pines in general. One thing that was different was I felt like a lot of the obstacles put on this course were just put there with little thought. There were tons of moguls littering all sorts of areas. Bunkers seemed to be added at random. I don’t know, I mean it was a difficult course, but I felt like if I had played the course a couple times I would be able to put up some decent scores. In that regard, it was quite different than Harbour Town.

Would I play the course again? I might drop this one and check out some of the other courses on the island next time around. However, it is certainly worth a check if you are staying at Sea Pines, and especially if you get some discounted tee times or the round is included in a package with your stay.

Ocean Course – Scorecard – Yardage Book

As the first course built on Hilton Head Island, the Ocean Course at The Sea Pines Resort embraces the true coastal golf experience. Exquisitely rebuilt in 1995 by Mark McCumber, this breathtaking Hilton Head SC golf course poses delightful challenges to novices and veterans alike. Put your game to the test against a classic design, featuring strategically placed lagoons and bunkers. As a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary course, this esteemed Hilton Head Island SC golf course is a fabulous experience for both scratch golfers and high handicappers.

On our last day in Hilton Head, we started the day with an early tee time at the Ocean Course. Turns out, as we expected, this was the easiest of the courses on our schedule. Probably would have been to play this course first, however, based on the package we picked at Sea Pines we needed to play the Ocean Course on a Sunday.

One thing you will notice about the ‘Ocean’ Course is that you really can only see water from one hole. And on that hole, really only from the tee box. It’s the hole pictured above, a nice, lengthy par three that played even longer as you were hitting into prevailing winds off the water. Otherwise, you are looking at relatively flat fairways, a good amount of water and a fair number of bunkers. Certainly nothing like the huge number of bunkers at Heron Point. If you can play this course first on your trip to Hilton Head it should serve as a nice warm up/introduction to Hilton Head style golf course. Overall it was in good shape, offered a nice challenge and we had a great time.

Getting There

If you are looking to fly to Hilton Head you have a few options. We chose to fly into Savannah, Georgia (SAV), rented a car and then drove to the Sea Pines Resort. The drive took about 45 minutes, not bad, and you will definitely want to have a car to get around and explore the rest of the island anyway. The other option, should you live near a Delta or US Airways hub is the regional airport on Hilton Head Island itself. We ended up going to that airport to exchange the rental car at one point, and wow, it is quite possibly the nicest, most laid back airport I have ever seen. Granted, I have not been to a ton of airports that small! One other option we had considered was flying into Charleston, SC (CHS) and then driving down the coast to Hilton Head. However, that is a 2 and a half hour drive and really did not fit into our schedule very well.

Where to Stay

With luxuries befitting the finest boutique hotels of Europe, with a distinctive Scottish heritage, The Inn at Harbour Town offers a unique variety of first-class accommodations within The Sea Pines Resort. Experience the intimate atmosphere of this AAA Four-Diamond Hilton Head hotel within the resort’s 5,000-acre estate. As a delightful alternative to the private villas and vacation homes that make up the resort’s extensive accommodations, The Inn at Harbour Town welcomes you to enjoy the finest amenities. Highly coveted in-room features are matched only by our personal butler service — ensuring you the devoted attention you truly deserve. The experience continues with views of the world-class Sea Pines Racquet Club or legendary Harbour Town Golf Links. As an elite benchmark for the surrounding Hilton Head Island hotels, The Inn at Harbour Town beckons you to its landmark setting.

As part of our Sea Pines golf package we chose to stay at The Inn at Harbour Town. Given that it was my wife’s birthday we decided it would be best to be somewhere we could be a little pampered and have direct access to breakfast options. If you want to save a little cash, you can choose to take a package that includes accommodations in one of the Villas at Sea Pines. The Villas can be a great option for a larger group looking for a multi-bedroom place to stay as well.

If you do choose to stay at The Inn at Harbour Town, first thing you may notice is that all the employees are wearing kilts and seem to have British accents. We decided to ask one of the women working there about this. Turns out they all are on internships there from various schools in the UK. Makes sense. It was an interesting touch. Most important, we were always made to feel as if we were the top priority of the people working at the Inn. We utilized the concierge service on several occasions to do anything from make dinner reservations to ask about bike rentals to booking a sunset dolphin cruise. (Side note here, if you have time, take one of the sunset cruises that leave from Harbour Town, simple amazing…here is a snapshot of a sunset we saw on the trip.)

Conclusion

That wraps up our little trip down to Hilton Head Island. We really had a blast for such a short trip. The major tourist season on Hilton Head Island is the summer time, and we were told the island calms down a little in the spring and fall. If you are okay with humidity and some heat, it is a great time to visit especially if you love the beach. Otherwise if you are looking for a little cooler weather, but still want to golf, check out Hilton Head Island in the spring or fall.

If you have any questions about Hilton Head, drop a comment here I will do my best to help answer it!

We will start with a little information from Evolve regarding the products and then continue on with our detailed product review. This review has numerous photographs of the Evolve golf tees, please click on the images to see a larger photo.

The Epoch – Performance Golf Tee

The Epoch is the only performance tee with radius posts that span the width of a golf ball dimple. This unique feature creates the lowest coefficient of friction of any tee, eliminating deflection at impact and increasing ball speed and control off the tee. Epoch tees are available in three lengths 3¼”, 2¾”, and 1½”. You can choose either the 3¼” or 2¾” length depending on the size of your driver and your personal depth of insertion preference. The 1½” Epoch is designed specifically for fairway woods, irons and hybrids.

Since being introduced in 2004, the Epoch has racked up well over 100 wins on tour. PGA: 44 Wins, LPGA: 31 Wins, Nationwide: 26 Wins, Champions: 18 Wins.

The Vireo-S3 Golf Tee

Vireo-S3 golf tees represent the intersection of tradition and sustainable design by Evolve Golf. Vireo-S3 tees feature a smooth rolled edge. The cup of the Vireo-S3 is slightly wider and deeper than the typical wooden tee making it easier for a golfer to tee their golf ball. The Vireo-S3 is also the first Evolve Golf product to feature the new Sweet Spot System (S3).

Sweet Spot System (S3) – Be Absolutely Certain You’re Hitting the Sweet Spot

Consistently hitting your driver’s sweet spot delivers the maximum amount of carry distance and roll. Incorrect tee height creates improper ball flight resulting in a loss of distance.

Evolve Golf’s Sweet Spot System takes the guess work out of consistently teeing up your golf ball. The Sweet Spot System aligns the height of the ball with your driver’s sweet spot so that you get the most distance out of every drive. The Sweet Spot System’s depth of insertion guide is available on the Vireo-S3 (available now) and the Epoch-S3 (coming soon).

Evolve has put together a nice little web based tool to help you find the mark to use on the side of the tee. Check out their Sweet Spot System Calculator and see how many dots should be showing when you tee up your golf ball.

Usage and Performance

I have been playing the Epoch golf tees for the past year and, while I may not actually notice a direct improvement in distance, I do feel more confident over the ball on the tee box. I will try and blind test here and there, teeing up a ball on a wooden tee and then an Epoch, Vireo-S3 or some other brand of performance tee. I hit away, trying to gauge the results best I can, but without an Iron Byron swing and a Trackman at my disposal it is tough to say that any one tee is better than the other. Evolve Golf, and plenty of other independent labs that do have that equipment have tested these tees and will tell you that they do indeed perform better. Evolve has even put together a page to show you relative performance gains based on your swing speed. It turns out to be a couple yards and some decent reduction in side spin, certainly nothing your eye could notice, but the gains do seem solid…and quite surprising from something as simple as a tee. I will tell you this, at least mentally I am convinced they help the ball perform better. It may just be in my head, but I do feel more confident when I have teed my ball up with one of the Epoch tees. I even go so far as to use the short Epoch tees on my Hybrid or Iron tee shots.

More important to me, and this starts to lead into the Vireo-S3, I like being able to just take a couple tees in my pocket and use the same ones all round. Through this season, I think I have gone through 6 Epoch tees, and that is mostly because I have simply lost them…either fell out of my pocket (whoops!) or just couldn’t find it on the tee. Only once have I had an Epoch actually break on me. At first I thought it was pretty silly to want to pay a lot of money for some performance tees, when I generally can just grab a handful of the old wooden ones whenever I need in the pro shop. But, now, when I take 2 or 3 tees with me…and leave the course with all them…I find myself noticing how many broken wooden tees litter the various tee boxes. I am doing something to help the environment…right?

The Vireo-S3 sacrifices some of the technology and performance benefits of the Epoch tee, but still seems retains the durability and longevity. With the introduction of the S3 dots on the bottom of the tee, you can feel a little more confident in your ball height on the tee box as well. I have been using a couple Vireo-S3 tees for the past 8 weeks or so, and have only managed to break one of them. That happened to be an absolutely awful swing with a driver that ended up cracking the little cup where the ball rests. It certainly was not a good swing and probably would have shattered just about anything under there! Speaking of the little cup, it does do a nice job of holding the ball up. With some of these performance tees it is difficult to get the ball to sit right on the tee, not so with the Vireo-S3, piece of cake.

I played around with the tee height markers (S3) on the range for an afternoon until I found a height that worked well for me. And now it really is pretty stupid simple when you get up to the tee box, push the ball/tee down until it hits that mark, and then I am not worrying about whether or not the ball is tee’d up too high or low. Simple thing…but as we all know golf can be so darn mental! The S3 marks should be available on the Epoch tees in the near future, which will be great!

One little side story, my wife and I played this weekend with a random single we caught up to on the 3rd hole. He was struggling with his driver a bit, was missing a lot of fairways. Around the 11th tee I gave him one of the Vireo-S3 tees, told him a little about it, and about The Deep Rough and all. He thought the idea was a little hokey, and ended up putting the tee in his pocket. Well, we continue on, still no fairways. Finally, on the 17th tee, he pulls the Vireo-S3 out, tees it up and proceeds to smoke one down the middle. Honeymoon? Perhaps. “These results are not typical”? Most definitely. But, anyway, he was impressed.

Conclusion

If you play a lot of golf you know how many wooden tees you go through a season. Are they cheap? Yes. Do they leave little marks on the bottom of your driver? Yes. Do they litter your tee boxes on a Sunday afternoon…no doubt. If you are a low handicapper, have a consistent swing and are looking to eek out a few yards from your clubs, the Epoch tee is a great idea and has proven itself on all of the major professional tours. You can purchase a combo pack of 50 Driver length and shorter iron/hybrid length tees for $6.99. With 50 Epoch tees…I cannot imagine you will have to buy any other tees again anytime soon. You could probably outfit your foursome with tees for the next season or two for $6.99, how can you go wrong?

If, on the other hand, you are a casual weekend golfer, and are just looking to eliminate the need to purchase golf tees again for the next few years, check out the Vireo-S3. You can pick up a package of those for $5.99 at your local golf retailer. The little S3 marks on the tee could help give you that little extra bit of confidence you need to stripe your drives down the fairway.

Also, check back tomorrow as we will be starting up our September Deep Rough contest, where we will be giving away some Evolve golf tees along with some other great golf equipment, including the recently reviewed Heavy Putter Mid-Weight!

As always, we will start with a little background information on the clubs and the technical specifications. Throughout the review you will find pictures like the one below, if you would like to see a larger image, simply click on the picture.

Background

With our Idea hybrids ranking as the most-played on the 2008 PGA, Champions and Nationwide Tours, our engineers were able to canvass the tours with hybrid prototypes in an effort to gain feedback from the world’s best golfers.

The result is the Idea Pro Gold Hybrid that utilizes advanced geometric shaping (known as Boxer Technology), an improved maraging steel face and an enhanced weighting system.

• Idea Hybrids — #1 on 2008 PGA, Champions and Nationwide Tours.
• Improved maraging steel face for a 10% hotter ball flight compared to the Idea Pro.
• Boxer Technology delivers advanced geometric shaping for higher MOI resulting in 5% more forgiveness on off–center hits.

Look and Feel

The first thing that will jump out at owners of the original Idea Pro hybrid is the squared off shape of the Idea Pro Gold. Adams Golf, as mentioned earlier, has integrated their Boxer technology from the earlier generation A3 hybrids into the Idea Pro Gold line. When I first got the club in my hand I was a little put off, however, as more and more square shaped clubs arrive in the marketplace, I have grown to actually like the shape of the Idea Pro Gold. It is not nearly as squared off as something like the Callaway Squareway or Nike Sumo Squared Hybrids. As you can see in the pictures below, the toe is actually slightly rounded so from that end of the club it does appear more traditional. When you flip the club over and take a gander at the sole, more of that Boxer technology will jump out at you.

Pro Gold vs A3 Boxer

Idea Pro vs Pro Gold

Idea Pro vs Pro Gold

I was absolutely in love with the sound and feel of the original Idea Pro hybrid. The solid thud you were rewarded with on a hit off the screws was extremely satisfying. I feel like I have lost a little of that with the Idea Pro Gold. The sound is a little more ‘metal tingy’, though the feel is still quite solid at impact. Slightly off center hits are not quite as harsh as the Idea Pro either. This could be a good thing, or a bad thing. It is not a huge difference, I would just say something I noticed when I first switched from the Pro to the Pro Gold. It put me off at first, but then I hit Idea Pro…Pro Gold…Pro…Pro Gold…and had a real hard time disputing the results (but we will get into that in the Performance section).

Idea Pro – Idea Pro Gold – A3 Boxer

If you have a look at the first picture in the review, you’ll notice some little grooves under where it says Tour Prototype. I am not sure of the engineering reasoning behind this (maybe to reduce weight?) but it is a lovely place for dirt to collect when you hit the ball a little fat or are playing out of some thicker rough.

Performance

Here is where I was sold on these clubs. The performance, especially on slight mishits is absolutely phenomenal. I really loved playing the Idea Pro, but when I took the two to the range and out on the course I would hit the same shots back to back. Rarely was I able to execute the shot as often with the Idea Pro. The Pro Gold just flat out put the ball where I wanted. Sure, I still put real bad swings on the ball here or there and the Pro Gold is not going to magically save you, but in those cases where you catch the ball a little closer to the heel or toe, the Pro Gold’s Boxer technology really pulls through for you. I would lose noticeable distance with the Idea Pro on those shots, where as the Pro Gold really seems to hold its line and still carry an acceptable distance.

The addition of a little forgiveness has not dramatically impacted ones ability to work the ball with this club either. I can still get the ball to bend left or right pretty easily and unlike a lot of hybrids on the market you can also keep the ball low. This was a huge pet peeve of my golf instructor. He is a Callaway staffer and complained that he could never keep a Callaway hybrid out of the stratosphere. I let him hit the Idea Pro Gold a few times and he said he would have to give his Adams rep a call. He had no issue hitting it low, high, left, right, anything he threw at it, it seemed to respond well.

Originally the Idea Pro Gold was shipped with either the JavlnFX or Matrix Altus graphite shafts. Today it seems Adams is exclusively offering the club in Matrix Altus configurations, though you can custom order whatever shaft fits your swing best. While I read some negative reviews of the JavlnFX shaft, I actually found it to fit my swing well. I played an Altus Hybrid shaft in my Idea Pro and loved the smoothness and consistency of the shaft, but did not find the JavlnFX to be much of a step down. Right now I have a 20 and 23 degree Idea Pro Gold fitted with the JavlnFX and recently picked up a 16 fitted with the Altus. I still have not decided which shaft I should stick with! Best advice, go hit them both, preferably on a launch monitor, and have a professional tell you which best suits your swing.

What amazes me with this club is how predicable the distances are for me now, especially off a tee. My home course is a little short but features a lot of very tight driving holes. The 20 degree Idea Pro Gold really has become my go to club on those shorter par 4s and I can count on a good swing landing in nearly the same exact spot every time I walk up to those tees. It really is very confidence inspiring.

At first I was reluctant to drop the 4 iron from my game and replace it with a 4 hybrid, but again…take the two clubs to the range and hit them back to back. Hit 10 balls with the hybrid, 10 with the iron. I might hit 9 or even 10 shots as I expect with the hybrid, where as the iron might be 7 or 8. I sucked it up and bagged the hybrid. I love it so much, I actually find myself hardly ever using even my 5 iron. Choke up on the 4 a little, take a 75% swing and I am far more accurate and consistent with the 4 hybrid. I toyed with the idea of dropping the 23 hybrid and picking up the 26 (5 iron replacement), but I think I would miss the utility of having a long iron in certain situations.

That brings me to the last area of performance I would like to mention…punching out/low ’save your butt from the hooked tee-shot into the woods’ shot. I usually play the low punch hook with a 4 iron or 5 iron, I never really had much success using a hybrid on those types of shots. I was able to execute a few of those shots with the 23 Idea Pro Gold Hybrid on the course, but more often than not, I felt like I would have been better off using the traditional 5 iron. That’s just my game though. With some practice, I am sure it’s as easy with this club, as it is pretty easy to keep the ball down.

Conclusion

The Idea Pro Gold Hybrid originally retailed for well over $200. It was quite the expensive hybrid. However, today you can find these in most retail shops for $119. Or, if you want to also give the Idea Pro Gold Irons a shot, the 4 and 3 hybrids are included in the set. You can also find the hybrids on eBay for well under $100 usually or the #4 and #3 included with used or new sets on eBay for around $500.

To show you how much I trust these clubs, I will be bagging both the Idea Pro Gold Irons and Hybrids (#4,#3,#1) for my club championship qualifying this weekend. So check back early next week, or follow me on twitter and I will let you know how it went!

Background

To get us started, here is some detailed information about the design of the club as well as club specifics from the manufacturer. As always, we will continue with a detailed review following the specifications. Within this review there are several photographs comparing the Deep Face series to the Mid-Weight series. The Mid-Weight CX2 putter is the black matte finish, while the C2-DF is the same I reviewed last year, in grey (see picture below – Mid-Weight left, DF right). Be sure to click on any photos to get a closer look.

This classic blade design incorporates the tour proven patented weighting technology in a new MID-WEIGHT (750gm) category. The CX2 is a face balanced blade with a plumber’s neck hosel and has a full shaft offset. The putter is constructed of Stainless Steel and has a CNC milled face and is offered in a PVD Black or Satin finish. Each MID-WEIGHT uses a True Temper proprietary shaft with a 200 gram weight inserted in the butt end of the shaft; this creates the necessary weight to give the golfer more control of the stroke and also produces a balance point 75% higher than conventional putters that eliminates the wristy action in the stroke. Heavy Putter uses a newly developed Winn Mid-size grip with a V17 Super Soft compound with a cord base material which produces an extremely tacky but firm feel, preferred by better golfers.

• Stock lengths 32″ – 36″ (custom lengths available 30″- 38″)
• Dexterity: Right and Left Hand Available
• Total Putter Weight = +/- 750 grams
• Head Weight = +/- 400 grams
• Weight Management System (weight in grip end of shaft) = 200 grams
• True Temper Proprietary Steel Shaft
• Custom Winn Mid-Size Grip
• Custom Head Cover included
• Stainless Steel Material
• CNC Milled Face
• Loft = 3° (custom loft adjustments +/- 2 degrees)
• Lie Angle = 70° (custom lie adjustments +/- 2 degrees)
• Custom Mid Length Putters available

Look and Feel

The CX2 model is a traditional Anser style blade and ours is coated in a matte black finish that is just spectacular. The finish seems to have held up well over the past 6 weeks and should look sharp for many more rounds to come I would think. With the Mid-Weight putter, not only has Heavy Putter gone towards a more traditional weight, they have gone to a more traditional putter face size. Sticking with this theme the grip that the CX2 ships with is also more subdued. The C2-DF putter we had reviewed featured a flashy camouflage style Winn putter grip that really stood out. I did not have an issue with it in the least, but some more ‘refined’ players might. Speaking of the grip, it has that slightly tacky Winn Grip feel to it, little cushion, but no real loss of feel. Last thing I will say about the look of the

On the feel side, at impact the CX2 feels a lot like the B3-M. They are both CNC milled stainless steel and produce a nice click off the golf ball. A little off center, and you know that you have missed the sweet spot. But hit that sweet spot and you are rewarded with nice feedback that you just do not get with most insert face putters. The weight of the putter head will still force you to use a smooth, pendulum like putting stroke and really try to take your hands out of the equation. I still found this putter to be very deadly within 6 feet, much like its predecessors.

The CX2 is a face balanced putter, which, personally I prefer, as I am a straight back and through kind of putter. If you are unfamiliar, next time you’re at a golf store, pickup a putter and place your finger down near the neck of the putter head (on the steel shaft). A face balanced putter will balance nice and perpendicular to the ground, a toe weighted putter will point the toe down to the ground. This toe weighting will help keep the putter face from closing too fast on you if you open/close the club face along the arc. So, if you’re pulling a lot of putts left, check out a toe weighted putter. Now…back onto our regularly scheduled program!

On to the most important part, long distance putting feel. With the B3-M and C2-DF, my only complaint was with the feel on long range putts. If I was playing fast greens and had a 30 or 40 footer, I really had a hard time ‘feeling’ the distance. With the Mid-Weight, you’re looking at about 750g instead of 900g of total weight. 400g in the putter head vs 475g in the B3-M. This may not seem like a huge amount of weight, but it is noticeable. How does it translate on the putting green? I found the quick putts from long distance were a little easier to judge with the Mid-Weight, I was able to lag them up there close far more frequently than with the previous generation Heavy Putters. So, if you have struggled with this issue with your old Heavy Putter, be sure to check out the Mid-Weight, you might be surprised.

Performance

As I mentioned in the feel area, the putter is still pretty heavy and you will quickly become less ‘handsy’ with your putting stroke if that is a part of your game. If you are new to the game, or feel your putting stroke needs some work, you cannot go wrong with a Heavy Putter. I do not care which model, just go buy one, and commit to playing it for a season. Trust me, you’ll see a major improvement in your putting stroke. For someone with a solid putting game, it is a great tool to have around the house for ‘indoor’ or ‘winter’ putting practice. Just work on grooving that solid putting stroke.

I generally have found that the Heavy Putters are not quite as forgiving as high MOI putters like the TaylorMade Spider, but I think you will find, that over time you will have FEWER off-center hits using a putter like this. This particular model, the Mid-Weight seems to be similar in the forgiveness department to prior models, perhaps slightly less forgiving than the Deep Face model. Hits off the toe or heel do lose distance, however it seems to be a predictable loss. I know some players certainly intentionally try to hit it off the toe at times to deaden the impact, like say on a severely downhill putt, coming off the fringe. Shots like this, you can execute with the Mid-Weight, that I find more difficult to pull off with something like the Spider.

Conclusion

If you have never laid your hands on a Heavy Putter, it is an eye opening experience. I do not know how many times playing partners of mine have said, ooh, a Heavy Putter, I have heard of those…can I see it? Oh wow it is REALLY heavy! You’ll certainly get over that initial shock of a very Heavy Putter and will be pretty psyched when you are dropping everything inside 6 feet.

For a weekend hacker that has been strugling with his putting stroke, I would almost suggest going to one of the earlier model Heavy Putters like the B3-M (used ones can be had for $50 on eBay these days) and work on grooving a solid putting stroke. Once you have that down, and if you have found that you like the weight, but would like to step down a little for a little more feel, the Mid-Weight is a great option. For a younger player or those who might find the 900 gram Heavy Putters just way too heavy, the Mid-Weight could fit the bill for you.

For those of you who may have struggled with feel on longer putts like I did, you may find that the Mid-Weight is the answer for you. I had a much easier time lagging those long putts up real close with this particular model, and still felt like anything short range would always drop with the CX2 in hand.

Lastly, John Daly has been rocking the Mid-Weight on the tour this season and has been having some new found success.

The Mid-Weight Heavy Putter is available in several head shapes (blades as well as mallets) and can be found at your local golf retailer for around $169 or directly through the Heavy Putter website. As I mentioned earlier, you can find some used earlier model Heavy Putters on eBay for around $50 or perhaps even some Mid-Weight putters at this point. But, as always, be aware of the seller and feedback. There are still plenty of scammers to be found.

Side note here, if you are interested in the evolution of Adams Golf and the A-Tour irons, there is a great interview on GolfWRX with some of the R&D guys. You may have to register for their forum if you wish to read the interview.

So, now that you have had a little lecture on the evolution of Adams irons, we will be having a look at the Idea Pro Gold Irons. The Idea Pro Golds are sold as a 5-PW set along with a #4 and #3 Idea Pro Gold Hybrid. We have decided to break this into two reviews. So today we will have a look at just the irons. Here we go!

Background

Designed for better players, the Idea Pro Gold Hybrid Iron set features two Pro Gold hybrids that deliver a penetrating ball flight and extra forgiveness along with six forged, tour-quality irons that deliver exceptional feel and workability.

The 5–PW forged irons appeal to better players with a thin top line and sole. An 8620 carbon steel head is finished with a mirror-chrome plating that adds a premium look to the set. The constant offset through the irons offer better control for players wanting to work their ball flight and the 14% volume increase in the face grooves result in better accuracy and feel.

• Forged cavity–back irons with a premium look and feel for the better player.
• Tour-inspired design–thin top line and sole.
• An 8620 carbon steel head and milled face grooves with 14% more volume deliver better control, accuracy and feel.
• Constant offset for better control and workability.
• Mirror chrome plating—a perfect choice for golfers looking for a traditional look.

Look and Feel

The Adams Idea Pro Gold irons look extremely clean from address. The thin top-line and blade like head size will really appeal to the lower handicap player looking to control the ball. Minimal offset in the irons is another plus for those who do not struggle with the right side of the course. When I went to my most recent lesson, my instructor (a Callaway staffer) picked up the 7 iron and was really impressed with the look and setup. I agree, at address you could not really ask for much more. Compared to the Idea Pro Forged irons, the club face is a little smaller, and there seems to be slightly less offset. Top lines are pretty similar.

From behind the ball, you get a little more into the technology and marketing of the club. While the Idea Pro Forged iron had a pretty clean cavity back, the Pro Gold has added some additional lines and steps to the weighting in the cavity. As I have said numerous times in iron reviews, I am generally not looking at the back of the club, so it really does not bother me.

A significant area where the Idea Pro Gold has moved from the Idea Pro Forged is in the chrome plating. Where as the predecessor sported a dull, satin finish, the Pro Gold rocks out a chrome plating that is pretty sharp. Some players may prefer the satin in their irons that will prevent reflections in bright sun, but I really have not noticed much of a problem with the chrome. My older set of Idea Pro Forged irons certainly showed wear quicker than these chromed Idea Pro Golds seem to.

The stock Golf Pride DD2 grips in a Yellow/Black color combination are one of the nicer offerings in an off the shelf set of irons. They happen to match the Rocket Tour head covers that come standard with the Idea Pro Gold hybrids as well, not to mention my TaylorMade Spider putter! The grips are nice and tacky and the color scheme is certainly something different.

The Idea Pro Golds are sold with the Project-X steel shaft standard. The previous model, Idea Pro Forged were fitted with the (hot at the time) Black Gold shaft. Project-X seems to have taken over the rifle/premium shaft market at the moment, as numerous PGA Tour players have them fit in their irons. For me, I found them to be a great match with the Pro Gold irons. As with other clubs I have played these shafts in, the ball flight is very penetrating and well controlled. If you have normally played Dynamic Gold shafts, you should give a set of Project-X shafts a try at some point. The trajectory is pretty neat to watch, a well struck shot will seem to just hang in the air forever.

Now, about the feel. I am a big stickler for feel in my irons, and let me say, wow, these clubs were a real shocker. The Idea Pro Forged irons were pretty solid in the feel department, but I think Adams has found a way to up the ante a little with the Pro Golds. I would have to say they have a pretty similar buttery soft feel to the Mizuno MP-57s. Compress the golf ball on the sweet spot, and you will be rewarded with a great ball flight and that super soft feel. As with most clubs in this class, hit the ball a little off the center, and you will know it immediately. In my book, this is a good thing. Playing with Super Game Improvement irons, where a hit on the toe feels no different than one on the screws may be better for your score card that day, but it certainly does not improve your game.

Performance

I really have to think these clubs would be a great option for anything from a professional player through a mid handicapper looking to improve their game. Performance wise these clubs have been spot on. Distance control has been really dialed in and misses have been predictable. I can pretty much count on a consistent amount of yards loss and a lower ball flight when I catch an iron hit a little thin. Given that so much of this game is about managing your misses, knowing that I can almost trust

The Idea Pro Forged irons featured a slightly more boxy club face and a flatter sole. The Idea Pro Gold seems to have a little more rounding at the toe and a more machined sole. I find that the Pro Gold is more playable out of a wider variety of lies. The leading edge is not too sharp, so for someone who comes into the ball a little steep at times, it works out pretty well for me.

Knockdown shots, cuts, draws, high, low, throw anything you want at these tools and as long as you have the skill to pull off the shot the irons will be willing to deliver the results. I have had a lot of success with the mid irons and knockdown shots as of late. My driver game has been a little wild at times, so when I find myself in the trees, one really needs to have an iron you can be a little creative with. I played this morning and got stuck under some trees with low hanging branches on the left side of the fairway. About 115 out, with a left tucked pin and a bunker guarding the short-left of the green, I had to hit a low running hook to get a ball up on the green. Take out the 7 iron, a little back in the stance, dead hands, setup for a hook, deliver the club. Ended up on the front of the green and saved the par. Those kind of shots I always find difficult with a clunky game improvement iron.

As I mentioned earlier, distance control is spot on. The pitching wedge in this set is real solid, so solid in fact, I am considering picking up the Idea Pro Gold Gap Wedge to go along with the rest of the set. While a penetrating high draw with a 5 iron from 200 yards out is pretty to watch, a compressed pitching wedge that fades onto the flag is just as glorious. Not a problem with either.

Conclusion

If you are a mid to low handicapper looking for a new set of irons that you can shape, control and absolutely love the feel of…the Idea Pro Golds may be the ticket. As I have said in the past, if you are a mid handicapper (10-20) do not be overly intimidated by a set of clubs like this. Sure they are not going to save you when you hit it on the toe with a wide open club face…but honestly, no club will. Clubs like this will force you to become a better ball striker. Pair the irons up with the Pro Gold hybrids (review coming soon, but I absolutely fell in love with these as well) and you have a great set of clubs that can help you lower your handicap.

The Idea Pro Gold Irons can be found in 5-PW sets or sold in retail stores with a 3 and 4 hybrid. The retail price of the 3-PW set is set at $899 fit with Project-X steel shafts in the irons. While you can generally find used sets on eBay from $500-$700.

How It Started

Mistake number one: I did not bother to go to my local pro to figure this out, I tried to figure it out on my own from some Golf Digest articles. Around that time, Golf Digest had run a series on Tiger Woods and his stinger 2 iron shot. I had a 2 iron…I can do this, right? So I took the knowledge from that article to the course and started work on destroying my golf swing.

A few thousand golf balls later, I was able to on demand hit a low, piercing stinger shot that was very accurate and ran like crazy down the fairway. I was hitting 250-260 yard low shots with a 2 iron from the tee…awesome right? Yeah, not so much. In the process of learning how to do this, I managed to integrate a severe over the top move in my swing. I had been setting up with the golf ball very far back in my stance, just off my back foot. I would start the swing by taking the club severely inside (unbeknownst to me), get the club in a laid off position, and almost have to take it back outside to get the club on the ball. It produced a nice piercing shot, with a little cut on it, but absolutely destroyed the rest of my game.

Hitting that many golf balls really ingrained this move into my ‘normal’ swing as well. And it took me quite a while to even realize what it had done. The fall of 2007, I had my little stinger shot, played a couple decent rounds, and then just practiced over the winter. Come spring of 2008, my over the top swing was now full in force. I struggled through the 2008 season with my full swing. My short and putting game got a lot of work and I had to really grind to eek out scores that were not completely embarrassing. I would play with friends that I had played with in the past and they would ask what happened to me. It was a real mess. But, mistake number two, I spent 2008 trying to fix this on my own.

Admitting Defeat – Visit to the TaylorMade Performance Labs

So, that brings us to 2009. Early in 2009 I had an opportunity to visit the TaylorMade Performance Lab at the Grand Cypress Hotel in Orlando, Florida. I met up with Travis Kent, the Manager and Master Club Fitter at the Lab and in no time I was fitted with a slew of infrared sensors and had a 6 iron in my hand. I took a couple practice swings and before I knew it I could see a three dimensional representation of my swing on the computer monitor. Below is a video capture of one of the worst looking swings I took while at the labs.

The TaylorMade Performance Lab can capture your swing like that using a technology called Motion Capture. You may have heard of Motion Capture from the Computer Gaming world or in Computer Graphic enhanced movies, like The Matrix. Basically they fit you with numerous reflective markers, strategically placed around your body: wrists, hips, knees, toes, shoulders, even your head. Those markers are picked up by nine separate infrared cameras positioned around the room. The computer then translates that information into a three dimensional representation of your swing. You can look at it from any angle imaginable and even in super slow motion.

Travis put my swing up on the screen overlapped with Justin Rose. How embarrassing. Instantly you could see just how far inside I was taking the club, and what awful positions I had gotten myself into. Travis gave me a few pointers in the simulator to try and correct…take the club straight back…but alas, attempting to fix this while at the Labs was not possible. So we continued through the 6 iron, to the Driver, then a Sand Wedge and finished up with the putter. I learned that this little loop had worked its way into all of my swings and was even slightly noticeable on my putts. fortunately my putting stroke was pretty solid so it didn’t affect my putting too much.

When you have gone through the entire fitting session the guys at the Lab will put together a little packet for you to take home. This includes swing data for each club printed out as well as a CD that includes the video of all of your swings. The CD includes a player utility that lets you view the swings in three dimensions (you can spin the camera around and look at any angle). It is pretty amazing.

At the time, my driver data was as follows: 140mph ball speed, 10.8 degree launch, 1590 rpm of back spin, 232 yards total distance. How awful! (Improved numbers, post lessons can be found later in the article). My six iron data was even more revealing: 80mph swing speed, -5.1 degree in/out path (coming over the top) and -6.8 degree angle into the ball (very steep). Amazingly enough, the average impact location was pretty close to the sweet spot, and I did manage to get the club face square to the target line. So this resulted in playable shots, but I really needed to have my timing on that day to play half decent. The great thing is you get all of this data printed out, and you can refer to it later on (like say 4 months later!).

Here is a sampling of the data you actually receive:

In addition to all of this info, you will receive club fitting information. That includes the proper lie angles, suggested TaylorMade club models, lofts, shaft stiffness. It is pretty neat. Travis mentioned they would usually take you out onto the range with the suggested clubs and have you hit balls until you are comfortable with a set make up that matches up with YOUR swing. I did not go through this part of the process as my swing obviously needed work, and the suggested clubs were actually pretty similar to what I already had been playing.

Honestly, this was an eye opening, unique experience. Without it, I probably would have gone on struggling with my own swing fixes. Having seen what I saw, I knew I had to get some ‘professional’ help and get my swing back on track!

Lessons and Developing the Inside Out Path Again

Shortly after returning from our trip to Orlando, I booked a lesson with Fred Glass, the Director of Instruction at the Learning Center at Neshanic Valley. I had not taken a lesson from him in the past, but have heard good things about him and the course is relatively close to home. Fred’s first comment was pretty memorable, “You have more planes than Newark Airport.” I had to laugh. Well, I explained to him a bit about my past with my swing, how my game had evolved, and what I had learned in Orlando. He had a good understanding of where I was at and where I wanted to be. He also understood that I was one who enjoyed practicing and needed really to feel my swing rather than have technical thoughts.

So, Fred gave me two drills to work on to get my swing back on plane. Drill number one was simple enough. Take a range bucket, flip it upside down and put it about 5 inches away from you past the golf ball, and about a foot away from the target (See picture below). This way, if you do end up swinging outside-in, you will hit the bucket on the way to the ball. Simple enough and a completely free training aid. This proved to be a great drill for me and really got my swing back to inside-outside.

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Start with a 7 iron and take little half swings, really focusing on taking the club straight back and then coming slightly inside to out avoiding the bucket. If you find the bucket very distracting, this is a good thing. You will probably hit the bucket on numerous occasions…also a very good thing. Stick with the short irons, 7 iron, 8, 9, PW. Progressively work your way up to a three quarter swing, up to your full swing. As you move from half swings to full swing you will probably notice yourself hitting the bucket again…all good, just try to work on taking the club straight back, and then deliver the club back to the ball from the inside

The other drill involved taking the club severely outside and then severely inside to the ball with a very closed club face. Try to think Jim Furyk and exaggerate the loop. The concept here is to do the complete opposite of what I had been doing and gradually get back to a slight inside-outside swing path and get the club more on plane. I found this drill to be effective early on, but after a session or two I began sticking to the first drill with the range bucket.

The light red line below represents the path you take the club back, the dark red represents the path you take back into the ball. I would lay a 5 iron down on the ground along that dark red line in the picture and try to think about swinging along that path as I took the club back to the ball. Note the blue line there, one should address the ball with a very closed club face much like that. Lay the club on the ground, close the club face up severely, and then grip the club as you normally would. Take the club way out, swing way in, and you’ll be surprised at the result. As soon as I started hooking everything like crazy, I moved over to the bucket drill full time.

About 6 weeks after taking this lesson, I scored my first hole in one. I had hit some nice shots in the past, been close to a hole in one on several occasions, but never actually dropped one in the cup. I hit a nice little 8 iron, which hit the front of the green, released, rolled into the cup, it was a thing of beauty. The best part was, I got to share it with my wife as we were playing together that morning.

Developing Lag

So, the inside out path seemed to be on track. I started hitting the ball with a little draw again, and regained some distance. During this process, Mike Pedersen pointed me in the direction of a very interesting article (Focus on Pressure Points to Feel Lag) on generating lag in your golf swing. I had a read through it, and it made a lot of sense. It also seemed to align quite well with the range bucket drill I had been doing.

What I started doing, as suggested by John, was to take my 7 iron and take half shots (sound familiar?) and really try and feel a tremendous amount of pressure on your right index finger on the way to and through the golf ball. So, I lined up the range bucket on the outside (pictured earlier) and worked on getting that feeling. It took a few hundred golf balls before I could reliably feel and apply that pressure without hitting the ball thin. But wow, when you get it…you get it. The ball will just explode off the club face, you will hear that compressed golf ball sound, and wow…never have I spun so many shots back on the green. I would start by trying that 7 iron drill, hit a bucket of balls while trying to feel the pressure. I would also read through that entire article, including the comments, there is a ton of great information there.

The funny thing is, it turns out what I thought was a VERY high shot, really was not all that high. I have also found that I really was not hitting the ball as solid as I thought I was back in 2007. With the lag pressure on that right index finger strong and accelerating through the ball, I can really hear and feel a solid golf shot. I have also found that a compressed, well struck golf ball cuts right through the wind without the need of some super low golf shot (though I suspect a switch to the TaylorMade TP Red LDP ball may have also helped with the wind…have I mentioned I love this ball??).

So…another thing found, another new achievement in my golf game. A few weeks after starting to practice this lag technique, I had my first hole out from the fairway on a par 4. Eagle on hole #1 at Fox Hollow Golf Club. I had hit a nice tee shot down the middle of this dog leg right, which left me about 115 to the pin. Pulled my 52 degree Eidolon Wedge and it landed a few feet past the hole, spun back and down into the cup…it may have even been a nicer feeling than the hole-in-one! (Side note here, both of these shots were with the new TaylorMade TP Red LDP Ball, which I absolutely love, and they are quite inexpensive these days…if you play the ProV1, check them out, you’ll save some cash).

Fixing the Driver: Another Lesson

Now that my iron game was close to being on, I had to get my driver game back on track. While I had been able to develop that high, solid draw again with the irons, I was still struggling with keeping the driver in play. I found myself sticking to the hybrid off the tee on most holes, sometimes even leaving my driver and 3 wood in the trunk of my car. So, trip number two to the Learning Center at Neshanic Valley.

I setup another lesson with Fred Glass, with the intent of focusing on my driver swing. I met Fred out on the range and took a few swings with a 7 iron: all seemed good. Then I took a couple swings with the driver…and we immediately decided to go inside where he could get my swing on camera. The Learning Center has a nice indoor driving range setup with a simulator (not nearly as sophisticated as the TaylorMade Performance Labe) and a couple high speed video cameras. One can view your swing from behind or face on and also get launch monitor data on your swings.

Once again, the power of video proved itself to be invaluable when it comes to diagnosing a swing flaw. Turns out I was still getting the driver into a very laid off position and coming over the top. To prevent myself from hitting duck hooks, I had really slowed the release of the club and would either hit straight pulls or big 20-30 yard slices. So, Fred showed me my swing vs a couple pro swings, and to my surprise, the take away was pretty spot on. Up to the top of my back swing, you could clearly see the club was laid off (the shaft was aiming about 15-20 yards left of the target line). So coming back down to the ball, I ended up manipulating the club with my hands, taking it outside to try and get the club head on the ball. Then I would chicken wing through impact, trying to keep that club face reasonably square to my strange swing path.

Fred gave me a couple drills to work on, the first being trying to get the club shaft over my left hand rather than horizontal. That is to say, when I get to the top of my back swing, I try to feel as if my left thumb is under the golf club. I want to feel the weight of the club shaft pressing against my left thumb. This works really well with the lag pressure thoughts I have while swinging the irons. So back to the top, pressure on my thumb…and I know that I am probably pretty square to the target. Easy enough to practice, and not really a whole lot to think about technically…I like that!

Ok, couple swings like that…balls started out right of target…and went another 20 yards right. I was not releasing the club, leaving the club face open to the target line, which puts a whole lot of slice spin on the ball. So, part two of the lesson: release the club. For me, this means try and roll that right arm over the left as fast as I possibly can. If this is unfamiliar to you, I have found two great drills that work well for it: Buy a Gyro Swing which will FORCE you to feel a proper release, or swing the club parallel to the ground (baseball swing style) and feel that right arm turn over the left at about the impact point.

So, how did it work out? About 10 or so swings in, I hit a 2 yard draw, 285 yards down the pipe on the simulator. 158 ball speed, 12.5 degree launch angle, 2400 rpm of spin. I’ll take that any day of the week. Now, granted, that was one swing, and there were still plenty of off line shots. But, now I have something to work on, and have been taking it to the range for some practice sessions. I still do not trust it enough to take it on the course, but it is certainly getting there.

Morale of the story? If you have been working on your swing on your own, and have been struggling with it, fighting a slice, fighting a hook, not really enjoying the game as much as you know you should…do yourself a HUGE favor and visit your local PGA teaching professional. I have found most pros will try and work with what you have, and just try to change a little thing here or there. Take what the pro has to say with an open mind and really WORK on it at the range. Fixing your slice will not take an afternoon, it could take you months or an entire golf season, but trust me, it is possible! Unfortunately you cannot just buy an easy fix!

Hopefully I can get myself out to a TM Performance Lab again soon and see the results of all this swing work on their unique 3D golf simulator!

Today we will have a look at Adidas Golf’s new Tour360 Sport golf shoe. A sporty styled golf shoe that incorporates a lot of the Tour360 technology into a more athletic looking golf shoe.

Background

• Protective and breathable, water resistant
• THiNTech low-profile technology brings you closer to the course than ever before, promoting consistently sold ball-striking through added stability and improved footwork
• 50/50 Protect technology features a water-resistant TPU shield that surrounds the lower half of the shoe, protecting the foot from wet grass, mud, and debris. The top half of the shoe utilizes lightweight and highly breathable air-mesh for improved temperature management, flexibility, and comfort
• Split outsole technology with 360WRAP support system allows the upper to surround the midfoot completely, delivering the ultimate in upper stability and a glove-like fit
• Water-resistant TPU and membrane-lined mesh upper helps keep feet cool and dry
• 3D FitFOAM™ sockliner for exceptional support, comfort, and a customized fit
• Powerband Chassis delivers extraordinary lateral stability and the leverage needed to generate power from the ground up
• Split outsole Tour Platform with 10-cleat Traxion® configuration features tapered, kidney-shaped lugs that hold firmly and prevent slippage in all types of grass and conditions while remaining green-friendly
• Clog-resistant TPU outsole with DTAC cleats for grip, stability and comfort
• Performance Last for precise fit, superior performance, and contemporary shape
• adiTUFF™ abrasion-resistant toe guard

Look and Feel

The Tour360 Sport golf shoes have a bit of a athletic look and feel to them. Rather than a traditional rigid leather golf shoe, the Tour360 Sport is made of a porous material that is both breathable and light. If you prefer something along the lines of a sneaker more than a dress shoe, this shoe will fit your eye well. I find some of the shoes in this category are a little too casual looking, while you could probably get away with wearing a shoe styled like this at the country club.

As you can tell by the pictures, these shoes look quite ‘thin and long’. I’ll get to this later, but these shoes do run a little on the narrow side. I think the black section near the toe of the shoe emphasizes this a bit. They do look real sharp in person though.

When it comes to feel, the foot bed of this shoe is extremely comfortable. Adidas puts a cushy insole, 3D FitFOAM, that really molds to your feet. After walking 18 my feet still felt quite refreshed. The weight of the shoe also helps in that regard.

Performance

My first thought with shoes of this style is: how quick are my feet going to get wet? My second thought usually is: how much support will these provide when I am trying to swing on some steep side-hill lie? Lucky for me, I play most of my golf these days at a very hilly golf course that is usually pretty wet. So I had plenty of opportunities to put them to the test!

Since the Tour360 Sport has been designed with this 50/50 water resistant material, the shoe actually stays quite dry under normal conditions. That means, if it’s a little damp out (ie the sprinklers have been running or there is some dew on the grass in the morning) your feet do, in fact, stay quite dry. Now, I would not go out on a rainy day with these shoes, your feet will get soaked. Basically, the bottom half of the shoe is almost shrink wrapped with some water resistant material, while the top half of the shoe remains breathable. It is actually pretty neat, your feet will stay cool on a hot day…but will not get wet when you walk by a sprinkler head.

So what about my second question, support? These are actually quite sturdy, well put together golf shoes. Even with the sneaker kind of look to them, they are almost too rigid. The PowerBand that wraps around your arch is quite effective. My feet are a little on the wide side, and I have very high arches. The rigidity of these shoes and lack of support for my abnormally high arches actually caused a bit of a problem for me, I usually need something a little more flexible. For someone with more normal feet, this probably wouldn’t be an issue. However, as with any shoe, I would suggest trying them on for fit and feel at a local store prior to purchasing the shoes. I found the original Tour 360 shoes to be a little wider and less rigid. I had noticed the Tour 360 II shoes seemed to be slightly narrower and more rigid…perhaps that is just the direction these shoes have been going. I ended up just putting in an insert with more arch support and the ended up being just fine for me.

Cleat wise, the new cleat design is very interesting. I played a couple rounds on mornings where the grass had just been cut, and that generally means a lot of grass clumped up in the cleats. Not so with these shoes. The design seems to help prevent that from occurring. Sure you will still get some grass wrapped around the cleats themselves, but you will spend less time banging a 9 iron into the bottom of your shoe trying to dislodge all the dirt. I never had an issue with losing traction either. As I mentioned, I play on a very hilly course, so with some shoes (especially my older ones with spikes that need changing!) I certainly notice some traction issues. The Tour360 Sport was rock solid in that department.

Conclusion

If you like to feel a little breeze across your toes and like your feet staying cool, these shoes could certainly work for you. As long as you avoid rainy days, these shoes should keep those little toes dry as well. As with the entire like of Tour360 golf shoes, you are putting your feet into and advanced technological platform. Not only are these very comfortable, they perform like a champ and I can certainly see myself wearing them throughout the sunny summer days.

You can pickup a pair of the new Tour360 Sport golf shoes directly from AdidasGOLF for $160. You can also have a look on eBay and see if there are some discounted shoes out there. But, as I mentioned earlier, and I would suggest this for any golf shoe, visit your local brick and mortar store first to try these shoes on.