Checked out some of the 2021 gear at PGA Superstore in Schaumburg while waiting to get my putter regripped.

Nothing interesting in the way of putters. The TM wide blade with the patina finish and weights is sweet, though.

I used to really follow new golf gear releases, but I was overwhelmed by the driver options. Titleist has 4. The waggle/feel test had the Cobra and Srixon at #1/1A, Epic Speed at #2 and TM SIM2 and Titleist at #3. I can overlook the Cobra RAD name on the driver, but not KING in the irons on account of the creepy fast food king. The Cobra gear is really solid. PING drivers have those stupid turbulators that I can't unsee at address.

For irons, I had Srixon, Mizuno and PING all at the top, but the $1200 price tag for the Srixons is a deal breaker. The Mizuno are $1000, but I was really impressed with the PING 425s at $875. More low profile that their previous GI irons.

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Sex isn't dirty, sex isn't a crime. It's a loving act between two or more consenting adults.

-Hank Kingsley

What kind of grip did you get put on and what putter? I know you have about 200. I was really looking forward to the Equipment issue from Golf Digest this year and they only did drivers and put the rest of it out there online. If you wanted a hard copy of it you can request it and pay $12. Ridiculous. That is one of my favorite bathroom reads of the year.

I haven't taken a good look at drivers since I have two really good ones already. Fully agree with the Srixon irons, they look really good, just didn't realize they were that expensive. I really love the fact that you can customize your gear from the manufacturers now after getting fitted with grips, custom shafts, you name it. I only buy 5-PW now as well which keeps the price down slightly. Oh and I also agree with the Ping drivers. I had a lot of luck with the ISI series years ago but when I picked up the Ping when I was in the market for drivers I put it back right away because of those Turbulators. I can't believe they help much if at all. I love that classic Titleist pear shape and clean top but don't own one anymore. Just a Taylor Made M5 and Callaway Rogue Sub Zero.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

I have a Cobra King F8 driver that has been an excellent club for me. When I swing it well, the ball goes for miles.

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I'm down to one putter now. Nothing beat out the TM Stingray I've been playing. It was originally a 33" putter and someone added an extension so it plays at 34.5" and whatever the lie angle became just flat-out works. It's point and shoot when my game is on. Went with the Iomic midsize:



I blame PXG for the Srixon price point. All the big manufacturers are on board. Seeing a $750 Titleist driver w/AD-DI shaft at a big box store was rather jarring.

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Sex isn't dirty, sex isn't a crime. It's a loving act between two or more consenting adults.

-Hank Kingsley

Yeah it is getting a little crazy. I am just happy that I like everything in my bag. I usually don't buy the newest stuff the year it comes out either unless I totally love it. I did that with drivers two years in a row and probably spent over $700 for both combined but won't be buying another in a long time. I've had the irons now for five years which is pretty good for me. Did you end up selling the other putters then? Glad you found something you like. Between what is at my mom's place and what I have here I am up to 6, but again no need for any more.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

I sold the other putters, but I was able try out different head/neck/grip styles and know what works best on the course. As much as I love the look of a flow neck blade, it doesn't work for me at all because of how I see the blade opening and closing in my peripheral vision. That doesn't happen with a mallet w/out a flange. Effectively seeing out of only one eye dictates my putter choice more than anything else.

My putter is also center-shafted and fewer and fewer companies offer them today as opposed 3-5 years ago (they're big in Japan). But really, I can play any face balanced putter decent enough regardless of neck style. Reading greens better is where I hope to pick up strokes this year.

All my gear is 2011 and prior and just feels really comfortable to me, especially with my preferred grips. I agree with you on the more traditional shaped drivers too.

Not going to invest in gear until I find out what's going with my hands/grip issue, but if/when I do, I'm heading to Miles of Golf in Ypsilanti for driver/iron fitting and build the rest from there.

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Sex isn't dirty, sex isn't a crime. It's a loving act between two or more consenting adults.

-Hank Kingsley

I didn't play today as it is back in the mid 40s down here but the upcoming weather forecast is good enough that I drove out and set up my membership at my favorite 27 hole value course, about 45 minutes from me. $449/year for unlimited weekday play, unlimited range balls, and a locker. $8/9 for a cart which is required except for twilight. Reservations 7 days out, and no problem getting a weekday time as a single.

The course is operated by Campbell University and is part of their PGA-sanctioned golf management degree program (and home of their D-I golf team), so while the facilities are not luxurious they are well maintained and the course is usually in great shape.

I am really looking forward to having a home course to try and play weekly (hopefully most Tuesdays and some Fridays), although I do plan on playing at other courses as well.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

Sounds nice Chet, enjoy and having 27 holes is nice.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

That sounds like a nice deal indeed Chet. Hoping to get out in a couple weeks here if the snow keeps melting. Not sure when I can find a course that is open. The membership deal I get is staying the same price but losing a few perks.... $1000 for unlimited walking and you have access to three 18 hole courses and a 9 holer. That used to come with unlimited range balls but now you only get 10 buckets for the season. Used to come with 4 free passes and now it is just 3. The pro was saying that memberships don't account for anything when they look at revenue for the year and it isn't as important to them as outings and everyday greens fees. Good thing I found over 500 average to below average balls in the water last year. Looks like I will be taking 6-8 balls to the range and hitting them out there before each round rather than donating the whole lot to them like I had planned.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Well you're still kinda donating them aren't you? Just at a slower clip is all.

I am earmarking March 20th as my first round. It seems like we will have at least the next eight days be dry and fairly warm, so the rest of the snow will melt and the ground will continue to thaw.

I got an email that Carriage Greens in Darien will be open (walking only) starting on Friday. I can't imagine the mush would be all that fun to play in this weekend.

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CG is a sloppy course to begin with, at least it was the one time I played it w/donspiracy.

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Sex isn't dirty, sex isn't a crime. It's a loving act between two or more consenting adults.

-Hank Kingsley

Yeah, it's looking like courses drying out will be the key to an early round this year.

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I haven't played Carriage Greens in a couple years, but I do remember it having some drainage issues.

Coyote Run also planning to partially open this weekend, and they expect carts to be available by the middle of next week. Long range forecast shows mild temps and dry weather over the next 7-8 days. I think courses will have a good run at drying out for the most part. My guess is by the weekend of the 13th and 20th, MANY will be playable. Fingers crossed!

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Furious will be hitting up the Golf Center of Des Plaines in a bit for a long lunch. They also have a lighted, par 3, 9 hole course that is open until midnight.

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Sex isn't dirty, sex isn't a crime. It's a loving act between two or more consenting adults.

-Hank Kingsley

Yes donating at a slower clip. If I had free balls I would have forked them all over up front.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

It was GLORIOUS.

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Sex isn't dirty, sex isn't a crime. It's a loving act between two or more consenting adults.

-Hank Kingsley

Restaurant there is very solid. Not sure if it’s still open, but pre-COVID Antioch would take the oldest there from time to time.

Great sandwiches, salads, beer selection...things of that nature. Highly recommend.

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Indeed. Toni Kucoc likes to hang out there from time to time. Croats are fanatical about their bar food.

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Sex isn't dirty, sex isn't a crime. It's a loving act between two or more consenting adults.

-Hank Kingsley

60s next week! I may have to bring a few clubs with and hit up a range after work. I won't have a ton of daylight by the time I got there, but just to get a small bucket's worth of swings in would be nice.

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Next Sunday we won't have to worry about the daylight, looking forward to that.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

Very true. It will also be light out when I leave for work in the AM which is nice. Not looking forward to how "losing" an hour of sleep will affect the little guy, but we'll manage.

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The decision is made. For at least a third of the season I will use these.

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If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

I alternated between the older TM Project S and the Kirkland ball last year. I liked the Project S a lot off the tee but the Kirklands did better around the elevated greens which are common here. If I was back in Illinois I'd be primarily playing the TMs this season.

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

Isn't that the opposite of what happens?

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The sun rises later yes, but I leave for work later than I have in the past so it will be light for my AM commute as well.

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I don't like how TaylorMade's yellow balls have that funky green hue to them. Srixon does it right.

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Sex isn't dirty, sex isn't a crime. It's a loving act between two or more consenting adults.

-Hank Kingsley

Doesn't really bother me. I do have a hell of a time picking balls out against the grass. Hope these work.

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If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

Yeah, it's a minor complaint. I love the optic yellow for twilight golf.

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Sex isn't dirty, sex isn't a crime. It's a loving act between two or more consenting adults.

-Hank Kingsley

Now they send an email that says they won't open until Monday. I thought having the course in playable condition this weekend was pretty optimistic.

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Tam O'Shanter in Niles before work. I've walked the nine holes in an hour with the first tee time many times.

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Sex isn't dirty, sex isn't a crime. It's a loving act between two or more consenting adults.

-Hank Kingsley