As of now, I'm hitting high to mid 80's, but my goal is to break 80 this year--in which case, the Apex should be more beneficial for me (from what I've heard and read, but not sure)

Have you tried the Taylor Made SpeedBlade? Might give you the forgiveness of the Karsten with the hot face of the Apex. I'd at least give it a try.

I've actually tried to avoid TaylorMade altogether but I'll give the Speedblades a swing tomorrow (no harm).

I haven't done the research, but I've heard the apex are bent pretty stiff (which would result in longer distances).

Have you checked callaway used to see if they have a set of apex? If had nothing but good results from there buying used clubs (two woods and a couple of replacement irons).

I don't really understand the role of looks in the decision. A lot of golf clubs are ridiculous looking --- 460cc drivers, mallet putters, etc. If an uglier club produces better, more consistent shots that's what I'm buying.

Also not really feeling the idea of 'growing into' a set. I'd buy for where I am now and if my swing changed to the point where something else fit a lot better i would sell and get a new set. Then again, what do I know, been using the same set of Eye2s since 1991.

Good luck!

I disagree. I will have more confidence in hitting something pleasing to the eye. It's why most of my drivers have been Titleist in the past. The Black R1 was the first non-Titleist that looked good to me and produced good/better results than all the others I tried.

So you'll sacrifice performance for a more attractive appearance?

Unless your answer is yes, we don't actually disagree. Appearance and confidence may be factors contributing to performance, but actual performance is the bottom line.

Golf is so mental that the club definitely needs to look good to you in order for you to play it. Like I could probably never play a TM club post 2010 because they come out with like 3 drivers a year it feels like regardless of the numbers. Makes me question the quality. I mean why does everyone on tour play a different putter? Everyone's strokes isnt THAT much different but they play what is appealing to them.

Would you marry a butt-ugly girl who gave you the best sex ever?

/thread derail!!



The clubs are a self-fulfilling prophecy, if you don't like the way they look you won't hit them well even if they are the best clubs ever.

BO

How much would the good golfers here charge for lessons? How good can they make a high 90s hacker?

My men's club match play first round match is this afternoon. Excited and nervous as always. Giving 15 shots - time to hit some fairways and greens and grind it out

I went into Golftown today and finally ordered the Callaway Apex iron set (4i-AW, stiff, steel, True Temper XP95 shaft). I got them fitted to a 2 degree upright (shaft-to-head) angle with a midsized grip - they should arrive in about 2 weeks.

I tried the Speedblades and thought they were amazing. Not as forgiving as the Karstens (I don't think anything is as forgiving as those though!) but not as long as the Apex either.

Out of the bunch I've tried over my last 3 trips to Golftown, the Apex were the best combination of everything (I was looking for). Pretty happy about the purchase.

As others have mentioned, the looks of the club do matter, but very minimally. As I mentioned above, the Apex was the best combination of everything I needed and wanted in a club.

As for 'growing into a set': I've been told I am ready for these clubs, but I am my toughest critic and think I have yet to utilize the full capabilities of them. These clubs are (supposedly) for mid to low handicappers and where I expect to be within the next few months (hopefully). I can't shape shots quite yet, but plan on working on that this summer and from what I've heard and read, the Apex are much more responsive then the Karstens are, ainec.

I'm only entering year 3 of my taking-golf-serious mission and have not yet plateaued. I intend on improving a lot this year and feel these clubs fit right into my immediate game plan.

Apex Irons:


Callaway X22 irons:

3 iron 21º
4 iron 24º
5 iron 27º
6 iron 30º
7 iron 33º
8 iron 37º
9 iron 41º
PW 45º
AW 51º
SW 56º
LW 60º

Lost 2&1 - fun match tho!

Was down 2 through 14 - he's got the box on 15, a par three over water. He thins a hybrid into the water. No! He skips it across the water and it settles on the far bank. Pitches it to 2 feet and I'm down 3 with 3 to play swongs

Won 16 but halved 17 missing a 7 footer to extend. ISAP

I would never pay a non-professional for help. Maybe buy the guy lunch or buy us both buckets of balls while we go to the range together and he helps me out. Unless the guy has some training in teaching, paying for it just seems bad.

I played today here in CT and it was raining pretty solid for the first 14 holes or so. Even though the rain had softened the greens the ball bounced pretty hard off the green with a short iron into the green.

I hit a very high 9 iron from about 145 yards to 15 feet below the hole and it bounced about 20 feet into the air then settled 10 feet past the hole. This happened about 4 times.

Anyone know anything about turf science to explain how this could happen even though it was raining for the previous 5 hours? My uncle I was playing with said "They packed the greens solidly this winter to make them last all year." Old man comment or truth in it?

What course in CT?

Is it a new golf course? Sometimes they take a few years to soften up depending on where its built.

Anyone have experience shipping clubs from the West Coast to Hawaii? I'm guessing the preferred method is to ship clubs/balls/misc equipment as flat as possible and rent a bag when you get there?

Are you flying with them? If so, golf travel bags ftw.

I'm trying to avoid flying with them for a variety of reasons.

Flying with a golf bag is great because they never weigh the bag, which means you can just pack it with other luggage (clothes etc).

Made my third ever eagle today. 488 par 5, I hit driver 8 iron to 2 feet short of the pin. I thought it was in for albatross when it hit the green, but it wasn't meant to be.

Tunxis Plantation- the Green Course. They have 45 holes.

The course is definitely not a new one and I don't think they've re-done the greens for as long as I can recall (20+ years or so).

one of the shipping companies (fedex?) has a golf club shipping deal where you drop your clubs and bag off and they ship it to your hotel/golf course. I got a quote for it when I went to hawaii but it was cheaper to just fly with them so I did that, not very helpful but yeah look into that.