Time for a post this cloudish Friday afternoon.
You might have noticed from the side bar that I have made whole sale changes to my bag this year. Starting up with the Big Dog. I have been a fan of Ping drivers over the last couple of years. Starting with the G400, the G410 and then the G425.
While the performance of the G425 was pleasing, I was somewhat let down by the 'dullish' sound off the face which lacked the nice metallic sound of a ball well smacked. I bade farewell to the Ping and got myself a Cobra LTDx.
The LTDx looked really good and resembled the younger, flashier brother if you would of the Ping G425. I was hitting it well, but the relationship was over when Ping launched the G430.
Let's just say, the let down of the G425 was quickly forgotten. This was the Ping feel and sound that I recalled from the days of the good'ol G410. Paired with my trusty Fujikura Speeder Evo3 shaft, I was getting good distance and forgiveness. Don't think I will be changing out the big stick for a while.
No changes in the FW and Hybrid department. My Titleist Tsi2 3w (also with a Speeder Evo3 shaft) is still fantastic off the tee (sometimes outdriving my driver). While my XXIO hybrid is still reliable. I did change the shaft though. The stock (stiff) shaft was a tad too flimsy.
Perhaps the biggest change were the irons. I don't think of myself as a JDM fan but these EPON Af-306 irons are a game changer.
I have tried EPON irons in the past and while they were nice to hit, didn't justify the hefty price tag in my book. I was hitting the Titleist 718TMB irons pretty well but was searching for that extra forgiveness. The Af-306 provided just that.
Matched with the OTI-95(s) shafts, I was hitting them with ease with a nice ball flight. Sound hits felt buttery and were rewarding. Sure the occasional shit shots creep in, but overall I am hitting them consistently better than the 718TMB. Haven't sold them yet though. The EPONS didn't come cheap but it came 4 - PW and so far, worth every cent spent.
Wedges. The last two sets of wedges I had were from Srixon. The RTX4 and then the ZIPCORE. The Latter were sexy. Loved the clean and sleek look and they performed really well too. The grooves were getting worn and it was time for a replacement. My choices were narrowed down to the ZIPCORE 6 or the pricier SM9. Titleist make lovely wedges that come with an even 'lovelier' price tag. I played the SM4s and the SM6 before switching over to Srixon. Bit the bullet and switched over to the SM9. All I can say is, no regrets.
What can I say about the putter. Won't be changing my beloved Evnroll Er5b until it becomes unusable. Starting to show wear and tear, but just look at it! I mean 😍😍
Also switched from my PXG cart bag to a flashier, less bulky J.Lindeberg stand bag. Cart bags are a thing of the past. Way too big and heavy for the modern day golfer. Only thing I do miss are the individual dividers, but that's not a deal breaker for me anymore.
And that's WITB for 2023.
