Equipment Updates

New and old....

Bag Revamp

The bag revamp is finally complete! A mix of shiny new clubs and fine-tuned older ones gives me loads of confidence in my equipment for the upcoming season. Check out the new additions:

• TSR2 Driver: 9-degree loft, Hazardous Smoke Stiff Shaft.

• TSi2 3 Wood: 15-degree loft, Hazardous Blue Stiff Shaft.

• 3 new Titleist Vokey Wedges: 50-degree (F grind), 54-degree (D grind), 58-degree (D grind)

• Scotty Cameron Phantom Putter: (A sweet birthday present!)

These replace my TS2 10.5-degree driver, TS2 19-degree hybrid, Cleveland CBX2 50 and 56-degree wedges, and Cleveland Smart Sole Chipper.

Grips

I also re-gripped the entire bag with Golf Pride New Decade Multi Compound MCC Teams Grips (Black, Dark Red, and White). I ordered from Adore Golf Grips – fantastic service, 10/10. The grips feel fantastic, and I'm hoping the consistent feel will improve my technique and touch on the course.

Golf pride MCC Grips in Black, Dark Red and White.

Loft and Lie Check

While getting the grips done, I had my iron lofts and lies checked. I bought them secondhand over two years ago and hadn't done this before. Surprisingly, my static lofts had weakened slightly throughout the set:

• 5 iron: 2 degrees

• 7 iron: 3 degrees

• 8 iron: 2 degrees

• 9 iron: 2 degrees

It's not a huge difference, but as I focus on reducing dynamic loft and increasing swing speed, this adjustment should lead to more consistent distance gapping – especially between my 6 and 7 irons where the gap was 6 degrees. My lies were mostly fine, only needing tweaks of 1 degree here and there to return to my fitted 1-degree upright (Ping Blue Dot).

Wedge Matrix

I've been practicing with my new wedges to create a full yardage matrix. Ryan previously provided me with a Wedge Matrix document, and I used my PRGR launch monitor to gather initial data. (I'll switch to a more precise monitor for more accurate numbers later). All distances are carry.

I still need "half" shot numbers to complete the matrix. Overall, my gapping looks reasonable. More frequent use of a rangefinder during practice and rounds will help solidify the distances and hopefully gain me some strokes.

Next Up…

The Winter Matchplay quarter-finals are Sunday (weather permitting)! We're up against two higher-handicap players (giving away about 5 shots total). I'm excited to get out there and compete.