PGA / LPGA / personal golf

[Omnis]

I’m down to easily breaking 100 while playing like garbage lol. Just shot a 97 today. Bought an official USGA handicap and it’s currently at a 30.1. Will have to see how much it improves when it refreshes tomorrow

 

[Omnis]

29.1 New low.

 

[MagpieRacer]

The Old Course at St. Andrews is confirmed to the hosting The Open in 2027: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/articles/ceve4rjedpdo

This year of course it is at Royal Portrush and next year it heads to a slightly revamped Royal Birkdale.

29.1 New low.

Congrats, nice to dip under 30, wont be long before it heads towards 20. I have also just hit a new personal best handicap as well, 19.5. Based on 23 rounds I've put into Golfshake.

Quite like Golfshake as it uses the same formula as WHS but I don't have to pay or keep physical cards that need to be signed by people I don't play with. Technically I have 3 handicap indexes but 2 of which are "official", this Golfshake one (19.5) which is a recognized handicap complete with certificate etc, The Grint, which uses it's own method of calculating (differing course difficulties and a different formula to produce a handicap using the GHAP system) which shows me at 22 and a spreadsheet I keep which also uses a similar formula to WHS (An 18-hole Score Differential is calculated as follows and rounded to the nearest tenth, with .5 rounded upwards: Score Differential =(113 ÷Slope Rating)x(adjusted gross score –Course Rating – PCC adjustment) that uses just my last 20 rounds and currently has me at 19.4.

So for the sake of being accurate to the World Handicap System and what I would be at with England Golf, my playing handicap is 19.5.

 

[Omnis]

How exactly does that work for you across the pond? For us, you have a GHIN (Golf Handicap Identification Network/Number) with the USGA. Every GHIN is indexed and reviewable in the USGA's database so you can see what someone's handicap really is. I used to keep track via TheGrint, but then they dissolved their free handicap program. I couldn't find anything like this on their website, but if you look through their app they offer you a GHIN subscription at your local PGA chapter's price (mine is through FSGA) and they give you a discount on their premium app so you only pay an extra $20 to unlock it instead of having to pay the normal $100 for Grint on top of the USGA fee.

I'm sure I will go much lower because my golf right now feels more like a 18-20 if I can hit a fairway off the tee. Most of my calculated scores are from like 1-2 years ago and my most recent ones are all 9-hole rounds in the low 40s.

 

[Stavingo]

@Omnis I think the handicap system is pretty similar amongst most countries, for us we all have a GHIN as you mentioned through whoever the national governing body is for golf through your country - for myself it’s through Golf Australia (GA)

Instead of it being called a GHIN here it’s renamed under Golf Link Number (What GA used to be called after rebranding)

Depending on how you acquire your handicap will change the algorithm of a number from one golfer to another.

The GHINs are available to look up through the GA website and can be publicly viewed. But it’s really up to the individual to share your number anyway, since it’s required to book into club competitions at your local municipal or as a visitor elsewhere, the club may disclose your Golf Link Number on result sheets after playing a competition round through their chosen scoring app or on the clubs intranet.

The worst that can happen is disclosing your number to someone that will impersonate you and book you in to multiple visitor comps and be a no show and get flagged by the clubs? But I’ve never heard of that happening before 😂

Hopefully the above makes sense lol

 

[Omnis]

For us you can just search by name even if you don’t have the number. I put some local coaches in and they’re not even single digit lol. I can look up Asia and Oceania people, too, but not people that fall under the R&A’s purview, which I assume is all of Europe and maybe Africa in addition to the UK

 

[MagpieRacer]

How exactly does that work for you across the pond? For us, you have a GHIN (Golf Handicap Identification Network/Number) with the USGA. Every GHIN is indexed and reviewable in the USGA's database so you can see what someone's handicap really is. I used to keep track via TheGrint, but then they dissolved their free handicap program. I couldn't find anything like this on their website, but if you look through their app they offer you a GHIN subscription at your local PGA chapter's price (mine is through FSGA) and they give you a discount on their premium app so you only pay an extra $20 to unlock it instead of having to pay the normal $100 for Grint on top of the USGA fee.

I'm sure I will go much lower because my golf right now feels more like a 18-20 if I can hit a fairway off the tee. Most of my calculated scores are from like 1-2 years ago and my most recent ones are all 9-hole rounds in the low 40s.

Apologies, I meant GHAP in relation to the Grint (Global Handicap for Amateur Players), not GHIN which is of course USGA. In the UK, we cannot link The Grint to England Golf (our governing body for amateur golf in England). So if I want to have an official handicap registered with England Golf on the WHS like you do with the USGA, I need to pay a subscription to England Golf and submit 54 holes worth of scores which are marked by another England Golf member who has a WHS index. Then every subsequent round needs the same. Most clubs here handle that for us and even include the cost of the England Golf side within the membership fees and have computer terminals in the clubhouse or bar for uploading scores, but for me as someone who mostly plays solo it doesn't really work (mind you, how many people upload legitimately is up for debate, if you have a few friends who are members you could just sign off each others cards regardless of whether you were there, zero checking process).

For why I want a handicap, Golfshake is adequate, it uses the same calculations as the World Handicap System (England Golf, USGA etc), so I know it's accurate, I can keep it without needing every round to be marked by someone else and it costs nothing unless I want a physical card/certificate. In the UK as well, any courses that require a player to hold an official handicap (e.g. St. Andrews Old Course requires you to be a 21 index and some near me need proof of handicap for proof of golfing competence) and nationwide tournaments such as the Mizuno Golf Pairs tour (biggest amateur tour in the UK), accept Golfshake handicaps as an official handicap.

I won't take you long to get lower then, I was hovering around 22-23 for a while and then started getting into the mid 90s and a few high 80s and it tumbled down to the 19s. My brother on the other hand was as high as 28 not even 6 weeks ago and is currently down to 18.5. But he is at University, has had a lot of time off (nearly 2 months) and in the last 3 days alone has played 6 rounds of golf, with scores ranging from 87 to 95.

 

[Stavingo]

For us you can just search by name even if you don’t have the number. I put some local coaches in and they’re not even single digit lol. I can look up Asia and Oceania people, too, but not people that fall under the R&A’s purview, which I assume is all of Europe and maybe Africa in addition to the UK

Ahh fair enough lol, Golf Australia doesn’t allow you to search up numbers based on your name, the app you can use to look at your handicap requires the number first before anything else.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Shot a new personal best today, somehow firing an 84 in pretty wet conditions. Course is playing shorter in the winter but I've been around 91-94 at this length so 84 is mad. I'll take it though.

 

[MagpieRacer]

2025 bag.

Driver - Cobra Darkspeed Max, regular UST LinQ red shaft. 10.5° head set to 9° with the heavier weight in the draw position.

Fairway - Cobra F7 3/4 wood, stiff Fujikira Speeder shaft. Set at 15.5°, heavier weight in the back.

Hybrid (not pictured) - Cobra Baffler 2 hybrid, regular Aldila NV-HL 65 Shaft.

Utility - Cobra King Tec Utility 3 iron (19°), regular KBS $-Taper Lite shaft.

Irons - Cobra Forged Tec, 4-GW, stiff KBS $-Taper lite shafts.

Wedge/s - Cobra Trusty Rusty 53° and 59°, Dynamic Gold S200 shafts.

Putter - Cobra Agera 3DP Center shaft, KBS 120 shaft, Super stroke Tour 2.0 grip.

Balls - Bridgestone E12 Contact

Bags - Cobra Ultralight Pro cart bag in blue black and white.
Cobra Ultralight Pro stand bag in Grey

Range finder - Blue Tees 3 Max E

59° rotates with the Hybrid, favouring the hybrid. The 3/4 wood F7 is on the verge of being replaced by an Aero jet Max 3 wood. Everything is gripped with Golf Pride Tour Velvet Midsize apart from the wedges which have their original Lamkin 3gen grips and the driver which has a Tour Velvet standard. Mix of headcovers.

 

[Omnis]

Sold off the Paradyms then?

Posted an 86 on my Par 62 short course, brings me down to 28.8. Would've broken 80 but I posted a pair of snowmen on the only two holes where you can actually use the driver. Brought along my Tensei Blue shaft with the Jumbomax XL grip just to see how it felt on the driver. But, nah, I still hit wicked push fades right into the water. Used the same ball for the whole round, though (fished her out 4 times )! I'm absolutely LOVING the 2024 Wilson Staff Model X.

It's hard to find an X ball that doesn't feel too clicky. Feels amazing off the putter and irons.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Sold off the Paradyms then?

Posted an 86 on my Par 62 short course, brings me down to 28.8. Would've broken 80 but I posted a pair of snowmen on the only two holes where you can actually use the driver. Brought along my Tensei Blue shaft with the Jumbomax XL grip just to see how it felt on the driver. But, nah, I still hit wicked push fades right into the water. Used the same ball for the whole round, though (fished her out 4 times )! I'm absolutely LOVING the 2024 Wilson Staff Model X.

View attachment 1426163

It's hard to find an X ball that doesn't feel too clicky. Feels amazing off the putter and irons.

Heard good things about the Wilson balls, I've just bought a massive box of pearl and A-grade Bridgestone E12 Contact balls (100 balls for £74) which should see me through the year.

Actually ditched the Paradym Smokes a while back. Just lost confidence with them distance wise, 7 iron was anything from 150y to 180y and there didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to why it would go further or shorter. That was the same throughout the set, I hit a 170y 9 iron multiple times that just flew the greens, and then it would be at 120y the next time. Did a few sessions to try and figure it out and persevered over the summer but I just couldn't get the consistency I needed to have confidence with them, I don't mind there being a small range of distance but 40+ yards variation is stupid.

Tried a few different irons out at the local fitting center, Cleveland, Mizuno, TaylorMade and finally the Cobras. Got my spec and found a shaft I was happy with and then bought them second hand on GolfClubs4Cash in that spec, excellent condition and half the cost. They're smaller heads and slightly weaker lofts than the Callaways, but are somehow more forgiving, feel buttery soft and I have so much more control over the distance that I can actually be quite precise with the club choices.

All coming together now, I've even signed up to play in 2 competitions this coming summer with my brother, pairs better ball Stableford format in the Mizuno Golf Pairs, biggest amateur tour in the UK, got some good deals on our entries, so playing one at a course near him and one near me. Near him we're playing The Oxfordshire Golf Club, a very beautiful looking course with a lot of bunkers and water, Rees Jones had a hand in designing it in the early 90s so there's some Pinehurst influence there, Japanese styled clubhouse with some definite inspiration from the likes of Bay Hill and Sawgrass with some of the hole layouts.

And then near me we're playing Great Yarmouth & Caister which I posted pictures from a few pages ago, 140 year old links course.c

 

[Omnis]

Yeah, the reason you were experiencing that with the AI Smokes is because that’s just what they do LOL. Check it:

The original Paradyms had a better dispersion but the Para X and both Smoke and Smoke HL are crazy hot as you go up the face. In fact, all of the Apex line except for the blades do this as well. However, the Apexes all have the tightest left-right dispersion in the industry while going wildly farther the further up the face the ball is struck.

Srixon has the tightest dispersion as a brand while taylormade’s 2024 lineup are the tightest on test. The tour irons from cobra, Mizuno and titleist are all great, too.

I think the philosophy with callaway was to make it go straight no matter how toed or heeled, and to make it hotter up top for duffers who just chunk the snot out of it. That’s nice for your first year or two of golf but as you figure things out you really just want a club that’ll go 140 no matter what. I didn’t realize exactly why so many pros played blades when there was so much marketing around “forgiveness” with other irons. It’s because everyone’s blades land in the same spot regardless of where they’re hit on the face within reason (like half a ball out from the center in all directions)

 

[Omnis]

That feeling when the first strike with a new club is a bullseye…

 

[MagpieRacer]

That feeling when the first strike with a new club is a bullseye…

View attachment 1429033

The sweetest feeling in golf, especially after the plastics taken off 😅.

Cobra DS Adapt? Haven't had a chance to hit one yet, almost don't really want to because I know I'll love them!

I have also already made changes to my 2025 bag, I did end up replacing the F7 3 wood with the Aerojet Max 3 wood, what a decision that was, absolute rocket launcher. Gains with driver and now that, screwed up my gapping so the utility iron is gone (was a bit one dimensional whereas the Baffler is a lot more versatile) and Darkspeed Max 5 wood is in.

Last change will be driver shaft, the speed increase and higher tempo I've developed after driver lessons means the LinQ M40X red regular shaft can't keep up. Hitting very high launching, very spinny, overfade/borderline slice. So that will go and coming in is a stiff flex Project X HZRDUS Black Gen4 matte blackout edition. Low launch, low spin, smooth feel, great for faster tempo but will still perform well when the tempo drops off a bit.

 

[Omnis]

Yeah, DS Adapt 3HL. I'm playing it as a 4W but now I have the ability to set it up from 14.5 to 18.5 to go with my Heavenwood which goes from 19 to 22. The Denali shaft it came with is pretty neat, too. Feels like an EvenFlow but with a beefier handle.

 

[Omnis]

So I made my final impulse purchase for the foreseeable future. Epon AF-Tour MCs. Got them from japan because the opening bid was ridiculously low after they went to auction when nobody bought them on the original listing. Luckily, nobody else bid on them.

They're like new and came with Fujikura Diamond Speeder shafts. A single one of those shafts costs more than the whole lot at auction. These things are the only SGI irons that Epon (Endo's house brand) ever made, releasing them as a special edition with only 2000 produced. I suspect that they used the preliminary forging dies that Endo made for the forged Bridgestone JGR Hybrid irons since they probably had them lying around, lol. Anyway, it's a 6-AW set but the 8 iron is 30*, the same loft as my Apex 7i and my Razzle-Dazzle 6-iron. The body is forged S20C and the face is some kind of super spring steel.

Anyway, off the mats they feel AMAZING. I've never felt an iron this smooth. The diamond speeders are crazy light but stout and they feel like a perfect match for these heads. I will definitely be keeping these into my old age lol.

I hit them with my Apex CF19s, my Razzles, and my Cleveland Launcher HB. The forged blades all feel great. The Clevelands don't -- ultra clicky and harsh. I gotta find a way to move these onto a better home.

 

[MagpieRacer]

So I made my final impulse purchase for the foreseeable future. Epon AF-Tour MCs. Got them from japan because the opening bid was ridiculously low after they went to auction when nobody bought them on the original listing. Luckily, nobody else bid on them.

View attachment 1430087

View attachment 1430088


They're like new and came with Fujikura Diamond Speeder shafts. A single one of those shafts costs more than the whole lot at auction. These things are the only SGI irons that Epon (Endo's house brand) ever made, releasing them as a special edition with only 2000 produced. I suspect that they used the preliminary forging dies that Endo made for the forged Bridgestone JGR Hybrid irons since they probably had them lying around, lol. Anyway, it's a 6-AW set but the 8 iron is 30*, the same loft as my Apex 7i and my Razzle-Dazzle 6-iron. The body is forged S20C and the face is some kind of super spring steel.

Anyway, off the mats they feel AMAZING. I've never felt an iron this smooth. The diamond speeders are crazy light but stout and they feel like a perfect match for these heads. I will definitely be keeping these into my old age lol.

I hit them with my Apex CF19s, my Razzles, and my Cleveland Launcher HB. The forged blades all feel great. The Clevelands don't -- ultra clicky and harsh. I gotta find a way to move these onto a better home.

They look beautiful, I've never heard of that brand but they do look gorgeous.

 

[Stavingo]

Very nice purchase mate, speaking of which does anyone use a mini driver in their bags at all?

My current Taylormade stealth is going all over the shop due to poor heel strikes and the inability to swing it consistently.

I stripe my 3 wood great, arguably better then driver in some cases, just tempted to try something different and have a fall back option till I find the groove again with the big dog.

Cheers for the input fellas 👍🏼

 

[Omnis]

Very nice purchase mate, speaking of which does anyone use a mini driver in their bags at all?

My current Taylormade stealth is going all over the shop due to poor heel strikes and the inability to swing it consistently.

I stripe my 3 wood great, arguably better then driver in some cases, just tempted to try something different and have a fall back option till I find the groove again with the big dog.

Cheers for the input fellas 👍🏼

I'm the same way. Once I started hitting the irons pure, the driver went to hell. It's still bad, but I tried to grind a bit at the range with all different feels until I got something that was at least getting in the air. Lately I've been horrible off the tee, hitting shots that just go straight into the ground 6 inches in front of the tee and bounce away along the ground. It's been a round-killer. Anyway, the feel that worked for me was to feel like I was throwing the club backwards to start the downswing. I saw some korean guy on instagram demonstrate this and it resonated with me-- sure enough, trying it in person was really helpful.

Here, I found him:

They look beautiful, I've never heard of that brand but they do look gorgeous.

Right, so Endo are one of the big forging houses in Japan. Bridgestone, PRGR, Yamaha, Fourteen, and even a couple models from Srixon, Titleist, and Nike were all made by Endo if they were forged. If you look closely at a major golf brand's irons and then look at the house brands of the different foundries, you can usually tell who forged what for whom. The other big foundries are Kyoei, Miura Giken, and Fujimoto Gikoh. These latter three were all started by 3 brothers or cousins of the same family, so in a way they're kind of like the Adidas/Puma of forged irons lol.

 

[Stavingo]

Cheers, I’ll have to try out a few drills of his next time I’m on the range, just work on creating a bit more width on the downswing, hopefully we can all put a good score up this weekend 👍🏼

 

[MagpieRacer]

Very nice purchase mate, speaking of which does anyone use a mini driver in their bags at all?

My current Taylormade stealth is going all over the shop due to poor heel strikes and the inability to swing it consistently.

I stripe my 3 wood great, arguably better then driver in some cases, just tempted to try something different and have a fall back option till I find the groove again with the big dog.

Cheers for the input fellas 👍🏼

I've considered looking into them but for me the driver behaves well and the 3 wood is an absolute rocket if driver isn't behaving. If I got one now it would be to just join the growing trend.

But I can certainly see the value of going for one in lieu of struggling with the driver.