57 replies to this topic

[JGalls]

Haven't done a WITB in quite a while.  Figured we'd get one started for 2013.

A lot of big changes in 2013.  Had some health issues in prior years that I will always struggle with but seem to be getting under control.  Due to that I have a new found drive for fitness and diet.  Down to my lowest weight since my highschool years and physically stronger than ever.  The kids are both out of the baby stages (1 1/2 and 3 1/2) so more time for daddy now.   I've started a complete swing overhaul with a local teacher, so I'm really looking forward to the 2013 season.  Self-taught swing had some flaws but could always score around them, but the changes themselves are going to require a completely new club setup.  Music to the ears of a club ho!

Early fall I was playing with my old man and he commented on my PING I20 driver, saying the flat black was a really nice look.  I responded that I'd love to see a company go with a grey head, especially in a matte finish.  Kind of a throwback look.  So fast forward a few months and you can see why my excitement over the new 2013 Callaway line up is what it is.



So we begin our journey in building the 2013 bag.

First, to build a bag... you must have a bag.  I own two stand bags as I prefer to walk.  One bag is a Ping Hoofer Extreme embroidered with my clubs name/logo and the other is a Bettinardi grey/white/green 2012 bag.  I prefer to use my non club bag, especially when playing at other courses as a guest or for tournaments.  

First issue...  2013 Callaway lineup is black/red/white themed.  Not a good look for the grey/white/green Bettinardi bag.  So the internet searches began... wanted something lightweight, simple or no logos (unless Bettinardi or Callaway) and in the 2013 Callaway color scheme.

So here's the first purchase that arrived today.

PING 4 Under, red/white/black w/ NO LOGOS!

Edited by JGalls, 11 January 2013 - 10:11 AM.

[JGalls]

One thing is a certain for the 2013 bag.  A Bettinardi BB54 will be in it.


I was a different person on the greens in 2012 after acquiring one of the first protos at the Bettinardi Social in June.  The putter spot in my bag is no longer a revolving door of frustration.

Here is the proto...








Just because I love my 54 proto, doesn't mean I'm going to stop tinkering though.... So I just completed this little project (paintfill will change one I find a better quality paint).



Played the Srixon XV most of last year with great success. Won a couple dozen in the tour yellow in a tournament and put them in play during the fall. Actually started to enjoy the look, except when it came to putting as it didn't mesh as well with the white T alignment on my black 54.

So, step 1 below on the retail 54 here (ordered a couple of different paints online as I'm not completely satisfied with the paint product I have in it).



"Tour Yellow" fill in Alignment and Bettinardi on sole.





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A "triple bend" shaft installed. Happened upon this shaft for my other one in my local golf galaxy and really fits me well.

Now more about the triple bend shaft. When doing a search for more of these triple bend shafts I came across this site...

http://puttwhisperer...tter-shaft.html

It reads..."A right eye dominant golfer with an open stance and who keeps their hands behind the ball would be best fitted with a triple bend putter shaft which tilts back from the ball. The arms and shoulders rock back and forth creating 4-5 degrees of loft so a less lofted putter should be selected. Although the shoulders, hips and feet are open the eyes should be parallel to the target line. This keeps the optical perception straight down the target line. An open stance promotes aiming right so add more off set to bring the aimpoint left.........."
_____

A SuperStroke Belly grip cut to 12.5" to allow for a split claw type grip that I've been experimenting with. When doing this grip on a normal length grip my fingers are off the bottom of the grip.


_____

A bit of lead tape added to the rear to offset the added weight with the grip. Have a weight to make the putter 400 gram (belly length) but didn't need that much weight so went this route.




______

Result....

Sets up how I want it and the stroke feels extremely stable and smooth with it. Simple really.

Putter feels very solid, more sold than my normal gamer. Combination of grip and perhaps tape.

I did have to get it bent 3 degrees upright due to my setup, but now it's perfect.


____________________________________


1 spot down, 13 to go.

Edited by JGalls, 09 January 2013 - 01:47 PM.

[DischInABox]

That's a gorgeous putter.

[enis750]

this is going to be a good thread
X Hot Pro all the way through hey .... could be a good year

[Birdies4Days]

Can't wait for the next 13

[FutureScratchGolfer]

Love the attention to detail you put in your post so far. Congrats on getting more fit and keep it up.

[JGalls]

2/14 here.  

[JGalls]

I usually get several different wedges for different conditions, courses, gaps, bag setups, etc.

The first to arrive is a new (some shop wear) x-forged vintage 62*.  My home course is a Donald Ross design so extremely small, fast and undulating greens so this new tool should come in handy.

I've always loved the rounded look of this line of wedges.  Glad to see them back in my bag.

Edited by JGalls, 11 January 2013 - 08:11 AM.

[JGalls]

Just check some tracking numbers.  More packages arriving today

[mljones99]

This is a really cool way of doing your WITB.  I dig it!

[mackepa]

this thread is going to be a fun one to check in on! im totally rebuilding my bag also. my Razr Musclebacks with PXi's came in about an hour ago. I should do a WITB also!

[JGalls]

One of today's arrivals came to my office...



Going to have faith that the brain tank at Callaway knew what they were doing with the stock shafts in this year's line up.  So ordered these to go in my new wedges.



Will eventually go through a complete fitting process, but we're going to start out stock for the irons/wedges.  Looking forward to trying a bit lighter shaft then what I've used in the past.

Stock for the woods?  Well you'll just have to wait and see.

Edited by JGalls, 11 January 2013 - 04:20 PM.

[JGalls]

3/14 arrived.



X-forged vintage 56 c grind, new.

[JGalls]

Tour issue .58 RIBBED z-cord grips in the house!

[RRH]

Dem Grips

Edited by Cliffy, 12 January 2013 - 03:58 AM.

[Golfwolf]

Good stuff, keep the packages coming, love those grips...I need some of those.

[Pitch'n'Putt]

Can I ask where you are finding the new X Forged vintage wedges?  I have a couple from a few years ago and would love to get some more.

[enis750]

Pitch, on 12 January 2013 - 06:30 AM, said:

Can I ask where you are finding the new X Forged vintage wedges?  I have a couple from a few years ago and would love to get some more.

Have to search high and low.....I did anyways
Took me 6 months to find mine, as I wanted vintage, new and an MD C grind 60
Found a 58 and had it bent to 60 and 54 to 53
2nd swing on ebay had the 54 and golf usa locally had the 58

[tommyrobson]

following..
this is impressive

[swanry30]

I looked for the tour authentic xforged wedge for a long time.  Every link was "expired".  That is my favorite wedge of all time!

[tommy89]

Does the yellow sight line make a big difference? I only play XV tour yellows and that seems like a good idea. Are they releasing ribbed z cords to the public? I'm using ribbed full cords and will be going to z cords soon.

[Wristaction]

Interesting read, I will follow untíl the bag is filled

[apprenti23]

Now this is an interesting thread! Haha! Jim, what happened to the ap2's?!?!?

[JGalls]

apprenti23, on 13 January 2013 - 06:28 AM, said:

Now this is an interesting thread! Haha! Jim, what happened to the ap2's?!?!?

Still here

They will give the pros competition.  Stay tuned.

[apprenti23]

Looking forward to it bud!

[Tough]

Ha very entertaining WITB thread. Looking forward to see whats next.

[Sean25rp]

Like the style of this thread.

[dspavin]

This is such a cool way to do a witb. Thread followed. Cant wait to see what comes next.

[JGalls]

Had the two wedges built yesterday with the PX95 Flighted shafts and the tour Ribbed Z Cord grips. Pass the waggle and office chip test for sure.

Heading for some range time tomorrow and have a long lesson session Saturday morning.  So will report back.

Have some more goodies coming and getting anxious for the upcoming week(s) as the good stuff starts coming in.

Oh yeah...

3 down, 11 to go.

Edited by JGalls, 17 January 2013 - 09:13 AM.

[Brando5105]

Great start so far!!!