[pcoff61]

Hi all, I haven't gotten out much in the last 10 years...since the kids were little and other excuses, I've only played a couple times a year...usually when my wife's company sends her to Hawaii or Mexico for a reward and I get to tag along...last year wasn't bad as I played a decent round at Steel Canyon in San Diego...My setup was from the early 80s...Nicklaus Persimmon Eye-o-Matic Driver & 3W, FG17 1-SW and an old Head Putter, Tour Balata 90s...I shot 82...it was fun when people would comment on the sticks... all very positive ...This year was @ Wailea HI...still on the same sleeve of Balata 90s & after shooting 83, my playing partners chided me to make the leap out of the stone age...& get some new "woods" I tried the latest Cleveland a few times after the round & though I caught it "on the screws"....there wasn't the sweet feeling I was use to....detemined to evolve as a golfer, I hit the cages at my local shops upon my return...trying both new & used...I soon settled on older Titleist drivers... I bought a few from the bins & a few off Ebay... to test on the range....I settled on a 983K with a Penley R shaft...I couldn't get my head around the 400+ heads...& I find it strange that I prefered a R instead of a S shaft...purely based on feel....It's not quite the same as persimmon, but it does seem to motor out another 15 to 20 yards & find the fairway more often....I played last week using a proV1 & I'm not sure if the 77 I shot was because of that, the 983K or the fact that I've hit the range so much testing the drivers lately... It does have me looking at irons (MP-32s) & wondering if I'll see a similar trade off..

Is the evolution towards bigger/easier inevitable?...
Are they close to the point of diminishing returns?...
In the long run will my swing suffer with less feedback?...
What am I going to do with 10 tour Balata 90s?
Do you ever take your old gear out anymore for a night on the range?
Is Caddyshack still worth watching one more time?


Thanks for not pointing & laughing, Pete

[bloodredsun]

>>Is the evolution towards bigger/easier inevitable?...

As golf becomes more accessible, I think yes. The importance of physics and CAD means that bigger is often (but not always) better. Especially for beginners. Like you said 'it does seem to motor out another 15 to 20 yards & find the fairway more often'.

>>Are they close to the point of diminishing returns?...

Everyone always thinks that they are but engineers always seem to pull something out of the bag - Buckyballs, Scandium, hell we might even see synthetic diamond for all I know!

>>In the long run will my swing suffer with less feedback?...

Maybe. I think that people are aware of this which is why there has been a move back towards blades like the MP-32 as cavity backs aren't a panacea.

>>What am I going to do with 10 tour Balata 90s?

Dump 'em or take them out for a laugh but not for a serious round. Balls are the one area of golf equipment that have improved the most.

>>Do you ever take your old gear out anymore for a night on the range?

Only the 2 iron.

>>Is Caddyshack still worth watching one more time?

Yes but not as often as 'Blazing Saddles'! Cleavon Little, you were a genius of comedy.

[capt.murphy]

dude if you shot a 77 with those old irons, dont change em. get some pro v 1s. and watch your motorin turn to 30 yards with the new ball a driver.

[braincramp]

All I can tell you is I hit my 2007 Callaway big bertha 3 wood and my Cobra SZ 3 wood no better or longer than my $1 Gene Sarazen persimmon.

[PowerPenguin]

Is the evolution towards bigger/easier inevitable?...
Yes!

Are they close to the point of diminishing returns?...
Absolutely not, theres always something new!

In the long run will my swing suffer with less feedback?...
Not so much you will notice.

What am I going to do with 10 tour Balata 90s?
Keep them, then flog them on Ebay in 50 years time as ancient relics!

Do you ever take your old gear out anymore for a night on the range?
Of course!

Is Caddyshack still worth watching one more time?
Yes!!

Dave

[rufus mangler]

Is the evolution towards bigger/easier inevitable?...Yes. No one, that I know of, wants to make it a harder game.
Are they close to the point of diminishing returns?...Yes. I see only slight distance gains in the last 3-4 years.
In the long run will my swing suffer with less feedback?...Yes. I see a lot of swings that would whiff with persimmon.
What am I going to do with 10 tour Balata 90s? Open them up every so often and smile. Then put them away.
Do you ever take your old gear out anymore for a night on the range? Yes. A Wilson Staff 5 iron. (Today's really hard to hit 6 iron)
Is Caddyshack still worth watching one more time? If only for Lacy Underall. Yes.