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FTF: Could a scratch golfer break 85 at Augusta National?

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The GolfWRX forums exist so golfers have access to the latest equipment releases, hottest discussions, real equipment reviews, best instruction, new technologies and everything golf you can imagine. So if you love golf, the GolfWRX forums are your sanctuary.

In the From the Forums weekly feature, we bring you the hottest, most buzz-worthy topics from our forums for your convenience. I’ll be your trusty tour guide to navigate the latest buzz. Here’s a peek behind the curtain into golf’s sanctuary.

Could a scratch golfer break 85 at Augusta National?

GOLF-US-MASTERS-ROUND4-FINAL

A classic barstool debate: Could a scratch golfer break 85 at Augusta National? Many variables to consider, sure, but it’s a great essential question, which golfer929 has parlayed into an equally great thread. See the thread.

The best rounded mallet-style putter ever? 

2013 odyssey versa

Ah, the rounded heel-shafted mallet. A classic of the flatstick universe. Zach Attack, after singing the praises of his Odyssey Black #9, asks the community for its favorite putters in the mode of Phil Mickelson. See the replies.

5-hour rounds at public courses 

2016 Sime Darby LPGA - Day 2“Without marshaling it is a free for all,” contends David69, after one too many maddeningly slow plods around a golf course. Further, he suggests that at public/packed venues, he’s rarely seen the pace of play in a reasonable range at a course without marshalling. So why not more marshalls, he wonders. While “money” might be the obvious answer, the discussion here is a good one. See the thread.

Rating the course raters 

PebbleBeach18Hole

Top-100 lists are a big part of the golf industry. No matter how much we malign them, the rankings are important to courses and determine where people play golf. But at the heart of these lists lie the course raters and the criteria that guide them. We don’t want to spoil this excellent thread by saying more. Check it out.

Wilson Staff love

Wilson Staff FG Tour M3 Forged-1

Nic19 has been very impressed by the resurgent power of Wilson Staff, once one of the most storied brands in golf history, and more recently one that looked on its way out of the industry. See what other WRXers have to say about Wilson in particular and brand ups and downs more generally. See the thread.

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. NR

    Aug 22, 2017 at 12:22 am

    Yeah sure, just play from the ‘Condoleeza Rice’ forward tees.

    • Landru

      Aug 29, 2017 at 1:14 am

      And with the help of a staff club caddie in those white jumpsuits.

  2. Mark Hawkinson

    Aug 19, 2017 at 9:10 am

    85 gets neat almost every year by a scratch golfer in the Masters. I can not remember his name “Knox maybe”. He is the club champion at Augusta National and serves as a marker for the odd Number player if needed. Reports are that he has actually beat his opponent a few times over the years but his score is not posted. However it is well below 85

    • Doug

      Aug 21, 2017 at 3:36 pm

      Read the forum before you comment. The stipulations are:
      He says he could do it and would not only break 85, but 80 as well! Stipulations are no caddie, no cart, no walking the course beforehand, and 1 hour warmup before the round. Sunday tournament conditions, from the back tees.

      That’s a lot different from the club member who has played the course >100 times. Jeez.

      Playing it for the first time with no caddie and no walking the course beforehand would be pretty tough I would guess.

  3. The dude

    Aug 19, 2017 at 1:52 am

    Really bad article…..

  4. Seriously?

    Aug 18, 2017 at 2:14 pm

    I’ll first preface this comment with anyone could shoot 85 or higher on any given day anywhere…it is golf after all. But Augusta? Look…I have the upmost respect for the place and everything, but Augusta is far…FAR from the most challenging golf course around. I’ve been there a few times for the masters, and I can think of 10 public golf courses off the top of my head that are infinitely more challenging than Augusta, and myself and friends (that aren’t scratch…closer to 3-5) shot closer to even par on. Augusta is more of less a fairly wide open golf course, and with greens that are that perfect it’s hard to miss inside 10′. Now if you’re asking could someone break 85 in the ACTUAL Masters, under tournament pressure, maybe not. A lot of people freak themselves out if they don’t have the experience…but a casual round? Augusta isn’t even remotely close to one of the more challenging courses in America, let alone the world.

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Equipment

Best ‘forgiving’ wedges – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, our members have been discussing the most forgiving wedges on the market. WRXer ‘aaronpoling’ lays out his current setup and what he’s currently considering, saying:

“I am looking at getting new wedges, but looking for a forgiving wedge.

I currently play Ping G25 50°, MD4 54° and 58°. I used to play the CBX2 in the 50°, 54° and 58° and liked them a lot; but like any good dad, my son took them.

I am currently looking Callaway’s CB12 and Cleveland’s CBZ. Anyone have thoughts on these? Or recommendations of other wedges that I should check out?”

And our members have been weighing in with their thoughts and recommendations in response, with one brand coming out emphatically on top.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • boggyman: “CBZs are amazing wedges!”
  • drewbens: “Agreed, the Cleveland CB wedges are great! Already had a CBX Full Face 2 54 and recently added a 50 and 58 (for well under $100 a piece). Was chipping so well last week that my brother-in-law asked if the wedges were legal. Definitely underrated wedges for those of us that are not scratch golfers.”
  • BogeyTed: “Get Cleveland CBX/CBZ. Very underrated clubs.”

Entire Thread: “Best ‘forgiving’ wedges – GolfWRXers discuss”

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Equipment

I built the worst fitting clubs ever – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, our members have been reacting to a WRXer who claims to have built the “worst fitting clubs ever.” ‘dlow206’ recounts his experience with plenty of insightful findings for where he can go better next time in a detailed post, saying:

“Here’s my story of building the worst fitting clubs ever (for me). And my findings of what a better fit is.

I am short in stature, as well as a very short wrist to floor of 30.5″. I went down a rabbit hole of wanting to try irons 1″ shorter of more than standard length. Given the shorter lengths, the swingweights would be super light unless I added back a ton of weight to the heads, but I don’t like adding an extreme amount of weight back to the heads, so I decided to compensate with heavier shafts (115 grams instead of 95). Played with this set for a while and was hitting all irons extremely poorly. Thin, fat, right, right, left. My swing didn’t deteriorate that much because I was hitting my driver well, woods well, etc.

Went back to my older set of irons, playing at standard length, and my iron play improved immediately. Since then, have been doing more testing, while paying more attention to different possible variables. What I have found is I actually prefer lighter total weight with relatively normal or slightly heavier swingweights. Did a recent fitting and found that 85 gram shafts were better for me than 95 grams with standard length and relatively standard swingweights. 

Still trying to dial in a final iron shaft choice, so have a few contenders that I will be testing. Will be moving away from my current Steelfiber i95 S parallel to lighter and softer

  • MMT 80 parallel R – worked pretty well in a limited number of swings at a fitting
  • Fujikura Travil 85 R – the fitter liked the Axiom 95 R for me at Club Champion, but i didn’t love the effort required to swing them. If there was a 85 Axiom, that would probably have been a great fit. So i am going try a Travil 85 R which is japan only
  • Steelfiber i80 CW R – i have been playing Steelfibers for a long time, so need to give one Steelfiber shaft a shot

Given I do club building work, I am going to build all of these shafts with the All-Fit universal iron adapters to pair with a Srixon 7 iron head for testing. With these adapters, there isn’t a swingweight issue because the amount of weight from drilling out is about equivalent to the universal adapter components.”

And our members have been sharing their reactions in our forum.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • Mikey_HACKilroy: “That length cut costs you a fair amount in swing points. I’d posit the length mattered more than the weight because a 115g shaft isn’t going to actually add enough back after cutting an inch off. Does it mean 115 would ultimately work? Hard to say. Maybe try a 1/2″ cut and add 2g to the head to compensate assuming the 7i is 37″ long. Maybe that will feel better. It translates to the same ~D2 you’re swinging at with the 95g shafts (estimated based on common weight, but you can weigh your parts on your own obviously).”
  • Stuart_G: “Your process is good – keep at it and trust it.”

Entire Thread: “I built the worst fitting clubs ever – GolfWRXers discuss”

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Equipment

PXG Secret Weapon Version 2 mini driver lands on USGA conforming list – GolfWRXers react

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A second version of PXG’s Secret Weapon has this week landed on the USGA’s conforming list, much to the interest of our members.

The original version of the brand’s Secret Weapon launched in January of 2025, with the second version also featuring four distinct weight ports in the head and coming with 13-degree of loft.

In our forums, our members have been assessing the new version and sharing their thoughts.

Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • DTorres: “Kinda looks like the face on the new one might be slightly deeper. Little bit more rounded leading edge.”
  • snagy2000: “The current version is REALLY good, long…This one looks like they’re bringing some lightning tech to it…”
  • SEP1006: “Agree with this, hard to tell from that angle but looks like the face may be the same as the Lightning. If that’s the case may have to give this a serious look. Absolutely love my 2wd which is also a 13* loft. But that Lightning Tour Mid Driver face is hot and forgiving.”

Entire Thread: “PXG Secret Weapon Version 2 mini driver lands on USGA conforming list – GolfWRXers react”

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