GOLF: Ping G5's vs Callaway X-18's

[Sketcher]

Talk me through the process of getting "Custom Clubs". Are you referring something more indepth than just getting custom fitted?

I've been reading up on Ping's site on Custom Fitting. If that's what you're referring to then I'm good. If indeed it costs little or nothing extra for custom fitting, I don't see why anyone wouldn't get it done.

edited - for clarity

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: Sketcher
Talk me through the process of getting "Custom Clubs". Are you referring something more indepth than just getting custom fitted?

I've been reading up on Ping's site on Custom Fitting. If that's what you're referring to then I'm good. If indeed it costs little or nothing extra for custom fitting, I don't see why anyone wouldn't get it done.

edited - for clarity

yep that is the custom fitting I am talking about. and yes it is free
of course this is not like a full blown custom fitting, but it is pretty good

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: Gibsons
Another vote for the Pings.

I've been playing a borrowed set of Ping ISI irons and Callaway Drivers. I can't hit the GBBII for crap but I like the 3 and 5 wood.

I'm leaning toward the G5's. Will have to schedule some time with a Golf Pro and see what he says.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: Sketcher

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
I'll give you credit though, at least the companies you've narrowed it down to have good service. If you were buying Titleist or TM you'd be getting a poorly matched set, but you'd have no chance of getting it fixed free.

Well, thanks for that recognition 😉.

For your own edification, where does your experience come from? If you're so adamant and particular about qc issues with the branded clubs then please provide as equal a dissertation as to what you think a person should do instead. Take into account that the differences you're exclaiming with what you may be measuring with your gauge and analyzer might not be noticeable by the average or even somewhat advanced golfer. Perhaps I'm wrong, but if your intent is to help people understand what it is you're talking about, try a more personable approach. Otherwise it doesn't matter if you have a point or not. It just becomes unpleasant discussion.

Already posted, reposted and quoted ad infinitum. Learn to search. And if you're not a good enough player to notice the difference in a quality set and an ill-fitting, non-matching collection of clubs, you probably should be using junk stolen from a driving range rather than an expensive set like Callaway or Ping. Golf clubs are not socks and one size doesn't fit all. In fact, one size doesn't even fit most. If your clubs don't fit or match and you still can't tell, take up tiddlywinks instead.

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Already posted, reposted and quoted ad infinitum. Learn to search.

Sorry Gag, but that's what I'm talking about. You talk like that and I don't (nor does anyone else I imagine) care if you've got a golden putter lodged firmly in your ass lowering your center of gravity giving you a sextant view of an 18 hole course in heaven. You're just not going to impress anyone but yourself with that kind of bloviating.

Regarding meters and analyzers. If I take my sarcasm meter and measure the curve of your verbal assault; keeping in mind that you're quite anal I'll give you $1000 for every comment that is sincere and respectful and you give me $100 for every time I actually contribute to the discussion and we'll have something to wager on.

 

[meltdown75]

marked for morning reading

i wish i had $$ for clubs!!!

 

[laurenlex]

Originally posted by: Sketcher

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
I used to hit 300+ yards w/ my driver (before injury). He kept hitting my dad's driver over the fence of the driving range.

I mean no offense by inquiring. David Mobley won the 2004 Remax Long Drive Championship with a 377 yard drive. Was his drive just remarkable for the conditions during that competition or are you an your brother exceptionally good long drive hitters?

I can hit it over 300 on a good shot, but I do live at 5300 feet in elevation. That adds about 20 - 30 yards, I imagine. My course is hard and dry, too.

You gotta hit it in the fairway to win a long drive contest. Not so on a driving range.

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
And if you're not a good enough player to notice the difference in a quality set and an ill-fitting, non-matching collection of clubs, you probably should be using junk stolen from a driving range rather than an expensive set like Callaway or Ping. Golf clubs are not socks and one size doesn't fit all. In fact, one size doesn't even fit most. If your clubs don't fit or match and you still can't tell, take up tiddlywinks instead.

It's a good thing I can read between the lines. What I get from this is that you love me and care about me enough to not want me to suffer the experience of learning the hard way. I appreciate that, and I look forward to your future posts. I DO know that not all club socks fit all clubs; that's what you're referring to right!? I'll make sure my golf pro takes care of the finer points that are certainly going right over my head and I'll just focus on what looks cool.

In the interim, I'm actually interested in what YOUR (as in everyone else's) golf interests are, not so much what you think MY interests should be. I did mention that in my OP. But hey, if reading isn't your forte then perhaps a game of hangman is in order. It's less challenging than tiddlywinks, but at least you still get to hang somebody.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: Sketcher

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Already posted, reposted and quoted ad infinitum. Learn to search.

Sorry Gag, but that's what I'm talking about. You talk like that and I don't (nor does anyone else I imagine) care if you've got a golden putter lodged firmly in your ass lowering your center of gravity giving you a sextant view of an 18 hole course in heaven. You're just not going to impress anyone but yourself with that kind of bloviating.

Regarding meters and analyzers. If I take my sarcasm meter and measure the curve of your verbal assault; keeping in mind that you're quite anal I'll give you $1000 for every comment that is sincere and respectful and you give me $100 for every time I actually contribute to the discussion and we'll have something to wager on.

I don't care if you're impressed Skippy. If you're trying to make a decision on which golf clubs to buy based on ATOT you're too stupid to be impressed and you're too dumb to be helped. Even worse, you're looking for advice from anyone, be they "enthusiat or wannabe" which only guarantees that you're not going to be able to seperate the wheat from the chaff. If you had even the slightest shred of a clue you'd be talking to experts in person and testing clubs under real world conditions. Now I understand that your game sucks and your only hope of impressing your friends is with the name on your clubs rather than your ability. That's fine. But even a person that insists on a certain name over superior performance should have the intelligence to make sure that he's playing the right set from a given manufacturer. He needs to take into account loft, lie angle, shaft length, shaft flex, shaft kickpoint, head weight, shaft weight, swingweight, grip size, grip shape, launch angles and other factors. THAT is what determines whether a club is going to work for you. Whether somebody on a forum prefers Callaway or Ping is completely irrelevent and your mind still can't quite grasp that. Like I said, too dumb to be helped. So go ahead and buy your clubs because somebody's brother-in-law's former dentists roomate like their Ping. Yeah, that's get you a good set. If you buy clubs for any reason other than how they work for your swing in the real world you're buying junk.

Have a nice day.

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
I don't care if you're impressed Skippy. If you're trying to make a decision on which golf clubs to buy based on ATOT you're too stupid to be impressed and you're too dumb to be helped. Even worse, you're looking for advice from anyone, be they "enthusiat or wannabe" which only guarantees that you're not going to be able to seperate the wheat from the chaff. If you had even the slightest shred of a clue you'd be talking to experts in person and testing clubs under real world conditions. Now I understand that your game sucks and your only hope of impressing your friends is with the name on your clubs rather than your ability. That's fine. But even a person that insists on a certain name over superior performance should have the intelligence to make sure that he's playing the right set from a given manufacturer. He needs to take into account loft, lie angle, shaft length, shaft flex, shaft kickpoint, head weight, shaft weight, swingweight, grip size, grip shape, launch angles and other factors. THAT is what determines whether a club is going to work for you. Whether somebody on a forum prefers Callaway or Ping is completely irrelevent and your mind still can't quite grasp that. Like I said, too dumb to be helped. So go ahead and buy your clubs because somebody's brother-in-law's former dentists roomate like their Ping. Yeah, that's get you a good set. If you buy clubs for any reason other than how they work for your swing in the real world you're buying junk.

That's alright. No need to hold back. I call people "Skippy" when I prefer to be more condescending than approachful too.

For the record "Search Results matching the keyword golf by author gaghalfrunt" though not being an extensive search did bring up 15 threads in which you posted. Threads that I read before having posted my own. Other then a mention of an amateur tournament you don't offer any detail as to where you've gained your experience; which is what I asked for before you sternly admonished me to learn to search. If it's there and I just missed it, sorry. The whole piss and vinegar thing ya know.

You really should learn to read in context. If I picked nearly any one of your posts I'd just assume you're an ass that is for some weird reason obsessed with a geek forum. But being that I've actually read and put a good number of your posts in context I understand that you really do know your stuff and it's likely that you're just tired of misinformation when it comes to golf. You're a *cough* little rough around the edges but you are more than likely speaking from experience.

So that you understand Skippy, I wasn't calling you out by asking about where you got your experience. I'm actually interested. Hey look, an opportunity to talk about yourself! We all like that don't we? Anyway, I've learned quite a bit even in the short time I've waded through your posts and I see the error of some of my ways. But that's the berries now ain't it. I'm here asking about golf experiences and all you can do is get pissy and throw tantrums. The RTFM attitude is old and stale. It's not that the manual isn't worth reading, it's that the asshole throwing it at you makes it less interesting to read.

I am spending time in Pro shops and I will have time with a Head Golf Pro before buying my clubs as I clearly mentioned. Despite a few gaping holes of knowledge; I do realize my shortcomings. That doesn't have to be in itself a gag order not to ask about what other golfers would do with XXX dollars given their particular experience or lack thereof. I'm just plain and simple interested in what other forum members here have done and would do if they could. Inviting enthusiasts AND wannabe's IMO by default sets the stage for good natured discussion, not just a lean and mean "tow the line dammit" ramrod chapter of RTFM. I mean, aside from the obvious snob factor underlying most golf establishments it is a social venture is it not?

I do think that in some strange and twisted way you are trying to get rid of the misinformation regarding golf. You're obviously passionate about it. I just think your wealth of knowledge would be much more effective if leveraged in a manner that wasn't all assholes and elbows. Lighten up and enjoy some discussion. I'd enjoy asking you some actual golf questions if you put down some of the insults.


I'll have a nice day either way.

 

[z0mb13]

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Originally posted by: Sketcher

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt

Already posted, reposted and quoted ad infinitum. Learn to search.

Sorry Gag, but that's what I'm talking about. You talk like that and I don't (nor does anyone else I imagine) care if you've got a golden putter lodged firmly in your ass lowering your center of gravity giving you a sextant view of an 18 hole course in heaven. You're just not going to impress anyone but yourself with that kind of bloviating.

Regarding meters and analyzers. If I take my sarcasm meter and measure the curve of your verbal assault; keeping in mind that you're quite anal I'll give you $1000 for every comment that is sincere and respectful and you give me $100 for every time I actually contribute to the discussion and we'll have something to wager on.

I don't care if you're impressed Skippy. If you're trying to make a decision on which golf clubs to buy based on ATOT you're too stupid to be impressed and you're too dumb to be helped. Even worse, you're looking for advice from anyone, be they "enthusiat or wannabe" which only guarantees that you're not going to be able to seperate the wheat from the chaff. If you had even the slightest shred of a clue you'd be talking to experts in person and testing clubs under real world conditions. Now I understand that your game sucks and your only hope of impressing your friends is with the name on your clubs rather than your ability. That's fine. But even a person that insists on a certain name over superior performance should have the intelligence to make sure that he's playing the right set from a given manufacturer. He needs to take into account loft, lie angle, shaft length, shaft flex, shaft kickpoint, head weight, shaft weight, swingweight, grip size, grip shape, launch angles and other factors. THAT is what determines whether a club is going to work for you. Whether somebody on a forum prefers Callaway or Ping is completely irrelevent and your mind still can't quite grasp that. Like I said, too dumb to be helped. So go ahead and buy your clubs because somebody's brother-in-law's former dentists roomate like their Ping. Yeah, that's get you a good set. If you buy clubs for any reason other than how they work for your swing in the real world you're buying junk.

Have a nice day.

yes gag, we know that you are the uber master of golf equipment, and probably the best golfer in this forum. but do the general people even NEED to get all that fitting? 8 out of 10 the ping fitting or run of the mill iron set is FINE for them. heck they probably need a golf lesson moreso compared to a new iron set. but they are golfing for fun, not like you or other people that try to be a professional.

I know you mean well, but you are condecending to us "normal" golfers

 

[DanTMWTMP]

Originally posted by: Sketcher

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
I used to hit 300+ yards w/ my driver (before injury). He kept hitting my dad's driver over the fence of the driving range.

I mean no offense by inquiring. David Mobley won the 2004 Remax Long Drive Championship with a 377 yard drive. Was his drive just remarkable for the conditions during that competition or are you an your brother exceptionally good long drive hitters?

npnp.

I can't hit that long anymore lol. The longest i can hit nowadays is like 270ish tops.
I had a pretty dangerous swing to hit 300 yards. My swing w/ the driver was very different from my iron swing. I had a long driver for my height, and would stand farther than usual from the ball.

I had a wide, and very hard swing w/ a snapping action w/ the wrist. This of course runs the risk of slicing the ball, or worse, breaking your wrist (hehehe guess what happened? 😛).

My swing plane was inside-out. So my ball had a small hook to it.

I trained a ton for the impact. I practiced the wrist snap by holding the club on the opposite end, just above the club head. Basically holding it upside down. then I'd use a baseball swing plane, swing hard, and snap my wrist whenever I'd cross over the center area of where I'd hit the invisible baseball.

I also did wrist excercises 🙂P) w/ a dumbbell on my left hand (i have a right hand swing) to strengthen it.

@ setup, I'd have a slight offset angle, so it would square up by the time i snap my wrist when I hit the ball. I also visualized that I'm "shutting the door."

I pretend that there's a door open towards me, and I'm going to shut it. kind of like this:

let the "/" be the door, and let ". ." be where my feet are.

/. .

I need an inside out swing plane to shut the door. I had a couple golf instruction, and this visualization was one tip that helped me the most hehehe. He also said that the left arm is the power arm. The right arm is the guide. Pull the swing, from top of your swing, never "push it" w/ your right arm. Always pull hard w/ the left arm, w/ the right as the guide. This mentality also helped w/ the inside-out swing plane.

Also, hooks = slight top spin = more distance 🙂.


And i never hit it 370 yard rofl. My longest distance ever was around 320 yards, and that was in favorable conditions (down wind, top-down terrain hehe). My avg was around 290.

I wish I could hit that far again hehe, par 5's on 2 was fun.


And ZOMB13, I'd recommend that EVERYONE of all skill level get custom. Actually, it's important for beginners to get custom, because starting w/ clubs that do not even fit you is a huge mistake. Why go against your natural measurements and change your natural stance and swing FOR the club? Bad habits and even injury can result from adapting to a club that doesn't even fit.


It's always best to swing a club that fits from the start, so bad habits don't arise from the start.

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
It's always best to swing a club that fits from the start, so bad habits don't arise from the start.

The more I read and understand the importance of having fitted clubs I do agree with this. Considering the relatively low cost or no cost to get a proper fitting there just isn't any reasonable argument as to why a person wouldn't do it.

Which, brings me to a thought. If I'm being told to work on my swing in order to determine what kind of clubs or measurements are important, aren't I doing myself a disservice if I'm practicing with clubs that aren't already fitted for me? Catch-22, Chicken/egg thing. I'm not really hung up on this. I just think it's an interesting question to pose.

 

[Papagayo]

If you are wanting to get serious about Golf Equipment.. I know that lot of pros look at Mizuno forged irons..

The new one is MP60..

I think MP32 is the best one..

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: Papagayo
If you are wanting to get serious about Golf Equipment.. I know that lot of pros look at Mizuno forged irons..

If you hadn't noticed, a general 'brand' comment like that'll get you tarred and feathered around here. But the one doing the tarring only has one leg and if you're nimble you can just step out of his way 😉.

I am fairly obsessive about my hobbies and golf has for a long time been a sport that I've wanted to pay serious attention to. I'm skipping the step of buying an inexpensive starter set but I don't think there is any kind of intelligence in my taking an interest in "Pro" level clubs. I need the forgiveness and flexibility that the Pro clubs don't offer an inexperienced player. What I'm already looking at getting is overkill and will likely piss off all my co-workers and friends being that I'll start out with a fitted set of irons that's worth more than their whole bag (sweatshop labor/overpriced discussion notwithstanding Gag).

 

[meltdown75]

Thanks for the thread guys. I enjoyed reading it!

Sketcher, if I had 1/4 of your inquisitiveness regarding equipment, I'd probably have some better sticks right now and my game would be better! If you treat your swing with the same enthusiasm, you could go a long way in golf and really enjoy the game! 🙂 Wishing you the best start!!

LOL @ the obvious funny moments in this thread too. tee hee

as i have mentioned ad nauseum, i play with a set of Dunlop Blue Max from 1979/80. 🙂 my game is coming along but i have no idea what it would be like to play with different equipment. i assume that certain individuals around here would give me the cold shoulder after looking at my bag and would simply refuse to play with me out of sheer snootiness. 😉

as for the best golfer here, my money is on Patt! 😛 sorry buddy, no pressure 😀 he's a humble guy like me though, and you will never hear him tooting his own horn.

anyhoo best of luck Sketcher - i'm positive you will end up with the best set for the money!!

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: Sketcher

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
I used to hit 300+ yards w/ my driver (before injury). He kept hitting my dad's driver over the fence of the driving range.

I mean no offense by inquiring. David Mobley won the 2004 Remax Long Drive Championship with a 377 yard drive. Was his drive just remarkable for the conditions during that competition or are you an your brother exceptionally good long drive hitters?

300+ yard drives are not anything out of the oridinary for people with stiff flex who can hit consistantly. my brother can hit 300 - 310 yards 9/10 times, dead straight when we play. then again, he usually shoots around 75 or so when we play, so he's a pretty damn good golfer heh.

 

[purbeast0]

oh yea heh forgot to add this.

you can always tell who the worst person at the driving range is, because they always have the most expensive of clubs at the range 😛

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: Papagayo


If you are wanting to get serious about Golf Equipment.. I know that lot of pros look at Mizuno forged irons..

The new one is MP60..

I think MP32 is the best one..

this guy isn't a pro. do NOT even consider getting forged irons unless you are under a 10 handicap. they are for better golfers. cavity backs are for beginners/intermediates because the weight of the ball is on the outter part of the club head (like the frame), not on the inner part where you make ball contact with. that is why they are more forgiving than forged irons.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: Sketcher

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
I used to hit 300+ yards w/ my driver (before injury). He kept hitting my dad's driver over the fence of the driving range.

I mean no offense by inquiring. David Mobley won the 2004 Remax Long Drive Championship with a 377 yard drive. Was his drive just remarkable for the conditions during that competition or are you an your brother exceptionally good long drive hitters?

300+ yard drives are not anything out of the oridinary for people with stiff flex who can hit consistantly. my brother can hit 300 - 310 yards 9/10 times, dead straight when we play. then again, he usually shoots around 75 or so when we play, so he's a pretty damn good golfer heh.

i hit a fluke drive over 360 this year. par 4, on the green in one baby!! this was how it happened.

we were out playing a practice round on a weeknight... the course hadn't had rain in weeks (no water on this course) and the fairways were ROCK hard. on top of that, a storm was moving in pretty quick and within about 10 minutes time, the wind completely changed directions. by the time we finished putting out on #5 and went to #6 tee, there was at least a 50-60km/h tailwind. we knew we wouldn't be playing the entire hole, so i took a retarded huge cut at a Titleist DT so/lo and miraculously caught it flush. i knew it was deep, but when we got up to look for them, i couldn't find mine!! as we were about to give up, the guy we were playing with said, "uh, there's a ball on the green." i ran up and checked it, and it was mine!! it had begun raining pretty hard, so i didn't even putt out!! thinking about it later, i could have eagled that hole!! 😛

i still have the ball in my garage. i keep all my special balls. 😛

 

[BAMAVOO]

I like the G5's. Not as pronounced offset and overall a better feel to me.

 

[Patt]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
Thanks for the thread guys. I enjoyed reading it!

Sketcher, if I had 1/4 of your inquisitiveness regarding equipment, I'd probably have some better sticks right now and my game would be better! If you treat your swing with the same enthusiasm, you could go a long way in golf and really enjoy the game! 🙂 Wishing you the best start!!

LOL @ the obvious funny moments in this thread too. tee hee

as i have mentioned ad nauseum, i play with a set of Dunlop Blue Max from 1979/80. 🙂 my game is coming along but i have no idea what it would be like to play with different equipment. i assume that certain individuals around here would give me the cold shoulder after looking at my bag and would simply refuse to play with me out of sheer snootiness. 😉

as for the best golfer here, my money is on Patt! 😛 sorry buddy, no pressure 😀 he's a humble guy like me though, and you will never hear him tooting his own horn.

anyhoo best of luck Sketcher - i'm positive you will end up with the best set for the money!!

Thanks for the props there Melty ... I'm not sure it is accurate, but I appreciate it nonetheless. 😀

This thread has been interesting though. I don't play with custom fitted clubs, as I didn't have the cash at the time I purchased to go through the whole process properly. I think Sketcher is on the right track, and will soon be a decent golfer if he pays this much attention to all parts of the game.

I most certainly will get myself some custom fitted blades when I get the opportunity (or rather, money 😛) because I think my game would benefit. I also learned on blades, which provide instant feedback to your hands if you mis-hit them.

My 2 cents though, is to get something you feel comfortable with, but if you don't get them custom fitted, it isn't the end of the world at a beginner level.

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
Thanks for the thread guys. I enjoyed reading it!

I saw you had marked the thread for morning reading; glad you jumped in meltdown 🙂.

Regarding playing with 'old' equipment; I offered to buy my SFIL's set of Ping ISI's off him thinking he'd be interested in getting new clubs (he's always looking/trying what's new and reading up on the latest) but he turned me down flat. Say's he'll die with his irons but his drivers and putters might be negotiable.

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: Patt
I don't play with custom fitted clubs, as I didn't have the cash at the time I purchased to go through the whole process properly. I think Sketcher is on the right track, and will soon be a decent golfer if he pays this much attention to all parts of the game.

Well, that's the goal, thanks Patt.
It's good to know that standard clubs won't damage you for life as some of the discussion here can lead one to believe. We will now nod to and acknowledge the importance of getting fitted clubs 😉.

This thread has been (is) fun. I actually have to wait a month before buying my clubs because I'm closing on my house and I want to keep my finances level. That's good though, it gives me time to research and to not let the shine of the moment have me walk out the door with something I'd soon regret. Also gives me time to schedule a lesson or two and spend some time with a pro so that when I am fitted for clubs it'll be worth doing so. Coming into the winter season here in Minnesota limits the golf activity as far as courses go. I plan on spending a good amount of time at a range and making sure I have room at home for regular practice.

The basement in the home we're building has 9' ceilings and my current swing allows me to work a driver quite comfortably in that space (I'm 5'6"). I'll start with just hanging a sheet from the trusses approx. 1ft out from the wall for a makeshift net. I'm going to look for some good material for a putting green and do something along those lines too. Some thick shag carpet should work for a bit of tall grass. It's not going to be anything pretty, just functional. I just can't stand the idea of not being able to practice this winter if I can't get to the range. I have the space and I think a little indoor tinkering will let me practice with my full range of clubs.

So what do you guys do to keep your game in play during the off season (if you have one) or to get your fix if you don't have time to run a course or tee up at a range?

 

[Sketcher]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
you can always tell who the worst person at the driving range is, because they always have the most expensive of clubs at the range 😛

LOL!
Well, that may be me for a time. However, I will aggressivley pursue a 'passable' game to sidestep being fodder for the peanut gallery 😛