Golf Blogging & Gear
I’m going to blow your mind right now. Chances are if you’re a golf blogger, you’re a massive golf nerd. Guilty as charged. The flavors of “golf nerd” vary though. Aside from maybe Jon, we’re all HUGE gear nerds. Ok, Jon is too, he’s just quiet about it. As a result, we often don’t heed our own advice and play lots of different equipment throughout the year. For instance, maybe we tested some piece of equipment for a review, fell in love, and threw it in the bag only to last the brief honeymoon. Or maybe we aren’t immune to great marketing? We saw some pro win on Tour using some cool new club and decided we needed to try it for awhile too. The fact is we’re tinkerers, however, this year I didn’t make too many changes to my bag once I got settled
There have been a handful of small, yet significant changes to my bag this season that are standing the test of time. Being this is such a rare occasion and I know how concerned the public is with what I play, I though I’d walk you through the stories of those changes and why I love the gear. (If you don’t care, have a read anyway – the golf media is slow right now. Seriously, how many more posts can you read about “The Match?”)
The Changes to My Bag
VA Drago
The experience I had with the VA Drago was something I’ve only experienced once before that I can remember. VA sent me the shaft right before it was released. I knew it would be good because Victor Afable does great work, but I didn’t have the slightest plans of putting it in my bag because I was good to go with the shaft I was already using. Fast forward to the very first swing I took with it and the rest is history. I instantly connected with the Drago. The performance and control came easy, and the feel was superb. There was zero adjustment period. From that day forward, the Drago has been firmly in my driver.
Based on the success in my driver, I tried the 75 gram Drago in a 3 wood, but it was a bit too heavy. I ended up popping the 75 gram into my 5 wood and had the same instant connection I had with the driver. After a late-season crack in my gamer 3 wood shaft, I added the 65 gram Drago into my 3 wood head. Guess what? Magic. The VA Drago was an instant classic for me and ultimately ended up finding its way into all three of the woods in my bag. Don’t get me wrong, there are a LOT of great shafts out there right now, but these just clicked perfectly for me.
Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized Rangefinder
The Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized was a quick adoption as well. I had been perfectly happy with my previous rangefinder from another manufacturer. It worked great and served me well for years. Really, there was no need to change, but after reviewing this Nikon, I was converted. The tech is great, I liked the visuals more, and I just found it easier to use over time. At some point I realized it must be a permanent change because I hadn’t swapped it back out for my old one.
KBS $-Taper
I had tested the KBS $-Taper moons ago in my previous internet golf life. The testing went well, but didn’t necessarily grab me at the time. Fast forward to this past summer and it was a different story. Range testing actually took place before a round with the DRH boys, and I kept commenting to Jon “something’s up, I’m hitting my 4 iron like 20 yards longer…consistently.” My long irons had great flights, great distance, and tight dispersion. I didn’t remember these kinds of results from the last time I’d tested them. Furthermore, I was getting much better results than my current gamers that I had no intention in replacing.
Got the $-Taper out onto the course, and same thing. I was hitting long irons significantly longer and on good lines. Admittedly, I had to adjust my club selection in the beginning due to some air mailing. Take note, this shaft is a low-spinning, mid-launch shaft. I found this to be true in the long irons, but mid-to-low irons were some of the most versatile shafts I’d ever hit. Lofted clubs had more zip than I’ve ever had in my career, but I could easily take spin off as needed. I mean, I was pulling strings on the ball all of a sudden. The short version is, I’ve seen some of the best iron play I’ve ever had with the $-Taper and that has secured them a slot in my bag.
TaylorMade Hi-TOE 60º
This was another unexpected change to my bag this season. I was playing two beautiful custom wedges before, but I won’t sit and tell you my wedge game is awesome. With the big hype around the TaylorMade Hi-TOE wedge, we had to make sure we reviewed it for you guys. I bought one, I threw it in the bag for a round of golf, and then had my eyes opened – WIDELY. I can’t even tell you why I clicked so well with this wedge. Something about its unique sole and the large face just made for such a smooth path through the ball. So much of it has been “just swing and let the club do the work.” With my wedge game, that’s about as big of a win as I can get right now.
Don’t even get me started at how nice it is for a textbook “slap” out of a bunker…
KBS HI-REV 2.0 wedge shaft – 60º
The KBS HI-REV 2.0 wasn’t an unfamiliar shaft to me heading into reviewing it on our site. I’ve had it in a few wedges before, but the reality was it just wasn’t a good fit in the heads I was using. Fast forward to my Miuras, and I seemed to unlock the potential. Then when I picked up the TaylorMade Hi-TOE mentioned above, it had the HI-REV 2.0 in it off the shelf. The HI-REV 2.0 paired with the TaylorMade Hi-TOE was just about perfect. Lots of spin and great feel. Wonderful for all those neat little greenside shots.
Scott Readman Concepts IKB2 Putter
Last but not least, the dramatic putter change. If you told me that I’d be swapping in a new putter for my trusty Scott Readman Concepts SWC putter this year, I would have laughed right in your face. That putter has been gold for me ever since I got it. It’s a slightly goofy putter with an odd setup that I poured over with Scott in their Bristol, UK shop a few trips ago, but it’s just been so perfect for me.
Well, as the 2018 golf season went on, I started rolling the ball the worst I have since I got that putter. Trust me, it’s 100% me, not the putter. Scott says, “you’re coming over in October, you just need a new look on the greens. I’ll get you sorted.” Well, when I first arrived, Scott had a “shiny” new custom SRC IKB2 putter waiting for me. It was love at first sight/roll. Of course, I had only rolled it on the SRC office carpeting at this point. Once I got home, the connection was immediate. I had the newfound confidence and feel on the putting green that I was desperately seeking. Flat out, it’s an amazing #2 style putter that’s basically perfect.
I don’t see any world where my crazy SWC stays out permanently, but right now I’m loving life with the new IKB2. We’ll see how long the honeymoon lasts, but for now, I’m just soaking it in and showing it off whenever I get the chance.
