Pulling the trigger

[picksbigwagon]

Have decided that my knock off 5 year old irons have had their fun in the sun. Not sure which set of clubs I am going to go with, but after looking on line I am going to take a hard look at Mizuno JPX 800 pro. My knock offs were based on ping G10's and I want to get away from the ultra wide sole clubs. The New Callaway RazrX line looks interesting as well. My problem with Callaway at golf shops is they are only in their uniflex shaft, and I need at least a stiff if not more. I will be searching out a golf shop with a pro that will take the time needed to get me fitted for a set of clubs. being "normal" sized (6' 7" and no longer skinny) I need modifications to my clubs.

If anyone has someone great they have worked with in the SW metro, let me know, the guy at Golf USA seemed like a great guy and took the time to answer my questions last year when I was wishing for new clubs...

[Slabasaurus]

I worked in the Golf Retail industry in the metro for a number of years, primarily in the south metro. Unfortunately the locations I did work at all have closed since then.

Last I heard, my contacts in the industry were up in the northern metro. I can put a line out and see, but to be honest, most local golf stores, especially in the winter, will be more than happy to sit down and get you fitted. The Golf USA in the west metro sounds quite helpful

[Dave S]

I've been doing all of my business at Golfsmith in Edina (just north and across the street from Southdale). Very pleased with the staff there.

[schmitty3]

IMHO if your looking to get a real thorough fitting for your clubs i wouldn't do it at a retail store. A place I would highly recommend is Totally Driven in Oakdale. A lot of the retails stores will do some [PoorWordUsage] fitting. Never do they test the launch angle, where the sole of the club is hitting ground or anything like that. Take it to a place like totally driven and they will hook you up to maximize the potential of you new clubs.

[delmuts]

Picks. I would highly recomend going to a pro to be fitted first!( I.E.,lie ,length,and shaft flex) Then start hitting the different brands, models that interest you. You will start out knowing what you need, and will be able to compare feel, launch angle, and even the look better.

[picksbigwagon]

The hammer is pulled back..................

I went to Golf Galaxy and hit some irons last night, and after talking with the guy there, decided to get look hard at some Forged irons instead of the cast irons, because with the forged irons they can adjusted easier and to a greater extent than the cast ones. I did try the new Callaway razr x tour models and liked them except I didn't get any feel for what the ball was doing or going to do when I hit them. Nice clubs, but they were kind of dead when I hit them. I then tried the Mizuno 800 JPX pro, night and day difference. Of course these are forged and they are supposed to have a better feel when hitting the ball, and I was hitting them about 10 yards further as well. Well he started talking about making adjustments, and how much that was gonna cost meThe fitting was an extra 60 bucks, and different grips and how much that was gonna cost me, and I pretty much so the price going up and up.

I didn't buy them because I had to wrap my head around those extra costs.....

I then hot footed it over to Golf USA in Eden Praire. Talked with the club maker/owner there. Told him I had been hitting over at Golf Galaxy and I had been in last summer and talked with him before about clubs. Well he started asking me questions about what I was looking at and my game, etc. Well I told him what I was looking for (Mizuon 800 pro's) and he reminded me (I knew it already) that he was a Mizuno certified retailer, and we talked about the process for fitting and getting the clubs built etc. I tell him I realize that it is gonna cost me more because of the fiiting fee, the extra length and bigger grips, etc. He smiles and said, "Uh, no, that comes with the price of the clubs" He has the Mizuno fitting system that takes about a half hour to go through, then all the numbers and stuff are sent to the company and they build the clubs for me and send them to him. I can even do a combo set with a 3 and 4 hybrid which is what I wanted in the first place.

So needless say, I know where I am getting my clubs, I know what I am getting, he recommended I get my swing in shape, and then come back in a week or two and get the process rolling. He said it is usually a week turn around.......

[delmuts]

"He said it is usually a week turn around......."

Yep! Then you can sit there and hold them and wish for the snow to be gone!! Hope they treat you well!

[picksbigwagon]

Actually Del, I have been hitting the computerized screens where you can play courses from around the world, yes it is not the same as being outside and hitting them for real, but it is better than sitting at home letting them collect dust. There is also a driving range near my house that is open year round and you hit range balls from inside to outside. Living in the big city has a few advantages, not many, but I enjoy that one

[Eckie]

Picks -- congrats on the new clubs.

Have you been over to the Golf Zone in Chaska? It's an "outdoor" range with heaters. If you haven't, try it. Yes, you still hit off the mats, but you're in a stall, with "ice arena" style heaters over you, and you'll hit balls into a real range, getting a true view on what the ball is doing. I think they charge by the hour. If you're in Savage, it'll be a pretty close drive.

G

[picksbigwagon]

Eckie, I have been there a few times, probably heading back this weekend. Gotta get my swing in shape, at least before I order the clubs

[Eckie]

Sounds good --- golf season is only weeks away!! Can't wait! I just got back from CA (I posted a couple pics in the other post) and was pleasantly surprised in my swing...I anticipate great things this year!

(a guy can be optimisic, right )

[grizrunner]

6-7?

Just for kicks, here's my fitting for you...

Heads 3 deg up. If you tend to draw the ball too much, maybe 1-2. Fade too much, maybe 4.

Length +1, possibly 1.5 depending on your arm length and posture.

Shafts x100's based on overlength shafts. s300's if you have a more controlled slower tempo.

Most likely midsize grips. Maybe oversize depending on your mitts, and also if you tend to be a bit "handsy". Larger grips tend to keep your hands quieter.

Good luck! Exciting getting new clubs that's for sure. I just graduated to MP68's from my MP67's. I've never been formally fitted by anyone, but have had only about 40 years to figure it out.(started when I was 7)

Let us know how it goes!

[picksbigwagon]

Just went through the fitting and sent away for my new clubs.

Mizuno JPX 800 pro irons (5-pw) with a 3 and 4 hybrid. True Temper dynamic gold x100 shafts and golf pride tour warp jumbo grips, extra inch and a quarter added and not sure on how much up he ordered but 3 swings with the iron he put together that was a littel short all 3 swings were on the toe off the board. He asked me if I seem to fade the ball a lot, he's not making promises, but with the correct shaft, I should be a little closer to straight. He also regripped my driver, 3 wood and wedges for the cost of the grips.

My swing speed on the 6 iron was 96 mph and that iron and shaft combo just felt awesome when I swung it. COME ON SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I absolutely recommend Tom at Golf USA in Eden Praire. He walked me through the process, answered my questions and changed all 5 grips in about 10 minutes.

My driver avg speed at inside edge was 119 mph, high was 124. Probably gonna have to get a differnt shaft for that as well this year. My brother in law has a connection for those

[grizrunner]

Nice sticks. Sounds like he's got you dialed in. For kicks I demoed them at the golf show this winter. Felt pretty smooth. I prefer blades so they just weren't quite my style.

Read about your ordeal with your 9 iron. That really bites this close to open season. Mizuno should take care of you, and you also have a good dealer to back you up. Being special order might take a few extra days though. Might just have to use your old ones for a round or two! Probably appreciate the new ones all the more.

Make sure you get an X flex in the driver, too!

[picksbigwagon]

the hybrids have mitsubishi Fubuki x-stiff shafts on them and when i finally get to hit them, I will probably get one put on my driver since I don't have the cash for a new driver

[Eckie]

Hopefully you'll have them out on a course in a week or two -- won't be long now!