Running 2020 PGA Tour thread

I got new clubs (Calloway irons, TaylorMade driver and 3-wood) two years ago, and when I did I had the grip changed on my Wilson 8802 putter I've had since Nixon was President. Made a world of difference, even if it's not one of the big spongy ones, it is thicker and softer. I am less prone to opening or closing the clubface in the stroke.

 

My first set of clubs, 35 years ago, were my granddad's old Wilson blades. The grips were totally worn out so I learned to play while gripping the club as tightly as possible, because I had to do that. It's a habit I've never been able to break, unfortunately.

 

Probably like the old set of Jack Nicklaus MacGregor irons that are pushing 40 years old in my bag. They're blades, which means they're unforgiving but I strongly suspect they're closer to what Tour players have in their bags than the newest tech which might be more forgiving to high handicappers but offer crap feedback - or so I've heard.

 

Regrip them, make sure there's no rust or corrosion in the heads or shafts and keep playing them. Should be just fine.

 

Out of 10 players on this thread that play or have played golf, I'll guarantee you there's not one that should be playing a true blade.

 

I've still got my Wilson Staff (Fluid Feel for you geeks) blades and I chip with my old PW in my backyard. They still look sweet and feel nice but compared to using my Mizuno MX-23s (still old) its no contest. The Mizunos still feel great (forged) but with the perimeter weighting, the sweet spot is so much larger.

 

I'll fully agree with you that high handicappers and true hackers would probably benefit from playing more modern irons with cavity backs, updated grooves and all the bells and whistles.

Now ... when you come with the major scratch needed for updates when most of those 10 don't play often enough to justify spending the extra scratch, let me know. Regrip the blades, replace your divots, rake the bunkers after playing in them, repair your ballmarks on the greens and keep going.

 

Just adding that I bought my first hybrid 4 wood last spring -- hit it 146 "yards" down the middle first swing in the simulator -- and it's been my best club since. I'd only hit a modern oversize driver 'til then, and now I have switched to perimeter weighted irons as well. The fresh gear has given me a new jones for the game. I still use my dad's old Bristol mallet putter, with no offset and loft of exactly zero degrees.

 

And clean your clubs after every round. I always put my irons in a bucket and fill it a couple of inches with soapy water and let the clubs soak a minute or two, then hit the grooves with an old toothbrush. It’ll keep them attractive (which minimizes the desire to buy new ones) and prolong longevity. I have a set of TaylorMade Super Steel irons that still look like they did when I bought them 17 years ago at Martin’s Golf and Tennis in North Myrtle.

 

Yup. A plastic scrub brush with maybe a couple of drops of dish soap in the mix ... doesn't need to be frothy and foamy, just enough to cut the dirt and mud that always get caught in the grooves.

Also helps to wipe down the grips ... whatever oil that comes from your hands doesn't help them last longer and grip better. Also a rag/towel with a little WD-40 to clean off the shafts. The oil from your hands doesn't need to build up those, either.

 

This has been such a gripping conversation.