WRX Forum Buzzz
FTF: Could a scratch golfer break 85 at Augusta National?
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?
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?
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
“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
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
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.
Equipment
Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
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.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
Equipment
Mizuno Pro M13 vs Callaway X Forged: My actual fitting numbers – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been reacting to a fitting session involving Mizuno’s Pro M13 and Callaway’s X Forged irons. WRXer ‘careergolfer’ recently went through a full fitting session and shared his numbers and commentary, saying:
“After playing Callaway Apex Pros for the pats 5 years, just went through a full iron fitting and thought the data was interesting enough to share. I’ve seen a lot of posts talking about fittings but not many with actual numbers, so here’s mine.
All 7-iron, same ball, same session. Final two were the ones I was choosing between:
| Club | Ball Speed | Launch | Spin | Side Angle | Carry | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current irons | 121.1 mph | 18.3° | 6,691 rpm | 0.7L | 170 | 178 |
| Callaway X Forged | 125.8 mph | 15.9° | 6,144 rpm | 2.2L | 180 | 185 |
| Mizuno M-13 | 125.8 mph | 17.9° | 6,638 rpm | 2.2L | 177 | 182 |
The consistency numbers are what actually made the decision:
| Club | Ball Speed SD | Spin SD | Total Yards SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current irons | 3.3 | 294 | 5 |
| Callaway X Forged | 2.0 | 211 | 3 |
| Mizuno M-13 | 1.1 | 150 | 2 |
Callaway won on distance by 3 yards but got there with a much lower ball flight (15.9° launch, 6,144 spin). The Mizuno matched my existing flight profile with nearly 3x tighter ball speed consistency.
Fitter also noted I’ve been setting up with a closed face at address to compensate for a heel-heavy dynamic lie. Ordered the M-13s 1° flat to bring impact back to neutral: the theory being if I can set up square, I can actually commit to the release. I’m not sure if this was the right call TBH but took the fitter’s guidance. I’ll see what happens.
Went with the Mizuno. Clubs aren’t in hand yet. Happy to share follow-up data once I’ve played them!”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts in response.
Here are a couple of posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- PowerCobra98: “M13 certainly performed well. Enjoy the new irons once you get them!”
- dmeeksDC: “Two completely different irons. The X Forged is a tour-type iron and would match up with the S3 in the Mizuno lineup. Not going to see a lot of M-13 on pro tours. It’s a crossover iron, three different types of construction in the same set. The M-13 would be more like the AI 150 as the M-13 7 iron is a half-hollow club versus X Forged, which is a straight up forged iron. M-13 middle irons have very thin faces, not holding up well for some buyers if you read through the M-13 thread. Hopefully Mizuno has corrected it. Given the differences in construction, that is surprising ball speed with the X Forged. To me the numbers are quite an endorsement of the X Forged considering it has no ‘tech.'”
Entire Thread: “Mizuno Pro M13 vs Callaway X Forged: My actual fitting numbers – GolfWRXers discuss”
Equipment
Has there been a better driver since this Ping release? – GolfWRXers discuss
In our forums, our members have been discussing drivers. WRXer ‘Ty-Webb’ is still playing Ping’s G400 LS driver and reaches out to fellow members saying:
“Playing the G400 LS still and wondering if newer is any better? For someone who thinks golf equipment is 90% marketing, change my mind.”
And our members have been weighing in with their top picks in response.
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.
- meliaant: “As someone who graduated from the OG SIM to the Qi10, I can you two things: 1) on-center hits are essentially identical. 2) off-center hits are wildly, absurdly better with newer drivers.”
- Golfingfanatic: “I went from the G400 to the GT2 – probably a wash distance wise from the sweet spot, but much better at handling spin off-center.. would definitely try some new stuff if you can.”
- bluedot: “Given the number of heads and shafts that are available, plus the fact that you’re talking about a 9 yr old club, plus the available fitting technology, the answer is almost certainly yes. Add to that the fact that the Ping LS models are sort of ‘specialized’ drivers, as are the Ping SFT’s; heck, you might need MORE spin! How much better is really the question, and that depends on how well suited the G400 LS is to your swing, and how you will go about finding an alternative.”
Entire Thread: “Has there been a better driver since this Ping release? – GolfWRXers discuss”
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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.
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.
The dude
Aug 19, 2017 at 1:52 am
Really bad article…..
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.