WRX Forum Buzzz
Forum Thread of the Day: “Why isn’t Brandel Chamblee hating on weight lifting anymore?”
Today’s Forum Thread of the Day comes from tigerstew, who questions why Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee has stopped talking about the adverse effects that work in the gym can cause professional golfers. In the thread, tigerstew believes the answer to be the current dominance of Brooks Koepka. However, not all of our members here at GolfWRX agree with that assessment and the thread contains some interesting takes on the subject.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion at the link below.
- new2g0lf: “Gym work in golf can be helpful if done in moderation and harmful if overdone. Someone who really understands kinesiology, physiology and their golf swing can benefit from the gym, but there is a point of diminishing returns and an increase in potential for injury. Many close to Tiger feel he crossed that line and that is what contributed to his injuries.”
- pinhigh27: “Everyone mentions the too much bulk for golf thing. Show me a single golfer that has added too much muscle for golf. Tiger or Koepka have never even been close. It doesn’t happen.”
- dlygrisse: “Brooks has already sustained one pretty major injury, he is still young, let’s see how he holds up ten years from now.”
- RichieHunt: “I’m sure that Brandel would tell you he is still against the gym work that is done.”
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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Randy
Oct 27, 2018 at 12:13 pm
Brandel’s Contention has always been a ballistic move in golf does not lead to longevity. A supple swing with graduated accelerating and deceleration has more longevity. Why this is even debatedable is silly. It has been seen in golf and almost every other sport based on the action required and the athletes longevity.
Tal
Oct 25, 2018 at 4:58 pm
Big muscles don’t really help though, fast muscles do. I don’t really see how training for size is going to help someone on the golf course. Training for speed, stability and flexibility would though. Tiger never struggled with distance when he came out on tour and he was a skinny kid! I think you need to be athletic to play golf well but bulk isn’t doing anything for these guys.
Brent
Oct 27, 2018 at 10:52 am
None of these guys are “training for size” training is training. You can’t train for speed and power and then just stop when people think your getting too big.
blake
Oct 25, 2018 at 3:12 pm
weightlifting the right way with proper rest, mobility, and stretching is good for everyone. including golfers. facts are facts and anyone who argues has a personal agenda outside of fact.
Commoner
Oct 26, 2018 at 4:32 pm
Please!! ‘Facts’ are facts and facts will always conflict with other facts and those facts will challenge situational facts. Generally “facts’ are that with which we agree or “cherry pick.”
Brent
Oct 27, 2018 at 10:53 am
Amen!
truth of the youth
Oct 25, 2018 at 11:30 am
old people hate new things until it becomes old. Soon as it becomes old, they accept it as a part of life quietly. For example, fitted pants, iphones, kids with iphones, being in shape, distances off the tee.. etc.
“too much gym is the devil” “too much distance is the devil” ” TV is the devil”.
The youth wants to watch in shape people slamming impossible distances, not fat ppl hitting 150 yard 7 irons.
Milton Gombo
Oct 25, 2018 at 4:27 pm
Get over yourself, junior. All age groups like to see monster drives.
Brandel implies that too much gym time can increase your chance of injury, and effect your touch around the green. While it has seemingly helped Koepka’s game, McIlroy can’t say the same. Once a superb golfer, he hasn’t won jack since Brandel called him out for wasting too much training time in the gym.
Johnny Penso
Oct 27, 2018 at 12:27 am
You had me until “old people”.