WRX Forum Buzzz
Forum Thread of the Day: “Rickie Fowler’s improper drop”
Today’s Forum Thread of the Day comes from geoff, who began the topic concerning Rickie Fowler’s improper drop at the WGC-Mexico Championship. During Friday’s day of play, Fowler was penalised for taking a drop from shoulder height, violating the new rule which states that drops must now be made from knee height, and our members have been discussing the penalty, and rule, at length.
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.
- Krt22: “Silly rule indeed, they should have allowed for anywhere between shoulder and knee height. The knee height alone is idiotic since you need to bend over to get there and thus move the actual knee height.”
- yuraway22: “It just shouldn’t matter how you drop it, as long as you drop it, it falls through the air and strikes the ground and remains in the relief area. The R&A and the USGA need to reengage and clean up this mess. Why does it matter? Shoulder height, head height, knee height, thigh height, ankle high, get real! I think they want the ball dropped lower to ensure the ball stays within the relief area, keeping players from placing the ball after two drops. The LPGA backstopping infraction today is just another one of many examples of not enforcing the Rules. Here the Rule is enforced properly for a poorly thought out process. Backstopping is wrong, but the wording is poor at best and only describes what would occur if two payers agreed. If you carefully observe, few players drop the ball at knee height or lower. Most are slightly above the knee.”
- Matt J: “Should be knee high or higher. I’d have strong words for my caddie. This is exactly how he earns his keep.”
- ParfiveoverWater: “Yesterday I thought knee high drops were weird and silly… but after pondering and hearing several arguments from both sides… I like and accept the rule and can’t wait for the snow to melt so I can chunk an approach in a pond and experience it fully.”
Entire Thread: “Rickie Fowler’s improper drop”
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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Tiger Noods
Feb 26, 2019 at 5:34 am
Straight arm, from 12 inches above the ground, up to a player’s shoulder height. Or waist height if you prefer.
Gee, that was difficult. Can we fix this and move on? The USGA really made a mess of it. They were totally off their rockers when they were originally going to say 1 inch, but this is not a simplification. It’s an unnecessary complication for something they intended to make easier.
If I did that at my job, I’d be fired.
Brad
Feb 25, 2019 at 5:16 pm
There is a simple solution to this. The PGA simply needs to tell the USGA to jump off a cliff and go write their own rule book for the “rules of golf”.
Every other professional sport decides what the rules of their sport will be, and doesn’t allow themselves to be dictated by a poorly run and archaic organisation. Why should the PGA be any different?
DL
Feb 25, 2019 at 4:51 pm
From what I could tell they originally wanted it to be any height as long as the ball fell through the air. But that seemed to close to placing it. The shoulder height drop was too far because often the ball would end up rolling outside of the intended drop area (for all the people who have had to drop twice then place their ball). So they agreed upon the knee height rule. To be fair I think it’s also ridiculous and feel awkward every time I bend over to take a drop.