Golf Course and Equipment Reviews

Titelist 710 AP2 Irons

I’ve been using the AP2 irons for over a year now and they’re by far the best irons I’ve ever owned.  The combination of workability and forgiveness is incredible.  I bought the new 710 AP2 irons last month and they’re actually better than the earlier versions.  When I compare the AP2’s and the new 710 AP2 irons, the first thing that stands out is the profile at address.  They new 710 AP2’s have a thinner topline and as a result they appear to have less offset, which is minimal on both versions.  The new Ap2’s come standard with Dynamic Gold steel shafts.  The earlier version came with the Project-X rifle shafts. So I ordered the 710’s with the Project-X upgrade. I’m considering switching to the FST KBS Tour shafts because the Project-X ball flight is a little too high for me.  I like ripping 5-irons over trees but I’d rather have a more consistent mid-trajectory ball flight.

I would recommend these irons for anyone with a handicap under 12 or so and looking to play a forgiving forged iron.  Which in the past was unheard of.

My only complaint about the AP2 irons is that the clubs tend to wear a bit quickly.  I went through 3 pitching wedges last year.  Maybe it’s the balls at the range but I’ve never had other irons wear as quickly. For me it’s not a big problem because I typically get new clubs every 12 months or so.   I’ll update this review after a few months w/ the new 710 AP2’s.

For PGA Tour fans, the AP2’s have already won twice on Tour this year.  My guess is that there will be many more by the end of 2010.

Construction:
Forged 1025 carbon steel body
Ttungsten nickel sole
Co-molded elastomer/aluminum cavity plate

Retail Price  is $142/ Club (w/ stock steel shaft)

Scotty Cameron Studio Select Kombi

I was really excited when I heard of the Kombi, Scotty’s entry into the so-called “high MOI” putter category.  This past Summer I had a chance to use it extensively. I knew I had to get one after trying a friends on the practice green before a tournament.

I really like mallet-style putters and I’ve always been a huge fan of Scotty Cameron’s designs.  I actually own about 30 Cameron putters.  In the past I’ve used the Futura Phantom II with great success. The Red X3 and Red X5 are also great putters, and I own them both. The Kombi is completely different from anything Scotty Cameron has released in the past.

The Kombi features the studio Select weighting system. This allows users to customize the weight of the putters without having to send in for aftermarket adjustments or lead tape strips (I ordered mine at 35″ and 340 grams).

The first thing one notices when trying the Kombi is that it’s size and balance promote a very smooth takeaway and stroke. It’s very easy to keep the putter on-line and thru the intended path.  It really feels nice, almost like the putter is making the stroke for you.

However, after using the Kombi for five rounds, I was unable to get any feel for distance control. The feel is almost muted and unresponsive.  I appreciate Scotty’s putters partially because of their soft feel and great feedback they provide.  For whatever reason it just doesn’t work with the Kombi.

If you look through previous reviews you’ll see that I’ve used mallet, high- MOI putters from other manufacturers and had great success with them. Sadly, after the initial five rounds I put it back on the shelf and have no plans on taking it back to the course.

Most reviews I’ve read on other sites are extremely positive, so I definitely recommend trying the Kombi for yourself before making a decision on it.  Though the lack of PGA Tour use is a little telling if you ask me.

Odyssey White Hot XG Saberooth Putter

I’ve never bee a fan of Odyssey putters.  The 2-Ball has been one of the most successful putters ever but it didn’t work for me.  The faces on most of them were too “hot” for me.  The insert seemed to send the ball off of the face way too fast.

The White Hot XG Sabertooth, however, is a different story.  This putter is almost impossible to stroke offline.  The Sabertooth has an insert but it’s better than the previous ones I’ve used.  It’s less clinky-sounding and feeling and definitely more stable.  The putter is basically automatic from within 10-feet.

The Sabertooth’s design may throw a lot of people off.  In my opinion, this is the key to the putter’s accuracy. The perimeter weighting makes a straight back and through stroke especially easy to maintain. The Sabertooth’s alignment aid is also two-pronged and quite easy to line up. The alignment aid doubles as a ball scooper-upper- so you don’t even have to bend over whenyou hear, “That’s good!”  A phrase I’m hearing more than ever lately.  My friends used to make me putt EVERYTHING, because I’ve been known to miss a few two-footers in my day.  But no more, thanks to the Odyssey Sabertooth.

Yards: 7,157
Rating: 75.2/147

Olympia Fields, the North Course was home to the 2003 US Open.  Jim Furyk won the tournament  by three strokes (272, -8).  So naturally I was prepared for a thorough test of my physical and mental golf abilities.  While the course wasn’t easy, I found it hard to believe that is was actually a recent US Open venue.  And it was easy to see why Furyk’s score tied the record for lowest US Open score.

The USGA set up must have made the course completely different that the one I played.  The Olympia Fields I played allowed me to hit driver on most holes.  And when I did stray from the fairway,  it didn’t take par out of my possibilities.  Compare that to Medinah, where if you’re in the trees, you may have to hit out backwards.  At Olympia, I was able to advance the ball forward, even up to the green on a few occasions.

The greens are not even in the same league as Medinah’s either.  I was very surprised at the overall quality of the putting surfaces. I’ve played several public courses this year with nicer greens.

Olympia is a fun course and I’m sure the members are very proud of it. But I’d be surprised if it ever hosts a major tournament again; especially a US Open.  If you get the opportunity to play Olympia, go for it!  Again, it’s a fun course and definitely playable for most skill levels.

Bombs away, son!  I didn’t think my Taylormade r7 460 tp would be booted from my bag so quickly.

see: my Taylormade r7 460 TP driver review

I went to a local Taylormade demo day and tried out a bunch of their clubs.  I initially didn’t like the way the Tour Burner looked at address. But the numbers don’t lie;  low-spin and lots of carry!  And  it’s actually straighter than my 460 TP…which really surprised me.    It’s actually the crazy triangular design that allows it to be so accurate.  Their “inverted cone” design and double crown make it longer and straighter than any driver I’ve ever hit.

So I bought one w/ an R-flex Re-AX, cut it down 1/2″ and the result is a soft flexing stiff shaft and an EXPLOSIVE feeling contact that is unique to this club.  It not as loud as most of the other brands’ drivers.

Initially I had a tough time trying to get the Tour Burner to fade/cut like my 460.  It was likely a result of something I was doing because after a few days, I have no problem shaping it when I need to.  I actually cut the corner on a dog leg yesterday with a 320 yard tee shot.  I’ve also found it pretty easy to control the trajectory w/ the Tour Burner TP (even with the 10.5 degree head).  My home course has a very strong prevailing wind and 75% of the time I like to hit low-liners into or even with the wind.

I still haven’t gotten used to the head shape but it’s easy to deal with when the performance is so outstanding.  The headcover is a litte loud so I’ve been using my American flag magnetic cover from my 460 TP and it fits just fine.

If you’re considering this club, I strongly advise you to go try it out.  People scoff at the $599.00 price tag but in my opinion it’s worth every penny.  Though it will most likely be half that price next season.

Stonewall Orchard is probably one of the most difficult courses in the area.  At least for a first-timer.  Very demanding tee-shots, small, speedy greens,  thick rough and it’s always windy. Stonewall Orachard is definitely and interesting course and if you’re on your game it should be a lot of fun! Bring your range finder because you’ll definitely need it and the course’s carts are not GPS enabled.

The course starts off with a somewhat demanding blind tee shot to a dog leg par-4. If you’re not familiar with the course, I’d recommend hitting a three wood or something you know you wont pull.  There’s a bunch of junk on the left.  Other than that, the hole is pretty wide open.

And the course does NOT GET ANY EASIER!  The second hole requires a precision tee shot  and approach to a very narrow, elevated green.  If you have to hit anything longer than a six iron to the green, I recommend laying up to the 100 yard marker (or whatever you ideal sand wedge distance is.

Hole number three is your first real birdie opportunity.  It’s a short downhill par-5 with some bunkers and again, a somewhat shallow green.  But two long shots will have you putting for birdie and possibly eagle if you can get your ball up enough.

The fourth hole is incredibly deceiving.  A four iron to the 100 yard marker….no problem.  Only you have a very dramatic downhill lie to a small, well-protected green with water long. And you will most likely be left with a semi-blind shot to the green unless you can approach it from the right side of the fairway.  Arthur Hill and hist Stonewall Orchard aren’t messing around.

The fifth hole is a long par-3, where if you’re going to miss, it must be left…and not by much.  Good club selection is crucial here. The green is large…just hit it!

Number six is a very long par-4 but it’s pretty wide-open and again, the green is very small and guarded by a pair of bunkers short on each side.  Par is very nice here!

The par-4 seventh hole is a slight dog-legged  par-4 to a large, double tiered green with some major slopes. Check your tee sheet and get your approach to the correct level or get ready for three putt city.

Number eight is another short par-5 birdie opportunity.  Bomb your drive left for the shortest approach but even if you go right, decent yardage will leave you with a long iron tow the green which has a generous bail out area to the right.  The green is, again, small and slopes severely to a bowl in the back.

Walk up to nine with no wind and you might be able to make the turn with a smile on your face.  The par-3 ninth sets up from an elevated tee box with a large green with water on the right and long and bunkers and fescue on the left.

Stop and grab a snack and take a deep breath.  In my opinion, the front nine is more difficult than the back.  That’s not to say the back nine is easy, by ANY MEANS.

The tenth hole is a twisting par-5 with a blind tee  shot that requires a big fade around some trees to a pretty narrow fairway. The approach to the tiny green is fairly narrow with trouble on both sides &, long.  Despite it not being an overly long hole, par is a very nice score here.

Hole 11 is long and try to carry the bunker if the wind allows for it. Other than that, I don’t remember much about this hole.  The green is probably sloped and small like every other on the course.

Go for it on number 12! Take a driver and lit it rip up the right hand side.  Or take your 230 yard club and leave a nice wedge to a rather large green with many peaks and valleys. Birdie time, son!

You’re not making par on the 13th par-3.   It’s not long but the green has more tiers than any other green I’ve seen before.  If you get wet, there’s a nice drop area 75 yards to the right of the green.

14 presents a few options from the tee box. All of them require a precise shot if you want to hit the green with your second.  It’s a short hole but it twists and turns and the green is heavily guarded and raised.  Again, par is very good here.

Number 15- how much do you want to cut off. You’ll have to carry thelong bunker on this par-4.  It’s simply a matter of how much of it you want to carry. The large peninsula green on this hole is surrounded by water and a bunker on the right side.

DO NOT take your driver out on the 16th hole.  There’s nowhere to put it unless you’re going for the green. There’s a big oak tree on the left side of the fairway and a lake on the right.  Oh, and the green is tiny with a bunch of junk behind it.  Lay up to 120 yards and knock it close.

The 17th par-3 is the easiest par-3 on the course.  It’s not long, it’s protected from the wind and there’s not much trouble around. Placing your tee shot on the correct portion of the green is crucial if you want to make birdie or even par.

The final hole is a very long fun par-5 that plays from over 600 yards. Iy requires three long and straight shots.  Otherwise, it’s layup city.  If you do not hit the fairway, take your medicine and pray for par or bogey and LAY UP to the middle of the fairway…wherever you can. The green here is the smallest on the course and is guarded by water on the left and bunkers on the right. BOGEY is a finse score here, friends.

That’s it, I’m tired just writing about the Stonewall Orchard golf course in Grayslake, Il. If you have a choice, avoid it on very windy days.  You’ll have much more fun if the winds are blowing under 15MPH.

Enjoy!!!