DennisM

Almost the end of the story... (Archeology has searched longer and harder for the Holy Grail!)

Scott had an idea about letting me try some variety now that I was hitting the ball more consistently. I gave him back his spare set of X-Tour irons that I had borrowed, (a picture of them in my bag is in another thread), determined to make a decision this week, and I met him on the range this evening.

At a point during my lesson late this afternoon, on the first fairly calm day in a long time, he brought out this variety of Callaway 5, 6 and 7 irons from his rental inventory, junk barrel and one that looked like he swiped it from a member's bag. (It had a name on a shaft band, so I hope he remembers to clean it before he puts it back - but Thank you Mr. Morales)

We had some 2002 and 2004 Bertha irons, and X-16 and X-16 Pro, an X-18 and X-18 Pro and one of the new X-20 irons, but not the Pro version of it. Of course, we still had an X-Tour, just in case. He also had a Nike NDS, one of the best looking clubs I've seen. He said since the back of it looked so much like a Callaway, I might as well try it. It was OK, but quickly discounted in preference to the Callaways.

Honestly, I didn't feel much difference between all of them, but somehow got the impression that the X-18 felt best, not counting the X-Tour when I actually hit it flush on the face. Since this whole lengthy exercise began with me admitting my age and physical needs, I didn't fool myself into anything but knowing the game improvement irons are still a big benefit to me compared to what results I could expect from the X-Tours. I'd love to get my game back to the point that I could use the X-Tours effectively because when I hit them well, I can still make the ball dance. It's almost a sensual pleasure to hit those clubs.

The X-16 Pro is still a monster club in the history of Callaway, one of their finest efforts in my opinion, but this particular one felt heavy. I never thought to check and see if it was extra long. The 2002 and 2004 Bertha irons were fine, but I just don't feel interested in technology that is that old. Besides, they aren't so much cheaper than what new clubs cost!

I may have just been a bit more warmed up when I hit a dozen shots with the X-18, but I seemed to develop a feel for it fast enough. Oddly, I liked the X-18 better than the X-18 Pro. The more gentle offset on the X-18 still made for a fairly high trajectory, but the distance was satisfactory. I certainly didn't lose anything and might have been a bit longer with them than some others, but again, maybe because I was warm and loose by the time we got to them.

Unlike my efforts with most offset irons, I could still fade the ball somewhat. That's not something I take lightly since most of my life, I played a controlled fade. (I'm a great believer in the words of Lee Trevino... "You can talk to a fade, but a hook won't listen!")

With the X-18, I could smooth a 7 iron 155 yards, about what I'd like from it. Killing it didn't really seem to do much more than hit it higher. The 5 iron I hit about 175-180... hard to tell looking down the range into the sun, but again, a satisfactory distance with smooth effort. Punch shots with the 5 iron didn't flare up, but stayed nicely low and bored into what little breeze there was.

So, when I go back tomorrow to repeat the process, with hopes for no wind so I can really measure my thoughts, I'll hit the same clubs again and see if I can verify my feelings. If all turns out well with no paralysis by analysis or indecision on my part, I may go shopping tomorrow night. At least I managed to sell the TaylorMade rac LT2's for a good price.

I figure I've spent about $500 on lessons and will have spent about 1/3 more on whatever I get after the loss of a bit on trading the Bertha irons in, but if I can hold my game together, it will soon be forgotten.

So, did anyone get to play more golf during the couple days the forum was down?

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