OK new season - what is everyone playing with this year? Has anyone made major changes in equipment and gear?

Last year was my first full season (obviously, a high handicap). I have a new set, which is good – my last set was a set of Spalding Molitor “Oversize”, and a blade putter I like very much but leave short a lot on putts over 15 feet.

I got a good deal from the Hippo manufacturer and got a new set:

Driver: Hex TX (12º) regular flex
Woods: Hex2 4 wood (17º), Hex2 6 wood (21º)
Hybrids: Hex2 3 hybrid (17º), Hex2 4 hybrid (20º), Hex2 5 hybrid (23º), Nextt X Tetra 5 Hybrid – I call this my ‘Big 6’ (25º)
Irons: Hex2 6 iron (closed back), Hex2 7 iron (closed back), Hex2 8 iron (cavity back), Hex2 9 iron (cavity back)
Wedges: Hex2 PW, Wilson Tour TC2 SW, Custom Wedge System LW, Custom Wedge System XW
Bag: Bag Boy Revolver – my favorite (Cart), Hippo Hex2 (Stand)
Balls: TopFlite Gamer (practice), Maxfli C3, Ram Laser (practice), Pinnacle Gold Soft.

Last year I played Pinnacle Gold Soft only for most of the year, then slowly added Gamers/C3 for more spin (if the green was small), and use Lasers instead of Pinnacles when I get a good price.

On regular courses, I leave out the XW. On executive/par 3 courses, I leave out the driver.

Admiral,
Welcome to the site. You have a great bag of stuff. It sounds like you found a game you really like. Congratulations on making it through your first full year.
How often do you get to play? When you get a chance, tell us where you live and play this game.
When you have things to share, have questions or just want to throw out some fun, I think you'll enjoy the people on this forum. Some have a great sense of humor, some are very knowledgeable, some really know about the golf swing, many are understanding, informative and just genuinely great people. And, there's a couple of us that have all these qualities. (this may be the one that gets me banned)
Again, Welcome.

"six wood"??? Admiral, welcome to the site..Bill you're banned for 30 days.

LOL. I was surprised it was a 6 wood too. The loft is 21 degrees, which may be higher than your average 5 wood, but I'm not sure.

Thanks guys, for the warm welcome! I appreciate it.

I chipped a lot in the living room over the winter and since it's gotten warmer, I have been playing mostly par 3s around the office... better than sitting in traffic , right?

If I hit balls five times, it's usually: Practice, play, practice, practice, play. My goal this year is to be more consistent and get my HI from 25 to 15 by the end of the year. I heard that the first jump in improvement is the biggest one so I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. I'm willing to put in the work, though.

I have a question about golf etiquette. Which section should I ask that sort of question..?

Rules

Thanks man. See you over there...

Welcome to the site Admiral. Just for the record, your 6 wood has the same loft as my 7 wood. It should go quite well with that 17* 4 wood in your bag.

This year am going to start playing with:

Driver = Titleist D2, 9.5 degree, stiff V2 76 gr. shaft.
........However, I just ordered a TM R9 TP, 9.5 degree, Stiff Fujikura Speeder 75 gr. shaft. So I'll use the one I like best, throw the other one in the trash. Unlike The Donald, I don't save drivers or other clubs when I replace them. Having them laying around clutters my mind.
3 Wood = Mizuno F-60, 15 degree, stiff S3 75 gr. shaft.
5 Wood = Mizuno F-60, 18 degree, stiff S3 75 gr. shaft.
Hybrid = TM Burner Rescue, 19 degree, stiff V2 86 gr. shaft.
Irons = Titleist Forged AP2, 3-PW, Project X 5.5 Precision Rifle shafts.
........Always used TT Dynamic Gold S300 shafts, but I want to see if these shafts work.
Wedges = Cleveland 52 degree CG12, Titleist Vokey 56 & 60 degree Spin Milled, all have TT Dynamic Gold shafts. Have three 56 degree wedges, 8,10 or 12 degree bounce for different sand. Two 60 degree wedges, 4 or 8 degree bounce for soft or hard ground conditions. 8 degree bounce 60 wedge is also good in packed wet greenside traps.
Putter = Titleist Cameron carbon steel Newport II, 33.5 inch.
On slow greens use a Yes Dianna, 34.25 inch.
Ball = Titleist Pro V1x, numbers 1 & 3.
Grips = Golf Pride Duel Durometer Cord. Standard size with 3 wraps of tape.
Hdcp. Index = 3.1

Bill, you DO know about the 14-club limit?

All my shafts are R-flex OEM stock
Driver: Mizuno MX-700 10.5deg
Fairway: Callaway X-Hot 3-wood, 15deg
Hybrid: TM CGB Max 4H 22deg (will be replacing this with something else), Callaway X 4H 24deg
Irons: TM CGB Max 2008 6-PW, AW, SW
Wedges: Cleveland CG14 56deg, Callaway X-Tour 60deg
Putter: Odyssey White Hot XG Sabertooth, 33" shaft
Ball: Bridgestone E6+ or TM TP Black w/LDP

I pick the 14 clubs that should work best for the course that's being played.

Doc, does the 14 degree bounce work well for you off the fairway?

Depends on how I'm swinging that particular moment.

My name is Jimmy and I am new on the forums, but not new to golf. I played alot for 3 years but the past 2 I have barely been out. I have played the past two weekend and am using:

Driver: Taylor Made Tour Burner, 10.5 degree, Fujikura Shaft
Woods: Affinity 3 and 5 wood
Irons- Affinity 3-9
Wedges- Affinity PW,SW, and Taylor Made RAC 52 degree gap wedge
Putter- Taylor Made Rossa Siena 6
Glove- Nike Dura Feel V
Shoes- Nike Golf Air Tour Classics
Ball- Titleist Pro V1

Jbuck, welcome to the forum.
Did the past two weekends get you back into the mood of playing more often?
When you get a chance, if you want, let us know where you live.
BTW, TM Rossa putters are nice............& you're using the right ball.

Well last weekend I played decent for not playing in about 2 years. Of course my game was only at about 60% but I felt good swinging the club. But this past weekend was not very fun at all. It's like I forgot how to swing the club, I was 0/9 for hitting the fairways. I should also mention that I was using my original Nike driver because the Taylor Made doesn't come in until Wednesday.

Only thing that is holding me back from playing is I am away at college and there aren't any courses around. Next Thursday I will be playing in a tournament here at my school, only $3 for 9 holes so hopefully I will be back in the swing of things. Ohh and I am from the Rochester, NY area.

Jimmy,
Thanks for the information. BTW, TM Tour Burners with Fuji shafts are great. One thing you have going for you, at least for right now, is the 0/9 for fairways. None of us are that consistant.
What is your major?

I really hope to play 2-3 times a week during the summer and join back at the CC I used to belong to. It's nice because the course is about 1/2 mile away from my house. Currently going to school for Technology Management, and will be receiving my B.B.A. in May of 10'

Welcome Jimmy. How long have you had the Affinity irons? How are they working for you?

Ohh man I picked up the complete Affinity golf set in......I think the end of 8th grade and I am now finishing my third year of college. The irons hit well for what they are, I have no complaints for what I payed. I've slowly been replacing the equipment that cam with the set such as the driver, wedges, and the putter.
I might consider replacing the irons next year with something better, but we'll see when the time comes around.

Welcome to the site Jimmy. Good to have you aboard. Let us know if you have any questions that you feel we may be of some assistance with.

OK, so I'll make this my first post on this forum.

I've post a few reviews on this site over the years but never really hung out on the forum, only checking in anonymously from time to time.

Here's my bag for 09:

Driver: Cleveland Launcher Comp stock stiff shaft with a small piece of lead tape to promote perfect draw.
3w: GBBII YS-6 stiff
7w: GBBII system 60 firm
4iw: Adams a2 NV stiff
5-pw: yonex C280 TT uni flex
SW's: Ping ISI-ni S(52*), S3(57*), L(61*)
Craz-e G2i or one of the 17 others sitting around.
IZZO left hand carry bag.
fj Couture shoes (Dress) Hi-Tec DT storm (casual)
Bridgestone e7+
Current USGA HCP 4.5(but will be going up soon because I posted a few spring rounds in the low 80's)

2under, thanks for joining in. It appears you are a putter collector who addresses the ball from the south side of the tee. You have a great handicap index. Looks like you'll need to do the same as Scott and give me 2 or 3 a side if we ever get to play.
I'm not familiar with Pennsylvania, so what part of the state are you in?
This forum would indicate Pennsylvania has the largest golf population in the nation.