What’s in the bag for 2024? It’s a brand new day with a much different set of clubs. Why did I decide on the set combination, flex and options I went with. Let’s take a look.
I’ve only had a few sets of clubs in my life.
At first, I couldn’t afford to change often.
Then when I did change it took me some time to adapt to the new stuff.
Later on in my 50’s, I bought my “retirement” clubs and immediately replaced the driver, 3 wood, 5 wood, 3 hybrid, 4 hybrid and putter. That’s what I get for not taking the time for a proper fitting.
This time was different and I spent about 4 hours hitting balls with lots of different clubs over two days.
I’m going on 71 and my word for the day after that was “Tylenol.”
New Clubs 2024 – What’s in the bag
As I said, I’m not much for changing clubs. So, this was a big deal.
Initially, I did not take my clubs along. That was a mistake. The 2nd day, I brought along my old clubs.
Why is that important?
It’s important to compare your old club distance with anything you are trying.
The fitter will also have some sort of idea about what you were playing and what you might be talking about during the fitting.
I started out trying all kinds of “senior” or “senior flex” type stuff and did not like that for several reasons.
I took a look at the distance I was hitting the new clubs. Then, I told the fitter that it made no sense for me to buy new clubs that went the same distance.
So, we started over again and I hit a ton of balls the 2nd day.
Here is what I ended up with. I can hit them 10 to 15 yards farther.
Driver – 9 degrees Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX
••adjustable perimeter weighting
3 Wood – 15 degrees Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX
••Driver & 3 have an adjustable hosel
5 Wood – 18 degrees Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX
7 Wood – 21 degrees Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX
9 Wood – 24 degrees Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke MAX
••The 5,7, and 9 woods are not adjustable.
6 – 25 degrees Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke
7 – 28 degrees Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke
8 – 32 degrees Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke
9 – 37 degrees Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke
PW – 42 bent to 43 degrees Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke
Left out the AW
GW – 50 bent to 49 degrees Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke
SW – 54 degree Vokey SM 10 -12D
LW – 58 degree Vokey SM10 -12D
Putter – kept the Odyssey Tri-Hot 5k Double Wide (2023)
Shafts
There is a Tensei AV Series 55 in the driver and 3 wood.
The 5, 7, and 9 wood have a Project X Cypher 50 5.5 shaft.
The Irons have Dynamic Gold Mid 115 shafts.
The Vokey wedges have a SM10 Wedge Flex Dynamic Gold S200 shaft.
Why Callaway and Vokey
I wanted adjustability and options.
There are a couple brands that are known as or reviewed as “rocket ships.”
Callaway and Cobra are in that category.
Cobra doesn’t offer a 9 wood.
So, after looking at them in the store and lots of online research, I chose Callaway. I almost went all in on Paradym last year.
Vokey wedges offer the most options. By that I mean different loft, bounce and grind choices.
Old Clubs 2005 – What was in the bag
Driver – 9.5 degrees Titleist 983
3 Wood – 15 degrees TaylorMade V-Steel
5 Wood – 18 degrees TaylorMade V-Steel
3 Hybrid – 19 degrees TaylorMade Burner
4 Hybrid – 22 degrees TaylorMade Burner
5 – 26 degrees TaylorMade RAC OS
6 – 29 degrees TaylorMade RAC OS
7 – 33 degrees TaylorMade RAC OS
8 – 37 degrees TaylorMade RAC OS
9 – 41 degrees TaylorMade RAC OS
PW – 45 degrees TaylorMade RAC OS
GW – 50 degrees Ben Hogan
SW – 55 degrees TaylorMade RAC OS
LW – 60 degrees TaylorMade RAC OS
Putter – Odyssey Tri-Hot 5k Double Wide
Conclusion
The senior flex stuff thru off my balance, timing and tempo. I couldn’t hit them.
Light clubs with high ball flight wasn’t the answer. I don’t have a problem with trajectory or stopping the ball on the green.
Here is the issue with my old clubs. As I’ve gotten older, my gapping at the top end was too close.
I could almost throw out the driver and 3 wood. My old 5 wood was my best club off the tee. I didn’t like the hybrids and was inconsistent with them.
So, what’s in the bag now allows me to gain distance with every club down to Pitching Wedge.
The GW, SW and LW are pretty similar to what I had before.
Why the gain in distance?
There are three new advantages.
One – The wood shafts are longer by quite a bit. Example: The driver is an inch longer.
Two – Almost all the irons are around 4 to 5 degrees stronger loft.
Three – The Callaway clubs all have Ai Smart Face design. That is the creation of sweet spots across the entire face.
So, what’s the bottom line.
Here are some yardage examples:
Driver
Old 203
New 228
5 Wood
Old 185
New 195
7 Iron
Old 120
New 135
I think there could be more improvement over time.
I’m going to have to work out the correct average yardage for the new clubs. Example: I hit the new 7 iron 140+ a couple times.
Here is my initial feeling.
I have been hitting a driver on a 200 yard par 3.
I was not happy about that.
Now, I can hit a 3 wood or maybe even a 5 wood.
What is really important is that I can hit all the new clubs pretty well and the gapping seems reasonable.
Notes
I don’t normally recommend specific businesses, but in this case I think it’s helpful.
• If you are in the Madison, WI area consider getting your clubs at Nevada Bob’s Madison near West Towne Mall.
They take trade ins as well. I received a very fair price for the clubs I traded in.
For club fitting, I would recommend asking for Jimmy. He is very patient, knowledgeable and a good golfer himself.
In addition, Dave in club repair is a great guy, helpful and has the answers you need.
• Another place in the Madison metro that is a great golf shop is the Golf Galaxy Performance Center in Middleton.
It’s the “everything golf” store and they most likely have what you want in stock..