Geek Failsafe II & DCT fairway wood

[Rockford35]

Back from the range. Took a few pics to go along with my initial thoughts.

SS with driver = 107-109mph

DCT 3hree Wood, Aldila VS Proto 80g stiff flex

I'll start with the good, as there is plenty. But, I'm also not going to hold any punches, as that was the purpose of this, correct?


This is a nice looking head. Really suits my eye well. It seems a tad closed, but not enough to make me think that it's a game improvement club. This is extremely important to me, as confidence stems from alot of this. Matched with the VS proto, it looks fierce.

Initially, I found this club very light in comparison to my current gamer. To shed some background, I'm currently bagging a Tour Edge Exotics 13* matched to an Accuflex Evolution 72g stiff, tipped 1.5". I like my shafts on the more stout side. My current driver has a VS Proto 60g, so I was looking for good things from this. It took some time for me to groove this, but I really liked the feel of the shaft (understandably). However, I just couldn't get any distance out of this thing. It was like the face was dead by comparison.

I matched it up head to head against the TEE, but it was no comparison. Obviously, the 13* in the TEE will make somewhat of a difference, but the launch seemed very similar between the two. However, the TEE was carrying what the DCT was totalling. That's a huge difference, one that can't be overlooked.

I think alot of this is the swingweight. Perhaps a heavier head(?) would leave more of a "control" feeling. I felt as though I was losing the head partway on the downswing. This is a definite no-no for me.

I hit some solid balls with this, but really didn't get the distance I was expecting. I would equate this distance wise as the equivalent of my 5 wood (also a TEE). I was hitting it pretty much on the screws (*I'll get to this in a minute) all afternoon, so forgiveness might be an issue I would be guessing a little bit at. I felt solid on balls struck right in the middle, but how much is that offering?

Would I bag this? Yes, if I didn't have the experience with the TEE. Those fairway woods are hard to beat. In my opinion, the best out there, hands down.

Asthetics - 8.5/10
Feel - 7/10
Confidence Inspiring - 8.5/10
Distance - 7/10
Control - 7/10
*Foregiveness - 7.5/10
Overall - 7.5/10


FAIL SAFE II 10.5*, Graman UL780 GD Transtion stiff(?) flex


Unfortunately, I have never been graced with the presence of the great Fail Safe driver. I have, however, had the lucky opportunity to once own a DCT 9* shafted with a UL780 260cpm. So, I do have some experience with the Almo crew.

I like the look of this thing. It has some strange "speed bumps" on the crown, but you don't notice them at address unless you're looking. Maybe they serve a purpose, maybe they don't. Maybe Steve was having a flashback and they ended up on the napkin, who knows. The face seems closed to my eye, again, but nothing worth screaming about.

After the first few swings, I could tell that the shaft was very soft for me. I didn't dig much into this, but is this really a 250cpm? Because it feels really, really soft. That being said, Graman comes to the rescue. I elongated my backswing a little and found th groove. And boy, did I. The FSII launches slightly higher than the DCT from my untrained eye, but the carry is phenomenal. If you catch this thing anywhere in the top 2/3 of the face, it's GONE. I was carrying the fence at the range at about 275 by 15 yards, easy. Slight tailwind (maybe 10km/6mph), but not enough to think it was the old 'steroid jerk'.

The face on this thing is interesting, to say the least. Anytime I hit one low in the face, it was a pull hook. The higher I teed it, the straighter it went. And long. I'm conventionally a lower tee ball guy, but this phenomena had me taking it over the fence 10-12 times in a row, so i think i'm a convert.

This is one solid head. Some issues with the paint starting to wear (see pics), as well as some finish issues on the sole, but that's to be expected from any other driver out there. The paint scheme is awesome - I've always been a fan of it.

I would bag this in a heartbeat.

Asthetics - 9/10
Feel - 9/10
Confidence Inspiring - 8.5/10
Distance - 8.5/10
Control - 8.5/10
*Foregiveness - 9/10
Overall - 8.5/10


Overall, Steve has a couple of winners here. A little more weight in the DCT would make it a spanker. The FSII will be hard to top. Long and straight, what every growing boy needs.

Cheers to Steve Almo at Geek Golf and everyone else that made this testing possible.

R35

[Rockford35]

More pics of the FSII...obviously, this head has been tested before me (hence the sweet "idiot" mark...LOL).

R35

[Adam Pettman]

You do great reviews Rock, I really wish TEE qould launch their clubs over here.

[Slingblade61]

Cheers to Steve Almo at Geek Golf and everyone else that made this testing possible.

........Huh??

[warbirdlover]

More pics of the FSII...obviously, this head has been tested before me (hence the sweet "idiot" mark...LOL).

R35

When did Ez test this?

Great review Rock. Thanks. (And no, I'm not going to buy one all you a**ho*es!!).

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by warbirdlover

When did Ez test this?

Great review Rock. Thanks. (And no, I'm not going to buy one all you a**ho*es!!).

LOL. Nice.

He didn't test this.

R35

[warbirdlover]

I know, I was JK because of the skymark...

[Slingblade61]

Sky mark?

It looks like it was run over by a car!

[clemsonhacker]

man i cant wait to try them out later on..

[Andy299]

Nice review. Would any of you know: Does the Fail Safe II have legal COR?

Thanks Andy

[Augster]

According to the USGA, the Fail Safe 2 is conforming in lofts of 6*, 7.5*, 9*, 10.5*, and 12*.

http://www.usga.org/equipment/confor...ClubList_M.pdf

I didn't even see any Geek stuff on the non-con list. Must not bring it to market if it doesn't get the OK from the USGA.

[Andy299]

Thanks Augster, Andy

[Dave Ireland]

Cheers Rock for the insight ... just one thought has struck me .. have you any explanation as to why the UL 780 played so soft (250 cpm) in the FS2 when it played 260 in the DCT ... is it the bore depth of hosel ?

Having similar SS, you probably find that 260 - 265 cpm would be optimum cpm - I had NV65 @ 260 and Axiv 6568M @ 263 in the TEE, both straight instals @ 45". Would seem like there's a strong case to tip shaft in this head ? .. cheers in advance .. Dave

Oh 1 other thing LOL ... do ya know if the VS proto comes tip prepped .. coz @ 46" it doesn't leave too much margin for error .. thanks again

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by Dave Ireland

Cheers Rock for the insight ... just one thought has struck me .. have you any explanation as to why the UL 780 played so soft (250 cpm) in the FS2 when it played 260 in the DCT ... is it the bore depth of hosel ?

Having similar SS, you probably find that 260 - 265 cpm would be optimum cpm - I had NV65 @ 260 and Axiv 6568M @ 263 in the TEE, both straight instals @ 45". Would seem like there's a strong case to tip shaft in this head ? .. cheers in advance .. Dave

Oh 1 other thing LOL ... do ya know if the VS proto comes tip prepped .. coz @ 46" it doesn't leave too much margin for error .. thanks again

Dave,

If you'll notice, I put some ? marks near the CPM and "stiff" indication of the club. I'm guessing that's what it was, as I don't have a definite answer. The DCT was definitely a 260, I requested it specifically. That's damn near a whole flex difference.

The VS comes 46" unprepped. Just insert and cut to length. No tipping necessary.

Cheers,

R35

[Dave Ireland]

Helpful as always Rock .. thanks again..