Nike Driver or 3W, or reshaft old Ping Eye 2s?

[JoshinWA]

So here is the story. After a 3 year hiatus due to shoulder injury, I am getting back into it. I have played 5-6 times this year, and barring the day that I was tired and shot a terrible 114, I have shot in the low 90s the other times. Most of my problems are related to poor wood-play and getting used to my new Black OZ T100 putter...

My woods are Ping Eye 2s, given to me by Grandpa (1/3/5). They are a bit old, like late-70s/early-80s vintage, so have short, flexy steel shafts. I swing with a 110-115MPH speed, and when I slow it down and hit these on the button I get around 250 carry with the driver, 230 carry with the 3W, 210 carry with the 5W.

My question is this - I have a line on a good price for Sasquatch driver and/or FW woods, but am not sure that I should spend the $$ on new clubs vs. re-shafting the Persimmons... I love the sound of a Persimmon vs. Ti woods, but imagine that the potential distance gains from new clubs are impressive. Can new shafts in these woods buy me much distance, or just accuracy? I can probably re-shaft all 3 for around $200 depending on which shafts I use, or buy a new 3W for the same and later get a driver.

One more thing - when I have borrowed a R540XD with R-flex shaft, I was getting around 270-280 carry when compensate grip for slices due to shaft flex/head torque...

So I know that with a new club and the right shaft, I should be able to get in the 280-300 range, and I am easily able to shape shots with the R540 or my woods...

Sorry for the long post, but this is an important question.

Thanks for the help!

[ProjectX]

I say go new for 2 reasons.

1st, you'll gain alot more from both new shaft and head technology vs. reshafting the Pings.

2nd, simple nostalgia factor. If they were mine, I'd leave them original.

[Rockford35]

After 3 years off, your money will be best spent on lessons.

From there, you can then establish if it's you, or your equipment.

Randomly changing shafts won't buy you a game.

R35

[JoshinWA]

That's kind of what I was thinking too...

Alternatively, a guy at work has a 9.5* TM Burner with S shaft, and a 10.5* T-Zoid with S shaft that he will basically give to me. I am going to go to the range and give them a shot. The TZ feels a bit heavy for my taste, but we will see what I can do with it...

[JoshinWA]

Originally Posted by Rockford35

After 3 years off, your money will be best spent on lessons.

From there, you can then establish if it's you, or your equipment.

Randomly changing shafts won't buy you a game.

R35

I am not hoping to "buy a game". I have a sound swing, and most of my problems are just from lack of practice. I may get a few lessons in the winter, but just from the good contact that I am making, I can tell that practice will get me back to the mid-80's shooter that I was previously. In addition, I am hitting the ball more accurately and longer now than I was 3 years ago. In the round that I played Sunday, using these old Pings, I hit 10 fairways out of 14 that I used D or 3W on, and hit GIR around 50%. However, my putting needs some work, and my overall course management needs work too...

I appreciate the feedback, but I am not one of the "club-ho" types who always have to have the newest gear. I am honestly looking to upgrade my driver or FW woods to catch up with technology that is relatively recent. As for my irons, they are 15 years old, DCI-knock offs, and I am hitting them quite well. So those are not going to change until my game gets better.

[warbirdlover]

Club ho? What's that?

[Bravo]

Hi Josh:

I agree with the lessons; we always encourage that in new or returning players....

Dump the persimmons and don't look back...I wouldn't give it a second thought.

If you are on a tight budget, I would consider taking the R540 to a clubfitter and having it reshafted. For as little as $50 you could get a far superior shaft in comparison with the OEM shaft (which is really cheap/crappy).

If you can afford the Sasquatch and like it - go ahead. Make sure you have hit it quite a bit though..

The fairway wood(metal) market is huge. There are dozens of choices depending on your budget. You could also consider a hybrid as a fairway wood also...

[warbirdlover]

I am not hoping to "buy a game".

Don't take R35 too serious. He's just probably frustrated with me, LOL!!!

[dave.]

I took my old persimmon to my range recently,and nutted it not far short of the Launcher,but.........it was still shorter

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by warbirdlover

Don't take R35 too serious. He's just probably frustrated with me, LOL!!!

Nah. I'm not.

Lessons are just a good start. Anyone can go out and pick up a bag of new sticks, but this isn't going to guarantee success.

Have someone give you some pointers. They should be able to evaluate where you are in terms of your swing and what you should be playing for shafts.

R35

[JoshinWA]

Fair enough. I also think that part of my problem is the loft - I called Ping and got the specs - the Driver is 12degrees, and I certainly don't have any problems getting the ball in the air.

With respect to the 540 - that was on loan, unfortunately, not a gift. I am going to take the Burner and T-Zoid to the range tomorrow and see what I can do with them.

For fairway wood vs. hybrid - I have never hit a hybrid, but know that my angle of attack with the FW woods is a bit much (I usually end up trapping the ball, some sort of mental issue with the "sweeping" motion). Is this something that a hybrid might help with due to smaller sole? I know, I know, lessons...

Lessons will be on the budget for later in the fall/winter. Any suggestion of how to pick a pro? There are a few courses near me in Camas, WA, that have pros and lessons, but not sure how to choose. I have a very repeatable swing, and hit well most of the time. I am hoping that a pro will just be able to give me pointers, not a full overhaul... This is the same swing that once upon a time had me shooting in the 80s...

Thanks!

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by JoshinWA

I am hoping that a pro will just be able to give me pointers, not a full overhaul... This is the same swing that once upon a time had me shooting in the 80s...

Thanks!

Josh,

This is basically what these guys do. They tweak this and that, and quite often it gets you to a point where you say to yourself "Oh, right, this is how I should swing, just like I used to."

Don't be surprised if after the lesson your game sorta nosedives. Obviously, change isn't instant. Just look at Tiger. He sucked (relatively speaking) for a while, but now he's kicking ass, Matt Damon style.

Good luck with the other drivers,

R35

PS....if you're wondering why I brought in Matt Damon there, just watch 40 year old virgin again, you'll see why. LOL...great movie...

[JoshinWA]

I will have to watch 40-yr old virgin again, as I don't get the Matt Damon reference... I though at first maybe it was a "Team America World Police" reference. Also a kick-ass movie.

I appreciate the advice, will likely visit a pro for lessons. For now, want to pick up something that will more-closely match my skills (like a driver that actually goes forward, not really high like my 12* Eye2)...

Will let you know how the T-Z and Burner work out...
Josh

[Rockford35]

Sounds good.

If you hit either of those well, it will be like 9/11 x 1000...

R35

PS....poor timing, I know. My apologies if this offended anyone, that wasn't my intention...

[JoshinWA]

Originally Posted by Rockford35

Sounds good.

If you hit either of those well, it will be like 9/11 x 1000...

R35

PS....poor timing, I know. My apologies if this offended anyone, that wasn't my intention...

That's....

Right - 9-hundred-eleven thousand....

Love TAWP.

Derk-a-derk-a, baka-laka-daka jihad.

No offense meant by me either...