- Sep 23, 2004
- 2,822
- 3
Earlier this year I came to the conclusion that my 19* Sonartec MD just wasn't right for me. I hit it solid when the swing was 'on' but it didn't offer much forgiveness when my swing was 'off'. So, the search for a replacement began. I did my due diligence in narrowing down the list and I was ready to pull the trigger on either the Nickent or the Adam Idea Pro but something inside just kept coming back to the new Bridgestone (one that I never could demo because local stores don't stock it). The center channel, ala the Sonartec, appealed to me and I absolutely love my J33 3W so I took a leap of faith...
I ordered the 19* 2h with an Aldila VS Proto 80 hybrid shaft ($40 upcharge). It arrived yesterday and I took my first swings with it within seconds of walking in the shop. A few "warm-up" swings and then some ball action. Three stikes and all three found the sweetspot. This club felt GREAT and that's all that I needed to feel in the shop; off to the driving I went.
I had gone to the range earlier in the day,after picking up my PCTs that had just been reshafted with TT Black Golds (that review to follow),and I wasn't swinging the clubs that well at all but I just HAD to see what the GC could do. After warming up again I found that I was swinging much better than earlier in the day and so it was time to take out the GC! The range had a brutal headwind (a solid 2-2.5 club wind) but I was able to take dead aim at the 180yd flag. The GC flat-out performed from the first swing. Simply piercing flight that just jumped off the face; very solid feel. The ball flight was a little higher than the Sonartec but it managed to just cut through the wind.
This club is extremely consistent; it just went dead straight! Im not sure if the clubhead or the VS Proto is to thank for the consistency but this combo just repeats itself with every strike. The VS Proto feels very stable and has plenty of kick into the ball.
The appearance of the club at address is inspiring. I would say that it is a little more wood-like than iron-like though (which is exactly what I was looking for to fill this spot in my bag). The face is shorter, shallower, and a little longer front-back than the Md. The top is two-toned like the Idea Pro and the stainless steel face transitions into the matte black top in a manner that forms a thin topline like appearance, aiding in setting up square to the ball. Like the J33, there is no alignment aid on the top (that's a plus in my book).
One range session surely does not tell the whole story but this club is off to a VERY GOOD start. Tomorrow I'll be taking the club out on to the course for the first time. Once again Bridgestone has brought a solid offering to the market and, once again, I fear that it will somewhat fall by the waste side because of lack of shelf space. I'm already convinced that, given a chance in any shop, this club would absolutely be a top selling hybrid.
Btw, I'll be getting pics up later today but for those that have no idea of what this club looks like...
Bridgestone Mens Gravity Chamber Hybrid Woods
(take the "product tour")
I ordered the 19* 2h with an Aldila VS Proto 80 hybrid shaft ($40 upcharge). It arrived yesterday and I took my first swings with it within seconds of walking in the shop. A few "warm-up" swings and then some ball action. Three stikes and all three found the sweetspot. This club felt GREAT and that's all that I needed to feel in the shop; off to the driving I went.
I had gone to the range earlier in the day,after picking up my PCTs that had just been reshafted with TT Black Golds (that review to follow),and I wasn't swinging the clubs that well at all but I just HAD to see what the GC could do. After warming up again I found that I was swinging much better than earlier in the day and so it was time to take out the GC! The range had a brutal headwind (a solid 2-2.5 club wind) but I was able to take dead aim at the 180yd flag. The GC flat-out performed from the first swing. Simply piercing flight that just jumped off the face; very solid feel. The ball flight was a little higher than the Sonartec but it managed to just cut through the wind.
This club is extremely consistent; it just went dead straight! Im not sure if the clubhead or the VS Proto is to thank for the consistency but this combo just repeats itself with every strike. The VS Proto feels very stable and has plenty of kick into the ball.
The appearance of the club at address is inspiring. I would say that it is a little more wood-like than iron-like though (which is exactly what I was looking for to fill this spot in my bag). The face is shorter, shallower, and a little longer front-back than the Md. The top is two-toned like the Idea Pro and the stainless steel face transitions into the matte black top in a manner that forms a thin topline like appearance, aiding in setting up square to the ball. Like the J33, there is no alignment aid on the top (that's a plus in my book).
One range session surely does not tell the whole story but this club is off to a VERY GOOD start. Tomorrow I'll be taking the club out on to the course for the first time. Once again Bridgestone has brought a solid offering to the market and, once again, I fear that it will somewhat fall by the waste side because of lack of shelf space. I'm already convinced that, given a chance in any shop, this club would absolutely be a top selling hybrid.
Btw, I'll be getting pics up later today but for those that have no idea of what this club looks like...
Bridgestone Mens Gravity Chamber Hybrid Woods
(take the "product tour")
.
United States
