So here is what $6,000 will buy you this year. Will it help your game? It should, but there is no guarantee and maybe I should take that money and invest it in the stock market, or put a down payment on a new home or perhaps just spend it on new golf lessons.
Let us know what your dream bag would look like.
Driver: Titlest 913 D2 Driver
Configuration: Right Hand , 9.5 Loft, Diamana S+ Blue 62 Stiff Shaft
MSRP: $399.99
Reason:
This driver was long last year and it is even longer this year. In addition to it being long it is also very forgiving for a Titleist driver. The traditional pear head shape and set up makes it easier to work the ball and the adjustability allows you tune this driver to your swing.
I've always like Titleist drivers and this one in a great blend of playabilty and forgiveness.
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade RocketBallz Stage 2 Tour TP Driver
Configuration: Right Hand , 3Wood-14.5 Degrees, Stiff Shaft
MSRP: $379.99
Reason:
There is no question the RocketBallz fairway woods was the most popular fairway wood last year and it was not because of the funny name and white club head. If it is even possible, the new 2013 RBZ stage 2 fairway is 10 yards longer than last years as TaylorMade claims. Yes TaylorMade is a hype machine and their marketing department could probably sell a 1 iron blade to a 25 handicapper but the results speak for themselves. This fairway is LONG and if you're like me not really long off the tee" it's nice to know you have a club in the bag that can give you a fighters chance in reaching those 550 yard par 5's in 2.
I normally hit a very high ball so the "Tour -TP" model with the CG moved more forward and the upgraded shaft will help me hit shots with a more boring trajectory. Additionally, the tour model is adjustable a can be even more fine tuned to your own swing.
Hybrid: Adams Idea Super LS Hybrid
Configuration: Right Hand , 17 Degrees Loft Stiff Shaft
MSRP: $299.99
Reason:
Adams continues to be the leader in Hybrid technology and the Idea Super LS Hybrid continues that tradition. Even though TaylorMade made a lot of noise with their "Speed Pocket" technology, it was Adams that originally invented this as this is their second generation of what they call "Velocity Slot Technology". The titanium face and crown, combined with a stainless steel sole, and the VST incorporated in both the crown and sole creates the hottest Adams Hybrid ever. From the maker of the #1 hybrid on the PGA Tour, that right there is good enough for me.
Iron Set: Mizuno MP 59 Forged Irons
Configuration: Right Hand ,3-PW, Dynamic Gold S300 Stiff Shafts
MSRP: $999.99
Reason:
If you've never hit a forged club before do yourself a favor and hit these irons. Mizuno has always been know for their forging process on their irons and with the MP 59 they taken this up another level. I don't know how they are able to do it but with these irons, Mizuno was able to forge a titanium insert into the cavity muscle of the MP 59 to produce a 5% larger sweet spot compared to the MP 58 model.
The lightweight titanium allows for the ideal amount of thickness behind the impact area to deliver a consistent solid feel while still providing increased perimeter weighting for enhanced playability.
So this is a "Players" iron that because of the titanium - muscle forging, is more forgiving than most other forged MP irons that Mizuno currently makes. Yes, the price is high, but you are getting the ground-breaking technology in a beautiful set of irons.
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX Wedges
Configuration: Right Hand ,56, 60 degrees
MSRP: $119.99 per wedge
Reason:
I've always been a fan of Cleveland wedges and obviously I am not alone because Cleveland wedges continue to be the #1 wedge in golf. May favorite wedge by Cleveland were the CG 15 wedges which were discontinued several years ago. These new 588 RTX wedges were inspired by the CG 15 and then taken to the next level. The biggest difference is in the grooves which are 16% larger and the club face with the new RTX technology. Both designed to increase surface roughness and friction to produce more spin and control around the greens.
Wedges may not be as sexy as a new driver or putter but in terms of importance to your game and lowering your scores they can't be beat.
Putter: Titlest Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Putter
Configuration: Right Hand , 35 Inches
MSRP: $349.99
Reason:
To me how a putter looks is just as important to how it performs. If you like the way it looks and it gives you confidence then you are more likely to make a confident stroke and make more putts. Because of this I am going with the new Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 putter. It is by far the prettiest putter on the market with the nice lines and dark finish but also the precision milled stainless steel head provides great feel.
The blade design and plumb neck helps me aim and square the putter face easier and I feel confident over the ball which produces better putter strokes.
Bag: Sun Mountain Three Five Stand Bag
Configuration: Charcoal/Black/Red
MSRP: $189.99
Reason:
As long as I am able to I will always walk the course over taking a golf cart. I will even go so far to pay the cart rate as long as I able to walk. With that, it is important to have a bag that is made for walking - something lightweight, with plenty of storage and comfortable. The Sun Mountain Three Five meets those needs for me. As the name suggests, the bag weighs just 3.5 pounds and has an EZ fit dual strap system for easy carrying and comfort and enough storage pockets to meet my needs. It is also available in several colors sure to meet most golfers styles.
Cart: Stewart X7 Lithium Electric Push Cart
Configuration: Black
MSRP: $2,299.99
Reason:
We did say price was not a factor so we are opting to go with the Rolls Royce of electic push carts. Stewart Golf Carts have set the high quality and design standard for electric push carts in the UK for years and has recently brought their carts to the US market. Now with just a click of a remote you can still walk the course and have your golf bag travel in style right beside you.
Shoes: adidas Adizero Tour Golf Shoes
Configuration: Black/White
MSRP: $179.99
Reason:
Had a chance to try on a pair of these last week and all I can say is WOW!. These have got to be the lightest, most comfortable traditional looking golf shoes on the market today. As a course walker I am always looking for a shoe that is comfortable to walk in yet provides the protection and support where needed. This shoe seems to have that. It also looks like a traditional golf shoe and not like a tennis shoe or boat shoe. It has regular cleats that even in the wettest of conditions will still not slip.
Balls: Bridgestone B330
Configuration:RX-S
MSRP: $45.99
Reason:
No I don't have a PGA Tour level swing speed but I still want the performance and control around the greens that the Pro's balls have. The RX-S is perfect for my swing speed which is at about 100 MPH. It has a re-engineered mantle for reduced spin off the driver and a soft urethane cover for extra green side spin. I haven't tried the new Pro V1's yet
GPS/Rangefinder: Bushnell Pro 1M
Configuration: Slope Edition
MSRP: $599.99
Reason:
The 1M stands for 1 mile ranging capabilities but I hope I don't need to use on the golf course for that much distance. More than likely the up to 500 yards to a flag ranging capability will be the most useful. This is the top of the line golf rangefinder out there and is the unit that most golf professionals and their caddies use.
