My Year in Review - Part II

The Darrell Survey is an independent company that for the past 70-plus years has been checking the equipment of each golfer at a Tour event, whether it be the PGA Tour, Champions Tour, Nationwide Tour LPGA, European Tour or other professional tournaments. The information is compiled into a weekly report for the various golf equipment companies. They also used to produce a yearly almanac of equipment usage by the pros.

Well, I decided I would do my own Darrell Survey of the equipment that found its way into my golf bag during 2008. What I discovered was, that during the 23.5 regulation and practice rounds I played last year, I used 3 Drivers, 9 Fairway Woods, 6 Hybrids, 3 sets of Irons, 3 Sand or Lob Wedges, 3 Putters and 8 different Golf Balls. Some clubs were in the bag for only one round. Others managed be there for every round.

The Muni Golfer's 2008 Darrel Survey Almanac breaks down as follows:

Drivers:
TaylorMade Burner
TaylorMade R580XD
Wilson Satff Spine
Fairway Woods:
TaylorMade V Steel 3-Wood
TaylorMade r7 3-Wood
TaylorMade Burner 2008 3-Wood
Callaway X 3-Wood
Golfsmith XPC Plus 3-Wood
Orlimar TriMetal 3-Wood
Adams Redline RPM 4-Wood
TaylorMade 300 7-Wood
Dunlop Loco 7-Wood
Hybrids:
Nickent 3DX DC Utility 3+/FW
Nickent 3DX DC Utility 4/FW
Nickent 3DX DC Utility 5/FW
Nickent 3DX DC 4-Hybrid
Nickent 3DX 5-Hybrid
Alpha RX 4-Hybrid
Irons:
TaylorMade r7
TaylorMade 200
Wilson Staff Di7
TaylorMade CGB Max 4-Iron
Sand and Lob Wedges:
Solus 4.1 53-Degrees
Solus 4.1 56-Degrees
Solus 4.1 59-Degrees
Putters:
Odyssey White Hot XG #9
Never Compromise Z/I Omega
Carbite B4
Golf Balls:
Maxfli Revolution
Maxfli Fire
Maxfli Fire Tour
Maxfli Noodle
TaylorMade Burner
TaylorMade Burner TP
Bridgestone e6+
Wilson Staff 50

Bridgestone's New e6+ Rates an A+

I have just completed my testing and survey of Bridgetsone's new e6+ golf ball for the PGA Tour Partners Club. Named to Golf Digest's 2008 Hot List, the e6+ has a suggested MSRP of $38 and retails on The Golf Warehouse, Golf Galaxy and Dick's Sporting Goods for about $24.99 a dozen.

According to Bridgestone, the ball's features include:

• A multi-layer design with innovative anti-spin/extra velocity inner cover
• Is engineered for players seeking a straighter ball flight with longer carry distance and roll
• Has an enhanced low compression design
• Provides an extra soft feel on all shots and a smooth roll off the putter
• 330 Seamless dimple design

Although I normally play a Maxfli golf ball -- either the Fire, Black Max or Noodle, I played my first two rounds this season with the e6+. While it was comparable to current golf ball, I found that it lived up to its billing by providing exceptional distance and a nice soft feel around the greens and off the putter. It definitely felt like I was playing with a higher-priced, premium golf ball. I think both low- and high-handicappers would benefit from using this golf ball. The only negative thing I can say is that I noticed it seemed to scuff just a bit when I hit it off my sand or lob wedge. But overall, I give the Bridgestone e6+ a good rating. The e6+ is an A+.

Calendar Said May, Weather Said March

Juniata Golf Club
Philadelphia, Pa
Yards: 4805, Par: 66
Rating: 63.2, Slope: 106
Score: 49/44 = 93
Date: May 11, 2008

Better late than never. I finally played my first official full round of 18 holes this season at Juniata Golf Club. The weather was more like March than May, very cool and very windy, making club selection and shots extremely difficult. I tried to play some knock down shots that I'm just not accustomed to yet, but will come as I play more often. My tee shots were somewhat disappointing; several tee shots with my driver went straight right, while several tee shots with my 3-Wood were pull hooks. And the wind was a big factor, often knocking shots down or off line. I was able to make some adjustments on the back nine. I also lost three balls today; two on shots that should have been easy to find. I did make two pars -- at the Par 4 3rd and the Par 4 14th -- and had a few more par putts that wouldn't drop. My ball striking wasn't the best, but that's because I haven't been playing much. My putting was pretty solid; several times I had the right line, just not the right speed to get the ball all the way to the hole.

I also played in a foursome for the second time this season. I met up with Wes and Trevor on the first tee and they invited me to join them , and we invited Ron -- who was teeing off alone on Hole #3 -- to join us as we played Hole #4. We got along great and had a really good time.

I played the first nine holes with the new Bridgestone e6+ golf ball that I am testing as part of the PGA Tour Partners Club. I will be sending them my review this week and I will also be posting a review here, so stay tuned.

I also feel the need to comment on Juniata Golf Club. It is evident that they are working hard to improve the course. As I mentioned last time, one of the bridges over the Frankford/Tookany Creek had been repainted and an astroturf walkway had been laid in the middle for golfers who walk, while a new cart path had been added at the end of the bridge. Yesterday, I noticed there were new signs and new benches (with advertising) at just about every hole. Small changes that are adding up to a nice new makeover for the course. My compliments to Bob Wheeler and the staff at Juniata.

The Season's First Nine

Juniata Golf Club
Philadelphia, Pa
Yards: 4805, Par: 66
Rating: 63.2, Slope: 106
Score: Practice Round
Date: April 19, 2008

I finally got out to the course for my first practice round of the season. The weather was beautiful; a warm, sunny day with a bit of wind. I played the front nine only since I didn't want to overdo the first time out. I carried 16 clubs in my bag since I picked up some new ones over the winter and wanted to test them out. I carried my two new Nickent hybrids which I picked up at the Victory Golf Show, a Solus sand wedge I bought at Golf Galaxy's TaylorMade-adidas night and a Dunlop Loco 7-Wood I bought at Walmart. I also played the new Bridgestone e6+ golf ball that I was sent to test as part of my membership in the PGA Tour Partners Club.

This was the first time I had played at Juniata Golf Club since it became independent from the Fairmount Park Commission. The conditions were surprisingly good and you could see visible evidence that they are working hard on making the course attractive. A new, larger office has been built in the clubhouse and you could see that further renovations were underway. The bridge over the Frankford Creek between holes 9 and 17 had been painted and a path of astroturf had been placed in the middle of the bridge to make it easier for walkers. Some tee boxes had been closed off to allow grass to regrow and the bunkers were filled with playable sand.

As for my game, I tended to strike the ball better than I thought I would, although I did tend to slightly thin some early tee shots. Those turned into pulls or hooks later in the round. My short game was fair, but touch around the green is always one of the last things to round into shape, and my putting was pretty consistent. I made two pars and only had one really bad hole--the uphill 6th, where I thinned a wedge well over the green on my third shot and ended up making a 7.

Overall, I was satisfied. It was good to once again be out walking the fairways, swinging my golf clubs, although my body is feeling it a bit today. I met up with three guys on the first tee--Mark, Ruben and Ken--and we all had a great time playing as a foursome. A couple of more practice rounds and a trips to the practice range and I'll be ready to go.

A Test to Look Forward to and Something Heavy

The Muni Golfer is a member of the PGA Tour Partners Club and one of the perks of membership is being called on test different equipment from time-to-time. Yesterday, I received my latest test assignment: Bridgestone's new e6+ golf balls. As a tester, you are asked to play or use the assigned equipment as soon as possible, weather permitting. Once you have done that, you fill out a Product Test Report form, giving your review of this product. Using these reports from fellow testers, the product is later reviewed in the PGA Tour Partners magazine. I will give you an advanced peek of my review once my testing is complete.

I have also order the Power Hitter Driver from Momentus Golf. It is a hittable weighted practice driver that helps you obtain distance and accuracy off the tee. I order the 275 model, which has a 275 gram club head, combined with a 200 gram shaft. This model is designed for golfers with a club head speed between 85-110 mph. The Power Hitter is endorsed by Long Driving Champion Sean "The Beast" Fister, and is used on the practice range by a number of Tour Pros, most notably Vijay Singh. The Power Hitter also comes with a an instructional DVD, as well as a DVD of driving tips from Fister. As a bonus, Momentus is including the Short Game Wizard lob wedge, which has a 175 gram shaft and is designed to help you develop touch, control and accuracy with your wedges, bunker shots and short game. And they are legal to play with! While I probably replace my current Solus wedges with the Short Game Wizard, I will use it for practice.

In addition to the Power Hitter, I also ordered Momentus Golf's EEZ-READ, a small device that can be used to read the break on the greens. According to Momentus Golf's Web site, EEZ-READ is "a high accuracy 'bubble level' attached to a watchmaker's grade stainless steel disc that's sturdy enough to provide a quick reading of the green's contours, yet lightweight enough to carry in your pocket during play. It is intended to help golfers on putts with subtle or confusing breaks and works best on putts within 20 feet of the hole." While it is illegal to use in competition or in posted rounds, it will again be a help during practice rounds.