Login  | |
|
the whole kit and caboodle - 09/06/08 8:05:45 AM
|
|
|
garygolf
Posts: 2313
Joined: 08/01/04
From: Southern Mass.
Status: online
|
Not certain if the phrase kit and caboodle is a New England expression or used throughout the US and Canada. The phase refers to a collection of items.
I have been collecting ‘the whole kit and caboodle” for several months and finally decided to turn the inventory into golf clubs. The following is the inventory of the new stuff that will be included in this review:
1. Innovex Type S irons 4 – PW
2. Innovex Wedges 50, 54 and 58 degree (have, but have not built the 62 degree)
3. True temper GS 75 shafts (r flex)
4. FST Hi-Rev wedge shafts
5. True length technology (TLT) series 6 fitting
The irons and wedges are built to a TLT series 6 standards. I adjusted the lie angle on most of the irons and wedges and assembled the clubs as described in the series 6 guideline. When complete the swing weight on the clubs is progressive (similar to MOI matching I believe). Most clubs have a .5 SW difference between clubs, the exception is the wedges which are built to the same length and have a D6 SW. Building to a TLT model requires a bit more work and I am anxious to see how the technology will work.
The TT GS 75 shafts are very nice. The performance is very good, feel is superb and a nice ball flight. I tend to be more of a sweeper rather than a digger with my golf swing. With the thin wall construction of these shafts I would be concerned about durability for people who take very large divots. I am very pleased with these shafts; they perform and feel as good as Nippon shafts (IMO). For comparison review the weight differences for three clubs:
• Six iron with GS 75 = 393G (Innovex Type S)
• Six iron with Flighted rifle = 414G (Mactec)
• Six iron with graphite = 385G (Top Flite Tour, 70G shafts)
The FST wedge shafts are new to me and I have no point of reference since they are matched to a new wedge (Innovex). What I can offer is during a round on Friday my wedge play was very good, all shots checked very well (even out of bunkers) and distance control was easy. My belief is these shafts offer the usual exceptional quality offered by FST and seems to be very stable and provide manageable ball flight.
Results
I played a round on Friday, the course distance was around 6500 yards and I shot 90 for the round with 44 putts (did I mention I am not very good at golf). My feeling was I played a solid round but did not score well. The bag consisted of the following clubs (fifteen clubs for this round)
• Driver: Bridgestone J33 (Icon Lite) and Alpha V5LXI with creation
• Innovex 4 wood
• Alpha V5 hybrid (19 degree)
• Innovex 4 –PW
• Innovex 50,54 and 58 degree wedges
• Ping Craz-E putter
The Innovex irons built with TLT precision performed better than I expected. My iron play throughout the round was crisp, accurate and repeatable. From 160 yards (and closer) I knew which club to hit and was certain my distance control would be very good (except for occasional alignment errors and two snap hooks). The Innovex irons despite having a wide sole played very well offering very good feel, feedback and trajectory. I was able to play any shot type and be certain about good results. The Innovex wedges were phenomenal, coming out of the sand with spin, always having two hop and stop performance from any lie and always knowing which wedge to hit. On the fifteenth hole a 355 yard par four, I hit the bridgestone driver down the left side (low line drive with top spin) of the fairway to 85 yards (270 yard drive is huge for me), used the 58 degree wedge (full swing) landed the ball a yard beyond the flag and the ball stopped 7 feet from the cup. A two putt for par (sometimes the game is easy).
Although I was able to hit the 4 and 5 irons to the proper distances I think for the next round I will remove these two clubs and insert a 5 hybrid. This will offer better versatility and bring my club total down to 14 clubs.
I am very pleased with the performance and consistency of the Innovex irons built to TLT standards.
Great iron performance with exceptional feel, accuracy and distance control. The TLT system also appears to be a winner in adding consistency and repeatability.
This is an example of buying high quality components and producing something exceptional from the sum of the components.
This is why club building is a rewarding hobby. 
_____________________________
Alpha V5 LX 10 matrix 6
MOI Darkside 10.5 VFI shaft
Alpha V5 5 + 7 FW's
Alpha V5 3 + 5 hybrids
Alpha RX pro 6 - PW
Alpha PF-2 52 + 56
Cleveland VP
|
|
|
|
|
RE: the whole kit and caboodle - 09/07/08 7:50:08 AM
|
|
|
scotts33
Posts: 6681
Joined: 07/25/01
From: Madison, WI
Status: online
|
God to hear of your experience gg.
TLT is the way to go! My experiences are the same.
How do you like the Innovex irons?
_____________________________
Scott
|
|
|
|
|
RE: the whole kit and caboodle - 09/08/08 3:48:48 AM
|
|
|
garygolf
Posts: 2313
Joined: 08/01/04
From: Southern Mass.
Status: online
|
quote:
ORIGINAL: scotts33
God to hear of your experience gg.
TLT is the way to go! My experiences are the same.
How do you like the Innovex irons?
As stated the Innovex irons performed better than I expected. Very nice game improvement design that offers good feel and distance. These irons work better for me than many higher priced component and OEM irons. The wedges are money, at a component cost of around $20.00 per head they were a huge surprise. Great spin, easy to check up and very easy distance control. These wedges can easily become my goto wedges replacing Eidilon and Alpha..
The TLT fitting process may be a huge influencer on the overall experience, but this is a rewarding experiment and my biggest surprise for 2008.
TLT and Innovex are a great combination.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: the whole kit and caboodle - 09/09/08 9:18:25 AM
|
|
|
Superslew
Posts: 3040
Joined: 09/02/04
From: SW of Bluejays, NE of Tigers
Status: offline
|
Nice write-up Gary! Hit 'em well!
_____________________________
Curses, foiled again!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: the whole kit and caboodle - 09/24/08 6:42:52 AM
|
|
|
Rory
Posts: 10,000+
Joined: 12/13/01
From: Château de Pigfart
Status: offline
|
Great review Gary!
Glad to see success with them and the TLT!
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
Support our Sponsors:
MyClubMaker.com - Shop everyone then shop us. We guarantee we will meet or beat any price.
My Ostrich Golf - When it comes to golf, we don't have our heads in the sand!
ActiveGolf.com - Book tee times online at top courses around the country.
Value Golf - Selling you components at rock bottom prices.
Solid Rock Golf - Building your game on a solid foundation.
Infiniti Golf - The best fit for your game.
|
Printable Version
... 
Facebook 
Twitter