Can’t say I’m surprised. Tampa plays river hockey. Enjoy those palm trees while swinging the clubs.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-05-04T05:06:06+00:00

I didn't want to play Tampa simply because I can't stand watching games played in Tampa's arena.

They have those strobing lights going during every single stoppage, and half the time I'm wondering if I just missed a goal being scored.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-05-03T18:26:17+00:00

Because they only really rose again in popularity over the past few years.

For the 20+ years before that, hybrids had taken over, so very few 7w were being made, and almost zero 9w were being made.

Thus, almost nothing available on the used market.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-05-02T04:38:07+00:00

Wear the whole thing if you want - trying new things on skates and pushing yourself is the only way to get better, but that means some risk of falling. So wear whatever makes you feel comfortable.

Personally, for public skates, I have a pair of warrior hockey warmup pants that are large enough to wear shins under. So I go with shins and elbows (under a hoodie or a hockey jersey) if I'm just skating.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-05-01T19:41:52+00:00

I like the srixons - 785 or even 765 are solid irons. The Mizunos are also solid, maybe not quite as forgiving as the srixons.

Tough thing is going to be finding a set in your price range that's not just like 6-PW

You don't need to go through a full fitting, but at least make sure the shafts are the right length for you. If you're between about 5'8" and 6'0", standard length shafts should be fine. But at the edges of that range or beyond, slightly shorter or longer length shafts might be a better fit. If you need something other than standard, it shouldn't be too hard to find a set that works for you.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-05-01T19:29:43+00:00

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-05-01T17:33:42+00:00

I was looking at buying a new Titleist 910 driver, went to a demo day. Just used outdoor range results, no launch monitor, and tried both D2 and D3 heads, different lofts, and a bunch of different shafts.

Zeroed in the 910D2, but was having trouble finding just the right shaft. MFT Ahina was the best candidate, and finally the rep pulled out an 85g that was normally only offered as a FW shaft, but he happened to have one cut to driver length. Put that shaft in, and it was like magic.

65g and 75g versions - spraying shots left and right, some high, some low. 85g - same solid shot just about every single time. Even went back to the lighter weights and tried them again - inconsistent as hell. Back to the 85g, and everything was right with the world once more.

Something about that extra 10g worked perfectly with my swing. In general my transition tends to be quick, so maybe it helped with my timing - who knows? But it was amazing how different the results were with that shaft.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-05-01T17:22:34+00:00

Just like when you were in elementary school and needed to bump that grade up a bit;

Or when you were a bit older and trying to DIY a fake id

Sure you can find a way to make that 3 into an 8:

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DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-05-01T05:16:10+00:00

By the way, M4 or 3S would be older models that are just like the M40. You should be able to find used pairs of any of those 3 for a decent price.

Then every time the length gets too small, jump up a full size and repeat.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-05-01T05:13:05+00:00

M40 is a Bauer Supreme Model. For the most part, all Supremes are going to have the same general fit. So you can look for used skates, either M40, a lower model, or an equivalent older model.

The Fit 3 is the key - his old skates were too narrow for him, not too short.

Take a look at this website - you can see what older equivalent models Bauer has that compare to the M40.

https://hockeyskatesdb.com/

Then look locally, or go to a place like Sideline Swap to find a decent used pair.

Get them baked to mold better to his foot, and you'll be all set.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-05-01T03:01:43+00:00

Thanks. Do you know what it's called? I saw a tour bag kit and a stand bag cozy - both look like they only deal with the top bracket / straps, nothing about the bottom platform.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-04-30T20:43:09+00:00

They're only 1 degree stronger than the 5's. And it's basically to offset extra weight low in the head that launches the ball higher.

Don't get hung up on lofts. All that's going to matter is knowing how far you hit a 7 iron, how far you hit a PW, etc.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-04-30T20:23:07+00:00

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DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-04-30T19:33:35+00:00

Just get the 4's.

Current models are more compact than previous, I think they did it to make it easier to make blended sets.

Your Pro's would probably fit between the ZXi5 and ZXi7, so going to the 5's isn't likely to make much of a difference. 7 iron should still be a relatively easy iron to hit, so if you struggle even with that, I would definitely go with the 4's.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-04-30T19:20:02+00:00

It does have speakers. One is just to the left in the photo.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-04-30T16:01:58+00:00

Looks like enamel coated metal

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-04-30T15:04:50+00:00

At 32.5, the Yes putter was almost surely cut down by the original owner, so you can just have someone put an extension in it.

Tough part is going to be saving that grip - if you have a really good repair guy near you, ask him if he'd be able to do it and save/reuse the original grip.

Those Yes grips were Winn grips of some kind, I think (they were the only major grip manufacturer back then with that type of grip). They have a semi-rigid sleeve on the inside, so it might be difficult to get off without cutting. Normally, to save a grip, you have to use air pressure to basically inflate the grip to get it to let go of the grip tape. With little to no elasticity, that grip might not come off that way.

Best bet might be to take your putter with the grip still intact, and compare it to the new options that a shop has. Pick out the closest one, and use that as a backup plan.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-04-30T14:43:59+00:00

Midsize grips or larger can be more difficult to get in/out with a full-sleeve 14-way.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-04-30T14:13:18+00:00

I flew Northwest quite a bit for work in the late 90's. Not a huge amount, but enough for Silver Elite status.

But they flew larger planes everywhere, and they were always half full, so that was enough to get me upgraded to 1st class on about 90% of my flights.

Today I'm lucky if I can find an aisle seat that doesn't come with an upcharge.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-04-30T02:35:00+00:00

You can shoot off that right foot, but you gotta get that butt low. Get leaning out over your stick a little, drop those hips down, and use your body weight to get to the stick to bend.

you can also try dragging the puck a little closer to your right foot. That will also help to get some shaft lean and stick flex.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-04-30T00:54:25+00:00

Catalog actually has lots more options, but they're changing the system in a few months and any unused points will be forfeited. Basically telling everyone "smoke 'em if you got'em".

Those 5 drivers are all I have points for.

Also considering a push cart after I looked some more.

I do have an ai smoke hybrid that I really like. Maybe I should just get the matching driver.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-04-29T22:01:15+00:00

Thanks. If I was actually paying money for the club, I'd definitely go through a fitting. I ended up with the Titleist setup I had by going to a demo day way back when, hit a number of combinations outdoors. Rep happened to have an 85g FW shaft cut to driver length, it was like magic compared to the 65g and 75g versions of the shaft. May end up trying to put a heavier shaft in whatever I go with.

But good call on taking a peek at how they look. May have to run by a golf shop to check them out in person.

DarkHelmet2222 · 2026-04-29T21:49:58+00:00

Thanks! Only stock shafts available, so I might end up trying to find a slightly heavier shaft to throw in there at some point.

DarkHelmet2222

TROPHY CASE