WHAT'S IN THE BAG?
By Cody Sowa, Certified Coach, GolfTEC Golden
Golf clubs change technology and styles almost as fast as the computer industry. Every few months there is something new and improved that claims to fix your ball flight. Most of the equipment in my bag is from my early college days—due to the fact that my ball flight errors are caused by my swing and lack of practice, not the clubs. There is some truth in that the newer technology helps correct ball flights, but they can be damaging to a person’s swing if used as a crutch.
Driver: I’m playing a Cleveland Launcher 460 Comp that I bought in 2004. There is a ½ inch piece of lead tape on the heel to promote a "draw." I have considered re-shafting it, but I like the launch angle and kick points that the stock Stiff flex shaft provides. I have re-gripped it four times with the Golf Pride ½ cord grips that are two different colors. I like the cord on the lower half of the grip for my right hand that does not have a glove and the top half is cordless which keeps my glove from getting torn up.
Fairway Woods: I play a TaylorMade R7 draw 15-degree 3-wood with the stock Stiff flex shaft. There isn’t too much that makes this club stand out besides the fact that I love the way it feels coming off the face. It is my "go-to-club" for high-pressure tee shots that need to stay in the fairway.
Hybrid: I just bought a TaylorMade R7 rescue hybrid in the TP (Tour Preferred) model. I got a 3h (21-degree) to fill the gap of a longer wood and my 3-iron that I took out. I love this club from just about anywhere on the course, from tee-shots all the way to bump and runs around the green. It also carries the TM stock Stiff flex shaft that this club comes with.
Irons: I’m using the TaylorMade RAC Tour Preferred irons from 2005 (4-PW). They are a forged club which allows me to change my lie angles quite easily as I continue to work on my swing. Currently they are at a 2-degree upright due to my impact position’s lack of hip turn. They are not very forgiving because they are close to a Muscle Back iron. I like the lack of forgiveness because of the feedback that I get from them when I’m practicing. I can feel and diagnose a ¼ inch off center hit as soon as I make contact. They used to be great for when I had better practice habits. I am currently in the market for a new set due to the decline of my practice habits.
Wedges: I took my 3-iron out a while ago to fit in an extra wedge. Living in Colorado, I tend to have a lot more 100 yard-in shots than I do 200+ shots, which allows me to get away with ditching the 3-iron. I have a TaylorMade Gap wedge (52-degee), Sand Wedge (56-degree) and a Lob wedge (60-degree). Adding the extra wedge has dramatically helped my short game and even dropped a stroke or two off my handicap.
Putter: I used to be the guy who blamed his missed putts on his putter and eventually had five different putters in my house. I got over that mentality a year ago and decided that I needed to get fit for a putter since it was accountable for almost 40% of my strokes. I recently was fit for the new YES! Donna putter and have put a good deal of practice time working on my stroke. I have taken four putting lessons this year —one each from Cody Vaughn, Patrick Nuber, Doug Rikkers and 1 from Erin Diegel — which has taken five to seven stokes off my game on average this year.
Balls: I have been a Pro-V guy all the way through my college days and have started playing TaylorMade TP Red golf balls the last two years. These balls have given me a touch more distance, but more importantly, in my opinion, they have a softer feel around the greens and don’t scuff as badly.
Before working at GolfTEC, I had never been properly fit. I simply bought things that felt good and looked good. Once I was fitted and got clubs that were both the correct length and had the correct shaft flex, my game improved significantly. I was able to improve my golf swing because of the correct equipment, hitting the ball straighter and further. I would highly recommend being fitted by your GolfTEC Coach.
