Hey guys, the blog idea is fantastic.

Ive been trying to find reviews for the new Cleveland 588 dsg 60, but so far Ive come up empty handed.

What do you guys have to say about the club. Please take into consideration handicap level.

Another thing: In many web sites, golf companies favor their equipment for certain handicap levels, "low, mid or high". Could you please elaborate on the specific handicap boundaries for each level.

Thank you

Posted by Felipe Lopez May 24, 2006 6:04 PM

As a subscriber to Golf Digest and Golf World I continue to be frustrated at the "What's in the bag?" threads. Sure, you tell us what clubs that week's winners used, but YOU DON'T TELL US WHAT SHAFT THEY WERE HITTING. Tim Herron hit a TM 425? Dandy, but the shaft isn't even an afterthought.

Get with it, will you? The shaft is the ENGINE of the driver.

Happy golfing,

Ben Storey

Seattle, WA

Posted by Ben Storey May 25, 2006 12:33 AM

BOMB: We at Golf World rely on a number of sources within the industry (namely manufacturers and their respective tour reps) to provide us with the information for winner's bags on a weekly basis. That job is made somewhat easier by having an idea of which manufacturer most players are affiliated with. Unfortunately, shafts are a bit more difficult. Players do not tend to be affiliated with any shaft company and we have yet to find a source of information that is reliable on an every week basis to provide us with accurate shaft information for the PGA, LPGA and Champions tours. We continue to effort that information and hopefully we can include shafts in the future. In the meantime, shaft items of note can be found in the Bag Room section of Golf World's equipment column.

GOUGE: "The shaft is the engine" might be the oldest saw in the equipment game. The shaft is important, but the engine of the golf club is the person holding it. The right shaft facilitates optimal performance, but it does not cause it. But we get what you're after. That's why in every What's In My Bag feature in Golf Digest, you'll find a player's shaft information. Just wondering, though, if the shaft is the engine, does that mean the grip is the roll bar?

Posted by BOMB GOUGE May 25, 2006 12:07 PM

GOUGE: The 588 DSG is already getting some tour use, and why wouldn't it? The dang head's only based on the most popular wedge design of the last two decades. The upgrade is the milled face and milled grooves (that wasn't done on the original 588, obviously since milled grooves didn't really exist back then), firstly, but it's the sole that gets more attention. It's essentially a two-part sole that lets you open the face wide without presumably increasing the likelihood that you'll skank one across the green when you're trying to hit that flop shot. We like the potential versatility, but only if your game has that versatility already.

As to the idea of handicap levels, that's a generalization across brands that's hard to accurately characterize. For instance, TaylorMade's TP line of products actually is a good fit for some double-digit handicappers, while TM staff player John Daly uses a tweaked retail version of the r7 460 driver, not a tour version. Generally speaking, if you're thinking of at least breaking 80 every time out, you're probably a low-handicapper, if you're thinking of breaking 90 every time out, you're probably a mid-handicapper and if you're thinking of trying not to embarass yourself every time out, you're a high handicapper.

Posted by Gouge May 25, 2006 2:50 PM

Do you happen to know if cleveland plans to do a fairway wood version of the hi-bore?, if so, when should we expect that?

GOUGE answers: The Hi-Bore fairways should be arriving shortly. Expect the heads to be similar in shape and geometry to the scooped-out crown in the driver design. Look for a special Carpenter 455 steel in the face to keep it thin. Not totally sure on the size, but look for the heads to be similar in the amount of space they occupy to the other 150-160 cc Cleveland fairways. Should be out in stores within the next month or so.

Posted by Felipe Lopez May 26, 2006 3:50 PM

help. i am going to purchase a cobra 454 comp driver. i have a ball speed of apporx 155-160 mph, cannot decide on the rayon sl 45 or graphite design ys5.5

GOUGE answers: At 155-160 mph of ballspeed, you're talking about a swingspeed of around 105. Fast head speed and light shafts (like the Mitsubishi Rayon SL) are like political discussions at family picnics: Not a good mix and wild swings are a distinct possibility. Go with a heavier shaft (60-65 grams) and you won't see a decrease in speed. A light shaft (usually with a flexible tip) and high speed can increase the potential for shaft flutter down at the bottom of your downswing, potentially distorting impact and leading to off-center impacts. Best advice on which shaft to choose is to go to the Launch Monitor Locator at golfdigest.com or the Professional Clubmakers Society website (proclubmakers.org) and find a good fitter who can walk you through the shaft choices.

Posted by leo May 28, 2006 1:45 AM

Long putters are the least of the problem for us mid-handicappers. But I guess it matters to those who lose to someone who is hot on the greens that day and happens to play with the long putter :-)

I have a question - this has been troubling me for some time - and since there is no fitting facility here in India, the problem is all the more acute.

During a round, I drive the ball 300+ (carry and roll) atleast a couple of times, every round.I also have 2 or 3 250+ drives. I use a TaylorMade R580 with a regular shaft. But I have to set up for a fade and swing at almost 60% of my full swing speed. Whenever I try to play a draw (do a full back turn, left knee toward the ball, weight on the right hip, pull the club toward the ball and all the good stuff) the ball usually pops up and goes off very high and straight or to the left and lands a piffling 150 yrds away.

I want to upgrade to a R5 or an R7 but am unable to do so since I cannot decide on the shaft - should I go for a stiff shaft or a regular shaft?

My best score is an 83 and my handicap is 19.

I have been hearing a lot of mixed advice and am totally confused.

Please, can you help?

Thanks

Ramesh

GOUGE RESPONDS: First things first. Good sakes, man, if you're hitting it 300+ and you can't break 90, you need to do some serious work on your short game. The absolute worst you should score is about 82. But I understand your driver dilemma. My advice is to find somewhere that has a few R5s to try out in different flexes and lofts. Generally speaking, you should be able to handle an S shaft in TaylorMade's stock offering. Check your nearest Adidas retail store, as they should be selling TaylorMade product.

Posted by Ramesh D. June 6, 2006 1:57 AM

I would really like to know whats with the different types of neck styles for blade putters. What are the real differences between those styles in terms of performance, and which type neck styles are better suited for which putting strokes or types of players.

Thanks,

GOUGE: What we're talking about more than anything is personal preference and matching to your stroke type. If you try to make a more straight-back, straight-through move (like a pendulum), you'll want a face-balanced putter or a center-shafted design. If your stroke is more of an on-plane arc with a slightly in move on the backstroke, a square face and a slight return in on the forward swing, a heel-shafted putter is probably more ideal. Doesn't matter if it's a slant neck, single bend, double bend or a plumber's neck. Does matter what sets up best to your eye. Two things to consider is a new one-piece design in the works from Nike (used by John Cook) and the frequency filtered multimaterial putter specific shafts recently introduced by UST (http://www.ustshafts.com). Check 'em out.

Posted by Felipe Lopez June 21, 2006 12:34 PM

Jusy like any golfer out there, I wish i can hit farther than everyone. Forgive me, i am just a golfer. My swing speed is around 95MPH and carry about 240 yards. What should I do to pump up more yards? Gym?

GOUGE: Don't know if this is good news or bad news: You're pretty optimized for your clubhead speed. You possibly could go with a lower-spinning ball, but I'm guessing you'd have to go with an ultra-low spin ball like a Pinnacle or a Callaway Warbird. And you'd have a hard time hitting shots around the green or getting consistent distances with your irons, I'd bet. You could lighten the shaft, but it's only going to make a noticeable difference if you're using a steel shaft now and switch to a light graphite shaft. Best advice is to get checked out by a quality fitter on a launch monitor. I'd be surprised if they can beat your current numbers by much. So failing equipment, what's a golfer to do? Improve the efficiency of contact by increasing flexibility and strength. Train hard. When you look like Camilo Villegas, you'll have more speed.

Posted by Derrick June 23, 2006 5:27 AM

I am looking to pick up some hybrids to replace my long irons but I don't know if I should go with graphite or iron shafts. I am currently a high (20+) handicapper and have average swing speed. Thanks for the advice.

GOUGE: Let's think about what we want these longer clubs to do. I'm guessing you don't currently hit your long irons high enough or far enough. A lighter shaft (like graphite) could help you do both. Given your handicap, however, I wouldn't discount the benefits of some higher-lofted fairway woods instead of hybrids. The bottom line is to get rid of any iron with a number lower than "5" on it. Not sure where to start? Clubs like the Nike CPR3 wood or the Bobby Jones hybrid combine the comfortable head shape of a small fairway wood with the shorter shaft of an iron. But definitely go graphite.

Posted by Kevin dickson June 25, 2006 9:16 PM

have anyone tried the harrison titanium series graphite shaft on a driver that is 400cc plus. i have seen those used at long drive competition, wonder if they are good for playing a regular round

Posted by leonardo July 19, 2006 1:33 AM

I have a question....I have been golfing for about a full year now and I can drive the ball about 310 plus, but very rarely does it go straight....my shaft is a regular and i have a graphite club, and some people have been telling me that I should switch to a stiff. I swing about the 130 mph range...do you have any suggestions?...should i go to the stiff flex or should I go higher like x flex or a steel shaft?

GOUGE: Dear Tiger Woods: Get a better shaft. And if you swing it 130 and aren't playing professionally, I don't want to watch your short game. It might be contagious.

Posted by Justin May 14, 2007 5:29 PM