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Callaway Golf FTiZ Fusion Hybrid
by Biskey
If, like me, you struggle with anything longer than a six iron, you're probably playing off 14 or more and you've already started to invest in hybrid clubs. That can be an expensive business. We want quality, but we also want value, don't we?
The Callaway FTiz hybrid delivers both. These days you can pick them up for under £90 and a ... lot less second hand, but they're still great clubs for the mid to high handicapper who can't hit the long irons reliably.
With Callaway you know you're getting quality, as a lot of investment has gone into the technology. What they've done with this club is increased the perimeter weighting with high density metals and this makes it a very forgiving club (and I need all the forgiveness I can get!). The shafts as ever are custom-made for the heads, so again you know that - as long as you've got the shaft that suits your swing - your intentions are being faithfully communicated to the club head. One of the first things that struck me about it was that it seemed "intelligent" i.e. it seemed to know what kind of shot I wanted from it, and I put this down to the harmony between the shaft and the head.
The graphite shafts come in Light, Regular and Stiff, as you would expect.
The hosel has been off-set, which gives you a lot more confidence in the way you square up to the ball, and you don't have to use it many times to realise that this will become your go-to club.
On our course we have a number of par three holes at about 160 yards where I want to get the ball up in the air and parachute it into the green. I find the 27 degree 5 iron equivalent is terrific for this kind of situation. The ball flies up like a lark from the ground (well, from a low tee peg) and drops in nicely.
But it's also good from the fairway, of course, and it can put you in a challenging position on those par five and longer par four holes. Like all hybrids the flatter sole means that you can play out of the rough much more reliably, punch out from under low branches etc.
They do four lofts, 18 (RH only), 21, 24 and 27 degrees (2,3,4 and 5 iron equivalents). If you're only going to get one, then get the 27 degree, as most of us don't always want to hit it very far - we'd settle for straight! In any case you might well get 180 yards out of it. As with all good clubs, the easier you swing the further it will go.
As for looks, I know it has been criticised for its slightly larger than normal head (for a hybrid), but I think it looks quite elegant and, at the end of the day, handsome is as handsome does!
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Wilson Golf Prostaff HMI Putter
by northernlovely
**Why Buy?**
A good putter is vital to any golfer's success, and after trying a few I'm currently settled with the Wilson Golf Prostaff HMI Putter. Wilson is a known brand in sporting goods and delivers excellent quality golfing equipment at reasonable prices. I bought the Wilson Golf Prostaff HMI Putter after trying one at my ... local golf shop, and I always recommend that you try out a putter before you buy to make sure it suits.
**Price and Availability**
The Wilson Golf Prostaff HMI Putter retails at around £25, I've seen prices from £23 to £30 with the cheaper prices being online and usually subject to a P&P charge and the more expensive prices being on the high street. Given that Wilson is an established brand you can usually find the Wilson Golf Prostaff HMI Putter in larger golf shops.
**Looks**
The Wilson putter has a black grip, steel shaft and a gold head with the Wilson logo which is a soft reactive pad. It looks pretty smart.
The shaft is 35 inches (it is available in other sizes, I am tall) and as standard the putter is a right hand putt, so lefties, you'll probably need to order in (though some larger specialist stores will have a stock of left hand putters too).
**Use**
In use I find the Wilson Golf Prostaff HMI Putter excellent, this is due to it's 35 inch shaft as I am quite tall at 5 foot 10 and find I have to adjust my posture too much (and sometimes painfully) to use ladies shorter length putters. The handle is very comfortable and allows for certain gentle adjustments in swing to allow for pretty sharp control. The soft pad on the putter head gives a nice gentle putt for precision shots and the weighted head allows for a smooth swing which doesn't require excessive force behind it.
The Wilson Golf Prostaff HMI Putter has lasted me nearly 9 months so far and with care has remained as good as new. All it needs is cleaning after use (especially on damp days) and with use of a decent glove the handle is as new also, no shining or scuffing which you can get from repeated use and wear especially with the slightly rubberised finishes.
**Recommend?**
I do recommend the Wilson Golf Prostaff HMI Putter, it's my sole putter as of now after trying a few in my years of golfing and I think that for the very reasonable sub £25 price tag you get a high quality, decent putter which should suit any amateur (ie, leisure) golfer be it male or female.
I will give the Wilson Golf Prostaff HMI Putter five stars out of five as it's a very decent putter I can recommend with confidence and it also gives me the confidence to try other clubs and golfing accessories in the Wilson range.
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Pride Professional Wood Tee Pack
by northernlovely
**What are they?**
Pride Professional Wood Tees are exactly what you expect them to be, golfing tees made of wood. They're available in small, medium or large lengths depending on your needs, I buy the medium tees which are 83mm from head to tip and come in a pack of 75.
**Price and Availability**
The ... Pride Professional Wood Tees are available from most online golfing suppliers and from some high street shops and golfing supply shops (for example, most golf clubs have a modest shop, and you may be able to order these in.). They're extremely reasonably priced at £2.38 plus P&P (I tend to add them to other orders so I never run out and to dodge postage and packing charges which are usually free over a certain order value.)
**Packaging**
They're very plainly packaged in a black plastic hanging bag with a clear window for the tees and a blue stripe to denote the medium size. I tend to open the bag and dispense the lot into a small pocket on my caddy, as it's easier than the tees coming out of the ripped bag and ending up in the bottom of my shoe bag or ball holder.
**Use**
Use of a golf tee is obviously very easy as you will only use one or two per game, meaning a pack of 75 will last you. I find that the balls I currently use (Titleist) sit well on the cup of the tee and provide excellent, steady support even in high winds which you often get on the raised level of a tee-off point.
They're white in colour, so easy to retrieve and find in your bag. They push into the ground easily, and overall they're just hassle free tees which are very easy to use. I have had tees which have felt less sturdy (generally these are cheap plastic ones) and I've bought packs of wooden tees before which have had a few which are bent or splintered but this is not the case with Pride Professional Wood Tees, they are excellent quality for the money and I'd agree that these are of a professional standard.
**Downsides?**
My only downside would be that I wish they were in a case rather than a plastic bag however the low price reflects this and you can always get a re-usable case for your tees (not that I have got around to it yet). I have put together little golfing hampers for people at my club as gifts and I always include tees, these don't look especially great in their little plastic bag so I don't use these tees as gifts.
**Recommend?**
Yes, I do recommend the Pride Professional Wood Tees, they are excellent value for money, well made and excellent in use. For the money, they're one of my favourite wooden tees (I always favour wooden tees, to be fair) and I do highly recommend them. Ovearll I will give them five stars out of five, they are something I am sure to stick with as long as they are available.
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