AskMyGolfSpy is a chance to submit inquiries to our consultants right here at MGS. In the present day, we’re pulling questions left on the backside of earlier editions. If nothing else, it proves we learn the feedback. 

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Q: Are direct-to-consumer golf equipment like DTC balls relating to manufacturing? Are all of them being manufactured in just a few factories? Or are they really being made someplace owned by the corporate? – Mike B 

In contrast to the most important ball producers, no one owns their very own membership factories so, in that respect, everyone is a bit of bit DTC. 

With allowances for the truth that everyone borrows a bit of bit from everyone else, the distinction is that OEM merchandise are 100-percent designed by the producer. A superb little bit of the DTC stuff comes from what’s known as “open molds.” From there, designs are tweaked—milling, logos, regardless of the DTC firm doing the ordering needs. The concept is so as to add a little bit of distinctive aptitude to make the product stand out within the market. 

It is very important word that the majority massive OEMs have folks working contained in the factories, ensuring the product is what it’s speculated to be. Golf manufacturers and their factories will typically associate on new applied sciences. COBRA’s milled face, TaylorMade’s Carbon faces and Mizuno’s GFF HD are examples. Within the case of Mizuno, the Grain Stream Forging patent is co-owned by Chuo, its Japanese forging home. 

Lastly, forging isn’t completely for golf golf equipment so some forging homes make different issues. Within the case of Chuo, golf is secondary. Its main enterprise is forging precision auto elements. 

Q: Are game-improvement irons extra correct than non game-improvement irons? – Brandon Wheeler 

From our testing, our preliminary conclusion is that with participant’s irons, small cavity-backs, and so forth., your greatest pictures are usually a bit of bit higher whereas your worst pictures are usually a complete lot worse.  

For those who imagine that golf is a sport of misses, you’re making the argument for game-improvement designs. 

All of that stated, we’ve one thing within the works that may look extra intently on the coronary heart of your query. 

Q: I’m on this awkward stage the place I’m a good participant (~10 handicap) and wish a “efficiency” ball with good seize on the greens however am additionally nonetheless good to lose a ball most rounds. At present taking part in Professional V1s and dropping simply a kind of hurts. I believe I’d like to change to a less expensive ball, possibly round $30ish a dozen – Brandon B 

I get it. It is a query the place I’m virtually at all times going to let you know to think about Maxfli’s Tour line. Record worth is round $40 a dozen however they’re virtually at all times on sale or bulk discounted. 

For those who’re on the lookout for a less expensive Professional V1 different, the usual Maxfli Tour is first on my record adopted by the Vice Professional. Each are made by Foremost in Taiwan which our Ball Lab knowledge suggests is among the many most constant factories on the market. 

I’d be remiss to not point out Snell. The caveat is that their new balls haven’t been out lengthy so we don’t have a lot in the way in which of information on them. 

Q: Why did 2023 Maxfli Tour golf balls not are available yellow this yr? – Lane VC 

Persevering with our inadvertent Maxlfi theme … 

I believe there are nonetheless some provide chain bottlenecks so most everyone seems to be specializing in their core, which mainly means white balls. 

That stated, Maxfli expects to start out delivery yellow variations in August. 

Q: What are the most effective light-weight X-stiff iron shafts? Once I play a full 18 holes, by gap 16 I really feel just like the golf equipment are beginning to really feel heavy. I’ve 125-gram X-stiff iron shafts proper now. Are there any which can be light-weight? – Branden 

I’m at all times uneasy about the usage of “greatest” because it pertains to something apart from high quality. The most effective-performing shaft for me might not be the most effective for you (or many others). 

With that stated, not everybody could make a clean transition from 125 grams to one thing actually light-weight (within the 100 gram vary, for instance) so it is perhaps value making an attempt child steps. 

The final shift I made was from a real 125-gram shaft to 1 with an precise weight of round 118. If I’m going lighter, issues get bizarre. 

It may also be value making an attempt a “premium” graphite providing to see if lowering influence vibration helps cut back fatigue. The brand new Fujikura AXIOM is intriguing and I actually just like the Mitsubishi MMT providing as nicely. They undoubtedly value extra however is perhaps value it. 

The best factor to do is to discover a retailer with the Mizuno shaft optimizer. It’s not 100-percent exact however with only a few swings it can provide you a handful of suggestions primarily based in your precise swing. You would possibly discover a lighter choice amongst them. 

Q: Why don’t main producers have a sub-category line of golf equipment that don’t verify to USGA guidelines for max distance? With golf rising in popularity as an leisure/leisure exercise, there are many gamers which have zero need to play in USGA regulated competitions, however would love to purchase a driver that goes 15 yards additional – Odie 

That is an fascinating one. I believe all the greater manufacturers view themselves as severe golf corporations who make severe tools for severe gamers. 

With that, the main target is at all times going to be on conforming tools. 

Actually, there have been rumors over time and I’m constructive the thought has been bounced round in convention rooms on occasion. As chances are you’ll recall, TaylorMade went as far as to have a few uber non-conforming MOAD prototypes made. 

There may additionally be a component on this that’s as primary as not wanting to boost the ire of the governing our bodies. Producers already stroll a high quality line with new applied sciences that push proper up towards the boundaries. Deliberately stepping out of bounds is perhaps incentive sufficient for the USGA to favor a stricter interpretation of the rulebook. 

As some could recall, on the conclusion of its first season of Driver Vs. Driver, Wilson rushed to get the Triton driver on cabinets earlier than it was cleared by the USGA. 

The USGA in the end discovered it to be non-conforming (primarily based on a particular weight configuration). The principles are the principles, although some noticed it because the USGA dropping the hammer to offer a not-so-subtle reminder that there are penalties for not sustaining the established order. 

Q: Given a constant swing and swing velocity, what can be the space acquire going from a 70-compression ball to an 80- or 90-compression ball? – Fred 

There isn’t a straightforward reply to this one. In our first golf ball check, the information we collected prompt roughly a four-mph distinction between a 100-compression and 70-ish compression golf ball. 

All issues being equal, that will translate to 10-plus yards. 

The problem right here is that you just seldom get an “all issues equal” situation as a result of each the aerodynamics of the ball and the launch parameters created by the golfer affect the whole distance quantity. 

Sometimes, lower-compression balls are designed to fly increased and decrease spin whereas firmer balls can have almost any flight and spin mixture the producer chooses.  

With that, gaps are inclined to slim a bit however, once more, it’s difficult. 

Q: When is TaylorMade going to launch their subsequent technology of TP5 and TP5x golf balls? Imagine the present fashions got here out in early 2021 that means they’re 2+ years outdated and I believed TM was on a 2-year refresh cycle like the opposite main golf ball producers. – Matt M 

TaylorMade’s ball enterprise has confused and shocked me for happening three years now.  

IMO, the present TP5 and TP5x are curious design selections relative to their predecessors. Given the course TM took with efficiency, I used to be shocked after we didn’t see a 3rd TP providing hit the market. And, yeah, I used to be shocked when January rolled round and TaylorMade didn’t launch new balls. 

Behind the scenes, loads has occurred with TaylorMade’s ball enterprise. They purchased one of many factories that produces its core and mantle layers outright. It constructed a state-of-the-art indoor testing facility (which we have been forbidden from photographing) and renovated The Kingdom to incorporate equally state-of-the-art out of doors testing capabilities. 

Principally, as a substitute of throwing all the things behind releasing a brand new ball on schedule, it invested money and time on applied sciences to assist it make a greater ball. 

I can’t promise the manifestation of these efforts will really be a greater ball however I’m assured the corporate may launch a brand new TP5 sequence tomorrow if it wished to and that you’ll completely see new fashions early subsequent yr, if not sooner.  

Extra Questions?   

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