The wife and I were in Austin last month and spent about 3 hours at Golfsmith. I hit just about every driver and 3 metal they had both on the range and on their computer monitor indoors. When all was said and done I ended up getting a Titleist 910 D2 9.5 degree with a stiff graphite Mitsubishi Diamana 'Ilima shaft, a Taylormade R9 15 degree 3-metal also with a stiff graphite shaft and then I also bought 3 MacGregor VIP wedges (52, 56, 60) with old grooves. The wedges were $160 for all 3 so I figured I couldn't go wrong! I didn't know that Golfsmith had bought the MacGregor golf equipment company but a couple of the folks who worked there told me so. So far the wedges have performed great and my home course requires a LOT of wedge play so I need good wedges.

I know I could have waited for Taylormades new R11 line to come out but my wife made it clear that this was my Christmas and it was to be NOW and believe me, I'm not complaining! I have the 910 D2 set on C-3 which is a high draw, not the highest or the most draw, but still set for a higher ball flight and to create a slight draw. For me it works great. If I make any kind of good move on the ball at all I get, at worst, a slight fade so it just makes teeing off almost a no-brainer or as close as it's ever been for me. I've got the R9 on "neutral-upright" which also promote a high draw and, again, for me it works like a dream. Without question it is the easiest to hit 3-metal I have ever owned.

I have always been a firm believer that "it's the Indian, not the arrow" but my old Nike Ignite 3-metal was 6 years old and though I still thought I hit it fine there is no question that this new R9 (and most all the others I tried on the range) is simply eaiser to hit. I guess the technology has made things better! I honestly believe now that a good mid-handicap golfer with lousy equipment could literally buy himself down to maybe single digit.