Callaway X-22 to Taylormade RBZ | USHandicap Classic

T LAVAN SHOEMAKER Professional Champion
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Three years ago I finally upgraded from my Wilson Ultras of 20 years to the Callaway X-22s, 4 wedges, 3 thru 9, 5W, 3WXHot, and slid through the FTi, FT9 Tour, and now the Raxr Hawk drivers. I have picked up my driving distance about 30 yards on a "good" drive to about 260 while my average is around 230. My 7 hits 152. The gap between my 2 & 3 hybrids, 5W, & 3W is "muddy." The distances are so compact, about 180 to 220, that the club choices overlap considerably on the long and short parameters, while the mean average still about 10 yards apart. I see larger gaps between the lowest hybrid and fairway woods among better players. My current handicap index is 14, where it has hovered for a couple of years since bringing it back down from 22. I am considering: a - getting an RBZ driver b - getting RBZ driver and woods w/ hybrids c - making a complete switch to Taylormade top to bottom for a complete equipment transition that would include the RBZ irons. I would appreciate anyone's thoughts that would care to comment, as well as any feedback from anyone that is using the RBZs (any) at this time. Shoe
HIGH_LANDER Legend
# 16 4/15/2012 6:18:42 PM
Shoe,now that's an Awesome Chart...and my thoughts are your doing your Homework.I,went and got fitted on my Irons and Driver,and will get fitted on a new putter in 3-weeks.Hope you find the right clubs that will give you the Best Results...Hit em straight!
Smith Chaiyakan Amateur
# 17 8/3/2012 10:11:56 AM
you have probably made up your mind already, but RBZ not the way to go I had the X-22 Pro a while back and switched to the R9 and that felt much better, moved to JPX800HD that was much much better, moved to the RBZ BOO!!!! Didn't have the feel, didn't respond well, but it sure got the distance! Their shafts are a bit longer like the burners 2.0 If you are going Taylormade route migth ass well save money and get some Burner 2.0.. almost the same feel and distance! try out the JPX or even Cobra AMP you might find yourself in love with them! TM RBZ is all HYPE I do like the color though!
T LAVAN SHOEMAKER Professional Champion
# 18 8/3/2012 5:50:57 PM
you have probably made up your mind already, but RBZ not the way to go I had the X-22 Pro a while back and switched to the R9 and that felt much better, moved to JPX800HD that was much much better, moved to the RBZ BOO!!!! Didn't have the feel, didn't respond well, but it sure got the distance! Their shafts are a bit longer like the burners 2.0 If you are going Taylormade route migth ass well save money and get some Burner 2.0.. almost the same feel and distance! try out the JPX or even Cobra AMP you might find yourself in love with them! TM RBZ is all HYPE I do like the color though! I agree with almost everything you say, especially the whole RBZ thing. You take any club, iron, driver, whatever, and jack up the shaft lengths and lofts like they have....instant distance. Well, I'm no Pro but I know a symptom from a disease. I was heading into heart surgery when all I had was a broken 3 Wood....and ya know what, it's really not broken. I've got a Callaway 3Hot and it's been faithful. Would I like a dependable extra 15 yards out of it, yeah, but not at the expense of losing the "feel" of my set. My X-22s are just fine, well, they're actually freakin' awesome!!! I've gone through more drivers than I really needed to as well so I'm just gonna hold on to my Razr Fit for a couple of years before I even think about replacing it......really......I promise.. hehe
ramirezm71 Professional
# 19 8/17/2012 8:44:25 AM
I am considering: a - getting an RBZ driver b - getting RBZ driver and woods w/ hybrids c - making a complete switch to Taylormade top to bottom for a complete equipment transition that would include the RBZ irons. Why??? I'm serious. I don't understand what you are trying to accomplish with any of these choices. From your description, you should be investing in the player, not the tool. Your equipment is plenty good to get to the next level, it's the player that needs improving. With your stats and other information I have every reason to believe that you could become a single-digit handicap player. But it won't happen through equipment change, it will happen by improving your skill level. Just so you know it can be done. You and I hit the ball the same distance (driver stats are within 10 yards of each other). I'm 3 years older than you. I'm still playing that Callaway FT-i driver you abandoned three generations back. My irons are 20 year old Mizuno MP-19 irons. ...and I'm a 2-handicap. Changing equipment constantly is a real distraction. Learn to make consistent solid contact with any of your sticks, work on your short game and course management and you can reach this goal. I know the other low handicap players on this site will tell you the same thing. Plus there are several that deposit their pearls of wisdom on this site on a regular basis and we all benefit. Stick around and work on your game. You can do it! For years I played the same clubs for the comfort factor. I went out with a guy who has to have the latest and greatest in equipment. He looked at my old Ping ISI's (which are still in good shape and in the garage) and asked why I never upgraded my equipment. My response was "Why? I play well with these, why should I?" He was adament that "New Technology" would improve my game. He asked me to hit his driver and I was bombing the ball 30 yards farther. I don't know.....I can understand both sides. Maybe invest in the player and get the new equipment. :) I did both for the record.
T LAVAN SHOEMAKER Professional Champion
# 20 8/17/2012 4:23:33 PM
I am considering: a - getting an RBZ driver b - getting RBZ driver and woods w/ hybrids c - making a complete switch to Taylormade top to bottom for a complete equipment transition that would include the RBZ irons. Why??? I'm serious. I don't understand what you are trying to accomplish with any of these choices. From your description, you should be investing in the player, not the tool. Your equipment is plenty good to get to the next level, it's the player that needs improving. With your stats and other information I have every reason to believe that you could become a single-digit handicap player. But it won't happen through equipment change, it will happen by improving your skill level. Just so you know it can be done. You and I hit the ball the same distance (driver stats are within 10 yards of each other). I'm 3 years older than you. I'm still playing that Callaway FT-i driver you abandoned three generations back. My irons are 20 year old Mizuno MP-19 irons. ...and I'm a 2-handicap. Changing equipment constantly is a real distraction. Learn to make consistent solid contact with any of your sticks, work on your short game and course management and you can reach this goal. I know the other low handicap players on this site will tell you the same thing. Plus there are several that deposit their pearls of wisdom on this site on a regular basis and we all benefit. Stick around and work on your game. You can do it! For years I played the same clubs for the comfort factor. I went out with a guy who has to have the latest and greatest in equipment. He looked at my old Ping ISI's (which are still in good shape and in the garage) and asked why I never upgraded my equipment. My response was "Why? I play well with these, why should I?" He was adament that "New Technology" would improve my game. He asked me to hit his driver and I was bombing the ball 30 yards farther. I don't know.....I can understand both sides. Maybe invest in the player and get the new equipment. :) I did both for the record. Gotcha. The player is working and my equipment is pretty dang new. I was just chasing the extra yard. My stuff is just fine. Thanks.
T LAVAN SHOEMAKER Professional Champion
# 21 8/17/2012 4:25:13 PM
I decided to get a Razr Fit driver. I like my ball flight with the draw bias.
armygrunt47 Professional Champion
# 22 8/17/2012 4:46:43 PM
I decided to get a Razr Fit driver. I like my ball flight with the draw bias. Good choice!!! If I had not just bought new irons and wedges I would have one in my bag.

T LAVAN SHOEMAKER

Professional Champion

Go to Last Reply

313 Views 22 Replies 4 Likes

Three years ago I finally upgraded from my Wilson Ultras of 20 years to the Callaway X-22s, 4 wedges, 3 thru 9, 5W, 3WXHot, and slid through the FTi, FT9 Tour, and now the Raxr Hawk drivers.

I have picked up my driving distance about 30 yards on a "good" drive to about 260 while my average is around 230. My 7 hits 152. The gap between my 2 & 3 hybrids, 5W, & 3W is "muddy." The distances are so compact, about 180 to 220, that the club choices overlap considerably on the long and short parameters, while the mean average still about 10 yards apart. I see larger gaps between the lowest hybrid and fairway woods among better players. My current handicap index is 14, where it has hovered for a couple of years since bringing it back down from 22.

I am considering:
a - getting an RBZ driver
b - getting RBZ driver and woods w/ hybrids
c - making a complete switch to Taylormade top to bottom for a complete equipment transition that would include the RBZ irons.

I would appreciate anyone's thoughts that would care to comment, as well as any feedback from anyone that is using the RBZs (any) at this time.

Shoe

HIGH_LANDER

Legend

# 16 4/15/2012 6:18:42 PM

Shoe,now that's an Awesome Chart...and my thoughts are your doing your Homework.I,went and got fitted on my Irons and Driver,and will get fitted on a new putter in 3-weeks.Hope you find the right clubs that will give you the Best Results...Hit em straight!

Smith Chaiyakan

Amateur

# 17 8/3/2012 10:11:56 AM

you have probably made up your mind already, but RBZ not the way to go
I had the X-22 Pro a while back and switched to the R9 and that felt much better, moved to JPX800HD that was much much better, moved to the RBZ BOO!!!! Didn't have the feel, didn't respond well, but it sure got the distance! Their shafts are a bit longer like the burners 2.0

If you are going Taylormade route migth ass well save money and get some Burner 2.0.. almost the same feel and distance!

try out the JPX or even Cobra AMP you might find yourself in love with them!

TM RBZ is all HYPE I do like the color though!

T LAVAN SHOEMAKER

Professional Champion

# 18 8/3/2012 5:50:57 PM

you have probably made up your mind already, but RBZ not the way to go
I had the X-22 Pro a while back and switched to the R9 and that felt much better, moved to JPX800HD that was much much better, moved to the RBZ BOO!!!! Didn't have the feel, didn't respond well, but it sure got the distance! Their shafts are a bit longer like the burners 2.0

If you are going Taylormade route migth ass well save money and get some Burner 2.0.. almost the same feel and distance!

try out the JPX or even Cobra AMP you might find yourself in love with them!

TM RBZ is all HYPE I do like the color though!

I agree with almost everything you say, especially the whole RBZ thing. You take any club, iron, driver, whatever, and jack up the shaft lengths and lofts like they have....instant distance.
Well, I'm no Pro but I know a symptom from a disease. I was heading into heart surgery when all I had was a broken 3 Wood....and ya know what, it's really not broken. I've got a Callaway 3Hot and it's been faithful. Would I like a dependable extra 15 yards out of it, yeah, but not at the expense of losing the "feel" of my set. My X-22s are just fine, well, they're actually freakin' awesome!!! I've gone through more drivers than I really needed to as well so I'm just gonna hold on to my Razr Fit for a couple of years before I even think about replacing it......really......I promise.. hehe

ramirezm71

Professional

# 19 8/17/2012 8:44:25 AM

I am considering:
a - getting an RBZ driver
b - getting RBZ driver and woods w/ hybrids
c - making a complete switch to Taylormade top to bottom for a complete equipment transition that would include the RBZ irons.

Why???

I'm serious. I don't understand what you are trying to accomplish with any of these choices. From your description, you should be investing in the player, not the tool.

Your equipment is plenty good to get to the next level, it's the player that needs improving. With your stats and other information I have every reason to believe that you could become a single-digit handicap player. But it won't happen through equipment change, it will happen by improving your skill level.

Just so you know it can be done.

You and I hit the ball the same distance (driver stats are within 10 yards of each other). I'm 3 years older than you. I'm still playing that Callaway FT-i driver you abandoned three generations back. My irons are 20 year old Mizuno MP-19 irons. ...and I'm a 2-handicap.

Changing equipment constantly is a real distraction. Learn to make consistent solid contact with any of your sticks, work on your short game and course management and you can reach this goal. I know the other low handicap players on this site will tell you the same thing. Plus there are several that deposit their pearls of wisdom on this site on a regular basis and we all benefit.

Stick around and work on your game. You can do it!

For years I played the same clubs for the comfort factor. I went out with a guy who has to have the latest and greatest in equipment. He looked at my old Ping ISI's (which are still in good shape and in the garage) and asked why I never upgraded my equipment. My response was "Why? I play well with these, why should I?" He was adament that "New Technology" would improve my game. He asked me to hit his driver and I was bombing the ball 30 yards farther.

I don't know.....I can understand both sides. Maybe invest in the player and get the new equipment. :) I did both for the record.

T LAVAN SHOEMAKER

Professional Champion

# 20 8/17/2012 4:23:33 PM

I am considering:
a - getting an RBZ driver
b - getting RBZ driver and woods w/ hybrids
c - making a complete switch to Taylormade top to bottom for a complete equipment transition that would include the RBZ irons.

Why???

I'm serious. I don't understand what you are trying to accomplish with any of these choices. From your description, you should be investing in the player, not the tool.

Your equipment is plenty good to get to the next level, it's the player that needs improving. With your stats and other information I have every reason to believe that you could become a single-digit handicap player. But it won't happen through equipment change, it will happen by improving your skill level.

Just so you know it can be done.

You and I hit the ball the same distance (driver stats are within 10 yards of each other). I'm 3 years older than you. I'm still playing that Callaway FT-i driver you abandoned three generations back. My irons are 20 year old Mizuno MP-19 irons. ...and I'm a 2-handicap.

Changing equipment constantly is a real distraction. Learn to make consistent solid contact with any of your sticks, work on your short game and course management and you can reach this goal. I know the other low handicap players on this site will tell you the same thing. Plus there are several that deposit their pearls of wisdom on this site on a regular basis and we all benefit.

Stick around and work on your game. You can do it!

For years I played the same clubs for the comfort factor. I went out with a guy who has to have the latest and greatest in equipment. He looked at my old Ping ISI's (which are still in good shape and in the garage) and asked why I never upgraded my equipment. My response was "Why? I play well with these, why should I?" He was adament that "New Technology" would improve my game. He asked me to hit his driver and I was bombing the ball 30 yards farther.

I don't know.....I can understand both sides. Maybe invest in the player and get the new equipment. :) I did both for the record.

Gotcha. The player is working and my equipment is pretty dang new. I was just chasing the extra yard. My stuff is just fine.
Thanks.

T LAVAN SHOEMAKER

Professional Champion

# 21 8/17/2012 4:25:13 PM

I decided to get a Razr Fit driver. I like my ball flight with the draw bias.

armygrunt47

Professional Champion

# 22 8/17/2012 4:46:43 PM

I decided to get a Razr Fit driver. I like my ball flight with the draw bias.

Good choice!!! If I had not just bought new irons and wedges I would have one in my bag.

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