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Re: Just Curious

• wayneacampbell 64 Posts

  Sat, Oct 24 2015 7:03 AM

  I was recently able to obtain the level of Master using ostensibly starter equipment. Upon reaching Master level I have duly noted a change in length on a number of holes which make it virtually impossible to reach in regulation due to the built in length constraints of starter equipment. I would be interested to hear from other WGT members as to their experience in respect to the highest level attained using starter equipment.

  Regards.

  Wayne.

   

• alosso 21,083 Posts

  Sat, Oct 24 2015 8:25 AM

  wayneacampbell:

  I would be interested to hear from other WGT members as to their experience in respect to the highest level attained using starter equipment.

  As a Tour Pro (long ago), I frequently crushed Masters in your situation. One or two of them, though, told me lessons in playing the game with Starters! ;)

  Top gun for me was a German Legend, at last TL, who's no longer active. Of course, he didn't reach TL with Starters, but he played them excellently! In the Tough-It-Out comps (uneven, Starters, yellow tees), he showed us his tail lights only, and this is his last blog entry (from 2014(?)):

  Just finished a little task, playing a ranked round as a tour legend (champ tees&greens) with nothing else but starter clubs and unlimited balls at every normal course on WGT. Some of the fairways were obviously unreachable, but you got to deal with it and play those holes in a smart way. Some efforts were awesome, some rather poor. Overall, I am quite happy with the achievement. If anyone wants to try and beat some of those scores in the same conditions, go for it! Waiting for your messages ;-)

  Pinehurst No.2:                      73 (+3)

  The Olympic Club:                 78 (+8)      sheesh, try to beat this as a warm-up!

  Kiawah Island:                       77 (+5)

  Merion Golf Club:                   72 (+2)

  Congressional C.C.:             71 (PAR)

  Oakmont:                                 70 (PAR)

  Royal St. George's:                76 (+6)

  St. Andrews:                            71 (-1)        really happy about this one!

  Bethpage Black:                     74 (+4)       better than it looks, trust me ;-)

  Overall: +27

  Try it yourself, it is a really great test of online golf!

   

• ct690911 7,205 Posts

  Sat, Oct 24 2015 8:35 AM

  Wayne, I once played a legend with a 61(ish) average...he had upgraded his driver and 3 wood, but the rest was all starter kit....irons, hybrid, wedges, putter and he used the free balls....he really is enjoying this game for basically free....or. at least as cheaply as any other hobby you can think of (even feeding the ducks costs a loaf of bread). 

  To play from M//TM tees and ultimately Legend tees, you will need to upgrade your driver and probably your 3 wood...but, that should be about it as a minimum.

  You can purchase a medium level driver and 3 wood fairly inexpensively, but try to get them long enough to also do the trick from legend tees....this way it remains a one time purchase.

  good luck,

  ct

   

• Jhorn188 40 Posts

  Sat, Oct 24 2015 11:19 AM

  ct690911:

  You can purchase a medium level driver and 3 wood fairly inexpensively, but try to get them long enough to also do the trick from legend tees....this way it remains a one time purchase.

  good luck,

  ct

  How long would you say does the trick? Would a 275 driver and a 227 3W be enough?

• ct690911 7,205 Posts

  Sat, Oct 24 2015 6:11 PM

  I think so, yes for the driver...275 yds should reach the fw from legend tees, even with a head wind and a starter ball.... The 3 wood at 227 yds might be a bit short, if you are using the starter irons...(ie., A higher level 3 iron goes 225 yds)

  I would solicit additional advice on this... there are wiser players on here (than me) that could probably help you further..... ultimately,  the decision will be based on your budget.and what equipment is available to you (tier wise)

  ct

• Robert1893 7,729 Posts

  Sat, Oct 24 2015 8:21 PM

  wayneacampbell:

  I was recently able to obtain the level of Master using ostensibly starter equipment. Upon reaching Master level I have duly noted a change in length on a number of holes which make it virtually impossible to reach in regulation due to the built in length constraints of starter equipment. I would be interested to hear from other WGT members as to their experience in respect to the highest level attained using starter equipment.

  Regards.

  Wayne.

  When I hit Master level that's when I started seriously looking at some irons, wedges, and a 3 wood to replace the starters. I had already replaced the driver when I went to tour pro. I got a TaylorMade R1 Black (L48+) driver. 
  
  I got Cleveland wedges, Ping irons, and a Callaway 3 wood. Along with a new putter, those got me to Legend. The 3-wood has been a great club. Its distance is 240 yards, which means, at times, it also works as a nice driver. All around the same time, I got the following:

  Callaway X2 Hot 3 Wood (L73+)
  Ping G25 Iron Set (Steel) (L59+)
  Cleveland 588 64° Wedge (L31+)
  Cleveland 588 60° Wedge (L29+)
  Cleveland 588 56° Wedge (L27+)
  Odyssey Versa #1 Black Putter (L70+)
  
  For the most part, I still used starter balls with those clubs and got to Legend. In fact, I once even shot a 28 on the front nine of St. Andrews with those clubs as a Tour Master. Once, I got to Legend, I started looking to upgrade my clubs again. I think the jump from Tour Master to Legend is the biggest jump in all the tiers. At least, that's been my experience.
  
  Best of luck! Hit 'em straight and seldom. :-)  

   

• alanti 10,564 Posts

  Sun, Oct 25 2015 12:48 AM

  Good luck Wayne.....I was in exactly the same position when I made master tier. 

  On Kiawah and St Andys, it was possible to shoot par or even better on a good day with some luck, 

  Other courses was very tough, especially on a few holes.

  So what it boils down too, is keep challenging yourself (not necessarily having par as the goal) or you will need to upgrade.

  I chose the upgrade route.....but ask the forum users first as it may save you dud upgrades.

  In all fairness, I regretted not upgrading earlier as for me, the game became even better.....but I could not come to terms with the concept I would have to spend real money (next to no offers here) for something I would never own lol.

  Good luck whichever route you take- both are still fun.

• 703 Posts

  Sun, Oct 25 2015 1:32 AM

  You would be in a very select group to do so Wayne.

  I do remember playing with another Aussie TM who used all starters and a TP Starter driver(247 yds).. He did say most of his tiering up came thanks to free rentals but he had a really good short game.