Been planning my next purchases tonight, reviewing the possibilities against my current gear. Because I'm sure as Hell going to need something when (if) I make Legend. So from the longest to the shortest here's my thoughts.
DRIVER. Probably the easiest decison. I'm currently using the Level 48 TM R1. 275yards off the tee and more forgiving than Hilary Clinton. There's really only one option with the big, bad R1 being further away from my current Level (87) than the Delta quadrant. The TM SLDR (Level 89) with an average 282 yards will be a real asset. Twist.
3 WOOD. The TM R11 (Level 84) I've been using is a pretty unforgiving beast, but the MAX equivalent at Level 92 has a huge difference in meter speed which will surely fek with my timing and the TM R11s is just too far away. Stick.
IRONS. Again only one real choice to the Level 79 RocketBladez I've been swinging, The R11 set (Level 90) is the logical step. OK so there's a MAX set (Level 94) but there's the timing issues again. So to switch or not to switch? The R11s have an extra half a dot of forgiveness and spin yet a faster meter. Just about the fastest of any clubs. You know, I'm tempted to stick.
WEDGES. The toughest choice. My Cleveland CG-16s are serving me well. But the TM ATVs have a spacing that I think I'll prefer (100/75/50 vs 100/80/60). They have an extra dot of forgiveness but half a dot less precision and spin. I think I'll stwist. Or twick.
PUTTER. I've not looked at another putter since I started. It's been the Level 77 Nike Method all the way. And I can't see any reason to change. End of.
BALLS. The biggest upgrade I'll make. My WGT G12-S balls have served me well. But with no dots of distance, any boost in this area will make a huge difference. I've trialled some gifted two dot Srixons which average about ten extra yards off the tee compared with the WGTs. So I'm thinking four or more dots will make an even more significant difference. However this biggest upgrade will be the most expensive one. By a country mile. My virtual balls last on average about a day's play (my real ones approximately 1/720th of this) and jumping from roughly 21 credits a day to a hundred plus requires serious thought. My current short list are the Callaway HEX Chrome+ at 300 credits and the 400 or 450 credit Nike 20XI-X. Certainly one to dwell on.
Having spent a goodly while studying all these clubs I have a supplementary question. Well two actually. What the fek is shot shaping and what is it's relevance in the Pro Shop as every single club seems to have the same half dot of it?
Actually here's a third question. How long before WGT cotton onto this and introduce clubs with extra shot shaping potential (and money making opportunity to sell millions of new clubs)? Could be a whole new update all on it's own.