As an unabashed forged blade junkie I have been looking forward to hitting the SB-1s for quite some time. When I picked up my half set at the Scratch shop in Eugene it was love at first site – my babies are gorgeous and have a nice “TWG” touch.

Scratch SB-1 Blade

Blades have a reputation for being tough to hit which is fair if you cannot get out and play at least once a week. In my life, I have played an array of blades and I find the SB-1s uniquely pure and forgiving. While I enjoy playing the Mizuno MP-32s, the feel and control of the Scratch SB-1s is superior in my opinion. The KBS shaft and SB-1 head have reduced my shot dispersion by about 50% and I am comfortable working the ball both ways. On mis-hits, I am not punished in distance or accuracy quite as much as I have been in the past.

Scratch SB-1 irons are forged from the same 1018 carbon steel as their wedges. The SB-1s are specifically designed to get the center of gravity in the center of the face for maximum playability and forgiveness in a muscleback design. After forging,  Scratch’s raw heads are ground and finished completely by hand, and can then be customized to a consumer’s personal specs. The SB-1 irons I ordered feature 2010 “Condition of Competition” legal V grooves and feature a Brushed Satin finish that provides the durability of chrome with a duller surface to help eliminate glare. My SB-1s have KBS Tour X Shafts which I would highly recommend if you are looking for a strong and consistent ball flight.

A trio of SB-1s.

My favorite aspect of the SB-1/KBS combination is the feel and workability. The stability of the KBS X shafts provide a consistent platform to use the soft forged blades to work the ball left, right, high and low almost at will. On punch shots or half shots the feel of the blade and consistency of the shaft instill confidence.

Since putting the SB-1s in my Mackenzie Walker I have dropped a couple of strokes off my handicap and feel like they will give me the edge I need to get down to scratch. Unlike any other manufacturer, Scratch offer three different grinds in their irons so even if you cannot afford the $2,500 Don White Customs, it is possible to get a blade that is a great fit for your swing (based on how you tend to strike the ball).

While the Scratch SB-1s tend to run several hundred dollars more than their large OEM competitors, I would recommend giving them a look because I think the extra cash is well spent for the “right” grind and the ability to add several custom features like a ferrule and stamped initials for no additional cost.

After corresponding with Ari Techner, the CEO of Scratch, I decided on the Driver/Slider Grind in my irons and also on my Wedge. The other options were Sweeper/Slider for those who take shallow to no divot and Digger/Driver for those who take larger divots and would benefit from more bounce on their irons and a wider sole.

So much of this great game is played in our mind, so it is important to be confident in your equipment along with your swing.

As always, the most important aspect of purchasing any golf club is making sure you are properly fit by a professional.

Ryan Moore plays Scratch Irons and TRUE linkswear Shoes on the PGA Tour

From personal experience, I would recommend playing a “stiffer” shaft if you are between flexes as your dispersion will decrease and ability to work the ball will probably increase.

In the interest of full disclosure, Scratch Golf sponsor PGA Tour Pro Ryan Moore, as does TRUE linkswear which is a footwear and apparel company where I hold the title of President.

Believe me, if I was not thoroughly impressed with the Scratch SB-1s, then I would not have put up this review.

I have tried a number of “Sunday Bags” over the last 6-7 years. Most
are fairly inexpensive, but you usually get what you pay for. My
experience has taught me what the my ideal Sunday Bag would include.

My first Sunday Bag was a single strap Sun Mountain. Very light and
a comfy strap. But in damp conditions it could keep you grips dry
for about a millisecond. And with only a ball pocket it was very
limited in all but ideal weather.

Several years later, I bought my son the dual strap Sun Mountain
Sunday Bag to give him an ultralight carry bag. A vinyl bottom
helped a bit in the wet, but the vinyl wore through quickly.
Unfortunately, the part of the bag you lay down on the ground is not
waterproof so grips still get wet in the dew. A bag this light with
double straps is a joy to carry. Feels very light when you double up.
But the x-strap system involves the left strap crossing through a
fabric loop in the main strap–and the left strap likes to get stuck
once in a while. There is one medium sized zippered pocket, a tiny
valuables pocket, a mesh water bottle pocket and a medium sized mesh
pocket. The mesh pocket is certainly a way to add a pocket without
adding much weight–and would be great except that this is a golf bag
- THAT GETS LAID ON THE GROUND.

The First generation Mizuno Scratch Sac (3-4 years ago) had one great
new feature–the entire bag is made of waterproof material.
An accessory pocket and medium tall but shallow apparel pocket are on
the right side of the bag. A Water bottle holder is on the strap side
at the bottom. Having a waterproof bag is really nice for when the
ground is wet. But the lack of a ball pocket was annoying–I tended to
use the water bottle pocket for balls as it had a drawstring cinch.
The shallow apparel pocket was also too small. The current model has similar
features but the material is lighter and the right pockets are larger.
The small top is a squeeze for more than 10 clubs. Mizuno uses an
adjustable velcro strap as a divider–Ok but not great. The carry
strap hooks on to a stay that extends slightly above the top of the
bag which does improve balance. But there is a rectangular plastic
buckle that the strap goes through that is placed perfectly to dig
into your back when you use Rob Rigg’s “stick” method of carrying
your bag.

On to my current stable. I have a 2007 Titleist model 70. Very
Light. Good strap system balances nicely. The strap is sewn to a
stay on the top of the bag which means it cannot be replaced–but the bag
is likely to wear out before replacement needed. And there is no pesky
ring to dig into your back. The Pockets on this bag are great. They
hang over the bottom third of the bag like a saddle. There is a mesh
water bottle pocket plus two zippered superficial pockets (medium
ball pocket on right and small valuables pocket on left) that lie on
top of the large saddle apparel pocket which runs from the left side
over the strap side to the right side. Lots of room for rain gear.
The low location keeps it away from your back when carrying on either
shoulder. The newest model has a higher right pocket so a carrying on
the left shoulder might be limited. If this bag were waterproof it would be tough to improve upon, but
the ripstop nylon will give up on keeping your grips dry. The 2010
model has a waterproof bottom–but still ignores the fact that these
bags get laid on the ground. Not only is the front not waterproof,
but there is a big seam right down the middle.

I also ended up with an Ogio Stix bag last year. Waterproof material
on the front and bottom -Hurray! – and three zippered pockets on the bottom of
the bag–accessory, ball and an apparel pocket that is too small for
anything but the thinnest raingear. Also a wtter bottle pocket below
the left accessory pocket limits the size of the accessory pocket.
But nice and light and can be carried on either shoulder several
different ways including Rob’s method. The strap uses a nylon sleeve
sewn over foam in the middle. Terrible design as the sleeve constantly
twists over the foam. But I was able to use the strap from my
original Sun mountain (sacrificed the worn bag and cut it off) to
replace it and it works great with that strap. The top of the bag has a mini version of Ogio’s Woode system. But
because the bag top is 7.5″ it is cramped and driver can get stuck if
not pulled straight out from its slot. A single or at most 2 dividers
would be better.

What have I learned? My ideal ” Sunday Bag” requires the following features:

1. Lightweight
2. Single comfortable strap that can be carried on either shoulder
3. Waterproof material with some abrasion resistance
4. Adequate pockets for balls, gloves and small accessories; rain hat,
jacket, and pants or a sweater. Pockets that allow carrying on either
shoulder.
5. No more than 2 dividers

Nowadays, I use a pushcart for 18 hole rounds when using 14 clubs and
carrying raingear. But since trying Rob’s method of carrying a
single strap bag I am using the Sunday bag for more than just 9 hole
limited set rounds. If I go back more to carrying I will have to
check out the MacKenzie Llama.

I thought the Mizzies would be a nice step towards the realm of “feel and consequence” while I wait for my Scratch SB-1s to arrive.

The MP-32s launched in 2005 and made various “best of” magazine lists that season – which does not mean much to me because I was not a panelist and I have little time for equipment “Hot Lists”.

What matters is how the club looks and feels when “YOU” play it. And I have to say, the MP-32s have been fantastic for me.

Stock product image from Mizuno.

A summary of MP-32 features from Mizuno:

• Innovative Cut Muscle^TM design provides ideal COG location, perfect trajectory, and enhanced solid feel.
• Grain Flow Forged^®, 1025E Pure Select select mild carbon steel provides the ultimate soft, solid, consistent feel.
• Durable Double nickel chrome plated finish.
• Modified U-grooves produces the ideal spin rate for maximum playability in all conditions.
• Rolled leading edge, cambered mid-sole, and rolled trailing edge deliver consistent striking ability from all types of lies

One of the reasons I enjoy walking when I golf is because I get to experience the course, step by step, and feel it under my feet. I firmly believe that “feel” is vital to enjoying and improving your golf game. For this reason, I advocate FORGED clubs for all golfers who can play enough to improve. The softest forged blades are made from 1025 or 1020 carbon steel. A soft forged cavity back will get you part of the way to “feel” as well, with a little more forgiveness, but nothing is like the real thing.

Why would I advocate a forged blade?

Because I cannot fathom how a golfer can get better without maximizing their ability to feel the ball as it comes off the clubface.

I have been working on some swing changes this season and the MP-32 has been a great partner.

The MP-32 is a blade that provides a lot of feel which has helped me improve my ballstriking. On the range, and the course, as soon as I hit the ball I know where it is going – pured, toe, heel, long, short, fade, draw, hook, push cut, or pull. Mis-hits off the toe or heel tend to result in a loss of distance, which is a fair punishment.

The MP-32 looks great at address – the head is certainly not big, but substantial enough to instill confidence. The toe is has a nice shape, not too round or square, and the top-line is well designed, not too wide or thin. The lack of offset leads to maximum workability. A club for a player, or an aspiring one.

Instant feedback is valuable to any golfer who can get out to the range or course a couple of times a week, because it provides an opportunity for instant analysis. The golfer can ask “why” the moment the ball leaves the clubface. In fact, I have started to “feel” where the ball is going before I even strike it, because I am “in tune” with my swing more than ever before.

A pure golf shot requires excellent focus on the present and a solid physical motion which is – at least in my opinion – driven by “awareness” from “feel”.

The feedback from the MP-32 and Dynamic Gold S300 shaft is excellent. The sound off the clubface says “pure” or “close but not quite” or “try again” on every shot.

While a blade is not for everyone, I think it should be in the hands of any golfer who is looking to improve. Even if you only have a couple of forged blades to use on the range it will probably benefit your swing.

The Mizuno MP-32s are the first blade I have played in a long time. The feedback is superior to the progressive cavity Nike Pro Combo and half-cavity Nike CCi Forged, there is no doubt about that. I am not sure if it is the softer steel or design, but it is evident.

These clubs will be in my bag for quite a while, and when the SB-1s arrive it will be interesting to see if one feels better than the other.

The MP-32 originally retailed at $899 for a 3 to PW set but it looks like they are trading on ebay for $399 new and $250ish for a decent used set.

I have put about ten rounds on them and I am comfortable pronouncing my findings.

Unless you have been living in a bubble – you have seen the Ecco Golf Street Premier on two of TWGs favorite tour pros – Ryan Moore and Fred Couples – at various tournaments this season. Ryan got a ton of press for these shoes at Kapalua, which Ecco HQ must have been very happy about because he is not sponsored by them, while Fred Couples, who has been on Ecco’s staff for a LONG time, garnered a ton of press with his performance at the Masters while the announcers babbled constantly about his nifty street shoes (or “boat shoes” according to Nick Faldo).

These are the shoes that Anthony Kim has been sporting thus far in 2010 with great success. AK switched over from the Air Zoom Elite II which is my personal favorite of the current Nike golf shoe fleet.

I have put about ten rounds on the Trophy and I am satisfied with the shoe. It is built on the same chassis as the Zoom Elite II, but the upper is more traditional with a very clean leather vamp and color-blocked “saddle” support.

It took me a couple of rounds to break the Trophy in, with some discomfort just around the heel during the first round but nothing too bad. The material that Nike used for the heel collar is comfortable and my sensitive skin did not experience any rubbing at the top of the heel cup which is important.

I found myself lacing the Trophy a bit tighter than the heavily structured Zoom Elite II. The Trophy was stable through impact although I felt like, at times, there was movement in the mid-foot as I hit into my left side – ie) my foot was sliding a bit across the insole and into the upper.

Overall stability was good from fairway, rough and uneven lies. The current Nike chassis is solid.

The Zoom Trophy is about $20 cheaper than the Zoom Elite II and it is worth trying on both of them if you are a Nike golf shoe loyalist who is unsure whether he wants a “classic” or “tech” look.  Note that the performance characteristics and comfort out of the box will be different as the Trophy breaks in a bit quicker in the mid-foot and slower in the heel, while the mid-foot on the Elite II feels pretty tight to start but the heel, at least for me, was excellent from the first step.

MSRP: $136 – but it looks like you can find them for $99.99 to $109.99 online.

During the review period, I played 15 rounds on different courses with varying weather conditions. Several courses had considerable elevation changes where I found the slope feature to be particularly helpful. Previously, I had the tendency to overestimate the impact of slope on downhill shots and underestimate the relevance of slope on uphill shots. Once I got used to the Pro 1600, it eliminated having to guess at appropriate club selection.

My past experience with rangefinders was mixed. Most had difficulty locking in on the desired target, particularly when trees or intervening slopes were in the way or background. Doubt breeds inconsistency and destroys confidence.

Several colleagues and I compared yardages computed by our various devices (lasers and satellite units) against posted yardage markers and found the Pro 1600 Slope to be very accurate (often within a yard or two of fixed markers and actual pins). I dare say that this level of performance greatly exceeds the needs of some 99.9%+ of the golfing population.

I did have some initial concerns with the weight of the unit and the force required to push the buttons while holding it steady to lock-in on the desired target. These were allayed with experience, and the weight is actually an asset as the unit needs to be rugged to survive tough conditions and the inadvertent accidents all golfers experience.

The Pro 1600 Slope performed very well in the rain just this past week. The readings were quick and there were no problems with fogging or visibility.

In addition to on course performance, the Bushnell Pro 1600 Slope was a big hit on the driving range where I was asked by several golfers for distances to various targets. If practice makes perfect, the Pro 1600 makes perfect practice even more possible; great for half-wedges and pitching distances.

MSRP:

- Bushnell Pro 1600 Slope- $499

- Bushnell Pro 1600 Tournament – $399

Review by Lou Duran

Photos courtesy of Bushnell

Please contact The Walking Golfer if you have any product review suggestions or requests.

The most innovative and obvious improvement to the 4.0 versus the previous model is the advanced ThinTech low-profile technology which brings the golfer closer to the ground therefore improving stability, balance and footwork. adidas Golf worked with Pride Sports, who make their cleats, to create a Performance Insert System (PINS) that significantly decreases the necessary height of the cleat and locking mechanism. The ThinTech platform and cleat is a fantastic innovation that will be applied across the adi golf shoe line in the future.

The 4.0 has a full grain leather upper that is very comfortable. A unibody construction connects the heel counter and 360 Wrap to the outsole which results in a very solid hitting platform. There are X-Static silver filament fibers woven into the lining which helps regulate temperature and ClimaProof which guarantees 100% waterproof protection for 2 years. Finally, the respected Powerband Chassis now wraps up higher on the lateral forefoot to further increase stability.

I think the stylish Powerband Chassis helps create one of the most attractive shoes on the market and while there may appear to be a hint at form over function that is certainly not the case. Similarly styled shoes like the Puma Tour Saddle have caused physical problems for me in the past due to lack of arch support but the 4.0s shine here and there is plenty of support at all points of the sole for both walking and pivoting during the swing.

As soon as I put on the shoes for the first time, the first adjective that came to mind was “solid.” And my feet were exceptionally comfortable throughout each round I played with no fatigue afterwards. The foam padding on the inside of the shoes seemed to adjust to my feet almost immediately and provided a nice cushion. At least half of my rounds were played in fairly swampy conditions and casual water in the fairways was the norm, but the waterproofing held up exceptionally well, as did the traction on wet turf.

I have worn high end Foot-Joys in the past which I found heavy and that is the one issue that I had with the 4.0s – weight. These shoes were heavier than the adidas All-Tours that I am used to wearing and I wonder how the increased weight might impact my endurance if I played more than 18 holes during a single outing.

Aesthetic quality is a personal opinion and I have to admit that I am a shoe traditionalist, so it was not surprising that my playing partners were more impressed with the look of the 4.0s than me. For whatever reason I thought the asymmetric stitching and pointed nature of the toe was somewhat distracting in the address position. However, many of the other walkers who I played with commented on their clean and edgy style and thought that the toes looked quite simple and refined so I am fairly certain that the 4.0s will appeal to a wide audience.

Overall, I thought the adidas Golf Tour 360 4.0s were very solid at address, form fitting and provided fantastic traction. The ThinTech innovation is a noticeable improvement and I am excited to see it in other models in the adidas Golf footwear line. My preference would probably be for a less expensive, more traditional and lighter weight ThinTech model, because I tend to buy shoes at a lower price point, but I would certainly recommend giving the adidas Golf Tour 360 4.0s a try.

Pros:
Waterproofing, Form-fitting, Traction, ThinTech Innovation

Cons:
Weight

MSRP: $180

Review by David Mihm

Photos by David Mihm

It shouldn’t be that much of a shock, really, as brand loyalty waxes and wanes over the years.  I used to play Callaway clubs, now the bag is filled with Taylor-Made sticks.  For years I drove Japanese imports, now I drive German.  It’s not that the R9 bag is so much better, but it’s a bit lighter than what I was using—a shade under four pounds, compared to 5.3 for my most recent Sun Mountain.

My new bag hasn’t yet reached the “acid test” of a full season of abuse, but one negative concerning Sun Mountain is that their bags tend to wear out a little quickly, and thus far, the R-9 is holding up without a single glitch or fray.

For those looking for a new stand bag that matches the impressive new R9 driver, then the Taylormade R9 is an obvious choice  This bag is constructed of an ultra-light nylon ripstop material and as stated previously, is a real bantamweight at 3.9 pounds. But despite this paucity of weight the bag has plenty of room including six pockets as well as a pouch for valuables. It also features full length dividers, a separate water bottle pouch, and several other bells and whistles that are generally found on bags that are bigger, wider and significantly heavier. For the dedicated walkers who are fans of this site, please note that the EVA molded anatomically correct straps fit comfortably and unlike many carry bags, one has the option of carrying with either a single or double strap.  Simply put, the R9 stand bag is an excellent golf bag, and just as impressive as the wildly popular R9 line of woods.

MSRP: $199.99

Review by Joel Zuckerman

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